METAtropolis: Cascadia

By: Jay Lake, Mary Robinette Kowal, Elizabeth Bear, Ken Scholes, Karl Schroeder, Tobias Buckell

Narrated by: Rene Auberjonois, Kate Mulgrew, Wil Wheaton, Gates McFadden, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Jay Lake

Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

This provocative sequel to the Hugo and Audie Award nominated METAtropolis features interconnected stories by today’s top writers of speculative fiction – performed by a galaxy of Star Trek stars.

As the mid-20th century approaches, the Pacific Northwest has been transformed - politically, economically, and ecologically - into the new reality of Cascadia. Conspiracies and secrets threaten the tenuous threads of society. The End of Days seems nearer than ever. And the legend of the mysterious Tygre Tygre looms large.

METAtropolis: Cascadia is the creation of Hugo and World Fantasy Award nominee Jay Lake; Mary Robinette Kowal, winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer; New York Times best-selling author Tobias S. Buckell; Hugo Award winner Elizabeth Bear; Aurora Award winner Karl Schroeder; and critically acclaimed author Ken Scholes. The team of narrators is any Star Trek fan’s dream: Rene Auberjonois (“Odo”); Kate Mulgrew (“Capt. Kathryn Janeway”); Wil Wheaton (“Wesley Crusher”); Gates McFadden (“Dr. Beverly Crusher”); Jonathan Frakes (“Cmdr. William Riker”); and LeVar Burton (“Geordi La Forge”). Jay Lake, who also served as Project Editor, introduces this stunning sequel, written and produced exclusively for digital audio.

Check out the original METAtropolis here.;Learn more about the narrators and authors at the METAtropolis: Cascadia microsite now.

©2010 Joseph E. Lake, Jr., Mary Robinette Kowal, Tobias S. Buckell, Elizabeth Bear, Karl Schroeder, Ken Scholes (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Winner, Original Work, 2012

Excellent speculative fiction!

There are a few places in this book where i had to double check when the publication date was, as those anthology feels like it one about Occupy, Standing Rock, even George Floyd Square. It feels like a natural extension of the battles in Portland and Seattle today. Each of the stories have interesting twists to the challenges we are having right now, from borders and immigration to regulation of virtual spaces with their own currencies and cultures to the battles between those who would rewild land for mutual benefit and those who just want power, whatever vehicle they can use to get it.

Uninspired

I listened to this because I thought that the first METAtropolis was fresh and interesting, and I hoped that this one would take it further.

On the contrary, although a couple of the stories were intriguing, most were bland and flat. They did not really take the take the METAtropolis forward, but instead seemed to take it back.

Characters longed for the the good old days of the 20th century, drove "antique pickups", listened to old time rock, and even fired an "antique revolver." Who now listens to music that is 70-80 years old? The authors seemed to have a difficult time dragging themselves into the future world.

The authors also used trite and stale ideas, bashing Christianity while stealing from it the things that are powerful: Tyger as the new Messiah with a new "Gospel". It was all a bit tired.

where society might be going?

What made the experience of listening to METAtropolis: Cascadia the most enjoyable?

all the tech arrangements, environmental changes, and the characters. They all fit together

What was one of the most memorable moments of METAtropolis: Cascadia?

The old woman whose husband was on a secret mission. She was pretty badass in the 3rd installment of the series.

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

The literally give a voice to the characters. Each narrator seems to imbue a different vibe to the characters, making them fit into the story so well.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I'd have to think about that one a bit more.

Any additional comments?

If I found out there was a 4th installment to the series, I'd buy it without hesitation.

Excellent stories with an all star cast

A great follow up and some excellent additions to this fascinating world. The all star cast does a credible job with each one yet Lavar Burton remains my favorite.

Good and bad

Ironically, Tiger Tiger was my last favorite story from the original METAtropolois. I really liked Jay Lake's contribution to this book. And the collection was far more cohesive, I believe all bringing up Basher, Tiger, and/or Cascadiopolis. But I admit to having thoughts questioning if his editing was heavy handed, pushing his particular setting.

Overall narration was great with a glaring exception: Jonathan Frakes was so bad that I contemplated skipping the story and tried to find a print version, so I wouldn't have to listen to him butcher Deodand. I'd love Schroeder's contribution to METAtropolis. My sense is that Deodand isn't that good a piece, but it's hard to separate the sorry from the awful narration. Overall, I was surprised that I didn't find the narration more distracting. Kate Mulgrew was especially good, and I'm looking to see what else she narrates. and I'm already a huge fan of Wil Weaton's narration (though, blasphemy though it seems to me, I think I'd prefer that the character's voice hadn't changed.)

I spent a happy 12 hours with this, but I'm not certain if I'll continue.

Loved it!

This type of gathered stories really keeps my interest. This is my second but not the last of these books,

a little dissapointing

Having enjoyed the concept of the first Metatropolis, I was excited to listen to this one. I was hoping for more of what made the first so good. The creativity of the first collaboration just wasn't here. These stories aren't quite as strong but rely on the inclusion of characters from the first to maintain the readers interest.

A good choice if you wondered what happened to a character. Most of the readers are mediocre and tend to act more than narrate.

Good collection with an exception

This is a good collection of stories with a cohesive arc. The stories are interesting and held my attention, but some of the stories were less than subtle and a little heavy handed. In particular the final story that deals with a preacher replacing his faith in a divine plan with a faith in humanity. I cannot fault the author too much, characters in short stories are often 2 dimensional out of necessity, but some of the characterizations are a bit too easy. Other than that, I enjoyed this story and the performance of the Star Trek actors was thoroughly professional. Some of the best readings I have heard on audible are in this collection.

This is the next step for us.

Where does METAtropolis: Cascadia rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's ranks with 'The Road' where your captured without needing to know the entire back story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of METAtropolis: Cascadia?

Learning of how patent law is heading us to this world fast.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Get ready this is the future at the rate were going.

Not as good as the original METAtropolis

I got this after listening to the original METAtropolis, and my expectations were higher than they probably should have been. It didn't excite me as much as the original did, probably because the thrill of discovering something new wasn't there.

Overall, it's still worth listening to. The world is fleshed out, even if some of the characters felt like caricatures compared to the characters of the original.