The Gods Themselves

By: Isaac Asimov

Narrated by: Scott Brick

In the twenty-second century Earth obtains limitless, free energy from a source science little understands: an exchange between Earth and a parallel universe, using a process devised by the aliens. But even free energy has a price. The transference process itself will eventually lead to the destruction of the Earth's Sun—and of Earth itself.

Only a few know the terrifying truth—an outcast Earth scientist, a rebellious alien inhabitant of a dying planet, a lunar-born human intuitionist who senses the imminent annihilation of the Sun. They know the truth—but who will listen? They have foreseen the cost of abundant energy—but who will believe? These few beings, human and alien, hold the key to Earth's survival.

Drags at times but some interesting parts too.

It took several attempts to get through this one. It drags on at times. Normally Scott Brick does a fine job reading but on this one he speaks as though every word is dramatic, there's no excitement and no difference between the characters. Some interesting concepts were advanced in the book though.

Nifty

I like Asimov. I like this novel. The classic scientist guys vying for power is always fun to watch and there are good scientific-reveal-plot-twists as usual. I wish there was a more robust wrap up with the parauniverse though.
I don't think this is as good as his robot books (but really, what could compare).

Good Concept, Mediocre Execution

I love Asimov. The Foundation books are incredible, and this book hints at the grandiose scale which makes those books so great, but I feel it's relatively short length causes it to miss the mark. Everything felt too easily solved. The imagining of the parallel universe was strange at first, but eventually quite compelling. So compelling relative to the rest of the story (especially the rather prurient and frankly gross relationship between Denison, the older earth professor, and Selene, the younger moon woman, which seems to be a personal fantasy of Asimov's, made clear especially if you have read Foundation and Earth and know of the relationship between Janov, an old professor, and Bliss, a lithe, young, sexually ambitious woman from a planet of collective consciousness) was the imagining of the parallel universe that the book's most major fault is never returning to it to see how the "paramen" react to the changes made by Denison and Selene. If you're a big Asimov fan, give this a try, but think of it more as a short story than a novel to avoid being disappointed.

loved it, so clever

only problem was, it was so clever that I remembered it all from the last time I read it, two decades ago

Wow

This book is amazing! Plot is simple but so rich it will make you think for weeks! Great find