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Betrayer of Worlds Audiobook
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(3.03) - 471 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A prelude to the seminal science fiction classic, Ringworld
Since fleeing the supernova chain reaction at the galactic core, the cowardly Puppeteers of the Fleet of Worlds have—just barely—survived one crisis after another: the rebellion of their human slaves, the relentless questing of the species of Known Space, the spectacular rise of the starfish-like Gw’oth, and the onslaught of the genocidal Pak.
Now fresh disaster looms, as though past crises have returned and converged. Who can possibly save the Fleet this time?
Louis Wu? Trapped in the Wunderland civil war, all he wants is to go home—but the only possible escape will plunge him into unknowable danger.
Ol’t’ro? The Gw’oth ensemble mind fled across the stars to establish a colony world free from tyranny. But some problems cannot be left behind, and other problems—like the Fleet of Worlds itself—are racing straight at them.
Achilles? Despite past disgrace, the charismatic Puppeteer politician knows he is destined for greatness. He will do anything to seize power—and take his revenge on everyone who ever stood in his way.
Nessus? The insane Puppeteer scout is out of ideas—and resources—with only desperation left to guide him.
Their hopes and fears, dreams and ambitions are about to collide. And the winner takes … worlds.
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"I gave this four stars, but I'm a nut for Niven's Known Space. With the puppeteer migration, Louis Wu, Beowulf Schaeffer, and Sigmund Ausfaller in it, I couldn't help but love this story. I cannot judge how much you will like it if you're not already a fan."
— Scott (4 out of 5 stars)
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“A strong, complicated entry.”
— Alternative-Worlds.com -
“Niven and Lerner have produced a novel that can stand on its own as well as part of the Known Space franchise.”
— Locus
Betrayer of Worlds Listener Reviews
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" These books just keep getting better as they go. I'm pretty sure reading the original "Ringworld" novel that these novels are intended to precede in the story line would be a major let down at this point if I picked it up today. "
— Justin, 2/14/2014 -
" Classic Niven. I love the way his characters think. His descriptions are quite vivid - I can always get great mind-pictures from his writing. "
— DebbieB, 1/26/2014 -
" A very good finish to the Fleet of World series. The series, or at least the last 2, should be read in order. A good plot with the usual collection of interesting characters. My only complaint is that the ending seems sort of contrived, although this may have been necessary to fit in with Ringworld (this series is a prequel to Ringworld, which of course was written years ago). On the whole, the series is better than any individual book so I'd recommend reading them all. "
— TheIron, 1/14/2014 -
" This book was very good all the way through until the ending. The ending was really dissatisfying and disappointing. Usually Niven book endings are so good, that this one mystifies. "
— Davea, 1/5/2014 -
" Nice wrap up to the ringworld prequel novels. "
— Bj, 12/26/2013 -
" Less one star for all the retcon problems created by the existence of New Terra, etc., and the general murkiness of the overall timeline. "
— Will, 12/20/2013 -
" Louis Wu falls in with Puppeteers, Paks and the strange in body but not in outlook Gw'oth. Kind of patchy, many references to other stories in this sequence, kind of slow. "
— John, 12/13/2013 -
" Another page turned from Larry Niven and his collaborator Edward Lerner. The whole Fleet of Worlds set is good stuff, not quite up to the best of Niven, but certainly readable and exciting, and a good chance to visit the Known Space universe once again. "
— Batmensch, 12/11/2013 -
" 70 years before Ringworld, more puppeteer machinations and interstellar adventure. By the end, the situation is not resolved, relative to what we know about the galaxy from Ringworld, so it seems to promise at least one more book. Great! "
— Daniel, 11/29/2013 -
" I lost interest halfway through and stopped reading. Ringworld should have been left alone but there are now at least six sequels and prequels and this one just didn't do it for me. "
— David, 7/16/2012 -
" Warmed up at the end, but the puppetiers are not my favorites. Convoluted "
— Bill, 4/21/2012 -
" An enjoyable series exploring the complexities of alien races competing for safety and a future. Different ideologies result in war, betrayal and alliances of convenience and generosity. "
— Nathan, 1/2/2012 -
" I enjoyed this book. Took me awhile to remember the setting from the Ring World. "
— George, 11/11/2011 -
" The continuing "Worlds" story. The slugs take over the puppeteers. Humans get mixed up, a little, and Louis Wu is introduced to the story. Overall, lite, not as interesting as the previous three novels. Characters just a little empty. "
— Ian, 4/28/2011 -
" Nice wrap up to the ringworld prequel novels. "
— Bj, 4/1/2011 -
" Warmed up at the end, but the puppetiers are not my favorites. Convoluted "
— Bill, 12/18/2010 -
" Another page turned from Larry Niven and his collaborator Edward Lerner. The whole Fleet of Worlds set is good stuff, not quite up to the best of Niven, but certainly readable and exciting, and a good chance to visit the Known Space universe once again. "
— Batmensch, 10/13/2010
About the Authors
Larry Niven is the multiple Hugo, Locus, and Nebula Award–winning author of science fiction short stories and novels, including the Ringworld series, as well as many other science fiction masterpieces. His Footfall, coauthored with Jerry Pournelle, was a New York Times bestseller.
Edward M. Lerner worked in high tech and aerospace for thirty years, as everything from engineer to senior vice president, for much of that time writing science fiction as his hobby. Since 2004 he has written full-time. His novels range from near-future technothrillers, like Small Miracles and Energized, to futuristic mysteries, like The Company Man, to such traditional SF-adventure fare as Dark Secret and his InterstellarNet series. Collaborating with Larry Niven, he also wrote the space-opera epic Fleet of Worlds series of Ringworld companion novels. His 2015 novel, InterstellarNet: Enigma, won the inaugural Canopus Award “honoring excellence in interstellar writing.” His fiction has also been nominated for Locus, Prometheus, and Hugo awards. In shorter forms, his writing has appeared in anthologies, collections, and many science fiction magazines and websites. He also writes about science and technology, most notably including Trope ing the Light Fantastic: The Science behind the Fiction.
About Tom Weiner
Tom Weiner, a dialogue director and voice artist best known for his roles in video games and television shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Transformers, is the winner of eight Earphones Awards and is an Audie Award finalist. He is a former member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.