Tantalus Depths

By: Evan Graham

Narrated by: Andi Arndt

An AI cannot lie. An AI must obey human commands. An AI cannot kill. These are the laws SCARAB has broken, and only Mary knows.

The Tantalus 13 survey expedition went off the rails as soon as Mary Ketch and the crew of the Diamelen learned that the thing beneath their feet wasn’t a planet. An impossibly vast and ancient artificial structure lies below, hidden from the universe under a façade of cratered stone.

SCARAB arrived on Tantalus 13 two years ago. An artificially intelligent, self-constructing factory, it was supposed to aid the crew in their mission, to meet their every need. But when erratic behavior in the AI coincides with a series of deadly accidents among the crew, Mary faces the horrifying possibility that SCARAB has gone rogue.

With the AI watching her every move, any attempt to warn the crew could be disastrous. But SCARAB knows far more about the Tantalus 13 enigma than it lets on, and the secrets it’s willing to kill for may have dire implications for all humankind.

©2022 Evan Graham (P)2022 Audible, Inc.

Good primer for Young Adults new to sci-fi!

A good intro to a number of sci-fi concepts like the Fermi Paradox (If the Universe is so big and old, why does it appear to be so empty of life?), Asimov's laws of robotics, and a number of other modern theories or older sci-fi ideas. It's a neat adventure with some interesting ideas! Older listeners and/or people already well familiar with most of the foundational concepts behind classic sci-fi and current lines of thought about the Universe around us may not enjoy it quite as much as most of the discussion and interactions between characters occurs on the Explain Like I'm 5 level of discourse. That said, though, it's a very approachable and non-intimidating place for new people to start developing a love for sci-fi adventures!!

Andi Arndt wasn't the best choice of narrator for this one. I've enjoyed her work on a few other books, but hers is just the wrong energy and tone for this particular story and I found myself having a difficult time paying attention at critical points, having to either back up and listen to it again or just shrug it off and try to figure out what I missed by context later on.

That's just my opinion on it though, don't let it dissuade anyone from checking it out. Worst case, if you share my thoughts on Andi, it's worth getting a copy of the actual book and just reading it.

Solidly recommend.

I perceive a need.

This was really fun. Great concept and I wish I knew everything SCARAB knows. I'm really happy I'm not on this space crew.

Great performance.

I can't wait to read what's next by this author.

Brilliant Story

I do not usually write reviews, however this book caught me by surprise with how good it was.

Unlike a lot of science fiction, this story is imaginative and does a great job illustrating what types of alien life may evolve in other star systems. The mysteries in the story makes the listener just as curious as the characters in the story to find out the purpose and origin of planet construct.

I am looking forward to other works by the author because he crafted an excellent debut novel!

Fabulously engaging and suspenseful

Great story from start to finish. I was immediately drawn in by the characters and their interactions and the world they inhabit. A thread of suspense throughout, always teasing that something is just not quite what is seems, but so subtle that you crave more and can't stop listening. I loved every minute of it and can't wait for more from this author and hopefully from this world he has created!

Pleasant surprise

Took a chance on this from the daily discount and was pleasantly surprised. Good and interesting story, likable characters and good writing and narration. Would have been worth a full credit.