by James S. A. Corey
Published 2024
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER From the New York Times bestselling author of the Expanse comes a spectacular new space opera that sees humanity fighting for its survival in a war as old as the universe itself. ★ "Masterful . . . . This is space opera at its best." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) "The start of something truly epic." ― Fonda Lee, author of Jade City How humanity came to the planet called Anjiin is lost in the fog of history, but that history is about to end. The Carryx - part empire, part hive - have waged wars of conquest for centuries, destroying or enslaving species across the galaxy. Now, they are facing a great and deathless enemy. The key to their survival may rest with the humans of Anjiin. Caught up in academic intrigue and affairs of the heart, Dafyd Alkhor is pleased just to be an assistant to a brilliant scientist and his celebrated research team. Then the Carryx ships descend, decimating the human population and taking the best and brightest of Anjiin society away to serve on the Carryx homeworld, and Dafyd is swept along with them. They are dropped in the middle of a struggle they barely understand, set in a competition against the other captive species with extinction as the price of failure. Only Dafyd and a handful of his companions see past the Darwinian contest to the deeper game that they must play to survive: learning to understand - and manipulate - the Carryx themselves. With a noble but suicidal human rebellion on one hand and strange and murderous enemies on the other, the team pays a terrible price to become the trusted servants of their new rulers. Dafyd Alkhor is a simple man swept up in events that are beyond his control and more vast than his imagination. He will become the champion of humanity and its betrayer, the most hated man in history and the guardian of his people. This is where his story begins. "Corey is always one of the most engaging voices in the genre." ― Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time "A bang up read. I want more." ― Paolo Bacigalupi, author of The Water Knife "A powerful, provocative masterpiece that I will be thinking about for a very long time." ― Ryka Aoki, author of Light from Uncommon Stars For More from James S. A. Corey, check out: The Captive's War The Mercy of Gods The Faith of Beasts The Expanse Leviathan Wakes Caliban's War Abaddon's Gate Cibola Burn Nemesis Games Babylon's Ashes Persepolis Rising Tiamat's Wrath Leviathan Falls Memory's Legion The Expanse Short Fiction Drive The Butcher of Anderson Station Gods of Risk The Churn The Vital Abyss Strange Dogs Auberon The Sins of Our Fathers
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Top voices for narrating this book
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Deep
“This voice offers a rich, resonant tone that commands attention, perfect for the grand scale of an epic space opera. Its deep timbre and gravitas will immerse listeners.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Serious
“Jake's deep, smooth tone and dramatic presence are built for immersive narration, capturing both the epic scope and personal stakes required for this genre. His delivery is serious and engaging.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Educational · Documentary · Calm · +3 more
“A deep male voice with a calm, measured pace, this narrator is ideal for professional storytelling. Its clear, serious yet engaging tone is well-suited for conveying complex sci-fi narratives.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Modulated
“Reuven's deep, resonant baritone with a measured timbre evokes wisdom and gravitas, fitting for a narrator who needs to convey both grand scale and thoughtful insights. The warm inflections add depth.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Entertainment · Character-Voice · Deep · Clear · +12 more
“With a calm, professional tone and smooth, measured delivery, this voice provides a steady and clear presence. It's excellent for conveying information with the necessary weight and clarity for an audiobook.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
Initially a studious assistant, his voice evolves to reflect his transformation into a reluctant leader, champion, and betrayer, showing growing resolve and complexity.
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story
“Arsen's calm and relaxing American male voice is ideal for portraying Dafyd's initial studious nature, while its underlying intelligence and smooth delivery can subtly hint at his growing resolve and complexity.”
Us Southern · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“Glen's soft, masculine voice is perfect for a serious, first-person perspective, reflecting Dafyd's internal transformation. Its measured tone allows for a gradual shift from calm assistant to reluctant leader.”
American · Young · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“Franklin's deep, steady voice with a calm, low-register tone projects focus and seriousness without being overly dramatic, suitable for Dafyd's evolving character as he gains resolve.”
Male · Young · Character-Voice · Soft · Warm · Measured · +14 more
“This young British male voice, with its soft, calm, and measured delivery, can portray Dafyd's studious beginnings. The underlying firmness allows for the character's eventual dramatic transformation.”
Male · Social-Media · Middle-Aged · Narration · Deep · Low · +16 more
“Levi's versatile young male voice, capable of both calm and intense tones, is excellent for Dafyd's journey from assistant to a complex, dramatic leader. The cinematic flair adds emotional depth.”
A collective, alien intelligence or representative voice for a conquering hive-empire, imposing and calculating.
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Deep · Raspy · Serious · +3 more
“This deep, mature male voice with a serious and mysterious tone, featuring a subtle rasp, is ideal for The Carryx. Its slow and measured delivery perfectly conveys an imposing, calculating alien intelligence.”
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Deep · Serious · Measured · +3 more
“A deep and authoritative middle-aged male voice with a serious, measured tone, this option is well-suited for The Carryx. Its calm and mysterious quality gives it an alien, calculating presence.”
Male · Old · Narration · Deep · Middle-Aged · Character-Voice · +7 more
“Hxh Narrator's deep and authoritative voice, with its distinct raspy texture and serious, dramatic tone, provides an excellent fit for a conquering hive-empire's representative. Its measured pace adds to the imposing feel.”
Female · Male · Young · Middle-Aged · Old · Character-Voice · +11 more
“The Prototype v2 offers a commanding and intense male voice with a raspy, mature tone. This profile is perfect for a dramatic, calculating antagonist, emphasizing its alien and imposing nature.”
British · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“Bob Velvet's smooth, deep, and relaxed voice can be twisted to convey a sinister calm. Its underlying gravitas makes it suitable for an imposing, calculating alien entity, delivering threats with chilling composure.”