A(n Audio)Book of Halves.

I was drawn to this audiobook because of the setting—a scifi, possibly dystopian future that touches on the Singularity—and stayed because of the narration. I wish Audible allowed you to put half stars because my journey through this audiobook was a very see-sawy one.

I enjoyed the book for what it was: a YA scifi story with the usual romance, drama, and conflict thrown in. Romance isn't the main focus thankfully (though Eli's monologues about his crushes certainly get quite the airtime), camaraderie and family is, along with questions that venture into philosophical and religious territory. The questions aren't new, but I could certainly see myself recommending this book for the younger YAs in my life. There are likeable supporting characters, and there's generally tight enough pacing that the story did not feel like a slogfest.

I am a newcomer to Nick Podehl, and I have to say, his variety impresses me. The first time he adopted the voice of Basha, a girl, I did a double-take wondering if I had remembered wrongly and it was a joint narration with a female narrator instead of a solo effort. That's how believable his voices are. Podehl changes seamlessly between different characters even during heated exchanges, and they are all distinct voices; I never had any trouble differentiating between characters, even Eli's internal and external voices.

But this is where the halves come in: I enjoyed it whenever a character spoke, but the choice made for Eli's internal voice (a whiny, almost nasal, sometimes condescending one) was grating for me, requiring that I break up the listening into chunks. It is a choice I question because I know Podehl can do other voices, smoother voices, better voices, because as a first-person YA novel, there is a lot of Eli's monologuing going on. And for that, I wish I could give Performance a 4.5 instead. In the end, I decided that 5 instead of a 4 was appropriate because I loved Cyrus' and Marcus' voices. Cyrus in particular was the deciding factor, he was hands down my favourite character in this book, his voice a warm balm to the long stints of Eli's whining. It's made even better when Cyrus is the only one to call Eli out on his wallowing and whining.

I give a 4 for Story because the story is fairly typical for the first half, with the side-characters carrying the weight of giving it individuality and life. I would've given a 4.5 for the first half as the introduction of new norms and information was well done, tiny chunks that did not feel like a lecture. And for all that Eli went on and on about Lenora, there was still a dry humour present in his internal monologue; just a couple of lines here and there that were so tongue-in-cheek that I'd burst out laughing, the friendly banter between Eli and Cyrus that just made me feel good for them. I didn't dislike him then. I thought he was a typical seventeen year old, but I didn't dislike him then.

But then the humour vanishes, and the second half left me with a 3.5 because despite having more action and giving Podehl more emotional material to work with, it became increasingly dreary whenever Eli was left to his own devices (which at least thanks to Cyrus, isn't too much). The same issues would be turned over and over, which while potentially realistic becomes boring when exact lines get repeated. If this was a book, these would be the parts that I would skim over, but add in Podehl's choice of internal voice for Eli and those portions just became tiresome for me. I did not enjoy Eli. There was nothing that I particularly liked about him, he was an angry boy, condescending at times, holier-than-thou at times, self-deprecating and pitying when it suited him, and entirely far too self-absorbed with his perceived self-sacrifice.

It's sad because I enjoyed the rest of the story, almost the entire rest of the cast, the setting and the situation that it posits, and the varied accents that Podehl pulls for the different characters. I want to find out more about the backstory, more about the ascenders and how things must be like for them, how things happened for them from their point of view. I want to find out if Cyrus is okay, how he deals with the new circumstances that is being thrown at him by sheer virtue of being Eli's first and best friend. I enjoyed this world, but I'm not sure that I can take another novel of Eli's internal whining and wallowing. I'm still undecided if I want to take that plunge. But that's me, maybe you can?

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author.

4 people found this helpful

a bitter sweet tale but a very memorable story

Most memorable listen.
This theme is special and the hero is special.
it an coming of age story and finding out who you are story with a twist.
The Story is woven with color and mystery. it move quickly without losing the details. For me the story reached my empathy and the narrator's delivery never let the pace to slow down

2 people found this helpful

Does the human soul exist?

This story was riveting. The narrator was amazing, maybe the best I've had the pleasure of listening to. I listened to the entire book in just two days. When I wasn't listening to it, I was thinking about it.

Sue's vivid descriptions immersed me in the main character's world so completely that I could see, feel and hear every experience as if I were actually there. The depth of the thoughts and emotions expressed let me relate to the self-doubt, inner torment and feelings of insecurity of an artist struggling to claim his place in a system stacked against him, even as he fights for his very survival and that of those he loves.

