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The Darwin Variant  By  cover art

The Darwin Variant

By: Kenneth Johnson
Narrated by: Emily Adams, Eric Pierpoint, Erin Chambers, Francesca Ling, Gary Graham, Jeff Marcus, Jenny Gago, Susan Appling, Kenneth Johnson
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Publisher's summary

Kenneth Johnson plunges listeners into a day-after-tomorrow thriller about an imminent global catastrophe and explores how ordinary people respond to extraordinary circumstances.

When the icy shards of a rogue comet fall to Earth, they bring an unknown virus that accelerates evolution to extremes. Suddenly, infected plants grow stronger, choking out those uninfected. Animals turn aggressive and deadly. The eyes of loved ones go cold, and infected neighbors begin exhibiting signs of brutal domination.

In a small Georgia town, 14-year-old Katie McLane sees her neighbors changing, one by one.

Dr. Susan Perry, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, uncovers the frightening scope of the menace. The infected aren’t just evolving. They’re conspiring to alter the very nature of what it means to be human.

Katie and Susan become fugitives because of what they know, encountering bitter betrayals and lethal dangers, but also loves ignited and inspiring camaraderie, as they fight to prevent a viral conspiracy from creating a terrifying brave new world.

Narrated by Emily Adams, Eric Pierpoint, Erin Chambers, Francesca Ling, Gary Graham, Jeff Marcus, Jenny Gago, Susan Appling, Katharine Jay, Terri Treas, David Henne, Mat Hayes, Stephen Mendel, John Duffy, and Kenneth Johnson

©2018 Kenneth Johnson (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. “The force that through the green fuse drives the flower” by Dylan Thomas ©1939 by New Directions Publishing Corp. Reprinted by permission of New Directions Publishing Corp. and by: David Higham Associates, Ltd., London. Excerpts from Animal Farm by George Orwell ©1946, 1974 by Sonia Brownell Orwell. By permission of A M Heath & Co Ltd. Reprinted by permission of Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company. All rights reserved. "Imagine" by John Lennon ©1971 (Renewed) LENONO MUSIC. All Rights Admin. by DOWNTOWN DMP SONGS/DOWNTOWN MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC. All Rights Reserved Used by Permission. Reprinted by Permission of Hal Leonard, LLC.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting story but the science is AWFUL!!!!

The narration of this book is FANTASTIC!!! The story itself started amazingly. Then it kind of slowed down and was pretty boring. It picked up again, but as a microbiologist, it was next to impossible to read this without noting how incredibly wrong all of the science was. If you take the story at face value (it's science fiction), then it's fine but if you'd like a plausible story then look elsewhere.

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9 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Too much propaganda infused into the story.

Would've been a good listen if it wasn't overflowing with propaganda. It's obvious where the authors politics align. When I'm being entertained I don't want your politics!!!
Write the story without your political undertones. CNN references make me think of the pedophilia issues they're having with their producers... maybe use a different news agency for your stories.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This is a Must Read

This is a thoughtful and well constructed dialogue about our human condition and need for many changes to avoid catastrophe. The audio version is a work of art as well

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2 people found this helpful

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  • JA
  • 06-26-18

Fun story with great ideas, expertly read.

What's the next phase of human evolution, under a system where pure competition is rewarded (survival of the fittest)? What are the power structures that our society enacts to preserve certain biological hierarchies? This nice explores those questions with an adventure spanning multiple characters/readers.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very good book.

This was a very interesting take on a common theme. Very much worth a listen!

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Extraordinary!

I’ve never cried after reading a book, but I sobbed like a baby when finishing this. This is the second book I’ve read from this author and both of them are at the top of my favorites list.
It’s an intelligent book, very well written, with many fleshed out, realistic characters. The reading by all of the narrators is simply marvelous, they are all superb actors.
The message of the story stands out however, it does make one Imagine.

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2 people found this helpful

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The Darwin Variant

Inspiring. Hopeful. Enlightened. In these days of uncertainty and confusion this is indeed a huge flicker of light for all. This and “Man of Legends” are surely a recommendation for the world and a hope for the future.

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1 person found this helpful

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  • RK
  • 07-18-20

Great Listen / Read ...

Thoroughly enjoyed the plot, characters, and where it took us. Liked the multiple narraters and additional depth brought to characters from their distinct voices. Give this a listen, you’ll enjoy the ride!

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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fantastic story

it was good to hear again the voices I adored in the man of legends. Kenneth Johnson is becoming my new fav author. i hope he releases another book soon. i highly recommend!!!!

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1 person found this helpful

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brilliant

a brilliant book with a fresh narrative that keeps you gripped in the story which is itself amazingly interesting and full of scientific based facts

It's been awhile since I read such a good book highly recommend

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