One Day as a Lion

Listening to *One Day as a Lion* is like strapping into a worn-out exo-suit and watching the HUD flicker to life: you know from the first boot-up that this isn’t going to end well, but damn if it isn’t gripping. Ryan Kennard Burke’s narration is the standout here, transforming Pappy Gunther from a collection of clichés (gritty soldier, check) into something far more compelling—a man whose every word sounds like it’s being dragged through a rusted grate. Burke nails the balance between barking orders and muttering to himself, and his performance alone justifies the audiobook’s runtime. The story itself is a masterclass in tension, with Hernandez weaving together large-scale military strategy and intimate character moments without ever losing momentum. The colonial outpost’s descent into chaos feels earned, not contrived, and the way the unit fractures under pressure adds real stakes to the battles. That said, there’s a moment midway through where the dialogue dips into expositional doldrums—suddenly, it’s like being lectured on orbital mechanics while waiting for a door to blow open. And Pappy’s internal monologue, while rich in texture, occasionally veers into monologue territory, risking tonal whiplash between introspection and action. But these are minor quibbles in what’s otherwise a relentless, immersive experience. If you crave military sci-fi that doesn’t just flex its tech but interrogates the cost of war, this is the audiobook to cue up. Just maybe bring a stiff drink to go with it.