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Audible Audio

First published December 1, 2014

27 people want to read

About the author

George Mann

368 books675 followers
George Mann is an author and editor, primarily in genre fiction. He was born in Darlington, County Durham in 1978.
A former editor of Outland, Mann is the author of The Human Abstract, and more recently The Affinity Bridge and The Osiris Ritual in his Newbury and Hobbes detective series, set in an alternate Britain, and Ghosts of Manhattan, set in the same universe some decades later.
He wrote the Time Hunter novella "The Severed Man", and co-wrote the series finale, Child of Time.
He has also written numerous short stories, plus Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes audiobooks for Big Finish Productions. He has edited a number of anthologies including The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction, The Solaris Book of New Fantasy and a retrospective collection of Sexton Blake stories, Sexton Blake, Detective, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock.

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5 stars
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18 (51%)
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Profile Image for Victor Rodriguez.
97 reviews22 followers
May 11, 2016
La búsqueda de Dayna continúa en un planeta que anteriormente fue un enorme resort de vacaciones y parque temático, ahora en decadencia. En el la tripulación del Liberator se enfrentan a los Fortuitas, un grupo revolucionario que rapta a Del Tarrant para unirlo a su causa pro-humana. Una historia simple pero con muy buenos diálogos y el habitual sarcasmo de Avon. A mencionar una divertida escena en la que Orac ayuda a Grant a pelear contra unos revolucionarios previendo sus movimientos.
Profile Image for Rob Thompson.
757 reviews44 followers
November 1, 2025
Fortune Favors the Bold: A Thrilling Return to the Liberator

George Mann's Fortuitas proves that the Blake's 7 universe still has plenty of life in it, delivering a taut, character-driven adventure that captures the paranoid tension and moral ambiguity that made the original series so compelling.

The story drops us into familiar territory—a seemingly routine salvage operation that spirals into something far more dangerous—but Mann elevates the premise with sharp dialogue and a genuine understanding of what makes these characters tick. The crew's dynamics crackle with the kind of mistrust and sardonic wit fans expect, particularly in the exchanges between Avon and Vila, which feel authentically lifted from the classic episodes.

Where Fortuitas truly shines is in its pacing. Mann knows exactly when to let scenes breathe and when to accelerate into action, making excellent use of the audio format. The sound design complements his script beautifully, from the distinctive hum of the Liberator to the atmospheric tension of abandoned space stations. The voice cast slips into their roles with practiced ease, capturing the essence of the original characters while bringing their own energy to the performances.

The plot itself is clever without being overcomplicated—a refreshing change from audio dramas that sometimes try to pack too much into their runtime. Mann weaves in themes about chance, fate, and the cost of survival that resonate with the series' darker philosophical underpinnings, though occasionally the dialogue veers into slightly heavy-handed territory when addressing these ideas.

If there's a weakness, it's that the story plays it somewhat safe. Long-time fans will appreciate the faithfulness to the source material, but those hoping for bold new directions might find Fortuitasa bit too comfortable within established parameters. The antagonists, while serviceable, don't quite achieve the memorable villainy the series is capable of producing.

Nevertheless, Fortuitas is a highly entertaining addition to the Blake's 7 audio adventures. It's the kind of story that reminds you why you fell in love with this grimy, cynical corner of science fiction in the first place—where heroes are reluctant, trust is a luxury, and survival is never guaranteed.

Recommended for: Die-hard Blake's 7 fans and newcomers alike, especially those who appreciate character-driven sci-fi with a healthy dose of moral complexity.
Profile Image for Sarah Stocks.
399 reviews4 followers
June 4, 2021
Another audio story with all the main cast back except Zen and Orac ( who have a new actor). I love the interplay between the characters especially Avon, Villa and Orac. This is a riveting story that you can imagine on the tv. It had a few twists and turns and kept you guessing all the time.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

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