Edge of the Stars: A Techno-Thriller Science Fiction Novel

The Edge, Book 2

By: Andria Stone

Narrated by: Nicholas Barta

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

"I've been tortured by a crazy woman, and have sparred with Von Radach. There's nothing you can do to me that even comes close."

Mars invites scientists to participate in terraforming experiments which brings the MAVREK team all the way from Terra. But minutes after landing on the space station, Dr. Mark Warren is accused of murder.

The warm welcome continues with an attack on his spaceship, then three Terrans are found dead, and killer cyborgs are spotted. Authorities immediately conduct a massive hunt throughout Martian space and terrible new enemies surface with a direct link to Warren's old nemesis.

On the planet, the same fugitives hunting Warren also threaten the downfall of Mars itself. The high-octane x-military MAVREK crew battles arms dealers, mercenaries, an infamous hacker, clone trafficking, and an insidious female enemy who will kill to avoid capture. Perhaps they'll save Mars...if they don't die first.

Edge of the Stars is an action-packed science fiction military thriller, with everything sci-fi fans love - starships, space colonies, cyborgs, secret military and medical technology, and even a bad-ass villain.

©2017 Andria Stone (P)2018 Andria Stone

Action, Action, and Development

At my request, this audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an -->unbiased<-- review

I got started with this book just about the first moment I could. I had enjoyed the first book probably in January this year and I knew the sequel was coming. I love Sci-Fi and the tech and style of action are what really sets them apart sometimes.

Nicholas Barta is certainly dependable for a good read. He does a variety of recognizable voices and I felt he added to the overall experience nicely. I'm used to his voice and nuances already, having read the first book recently, but there really were no issues to be concerned with. I would not quite call him a 5-star performer yet, but I think he could get there. If he could inject a bit more emotion to fit some of the scenes, and move liveliness at the right moments, he'd be there.

This book starts with a prologue that does a good job getting us caught up on the goings on since the end of book 1. The ball gets rolling and we dive into action pretty quickly. But that's really what this book was; action (thriller). I know there is some self-styled techno-thriller aspect here, but what I got more from book two was the thriller side. Book 2, Edge of the Stars, really plays off of the tech established in Book 1, Edge of the Future. I enjoyed all of the cyborgs and nanites, the presence of spaceships even if they aren't focal, and the colonies outside Earth... Terra. The issue I ran into is that this book stood so significantly on the shoulders of book 1 that a lot of the outstanding tech and details began to feel mundane to me. The major technological aspect of this book was seen in the interrogation scenes. I was intrigued and interested anyhow, but again, this was more futuristic thriller and less techno.

Still a good and engaging story, still good banter and plot, still relatable characters. I expected that, though, after book 1. Our characters are becoming more of a 'family' than a band of colleagues, and I welcome the change. I'll be here for book 3 when it's out too! A solid read overall. I'm glad to have had the opportunity.

Continues the action

“Edge of the Stars” is book two of “The Edge” series. This book is a fast-paced romantic space-based thriller with many plot twists and turns keeping the listener engaged at all times. It has nearly all the elements one can ask for in a science fiction book including: cyborgs, distant colonies, clandestine military, intense action sequences, futuristic medical technology, and much more. The book is written by Andria Stone and the audiobook edition is well narrated by Nicholas Barta. The story picks up close to where the first one left off. This book contains many of the same characters from the first in the series but, there are a few new and more sinister characters found in this one. If you enjoyed the first book of this series, I think you will enjoy the second even though it is less a technology thriller than a suspense novel.

I was quite pleased the author included a prologue chapter allowing the listener the ability to get caught up with the events and activities that concluded from the first book. There are times that the next book in a series is not published for months or years after the first, so it is always nice to have a short chapter getting one caught up. This book takes place about six months after the first and the events occur mostly on mars. For me, I found the second book in the series to be less technology focused as it was concentrated on being a suspense thriller. I would have preferred more technology woven into the story as it was a critical component of the first book in the series, yet this one seemed to be more action and suspense then techno-thriller. There are still aspects of cloning along with medical technology using nanites, but I would have enjoyed having more technology based on the colony, weapons, etc.; yet it seemed to be lacking in this book.

I also enjoyed the author’s use of various small events that seems to run the length of the story such as one character’s drive to complete the task in hopes of receiving a tattoo when all was accomplished. There were also a few other instances where characters had well defined personalities that remained consistent throughout the story; I like this aspect of consistent characters along with their actions. I found it refreshing that both book one and book two stories were mainly completed without leaving many open-ended aspects; each book could be read as stand-alone story, yet you get much more when read them as a series. I enjoyed most of the character’s dialogue between each other, but I would have liked to have had less bantering amongst them. For their level of education and expertise, it seemed at times out of place or forced when they interacted this way or fluently used foul language. I enjoy authors who can paint a picture for me, but not too detailed that it takes away from my own imagination. In some way, I thought the author focused too much attention on descriptive detail such as clothing and less on the more technical aspects. Not a bad things, but more a preference in my part.

