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Immortal Archives #1
The December Protocol
The year is 2419 and humans have colonized the solar system. Life on Mars is difficult, but offers a second chance to those living beneath the frigid surface.
Arriving on Mars is Marcus Truman, with only weeks left to live, but determined to secure a life denied him by cancer. With the best intentions in the world, he finds himself inextricably caught up in a lawless conspiracy trafficking in innocents and the unspeakably valuable treasure they embody.
Marshal Min Yang works to tear down the conspiracy, fighting corruption inside and outside the law. With his own life on the line and the future of Martian civilization hanging in the balance, he must win out against all odds and restore stability before it's too late.
Arriving on Mars is Marcus Truman, with only weeks left to live, but determined to secure a life denied him by cancer. With the best intentions in the world, he finds himself inextricably caught up in a lawless conspiracy trafficking in innocents and the unspeakably valuable treasure they embody.
Marshal Min Yang works to tear down the conspiracy, fighting corruption inside and outside the law. With his own life on the line and the future of Martian civilization hanging in the balance, he must win out against all odds and restore stability before it's too late.
- GenresScience FictionAmazon
335 pages, ebook
Published May 18, 2017
59 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 19, 2017
This has been a perfect sci fy thriller! Immortality and how we react to it is a question of moral and ethics in this plot. To what lengths will we go, kidnapping and killing early teen girls for a shot of serum every month. The story unravels itself based on the main characters, with their back stories, an immortal detective on the run, trying to solve the conspiracy behind the disappearance of the girls. The writing is a pleasure to read, full of action and thrill, keeps you always on the edge.I Definitely recommend it!
May 19, 2017
I really loved this book. It's pure Science Fiction and is set in a dystopian future where anything is possible.
In addition to being amazing Science Fiction this book delves into the philosophical and ethical dilemma of immortality. What if the human race was suddenly given the means to become immortal? What do you think we as humans would do? How far do you think people would go to gain what they wanted? What would you do if you were faced with a life threatening disease and the only way you could live another day was to get a treatment that would make you immortal? What if that treatment was illegal and you could only get it on Mars? What would you do? What would you do if the treatment only lasted a month and if you didn't get another one you would die? What would you do? How far would you go? Would you risk everything to live another day? Would you?
Those are the questions that this book explores. How the protagonists deal with these existential questions and the consequences of their actions/decisions is what makes this story so good. I loved the ending, it was immensely satisfying.
I urge you to read this book. You won't be disappointed.
In addition to being amazing Science Fiction this book delves into the philosophical and ethical dilemma of immortality. What if the human race was suddenly given the means to become immortal? What do you think we as humans would do? How far do you think people would go to gain what they wanted? What would you do if you were faced with a life threatening disease and the only way you could live another day was to get a treatment that would make you immortal? What if that treatment was illegal and you could only get it on Mars? What would you do? What would you do if the treatment only lasted a month and if you didn't get another one you would die? What would you do? How far would you go? Would you risk everything to live another day? Would you?
Those are the questions that this book explores. How the protagonists deal with these existential questions and the consequences of their actions/decisions is what makes this story so good. I loved the ending, it was immensely satisfying.
I urge you to read this book. You won't be disappointed.
February 26, 2018
My original The December Protocol audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
What if you could live forever? What would you be willing to turn a blind eye to? Who would you sacrifice to have immortality? December Protocol is a probing story that demonstrates what could happen to society when their number 1 resource for survival is threatened with extinction as well as just how far humankind will go to live forever.
The main characters – Min, Angelina, and Marcus demonstrate the deadliness of immortality and the moral/ethical results of acting upon those desires. Devin Hanson, the author, challenges his readers to examine these age-old questions through a thrilling, action-packed sci-fi novel guaranteed to leave you struggling to determine who is the most evil – the one seeking immortality due to a fatal disease or the one providing justice but also requires the main ingredient to maintain his immortality?
This is definitely a book that provokes thought long after the book ends while also being entertaining through the edge-of-your-seat action and intrigue. The storyline flows smoothly and the characters are well defined. The dialog is realistic as are the situations. One cannot help but become immersed in the story as it unfolds.
