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Sci-Fi Shorts
Nineteen humorous sci-fi stories telling of the man who saved the world (kind of), and the man who didn’t, the laptop that discovered it is self-aware, the puzzling Christmas message from Outer Space, the unluckiest man on Earth, and the spur-of-the-moment decision that doomed Mankind.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2019
58 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 21, 2020
Nothing overly heavy but always thought provoking; each of these tales are perfect on their own and contained in a collection of short stories they are magical (wow, that is a long sentence).
This was the perfect break from the heavier topics I've been reading. I was able to read a few stories at a time in between pandemic adulting.
I absolutely recommend this short story collection.
This was the perfect break from the heavier topics I've been reading. I was able to read a few stories at a time in between pandemic adulting.
I absolutely recommend this short story collection.
September 12, 2019
This is one of the better collections of short stories I’ve read. The work ranges from flash fiction 100-word shorts to longer stories about alien invasions settled with a game of golf, and a widow’s fortune looking for an honest broker (call now! ;-) ).
A small part of this collection plays the greatest hits from other works, but even if you’re familiar with Mark Roman and Corben Duke’s writing, they’ll still worth rereading. If you’re looking to take a break from the latest lengthy series you’re currently reading, then buy a copy of this book.
A small part of this collection plays the greatest hits from other works, but even if you’re familiar with Mark Roman and Corben Duke’s writing, they’ll still worth rereading. If you’re looking to take a break from the latest lengthy series you’re currently reading, then buy a copy of this book.
September 22, 2022
This audiobook was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our listeners thought:
Title: Sci-Fi Shorts
Author: Mark Roman, Corben Duke
Narrator: Duncan Galloway
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Listeners: 9
Stats
Narrator Performance: 7/10
Writing Style: 6/10
Content/Plot: 7/10
Cover: 3/5
Sound Quality / Music / Sound Effects: 4/5
Of the 9 listeners:
8 would listen to another book by this author.
8 would listen to another book narrated by this performer.
6 thought the cover was good or excellent.
9 felt it was easy to follow.
8 would recommend this audiobook to another listener to try.
Of all the listeners, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 1 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
9 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
8 thought the author understood the listeners and what they wanted.
8 thought the narrator understood the listeners and what they wanted.
Listeners’ Comments
“This is what I´d call ´light´ sci-fi. It´s not particularly thought-provoking, but it´s compelling, nevertheless. I think most readers would find a gem or two in here to enjoy.” Male listener, aged 42
“It´s not often I smile when reading (or listening to) sci-fi, but I did with this book. Talented authors who know how to keep things moving; good comic timing too.” Male listener, aged 56
“A fun, jolly read. Not every comic moment hits the mark and I suspect it´s a bit too silly for most sci-fi fans. In terms of the narrator, he did a good job. I liked that he attempted give the characters accents; he´s pretty good at them!” Male reader, aged 65
“This audiobook would offer a break to sci-fans immersed in lengthy epics! I think there needed to be a little music to add atmosphere to the storytelling, but I liked the narrator´s ´let´s get on with it´ approach. Not ´laugh-out-loud´ but I did chuckle now and then.” Female reader, aged 37
To Sum It Up:
‘A fun set of sci-fi shorts helped along by a strong narrator.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Sci-Fi Shorts
Author: Mark Roman, Corben Duke
Narrator: Duncan Galloway
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Listeners: 9
Stats
Narrator Performance: 7/10
Writing Style: 6/10
Content/Plot: 7/10
Cover: 3/5
Sound Quality / Music / Sound Effects: 4/5
Of the 9 listeners:
8 would listen to another book by this author.
8 would listen to another book narrated by this performer.
6 thought the cover was good or excellent.
9 felt it was easy to follow.
8 would recommend this audiobook to another listener to try.
Of all the listeners, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 1 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
9 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
8 thought the author understood the listeners and what they wanted.
8 thought the narrator understood the listeners and what they wanted.
