SUBLIME: Initial Recruits

By: Mark White

Narrated by: Mallory Fuccella

Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

SUBLIME examines the journey of two couples who find themselves inside a planned utopian community on the cusp of society’s implosion. Newly engaged Cole and Carly are just setting forth on a getaway when they’re abducted by SUBLIME—an underground group seeking Cole’s engineering skills. Mindy and Kacee, the parents of young children, are also kidnapped while embarking on a weekend camping trip. They’re knowledgeable in the realm of health and fitness, another set of skills desperately needed by SUBLIME.

As the story progresses, it’s revealed that there are twelve underground communities situated around the world, all under the care of the Founder—the mysterious, fabulously rich leader—and his AI assistant, the Analyst. Together, the Founder and the Analyst have created a machine-enriched world free of crime, suffering, and want, at least in their hidden bases, known to but a select few.

The two couples find their every need anticipated, and a personal staff is on hand to prepare their meals, care for their bodies, and free up their minds for the most challenging creative undertakings. Both entertainment and work are VR-enhanced (using advanced simulations and euphoric states produced by drugs and hypnosis). Everything that happens inside SUBLIME is meticulously scheduled and surveilled. Moreover, everyone in SUBLIME serves a critical purpose. Yet, efficiency notwithstanding, there exists a dark side to this domain.

With the onset of the Event, a world economic crash is prompted by evil forces intent on capturing global power. The New World Order is orchestrated by a disturbed dictator named Mr. Chen, who’s hellbent on reducing the population and forcing mass compliance. As such, SUBLIME must remain hidden to prevent a confrontation, but there are still countless people to help escape the demonic Dictator.

©2024 Mark White (P)2024 Mark C White

Great Adventure with All the Characters

As the author of SUBLIME, I thought I would give the listeners my review. Choosing a narrator for SUBLIME was no easy task; it was both daunting and exhilarating. The FREE sample provided by Audible contains one of the scripts of the audition process. Among the contenders, Mallory stood out for her remarkable ability to embody six distinct characters during the audition.

In the Audible version of the novel, Mallory's performance is nothing short of fantastic. She deftly captures accents from Russia, Africa, China, London, and even Australia, adding depth and authenticity to the characters. Fans have already expressed their admiration for specific voices: Danika, the AI talking fish, and Amber, the enthusiastic chef.

Mallory's narration also showcases some clever techniques. For instance, she skillfully orchestrates a scene where two characters speak in unison during a suspenseful cliffhanger. However, my personal favorite moment occurs when Mallory, voicing The Analyst. the all-knowing and powerful AI machine, challenges its creator with the poignant question: “Why do you doubt me?” This line encapsulates the very essence of the series.

I'm delighted that this impactful moment made it into the sample. If the excerpt piques your curiosity, I wholeheartedly recommend diving into the full Audible book. As the author, I truly love how Mallory brings the characters and their world to life.

I could not stop listening!

SUBLIME, written by Mark White was an audiobook I could not stop listening to. I was pulled in by all the characters and was lost in their adventures. I love the way the author explains artificial intelligence to make this fantasy seem as if it could be our reality. Sublime is a must read, or listen for anyone who loves fantasy adventures with speculative artificial intelligence. Harry Potter has magic and creatures, SUBLIME, has artificial intelligence and machines!

Intriguing with great narration!

Interesting, well written book. The narrator does an excellent job portraying the characters in such a way that their individual personalities come through. I first read this book and was so intrigued by it that I wanted to try the audible hoping I wouldn’t be disappointed and I wasn’t.