Rhett Samuel Price, the narrator, performed this audiobook wonderfully! Changing voices for each character is a monumental feat and one he pulls off well. I enjoyed hearing Price read this book!
There were no issues with the audio quality or production of this audiobook.
Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.
What if you could live forever? What would you be willing to turn a blind eye to? Who would you sacrifice to have immortality? December Protocol is a probing story that demonstrates what could happen to society when their number 1 resource for survival is threatened with extinction as well as just how far humankind will go to live forever.
The main characters – Min, Angelina, and Marcus demonstrate the deadliness of immortality and the moral/ethical results of acting upon those desires. Devin Hanson, the author, challenges his readers to examine these age-old questions through a thrilling, action-packed sci-fi novel guaranteed to leave you struggling to determine who is the most evil – the one seeking immortality due to a fatal disease or the one providing justice but also requires the main ingredient to maintain his immortality?
This is definitely a book that provokes thought long after the book ends while also being entertaining through the edge-of-your-seat action and intrigue. The storyline flows smoothly and the characters are well defined. The dialog is realistic as are the situations. One cannot help but become immersed in the story as it unfolds.
Rhett Samuel Price, the narrator, performed this audiobook wonderfully! Changing voices for each character is a monumental feat and one he pulls off well. I enjoyed hearing Price read this book!
There were no issues with the audio quality or production of this audiobook.
Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.
September 19, 2017
I’ll Do It Tomorrow
By Bob Gelms
Immortality is the subject of hundreds of stories both in science fiction and in other genres. The earliest stories of eternal life go back at least as far as 1513. That’s when Juan Ponce de Leone, as the first European to set foot on Florida, did so looking for the Fountain of Youth. One drink bestowed immortality. Currently, his search for the Fountain has mostly been debunked but the story fueled imaginations for an exceptionally long time.
One of my favorite stories of athanasia comes from Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. In Part Three of the novel, one thing leads to another and Gulliver finds himself on the island of Luggnagg where he meets a people called the Struldbrugs. They are immortal but suffer the horror of growing older all the time, apparently, forever. It was published in 1726 and it was about then that immortality stories became very popular right down to today.
So, comes, The December Protocol by Devin Hanson. This is, without a doubt in my mind, one of the most interesting treatments of an immortality story I have ever read. Scientists on Earth have discovered a serum that delivers eternal life. It’s made from eggs stored in the ovaries of human women which are more viable the younger the women. This engenders a hungry market for eggs from teenage girls. These eggs sell for astronomical prices and the girls/women become especially wealthy.
Of course, large amounts of money mean there are unscrupulous people who are subverting the system in order to take all the profits themselves. They kidnap teenage girls, harvest their ovaries, kill the girls and sell the eggs. The book deals with the effects of immortality, both good and bad.
Angeline has been kidnapped and is a candidate for ovary harvesting and death. Marshall Min Yang, the law, has been assigned the job of finding Angeline and catching the outfit that set up this scheme. Marcus is ravaged with cancer and wants immortality because of its side effect: it cures all your diseases. Three characters, three different sides of the problem.
The treatment interferes with your DNA. It also drains all the pigment from your body and you become, in effect, an albino. By the way, you need booster shots every 30 days or so. The cost is very high but you are immortal. Who cares what the cost is?
This is a superb thriller with lots of action, fast pace, outstanding writing, characters you can root for, and a setting that is exceptionally exotic and surprising.
All of the action takes place on Mars. The Womack Process and the Helix Rebuild have been banished from Earth because eventually all 12 billion people on Earth will want to be immortal and where will all those eggs come from? The economy starts to revolve around the scarcest resource on Earth. It has to stop before the societies on the planet collapsed in on themselves.
First problem: soon enough there will be no children on Earth. Gangsters were already kidnapping as many as 800,000 girls per year in the USA alone.
