METAtropolis: Cascadia
METAtropolis • Book 2
by Jay Lake, Mary Robinette Kowal, Elizabeth Bear, Ken Scholes, Karl Schroeder, René Auberjonois, Kate Mulgrew, Wil Wheaton, Gates McFadden, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Tobias S. Buckell
Narrated by Rene Auberjonois, Kate Mulgrew, Wil Wheaton, Gates McFadden, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Jay Lake
About This Audiobook
In the fractured landscape of the 2070s, the Pacific Northwest has emerged as the independent territory of Cascadia, a region forging its own path amid environmental upheaval and economic collapse. Multiple interconnected stories explore this richly imagined world where genetic manipulation, resource scarcity, and territorial disputes shape daily existence. Communities struggle to balance technological innovation with ecological preservation while navigating the complex politics of a post-American society. Each tale reveals different facets of Cascadian life, from urban settlements experimenting with radical social structures to frontier outposts where survival depends on adaptation and ingenuity.
The ensemble cast of Star Trek alumni brings exceptional depth to this shared universe, with each narrator embodying distinct characters across the anthology's six stories. Rene Auberjonois, Kate Mulgrew, Wil Wheaton, Gates McFadden, Jonathan Frakes, and LeVar Burton deliver nuanced performances that capture the varied tones and perspectives within Cascadia's diverse landscape. Their seasoned voices lend gravitas to both intimate character moments and sweeping world-building passages. The production seamlessly weaves together the different narrative threads, creating an immersive audio experience that showcases how collaborative storytelling can flourish in the audiobook medium.