Semiosis Audiobook By Sue Burke cover art

Semiosis

A Novel

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Semiosis

By: Sue Burke
Narrated by: Caitlin Davies, Daniel Thomas May
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"Narrators Daniel Thomas May and Caitlin Davies breathe life into the large cast of Burke's debut science fiction...both excel at utilizing accents, inflections, and personality traits to quickly build characterizations. The unusual cadence and inflections used for the aliens work to captivating effect." — AudioFile Magazine

In Semiosis, debut author Sue Burke's character driven audiobook of first contact, human survival hinges on an bizarre alliance.

Only mutual communication can forge an alliance with the planet's sentient species and prove that mammals are more than tools.

Forced to land on a planet they aren't prepared for, human colonists rely on their limited resources to survive. The planet provides a lush but inexplicable landscape—trees offer edible, addictive fruit one day and poison the next, while the ruins of an alien race are found entwined in the roots of a strange plant. Conflicts between generations arise as they struggle to understand one another and grapple with an unknowable alien intellect.

©2018 Sue Burke (P)2018 Macmillan Audio First Contact Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction

Critic reviews

"Narrators Daniel Thomas May and Caitlin Davies breathe life into the large cast of Burke's debut science fiction. ...May and Davies both excel at utilizing accents, inflections, and personality traits to quickly build characterizations. The unusual cadence and inflections used for the aliens work to captivating effect." -AudioFile

"Daniel Thomas May and Caitlyn Davies...did very well, utilizing varied accents and inflections to portray the different characters of each generation so that each person felt like they had a distinct and unique voice." -TheBiblioSanctum

“In Semiosis, Sue Burke blends science with adventure and fascinating characters, as a human colony desperately seeks to join the ecosystem of an alien world.” —David Brin, author of Earth and Existence.

Featured Article: The best audiobooks about aliens for curious humans


Throughout the history of storytelling, we humans have been curious about the possibility of worlds beyond Earth and its inhabitants. Thanks to our endless fascination with extraterrestrial life, there is a mountain of literature, from novels to memoirs, exploring the potential outcomes of interacting with creatures from other planets. Without further ado, here are 20 of our favorite listens about alien life.

Featured Article The best audiobooks about aliens for curious humans
Original Concept • Thought-provoking Premise • Excellent Character Voices • Multigenerational Storytelling

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As a biologist, I really enjoyed this book. The story was well thought out and written. It was also very well performed.

I only gave 4 stars for story because I do wish the book had told more about many of the characters. You are introduced to several people from the different generations in order. After being introduced and telling a piece of the character's story, the story skips to the next (sometimes with large gaps in time). The earlier stories were just enough to captivate me and make me irritated when they jumped to the next generation and character without warning.

The ending was both interesting and satisfying, which I find to be quite rare.

Great story, but jumps a lot and without warning

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This book was outstanding! The story was original and unexpected. It is science fiction but based on science fact of plant physiognomy. The animals were also amazing as were the Glassmakers.

The narration was excellent! This is truly an exceptional book!

The best, most original book I have ever read!

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I really thrilling book new ideas I have yet to hear in science-fiction I highly recommend it

Plants domesticating Mammals. Awesome

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A well thought out plan for people to live without harmful aggression. Well worth reading.

Awesome

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A multi-generational story of a world being colonized with a variety of intelligent flora and fauna. An intriguing idea but I struggled to finish the book. I would not recommend it but I respect the message and concept.

Interesting concept but I don't love the execution

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