The next problem is economic. Women can sell their eggs to pay for the process. But men have to pay cash so they turn to loan sharks when their own money runs out. There is evidence of killings because the victims can't keep up the payments.
At first, the Process and Rebuild were just forbidden, but finally they were moved to Mars. Smaller settlements existed on the Moon and Venus. Immortality comes at a high cost and not necessarily in cash. It causes problem humans have no experience solving.
Marshall Min Yang is about 300 years old, Angeline wonders if her life span will turn out to be 14 years, and Marcus is rolling the biggest set of dice in the solar system. They all come together in The December Protocol with essentially the same mind set. Who will win the day? All of them?
There is a certain amount of gruesome violence in the book. Min Yang has no problem blasting everyone in the room in order to survive. He doesn’t seem to have a problem killing bad guys for no other reason than they are bad guys; shoot first ask question later.
The December Protocol by Devin Hanson is the real deal. It is immensely entertaining, ponders cosmic questions that are fun to think about, and is a dyed in the wool science fiction adventure. If you only buy one science fiction novel this year, let it be The December Protocol.
By Bob Gelms
Immortality is the subject of hundreds of stories both in science fiction and in other genres. The earliest stories of eternal life go back at least as far as 1513. That’s when Juan Ponce de Leone, as the first European to set foot on Florida, did so looking for the Fountain of Youth. One drink bestowed immortality. Currently, his search for the Fountain has mostly been debunked but the story fueled imaginations for an exceptionally long time.
One of my favorite stories of athanasia comes from Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. In Part Three of the novel, one thing leads to another and Gulliver finds himself on the island of Luggnagg where he meets a people called the Struldbrugs. They are immortal but suffer the horror of growing older all the time, apparently, forever. It was published in 1726 and it was about then that immortality stories became very popular right down to today.
So, comes, The December Protocol by Devin Hanson. This is, without a doubt in my mind, one of the most interesting treatments of an immortality story I have ever read. Scientists on Earth have discovered a serum that delivers eternal life. It’s made from eggs stored in the ovaries of human women which are more viable the younger the women. This engenders a hungry market for eggs from teenage girls. These eggs sell for astronomical prices and the girls/women become especially wealthy.
Of course, large amounts of money mean there are unscrupulous people who are subverting the system in order to take all the profits themselves. They kidnap teenage girls, harvest their ovaries, kill the girls and sell the eggs. The book deals with the effects of immortality, both good and bad.
Angeline has been kidnapped and is a candidate for ovary harvesting and death. Marshall Min Yang, the law, has been assigned the job of finding Angeline and catching the outfit that set up this scheme. Marcus is ravaged with cancer and wants immortality because of its side effect: it cures all your diseases. Three characters, three different sides of the problem.
The treatment interferes with your DNA. It also drains all the pigment from your body and you become, in effect, an albino. By the way, you need booster shots every 30 days or so. The cost is very high but you are immortal. Who cares what the cost is?
This is a superb thriller with lots of action, fast pace, outstanding writing, characters you can root for, and a setting that is exceptionally exotic and surprising.
All of the action takes place on Mars. The Womack Process and the Helix Rebuild have been banished from Earth because eventually all 12 billion people on Earth will want to be immortal and where will all those eggs come from? The economy starts to revolve around the scarcest resource on Earth. It has to stop before the societies on the planet collapsed in on themselves.
First problem: soon enough there will be no children on Earth. Gangsters were already kidnapping as many as 800,000 girls per year in the USA alone.
The next problem is economic. Women can sell their eggs to pay for the process. But men have to pay cash so they turn to loan sharks when their own money runs out. There is evidence of killings because the victims can't keep up the payments.
At first, the Process and Rebuild were just forbidden, but finally they were moved to Mars. Smaller settlements existed on the Moon and Venus. Immortality comes at a high cost and not necessarily in cash. It causes problem humans have no experience solving.
Marshall Min Yang is about 300 years old, Angeline wonders if her life span will turn out to be 14 years, and Marcus is rolling the biggest set of dice in the solar system. They all come together in The December Protocol with essentially the same mind set. Who will win the day? All of them?
