Dry Land

By: Jennifer Anne Seidler

Narrated by: Ian Sorensen

Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

When mankind toys with nature, nature fights back.

Astronaut Ted "Shakespeare" Hardiston is setting off on the adventure of a lifetime that will take him the rest of his life. He reluctantly leaves behind his wife, an android/human hybrid, to command the first base on the surface of the moon.

Ted and the crew of space shuttle Liberty complete their mission, gifting the Moon with gravity and an atmosphere. In doing so, they cause mass destruction on the Earth below.

By Ted's side during this ordeal is Codie-5, another hybrid and a genetic duplicate of Ted's wife. Ted, Codie, and the crew must work fast and make sacrifices to save the world.

©2015 Jennifer Anne Seidler (P)2015 Jennifer Anne Seidler

why is this project so important

In the not-too-distant future, the United States is in decline. NASA is barely functioning and in need of international help to get grand ideas like colonizing the moon accomplished. A small group of humans give up their lives on earth to start the process of readying the moon with gravity and atmosphere. They are accompanied by one android on their journey and others waiting for them on the moon. Androids are virtually indistinguishable from humans and many humans have chosen them as mates.

This novella is generally entertaining, though somewhat confusing when it comes to certain important ideas; one being why do they have to give up their lives on Earth. We never understand why, the moon being pretty close after all. The science is really, really messy too. They turn on atmosphere generators and wham, there is breathable air on the moon AND Earth-equivalent gravity. Uh really, no one saw this as a problem (forget the improbability)? The moon might get pulled into the Earth, for example.

Anyway that annoying science stuff aside, there are plenty of steamy sex scenes between Ted and his android wife where he puts his “sex” inside her “warmth.” Sounds kind of like stirring soup. The interaction between the captain and Ted is always contentious, but we aren’t given any reason why.

The story is read by Ian Sorensen, who does an adequate job. His accents are good and his characterizations seem appropriate.

The book is entertaining enough, but the lack of explanation of so many important data leaves the listener doubting everything. Why the moon, why is this project so important, why risk the safety of the Earth, why can’t they come home, why can’t others go to them, why is the science so sketchy, and more. It feels more like an outline of a story. Just one listener’s opinion.

The audio includes a short story after the novella.

Note: probably not appropriate for young teens due to the graphic sex scenes.

Audiobook provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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Great Syfy Listen!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would to anyone who is a fan of this genre...this has it all for the true syfy fan!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dry Land?

When he thought Colby was dead...Ted was so distraught!

Have you listened to any of Ian Sorensen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not, but I would...he is very good!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

This would be an interesting movie....

Any additional comments?

** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

I am a huge Syfy fan..so this was right up my alley...Ted and a small crew of astronauts are sent to the moon to complete a mission to make it habitable...well things go wrong and they get stuck there....the twist is these are droid/human hybrids...such a unique and interesting story, and a great addition to the syfy genre....there is romance, and loss in this story...and it was a great quick listen...and I loved the little bonus story at the end!!!

Thank You Audiobookblast(dot)com

Very Enjoyable

I have never read a book like this before. I enjoyed the characters both human and not. The story was good if not a little short. I very much enjoyed the "Didn't see that coming" plot. I always enjoyed an original story line! The narration was great too.

Dry Land

Any additional comments?

I totally enjoyed this book. You are quickly swept up in the fast paced adventure and immediately want to learn more about the fascinating and unique characters. I enjoyed the al "love story" as I was intrigued by the relationship of Ted and Colby.. If you are looking for sci fi, adventure AND romance this has it all!

An Android Love Story

Of course, I don't think the word "android" is used at all, but oh well.

I was surprised at two things: that this was essentially a romance (not what I was expecting) and that the science was so well done. I LOVED the science.

The story itself was interesting, but I felt at a distance from the characters, like there was no connection there. As a result, I never felt truly invested.

The narration is very excellent, though there was some noise in the recording.

Having said all that, I'm left with a feeling of enjoyment, like my time wasn't wasted. So that's a good thing!

A thoroughly enjoyable read

I was given a free audible edition of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, I have to say that Ian Sorensen did an amazing job as narrator on this book.

When I looked him up I was shocked to find only one other book on audible narrated by him. I hope he has projects in the works because I am considering reading that other book for no other reason than because he is the narrator and a narrator makes or breaks the book.

Now on to the book! What a brilliant imagination Jennifer Seidler has!
It's really cool to see a woman writing sci-fi and romance into the same story without making it so love focused that it gets icky. That balance can be a tough one but in my opinion she mastered it.
So if you want to read about people and AI alike walking on the moon, a beautiful love story on the sidelines, plenty of action and an incredibly likeable main character... you have come to the right book!

A person is a person, even when not quite

Welcome to the late 22nd century where nations as we know them are truly changed, and AI has been incredibly advanced. There is work to be done to make the moon habitable, and Ted is one of the select who is capable. First, he must divorce his wife to save her from problems if he is lost to space. Not an auspicious start. But things get better, more complicated, worse, and then just plain bizarre. Do not expect spoilers. This book, while way too short, is too good for you to miss the author's brilliance. Expect fun, puns, Shakespeare, truly awful characterizations (in a groan and bear it way), sex, and selected shorts at the end.
Ian is simply marvelous with his ability to mimic accents, emotions, and dry wit. Hope to hear him paired with this author for lots more fun!

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Great Sci-fi Listen

What made the experience of listening to Dry Land the most enjoyable?

I was surprised at two things: that this was essentially a romance (not what I was expecting) and that the science was so well done. I LOVED the science

What did you like best about this story?

I am a huge Syfy fan..so this was right up my alley

Which scene was your favorite?

When he thought Colby was dead...Ted was so distraught

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher

A definite 4 STAR book!!

*I received this in exchange for an honest review.

This type of book was sort of new for me…the Artificial Intelligence/Robotic type of character, but I found that I enjoyed it. Having some of the characters having that type of characteristics, thrown in with regular humans, and trying to find a way of expansion for Earth on the Moon. Now we all know that the Moon is so extremely important to the balance of the oceans, but obviously not all of the characters take this into consideration in this book.
It was an enjoyable book with a new look on things. The narrator did well and had great accents. I would definitely recommend this book to others and give it a solid 4 STARS.

A fast paced wild ride

I enjoyed this short story. I would have loved some more back story on what happened in history to bring everything to present day, but i get that its part of the story as is. I will look into other books by this author.