Exodus

Humanity has lost. In M.R. Forbes' Forgotten Starship series opener, Earth falls to an alien force within two years of first contact, leaving civilization's remnants scrambling for a desperate contingency. That contingency is Pioneer, a colossal starship secretly constructed beneath the Rocky Mountains, now tasked with carrying survivors to an unknown world beyond the stars. The novel follows those aboard as they confront the void ahead, burdened by old conflicts and the fragile weight of being humanity's last chance.

Adam Verner brings a steady, grounded presence to the narration that suits the story's blend of military tension and existential stakes. His delivery keeps the pacing crisp through the novel's longer expository stretches while lending urgency to its action sequences. At over twelve hours, Forbes' world-building has room to breathe, and Verner's controlled, measured performance makes audio the natural format for this kind of sprawling, high-concept science fiction. The result is an immersive opener that sets the Forgotten Starship series on a confident trajectory.