Dark Destiny

By: C. T. Phipps, Frank Martin

Narrated by: Gary Noon

Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Eighteen-year-old Robbie Stone is an anti-corporate activist in 2066. During a protest in Chicago against the sinister Butterfly megacorporation, a riot breaks out, and he's almost killed before being rescued by a mysterious white-haired girl. Soon, Robbie finds himself almost killed again by an assassin with seeming superpowers. Apparently, one of a group hunting him across America.

The white-haired girl, Jane, reveals that she's from the future and that the assassins are as well. In their future, Robbie grew up to become the world's worst dictator, and now the assassins are there to make sure he never achieves his destiny. Robbie has to adjust to Jane's overbearing presence and figure out why she wants to protect him while dealing with the fact avoiding his fate may lead to an even worse future.

Dark Destiny is an exciting sci-fi action-adventure with cyberpunk elements by C. T. Phipps (Supervillainy Saga, Cthulhu Armageddon) and Frank Martin (Oscanawa, Cthulhu Is Hard to Spell).

©2022 Charles Phipps (P)2023 David N. Wilson

Phipps does it again

I received a free copy to give my honest opinion, I will try to avoid spoilers. Once again Phipps does his signature quick-action yet humorous style. A dark cyberpunk story with a great story flow. Give this story a try, you'll enjoy it.

ok listen

Alright listen to the book, it's great! I've gotta go, book two is waiting. Just do it (Shia LaBeouf voice)

A Riveting Sci-Fi Story

Dark Destiny by C. T. Phipps and Frank Martin is a captivating audiobook that takes a slight departure from Phipps’ usual humorous style while maintaining his signature storytelling brilliance. If you’re a fan of Phipps and expect the constant laugh-out-loud moments found in his previous works, you might not find them here, but don’t let that dissuade you, as this book offers a different and equally satisfying experience.

The story is so engrossing that it’s nearly impossible to put it down. I found myself listening to it in just two sittings, a testament to its gripping narrative and well-executed plot. From the moment you press play, I was immediately drawn into a world of intrigue and suspense. And a world that I wanted to both know more about and also figure out how on earth Robbie was going to “fix” it.

The premise of Dark Destiny is both intriguing and thought-provoking. Robbie’s journey as he discovers his transformation into a monster and strives to prevent it is reminiscent of the parallel universe and time-travel concepts, similar to the classic “Back to the Future 2” where Biff’s actions have ripple effects and they’re trying to stop it from happening. This intricate web of causality keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering how the characters will navigate the consequences of their choices.

One of the most commendable aspects of the audiobook is the satisfying revelations that emerge throughout the story. The carefully plotted twists and turns keep you guessing and, when revealed, leave you deeply satisfied, adding layers to the narrative that you couldn’t have anticipated.

The characters in Dark Destiny are a true highlight, each vividly brought to life by the authors. They are multi-dimensional, with a mix of good and evil, yet all feel genuinely fleshed out. This depth in character development makes the listener emotionally invested in their fates and decisions, adding a layer of authenticity to a genre that often relies on the fantastical.

Ultimately, Dark Destiny is a triumph in the science fiction genre. C. T. Phipps and Frank Martin have delivered a gripping, thought-provoking story that keeps you engaged from start to finish. As a longtime fan of Phipps, I can confidently say that this collaboration has not only met but exceeded expectations. I am eagerly looking forward to where this compelling tale will take us next, as the authors have masterfully woven a narrative that has rekindled my excitement for sci-fi storytelling.

Gary Noon did an excellent job with the narration – keeping me riveted to my seat late into the night (twice). It was one of those narrations/performances that I have nothing to say about because it was exactly what the book needed and didn’t stand out to me (good or bad).

Back to the Future for Terminators!

I've never read any Frank Martin before, but this book has made me want to seek out more by him. I have read a lot of C.T. Phipps books, and while this is clearly in his wheelhouse, I feel it is his most mature book to date. It hits all the targets you'd expect from C.T.... Action, Thriller, Character-driven storyline, Imaginative world-building, insightful technology, and of course... it's a cliff-hanger like all great pulp fiction.

This would be good for YA readers in addition to all other ages. It explores a dystopian future that portends an even worse one on the horizon. It also addresses some classic Sci-Fi tropes. It does a great job at it, but I don't want to give anything away.

The Narration is very well done. Each character has their own voice and cadence and even at 1.5 speed it is easy to follow.

OMG!! another immediate hit!

Fast-paced and well written. Exactly what I would expect from C. T. Phipps and Frank Martin.

realist politics, intreque, and crazy sci-fi elements combine to make a Masterpiece. Well done!!

Plus the narrator is pretty awesome. :)

A new path for the future

In "Dark Destiny," C.T. Phipps takes a different path from his typical sci-fi and cyberpunk themes, dialing back on the humor that characterizes much of his other work. The story stands out with its unique narrative and interesting twists, offering a fresh perspective from the author. Although it contains some pop-culture references, they are less prominent compared to his usual style. The book is engaging, compelling me to indulge in unexpected 'driveway moments', captivated by the story before resuming my day. The significant reveal at the end of the first novel, however, seemed a bit predictable, and it was surprising that Robbie, the main character, didn't catch on earlier. I'm curious to see how the series evolves in the next book.

Adapting to Gary Noon's narration was initially a shift for me, as I'm more familiar with Jeffrey Kafer's narration in Phipps' other works. In the end, Gary Noon delivered a solid performance.

Meh

Slow paced and predictable. Too much teenage angst and not enough action. And the revelation at the end was no surprise.