The Extinction Trials

By: A.G. Riddle

Narrated by: John Skelley

Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

The end…is only the beginning.

After a mysterious global event known only as “The Change”, six strangers wake up in an underground research facility where they learn that they’re part of the Extinction Trials - a scientific experiment to restart the human race.

But the Extinction Trials harbors a very big secret.

And so does the world outside.

From A.G. Riddle, the Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal best-selling author with over four million copies sold worldwide in 20 languages, comes an epic stand-alone adventure with a surprise ending unlike anything you’ve ever heard before.

©2021 A.G. Riddle (P)2021 Recorded Books

Not his best

I've been through all of his books. This was just blah, not good not bad. If this is another trilogy or series, I might skip it if they're like this.

Enjoyed the listen

Story arc was good. I think that there was a lot of information that was not included because of the fact the book was a stand alone novel. If there were another book, perhaps not a trilogy but a sequel that could’ve broken the story into pieces so the author could elaborate more on ideas and the plot it would have made more sense. I found myself having a hard time following a couple times because I felt like I missed something in the story, but I know I hadn’t. Overall it was an interesting story and dynamic, but wish there would have been more elaboration and like I said… maybe two books rather than just one.

Money grab

2d characters, cookie cutter setting, don’t waste the credit. I feel like the book was written by a talented author who didn’t want to give 100 percent. I’d have returned it but audible is onto me.

An okay story by a great writer

I fell in love with AG Riddle when I read the Extinction Files (Books 1&2). I found the Long Winter to be a great trilogy as well (though I'll admit a bias for books 1 & 2 there).

I'll echo what a few other reviewers have said: This feels like an earlier work that was published after a successful career. The concept of the story is great. However, the Extinction Trials feels like it could have been the first draft of the Extinction Files. Either that, or that Riddle tried to create a new story based on the Extinction Files template. I loved the way in which Riddle used the theme of memory to such great effect in the Extinction Files. It feels like it was lazily borrowed in this book. I thought the twist at the end of Genome was brilliant. Sadly, it made the ending of the Extinction Trials feel somewhat recycled.

Now don't get me wrong. I still LIKED the book. I just didn't love it the way I've loved Riddle's other stuff. I consider Riddle to be an A level author, and this was more of a B-. Still good, and certainly above average, but not on par with what I've come to expect from him.

As far as the narration went, I think John Skelley did a wonderful job. His performance is reminiscent of Edoardo Ballerini, who I've come to associate with Riddle's books. I appreciate that I didn't need to experience the cognitive dissonance that so often occurs when an author's "normal" narrator isn't reading a book.

Summing up: Good. If you like Riddle's work, its worth a listen. Just don't expect something that feels entirely fresh or new.

Don’t bother/spoilers

The moral is manipulative controlling govt and the likes of Bill Gates cancelling individual rights is a good thing. Awful waste of time. Awful.

Another great read by A.G. Riddle!

The narration and the narrative kept moving to the very end.... thank you for both!

Been there, done that!

Part way through the book I reviewed my other titles by Riddle. I thought I was listening to a book I already read. Skelly was good enough to keep me going, but I didn't care about the outcome or care about the next edition.. If you are new to Science Fiction you might very well enjoy this story.

Excellent story

This is a great story. it wasn't too complicated, but almost too simple. I love AG Riddle stories and I wonder if I have read/listened to toi many. I say this because this one was a bit predictable. I didn't guess the final twist completely, but it also wasn't a huge shocker. A great story none the less and any fan will get plenty of enjoyment out of this one.

Does not sync with book

refuse to listen to something I bought to go along with written word of book!

That was painful

What a load of nonsense. It’s a miracle that I finished it. The narrator was ok. The story was a disaster.

Kept me rapt for hours

An excellent listen, the time flew by listening to this. I will definitely be checking out the other titles by the author.

A wonderful listen!

I love A.G. Riddle novels, and this definitely didn't disappoint! It follows the same lines as his previous novels, and I love the character interaction and the interesting link/twist at the end of The Extinction Trials. The whole concept of this book is definitely one that makes you think, especially with the Covid-19 Pandemic still going on now in 2021 and the clear imbalance of power and resources throughout the world (the 1% vs the 99%, companies/rich owning governments, ideas such as The Great Reset and eugenics all sprung to mind while reading this novel). At times it became a little difficult to follow with Owen seeing patterns that others didn't, but they are generally explained afterwards. A very well thought-out and thought-provoking tale! John Skelley's narration was spot-on, and I love that he changes his voice for the different characters; it really helped to follow along in the story. With thoughts of our own world's future in mind, I'm really looking forward to the next A.G. Riddle novel!

Excellent book.

Another good book by Riddle, links in with the extinction series, and good narration, keep them coming.

Couldn’t put it down

I had to finish this book as soon as I could to find out what the answer was at the end ! Great twist .. there was only one thing that bothered me … there was no time frame on any of the events and that kinda got to me haha . But it was a minor issue . The book was great !