There is a certain amount of gruesome violence in the book. Min Yang has no problem blasting everyone in the room in order to survive. He doesn’t seem to have a problem killing bad guys for no other reason than they are bad guys; shoot first ask question later.
The December Protocol by Devin Hanson is the real deal. It is immensely entertaining, ponders cosmic questions that are fun to think about, and is a dyed in the wool science fiction adventure. If you only buy one science fiction novel this year, let it be The December Protocol.
October 5, 2019
I do love a good detective novel. And I love Mars stories. This tale wraps both up in a pretty entertaining listen. My favorite character was Min, who has been around a long time and seen how human society (both on Earth and on Mars) has evolved over the decades. I pictured him as an albino version of Gaff from the original Blade Runner movie. He’s a bit shady in some ways but has hard boundaries on other things (like murdering young ladies for their ovaries).
The setting was well integrated into the story. Mars doesn’t have much water or usable soil, so human waste (including the dead) are reused for fuel and manure. Yeast is mashed and melded into many unpalatable foods. It was enough to make we feel like we were on Mars and not just an Earth #2. However, I think it could be strengthened a bit. Mars lacks the regular live organisms in the soil, but the dirt itself can be easily sewn with those organisms, like from human waste. Also, I wondered why there was no talk of insect meals. Then there’s also nori as part of the cheapeast meals yet tea is super expensive. Assuming that both have to be shipped in from Earth (since there isn’t enough luxury water to grow either tea trees or seaweed), I would think that they would both be considered luxury items. Anyhoo, if you don’t give it too much thought, the setting really works for the detective story.
I want to applaud having a scifi story that doesn’t bat an eye at discussing menstrual cycles. Yay! But this story takes the cake for worst period ever – a period that can get you killed! These black market egg harvesters are hard core. Instead of just taking an egg or two a month, they take the ovaries and then dump the bodies in to the reclamation units. Ugh!
I have lots and lots of questions about the science behind the main plot point. If you need mature eggs for the super secret serum that turns you into an immortal albino, then how are you convincing all those harvested ovaries to keep maturing and spitting out eggs? If you have the science to do that outside of a human body, then you probably have the science to create ovaries in a lab to begin with. As with the setting, as long as you don’t think about it too much, the ovary thing makes for an exciting reason for the plot of carry on.
All around, it was a fun scifi flick that had a most satisfactory ending. I routed for Angeline the last quarter of the book. I was glad to see Min and Rou declare war on those corrupt officials and business people who perpetuated this ovary stealing ring. 4/5 stars.
The Narration: Rhett Samuel Price has a great voice and he totally nailed Min. I loved his light Asian accent, as the story called for. His female voices were believable as well. There were a handful of mispronounced words like susurrus & scarification but they were few and far between. The pacing was perfect & there were no technical issues with this recording. 4.5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Rhett Samuel Price. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
The setting was well integrated into the story. Mars doesn’t have much water or usable soil, so human waste (including the dead) are reused for fuel and manure. Yeast is mashed and melded into many unpalatable foods. It was enough to make we feel like we were on Mars and not just an Earth #2. However, I think it could be strengthened a bit. Mars lacks the regular live organisms in the soil, but the dirt itself can be easily sewn with those organisms, like from human waste. Also, I wondered why there was no talk of insect meals. Then there’s also nori as part of the cheapeast meals yet tea is super expensive. Assuming that both have to be shipped in from Earth (since there isn’t enough luxury water to grow either tea trees or seaweed), I would think that they would both be considered luxury items. Anyhoo, if you don’t give it too much thought, the setting really works for the detective story.
I want to applaud having a scifi story that doesn’t bat an eye at discussing menstrual cycles. Yay! But this story takes the cake for worst period ever – a period that can get you killed! These black market egg harvesters are hard core. Instead of just taking an egg or two a month, they take the ovaries and then dump the bodies in to the reclamation units. Ugh!
