The Armies of Those I Love

By: Ken Liu

Narrated by: Auliʻi Cravalho

Length: 2 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

For Franny, the end of everything is just the beginning of her adventure. The world as we know it is no more. Cities are mobile. Electricity is rare. Reading is a relic of the past. After an explosive encounter with a mysterious stranger, Franny, a 14-year-old orphan girl, embarks on an epic quest to find the mysterious pilots who steer the cities, hoping that if she finds them, she will get answers about her family's past - and the world's future.

The Armies of Those I Love is a brilliant vision of the future from Hugo, Locus, and Nebula award-winning author Ken Liu, author of such sci-fi classics as The Grace of Kings and The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories and translator of the global best seller The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu.

©2020 Ken Liu (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

Not For Me

I tried listening to this short story twice but I could not get into it. I don’t know if it’s the soft, monotoned narration or the story. In any event, I found The Armies of Those I Love to be boring, at best.

I loved this story so much

This is one of the most interesting and unusual stories I've ever heard. The character Francis is incredibly brave and I was in awe of her ability to persevere through her ugly, uncaring world while remembering the lessons she'd been so lovingly taught. I'll admit I look for odd books with uncommon stories and this one certainly fits. I'd recommend it to anyone willing to read something that's not already on the best-selling list. I'll never forget this girl, this world, or Ken Lui.

spooky

a creepy and grotesque post apocalyptic story. the hopelessness is pervasive. not sure I would have read it if I had known how depressing it was.

Thums down on this one.

Could not finish the story. Did not hold me. Will not recommed to anyone. Not good.

Enjoyable

I'm a big fan of short scifi stories. The book did not disappoint. While we could all say the whole "humans are greedy and finally destroyed/mostly destroyed themselves" is a bit of a trope of a starter plotline... it allows new world builds to discuss human bonds and ethics. Liu did a great job creating that world and Auli'i's voice is always enjoyable.

Beautiful words within a disturbing story

I slowed down the story to .9 and then to .8 speed in order to savor every word. I was enthralled listening to words that were so beautifully strung together and yet were juxtaposed to such a dismal and horrific vision of our future.

Very enjoyable

Really enjoyed the story although for some of the more “out there” new terminology, you have to just relax and roll with it. Generally a very engaging short story. Also enjoyed the narration although I’ve seen some remarks indicating others have not. I found the whole thing very engaging.

DON'T bother

This book tries to come off as philosophical but ends up just being a bunch of rambling words.

what's going on

the reader just reads. the story needs a glossary. I like the idea of the story but it just does work for me.

nope

Does the narrator have sinus problems? Terrible. :(
Couldn't concentrate on any plot listening to someone talk without a nose.

Thoughtful and Well Written

A fascinating and well wrought sci-fi tale with some interesting questions about authority, religion, and perception. My only real criticism would be that it didn't fully absorb me as much as I would have liked, but nonetheless it is well worth a listen.

Great performance.

Definitely makes me want to read more of the author.

Excellent far future piece

Very compelling story with a good amount of mystery. Has the flavour of a quest piece, mixed with a little mortal engines and a dash of helix and the sword.