I generally give audiobooks a 3 chapter go/no go, and almost closed this, but the story grows and grows and grows on you. Actually ‘story’ is not a fully accurate description. The Immortals is a tale of the tragedies, will, and triumphs of the American (human) spirit, and a hope for the future. There are very few audiobooks I listen to twice, and I certainly will listen to this one again. Kudos Tracy (and Laura) on a masterful story and presentation. I was moved and inspired.
I enjoyed the story alot had a few things that bothered me like the year this all takes place and some of the techonology in the book, but dont let that detur you from listening to this audio book!
Would only download chapters 1-3. Second try to listen to story and not the voices. Just when I started to get into the story the rest of the chapters wouldn't download. Wasted too much time.
This one's a stinker, through and through. The story is marginal, and as others noted the background for each character is ludicously drawn out and insanely boring. Probably half the book is backstory, and the rest is just the author trying to make trying to make their point with all the grace of a sledgehammer. Listening to this literally put me to sleep, twice.
Any book described as "controversial" is almost guaranteed to be just the author shoving a thinly veiled agenda down your throat, and "The Immortals" delivers on both counts.
I didn't have too many expectations going into this podcast, but I have to say that it really resonated with me. The narration and character voices were quite good, but the story it self is extremely poignant and thought-provoking. This should be required reading (or listening) when exploring topics such as the Holocaust, the Killing Fields, the internment of the Japanese. It paints an all too real picture of what could happen and it a definite reminder to always be vigilant.
Listen to this, you will not regret it. The opening is a bit confusing but all is explained. This has to be one of the best stories I've ever heard.
Do yourself a favor and listen to this.
At first you might not get this book, but after a few chapters you get to know the charters. After that you start to root for the charters. I am not so sure I like the ending, however, I am not sure if it could have ended any other way. The story drags on at times and would have been just as good (if not better) if it were a little shorter. It is also one of those stories that will stay with you. All in all I think you will be glad about down loading this book.
I had passed this book up multiple times based on the art, I then read the reviews and decided to give it a listen. I hated having to stop the book, I was so drawn in. The characters make you ache and cheer for them. I will be purchasing his unabridged version just to hear what was cut. I absolutely would recommend this book to others.
Not great. Hickman is a very talented author, and performs well as a voice for his work. The problem is with the content. Though the story is gripping an you sincerely care about the characters, the treatment is heavy handed.
At times Hickman seems more intent on giving detailed descriptions than moving the story forward. More description of the physical events, and less about each character's emotions would have been welcomed.
My biggest problem with this audiobook is the intro and exit of each episode. The audio level is painful if you ate wearing headphones, and way too long.
Leaving aside the myriad of issues I have with the premise, it is an enjoyable if not fully great book.
This is an amazing story. Wonderful voice acting, music, sound effects, and quality. This is a challenging and gripping story with characters you cheer on and some that you grow to hate. I would recommend this to anyone!
Don't listen to this if you're expecting another Dragonlance novel. Don't listen this if you are looking for light entertainment. Don't listen to this if your not willing to go on a journey. Don't listen to this if you're not in the mood for one of the most moving books you've ever listened to.
Do listen to this if you're ready to really sit back and think about the quality of your life, and what you're doing with it. Do listen to this if you're ready to change how you handle your relationships with others. Do listen to this if you're inclined to actually make a difference in your world.
This book requires your sense of maturity to rise above the sword and sorcery escapism that Mr. Hickman is so notably exemplary at writing. This is simply different. And it packs a whollop. It's probably one of the most underated contemporary classics of our time, and required reading for anyone who is interested in actually being a better person. Listen to it at your own risk--you won't be the same when it's over.
Pretty lame book. It is well read, and the audio mix is good, but the story is lacking an intriguing plot and does not leave the listener captivated in the least. The story is built purely around a blantant and obvious point the author is trying to cram down your throat over and over again throughout the entire story. It is obviously trying to sell a message and does it in the most hokey sci-fi way.
I absoulutly loved it. I couldn't wait to listen to another chapter of it. It has a great climax, resolution, introduction everything. I love how the author uses sound effects and how Tracy Hickman and his wife read the novel. Its not the best podiobook I've heard but its definately one of the top five.
The sound quality is excellent, the story telling is amazing. I finished it in 2 days, not because it was short (not by any stretch thankfully) but because it was so good i just couldn’t stop listening. Everyone must hear this.
It's been nearly a year since I listened to this story, and I was so awed by it then that even now it crosses my mind randomly. Even after all that time, this book is in my head, and that's the way I book should be. It's one of the most haunting and well put together pieces of fiction i've ever had the pleasure of encountering in my lifetime, and I would recommend this to everyone and anyone!
I have listened to several podiobooks and this is by FAR the BEST audio yet!!! The narrator's voice is nice to listen to and the sounds effects in the background allows your imagination to really dive into the story!!!
This has the best audio podcast I have listened to so far (my 4th). Well read, great story and loved the sound effects. I would highly recommend this story.
