Listen to a sample
Pluto
The Outer Planets Trilogy (Book 3)
- Author
- Les Johnson
- Narrator
- Stefan Rudnicki
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Publish Date
- 24 February 2026
- Run Time
- 8 hours 59 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
Hugo Award winner Ben Bova and Les Johnson complete Bova’s Outer Planets series (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto), a Grand Tour of the human settled solar system, with a final encounter on Pluto.
Major Larry Randall has been called to Pluto to retrieve Dr. Aaron Mikelson. Mikelson, no longer human after a horrific accident, is now melded to an AI. His enhanced senses have detected an alien artifact on Pluto’s surface, and he’s not leaving without it.
Transferred to the research vessel studying Pluto, Randall and the other scientists are stumped as to the artifact’s purpose and origin. Looking for similar signs of aliens they make their way to Pluto’s moon, Charon, where, buried deep under its icy surface, something stirs―and wakes.
Against a backdrop of unknown alien technology and potential interplanetary war, Mikelson’s inhuman ego and obsession will risk humanity by calling something unknown to our solar system.
Critics Review
-
“Bova proves himself equal to the task of showing how adversity can temper character in unforeseen ways.”
The New York Times, praise for the author
-
“Bova gets better and better, combining plausible science with increasingly complex fiction.”
Daily News (Los Angeles), praise for the author
-
“One of the genre’s most accessible and entertaining storytellers.”
Library Journal, praise for Ben Bova
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Les Johnson
- Narrator
- Stefan Rudnicki
- Duration
- 8 hours 59 minutes
- Release Date
- 24 February 2026
- ISBN
- 9798228745056
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Genre
- Science fiction, Science fiction: aliens / UFOs
Synopsis
Hugo Award winner Ben Bova and Les Johnson complete Bova’s Outer Planets series (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto), a Grand Tour of the human settled solar system, with a final encounter on Pluto.Major Larry Randall has been called to Pluto to retrieve Dr. Aaron Mikelson. Mikelson, no longer human after a horrific accident, is now melded to an AI. His enhanced senses have detected an alien artifact on Pluto’s surface, and he’s not leaving without it.Transferred to the research vessel studying Pluto, Randall and the other scientists are stumped as to the artifact’s purpose and origin. Looking for similar signs of aliens they make their way to Pluto’s moon, Charon, where, buried deep under its icy surface, something stirs―and wakes.Against a backdrop of unknown alien technology and potential interplanetary war, Mikelson’s inhuman ego and obsession will risk humanity by calling something unknown to our solar system.
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.