Born to Darkness

By: Suzanne Brockmann

Narrated by: Melanie Ewbank, Patrick Lawlor

Length: 18 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

Suzanne Brockmann at her best!

Would you listen to Born to Darkness again? Why?

Yes! I've already listened to it a second time. The story is terrifyingly plausible in its plot.

What did you like best about this story?

No one can give you an adrenaline rush like Suzanne Brockmann. She takes you from 0 to 100 miles an hour in seconds with heart pounding action and rapid-fire dialog. I met a whole new cast of characters of diverse paranormal talents from telepathy, telekinesis, to dream projections and beyond. But, most importantly, Suzanne Brockmann creates characters of toughness and tenderness, strength and vulnerability, integrity, tenacity and compassion. Characters I can't help but love. And woven into all this are three very sweet, very different, love stories. So I feel like I've been double (triple) dipping!

What does Melanie Ewbank and Patrick Lawlor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Patrick and Melanie are exceptionally talented narrators. They have the ability to increase the adrenaline by ramping up the action scenes and then dialing it way down for a tender love scene. Each character is infused with their own special personality. I don't know how they work their magic, but that's exactly what it is! They both seem to have a particular gift for understanding Suzanne Brockmann's wit and humor and give an excellent performance, especially in delivering the snappy dialog and the irreverent banter of the characters. In my opinion, Patrick Lawlor is one of the most gifted narrators available today. I will frequently shop for audiobooks by looking for what he has available. And I am so glad to see that Melanie Ewbank has returned. She is a strong and talented narrator and I look forward to hearing more of her work.

Any additional comments?

I loved Born To Darkness. I can't wait for the next installment in the Fighting Destiny series.

15 of 15 people found this review helpful

Different from Suzanne's Other Work

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would definitely recommend this book - there was a lot going on. 3 separate romances, trying to figure out a new "world". I am not usually a fan of sci-fi but I really enjoyed this book and was disappointed when it ended - because it totally left us hanging and somewhat confused.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the vulnerability of the characters

Which scene was your favorite?

Can't really say without giving away too much

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Are you Greater than.........

Any additional comments?

Hated the ending - it just left you hanging. I realize there will probably be a sequel but I like the first book to actually have an ending. This had a to be continued.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Brockmann Hits A Home Run!!

I was really suprised with how much I liked this book. I love the Troubleshooters series. I easily relate to the military lifestyle and jargon etc. Her characters are awesome and very relatable. Nothing has changed here. What kind of threw me was the sci-fi addition of the story. Brockmann did an excelent job there too. The narrators did their usual fantastic job. You will recognize the voices of your favorite characters from Troubleshooters in here too, that might throw you for a minute but these characters are solid also. I won't give away any spoilers here. If you are a Brockmann fan you won't be disappointed.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Way to start a new Series!

Where does Born to Darkness rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Among the top, as Brockmann is a favorite author, this is not surprising. What is, however, is the supernatural in the novel. I was a little leery of how it would work, but have to admit it was done to perfection. I hope to enjoy this new Series as much as I have the Trouble Shooters so far. I cannot wait until the next Fighting Destiny book is out.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted nothing more than to keep listening until the end in one sitting, but the story was too long for such an endeavor.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

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.

13 of 16 people found this review helpful

One of Suzanne's Best

What made the experience of listening to Born to Darkness the most enjoyable?

So many twists and turns in the plot.

What other book might you compare Born to Darkness to and why?

This book brings the Troubleshooter's Series to the table.

Which scene was your favorite?

The 'waking up

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but impossible to do.

Any additional comments?

This could be as great a series as the Troubleshooters.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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.

9 of 12 people found this review helpful

Amazing

Where does Born to Darkness rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Born to Darkness ranks in the Top 10% of all of the Books I have read or listen to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Elliot - Honest, smart, caring, and a true person. Not imposing or afraid to take a risk.

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

Mac was my favorite character. Mac really cared about the young girls in trouble, and would risk her life for them and her friends.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several scenes were great. The one where Elliot and Steven discovered the attraction and need for each other was special.

Any additional comments?

Great book. I can't wait for the next book in this series. I will be waiting.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

I WANT MORE

I loved all the characters in the book. Diaz and Mac as partners completely balanced each other out. Diaz was intense and focused. Mac was a smart ass and worked in controlled chaos. Their leader Bach was always the embodiment of control and even temperament. All changes when one little girl needs rescued and they discover their new strengths which comes from ...

I really enjoyed the interaction of the team with the addition or Anna and Shane along with Bennett. The book is so descriptive and makes it easy for you to have a complete vision of what is occurring. You can feel all the emotions that Mac goes through and how each character has so much to gain from their new alliances. I don't think I would ever had enough of Shane and would be using every form of persuasion that Mac has at her disposal in the pursuit of MORE!

I hope that the next book focuses on Bach. I love his character and I think I understand what happened in the end ... So excited for more! Great book and excellent narration! Melanie brought Mac to life and made you feel every emotion with such intensity. Patrick was the perfect navy seal and then was able to switch the compassionate Bach making both characters completely believe able. highly recommend!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful