In the latest from Barnes (
Dead Silence), listeners follow a crew sent on a mission to an ancient and abandoned planet. Psychologist Ophelia Bray is the newest member, assigned to assist the crew, which recently suffered the loss of a team member. Her entire career has centered on the study of ERS, a psychological condition seen in individuals with extensive space travel experience, which can lead to devastating psychosis. The crew members are not happy with her presence and prove uncooperative. As tensions rise, bizarre occurrences lead Ophelia to believe something sinister may be at play—or even worse, is it all in her head? Narrator Zura Johnson embodies Ophelia’s and the crew’s unraveling sense of reality. The claustrophobia is felt throughout, with Johnson’s voice leading listeners from the slower-paced, eerie start through the chaotic, mind-bending conclusion. Each character has a distinct voice, making it easy to differentiate during times of increased dialogue.
VERDICT Barnes crafts an oppressive space horror that’s equally a psychological and bodily nightmare, with Johnson’s narration providing additional layers of dread. Fans of the Alien film franchise will feel right at home with this title.
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