Departure

By: A.G. Riddle

Narrated by: Nicola Barber, Scott Aiello

En route to London from New York, Flight 305 suddenly loses power and crash-lands in the English countryside, plunging a group of strangers into a mysterious adventure that will have repercussions for all of humankind.

Struggling to stay alive, the survivors soon realize that the world they've crashed in is very different from the one they left. But where are they? Why are they here? And how will they get back home?

Five passengers seem to hold clues about what's really going on: writer Harper Lane, venture capitalist Nick Stone, German genetic researcher Sabrina Schröder, computer scientist Yul Tan, and Grayson Shaw - the son of a billionaire philanthropist.

As more facts about the crash emerge, it becomes clear that some in this group know more than they're letting on - answers that will lead Harper and Nick to uncover a far-reaching conspiracy involving their own lives. As they begin to piece together the truth, they discover they have the power to change the future and the past - to save our world...or end it.

To read an epilogue to Departure and access other bonus material, go to agriddle.com/departure/extras

©2014 A.G. Riddle (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Critic reviews

"Well-constructed and tightly-wound as a fine Swiss watch, Departure has non-stop action, an engaging plot and, of course, wheels within wheels." (Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series)

Interesting Concept

The narration made characters believable. The story was very fluid making this an easy-flowing novel from scene to scene.

50's feel

If you could sum up Departure in three words, what would they be?

Campy, sweet, entangled.

What did you like best about this story?

You see the two main protagonists in at least 3 different dimensions. Lot of attention to character and consequences. Science in this fiction doesn't come on strong, or really at all, until a third of the way through, and when it does complex ideas are handled well as integral plot devices. There is something very fifties about the white alien suits and tubular space ships pounding at each other with lasers. And of course, the "Titans" who are very reverse Ayn Randian. I liked the interplay and attention to ethics, science and love here. What every good sci fi should have imo.

Which character – as performed by Nicola Barber and Scott Aiello – was your favorite?

Nick

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, It was pleasant to spread it out. Like a friend you see daily.

Any additional comments?

The sound engineering on the voices could be improved so the female doesn't drop down so much in volume, or perhaps I should say, so the male does not increase in volume so much. Whichever, I had to adjust the volume setting every time the narrators switched chapters. Not a big deal, but something to pay attention to next time.

Mixed Feelings...

Any additional comments?

The narration was great. Interesting story. I especially liked the first part. Survivors rising to the challenge. How the mystery unfolds and wraps around. The book could have been longer or could have used a sequel. I felt there could have been better character development. There was a bigger story to tell.

Great story, duel narration, bit sappy on the endi

What was one of the most memorable moments of Departure?

Finding out who the "others"were

Which character – as performed by Nicola Barber and Scott Aiello – was your favorite?

Enjoyed both

Any additional comments?

Was a good story, multiple "didn't see that coming parts". Love male/female narrators which make characters more believable. Ending was a little sappy as if not sure how it should end.

A different way to meet your intented !!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend it to anyone over 14 years old ! It is a great adventure !!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Departure?

The ending where the important event happens !!!

Which scene was your favorite?

When Nick took charge as they were in the future !! Through a worm hole, of a sort !

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Adventure; anyone can be a Hero !!

Any additional comments?

The narrators were wonderful doing the multiple voices, for the characters in this awesomely written book !!!

Good but I wasn’t quite convinced by the end

Very good beginning and a good pace throughout the end. However, I wasn’t quite happy with the last part of the story, somehow it didn’t fit for me. Still, enjoyable listen.
The male narrator was excellent, the female one good, however, the mastering of the recording was far from OK: Her voice was very, very often too quiet. I had to turn up the volume to understand her only to get hammered with his booming voice. That was really annoying.

Great sci-fi thriller

Captivating story, excellent narration, with interesting twists. Overall a quick listen that I ended up wishing was a little longer! Would recommend to any fan of sci-fi enthusiasts that love a little heart warming sub-plot.

Love alternate universe possibility stories.

There is always an infinite endless amount of opportunities of life decisions that will changing how we look at things. You just gotta go for it!

Very entertaining book, but it does get a bit slow

The narrative was excellent, very well done, and the story highly entertaining. The books had its downfalls but overall it was a great listen, and definitely recommend.

Worth the listen

This book took some unexpected turns. I thought the story was good, and I never lost interest. Although I wouldn't say it's a must read, I will give it a second listen in the future, which, for me, determines if it was a good choice. One thing I did find distracting was the female narrators habit of breathing in sharply after every sentence... But maybe I just need to relax and just let her live.