Progeny's Children

De: Ray Jay Perreault

Narrado por: Christopher M. Allport

Humans were forced to leave Earth when the pollution became a threat. Mankind could no longer live on the planet. They traveled 189 light years to their new home they named Horizon. When they left Earth they abandoned much and over the years they grew, developed, and matured. A long time in humanities' future they returned to Earth and found something else living there.

©2016 Raymond J Perreault (P)2016 Raymond J Perreault

Thought provoking sci-fi story

This is an interesting and thought-provoking sci-fi story of political deception, human aggression, discrimination and moral dilemmas. This combination of his two short stories, Progeny and the Circle is Closed, has made for an excellent story. The author melded them together to give us a great story where humans left a dying planet and traveled to a new world, only to return to a healed Earth many centuries later. To their surprise, they find a society of salient robots, the Us, and even more shockingly, a race of humans, the Them, created by those robots from DNA samples found hidden in another primitive humanoid type race. The narrator did a good job with this story; his tone and pace gave you the feel of robots but at the same time he managed to add individuality to the Us. Allport made the humans seem more animated than the Us, illustrating the differences well. I loved the contrast of attitudes in this story; from the Prime Ministers entitled, superiority, the all-inclusiveness and logic of the Us, the fear of the unknown and sheep-like following shown by the majority of the arriving humans, the open acceptance and intellect of the Them, and the slow rebellion against injustice by the Captain and others. It is not a simple story of good vs evil but rather one of the ability to see beyond one's prejudices, to act for justice and be willing to try to understand and accept that all forms of life have worth.

An Engaging Sci-Fi Journey

Progeny's Children delivers a well-paced narrative about survival and rediscovery. The concept of humanity abandoning Earth due to pollution felt eerily plausible, and the mystery of what they found upon their return adds a thrilling twist

Progeny's children

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The story was great and took a few twists and turns with some surprises, both good and evil. The author combined two of his previous short stories into this full length book. Great scifi book

A story that can make you think about life.

To start off... the title of this books makes it sound like a sequel to Ray's short story "Progeny." It's not. It would be closer to say it is a novelization of that story. The complete story of Progeny is included and expanded in this novel. This is mentioned at the end along with mention of the story "Circle is Closed" which I have not read but is also apparently included in this story.

Overall I like the premise of the story and the execution is engaging. The loud beeps in places you eventually get used to (they apparently are supposed to be there), but the blank pauses can be disconcerting. The reader fits the story and has a good voice for the characters.

This story reminds me of why I like Orson Scott Card in the "Ender" series and other story's that Card writes. This story, like the "Ender" Series, makes you think about right and wrong and how we treat others that may be different than us in some way. Ray is just getting started but shows lots of promise in his story lines. Some work is still needed to bring this novel up to the level of a great story but it shows the thinking of the author is growing in good directions. The author repeats the same points several times and at least once did so in the same section of the book. This is often done to bring home a point but some finesse is needed to weave it further into the story so it does not slap you around with the repetitiveness.


I received a free copy of this audiobook for an honest review.”

Perfect for Sci-Fi Fans

The blend of futuristic technology, human resilience, and an unexpected twist on Earth made this book a fantastic read. It’s both entertaining and thought-provoking

A Masterpiece of Generational Storytelling

Progeny's Children is a breathtaking exploration of legacy, identity, and the intricate bonds that tie generations together. The author weaves a rich tapestry of characters, each vividly drawn and deeply human, whose struggles and triumphs resonate long after the final page. The narrative is both intimate and epic, blending emotional depth with a sweeping historical scope. Themes of resilience, love, and the enduring power of family shine through, leaving readers profoundly moved. A must-read for anyone who cherishes stories that illuminate the beauty and complexity of human connections. Truly unforgettable.

A Sci-Fi Gem That Sparks Deep Questions

This audiobook surprised me in the best way. It starts with the framework of a controlled, thriving society, but the moment Helen uncovers the past, everything shifts. The balance between world-building and character development is just right, and the laws that guide this society are both intriguing and haunting. Helen’s discovery forces the listener to think about our own world's reliance on rules and tradition. The narration by Christopher M. Allport is clear, engaging, and well-paced. A must for sci-fi lovers who like a dose of existential exploration.

Imaginative and thought-provoking

A fascinating journey of humanity leaving Earth and returning generations later. The story kept me completely engaged.

Return to Earth

After 1300 years on the planet of Horizon, descendents of Earth are ready to return home. They hope the planet their ancestors ravaged has regenerated. What they find is unbelievable. With the passage of time, things like superiority are still a part of human nature. Thinking robots and human cousins won't stand in the way of a ambitious leader. I was gifted this from the author.

Journey to space and back

Would you consider the audio edition of Progeny's Children to be better than the print version?

I do not know the answer to this question as I only have experience with the audio version. However ,I think the book would read just as well as it is spoken.

What did you like best about this story?

Gosh, I really enjoy delving into the lives and the mental processes of the robots. I also really enjoyed the character creation of the captain. I was really able to relate to him, and he represents much of what I hope all humans could aspire to be in life. The Prime Minister represents the narrow-mindedness and the elitist nature of humans. This really made me think about how humans rule the Earth and how we should be mindful of how our actions affect others (living or not).

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was not a scene at all. I really enjoyed following the main robot character as she morphed from complete machine into something more diverse and worldly. Watching her grow was very inspiring.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would've loved to listen to this book all in one sitting, but my life does not support that kind of free time. I did listen to is as often as I could though. I really enjoyed coming back to this book every time.

Any additional comments?

I definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy moral dilemmas and expanding the human consciousness. I think this would be a great book for anyone to read and learn from.