The Bounty

A West of Apocalypse Tale

By: Bill Blume

Narrated by: Amber McCulloch

Ayleen Torr travels the galaxy on a quest for revenge, but before she can get the blood she's owed, she needs the means to survive. To earn enough coin, she chases down a bounty on Antares III. Just as she's about to catch her target, she finds herself turned into the one on the run. If she doesn't find a way off-world in a hurry, getting paid will be the least of her problems.

©2023 Bill Blume (P)2025 Bill Blume

Enjoyable romp to return to the world(s)

It's short, it's sweet, it's...a mite predictable. But honestly, if it had a twist ending, I would have been disappointed in the character previously established.

Blume does a great job re-hashing details of his world in a way that means this could be a stand alone novel, but doesn't feel onerous for those who did read West of Apocalypse. It's just a quick tale in Ayleen's quest for revenge that we didn't see in the book because it was easily summarized as "got some money off world." But there is character and adventure in that sentence, and Blume made sure to pack it into the hour and change.

As with the original, McCulloch does a great job nailing Ayleen's attitude that focuses on revenge while still acknowledging there is a living and breathing universe around her. She also does a good job giving that same attention to detail to each other character, granting a unique voice to everyone who graces the screen (earbud?) for even a minute's worth of listening time.

Very enjoyable

Great book to listen to. It is very enjoyable and very easy to understand. The narrator does a very good job. Overall excellent book.

Great short listen

The story is quite enjoyable, short and sweet. nothing that truly stands out but still absolutely worth a liten. The narration however is performed flawless with a rather pleasant voice. I found listening to her voice worth checking other works she's done. McCulloch did a great job with chracter distinction and performing emotions. Highly recommend this to any fan of short story's.

Bland side-trip steered me away from the book

This was a side mission set somewhere during the book West of the Apocalypse. Given that I enjoy a good space western, I thought this would be right up my alley. Unfortunately, neither the world building, magic sword, or MC did anything for me; it was basic. I don’t feel any excitement to move onto the full book.