Gemini

De: Ray Jay Perreault

Narrado por: Ed Waldorph

If you want to try a different sci-fi or you're tired of the same superheroes with the amazing weapons, then try a story about real aliens. How they live, love, and survive. They start as a naïve society that has everything, and when they ask a simple question, they are attacked and learn to defend themselves.

©2016 Raymond Perreault (P)2017 Raymond Perreault

Interesting Story

This audio has a very interesting storyline. However, sometimes I felt that it wasn’t believable. I think a different narrator would have made for a better audio.

A Refreshing Take on Alien Life

“Gemini” stands out from the usual science fiction filled with high-tech gadgets and superhumans. Instead, it focuses on the emotional and cultural growth of an alien civilization. The author skillfully portrays how innocence meets survival, making it an insightful and thought-provoking read.

Gemini

Any additional comments?

The discovery of a new planet or life isn't always worth taking a chance to make contact. This was an awesome listen. A very entertaining scfi audiobook.

May your soul always bear jargon.

Ray Jay Perreault is a classic style writer of science fiction, his work building on character and ideas, challenging thought. This seemingly simple story is, in fact, a challenging tale of change, coexistence and love for others. In order to establish the original way of life on Varo, a planet seemingly circling a sun alone in the distant galaxy, considerable time is spent word holding, establishing the society and politics, agriculture and daily life. The inhabitants are a peaceful people, living in harmony with each other and their sacred soil, to which they will one day return, and which provides everything they need for life. Without personal ambition to rule over others, leaders emerge naturally chosen as needed, but, although respected, they are not higher in the social system, there is no divide between rich and poor and all are fed and housed and comfortable. Life is good.
Then into this world comes a different, invading culture, threatening everything held dear. To survive they must face this new intrusion. To survive, they have to change. After the book's leisurely beginning, the pace increases as the people try to save their place on the planet.that has been their home and comfort back into the depths of time.

Ed Waldorf's narration, whilst being steady and clearly given, is not inspirational, being rather unemotional and far too slow. Increasing the speed helps a little but, combined with some repetition in the text in early stages of the book, his performance could deter some listeners from going beyond this stage into the more action filled sections which follow. Which would be a great pity. This is a book well worth reading.
My thanks to the author for freely gifting me a complementary copy of Gemini. I have read and enjoyed many of his earlier works, such as SIMPOC, and the other associated Virus stories. This one is different but still explores the nature of humanity - even amongst aliens.

A Stellar Dive into AI Potential

Gemini delivers a captivating exploration of AI's evolving role in creativity and problem-solving. The narration is crisp, blending technical insights with engaging storytelling. While some concepts feel dense, the analogies make them accessible. The pacing keeps listeners hooked, though a deeper dive into ethical dilemmas would’ve added weight. Perfect for tech enthusiasts seeking a balanced, thought-provoking listen on AI's future. A solid 4/5.

Overall Solid Sci-Fi Book

As other reviewers have stated, the book does start off a little slow and the narrator takes some getting used to. However, at some point, I actually enjoyed listening to his reading. The story is actually very riveting and I felt drawn into the battles and story. This is one of those stories that one must really be patient with as the plot and narration do get better and better. Honestly, this is a pretty good book if you have the patience and it is reasonably priced.

I was given a free review copy in exchange for a review, but I hope my true thoughts come out in this review. It's not perfect but it is pretty good.

May your soil always bear Jabon

This book has an interesting premise and reminded me of some of the early 1950's sci-fi books/movies. However, this interesting idea seemed to have gotten bogged down in a lot of minutiae.

The Raog are a peaceful species and become curious about a possible twin planet. When they send up a satellite to find out if the planet exists, all of that changes.

If I had been reading a physical book instead of listening to it on Audible, I would probably have skipped a lot of it. The first part was rather boring and read more like a technical paper on how to grow the Raog's one crop, Jabon. Also, it was hard to follow the story at times because of the foreign names and the author's style of jumping from place to place a lot without any explanation.

The writing style was also more like a technical paper, without any flow or attempt to draw the reader into the story. And, why oh why, did Mr. Perreault feel that each and every time that a character left, they had to say, "May your soil always bear Jabon"!!!

The narration was OK, but very uninspiring. I don't know if this is due to the style of writing or not. Mr. Waldorph was basically just reading the book aloud without any emotion attached at all.

If you are a diehard sci-fi fan, especially of old style sci-fi, give this a try. I think that the whole story could have been a great novella, but seemed a little long in this format.

I was gifted a copy of this Audible book by the author and chose to review it.

Sci-Fi with Depth and Emotion

Ray Jay Perreault has crafted an exceptional tale that blends philosophy, sociology, and thrilling storytelling. The aliens in Gemini are more than just another species—they are complex, emotional, and relatable. Their evolution through conflict is gripping and makes you ponder deep ethical questions. Ed Waldorph’s narration is excellent, enhancing the emotional depth of the characters. A must-listen for fans of intelligent science fiction!

I Tried!

I did try to give Ray Jay Perreault,s book Gemini the benefit of the doubt. It seemed to have all the goods, Sci Fi, Aliens and a compelling story but I kept getting lost in the details and I was not helped by Ed Waldorph's narration. I will try for more of Ray's stories but for me this one was a miss. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

We are not alone

I received a free code for this book.
Enjoyed the story of a culture's first contact with another species with a very different view on life. In places it was rather long winded, but still enjoyable.