The Lebensborn Experiment

Book 1

By: Joyce Yvette Davis

Narrated by: Kevin Gallagher

Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Amid the chaos and destruction of World War II, racial profiling runs rampant. After kidnapped children whose appearances fails to meet the Nordic ideal are taken to concentration camps, some are used in experiments to satisfy the Reich's quest for Aryan superiority. It is April 28, 1945, and a sinister struggle between life and death secretly takes place high in a dingy tower of a medieval castle in the Black Forest. Under the watchful eyes of Nazi Colonel Otto Strass, notorious inventor Dr. Josef Weiss injects a 10-year-old Polish boy with an experimental serum, killing him - that is, until the child, Adok, is miraculously resurrected with unforeseen side effects. Meanwhile, somewhere in the castle dungeon, a Negro American soldier, Sergeant Kapp Johnson, awaits ceremonial execution. But things go awry. On that same day, Hitler's unexpected suicide throws the castle into bedlam. In the ensuing confusion, Kapp is mistakenly given the serum. In a matter of minutes, Kapp has been given a gift even God cannot bestow upon him: eternal life on Earth. In this exciting historical thriller, an American soldier and a Polish boy who unwittingly become victims of the Nazi regime in the final days of World War II must find a way to escape their fate and find their way back home before it is too late.

©2014 Joyce Davis (P)2016 Joyce Davis

Interesting take on the genre

I'm not totally sure what drew me to this book since I'm not usually into books set during WWII or zombie-esque stories. However, I'm glad I took a chance on it because I thought it was an interesting take on both genres. There are a few cringe-worthy moments, mostly during the torture scenes including an unfortunate bunny. For the most part I thought the subject matter was handled well and Davis took an interesting direction by telling the story from both sides of the fight.

Kevin Gallagher did an excellent job narrating. His accents felt natural and not super fake, although they did get pretty thick at times. His female and children voices were also very good. But mostly, he has a great pace that might be a bit fast for some listeners, but was perfect for me.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

Interesting and Disturbing

This is a historical science fiction novel primarily set in Germany during World War II. It is loosely based on a true Nazi experiment. The book is interesting and subject matter is disturbing. If you like history with a science fiction twist I think you might like the story. The narration was good.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator.

TOO MANY, TOO MUCH AND NOT ENOUGH & BAD COVER ART

This book had its moments but dragged on too many times and lost my attention. Not enough on the cool premise of super soldier. Narrator was OK but his cadence was odd. A sort of slow, fast, slow and too dry too much when not doing Voices so it had good and bad. His accents were very good though, it was like a whole different person (people). I get the idea on the Cover Art but it is more detracting than attracting
Provided by Book Representative for an honest review

Engrossing story with more to come!

Set in Europe during WWII, "The Lebensborn Experiment" tells a story of young children stolen from their parents and taken to state-run orphanages, “graded” like livestock for Aryan traits, and adopted out to approved German families never to see their own families again or their parents ever discovering what happened to them. One boy, Adok, is adopted by Dr. Josef Weiss as a companion to an older, mentally-damaged son. Dr. Weiss is working on an immortality serum under pressure from a Nazi colonel, Otto Strauss, and tests the serum on Adok. The boy dies but days later comes back to life with some remarkable physical enhancements: superior eyesight and hearing, the ability to climb like a spider, and apparent immortality.

At the same facility, Colonel Strauss had been holding two black American soldiers prisoner awaiting execution during an upcoming visit by Adolf Hitler himself. When Strauss receives word of Hitler’s suicide and the approach of Allied forces to the facility, he orders the doctor to dispose of the Americans. Weiss kills one but mistakenly administers the immortality serum to the other. When the soldier revives as his body is being removed from the lab, he escapes and is able to return to his old unit to fight again.

The story continues with these central figures’ stories to just after the end of the war in Europe.

This book is exciting, imaginative, and entertaining but sobering as well with the understanding that many of the things described are based in past happenings. The author has created memorable characters that I really rooted for and others that I wanted to be defeated. The title indicates this is book one giving reason to believe there is more to the story. I’ll be looking for that.

Great Book!

If you could sum up The Lebensborn Experiment in three words, what would they be?

Thrilling, Suspenseful, Historical

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dr. Weiss is my favorite character. He's super creepy and I love a well written bad guy.

What about Kevin Gallagher’s performance did you like?

