The Incrementalists

By: Skyler White, Steven Brust

Narrated by: Ray Porter, Mary Robinette Kowal

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

The Incrementalists - a secret society of 200 people with an unbroken lineage reaching back 40,000 years. They cheat death, share lives and memories, and communicate with one another across nations, races, and time. They have an epic history, an almost magical memory, and a very modest mission: to make the world better, just a little bit at a time. Their ongoing argument about how to do this is older than most of their individual memories. Phil, whose personality has stayed stable through more incarnations than anyone else’s, has loved Celeste - and argued with her - for most of the last 400 years. But now Celeste, recently dead, embittered, and very unstable, has changed the rules - not incrementally, and not for the better. Now the heart of the group must gather in Las Vegas to save the Incrementalists, and maybe the world.

Editors Select, September 2013 - There are two reasons I’m excited about The Incrementalists. The first is that it’s about a secret, ancient organization that manipulates individuals in order to make the world just a little bit better. The second is that it’s co-narrated by Ray Porter, whose performance made Peter Cline’s 14 the insta-classic it turned out to be. Splitting the narration duties with Mary Robinette Kowal makes perfect sense, as the book’s perspective shifts between Phil, a member of the organization, and Renee, a new recruit. This is just the kind of quirky, contemporary sci-fi I look forward to. —Chris, Audible Editor

©2013 Steven Brust and Skyler White (P)2013 Audible Inc.

Critic reviews

"Secret societies, immortality, murder mysteries, and Las Vegas all in one book? Shut up and take my money." (John Scalzi)

"Watch Steven Brust. He's good. He moves fast. He surprises you. Watching him untangle the diverse threads of intrigue, honor, character, and mayhem from amid the gears of a world as intricately constructed as a Swiss watch is a rare pleasure." (Roger Zelazny)

Neat idea that went nowhere

What disappointed you about The Incrementalists?

This book was recommended based on other reads. The storyline was intriguing, but instead of focusing on the title idea- that the characters were capable of making incremental changes in the world around them through the years- the story focused on an unlikely, trite, contrived romantic relationship. Boooring.

What aspect of Ray Porter and Mary Robinette Kowal ’s performance would you have changed?

I do not care for dual narrators. It takes you out of the story too much.

Awful book

Ray Porter was great as always but this book and it's ambiguous plot line was terrible. Do not waste your time.

Whole Lot of Meh

The readers did a passable job trying to make a boring story and uninspiring concept interesting to listeners. It's not horrible and embarrassing, but certainly not memorable either.

I could not finish this book

What disappointed you about The Incrementalists?

The story was all over the place; it couldn't keep my interest and I had no desire to finish it.

Would you ever listen to anything by Steven Brust and Skyler White again?

I don't know

Nothing much going on

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

This was too wordy about philosophy and not enough plot. I couldn't like the main characters. Ray Porter is my favorite narrator and that is the only reason I tried this. It was a chore to listen to the end. I kept hoping something interesting would happen, but no.

What do you think your next listen will be?

It is hard to find. I love Joe Ledger Series and Tofu's books. I am hoping for one of them soon.

What three words best describe Ray Porter and Mary Robinette Kowal ’s voice?

Ray Porter good as always, Mary Robinette Kowal was just ok. With each narrator voicing both characters, I was often confused about who was talking.

What character would you cut from The Incrementalists?

ALL of them. Don't buy it.

Two narrators was a mistake.

One narrator used tone of voice to distinguish between secondary characters. The other used accents for those same characters. So confusing and really annoying as well. The plot was flimsy, the romance Insta-love, and the characterization was flat. The world building was cool though.

too many voices

couldn't finish book. too many voices for same characters. too off putting for me. others might be able to tolerate

Harlequin Romance

Barbara wrote in her review, "... maybe I'm showing my ignorance, but I just didn't get it at all."
I don't think so Barbara. I think you didn't get it because there's nothing to get. This is a case of the Emperor's new clothes.

I've never read a Harlequin Romance, but I think it's a pretty widespread cliché. Well, this, to me, is like that image I have of a Harlequin Romance... pretty empty, melodramatic emotions for (apparently) no good reason, all set on a somewhat science fiction background that never is well developed. And for people whose personalities have been around for hundreds or thousands of years, they are an amazingly banal bunch.

Kept hoping it would get better. Never did. Finally just stopped listening.

The narrators were acceptable. Not astounding, but decent. Wouldn't avoid a book read by either. Will avoid books by both authors.

Couldn't Make it All The Way Through

This was a complex story - with a lot of imagined worlds in the minds of the characters. I made it about 3/4 thorugh but just didn't care enough what happened to finish.

Nonsensical even by genre standards

An okay central idea executed sketchily. A few interesting characters, but never fleshed out. Painful to listen to a favorite narrator Ray Porter strain to make something out of it.