Orion and King Arthur

By: Ben Bova

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

For the first time in more than 15 years, Ben Bova returns to the adventures of Orion - hunter, warrior, assassin, and time-traveler. Created by Aten, one of the god-like descendants of the human race 50,000 years in the future, Orion is forced to travel throughout space-time to do his Creator’s malevolent bidding.

In this audio exclusive, Aten sends Orion to the Britain of the Dark Ages, after the Roman legions have left and the island is being invaded by Saxons and other barbarian tribes. A young nobleman, Arthur, is struggling to bring the petty Celtic warlords together to resist the invaders. Aten commands Orion to assassinate Arthur and allow civilization in Britain to die. Instead, Orion - aided by his love, the Creator Anya - joins with Arthur to fight the encroaching darkness as they strive to keep Britain free.

Listen to more of Ben Bova's Orion novels.

©2011 Ben Bova (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Stefan Rudnicki forcefully portrays Orion, Bova’s hunter, warrior, assassin, and time-traveler hero…In this audio-exclusive production, Rudnicki clearly defines voices for the various characters, giving them verbal mannerisms that include slow and rapid speech patterns, high-pitched inflections, and well-paced pauses.” (AudioFile)

"...a rip-roaring good story that draws from a more grounded version of the Arthurian mythos to good effect." (Publishers Weekly)

So disappointing

While I can't profess to having absolutely loved the original series, I did enjoy it. One of my problems with it was how it ended, so when I saw that Bova was revisiting it, I was really excited. It was, however, rather disappointing.

There was so much repetition of information. Every chapter, he would explain that Orion was a "mere creature" and that he was subserviant to Aten's will. Every time Orion got into a fight, he would explain the process of going into "overdrive." Every time. And it is an action-packed book. I can completely understand the need to recap some main points, especially when there has been such a gap between books, but not every five minutes.

Another problem which I had with the original books, and which was exacerbated in this installment, is that Orion never seems to learn anything. Sure, he figures out some of the mysteries of the universe, but then at the beginning of the next book, his memory has been conveniently erased and he is back to being helpless and powerless.

Overall, I found it to be extremely frustrating to listen to. I was looking for closure, and found none. It was the same story as the rest of them, just in a different time and place, and nothing was resolved. More books were hinted at, but I probably won't be spending my credits on them.

To be fair, Stefan Rudnicki was, of course, flawless in his narration and none of the blame lies with him. If you're a huge Bova fan, you'll probably want to go for it. If you're a fence-sitter like me, I would advise against this one.

The first audio only Orion, A nice return.

I like this book, it was a worthy addition to the series. while not a direct sequel to book five it does continue Orions adventures ins space and time and hints at possible future events if those books get written. For anyone who read and loved the series get it. For new people please try it out. He covers a lot of old information so even someone brand new to the series can catch up to the situation.

To new people I advise also going back to the first Orion book and listening to each book as they came out originally for greater enjoyment and understanding. Orion gains great power to resist his creator and protect King Arthur and his noble dream.

Surprise classic!

Would you listen to Orion and King Arthur again? Why?

The description of this book was great but of course that doesn't make for a good book.
I went a head and bought this one and was REALLY surprised at how good it was.
I've already listened more than once

Great if you have Alzheimer's disease

Any additional comments?

Don't want to make light on Alzheimer's disease but this book repeats itself so often that it could of been 50% shorter and 2x more enjoyable. I did like the premise very much.

why must we hear the same dialogue over and over?

Would you try another book from Ben Bova and/or Stefan Rudnicki?

yes

Would you ever listen to anything by Ben Bova again?

yes

What does Stefan Rudnicki bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The feeling behind Orion's actions.

Did Orion and King Arthur inspire you to do anything?

no

Any additional comments?

I think this is the weakest of all of the Bova Orion series. It seems like Bova thinks the reader/listener is stupid. How many times do we need to hear that the knife on his thigh was a gift etc etc. When he is moved to the Creators realm, we hear the same thing every time. I think we have figured out that the abandoned, cold world, is the Creator's home base, that they left. Then there is Orion reaction to each time a Creator energy bubble comes towards him, like it was the first time? Come on it is always the same thing, we don't need to hear how blinded he is etc.
It seems like Bova may have written this book at different intervals, and forgot that he had described these events 20 times before in other chapters. Come on, respect your audience, and figure they can remember that Orion goes into hyper drive each time he goes into battle. It doesn't need to be described over and over as if we never had heard of it before.
Other than that, I liked the story. It was just a bit over done with repeats. Was he trying to just put in filler to get the book longer?

finally fulfilled

I started reading the Orion series as a child 11 or 13ish, but could only find like 3 of the books. now im 40 and finally am able to reconnect with 1 of my favorite authors.. thanks Ben Bova and thanks audible...

Repetitive

For whatever reason, the author repeatedly writes same parts of story universe, or core parts of the saga. Lost count of how many times Orion talks of how Aten created him.

Pretentious Crap

Ben Bova has written some great sci fi, but now he is just trading on his past. This is so bad that it's insulting. Do yourself a favor and get something by Brandon Sanderson, Robin Hobb. or Patrick Rothfuss.

The Best Sci-Fi Series

This Series Orion by Ben Bova is one of the best science fiction series of all -time.

the author Ben Bova is one of the most realistic writer of sci-fi books; when looking toward the possible future of mankind and stretching the possibilities of our known or theorized reality.

Poorly written, poorly performed

Would you try another book from Ben Bova and/or Stefan Rudnicki?

NO - boring, repetitive, poorly written, poorly performed

What do you think your next listen will be?

unsure

How did the narrator detract from the book?

overly dramatic

What character would you cut from Orion and King Arthur?

all, both

Any additional comments?

did not complete listening it was so bad