Thirteen

By: Richard K. Morgan

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 22 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Marsalis is one of a new breed...literally. Genetically engineered by the U.S. government to embody the naked aggression and primal survival skills that centuries of civilization have erased from humankind, Thirteens were intended to be the ultimate military fighting force. The project was scuttled, however, when a fearful public branded the supersoldiers dangerous mutants, dooming the Thirteens to forced exile on Earth's distant, desolate Mars colony. But Marsalis found a way to slip back and into a lucrative living as a bounty hunter and hit man before a police sting landed him in prison - a fate worse than Mars, and much more dangerous.

Luckily, his "enhanced" life also seems to be a charmed one. A new chance at freedom beckons, courtesy of the government. All Marsalis has to do is use his superior skills to bring in another fugitive. But this one is no common criminal. He's another Thirteen, one who's already shanghaied a space shuttle, butchered its crew, and left a trail of bodies in his wake on a bloody cross-country spree. And like his pursuer, he was bred to fight to the death. Still, there's no question Marsalis will take the job. Though it will draw him deep into violence, treachery, corruption, and painful confrontation with himself, anything is better than remaining a prisoner. The real question is: can he remain sane and alive long enough to succeed?

©2007 Richard K. Morgan (P)2007 Tantor Media Inc.

Critic reviews

"Stellar." ( Publishers Weekly)

Wow, Richard K does it again

What made the experience of listening to Thirteen the most enjoyable?

the intricate world building

What did you like best about this story?

It was similar in darkness to the Kovach series but while maintaining a certain level of hope.

What does Simon Vance bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

his curses.....the man knows how to deliver curse words.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and cried actually

Any additional comments?

If you like his other books; you'll like this one

I'm a Morgan fan, but this one didn't do it for me

This is more a detective yarn than science fiction. I have no problem with that, but some major plot points seem cribbed from a day time soap opera. I'll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.

Brilliant

Richard K. Morgan, author of the sci-fi masterpiece, "Altered Carbon", is one of the most interesting and talented writings working today. "Thirteen" may be his most ambitious and brilliant novel so far.

In the 22nd century, humans have colonized Mars, which remains a frontier outpost - think the Wild Wild West. The shuttle and back and forth from Earth is so long, people are suspended in cryogenic sleep while their space ships travel on auto pilot. At the beginning of this novel, one such ship crashes, unexpectedly before its scheduled arrival on earth. When rescue workers reach and enter the wreck, they discover a gruesome scene. All the "cryo-capped" passengers have been removed, dismembered and, apparently, eaten.

The principal suspect is a "thirteen" - a genetic variant specially bred to do violence. Thus begins a "detective" story of operatic proportions that calls to mind the epic noir of James Ellroy in "The Big Nowhere" and "L.A. Confidential". But for the futuristic setting, "Thirteen" follows a similar story arc, with fully developed characters that I cared about, and twists and turns that will surprise you I guarantee.

This is an adult book, full of steamy sex and brutal violence. Which is all okay with me. Only one problem distracts, but not enough to lose a star: too much use of the "F" word. I am not a person who is put off by that word and its variants. It just seemed excessive and oddly tone-deaf here - consistent with this British writer's slightly off-kilter North American dialogue.

Narrator Simon Vance, as usual, is amazing in his capacity to give specific voices to each character so smoothly that one forgets that it isn't a full cast.

Great Book

If you like Morgan's other books, you'll like this. He's filling in the back history of the world in his Kovacs books. The people who don't like this book are offended by parts of it. If you're easily offended, you shouldn't be reading his stuff anyway.

Disappointed

Perhaps I expected more from the author of Altered Carbon. idk. Characters seemed a bit weak ... 1-dimensional, especially the females. Many of the racial slurs seemed misplaced thrown in for kicks and jollys? and the premise of mankind evolved away from the more violent hunters seems...comical.

Pay attention

Be careful, this is a book that you have to pay attention to. I found myself constantly rewinding because my mind drifted and I lost track of what was happening. Scenes are fairly short and the action is fast passed.

Immersive and brilliant

Morgan is unique and the master of this genre. His world rich history and he paints the present in jaded smears of tech. Non trivial storyline makes this a captivating read.

explain the 4

I enjoyed the story but it had too much negative racial language for me to give it 5 stars. In my opinion this is sci fi genre. Invent a new word. Avoid using a real Negatively Charged Racial word, please.

Intelligent, not for kids, rated R- Fantastic!

Richard Morgan's best work. This is intelligent Sci Fi, with a good proportion of Sex and Violence-(Much more violence than sex, but that's life, isn't it?) The Narration is flawless, and each scene is so detailed, that the mind wanders to the imagery just as the action grabs you-There are well placed Rants against all kinds of prejudices, religions included- So, if you can't suffer hearing that someone doesn't believe in your religion, don't listen.
Morgan could turn this into his own version of Stephen King's Dark Tower, and he should! PS: The wife doesn't share my enthusiasm, she liked it, but I loved it!. Listened 4 or 5 times, and it's an ipod keeper!. Jack

Excellent

Well written and very well performed. The story doesn’t end when or where you think it will - continuing to lead to a fulfilling conclusion. Well done.