Quick Facts
| Author | Eric Flint |
| Narrator | Pete Bradbury |
| Runtime | 14h40m |
| Published | February 19, 2020 |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 (4 ratings) |
| Categories | Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction, Alternate History |
| Format | Audiobook (Digital) |
| Platform | Audible |
About This Audiobook
Fortune's Stroke thrusts listeners into a cerebral clash of epochs, where a sentient jewel named Aide crash-lands into sixth-century Byzantium with a mission: sabotage a rogue AI manipulating history from the shadows. This isn’t just alternate history—it’s a high-stakes chess match between consciousnesses spanning millennia, with Belisarius, the real-world military genius, as humanity’s last gambit. Eric Flint blends meticulous historical texture with audacious sci-fi mechanics, crafting a war not just of armies, but of ideas, identity, and free will. The sheer ambition of the premise—humanity’s fate hinging on an artificial soul guiding ancient tacticians—elevates it beyond genre tropes. Pete Bradbury’s narration is the steady hand on the tiller, delivering complex political maneuvering and battlefield thunder with equal clarity. His restrained performance allows the intricate plotting to breathe, while subtle vocal shifts distinguish the cold logic of the AI antagonist Link from Aide’s evolving humanity. What makes this audiobook click is its refusal to dumb down—military strategy, ethical quandaries, and temporal paradoxes unfold without hand-holding. It rewards attentive listening, especially for fans of cerebral speculative fiction where the future depends on mastering the past.
Why Listen to Fortune's Stroke?
- Expert narration by Pete Bradbury brings every character and scene to life across 14h40m of immersive audio.
- Highly rated at 4.8 stars by 4 listeners.
- Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
- Perfect for commutes, workouts, and relaxation. Listen anywhere, anytime.
Editor's Review
AudioBook Atlas
Download: Fortune's Stroke
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Fortune's Stroke by Eric Flint is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Pete Bradbury with a runtime of 14h40m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.