Delvers LLC: Hostile Takeover

I went into *Hostile Takeover* expecting a fun, pulpy sci-fi romp, and I left pleasantly shocked by how much depth Corvin crams into a corporate-melodrama-with-alien-overtones plot. The pacing is relentless; even the exposition-heavy stretches feel earned because the stakes are so high. The crew’s dynamic—think *Ocean’s Eleven* meets *The Expanse*—makes their bickering feel purposeful, not lazy. My only beef? Dolos, the god pulling the strings, borders on *too* whimsical for a story otherwise grounded in hard(ish) sci-fi logic. A few more hints about his motives would’ve made his demands hit harder. Hays carries the audiobook like a seasoned pro—his raspy, no-BS delivery is perfect for the team’s wisecracking leader, and he sells the absurdity without ever winking at the audience. Sacks and Ellicott steal scenes together, especially in fast-paced dialogue exchanges where their timing feels like a live comedy sketch. The production team deserves kudos for the immersive sound design; the alien tech hums like a living thing, and the sudden silence before a major reveal is *chef’s kiss*. That said, the audio levels dip slightly in quieter scenes, and a couple of the cast’s accents (while fun) waver between charming and distracting. But between the razor-sharp world-building and the voice acting that feels like a blockbuster cast, these minor quibbles fade fast. If you love sci-fi that’s equal parts brainy and bombastic, this audiobook is a must-listen.