I have lots and lots of questions about the science behind the main plot point. If you need mature eggs for the super secret serum that turns you into an immortal albino, then how are you convincing all those harvested ovaries to keep maturing and spitting out eggs? If you have the science to do that outside of a human body, then you probably have the science to create ovaries in a lab to begin with. As with the setting, as long as you don’t think about it too much, the ovary thing makes for an exciting reason for the plot of carry on.
All around, it was a fun scifi flick that had a most satisfactory ending. I routed for Angeline the last quarter of the book. I was glad to see Min and Rou declare war on those corrupt officials and business people who perpetuated this ovary stealing ring. 4/5 stars.
The Narration: Rhett Samuel Price has a great voice and he totally nailed Min. I loved his light Asian accent, as the story called for. His female voices were believable as well. There were a handful of mispronounced words like susurrus & scarification but they were few and far between. The pacing was perfect & there were no technical issues with this recording. 4.5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Rhett Samuel Price. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
February 25, 2018
( Format : Audiobook )
"Limitted resources and infinite time."
When a scientist is interviewed about the claim that she can give immortality to the world, the sceptical reporter laughingly asks, 'Who wants to live forever, anyway?'
Six years later, her claim is a fact with two differently working possibilities. But later, with hundreds of thousands already having become the new immortals and social problems growing, Earth passes legislation banning all of them from Earth, those who have received the Helix Rebuild being sent to Venus, whilst the more straightforward cell regeneration recipients were banished from Earth for life. Most of these went to the developing colony on Mars. Many died, the trouble being that the restorative injection had to be repeated on a monthly basis without fail or the body instantly starts to painfully destroy itself.
This cleverly plotted science fiction story slowly leaks historic and social facts about the two methods as the main story unfolds. In the relatively unrestricted life on Mars, an old Marshall, a title a little like an FBI agent - cum bounty hunter is asked by his new superior to look into the case of a missing girl, believed kidnapped. Reluctant at first since he has just made a literal killing and earned a fortune sufficient for him to retire for a while, he soon gets drawn into the search when he learns that not one but two girls are missing. And it helps that he'll earn another smaller bounty for finding them also.. A secondary arm to the story also follows a wealthy émigré to Mars, looking to get the treatment after a recent diagnosis of lung cancer. This is a fast action, gun shooting, blood gushing action thriller with well formed characterisations, atmospheric world building and a look at the potential difficulties for a society where human life, barring mishaps, can continue for centuries, if not for ever. Exciting and thought provoking, this is a really compelling read.
The book is further enhanced by the imaginative reading by Rhett Samuel Price, whose slightly gruff reading seems to capture the more gritty atmosphere of Mars. Every character, and there are many, is voiced convincingly and individually, whilst the connecting text is related at a good pace with clarity and good intonation. A fine performance.
My thanks to the rights holder who freely gifted me a complimentary copy of The December Protocol, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. it certainly exceeded.my expectations and had me rivetted to my player through the night. I will most certainly look out for further books from Mr.Devin Hanson in the future. Recommended.
"Limitted resources and infinite time."
When a scientist is interviewed about the claim that she can give immortality to the world, the sceptical reporter laughingly asks, 'Who wants to live forever, anyway?'
Six years later, her claim is a fact with two differently working possibilities. But later, with hundreds of thousands already having become the new immortals and social problems growing, Earth passes legislation banning all of them from Earth, those who have received the Helix Rebuild being sent to Venus, whilst the more straightforward cell regeneration recipients were banished from Earth for life. Most of these went to the developing colony on Mars. Many died, the trouble being that the restorative injection had to be repeated on a monthly basis without fail or the body instantly starts to painfully destroy itself.
This cleverly plotted science fiction story slowly leaks historic and social facts about the two methods as the main story unfolds. In the relatively unrestricted life on Mars, an old Marshall, a title a little like an FBI agent - cum bounty hunter is asked by his new superior to look into the case of a missing girl, believed kidnapped. Reluctant at first since he has just made a literal killing and earned a fortune sufficient for him to retire for a while, he soon gets drawn into the search when he learns that not one but two girls are missing. And it helps that he'll earn another smaller bounty for finding them also.. A secondary arm to the story also follows a wealthy émigré to Mars, looking to get the treatment after a recent diagnosis of lung cancer. This is a fast action, gun shooting, blood gushing action thriller with well formed characterisations, atmospheric world building and a look at the potential difficulties for a society where human life, barring mishaps, can continue for centuries, if not for ever. Exciting and thought provoking, this is a really compelling read.
