I always have a good time listening to John Scalzi’s novels on audio and was excited to dive into The Kaiju Preservation Society, narrated by Wil Wheaton. Scalzi did not disappoint. I laughed, cheered and wondered what if….
by John Scalzi
Narrator: Wil Wheaton
Length: 8 hours and 2 minutes
Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.3x
When COVID-19 sweeps through New York City, Jamie Gray is stuck as a dead-end driver for food delivery apps. That is, until Jamie makes a delivery to an old acquaintance, Tom, who works at what he calls “an animal rights organization.” Tom’s team needs a last-minute grunt to handle things on their next field visit. Jamie, eager to do anything, immediately signs on.
What Tom doesn't tell Jamie is that the animals his team cares for are not here on Earth. Not our Earth, at at least. In an alternate dimension, massive dinosaur-like creatures named Kaiju roam a warm and human-free world. They're the universe's largest and most dangerous panda and they're in trouble.
It's not just the Kaiju Preservation Society whose found their way to the alternate world. Others have, too. And their carelessness could cause millions back on our Earth to d
First things first, be sure and read the author’s note (or as I did, listen) at the end of this novel. I hear you, Mr. Scalzi, and this story was exactly what I needed it. So thank you.
This story takes place during at the beginning of Covid-19 when the world shut down and some people lost their jobs. It tells the story of Jamie Gray, who is let go from a upstart firm in New York City and an unimaginable opportunity that is presented to him while working as a driver for a food app. The story that unfolds takes us to an alternate Earth, where large animals roam the planet.
I had such a good time with this story and Wil Wheaton captured the humor and personality of the main protagonist, Jamie Gray, perfectly, as well as secondary characters. Some you will admire and others you’ll want to feed to those large animals. Did I mention they remind Jamie of Godzilla?
The characters are authentic, the rights of passage for newcomers and the camaraderie between the team members, particularly in this isolated situation, were fantastic, humorous, and well, like family.
Imagine different alternate versions of our Earth. Some are developed and others are not. This alternate universe touches ours, and in some places, there are soft spots. This is where the society enters and study the Kaiju. Jamie has joined the team and will do a six-month stay before going home for six months. It was amazing, hilarious and fed my inner nerd.
Of course, all of this requires funding and with that come humans who want to make a profit and we all know what that means. Some suspense, twists and just desserts await you as Jamie and his group of friends/colleagues work to protect the Kaiju and save our Earth.
The story is vintage Scalzi, so of course there is a message and I hope folks are listening. It’s also filled with nerdy jokes, science fiction references, pop-culture references and a few nods to some classics.
Wil Wheaton gave a stellar performance, hitting all the notes of this pop song! I love seeing this author & narrator paired as they complement each other.
The Kaiju Preservation Society, was the perfect feel good, light listen and it still has me smiling.
Like your favorite song on the radio, The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi, narrated by Wil Wheaton will leave you smiling. #audiobook #newrelease #scifi #fantasy #mustlisten #audiobookreview Share on XAbout John Scalzi
John Scalzi, having declared his absolute boredom with biographies, disappeared in a puff of glitter and lilac scent. Author of the Human Division series and Old Man's War series. Creative Consultant for the Stargate: Universe television series. Writer for the video game Midnight Star, by Industrial Toys. Former president (7/10 – 6/13) of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Executive Producer and Consultant for the upcoming television series based on my book Redshirts, as well as for the upcoming television series based on my Old Man’s War book series
About Wil Wheaton
Wil Wheaton loves to tell stories. He’s been doing it his whole life. By age ten, he had already been acting for three years. In 1986, at age 12, he earned critical acclaim as Gordie Lachance in Rob Reiner’s Stand By Me; at 14, he began his four-year turn as Wesley Crusher on the hit TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation. Since then, Wil has appeared in dozens of films and TV series, with recurring roles on TNT’s Leverage, SyFy’s Eureka, and the hit webseries The Guild. He is the creator, producer, and host of the wildly successful webseries Tabletop, credited with reigniting national interest in tabletop gaming. Most recently, he played a fictionalized version of himself on CBS’s The Big Bang Theory, one of the most highly rated and watched sitcoms of the last decade. An accomplished voice actor, Wil has lent his talents to animated series including Family Guy, Teen Titans, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Batman: The Brave and the Bold. His video game credits include four installments each of the Grand Theft Auto and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon series, as well as Fallout: New Vegas, DC Universe Online, and Broken Age. His audiobook narration of Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One debuted at number one on the New York Times bestseller list, and was one of Goodreads’ 10 Best Narrator and Audiobook Pairings of All Time. He has also lent his voice to titles by John Scalzi, Randall Monroe, and Joe Hill. When he isn’t acting, narrating, or podcasting, Wil Wheaton is writing.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
I just saw another review for this that made me really want to read this. Then you noted here that Wil Wheaton is the narrator, and this will probably be my April Audible credit purchase, because I think he is a great narrator. Okay, I’ll be listening to this in April for sure now. Great review!
Kimberly
Yeah, Wil rocks the narration. Cannot wait to see what you think!
Katherine
I love Wil Wheaton as a narrator and I’ve never read any John Scalzi though I’ve been wanting too. This sounds interesting!
Kimberly
I love his works. This is light, fun and the perfect sample.
S. J. Pajonas
As soon as I get another Audible credit, this one is mine! Can’t wait!!
Kimberly
Enjoy!!
Wendy
I think it’s important to have books about COVID 19, so we never forget what we went through. And I love the idea of escape in this book. And now that I know Will Wheaton narrates, I’ve added this to my audible wish list
sjhigbee
So glad you enjoyed this one, Kimberly. I read the ebook, but can imagine that the audiobook version is huge fun to listen to:). Thank you for sharing your thoroughly enjoyable review.
Anne - Books of My Heart
Great review! I hope I can fit this one in to read.
Lover of Romance
This one sounds like such a win here. I am so happy it worked out so well and so many unique factors that come into this one here.
Great review.
Felicity Grace Terry
Alas its still too early for me to think about reading novels set during Covid-19. Maybe Sometime in the future maybe as a few have been recommended to me, this one included funnily enough, just not yet.
Sophia Rose
I get a big kick out of his books and Wil Wheaton’s narration work, too. I’ve got this one on the audio wish list. 🙂