The Hammer of Eden

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: January LaVoy

Length: 13 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

The FBI doesn't believe it. The governor wants the problem to disappear. But Agent Judy Maddox knows the threat is real: an extreme group of ecoterrorists has the means and the know-how to set off a massive earthquake of epic proportions. For California, time is running out.

Now Maddox is scrambling to hunt down a petty criminal turned cult leader turned homicidal mastermind. Because she knows that the dying has already begun. And things will only get worse when the earth violently shifts, bolts, and shakes down to its very core.

©2017 Ken Follett (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Follett ratchets up the Richter scale of suspense." ( USA Today)

"Riveting...taut plotting, tense action, skillful writing, and myriad unexpected twists make this one utterly unputdownable." ( Booklist)

"Follett does a first-class job of creating a fictional universe and then inviting the reader to live in it. His substantial research pays off as well, because he writes about the world of earthquakes with the same authority he displays when discussing the technical aspects of the FBI's inner workings." ( Newark Star-Ledger)

A Change In Time and Naive Revenge

Would you try another book from Ken Follett and/or January LaVoy?

I purchased as I enjoy Ms LaVoy’s performances, and I get author’s and stories I may not have gotten otherwise. I took a chance on this one, and well I have 6 hrs to go, and it still has NOT gotten to the point where I can’t stop listening. In fact I have 2 other stories I am re listening to as this one just isn’t cutting it.

If you’ve listened to books by Ken Follett before, how does this one compare?

Of course The Eye of The Needle, is one of the stories that made author famous, and its obvious author wants to expland his writing talent by this story.
I did enjoy the Third Twin, enough to take a chance on this story.
A mistake for me, as you must enjoy the journey of naive behavior that is bombarded with advanced technology to appreciate this story.
If you like the publisher summary, then the performance is great.

What about January LaVoy’s performance did you like?

I am a new fan, and really enjoyed readers’ performances of author Marcia Clarks series. Check it out
Ms LaVoy can sing a cappella, wow!

Was The Hammer of Eden worth the listening time?

13 hrs is a long book, and the story has not engaged me at hr 6, so unless it picks up in the next 30 mins, absolutely not.

Any additional comments?

I do use the 1.25x speed as it helps in slow stories or to convey the author’s intent.
Were my comments of any help to you?

Love Ken Follett's books, but not this one

Mediocre pulp fiction. Nothing very surprising. unimaginative. Skip this one. Loved Piller of the Earth and World without end.

Love Follet, Do NOT Love This Book

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. They plot was unbelievable and silly.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Meh.

What aspect of January LaVoy’s performance would you have changed?

It was pretty good.

Was The Hammer of Eden worth the listening time?

No.

Any additional comments?

This is the weakest Follett I have read/listened to, and I have read/listened to over 10.

Bad offering

I love Ken Follett, his research and his ability to write about historical events is usually on point. This book was not. The book wants you to believe that a truck used to look for oil can cause earthquakes. Very disappointing coming from Follett.

Another Follett Fluff

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Before reading The Hammer of Eden and The Third Twin, I was a huge Follett Fan. I just prefer his historical fiction novels. I cannot say Hammer is unreadable but just not my cup of tea. Same goes for Third Twin. I'll continue reading Follett, just not recommending this one.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Predictable

Have you listened to any of January LaVoy’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Love LaVoy

Do you think The Hammer of Eden needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Please NO.

nothing like Follett

this was a suspense filled delightful story. however it was almost nothing like any Follett book I have read in the past to the degree that I would not have thought he wrote it.

Horrible Story, how is this Follett?

Ridiculous premise, horrible delivery, cannot believe I wasted my money. Did Follett use a ghost writer?

Great Story even Better Narration

Great, well paced story that has even better narration from January LaVoy. A must listen.

Bad Narration

Even though the narrator tried to use different voices for each character, she failed. Most of the male characters sounded exactly the same, with the exception of one who had a British accent and the main antagonist. She also didn’t pause when there was a break. She read from one scene straight into another which was confusing. Could be the editors fault on this. Other than that the story was great as most of this author’s books prove to be. Wish I had bought the book instead of using a credit on this one.

The Hammer of Edaen

Not the normal Ken Follett novel but really interesting to a flower child myself. The ending was different but again, absolutely perfect. I would
recommend it to all.