The book is further enhanced by the imaginative reading by Rhett Samuel Price, whose slightly gruff reading seems to capture the more gritty atmosphere of Mars. Every character, and there are many, is voiced convincingly and individually, whilst the connecting text is related at a good pace with clarity and good intonation. A fine performance.
My thanks to the rights holder who freely gifted me a complimentary copy of The December Protocol, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. it certainly exceeded.my expectations and had me rivetted to my player through the night. I will most certainly look out for further books from Mr.Devin Hanson in the future. Recommended.
February 18, 2018
Many books have featured the quest for immortality, but this one is more about the kind of world that would result afterwards particularly when the immortals need monthly doses of serum that can only be made from a woman's eggs and demand is so high that the black market trade in kidnapped young women is very lucrative to criminals.
While the books features numerous flashbacks to the time when the treatment was first invented and the aftermath of it that led to the titular December Protocol that outlawed it, the primary focus of this book is on three characters who all live on Mars in the 24th Century.
These characters each give a different perspective of the ongoing black market trade, you have Angeline who is a young martian girl who starts out as a victim kidnapped to fuel the black market supply. Then you have a colonial marshal named Min, who seeks to put a stop to this illegal trade even though he himself has undergone the treatment and requires legal doses of it on a monthly basis and finally you have a man named Marcus for whom the treatment (legal or otherwise) is his last hope since he is rapidly dying of cancer.
The author successfully builds a compelling overall story that intertwines these main characters along with a varied supporting cast and a well-described vision of the Martian colonies, but he has left things open-ended enough that he can return to that world again at a later date, not mention that other worlds have also been colonised in this book's universe.
On the whole I found the performance of the narrator to be a strong one, his speech was clear and he had distinctive voices for all the main and supporting characters, albeit I found his choice for the marshal to be a little overdone at times.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and the performance of it a lot and will definitely be looking out for further works from this author in the future.
[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
While the books features numerous flashbacks to the time when the treatment was first invented and the aftermath of it that led to the titular December Protocol that outlawed it, the primary focus of this book is on three characters who all live on Mars in the 24th Century.
These characters each give a different perspective of the ongoing black market trade, you have Angeline who is a young martian girl who starts out as a victim kidnapped to fuel the black market supply. Then you have a colonial marshal named Min, who seeks to put a stop to this illegal trade even though he himself has undergone the treatment and requires legal doses of it on a monthly basis and finally you have a man named Marcus for whom the treatment (legal or otherwise) is his last hope since he is rapidly dying of cancer.
The author successfully builds a compelling overall story that intertwines these main characters along with a varied supporting cast and a well-described vision of the Martian colonies, but he has left things open-ended enough that he can return to that world again at a later date, not mention that other worlds have also been colonised in this book's universe.
On the whole I found the performance of the narrator to be a strong one, his speech was clear and he had distinctive voices for all the main and supporting characters, albeit I found his choice for the marshal to be a little overdone at times.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and the performance of it a lot and will definitely be looking out for further works from this author in the future.
[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
August 9, 2018
Review originally published at: http://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookre...
In the year 2419 there are ways to prolongue life and cure deadly diseases like cancer. It's called the December Protocol, but as the only way to get its benefits is using ovules from young women, it has been forbidden on Earth. It is still legal in Mars, though, and many people with money go there just to benefit from it. But there are many interests at hand, and an illegal trafficking networks are kidnapping young girls. This is the story of a man with cancer moving to Mars to get cured, and of a girl who is kidnapped for her ovules.