Listeners’ Comments
“This is what I´d call ´light´ sci-fi. It´s not particularly thought-provoking, but it´s compelling, nevertheless. I think most readers would find a gem or two in here to enjoy.” Male listener, aged 42
“It´s not often I smile when reading (or listening to) sci-fi, but I did with this book. Talented authors who know how to keep things moving; good comic timing too.” Male listener, aged 56
“A fun, jolly read. Not every comic moment hits the mark and I suspect it´s a bit too silly for most sci-fi fans. In terms of the narrator, he did a good job. I liked that he attempted give the characters accents; he´s pretty good at them!” Male reader, aged 65
“This audiobook would offer a break to sci-fans immersed in lengthy epics! I think there needed to be a little music to add atmosphere to the storytelling, but I liked the narrator´s ´let´s get on with it´ approach. Not ´laugh-out-loud´ but I did chuckle now and then.” Female reader, aged 37
To Sum It Up:
‘A fun set of sci-fi shorts helped along by a strong narrator.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
January 9, 2022
Disclaimer: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
An interesting collection of short stories. Some of them are quite funny, while others are touching while some explored ideas that are the kind of ideas that you'll get sometimes and think to yourself that they are ridiculous. I like the twists in some of them too, as the story reveals more as it moves forward, and they wound up being really funny. My favourite story is still the Christmas message one, that was simply beautiful.
Narration by Duncan Galloway is nice, his different interpretation of how each characters would sound like is wonderful, very fitting and suitable for the nature of this book.
An interesting collection of short stories. Some of them are quite funny, while others are touching while some explored ideas that are the kind of ideas that you'll get sometimes and think to yourself that they are ridiculous. I like the twists in some of them too, as the story reveals more as it moves forward, and they wound up being really funny. My favourite story is still the Christmas message one, that was simply beautiful.
Narration by Duncan Galloway is nice, his different interpretation of how each characters would sound like is wonderful, very fitting and suitable for the nature of this book.
February 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this collection of science fiction short stories. They cover everything from alien penal colonies to Nigerian lawyers acting for a minister's wife who needs help getting her husband's money out of the country. Because they're short, they're perfect for those times when you only have a few minutes at a time.
Guaranteed to make a science fiction fan smile.
Guaranteed to make a science fiction fan smile.
June 17, 2020
Entertaining reads
Interesting collection of reads, great quick reads plenty of entertainment from outer space. Try to find your favorite.
Volunteer KU based review
Interesting collection of reads, great quick reads plenty of entertainment from outer space. Try to find your favorite.
Volunteer KU based review
October 27, 2020
Douglas Adams wannabe failing miserably. Pity how British humour has deteriorated from the days of P G Wodehouse and Punch...
March 13, 2021
Oh my! So funny! You need a laugh? Read these healorous short reads. So much fun! Relaxing! Wow!!
August 23, 2021
Good mix of shorts, some made me laugh some made me sigh. Worth a read.
October 2, 2024
A series of funny and also thought provoking sci fi tales. Fun and useful palette cleanser between denser tomes.
August 19, 2025
A collection of genuinely genius short stories it’s just a shame that some ended abruptly. Enjoyable nonetheless.
December 30, 2019
Fun and thought provoking
A collection of original and excellent stories, long and short. My favourite is I-Laptop, a machine experiencing a new awareness. Think Talkie-Toaster from Red Dwarf, and then some. The other tales all have neat twists too, especially one with the return of the dinosaurs... But I'll leave you to find out...
Oh, and the neat little pictures to illustrate each chapter are great - shades of the great Robert Rankin here.
A collection of original and excellent stories, long and short. My favourite is I-Laptop, a machine experiencing a new awareness. Think Talkie-Toaster from Red Dwarf, and then some. The other tales all have neat twists too, especially one with the return of the dinosaurs... But I'll leave you to find out...
Oh, and the neat little pictures to illustrate each chapter are great - shades of the great Robert Rankin here.
October 12, 2019
Funny, thoughtful, well-written, provocative, this collection of bite-sized short stories make for perfect potty reading. The authors have a wonderful sense of the absurd, great comedic timing, and a cheeky playfulness. These stories have an almost nostalgic air to them, and fit squarely in the tradition of absurdist science fiction—thought provoking but amusing. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews