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whatmattersmost's review
4.0
I was audibly excited when I heard that there was going to be a continuing story arc and that the audio would be narrated by Ms Maslany herself. The platform that was used for this retelling - set ten years after the closing events of the series, is a service called SerialBox which releases books one chapter at a time and makes us listeners wait excrutiating periods of time between chapters (ok so it was actually only a week in between but....) Luckily for you, all ten episodes have been released now so you can spare yourself the wait. Each chapter has written as well as audio launched at the same time and your subscription includes both formats which is a really interesting format. I found myself reading and listening at the same time like those read along books from childhood with the tapes that narrated.
As far as the story goes, this was definitely written with fans of the series in mind. All of the beloved core clone characters were back and I was so excited to hear their voices again through Tatiana's narration. This new story brought in a whole new set of "sestras" who are self aware. Although it was refreshing to have new characters, I feel like the origin story for those ladies was not as fully realized as I wanted them to be. I really wanted to know who was behind that experiment, how many cousins there were and how it linked back to Leda. Instead, the action focused more on a targeted bio-weapon that was set to be unleashed and the effects that they had on clones. The new "cousins" were simply a plot vector by which this weaponized virus was introduced to the plot. I wanted MORE from this younger set of clones.
I loved how they brought up the two younger characters from the original storyline who were only 8 or 9 at the time the series wrapped and framed their clone life through the lenses of teenage girls who are trying to balance their parent's experience with the one they wanted to see. Watching them come into their own over the course of the story added a satisfying layer to the evolution of all of the main characters as well as the change of perspective that time and technology can bring about.
The epilogue of this serial was narrated by none other than Jordan Gervais who played Felix in the series and left a delicious little opening through which another chapter could creep out if the authors and powers that be will allow it. I'll gladly hand over my $9.99 to continue in the tidy little Orphan Black Universe.
As far as the story goes, this was definitely written with fans of the series in mind. All of the beloved core clone characters were back and I was so excited to hear their voices again through Tatiana's narration. This new story brought in a whole new set of "sestras" who are self aware. Although it was refreshing to have new characters, I feel like the origin story for those ladies was not as fully realized as I wanted them to be. I really wanted to know who was behind that experiment, how many cousins there were and how it linked back to Leda. Instead, the action focused more on a targeted bio-weapon that was set to be unleashed and the effects that they had on clones. The new "cousins" were simply a plot vector by which this weaponized virus was introduced to the plot. I wanted MORE from this younger set of clones.
I loved how they brought up the two younger characters from the original storyline who were only 8 or 9 at the time the series wrapped and framed their clone life through the lenses of teenage girls who are trying to balance their parent's experience with the one they wanted to see. Watching them come into their own over the course of the story added a satisfying layer to the evolution of all of the main characters as well as the change of perspective that time and technology can bring about.
The epilogue of this serial was narrated by none other than Jordan Gervais who played Felix in the series and left a delicious little opening through which another chapter could creep out if the authors and powers that be will allow it. I'll gladly hand over my $9.99 to continue in the tidy little Orphan Black Universe.
whitneyrosebrooks's review
5.0
LOVED this. It was so fun to revisit these characters in a different medium, and hearing Tatiana Maslany reprise the roles made it all the more special.
crofteereader's review
4.0
This was very true to the tone of the show, without feeling repetitive. Tatiana Maslany gives a fantastic performance reprising her clone roles, as well as several other characters. However, her base-level narration was very flat and kind of awkward. It was so jarring to go back and forth between dialogue (which was dynamic and fantastic) and description (which was monotonous). The story wraps up nicely while leaving enough unanswered questions to invite further seasons. Personally, I found a lot of the sound effects distracting, but it was worth it to revisit some old favorite characters.
imyril's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Orphan Black is one of my all-time favourite TV shows, a complete tale well-told in five seasons. Imagine my surprise and delight when Serial Box announced they had cooked up a sequel! The big win here is that Tatiana Maslany is back as narrator, ensuring an easy transition from screen to audio. Another win is that we find out what happened to our faves.
The Next Chapter picks up the story eight years later, with a plot spanning a covert CIA cloning program, governmental paranoia, genetically-targeted biological warfare, and the ethics of the security state vs the protection of individual liberties. It is thumping good fun, introducing an array of new characters and ratcheting tension through a familiar escalation of plot twists to deliver a high stakes conspiracy that puts all of the Ledas – and their CIA cousins – at risk.
A worthy sequel - roll on Season Two!
Full review: https://onemore.org/2020/12/26/orphan-black-the-next-chapter/
The Next Chapter picks up the story eight years later, with a plot spanning a covert CIA cloning program, governmental paranoia, genetically-targeted biological warfare, and the ethics of the security state vs the protection of individual liberties. It is thumping good fun, introducing an array of new characters and ratcheting tension through a familiar escalation of plot twists to deliver a high stakes conspiracy that puts all of the Ledas – and their CIA cousins – at risk.
A worthy sequel - roll on Season Two!
Full review: https://onemore.org/2020/12/26/orphan-black-the-next-chapter/
daleg's review
4.0
For fans of the TV series (watch it before reading this). Tatiana Maslany narrates and immediately picks up the voices of the clones. Tatiana does is also brilliant with the non-clone voices, especially Delphine and Felix.
This story is 8 years after the TV series, set in Canada, a thriller, peoples lives are at risk and the outcome is life changing for the sestras. I missed these characters and wanted more even before finishing (the next book is available for pre-order).
I'm not sure if it was the writing, that it was a book, or it was me being nostalgic but the writer perfectly picked the 'voices' of the clones, making the story more personal than the TV series. I'd often smile to myself at how different clones reacted and spoke, just as I remembered.
It turns out I have favourite sestras, so it was special to see how Cosima's and Delphine's relationship had grown, that Helena was still deadly Helena and flourishing, that Allison was just as demanding.
A theme of the story is accepting differences and being stronger together. The bond between the sestras is even stronger, and after 8 years together they're a family. They're clones but the writing and narrating makes clear those differences, that the sestras know the good and bad of each other, and support each other regardless. There's definitely a 'feel good' element to the story. I loved having another chapter with these individuals.
This story is 8 years after the TV series, set in Canada, a thriller, peoples lives are at risk and the outcome is life changing for the sestras. I missed these characters and wanted more even before finishing (the next book is available for pre-order).
I'm not sure if it was the writing, that it was a book, or it was me being nostalgic but the writer perfectly picked the 'voices' of the clones, making the story more personal than the TV series. I'd often smile to myself at how different clones reacted and spoke, just as I remembered.
It turns out I have favourite sestras, so it was special to see how Cosima's and Delphine's relationship had grown, that Helena was still deadly Helena and flourishing, that Allison was just as demanding.
A theme of the story is accepting differences and being stronger together. The bond between the sestras is even stronger, and after 8 years together they're a family. They're clones but the writing and narrating makes clear those differences, that the sestras know the good and bad of each other, and support each other regardless. There's definitely a 'feel good' element to the story. I loved having another chapter with these individuals.
bookadventurer's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
It’s an audiobook, but with sound effects and music so it’s almost a radio show. I loved it.
bstenger's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this. It felt a lot like the show, and of course having Tatiana Maslany narrate it was incredible.
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