Thought provoking, often wry and ironic, deep and moving, thoroughly engrossing, nearly poetic. I think it is absolutely brilliant!

1 person found this helpful

unique sci fi

The story was unique and memorable. I enjoyed the interaction of advanced technology and questions about the soul. The performance was great as well.

1 person found this helpful

Pretty good start for a YA sci fi series

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

For a book oriented towards the YA audience, this was actually pretty good. I would say this is one that can be enjoyed by most ages. I thought it was a well written/read story that is rather thought provoking in how it addresses concepts like humanity, the soul, etc. All in all, I'd definitely be open to more in this series.

1 person found this helpful

If he controls his gift, he'll control his future.

Elijah is an artist, living at the whims of a hybrid species of human and machine called ascenders. The only hope Elijah has of saving his mother from cancer is to gain a coveted entry into the creative Olympic Games. But to do that he'll need an ascender sponsor, as well as management over the fugue state that controls his body without warning. It's this fugue state, a sort of brief conscious coma, that allows him to create his best paintings. If he wins an Olympic title, he'll secure a place for his mother and himself amongst the superior ascender beings, granting them both a healthy eternal life. But Elijah's participation in the Games would be dangerous, and it's possible the ascenders could rig the Games in their favor. If he does make it into the Games, will Elijah survive his task and save his mother?

The Legacy Human is an original story concept that challenges the reader to evaluate what it means to be just human. As for character development, my only issue regards Elijah, who is written to be so insecure that he constantly frets over how bad his paintings are turning out. His inner dialogue reads like a loop of self-consumed worries and complaints. He lacks the constitution and fortitude I'd expect from someone desperate to save his frail mother's life. Elijah's best friend supplies all the physical and emotional strength between the two, and by the end, I felt like Elijah was portrayed as a self-obsessed fragile drama queen. Thankfully, Elijah's female peers were shown as brave and, when circumstances called for it, defiant. Nevertheless I am powerless to quell my curiousity about where this story will go, and thus plan to continue on with the series.

Narration performance by Nick Podehl is energetic and professional. I would love to hear more of his work.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge. My review is unbiased and the opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.

1 person found this helpful

Artistic and Positive version of the Hunger Games

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. This was a great listen that offered a glimpse into our possible future. Any friend that enjoys post apocalyptic distopian/ utopian books would enjoy this read.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the aspect of human and robot interaction and the idea of the eventual population of AI ruling the world. I also liked the Olympic games surrounding the arts; painting, singing, spoken word and dancing. This offered a great artistic element to the book whereas other similar books (Hunger Games) were brute strength and force.

What about Nick Podehl’s performance did you like?

The narrator did a great job with the various voices, especially the females. Most male narrators have trouble with the female voices but Nick did a great job.

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

I would not listen to this in one setting. I listened to this over the course of a few days, mainly while driving. The similarities to other books necessitated the need to stop listening a bit. However, after a while the book took on its own form and finished very well.

Any additional comments?

I am eager to listen to the next book in this series. I would like to find out how characters deal with the various curve-balls they were thrown towards the ending of this book.

I was gifted this audio book by the author in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

1 person found this helpful

Some people are not writers

This was painful to get through. If it weren’t for Podehl this book would be at the bottom of ratings.

very interesting story concept

To be honest the concept was difficult for me to grasp at first; so I had a hard time getting into the book. But as I continued to listen I started to grasp a few more aspects the author was revealing.
I'm not sure I'll continue with the series at this time but this one was still worth the read.

Eh... Narrator is good, though

While this book was alright, it's setting up for a series that gets weaker and weaker as it goes on. This book is a 3/5 and it is the strongest of the series. (Also, since I don't think it's categorized on audible as such, this is a YA novel, if anyone wasn't sure).

The premise is interesting, but it's just not carried out effectively. So much of the book, especially once it starts getting into the big reveals and introducing the major players, feels only half done. The author tells you something, and that's it, she just *tells* you, and you're just expected to go along with it. She doesn't build things or explains things. She just... tells you things.

Nick Podehl is the book's saving grace, but even he can only do so much. Honestly, I'm surprised he agreed to do this series, since I associate him with generally high quality work, I think I spent about $4 on this book, and for that price, I'm fine with it, but if I had spent a credit on this or paid full price, I would be looking for a refund.