Kevin Gallagher is a great narrator. His inflection is clear and his voice acting keeps you engaged with the story. He really did a great job again.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Nazi's Suck

A decent Idea that ultimately left me wanting

This book had a decent amount of potential. The idea behind it is that a substance is invented which allows the recipient the ability to enhance their strengths a significant amount. The setting is the waning days of World War II in Germany where a German scientist has developed a substance that can create these enhancements.
The Narration is good. He reads with a very heavy German accent (for the German characters only). I just wish the story would hold up to scientific scrutiny. The real downfall for me was when one character gets the drug, his eyesight is enhanced greatly. Unfortunately, what is described in the book is not physically possible. This person supposedly can see over 100 miles away and describes in detail what he sees. Unfortunately, since the earth is round, it is not possible to see that far away. The person is 30 feet up high in a tree. From 30 feet up, it is only possible to see approximately 20 miles to the horizon. Considering that this story is all about scientific possibilities, this inconsistency kind-of ruins the book for me.
I requested this book from the author and agreed to review it when finished.

The Lebensborn Experiment

This was a good, dark,suspenseful book.During Hitlers reign children are kidnapped from all over the world if they match the Nazi profile.Some are lucky and get homes.Some are experimented on.They also use captives in their experiments.Two black US servicemen are lying in a cell waiting for death.One gets it but the other is given a shot that changes him.Also, a serum is given to the wrong one and revenge is served to the regime.Kevin Gallagher is the perfect narrator.I was provided this book by the author, narrator or publisher for review.

Deadly Experiments Go Awry - Paybacks are Rough!

In April 1945 it was not uncommon in Germany for children to go missing. They oftentimes were never found as everything was either chaotic or secretive. Hitler’s and the Reich’s desire to create an Aryan Race superior to all was well underway. In a remote castle, experiments were moving forward to enhance the leader’s desires. Testing on an experimental drug was taking place. Adok, a young polish ten-year-old is injected with the deadly serum only to die … temporarily. The side effects were more than interesting!

A POW, Kapp Johnson, a negro awaiting execution when he is brought into Dr. Weiss’ lab. Everything is underway when word is announced that Hitler has committed suicide. Johnson is given the same serum as Adok unintentionally and his side effects are amazing.
Both are struggling to return to their home, their former lives but unbeknownst to them, there are still side effects to be discovered. In the meantime, Dr. Josef Weiss the inventor of the serum is faced with deadly decisions.

This is a well-written book that keeps the listener engaged and on pins and needles. Each character is developed well, giving the listeners insights that move the story forward. I actually grinned when Nazi Colonel Otto Strass was outsmarted. Excellent plot and twists! When I was hearing Adok’s story, it took a couple of twists I didn’t foresee!

The dialog was well-written and solid. The author, Joyce Yvette Davis, did an excellent job of research and blending historical accurateness into the story. It was difficult to hear at times as the subject matter was unsettling and gave the listener pause to reflect and consider the culture and thoughts of the time.

The narrator, Kevin Gallagher gave an excellent performance. He spoke clearly and the characters were all distinct and authentic. The emotions of the characters were well done. He is a strong narrator/performer who gave an added dimension to this book.

I am looking forward to hearing book 2. I enjoyed listening to this book and look forward to seeing where Kapp Johnson’s and Adok’s journeys take them.

There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

WW II and science fiction

If you could sum up The Lebensborn Experiment in three words, what would they be?

WW II and science fiction and authentic. I liked this book. I love anything WW II and it wasn't so 'out there' in science fiction that. I wish there had been more and I'd like to read the follow up books for this series.The performance and story were interesting. It was authentic for the time period and added true historical details in the story. I would recommend this book.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the true historical background that made the story feel right.

What about Kevin Gallagher’s performance did you like?

Sometimes who did the performance can make or break an audio book. He was easy to listen to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No but I was into it. I listened to this 6 hour book in one day.

Any additional comments?

Waiting for the next book of the series!

Good Read

The Lebensborn Experiment (Lebensborn #1) was a good read by Joyce Yvette Davis. Due to the chaos and destruction of World War II, racial profiling runs rampant. Children are kidnapped, and if their appearances don't meet the Nordic ideal, they are sent to concentration camps. Some of them also are used in experiments in order to satisfy the Reich's quest for Aryan superiority. This was a good read by the author.