Primary Inversion Audiobook, by Catherine Asaro Play Audiobook Sample

Primary Inversion Audiobook

Primary Inversion Audiobook, by Catherine Asaro Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Anna Fields Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 7.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Saga of the Skolian Empire Series Release Date: June 2005 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781481598743

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

17

Longest Chapter Length:

61:31 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

19:36 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

39:49 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

21

Other Audiobooks Written by Catherine Asaro: > View All...

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Publisher Description

The Skolian Empire rules a third of the civilized galaxy through its mastery of faster-than-light communication. But war with the rival empire of the Traders seems imminent, a war that can only lead to slavery for the Skolians or the destruction of both sides. Destructive skirmishes have already occurred, and a desperate attempt must be made to avert total disaster.

When Sauscony Valdoria, linked to the powerful Skolian Web, and the Aristo heir to the evil Trader Empire of Tarnth link minds, they instantly fall in love. However, in order to prevent interstellar war, Sauscony must be either his lover or his killer.

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"Great start to Asaro's Skolian Empire saga. Published in 1996, it has a nice balance between hard sci-fi and space opera themes and development of a sensitive but tough telepathic character, Soz (Sauscony Valdoria) struggling to find love and human connections in the face of emotional isolation as both a military pilot and heir to the heriditary throne of empaths. As a physicist, Asaro is able to put her own innovative twists on the rendering of faster-than-light space travel, artificial intelligence, and cybernetic enhancements. The key to Skolian's power in the "cybernet" for telepathic communication is also an interesting premise. That the empire of the Traders are evil slave holders driven to sadistic pleasure from the pain of others is unfortunately hokey to me. The dangerous love that develops between Soz and the heir to the Trader empire and the intrigue that follows to avert the Trader's gaining an advantage in the war is a satisfying blend of personal and political action."

— Michael (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Catherine Asaro, a physicist, has done a fine job of rationalizing her scenario through genetics and psionics, and her hard SF speculations are a neat contrast to the plot’s fairy-tale aspects…A good read.”

    — Starlog
  • “This long-running series is one of the best in which space opera meets romance. The empire is in a war that can only lead to mutual destruction, unless the two sides can make peace. This series features several ‘Romeo and Juliet’–type romances but with happier endings, as well as a fully developed science fictional universe that only acquires more depth with each title.”

    — Library Journal, praise for the series
  • “Masterful…Asaro combines hard speculative science and first-rate storytelling to look at the galaxy’s distant future…Asaro innovatively blends computer technology and telepathy into the electrifying, action-rich drama she creates. This is one of the best SF first novels in years.”

    — Booklist
  • “An imaginative debut that takes off at a frantic pace, with dazzling technology, stirring battles, and mental high jinks…plenty of energy and invention.”

    — Kirkus Reviews

Awards

  • A Library Journal Editor’s Pick of Best SF Romance

Primary Inversion Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.10526315789474 out of 54.10526315789474 out of 54.10526315789474 out of 54.10526315789474 out of 54.10526315789474 out of 5 (4.11)
5 Stars: 8
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 3
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Awesome combination of SF, captivating characters, and complex themes. This is one of the best SF series I have read and I still have more to go. "

    — Dena, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is an empire-spanning space opera with lots of interstellar politics and complicated family dynamics and sadistic villains, but the heroine is an adult military professional and the hero a sheltered younger man, which I love (especially given the title of the book, 'cause you don't get a more primary inversion than that in the romance genre--and despite being primarily science fiction this is also a romance). "

    — geekturnedvamp, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good hard science, some romance, lots of political intrigue. My enjoyment was hampered by the fact that I somehow only downloaded 8 parts of 11 - good thing when I went back to redownload, it wasn't checked out, since part 8 ended practically in mid-sentence! "

    — Penny, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I loved the main character of this series. Very compelling read and highly imaginative. "

    — Lynne, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The whole series is great - strong female lead - and it's a sexy space-soap-opera to boot! Not to many author can make that combo succeed without turning it into sappy sludge. All of Asaro's books (even the less interesting ones) keep your blood pumping... "

    — Zen, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The romance side of this story was thoroughly unconvincing. "

    — Coralie, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The first (that I read, and I think that she wrote) in a very long Saga. This is the only one I would really recommend to anyone, and I haven't re-read it since. "

    — Meg, 12/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Not bad. Not great either, but quite enjoyable. My biggest problem was too much info in some aspects. Asaro added so much Sci-fi info it sometimes felt like reading gibberish. "

    — Circuit, 3/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The Skolian Empire vs the Trader Empire. This is a Romeo and Juliette story with some fun futuristic SF twists. The entire series sucked me in and I read them all. Good fun. "

    — Susan, 11/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Even though this is the first book in the Saga of the Skolian Empire, it was the third book I read. I've really enjoyed it and have, of course, read it more than once! "

    — Jill, 10/9/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Another very original sic-fi series. Loved them all. "

    — Mary, 3/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was the first in a series. It was pretty good, I am now wanting to read the rest. Starting with catch the lightning. Fun read if you like sci fi! "

    — Bill, 8/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I am glad to have found this author. This is a "hard" SF novel aka lots of technology descriptions but unlike the novels from the late 70's it has woman characters. It also has a good world creation and a fast moving plot. "

    — Laura, 6/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Romeo meets Juliet but with sci-fi and telepathy. I couldn't put it down. To say anything else would be to despite you of reading a great book. "

    — Rainbowjay2, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I liked this a little more than 3 stars and a little less than 4. I found it to be an oddly riveting blend of fascinating speculative science and melodramatic romance. Sort of astrophysics meets bodice ripper. I want to read more of them, so I guess that says something. "

    — Kalima, 2/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A story of discovery, betrayal, breaking personal bonds and of hope... An interesting space opeara'ish science fiction story and one I liked. "

    — Greg, 2/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I got interested in Asaro's Skolian Empire books after reading a short story set in the universe. Primary Inversion did not disappoint me. Warring empires, nano-tech, telepaths, hot romance. It's all good. "

    — Amy, 12/3/2010
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " wow this book was a dud. glad I got it for free. "

    — Jessicalynn, 10/27/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Good hard science, some romance, lots of political intrigue. My enjoyment was hampered by the fact that I somehow only downloaded 8 parts of 11 - good thing when I went back to redownload, it wasn't checked out, since part 8 ended practically in mid-sentence! "

    — Penny, 8/14/2010

About Catherine Asaro

Catherine Asaro, science fiction and fantasy author, grew up near Berkeley, California. She earned a PhD in chemical physics and an MA in physics, both from Harvard, and a BS with highest honors in chemistry from UCLA. The Quantum Rose won the 2001 Nebula Award for Best Novel, and The Spacetime Pool won the 2008 Nebula Award for Best Novella.

About Anna Fields

Jennifer Van Dyck has appeared on Broadway in Hedda Gabler, Dancing at Lughnasa, Two Shakespearean Actors, and The Secret Rapture. She has been in new plays by Keith Bunin, Ellen McLaughlin, Catherine Filloux, Douglas Post, A. R. Gurney, and Albert Innaurato. Her film and television credits include Series 7, States of Control, Bullets over Broadway, numerous Law & Order episodes, Ed, Spin City, and The Education of Max Bickford. Her audiobook narrations have won her three AudioFile Earphones Awards.