Paradise-1 by David Wellington is one of those books that grabs you right away and doesn’t let go. From the first chapter, it builds this creeping sense of dread that just keeps getting worse in the best possible way. It’s a wild mix of sci-fi, horror, and mystery — and it works.
The characters are fantastic across the board. Each one brings something unique, and their reactions to the chaos around them feel real and grounded. But honestly? The robot totally steals the show. It’s sharp, weirdly funny, and way more emotionally engaging than you’d expect. Every time it showed up, I was all in. Easily my favorite part of the book.
That said, not everything hit perfectly. Alexandra Petrova’s “Mother” character just didn’t land for me. She felt over-the-top and kind of unbelievable, especially compared to how well-written everyone else was. I kept thinking the story would’ve worked better if that role had been a father figure instead — someone with a colder, more authoritarian vibe. And if the big reveal at the end had exposed the mother as the real catalyst? That would’ve hit way harder and made more sense emotionally. As it is, it’s still interesting, but it could’ve been so much more impactful with that change.
One thing that really surprised me was the length — this audiobook is long, but I was never bored. Not once. The pacing is tight, the mystery unfolds slowly but satisfyingly, and there’s always something just around the corner that keeps you listening.
Overall, Paradise-1 is a tense, creepy ride that totally delivers. Even with a few character issues, it’s absolutely worth your time — especially if you like your sci-fi with a serious side of “what the hell is going on?”
