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The Android's Dream

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The Android's Dream

By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
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About this listen

A human diplomat creates an interstellar incident when he kills an alien diplomat in a most unusual way. To avoid war, Earth's government must find an equally unusual object: A type of sheep ("The Android's Dream"), used in the alien race's coronation ceremony.

To find the sheep, the government turns to Harry Creek, ex-cop, war hero and hacker extraordinaire, who with the help of Brian Javna, a childhood friend turned artificial intelligence, scours the earth looking for the rare creature. And they find it, in the unknowing form of Robin Baker, pet store owner, whose genes contain traces of the sheep DNA. But there are others with plans for the sheep as well: Mercenaries employed by the military. Adherents of a secret religion based on the writings of a 21st century science-fiction author. And alien races, eager to start a revolution on their home world and a war on Earth.

To keep our planet from being enslaved, Harry will have to pull off the greatest diplomatic coup in history, a grand gambit that will take him from the halls of power to the lava-strewn battlefields of alien worlds. There's only one chance to get it right, to save the life of Robin Baker - and to protect the future of humanity.

©2006 John Scalzi (P)2010 Audible, Inc. Adventure Fantasy First Contact Humorous Science Fiction Fiction Comedy Dream War Government Computer Science

Critic Reviews

"With plenty of alien gore to satisfy fans of military SF and inventive jabs at pretend patriotism and self-serving civil service, Scalzi delivers an effervescent but intelligent romp." ( Publishers Weekly)
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Somehow John pulls off serious and humourous at the same time with a unique and creative story that will keep you listening. If you’re after sci-fi with a light twist, this books for you.

Wil Wheaton is fantastic as always, though the speech speed is a little fast. I tried slowing it in app and that was too slow. Either slightly slower pace or more ability to finely tune speed in app would be the icing on the top of this audiobook. Have listened twice already and will definitely see more playtime

Unique, creative combination of sci-fi and humour

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Being new to Scalzi, there was a level of trepidation, but thanks once again to the excellence of Wil Wheaton, Scalzi has a new fan. Bring on more Harry Creek!

Wil Wheaton and John Scalzi - comedic gold

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This was my first John Scalzi book and I nearly crashed the car laughing in places. A very funny fast paced science fiction book. There are sheep, aliens, really weird ways to kill people and a satisfying ending.

Death by flatulence, aliens, gunpoint diplomacy

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loved the story, Scalzi's way with words is both clever and hilarious, forever a fan. Fantastic performance of the reader.

all good things sadly come to an end.

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I love this book and Will Weaton does it proud! Great story, great performance. You’ll really enjoy this book

Brilliant

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I prefer this over most of Scalzi's that I've listened to. He doesn't geek out on science as much as other authors, instead using it as a prop for the story. The constant witty banter between friends and foes is less realistic, but I enjoy it more than being strung-out thriller-style. The story rounds out well in this one book - you aren't being sucked into a hastily-written multi-book "space opera" suffering through repetitive shallow dialogue for the sake of getting to the end of the story.

One of Scalzi's best - good pulp sci-fi.

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Enjoyed this one, probably due to Wil Wheaton just as much as the story. It's all a bit tongue-in-cheek but kept me entertained. The only down side was that the recording jumped around a bit a few times, which was distracting. Didn't love it, but would certainly listen again.

Another fun, well thought out story

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The story isn't great in my opinion but it is made up for by the writing style.

Worth your time

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A strange and enjoyable adventure. I had no idea where each twist and turn was headed.

Strange and enjoyable

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Unlike other John Scalzi/Wil Wheaton audio books (which I have loved - locked in, agent to the stars, redshirts) I found I tuned in and out of this one.

As usual I founded Wil Wheaton's narrative soothing. However I found from the start that I couldn't keep track of the characters (or the alien races).

*Spoiler alert ahead*
When about halfway through I tuned in and heard a dog was killed, then it's head shot to shock the owner, I too was shocked.

Violence to animals in fiction is a deal breaker for me, so I couldn't continue.

Having enjoyed Scalzi's other novels I would still seek out further titles to listen to.

only half listened, then stopped halfway :(

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