Invasive Procedures

By: Orson Scott Card, Aaron Johnston

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

George Galen is a brilliant scientist, a pioneer in gene therapy. But Galen is dangerously insane. He has created a method to alter human DNA, not just to heal diseases, but also to "improve" people - make them stronger, make them able to heal more quickly...and make them compliant to his will.

Frank Hartman is also a brilliant virologist, working for the government's ultra-secret biohazard agency. He has discovered how to neutralize Galen's DNA-changing virus. Now he is the one man who stands in the way of Galen's plan to "improve" the entire human race.

This taut thriller takes the listener a few years into the future and shows the promise and danger of new genetic medicine techniques.

©2007 Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"[An] intriguing medical thriller...raises pertinent regulatory questions." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Pace, characterization, and chilling suspense all polished to a high gloss." ( Booklist)

I like the creative plot.

The storyline is very original and it took some surprise twists and turns. A very good read.

Great story and fabulous narrator

A great pairing in all ways! Chef's kiss. I didn't want it to finish.

i liked it

i dont see why a lot of people dont like this one.
i liked it.
read the story line, try the simple, read all the reviews.
must be kids that dont like this.
Stefan Rudnicki is a good narrater.
im glad i took the chance.

what a great story!

I LOVED this book, and Stephen Rudniki was a perfect narrator, as usual. this book felt both similar to and different from Card's usual voice and style. Familiar, but new. I'm also a big Michael Crighton fan, and this story had that same kind of feel, with the medical science fiction theme. overall I think this was the best performance i've listened to all year.

abrupt ending

good story, but a bit scattered. Abrupt ending...may need a sequel for finishing. awaiting same.

Narrator issues

The narrator must be the same one Orion uses for his Ender’s Game series. He can’t read any voices naturally besides the typical, accentless White male. Every time he does a kid voice or an accent, it kind of shocks me out of the story.

A well written, intriguing story!

Prior to this, I’ve only read the “Ender series”. It’s one of my favorite sagas. This book does not disappoint. It is well written; with an intriguing story line about genetic manipulation. The only thing it has in common with the Ender series is that it kept my attention from beginning to end.

Mesmerizing

Any additional comments?

I was hooked within 10 minutes of starting this story. In true Card style I was quickly whisked away into a world of the "almost possible and potentially probable" alternate reality he presented.
The characters flew to life for me, and I felt connected almost intimately to their feelings.
Fiction that completely lifts you out of reality and places you into an entirely new world is rare but this story did it with flare! I was loathe to turn it off and saddened when my visit into their world was over and the tale finished.

Not as expected.....

I thought Orson Scott Card would have done a better job with this book. I felt it to be a bit lame in spots. Perhaps I missed the overview and it was meant to be read by a juvenile, as that was how it was written.It had some good points and entertainment value of 3 but was far too predictable and difficult to conceive as even remotely plausable which for me gives it an edge.

A great story. Well written. Well performed.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. the setting is futuristic but the story is great. The characters are well developed and consistent. Well done.