Children of the Yew

By: Tony Torzillo

Narrated by: Skyler Morgan

Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

When Wesley O’Keefe first realized he didn’t age, he could’ve been hung as a witch. Now, he’s eager to be studied by a microbiologist looking for a cure to cancer. All Wesley wants is to share his miracle with the world. In the year 2042, technology has made it almost impossible for him to assume new identities, and after 300 years, he’s tired of watching loved ones wither up and die.

Yet, opening that Pandora’s Box does not come without consequences. Powerful people will do whatever they can to hoard this miracle for themselves—no matter whom they have to step on, ruin, or kill. From bioterrorism to neural scans and artificial intelligence, they will use whatever means are available to them to meet their end. Wesley’s past will catch up to him in ways he could have never imagined, and he will find that he has more to lose than he ever knew.

When the superstitious past meets the technologically progressive future, ancient grudges can be catastrophic, and agelessness can spread like a virus.

©2022 Tony Torzillo (P)2023 Tony Torzillo

Different and very Entertaining

I had never read, or listen to anything by this author, but the narrator is one that I listen to a lot. So when I saw this book and read the blurb, I decided to download it and listen.

I am so glad I did. This story is different to any story I’d come across before.

It’s set in the future at a time when everyone is given a quarterly bundle shot, this shot is designed so that nobody gets the flu or any other similar viruses. Unfortunately, an evil force has included a deadly virus into the bundle shots given to more than half humanity.

To find out why this was done, who did it, and if or how it can be stopped you will need to listen to this different and entertaining story for yourself. What I will say, is that I was captivated and enthralled by this story from start to finish.

The narration, by Skyler Morgan, is excellent, and certainly added to my enjoyment of this story.

My review was written voluntarily after listening to this book.

Unique Storyline

This was an unique storyline about people who do not age with no understanding of why. This book involves Irish mythology of ancient beings. This lengthy book involves this secret mystery of scientists searching for explanations and those trying to cover up the findings. Skyler Morgan was the narrator who did a great job.

Entertaining, engaging and engrossing!

Wesley O’Keefe is used to cutting his losses and running, but with technology advancing the way it has, that is no longer possible. It’s time to face his demons and find out WHY he’s still alive when everyone he’s ever held dear ages and dies. The more he learns, the clearer it becomes that there are people out there with an extremely nefarious agenda, determined to stop him by any means necessary! Fast paced, futuristic, and superbly narrated, this engrossing and well written story held me, consumed me, and delighted me from beginning to end! I loved that science was so well explained, and done so in a highly effective and entertaining manner! This made this scary good plot not only easy to understand, but easy to follow, and truly turned this listen into a throughly engrossing and entertaining experience! Five fantastic stars! I loved it!

Loving this timely and entertaining read!

I’ve been listening Children of the Yew and am thoroughly enjoying the longevity storyline and Pacific Northwest setting!

Insightful Fiction

Today’s dreams are much closer than tomorrow’s reality. By combining a firm grasp of technology and aging research with creativity, Torzillo delivers a fascinating look into the promising future for a small subset of our population. Promising … or perhaps not! Nonetheless, it’s well wit you time to read (or listen) to find out.

Since I listened via Audible, I would be remiss not to mention the fine performance of the narrator, Skyler Morgan.

Free Review Copy

This is a confusing book to rate. While the idea was interesting, the plotting was weird, the characters were fairly unbelievable, and the writing was pretty amateur. I do think this author has potential, but he could have used a good editor.

My thoughts about the narrator are similar--he has a great voice and some serious potential, but the performance could have used some fine-tuning around accents and pronunciation consistency.

Many thanks to the narrator for the free review copy in exchange for an honest review.