Providence

By: Max Barry

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

From the ingenious author of Jennifer Government and Lexicon: a brilliant work of science fiction that tells the intimate tale of four people facing their most desperate hour - alone, together, at the edge of the universe.

The video changed everything. Before that, we could believe that we were safe. Special. Chosen. We thought the universe was a twinkling ocean of opportunity, waiting to be explored.

Afterward, we knew better.

Seven years after first contact, Providence Five launches. It is an enormous and deadly warship, built to protect humanity from its greatest ever threat. On board is a crew of just four - tasked with monitoring the ship and reporting the war's progress to a mesmerized global audience by way of social media.

But while pursuing the enemy across space, Gilly, Talia, Anders, and Jackson confront the unthinkable: Their communications are cut, their ship decreasingly trustworthy and effective. To survive, they must win a fight that is suddenly and terrifyingly real.

©2020 Max Barry (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"[A] terrific sci-fi thriller." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

"Something for everyone: space combat, interpersonal tension, and aliens, ultimately leading to a story about survival." (Kirkus Reviews)

“Compelling and innovative. In unpredictable ways... Barry takes a story that has been done countless times before and makes it seem original.” (Associated Press)

fantastic premise

good narration and the plot isn't afraid to get very real sometimes. characters are strong and I like that the book asks some pretty big questions. definitely worth a read.

Enjoyed moderately

Not Barry's best work, but entertaining nonetheless. Would recommend. Hard sci Fi with AI themes.

Always a Max Barry fan

I have have been a Max Barry fan since first finding Jennifer Government on the bookstore shelf, and he still has yet to disappoint.

Not as good as his earlier books....

...but at least better than Machine Man. The payoff was a bit disappointing to me.

Start listening now. Don't miss this.

Wow. This book starts with a bare outline of the main characters, then slowly, wonderfully, fills in the essence of each person. I stopped several times because I didnt want it to end. When it did end, I had to just sit for a minute.

great space alien story

excellent narration. easy to stick with the story and had a lot of cool ideas. if your a Max Barry fan you will enjoy although this was a bit of a departure for him atleast in the form of the genre. the 1st part had a real 2001 feel and the third act was alien and star trek. as always he sticks with telling the story thru each individual character which had a more confined feeling here since they are on a spacecraft. I know this just came out but i want more.

Another thrill ride from Max Barry

Everything about this work is incredibly original-the plot, the character development, even the aliens! This was truly one of Barry's best creations.

I can't believe there aren't more 5 star ratings

I tried this book bc I thought Discordia and then Lexicon where wonderfully done. I wasn't disappointed, Excellent book..

Max delivers

Pretty good storytelling. Great character development. Original concept. Definitely Worth a read. Believable sci fi.

Not a bad read

There was a lot I liked about this book, especially the last quarter. My main criticism was in the early parts, some of the setup for why they were in the situation just did not seem plausible, some of the decisions made seemed a bit overboard to the point that I was wondering if this was going to be a parody or I was expecting some kind of twist where it was all a simulation or something. Once I took it at face value and suspended disbelief it flowed well. A bit long in the beginning but the characters were different and interesting and it came together well at the end.