Perilous Waif

Alice Long, Book 1

By: E. William Brown

Narrated by: Mare Trevathan

Length: 16 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

My name is Alice Long, and I've always known I was different.

When I was little I used to climb up to the highest branches of the housetree at night, and watch the starships docking at the orbital stations high above. Forty meters off the ground, watching ships 30,000 kilometers overhead, with senses that could pick out radar pings and comm chatter as easily as the ships themselves. It all seemed perfectly natural at the time.

There were other kids with mods at the orphanage, but nothing like that. I learned fast to downplay my abilities, keep my mouth shut, and try to blend in. Even as a kid I knew not to trust the Matrons. What would they do if they realized the Adjustments that were supposed to make me a meek little herd animal didn't do anything?

Then I messed up and gave myself away.

Now I'm on the run, hoping against hope that the Matrons won't try too hard to find me. Hoping to survive all the awful things that can happen to a girl on her own in space. Kidnappers, slavers, pirates, and yakuza - no matter where I go, trouble always seems to find me.

Good thing I'm not as helpless as I look.

©2017 E. William Brown (P)2017 E. William Brown

Love the story and the narration

Both the story and and the narrator combine for an extremely enjoyable listening experience.
I strongly recommend this book.

I look forward to the next in the series.
When I originally wrote this review it was over a year ago...

Please Mr Brown... It is late 2019 and I hope you deliver the next book soon...

Great fun

I really liked it. It seems to start off as a young adult novel but picks up a more serious tone pretty quickly. The tech introduced was original and interesting. Narration was spot on.

A Good Listen

This was a really good book. It was light and intriguing while working in the barn, or driving to and from errands. I am looking forward to the sequel.

New concept, which I enjoyed...

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

I really enjoy strong, women characters, especially young girls...and this concept was so different that I really enjoyed it. It was a "light" story, which I also like. I didn't have to concentrate on the various nuances of the story, albeit, it was fast-paced, so it could have been a little longer, but I also don't like stories that drag on and on.

I didn't like the constant interludes of sexual discussion, especially since the girl was only fourteen. While some fantasy thoughts could be excused, it was too prevalent. Having said all that, she was "kick-butt" and held her own. Excellent!

Revise: I have read this awesome book again, which I don't often do. It is great having a young girl (no magic) with magical enhancements taking on and beating the villains. Really looking forward to the next book: Merciful Troubleshooter

Fun youth fiction.

I enjoyed this fast moving Sci-fi book and the world the author created for it, I look forward to a sequel. The characters are very appealing, if a bit unrealistic.

PLEASE BE AWARE! There is about an hours worth of appendixes after the end of the book, so it ended more abruptly than I expected. I was waiting for certain things that were eluded to to be wrapped up more tightly in that last hour, but it looks like I will have to wait for the sequel.

While this book stands up fairly well to adult LIGHT reading, it does somewhat dwell on the pre-pubescent awareness of the heroin's impending sexuality that made the book feel far more juvenile than it otherwise would. Not a complaint, per se, as it was obviously written with a particular audience in mind. I just think the book has the potential for more of a general audience that may be turned off by this aspect to the book. (I would love to share this with my 12 year old son, but he would be very embarrassed by certain things.) One of the things I enjoy about youth and young adult fiction is that sex is less of a focus in general. In this book in particular, having such a young heroin allowed the author to delve into a certain "sexual" aspect of this future world without going into gritty details an adult book might have gone to or focused on.

Genius and STUNNING. Narrator on point!

AMAZING. WORTH EVERY PENNY. I don't really know how to convey how much I loved this book, and it's currently fighting for first against my number one favorite book. The characters, world building, action, plot, mystery, twists and turns, detail to the science behind the story along with the psychology to create believable and realistic characters was out of this world. My mouth is still open agape. The narrator is also super incredible, and I hope she continues to narrate any other books I'm this series. I'm in love with this book, and sci-fi lovers will enjoy this book without a doubt.

BEST Sci-Fi book I've read. Buy it!

First of I have to say that this is most likely the BEST Sci-Fi book I've ever come across. Mr. Brown is an amazing author. I picked up this book because I read his Daniel Black series and loved it so I was curious about what else he has written I wasn't disappointed. The main character is interesting and her development is handled extremely well.

A Complex Universe, a Simple Girl... Sort of

Would you consider the audio edition of Perilous Waif to be better than the print version?

The Audio Version of this book is packeted with emotional cues, depth of character, and a richness in a universe that is as complicated as it is remarkably fun.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Perilous Waif?

When Alice Long goes to make a simple delivery, she discovers the universe is not as kind as she had hoped. When an attempted kidnapping turns ugly, Alice realizes she is just the girl to deal with it. Sure, she's only 16, her mod's are underdeveloped, and she is near starved, but what's that to a girl with two dragons on her shoulders and a real knack for eliminating trouble?

Which character – as performed by Mare Trevathan – was your favorite?

Being written in the first person you are bound to love Alice ahead of all the other characters. However, they others are richly detailed and a great deal of fun. Let's face it, when the Yakuza are after you, their Prince in love with you, and theirs billions of credits on the line, there is enough space to love all the characters

Any additional comments?

There are few books where the female main character is a bad ass, and yet, she really doesn't have a romantic bone in her body. Struggling with learning a life like nothing she has ever known, Alice is awkward when potential romantic interests are displayed, and seems much more comfortable just kicking but and taking names. It is action packed, and seriously interesting, well worth a read, and it will certainly make you want more.

One of the best

Bought this book on a whim and when I started listening, I could not put it away, I had to finish it and was then frustrated, the continuation has not yet been released.
One of the best sci-fi books I've read, the reader does a really good job.

A Fantastic and Entertaining Story

Amazingly detailed physics in a well thought out multiverse. This addicting coming of age story is a great ride. I'm in withdrawal already counting the seconds until the next thrilling installment. Reminds me of Robert Heinlein's 1st person stories at their best!!