This was my first piece of fiction by Timothy Zahn and will not be the last. This was a fun short story that had the feel of classic sci-fi. In the far future humanity is beginning to travel the stars via a sort of astral projection to cross the far distances of space, but on one of these trips Toby ends up entrapped by a family of aliens and their pet iguana-cat. I don't want to spoil any more given how short it is, but there's some really interesting world building and I hope we see future works set in this universe. It also had some interesting takes on first contact, even if not entirely unique. The character of Toby seemed well fleshed out. The ending seemed a little unrealistic to me but if I wanted otherwise I probably shouldn't be reading fiction.

Narration by Greg D Barnett was phenomenal, he did a great job of providing unique voices for the characters. Recording quality was also top notch. I will be keeping an eye out for other works by him in the future as well.

An interesting take on space travel
Trap Line is a very interesting short story concerning long distance space travel and what can happen when interference by an outside force happens. Aliens, technology, a little esotericism, and sprinkled with a bit of diplomacy.
While the short story is well written, the audio file received contained issues while played on my system.
If you like SciFi short stories that have depth, different takes on travel, interesting characters, and a good look at interspecies diplomacy, then pick this up and take a read.

Note - the drop from 5 stars is due to the audio file having issues.

Humanity has figured out how to travel across space, moving their consciousness from their own bodies to clones on ships. When Toby attempts to travel to his clone to repair a ship, instead he is caught in a trap meant for other aliens using the same means of travel. He must work with the other aliens to find a way out.

This was a very quick read that managed to convey a lot of story involving space travel and first contact with aliens. I really enjoyed the problem solving aspect of it.

Trap Line delivers precisely what you’d expect from Timothy Zahn—a well-paced, engaging thriller with tight plotting and strong character work. While Zahn is best known for his contributions to Star Wars, this book showcases his skill in crafting suspenseful, high-stakes storytelling in a more grounded setting. As a massive Star Wars fan, I’m very familiar with Zahn’s work, and while this is a different kind of story, his knack for tension and strategy shines through.

Greg D. Barnett is a solid narrator who brings a natural, engaging style to his performances. His voice has a smooth, easy-to-listen-to quality, and he does a great job balancing character distinction without overacting. He’s particularly strong at conveying tension and emotion, making his narration feel immersive without being overly dramatic.

When I finished, I wanted more—which is the mark of a good short story. It leaves you satisfied yet craving just a little extra. Fans of Zahn’s sharp writing and well-constructed narratives will find plenty to enjoy here.

This is a fun short story that I would have thoroughly enjoyed as a full novel. I would have loved to be able to dive into the characters and worlds more. Highly recommend.

Toby travel via his consciousness to complete a crucial mission to repair a spaceship but he never makes it. He wakes up in a jail with other alien soldier's consciousnesses. There is a fun "iguana cat" at the jail that has a case of the zoomies. Will Toby be able to complete his mission??

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ARC of this book. Look for it to be published on March 25, 2025.

#TrapLine #NetGalley #TimothyZahn