The Four Myths


Fiction - Audiobook
Audio Book
Reviewed on 07/05/2025
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Olga Markova for Readers' Favorite

The Four Myths by Robert Reisler is a best-selling and award-winning riveting fantasy apocalyptic thriller. It is January 2007. Jack Johanssen, an archaeologist, and Randy Haverstamp, a security guard, are working their night shift at the government archives when Jack discovers an ancient scroll in a box he is cataloging. The scroll is written in a strange code that looks like the Russian alphabet. Next to the scroll, Jack finds a note that a translation was attempted but failed. When Jack deciphers the code, it's a warning from the future about the impending end of the world and how to stop it. Most surprisingly, the message specifically mentions Jack and Randy. But what will it take to save the world? And will Jack and Randy succeed?

Listening to The Four Myths by Robert Reisler, I instantly felt immersed in the breathtaking intrigue. I liked the many threads building up the storyline across the ages—it felt like traveling in a time machine. The motley cast of characters felt relatable, and their adventures were exhilarating. I thoroughly enjoyed the bickering of Impending Doom and his cousin, Death. The philosophical undercurrent was beyond all praise, and I often found myself relating the story’s events to the world we live in today. The Fillers and the Slugs impersonating certain kinds of humans were vivid, relatable, and thought-provoking. But most of all, I enjoyed the pervading humor—indeed, it made the end of the world feel like a comic book!

Ed Romanoff’s audiobook narration was superb. I liked how Ed's distinct, clear voice and acting talent brought all the characters to life and emphasized the storyline's pivotal points with sound effects. I thoroughly enjoyed how Ed delivered the emotional backdrop, especially "Holy…no way…shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!”, making every word in this repetitive sequence sounded different! Thanks to Ed’s performance, Vikki topped the ranks of my favorite characters! I highly recommend this brilliant thriller to fantasy fans.

K.C. Finn

The Four Myths by Robert Reisler is a bold, genre-defying apocalyptic adventure that fuses ancient prophecy with modern existential dread—and delivers it all with warmth, wit, and thought-provoking depth. We're with solitary archaeologist Jack Johanssen, who discovers a cryptic scroll buried deep in obscurity, but he has no idea it holds clues to averting the end of the world. Randy Haverstamp is a delightfully down-to-earth night watchman with a talent for untangling the unexpected, and he steps in to help as Jack finds himself thrust into a whirlwind of mythology, quantum possibility, and impending doom. What begins as academic curiosity rapidly morphs into a metaphysical quest, as the duo’s bond—and the choices they make—become central to the fate of humanity.

Author Robert Reisler has a great sense of timing and suspense, and he blends sharp storytelling with philosophical inquiry in a story that explores not only global stakes but deeply personal ones. Jack and Randy’s relationship grounds the narrative with humor and genuine emotion, even as events spiral toward cosmic proportions, and their dialogue is totally engrossing and surprisingly tender. The novel dances between thriller, speculative fiction, and allegory, constantly asking what responsibility we have when we glimpse the end, and whether knowledge is enough to change fate. Mythology isn’t just a backdrop here; it’s a blueprint, shaping both plot and theme with elegant precision.

In terms of audiobook production, narrator Ed Romanoff elevates the story with cinematic delivery and nuanced character work. I loved Jack’s quiet skepticism and Randy’s affable wisdom, and how Romanoff brings this to life to balance the supernatural stakes with authentic emotion. The production quality is crisp, well-paced, and immersive to enhance both the tension and the introspection. Romanoff’s performance captures the tonal shifts beautifully, from philosophical musings to moments of levity and dread. Overall, The Four Myths is a captivating, intelligent audiobook that blends timeless myth with modern urgency, and I'd recommend it as an audiobook that's as entertaining as it is enlightening.

Delene Vrey

The Four Myths by Robert Reisler tells the story of Byron, who is lured away from his home by a mysterious voice promising that he can save his mother and father—if he obeys. Byron soon finds himself deep in the mountains at an abandoned cabin. Inside, he discovers the corpse of a man and a set of diaries, alongside blank books and writing supplies. The diaries reveal that someone had instructed the dead man to prepare the cabin for Byron's arrival. As Byron begins to experience strange visions, he starts writing down everything he sees. Meanwhile, two government employees, Jack and Randy, stumble upon a mysterious scroll—an indecipherable artifact that leads to the most astonishing discovery of their lives. As they unearth additional scrolls and unravel their origins, the narrative stretches across past, present, and future. Jack finds himself reluctantly drawn into a conflict he never imagined facing.

The Four Myths is a riveting psychological and apocalyptic thriller that explores four major myths surrounding the end of the world. The plot develops slowly but deliberately, weaving together the perspectives of six main characters, each bound by time or circumstance. Reisler poses profound questions: What would you do if you had proof the world was ending? Would you retreat into safety, venture out to survive, or even fight for a future? Is the concept of an end-time war between demons and good people a human invention so ingrained in our collective psyche that we are manifesting the very apocalypse we fear? The story unfolds across multiple fronts with diverse characters, offering a uniquely comprehensive point of view. It leaves readers asking thought-provoking questions, like the classic paradox: "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" Fans of Foundation, Dark, and 1899 will feel right at home in this cerebral, time-bending tale.

Ed Romanoff brings his distinctive performance style to the audiobook, adding depth and richness to each character through nuanced tone, rhythm, and pitch changes. His narration is immersive and compelling, making it easy to lose track of time as you're drawn into the world Reisler has created. Romanoff skillfully delivers the moments of humor interspersed throughout the narrative, keeping the tone dynamic and engaging. Maintaining listener engagement is no small feat for a story of this scale and complexity, but Romanoff rises to the challenge, keeping each chapter fresh and vibrant. Where another narrator might have struggled, Romanoff thrives, making this audiobook a memorable experience. The Four Myths is a must-listen for fans of thoughtful, layered science fiction and philosophical thrillers.