Born to Darkness

Eternal Youth, Book 1

By: Suzanne Brockmann

Narrated by: Melanie Ewbank, Patrick Lawlor

Length: 18 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

As the New York Times bestselling author of the Troubleshooters series and a “superstar of romantic suspense” (USA Today), Suzanne Brockmann has an acclaimed history of taking listeners’ breath away with her novels of hot passion and high adventure. Now she takes her talent for sexy, action-packed storytelling in a thrilling new direction: forward - into a future, both fantastic and frightening, that only the brilliant Brockmann could envision.

Dishonorably discharged, former Navy SEAL Shane Laughlin is down to his last ten bucks when he finally finds work as a test subject at the Obermeyer Institute, a little-known and believed-to-be-fringe scientific research facility. When he enters the OI compound, he is plunged into a strange world where seemingly mild-mannered scientists - including women half his size - can kick his highly skilled ass.

Shane soon discovers that there are certain individuals who possess the unique ability to access untapped regions of the brain with extraordinary results - including telekinesis, super strength, and reversal of the aging process. Known as “Greater-Thans,” this rare breed is recruited by OI, where they are rigorously trained using ancient techniques to cultivate their powers and wield them responsibly.

But in the depths of America’s second Great Depression, where the divide between the haves and the have-nots has grown even wider, those who are rich - and reckless - enough have a quick, seductive alternative: Destiny, a highly addictive designer drug that can make anyone a Greater-Than, with the power of eternal youth. The sinister cartel known as The Organization has begun mass-producing Destiny, and the demand is epidemic. But few realize the drug’s true danger, and fewer still know the dirty secret of Destiny’s crucial ingredient.

Michelle “Mac” Mackenzie knows the ugly truth. And as one of the Obermeyer Institute’s crack team of operatives, she’s determined to end the scourge of Destiny. But her kick-ass attitude gets knocked for a loop when she finds that one of the new test subjects is none other than Shane, the same smoldering stranger who just rocked her world in a one-night stand. Although Shane isn’t a Greater-Than like Mac, as an ex-SEAL, he’s got talents of his own. But Mac’s got powerful reasons to keep her distance from him - and reasons that are just as strong to want him close. She’s used to risking her life, but now, in the midst of the ultimate war on drugs, she must face sacrificing her heart.

©2012 Suzanne Brockmann (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Audio chapters don't match the book chapters

Too many audio chapters, and they're too short. This book is too long. Three romances in one book are hard for me to keep up. And only two out of three happy endings?

Suzanne Brockmann is exceptional!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. from start to finish it keeps you engaged. The narration by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank is phenomenal and enhances your experience by leaps and bounds.

This is my second time listening to this book, probably not my last. I have been patiently waiting for the next in this series to arrive....ok not so patiently! when will it arrive?

Awesome!

This would make a GREAT Movie, as long as it wasn't changed. And I'd really like a sequel!

Addictive sci-if

Don't start this unless you have some free time. But it's perfect if you're headed out for a long drive. I especially appreciate that she uses proper grammar!

This book really hates women

What disappointed you about Born to Darkness?

*Spoilers*

There didn't seem to be a single piece of character or plot development that wasn't driven in some way way by an assault on a woman or girl. Ultimately at least 30% of this book was devoted to torture porn...

There was not a lot in the summary that suggested this would be the case.

Women, even the toughest ones were reduced to damsels in distress and every one of them had a moment of character defying stupidity.

Unneeded sex, gay and straight

What would have made Born to Darkness better?

Edit it by 25 percent. Move the plot of finding the young girl forward.

Would you ever listen to anything by Suzanne Brockmann again?

Probably not.

Which character – as performed by Melanie Ewbank and Patrick Lawlor – was your favorite?

Mac and Shane

Any additional comments?

I wasn't ready for the gay sex and the men spooning. I'm fine with gay characters in the story, but this could have been a very interesting science fiction boo. It got off on graphic sexual tangents. I felt there was too much nuance on the various psychic powers. I abandoned the story about 8 hours in. The main plot was the rescue of a kidnapped teen, and I kept waiting for that plot to move forward, but it kept dwelling on how various touching and sexual contact increased the powers of the characters. I was in the middle of a research study. To me, that got old.

Save your money

Would you try another book from Suzanne Brockmann and/or Melanie Ewbank and Patrick Lawlor ?

The characters in this book were so two dimensional I didn't care about them. This was basically a romance novel with a shaky sci-fi element thrown in: I don't care how "integrated" your brain is, it won't allow you to suddenly breathe fire! It wasn't that there were so many sex scenes, but that they were poorly written--Diana Gaboldon she is not--with characters repeatedly described as "so beautiful" and "ruggedly handsome", but little more. So, no, I won't be reading any other books by this author.

What do you think your next listen will be?

The Passage of Power by Robert Caro

What about Melanie Ewbank and Patrick Lawlor ’s performance did you like?

They were fine as narrators, although Patrick Lawlor got a little over dramatic at times, probably trying to improve the story.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Well, at least I finished it.

Extremely juvenile!

I don't know who gave this a good review, but I'll be checking for future reference. I was very disappointed.

Only reason I finish this is because it was an aud

What disappointed you about Born to Darkness?

I did not like the main female character Mac. She was very negative. She didn't have much positive to say. The beginning was hard to follow too much info thrown at a read/listener at once. Too many characters thrown n at once, and about the powers.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

As expected.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Both readers were good but was horrible trying to listen to this. The readers kept switching one reader per chapter. So you have to get use to the voices of the characters over and over again.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Born to Darkness?

The whole thing with Anna running in the field. It made no sense. I mean Diaz was trying to move the helicopter but couldn't pickup and move Anna. And Shane really just kept taking anything Mac dished out. He should of been different.

Any additional comments?

Bought this on sale so glade I didn't pay full price. Don't even know if I will ever try another book by this author.

Skip this

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Science Fiction people will enjoy this book - nothing like the troubleshooters series

Has Born to Darkness turned you off from other books in this genre?

not sure

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Was not impressed

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment that I spent the money/credit