Starting out, I thought the concept of this story was great. From a reader’s perspective, the idea of throwing all sorts of people in a prison camp in some near/distant future seemed both terrible and exciting. However, only a short way into the book I found that it was very agenda driven. Trying to keep an open mind, I continued on, and listened to the whole thing. I wanted to see how the characters would develop and how the story would end. Overall I found that the story was very static and poorly thought out. The characters show little to no change or growth. Sure, the background is there and you understand everyone’s plight but the writer doesn’t seem to want to come out of the “box” he seems to have created. To top it off, the voices (although clever and sometimes well used) seem overly stereotypical and the reader’s voice inflections are often out of sink with the story. The music and sound effects are interesting and do lift the entertainment level up some but it’s not all about sound. My advice is to leave this one. It is the same thing from beginning to end. Do Not Waste Your Time!
I listen to a lot of literary podcasts. This is the best one I have ever heard. I found myself pumping my fist at the roof of my car saying, "Yes, Yes, Yes!!!". At other times, I came close to openly sobbing. Great quality, writing, sound effects and narration. I am now a huge Tracy Hickman fan!
That's a very good example of a bad point of information ... saying I have paid X for crap does nothing to establish how much I am LOVING this
audiobook. (and I have paid 40 bucks for outstanding works of art as well) 8>, this one is free but should not be.
i've listened to lots of audiobooks and by far this is the best one in terms of production and clarity. the readers do an amazing job, the voices are evoke the right emotions, the sounds effects are not over the top. i'm up to chapter 6 and i am completely hooked. Great story so far, could be a wonderful movie. Keep it up Tracy and Laura and i hope you do more audiobooks.
Like another reviewer, I was a little apprehensive due to the subject matter. However I stuck with it, and this podcast, this novel blew me away. Months later, and I still think about the story, the characters. Have a listen, you won't regret it.
You WILL NOT find a better written, produced, or read podiobook ANYWHERE. This is my favorite book, podio- or non-podio. A thrilling plot leaves you begging for more after every chapter and the sound effects and music are phenomenal. Several parts made me laugh out loud, at others, I almost cried. If you are looking for a GREAT read/listen, please please please download or buy this book.
10/5 stars.
It's that good.
I subscribed to this podcast expecting a sci-fi thriller ... whoops! Although this story is set in the future with some nifty high tech gadgets, this really isn't a science fiction story. On the other hand, it is an excellent drama with good character development. True to the spirit of inspirational dramas, it is a gloomy story with many tear jerking moments. There aren't a whole lot of "Wow, I didn't expect that" moments, the drama was compelling enough that I didn't want to get out of my car after my daily commute. In addition to a good story, the quality of story telling and the production in general is top notch.
HO-LY COW.
What a fantastic story. This story is such a roller coaster of emotions. I'm usually into horror stuff, and I downloaded this because of all the positive reviews, and I was not dissapointed. I also liked the minimalist sound effects. Not too much, and not too little.
I only have two minor complaints. I didn't care for the "Lifetime Channel" music, and the female reader is not very good. However, that isn't enough for me to not give this five stars.
This audiobook is extremely thought provoking in the tradition of Aldous Huxley. The story is realistic and convincing given the state of today’s society. The characters are sincere and believable and Hickman's use of language is easy to follow and the subtle audio effects enhance the story to a new level. This book should serve as a warning of intolerance and the dilution of our freedoms.
The bad: The story is a little dull. The narrator’s voice is monotone. Too much character background is given unnecessarily. The characters are a bit unbelievable.
The good: The plot was well done and the message of the story is important. Over all it has it’s moments.
I can’t say I hated it but I can’t say it was terribly great. Give it a try and just stick with it.
I would probably not have finished reading this book but I am glad that I made myself finish listening to it. Not many books have made me examine my own views on topics. This one did.
This is absolutely the best podcast book I've ever heard. With deep, engaging characters and a complex and satisfying story line, this story makes it's point with impact to spare. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.
All aspects of this online story were beautifully woven. The intertwining of the words, music, tempo, and idea are amazing. I am glad that the author was able to share this aloud since I was able to feel for the characters in the way intended.
For those that love a truly smart and thoughtful narrative this is a great listen.
One of the best podiobooks I've listened to. I didn't think I would like it at first, the subject matter actually making me angry and almost stopped listening after the first couple of chapters. But stick with it! Any (podio)book that can make you mad, happy, tense, then crying in the next paragraph is well worth the time. (And if you haven't figured it out, this is such a book ;) )
The reading and performance quality are superb. This is a moving novel that causes you to reexamine your own beliefs in the face of this seemingly tragic premise. The characters are wonderful and the plot streamlined, as if you are watching a movie in your mind. Tracy Hickman's reading will engross you and leave you waiting to listen to the next chapter.
The sound quality of this was completely unexpected. The story is so well thought out it could be a historical record and the characters so consistently portrayed I never felt confused or lost among the dialog.
If you haven't listened to it yet then I envy that you don't have to wait between episodes.
... and it's exceptional. Even cried a few chapters back on the "little girl" episode. True, chapters haven't come out as fast as anyone would have liked, but such is the life of serializing.
But this was a great chance for me to get to know a new side of a writer I'm familiar with from another genre. The production value is top-notch and really sets the bar for other authors wishing to podcast there work. Well done!