OPERATION JADE HELMET

Andrea Emmes narrates an allegorical techno-thriller in which a virtual reality game offers an unusual solution to the potential end of the world. Society is in the midst of a near global addiction to social media and a virtual reality game when disaster strikes. The world begins to burn--metaphorically and literally--but then everything is brought back online by a new version of the game. Emmes imbues the story with deep emotion. Characters have unique voices and emote with surprising depth. A complex and intricately plotted story that meshes allegory with science fiction is complemented by Emmes's steadfast narration. While the content verges on being heavy-handed, fans of the author and her message will enjoy the performance. J.M.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2023]