# Descendant Machine audiobook by Gareth L. Powell

Descendant Machine is a science-fiction audiobook by Gareth L. Powell, narrated by Rebecca Norfolk. It follows Nic Mafalda as she tries to prevent the activation of a vast alien machine, with the listing describing a space-opera adventure involving alien politics and a potentially devastating threat.

- [Original product page](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/product/descendant-machine-audiobook-gareth-l-powell)
- [View offer](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/descendant-machine-audiobook-gareth-l-powell)
- Market: UK
- Language: en-GB
- Currency: GBP
- Category: Books, Music & Hobbies > Books, Music & Movies > Books & Comics
- Price: 4.99 GBP
- Previous price: 13.40 GBP
- Discount: 63%
- Price checked: 2026-11-12T14:38:07.028Z
- Rating: 4.4 / 5
- Reviews: 1026

Prices and deal status are the latest recorded data, not a guarantee of availability. Confirm the price and availability with the store.

## At a glance

- The story centres on the dormant Grand Mechanism, a machine described as the size of Saturn’s rings.
- Nic Mafalda seeks a Jzat holy man who knows the machine’s secrets, while trying to escape her wrecked scout ship.
- The unabridged recording is listed at 7 hours and 49 minutes.

## Pros

- The defined running time and named narrator make it easier to judge whether this audio edition suits a listening schedule.
- The premise combines alien society, a galactic-scale machine and a race to prevent catastrophe.

## Specifications

### Audio edition
- Format: Audiobook
- Version: Unabridged
- Listening length: 7 hours and 49 minutes
- Language: English
### Credits and publication
- Author: Gareth L. Powell
- Narrator: Rebecca Norfolk
- Publisher: W. F. Howes Ltd
- Publication date: 11 May 2023

## Before you buy

- Customer feedback is positive about the characters, worldbuilding and central concept, but reactions to the plot and pacing are mixed. Consider that trade-off if you prefer consistently brisk storytelling.

## A good fit for

- Listeners looking for an English-language space-opera audiobook with alien cultures and a large-scale science-fiction premise.
- Buyers who want an unabridged recording with a stated runtime.

## Less suited to

- Readers who want uniformly fast pacing, as customer feedback reports differing reactions to the pacing.

## Customer feedback

Customer feedback describes the book as entertaining, with positive impressions of its characters, worldbuilding, space-opera elements and concept. Reactions to the plot and pacing are mixed, so buyers drawn to the broad premise may still find the storytelling rhythm a matter of preference. The overall ratings lean positive, but ratings alone do not explain individual reactions.
- Positive themes: Customers praise the characters, worldbuilding and science-fiction concept.
- Mixed feedback: Customer feedback is divided on the plot and pacing.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who wrote and narrates Descendant Machine?
The listing names Gareth L. Powell as the author and Rebecca Norfolk as the narrator.
### How long is this audiobook?
The listed listening length is 7 hours and 49 minutes.
### Is this an abridged edition?
It is listed as unabridged.
### What is the story about?
Nic Mafalda tries to reach a Jzat holy man who knows the secrets of the dormant Grand Mechanism, while rogue elements seek to activate it.

## Alternative options

- [Infinity Gate: The exhilarating science fiction epic set in the multiverse \(Book One of the Pandominion\)](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/descendant-machine-audiobook-gareth-l-powell)
- [Living Starship 1: The Last Symbiotes, Book 1](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/descendant-machine-audiobook-gareth-l-powell)
- [Light Chaser](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/descendant-machine-audiobook-gareth-l-powell)
- [Fault Tolerance: A Novel](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/descendant-machine-audiobook-gareth-l-powell)
- [Embers of War](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/descendant-machine-audiobook-gareth-l-powell)
- [Elder Race](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/descendant-machine-audiobook-gareth-l-powell)
- [Translation State: Shortlisted for the Hugo Award for Best Novel 2024](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/descendant-machine-audiobook-gareth-l-powell)
- [All She Wants for Christmas: A simmering story of obsession](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/descendant-machine-audiobook-gareth-l-powell)
- [Exoplanet](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/descendant-machine-audiobook-gareth-l-powell)
- [Bram Stoker's Dracula](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/descendant-machine-audiobook-gareth-l-powell)
- [Bad in Bed](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/descendant-machine-audiobook-gareth-l-powell)
- [The Single Father](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/visit/descendant-machine-audiobook-gareth-l-powell)

## Images

![Descendant Machine audiobook by Gareth L. Powell — 1](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/3mostEGc7OtqFaBQijT6z2hstiiiIYEM6U-3peATMAKd6IWGs7N0cjX8HBQHiu2oQ_ZDJasO7gWQxSqDGddmfvvdvciuumTlmJJATOtCh9qqORY5dL7d.jpg)