Mr. Barta did a decent job with the book’s audio narration. Being a new comer in the narration space with eight books (at the time of this review) on Audible, I felt he did a good job overall. There were a few slight inconsistencies with volume in spots, but these were minor. I also felt that Mr. Barta at times put dramatic emphasis in places where it just did not seem to fit. Overall, the recoding was professionally done and I’m sure his reading will become better as he grows in experience.

For parents or younger listeners, be aware that this book does contain a fair amount of vulgar language along with some mature subject matter. There are discussion involving sex or sexual topics which may not be appropriate for younger listeners. If this type of content is offensive to you, I would recommend locating a different series to listen too.

In summary, the book is a good book, but I enjoyed the first one more due to its emphasis on technology. Even though this book seems to focus more on character development, it still contains a fair amount of action and suspense. If you enjoyed the first book, I would recommend you pick up a copy of the second. If you have not yet listened to the first, I recommend you pick up that one and enjoy a new audiobook series.

Disclaimer: I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator.

Another fun thrilling listen

I really enjoyed this book. Lots of twists and turns, action, technology, off-world travel, cameraderie and a Bond-worthy villain with an audacious plan--what's not to love? There are a few audio issues toward the beginning, but they disappear after a few hours and they lent the rapid-fire pace verisimilitude, especially when our heroes are running around the domes of Mars. Andria Stone delivers another un-put-down-able follow up to her first thriller, and it's even more fun. Nicholas Barta pulls out all the stops in his performance. I can't wait for the next installment.

more action and suspense then techno-thriller

“Edge of the Stars” is book two of “The Edge” series.  This book is a fast-paced romantic space-based thriller with many plot twists and turns keeping the listener engaged at all times.  It has nearly all the elements one can ask for in a science fiction book including cyborgs, distant colonies, clandestine military, intense action sequences, futuristic medical technology, and much more.  The book is written by Andria Stone and the audiobook edition is well narrated by Nicholas Barta.  The story picks up close to where the first one left off.  This book contains many of the same characters from the first in the series but, there are a few new and more sinister characters found in this one.  If you enjoyed the first book of this series, I think you will enjoy the second even though it is less a technology thriller than a suspense novel.

I was quite pleased the author included a prologue chapter allowing the listener the ability to get caught up with the events and activities that concluded from the first book.  There are times that the next book in a series is not published for months or years after the first, so it is always nice to have a short chapter getting one caught up.  This book takes place about six months after the first and the events occur mostly on mars.  For me, I found the second book in the series to be less technology focused as it was concentrated on being a suspense thriller.  I would have preferred more technology woven into the story as it was a critical component of the first book in the series, yet this one seemed to be more action and suspense then techno-thriller.  There are still aspects of cloning along with medical technology using nanites, but I would have enjoyed having more technology based on the colony, weapons, etc.; yet it seemed to be lacking in this book.

I also enjoyed the author’s use of various small events that seems to run the length of the story such as one character’s drive to complete the task in hopes of receiving a tattoo when all was accomplished.  There were also a few other instances where characters had well-defined personalities that remained consistent throughout the story; I like this aspect of consistent characters along with their actions.  I found it refreshing that both book one and book two stories were mainly completed without leaving many open-ended aspects; each book could be read as a stand-alone story, yet you get much more when reading them as a series.  I enjoyed most of the character’s dialogue between each other, but I would have liked to have had less bantering amongst them.  For their level of education and expertise, it seemed at times out of place or forced when they interacted this way or fluently used foul language.  I enjoy authors who can paint a picture for me, but not too detailed that it takes away from my own imagination.  In some way, I thought the author focused too much attention on descriptive detail such as clothing and less on the more technical aspects.  Not a bad things, but more a preference in my part.

Mr. Barta did a decent job with the book’s audio narration.  Being a newcomer in the narration space with eight books (at the time of this review) on Audible, I felt he did a good job overall.  There were a few slight inconsistencies with volume in spots, but these were minor.  I also felt that Mr. Barta at times put dramatic emphasis in places where it just did not seem to fit.  Overall, the recording was professionally done and I’m sure his reading will become better as he grows in experience.

For parents or younger listeners, be aware that this book does contain a fair amount of vulgar language along with some mature subject matter.  There is discussion involving sex or sexual topics which may not be appropriate for younger listeners.  If this type of content is offensive to you, I would recommend locating a different series to listen too.

In summary, the book is a good book, but I enjoyed the first one more due to its emphasis on technology.  Even though this book seems to focus more on character development, it still contains a fair amount of action and suspense.  If you enjoyed the first book, I would recommend you pick up a copy of the second.  If you have not yet listened to the first, I recommend you pick up that one and enjoy a new audiobook series.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog.

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GOOD SERIES.

Enjoyable. Fast moving and the protagonist, Dr Mark Warren and his team is in Mars and are caught in the cyborgs, clones and slavery trade. With an evil enemy who hates him and go all out to kill him. Very well written. Nicholas Barta did a good job with different voices for the characters and he brought life to the story. I hope there will be more books soon. Worth a credit.