After the Fall by Edward Ashton – Audiobook Review

Author: Edward Ashton
Narrated by: John Pirhalla
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Format: Audiobook
Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

A Sci-Fi Story That Ends Too Soon (In a Good Way)

I finished After the Fall feeling satisfied… but also a little greedy. I wanted more time in this world, more story to sink into. That’s usually a good sign.

The setup is classic sci-fi with a twist of emotional warmth. Humans are basically under the control of the alien Grays, and the stakes for our main character, John, are anything but small. But what surprised me most was the tone. Beneath the tension and high-concept premise, there’s an unexpectedly cozy, almost heartwarming undercurrent running through the story.

It balances danger and humor really well, which made it an easy and engaging listen from start to finish.

Tight, Focused Storytelling

This isn’t a long audiobook, but it never feels rushed. The story just moves — cleanly, confidently, and with purpose. Edward Ashton keeps a consistent voice throughout, and the humor lands naturally instead of feeling forced or overly clever.

Some sci-fi leans hard into complexity or heaviness. This one feels comfortable in its own skin. That made it really easy to settle into.

Characters That Carry the Heart

For me, the emotional center of the story was the relationship between John and Martok. Their dynamic felt believable, layered, and genuinely enjoyable to spend time with. That connection gave the story real weight and made the quieter moments land just as well as the bigger plot beats.

Six didn’t quite land the same way for me. I understand her role in the story, and she’s not poorly written, but she came across as abrasive in a way that kept me at arm’s length. She has some strong moments, but she never fully clicked for me the way the others did.

Audiobook Performance

It took me a little time to adjust to John Pirhalla’s voice, but once I settled in, I was impressed. His character work is strong, and he gives each voice personality without pushing into exaggeration. Nothing felt distracting or overperformed.

The pacing of the narration works well, transitions are clear, and the emotional beats come through naturally. It’s a very smooth listening experience.

Final Thoughts

This is a great pick for sci-fi fans who like humor mixed into their speculative worlds and who enjoy character-driven stories with heart. It’s engaging, focused, and doesn’t overstay its welcome — if anything, it ends a little too soon.

I really enjoyed my time with it. Strong storytelling, solid narration, and a world I wouldn’t mind revisiting.

Four stars.

Thank you to the publisher for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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