Ruins of the Earth — Audiobook Review
I’ve got a soft spot for military science fiction — seriously, who doesn’t? (If those people exist, I haven’t met them.) Ruins of the Earth by J.N. Chaney and Christopher Hopper popped onto my radar a few weeks ago and immediately caught my attention. It serves as a sort of prequel to Ruins of the Galaxy, which I listened to years ago and enjoyed but never finished. This time around, I was craving something a little more grounded — something closer to Stargate than Star Wars — and the cover, featuring a mysterious ringlike structure set on modern-day Earth, made it an easy “add to library.”
A Slow Start, Then Full Throttle
I’ll be honest: Ruins of the Earth almost lost me early on. The opening scenes were well written and tense, but they didn’t immediately hook me. The protagonist, Patrick “Wic” Finnegan, didn’t quite click for me either. He’s a battle-weary Marine Raider who wants nothing more than to bring his service to a close and retire to a quiet cabin. His plans are delayed when an old friend asks him for a favor — one that lands him stationed in the Ellsworth Subglacial Highlands.
Following an intense and bloody battle — where we first encounter the alien invaders’ automated foot soldiers — the timeline jumps ahead, and a world-ending threat emerges, compelling Wic out of retirement and back into action. Before long, the supporting cast enters the picture, and the book’s energy picks up fast.
Characters, Camaraderie, and Chaos
That’s where things clicked for me. The team dynamic adds humor, tension, and heart — the kind of chemistry that keeps you invested through every gunfight. Then a key new character appears (no spoilers here), opening up the world-building in a big way. From that point on, I found myself steadily becoming more and more invested in the story.
From there, it’s full throttle: non-stop action sequences stitched together with solid moments of character development. Even amid all the explosions and shootouts, there are quiet beats that deepen the squad’s relationships. By the third act, even more new allies join the fray, and I found myself genuinely attached to the entire crew — Wic included.
Narration That Elevates Everything
If you’ve ever listened to an audiobook narrated by R.C. Bray, you already know what to expect: pure excellence. He nails every accent, tone, and emotional beat. His delivery brings edge and grit to the combat scenes while still giving each character a distinct voice. Honestly, even if the story had been average, Bray’s performance would’ve made it worth the listen.
Familiar Tropes, Fresh Flavor
Fans of Expeditionary Force will likely draw comparisons between the two series — which is fair, particularly when it comes to two characters. (And don’t worry, I’ll be reviewing Expeditionary Force soon enough.) But in my opinion, there’s enough originality here for Ruins of the Earth to stand confidently on its own. And while it leans into the B-movie charm of the genre, it does so with enough self-awareness and polish to make it work.
Sure, it’s heavy on action, and the endless firefights might be a bit much for listeners who prefer slower, more cerebral sci-fi. But if you’re into fast-paced action, aliens, and camaraderie under fire — you’ll be in your happy place.
Final Thoughts
Once I got through the first act, Ruins of the Earth turned into a blast. Chaney and Hopper deliver a cinematic, high-energy adventure that feels like a top-tier action movie — one with heart, humor, and plenty of ammo.
If you love military sci-fi audiobooks with believable characters, alien chaos, and stellar narration, this one’s an easy recommendation.
⭐ 4.5 / 5 Stars — a must-listen for fans of sci-fi action.
Fans of Expeditionary Force, Galaxy’s Edge, or other indie sci-fi titles should definitely give it a chance.