This is one of those sci-fi books that make you think whether a scientific advance is good or not for the society. The Mars population has found a loophole on the law and they are still carrying on with healing people by using a protocol that has been forbidden on Earth. Many people go to the planet desperate looking for a solution to their illness, and also to live longer, and maybe forever. There are many things at play, and moral values that many are willing to forget. Is their own benefit worth having young girls kidnapped and killed? Because that's what it is, even if they turn a blind eye to the whole situation.
I found the story fascinating, and even though the characters are not ultra developed, it's easy to relate to them and understand their motives.
I enjoyed Rhett Samuel Price's narration. His characters interpretations were very well done, and I was completely amazed at Price's voice range, switching from one character to another in a way that it was like listening to several different people. The only thing that didn't completely convince me were the female voices, but it's true that he has a deep voice, and female voices should be difficult for him.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the narrator.
In the year 2419 there are ways to prolongue life and cure deadly diseases like cancer. It's called the December Protocol, but as the only way to get its benefits is using ovules from young women, it has been forbidden on Earth. It is still legal in Mars, though, and many people with money go there just to benefit from it. But there are many interests at hand, and an illegal trafficking networks are kidnapping young girls. This is the story of a man with cancer moving to Mars to get cured, and of a girl who is kidnapped for her ovules.
This is one of those sci-fi books that make you think whether a scientific advance is good or not for the society. The Mars population has found a loophole on the law and they are still carrying on with healing people by using a protocol that has been forbidden on Earth. Many people go to the planet desperate looking for a solution to their illness, and also to live longer, and maybe forever. There are many things at play, and moral values that many are willing to forget. Is their own benefit worth having young girls kidnapped and killed? Because that's what it is, even if they turn a blind eye to the whole situation.
I found the story fascinating, and even though the characters are not ultra developed, it's easy to relate to them and understand their motives.
I enjoyed Rhett Samuel Price's narration. His characters interpretations were very well done, and I was completely amazed at Price's voice range, switching from one character to another in a way that it was like listening to several different people. The only thing that didn't completely convince me were the female voices, but it's true that he has a deep voice, and female voices should be difficult for him.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the narrator.
February 18, 2018
Within a colony on Mars, a thriving criminal enterprise revolves around girls who are kidnapped and killed for the contents of their ovaries. The precious eggs are highly sought after, being vital to a medical procedure already outlawed on Earth, but on Mars it's quietly tolerated in the young and fragile economy. The procedure prolongs human life by thousands of years. A black market emerges on Mars, happy to supply the increasing demand for neverending youth and everlasting health. After two girls vanish from their school field trip, a detective that operates outside the law suspects they've been kidnapped. He vows to find them before their ovaries can be removed and their bodies discarded like trash.
December Protocol is one of the best sci-fi novels I've heard in a while. It's thought-provoking at its very least. I enjoyed pondering potential consequences of the immortality scenario deftly described by the author. I am once again blown away by veteran narrator, Rhett Samuel Price. His fantastic performances showcase a professional quality and experience that consistently enhance the author's story. Very well done overall, and highly recommended for scifi, biotech, detective, and crime fans.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge. This review is unbiased and the opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.
December Protocol is one of the best sci-fi novels I've heard in a while. It's thought-provoking at its very least. I enjoyed pondering potential consequences of the immortality scenario deftly described by the author. I am once again blown away by veteran narrator, Rhett Samuel Price. His fantastic performances showcase a professional quality and experience that consistently enhance the author's story. Very well done overall, and highly recommended for scifi, biotech, detective, and crime fans.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge. This review is unbiased and the opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.
December 27, 2018
Humanity has achieved immortality, but at what cost? Could you imagine being able to live forever, free of disease? What would you do to be able to afford your monthly treatment to remain that way? What would you be willing to overlook and ignore? Could you ignore the fact that young girls are being kidnapped and killed for their eggs? There are many women willing to sell their eggs for a nice sum of money, bit where there's a lot of money to be made, there will certainly be a criminal element as well. This mostly takes place on Mars since Earth has banned this practice. This was an excellent book and my first by this author. I'd love to check out more of his work. The narrator isn't new to me though. I really enjoy Rhett Samuel Price! He's an excellent story teller who is great at expressing the emotions of the characters and great at doing several voices and accents for both sexes.
