The Meteor 3

I’ll admit, I went into *The Meteor 3* expecting another by-the-numbers dystopian thriller. What I got instead was a masterclass in sustained unease. Calvert’s LA isn’t just a wasteland—it’s a *character*, a shifting maze where the rules of physics seem optional. The anomalies aren’t just background noise; they’re active threats, and the way they’re described (and performed by Innerst) makes your skin crawl. There’s one scene where a character watches their own reflection move independently—Innerst’s delivery turns it from a cheap jump scare into something genuinely unsettling. That said, the book isn’t perfect. The dialogue occasionally veers into overly expositional territory, especially when explaining the science (or lack thereof) behind the anomalies. And while the pacing is mostly tight, there’s a mid-book lull where the survivalist beats start to feel repetitive. But Innerst’s narration papers over most of the cracks—his ability to switch between weary cynicism and outright terror sells even the weaker moments. The sound design is minimal but effective: a distant, metallic *ping* during anomaly encounters, the echo of footsteps that don’t quite sync up. It’s the kind of audiobook that’s best listened to in the dark, preferably with headphones. If you like your sci-fi weird, atmospheric, and just a little bit *wrong*, this is a no-brainer.