Fleet of Worlds

200 Years Before the Discovery of the Ringworld

By: Larry Niven, Edward M. Lerner

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Fleet of Worlds marks Larry Niven's first full novel-length collaboration within his Known Space universe, the playground he created for his best-selling Ringworld series. Teaming up with fellow SF writer Edward M. Lerner, Fleet of Worlds takes a closer look at Human-Puppeteer (Citizen) relations and the events leading up to Niven's first Ringworld novel.

Kirsten Quinn-Kovacks is among the best and brightest of her people. She gratefully serves the gentle race that rescued her ancestors from a dying starship, gave them a world, and nurtures them still. If only the Citizens knew where Kirsten's people came from.

A chain reaction of supernovae at the galaxy's core has unleashed a wave of lethal radiation that will sterilize the galaxy. The Citizens flee, taking their planets, the Fleet of Worlds, with them.

Someone must scout ahead, and Kirsten and her crew eagerly volunteer. Under the guiding eye of Nessus, their Citizen mentor, they explore for any possible dangers in the Fleet's path - and uncover long-hidden truths that will shake the foundations of worlds.

©2007 Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner (P)2007 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Niven is an undisputed master in the field." (David Gerrold)
"For three and a half decades, nobody's done it better than Larry Niven." (Steven Barnes)
"Great storytelling is still alive in science fiction because of Larry Niven, and his finest work is the Ringworld series." (Orson Scott Card)

Hurrah!

I only need one word to review this book: Puppeteers!

Good writing; not-so-good listening

When I read a book, I visualize the locations and the characters and... their voices. When I'm lucky, the person narrating the book will let me hear and imagine the story without imposing their own personality.
Sadly, this presenter's voice didn't match my expectations. While he has an impressive, "big", deep voice, his tendency to prolong the final word of every other sentence was at first distracting, then just an annoying drawl.
Or, as he might have said it, "...then just an annoying drawwwlll..."
The focus should be on the storytelling, not the storytellerrr.

Not bad...

This is a prequel set in the Ringworld universe. It does have interesting stories that are layered in complex and surprising ways. Having said all of that I rarely connected to the characters and was not seriously drawn into the book at any time. I would only suggest buying this one if it was on sale.

Fleet of....ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz....

Very disappointed in this book. I am a great fan of Ringworld & Ringworlds Children but this one just never got that interesting or compelling. Even with all the different characters introduced not one of them was as interesting as Louis Wu or Speaker to Animals. The little bit of Nessus' home-world we got to explore in Ringworld is far more interesting than what is described in this entire book. This just proves that Ringworld is a hard act to follow, but keep trying Larry, you did it with Ringworlds Children.

As far as the narrator goes, he has an impressive range of voice inflections and is consistent with the tone and style he uses for each character, the listener knows exactly which character is speaking. But, he has the lonnnggggest drawlllll when using his normal narration voice. Also, with as many female characters in this book as well as the unique feminine voices of the puppeteers why wasn't a female narrator used? A female narrator would have pleased the feminine audience that this book was apparently targeted for.
Conclusion: The Puppeteers home-world location is better off unknown to the "wild humans".

Cant get past the Voice

Would you try another book from Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner and/or Tom Weiner?

Yes, of course...but not narrated by Tom Wierner. Also, the format was weird.

What do you think your next listen will be?

B.V. Larson

Would you be willing to try another one of Tom Weiner’s performances?

No

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Fleet of Worlds?

None, could not get through the first 5 min.

Any additional comments?

None

A great story.

Loved it. I is compelling to learn how manipulative the puppeteers are, and they seem to live forever.

Lacks the fire of the old stuff

Fills in some of the gaps from Crashlander and other Niven Known Space stories. A bit slow and less complex than I am used to. Only reason I gave it 4 stars was the fact that it exists - first Known Space thing I have seen in a while.

Another great peace of SF

Niven’s known space universe is one of the most vivid and compelling SF settings ever devised never failing to entertain and provoke flights of fancy. Ringworld is a must for any one interested in SF or just good writing.

Fleet of worlds goes back to the beginning and brings a new thread to the rich tapestry this rich tapestry of tails and characters.

Very good!

Answers lots of questions about the puppeteers... All Ringworld fans should love it and tell others.

Excellent

If you could sum up Fleet of Worlds in three words, what would they be?

Excellent Detailed Unique

What did you like best about this story?

The characters are very deep and they become favorites

Which character – as performed by Tom Weiner – was your favorite?

HE does a great job with all of them.

Naive sci fi.

I read my first Niven books in my early twenties but age has apparently made me a cynical old man.
Nivens books are good if you believe in a happy ever after but I have long since outgrown this and become more realistic on what humanity has in store.

Very enjoyable if a tad predictable

Having read all the Ringworld series several times this book as a prequel was enjoyable but somewhat predictable.