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.

Great narrator but the book is not for me

I bought this book because it was narrated by Patrick Lawlor - and because I liked most of Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters (hey - they are mostly narrated by PL - what's not to love!) - even though I knew going in that the story/genre of this book is not my thing. Sadly, even Patrick Lawlor couldn't save the book for me. If you are into the fantasy genre of super-powers doing mind control and taking over other people's bodies, then it's probably a really great book. I'll have to get my Patrick Lawlor fix somewhere else.

Vulgar language and twisted preoccupation with sex

The story in this novel may be solid, but it's difficult to even find it amid all the vulgar language, the cursing, and the imbalanced preoccupation with sex scenes. It's so distracting that I couldn't get past the first hour. A huge disappointment in what looked to be a potentially promising novel.

Wow nor what I expected or wanted

What would have made Born to Darkness better?

The novel was way too graphic sexually.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Melanie Ewbank and Patrick Lawlor ?

Yes, definitely.

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

Anger that I was expected to listen to this stuff. I just chose to delete.

Definitely Not A Navy Seal Series

I always enjoy Brockmann's stories. However, this one was not to my liking. I love contemporary/urban paranormal romances, but due to the unbelievable paranormal characters that just never convinced me to like or believe in them, the storyline failed to draw me in. With all the Navy Seal headlines the past year, I can't believe she has abandoned that series for this. I think Brockmann has missed the boat starting such a series.

Perhaps Tone down the gross violence and sex, it would make a great 'young people's' series. Let's have more Navy Seals and Black Ops stories. Go back to your successful roots! I own all Brockmann Audible books BUT I would not recommend wasting a credit on this one.

A preoccupation with sex.

Could have been an interesting story buy the author had a preoccupation with sex, having sex, talking about sex, and having more sex. The story of the greater thans gets lost in all the sex.