The Elder 13

By: Robert S MacNeill III

Narrated by: Steve Campbell

No one can die, except when it is time for them to be killed. In the far future, medical advances have evolved to the point that people can control their own lifespan, but the government has decided that 217 years is long enough. A group of 13 true immortals decides how to rule the world, but cannot seem to govern themselves. A society where everything is private, everything private is watched, and no one watches those watchers. With great regards to works by George Orwell, Margret Atwood, and Aldous Huxley, this dystopian novel shows the harm of medical over reach, government control, and the risk of a growing population.

©2015 Robert MacNeill (P)2017 Nevermore

Odd listen

Excellent performance of this genre-bending book. Not sure how to classify this somewhat morbid post-utopian read. The random sprinkling of religion and erotica was bizarre although the book nicely depicts the absolute corruption of power.

Intriguing story... but weird

I had seen this book and had it in my wish list when I saw it offered for reviews. I thought the idea was interesting and it is. It is a thought provoking book but jarring. The narrator does a good job reading the book without getting into the monotone or gore. To be honest I would never have bought this book - I don't buy books unless they are at least 8 hours long or an author/series I already know I love. This was an interesting story and the author did a good job with it but I don't know if I would read something along this line again without knowing it was longer and therefore likely had a less jarring storyline and ending. Personal preference. Good story - good narrator.

I was given this book for free in return for an honest review.

Pretty cool for what it is

It was a pretty fun listen, and a good narration performance, but I mean... at the end of it all, it made me desire more to the story to understand. For what it is though, I’d recommend listening to it.

Thought Provoking with Some Odd Elements

I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.

This is an interesting story. The premise is that humans aren't really dying anymore. It has been decreed by the Elder 13 that humans will retire to sector 7 upon their 217th "name day" where they will live forever with their family in a blissful existence unless, somehow, they die.

There is some interesting world building - establishing the Elder 13. This is a really intriguing story with some very interesting morality/humanity issues to think about. There is some violence, however, I thought fit well into the story but might be jarring for those who are sensitive. While I found most of the story to be thought provoking - there were religious references which did not really belong and then, there is a bizarre S&M scene, which, to me, felt like it was added for shock value.

The narrator, Steve Campbell, did a really good job conveying the dreary atmosphere and the inhumanity.