Welcome to February’s Audio EXP column here on Geek Native.
This Friday the 13th you’ve a chance to preview tempting audiobooks from Audible and dip into a micro review of RPG soundtracks from DriveThruRPG. It’s worth noting that many of the audiobooks featured here are available free with a 30 day trial at Audible.
All previous Audio EXP columns are still live so you’re able to pop back to January and listen to Wil Wheaton narrate R.S. Salvatore’s DemonWars book.
Dark Intelligence: Transformations
Sci-fi from Neal Asher, narrated by Jonathan Yen.
One man wakes from the dead only to discover he has been betrayed by a rogue AI called Penny Royal. One woman turns to Penny Royal for power… but it comes at a price. The hunter risks becoming the hunted.
Download at Audible.com or for Kindle at Amazon.
Boundry
Military sci-fi from Eric Flint and Ryk E. Spoor, narrated by Jonathan Walker.
A mind-mannered paleontologist becomes Earth’s first xenobiologist after making an impossible discovery at the K-T boundary in the fossil record.
Download at Audible.com, Audible.co.uk and for Kindle at Amazon.
The Whispering Swarm: The Sanctuary of the White Friars
Fantasy from Michael Moorcock, narrated by Julian Elfer.
This is Moorcock’s first independent novel in nearly a decade. It mixes autobiographical with the fantastical… so find out what it was like to be young in London after World War II and the secret hidden in the heart of the city.
Download at Audible.com, Audible.co.uk and in Kindle form from Amazon.
RPG Soundtrack: Abandoned Keep
By Toxic Bag Productions
This isn’t music. The Abandoned Keep begins with the sinister caw of crows or other large birds with the occasional flutter of wings. There’s insects as well, the steady background chirp or something hiding in the grass.
What makes Abandoned Keep effective is the occasional sound of something larger. Is that a foot step? Players will wonder… that’s if they’ve been paying attention.
I do puzzle at some of the sounds. It’s worth noting that this is quite a noisy Abandoned Keep! You’d certainly have to describe quite a number of birds to the players. The sounds that puzzle me might be less organic. I suppose it could be the wind howling in the distance but at times I swear I can hear the approach of a siren.
I rather like this 10 minutes of outdoor noise. I think, to be safe, I’d use it a modern horror game. I also think it would be very effective.
Download from DriveThruRPG.
