Narrated by Jennifer Pickens, Final Girls by Mira Grant takes us into a nightmarish dreamscape to treat patients. A brilliant tale from start to finish. Where Grant asks, “What if you could fix the worst parts of yourself by confronting your worst fears?” Would you do it?
by Mira Grant
Narrator: Jennifer Pickens
Length: 3 hours & 10 minutes
Genres: Science Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.3x
What if you could fix the worst parts of yourself by confronting your worst fears?
Dr. Jennifer Webb has invented proprietary virtual reality technology that purports to heal psychological wounds by running clients through scenarios straight out of horror movies and nightmares. In a carefully controlled environment, with a medical cocktail running through their veins, sisters might develop a bond they’ve been missing their whole lives—while running from the bogeyman through a simulated forest. But…can real change come so easily?
Esther Hoffman doubts it. Esther has spent her entire journalism career debunking pseudoscience, after phony regression therapy ruined her father’s life. She’s determined to unearth the truth about Dr. Webb’s budding company. Dr. Webb’s willing to let her, of course, for reasons of her own. What better advertisement could she get than that of a convinced skeptic? But Esther’s not the only one curious about how this technology works. Enter real-world threats just as frightening as those created in the lab. Dr. Webb and Esther are at odds, but they may also be each other’s only hope of survival.
Dr. Jennifer Webb has developed a groundbreaking therapy using virtual reality. She places patients in pods with a psychedelic cocktail and sends them into a dreamscape created specifically to overcome whatever it is the patient or patients are trying to overcome. She helps restore familiar bonds and deals with anxiety, fears and more.
Journalist Esther Hoffman’s father was a victim of regression therapy gone wrong. She has systematically set out to disprove these therapies and the companies who run them.
Which has her at Webb’s institute. Her goal is to destroy them. Their goal is to prove it works and get a positive review. One thing leads to another and Esther agrees to enter a pod to experience the technology for herself.
The story that unfolds was fantastic. Grant has a way of pulling you in. Her characters have depth and are complex. Of course, things go wrong once Esther enters the pod and I couldn’t stop listening.
I have loved everything Grant has written and Final Girls was brilliant. Despite being a novella, she gave us a full, engaging tale that left me craving more. If you haven’t tried her Newsflesh series or sci-fi novels, I highly recommend them.
While I read the novella in 2017, the audiobook narration enhanced the tale. Jennifer Pickens brought these characters and the suspenseful, twisted moments to life.
Final Girls by Mira Grant and narrated by Jennifer Pickens delivered a suspenseful, science fiction, horror that will hook you from the first chapter. #audiobook #TantorAudio #novella Share on XAbout Mira Grant
Born and raised in Northern California, Mira Grant has made a lifelong study of horror movies, horrible viruses, and the inevitable threat of the living dead. In college, she was voted Most Likely to Summon Something Horrible in the Cornfield, and was a founding member of the Horror Movie Sleep-Away Survival Camp, where her record for time survived in the Swamp Cannibals scenario remains unchallenged. Mira lives in a crumbling farmhouse with an assortment of cats, horror movies, comics, and books about horrible diseases. When not writing, she splits her time between travel, auditing college virology courses, and watching more horror movies than is strictly good for you. Favorite vacation spots include Seattle, London, and a large haunted corn maze just outside of Huntsville, Alabama. Mira sleeps with a machete under her bed, and highly suggests that you do the same. Mira also writes as Seanan McGuire.
About Jennifer Pickens
Jennifer Pickens has been a storyteller since childhood, when she could often be found acting out the adventures of the characters that she created. Now, in front of the mic, she uses her smooth tone and confident grasp of character and pacing to connect listeners to an author's story, bringing their words to life. She lives in Oregon, and is often found reading, drinking tea, metalsmithing, quilting, or playing the mountain dulcimer.
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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
ShootingStarsMag
Ooh this sounds fantastic. That’s great it was a full-fledged story despite only being a novella.
Kimberly
She does novellas justice.
Carole @ Carole's Random Life
I have not read enough of this author! This story sounds amazing. I am going to have to see if I can get my hands on a copy of the audiobook.
Kimberly
Happy listening.
Melliane
I wasn’t awore of this one by the author. I love her UF books
Kimberly
I hope you pick it up!
Nadene
Esther is quite brave. I hoped it worked out well for her.
Kimberly
Hehe…spoilers darling!
Sophia Rose
Oh my, sounds like it got real when she went in the pod. 🙂
Kimberly
Indeed.
Lover of Romance
Great review you have here. I am glad that this one was a win for you. There is something about complex characters that just work out so well.
Kimberly
Exaclty Renee
Wendy
I don’t know if I could ever trust sleeping in a pod! I am imagining all kids of things going wrong!
Kimberly
Especially with someone controlling your dreamscape!