Virtual Mode

Mark Winston’s narration is the secret weapon of this audiobook. His voice has a warmth that makes even the most far-fetched moments feel intimate, and he nails Colene’s sarcastic edge without letting her cynicism overshadow her vulnerability. Darius’s lines, when he’s not sounding like a man on the verge of a breakdown, carry a quiet intensity that Winston sells effortlessly. That said, the production stumbles in one glaring spot: the audio cuts abruptly during a pivotal scene transition, leaving a jarring silence that derails the momentum. If you’re sensitive to pacing, some of the early exposition drags, but once the story hits its stride—around the 2-hour mark—it’s a wild ride. The romance between Colene and Darius is uneven at times; their connection feels earned in some chapters and forced in others, like the plot needed to manufacture drama rather than let it emerge naturally. Still, the sheer audacity of the concept—love as a force that could rewrite reality—keeps the pages turning. If you crave sci-fi with heart, chaos, and a touch of the surreal, *Virtual Mode* delivers, even if its execution isn’t flawless.