What Doesn't Kill You

A Novel (Catherine Ling, Book 2)

By: Iris Johansen

Narrated by: Jennifer Van Dyck

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Catherine Ling was abandoned on the streets of Hong Kong at age four. Schooled in the art of survival, she traded in the only commodity she had: information. As a teenager, she came under the tutelage of a mysterious man known only as Hu Chang - a skilled assassin and master poisoner. As a young woman, she was recruited by the CIA and now she is known as one of their most effective operatives. Having lived life in the shadows, Catherine is aware of the wobbly moral compass of her existence and even more aware of just how expendable she is to those she deals with. When her old friend Hu Chang creates a formula that’s not only deadly but completely untraceable, the race begins to be the first to get it. With rogue operative John Gallo also on the hunt, Catherine finds herself up against a group so villainous and a man so evil that she may not survive in her quest to protect those she cares about: Hu Chang and Luke - the son who was stolen from Catherine and only recently brought home safe. Using all of her for- midable skills, Catherine Ling proves the age-old belief that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Iris Johansen is at her page-turning best in this novel that takes you from the corridors of Langley to the alleyways of Hong Kong and the darkest places of the human soul.

©2012 Johansen Publishing LLLP (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved

one of the all-time worst

a fifth grader may enjoy this..... one of the worst plots ever, ridiculous character development.... should be titled "what doesn't kill you can still make you pretty nauseous"...

Ugh, beyond stupid

Would you try another book from Iris Johansen and/or Jennifer Van Dyck?

Never

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

None

Any additional comments?

I shouldn't have just looked at the ratings. I should have read the actual reviews. The premise is totally absurd. Mr. Chinese drug wizard has invented a poison so something or other that having it will give Mr. Evil pants world domination. But do not fear our CIA super heroine will ally with Drug Wizard to stop Evil pants. I gave up about a quarter way through.

Choose A Different Book

I had a very difficult time listening to this book. I did so only because I had to be in the car for an extended period of time. This was my first (and last) book by Iris Johansen. The storyline and characters are not believable and the dialogue is most often juvenile. The narrator did a good job with what she was given to work with and I would be interested in hearing her work with a different author.

The story is fine, but the narrator.........

Where does What Doesn't Kill You rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Midway

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Plot was fast and entertaining.

What three words best describe Jennifer Van Dyck’s performance?

Wrong for this story - why not find a Chinese narrator as the two main characters are Chinese?

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

It took time to get into this book due to the narrator - she isn't bad - just wrong for the characters.

Ugh!

Plot is boring. Unbelievable premise, no surprises, no unexpected action.
Characters are so stereotyped as to be unconvincing.
Narrator makes everyone sound confrontational and angry.
I *did* finish the book, but only because I'm stubborn.

How many times can you say "Hu Chang"?

I did not enjoy this book. The voice of the narrator is wrong for the book and characters. The story line does not flow smoothly. The name Hu Chang is used in an annoying accent just about every other sentence. Not a favorite of mine, and not recommended.

Pretty Juvenile

The story was weak. Almost all dialogue. The reader did a good job but there was just not enough substance. Too much "we are in a desperate situation but all I can think about is jumping into bed with this person." Not enough background. Started off good when they explained the way the Chinese medicine man and Catherine met, but after that it was downhill all the way. Maybe a 15 year old would get turned on by all the sexual innuendo. An adult would see how trite it really is.

Skip it!

What disappointed you about What Doesn't Kill You?

I never enjoy overly dramatic narrators and this one was over the top.

Would you ever listen to anything by Iris Johansen again?

Doubtful.

How could the performance have been better?

Most of the time I felt the narrator was trying too hard. Just read the author's words with interest, don't try to make it into a movie.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Sorry, I couldn't finish it.

Wow! I should have listened to the reviews!

Would you ever listen to anything by Iris Johansen again?

Honestly, I'm not sure. About a decade or more ago I fell in love with her earlier works but I've tried 2 others than this and been terribly disappointed! So probably not. Something would have to really sway me to try again.

Enjoyable - strong female lead

What made the experience of listening to What Doesn't Kill You the most enjoyable?

I enjoy a strong kick-ass female lead. The plot was fun and fast-paced.

What was one of the most memorable moments of What Doesn't Kill You?

The backstory of the two main Chinese characters were interesting.

Which character – as performed by Jennifer Van Dyck – was your favorite?

Catherine and her son Luke, too.

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

Should be played by Angelina Jolie.

The accents were atricious

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Jennifer Van Dyck?

Anyone else! The narration destroyed this book for me; i have never heard such appauling attempts at chinese and irish accents. Avoid!