August 5, 2019
Different... in a good way
The December Protocol is a sci fi taking place on Mars in a world where albinism helps create immortality. This immortality cures everything but an egg from a woman’s ovary is the key part, which leads to theft of women’s ovaries etc. Fascinating storyline and I love how the three perspectives merge together on their paths.
Definitely a worthy read. Devin doesn’t get super wordy on his description of the world like many sci fi authors do and I really appreciate him keeping it relevant.
The December Protocol is a sci fi taking place on Mars in a world where albinism helps create immortality. This immortality cures everything but an egg from a woman’s ovary is the key part, which leads to theft of women’s ovaries etc. Fascinating storyline and I love how the three perspectives merge together on their paths.
Definitely a worthy read. Devin doesn’t get super wordy on his description of the world like many sci fi authors do and I really appreciate him keeping it relevant.
December 5, 2017
This was an incredible story! I actually read via Kindle Unlimited and turned right out and bought the book.
I'm promoting this outstanding Science Fiction story every chance I get.
I'm extremely hopeful author Devin Hanson will have a follow up and this becomes at least one more novel / series.
Great work!! Loved everything about this book.
I'm promoting this outstanding Science Fiction story every chance I get.
I'm extremely hopeful author Devin Hanson will have a follow up and this becomes at least one more novel / series.
Great work!! Loved everything about this book.
January 6, 2018
An excellent read. I was pulled in and read "every" word. Generally, when we read, we tend "scan" read, getting to those parts that interest us. Not so with this novel. Devin created a world in which I was hooked on every word from beginning to end. Great story and fantastic writer! I can't wait for the sequel to be released.
March 1, 2021
Horror Story
This is a well-done horror story. If you are sqeemish about very bad men doing very bad things to young girls, this is not the book for you. That said, the story is compelling, characters strong, and a very interesting fictional account of events regarding the exodus of humans from Earth, to Moon, and Mars.
This is a well-done horror story. If you are sqeemish about very bad men doing very bad things to young girls, this is not the book for you. That said, the story is compelling, characters strong, and a very interesting fictional account of events regarding the exodus of humans from Earth, to Moon, and Mars.
September 13, 2017
I read a lot.
I go through a lot of frogs. When I find a prince I ration it to make it last.
Not this author. I'm glad to say I broke all my rules and couldn't put this book down.
I go through a lot of frogs. When I find a prince I ration it to make it last.
Not this author. I'm glad to say I broke all my rules and couldn't put this book down.
January 18, 2019
The Future?
There are many books with stories of the future. Most are almost exactly like the last. This story is different, it is hard to follow at the beginning but the author brings together each part with twists and turns that are very unexpected. Worth the time to read.
There are many books with stories of the future. Most are almost exactly like the last. This story is different, it is hard to follow at the beginning but the author brings together each part with twists and turns that are very unexpected. Worth the time to read.
February 22, 2019
Not my first of his books
I have read most of the books and this being the first or one of it shows. That being said it's great that it shows I can clearly see a progression in the writing. The book is fun and has some twists. The characters are very relatable in this Syfi world.
I have read most of the books and this being the first or one of it shows. That being said it's great that it shows I can clearly see a progression in the writing. The book is fun and has some twists. The characters are very relatable in this Syfi world.
April 2, 2022
Dark twisted future where humanity's worst nightmare is realised
Immortality.
A blend of the Expanse and Altered Carbon - it took me a while to engage with the characters but once the story got going it was a great ride.
Looking forward to reading the next one
Immortality.
A blend of the Expanse and Altered Carbon - it took me a while to engage with the characters but once the story got going it was a great ride.
Looking forward to reading the next one
September 14, 2017
Fun Book
I typically only review books I like or thought were a fun read. Characters were fun, book was well paced and I enjoyed it all the way through.
I typically only review books I like or thought were a fun read. Characters were fun, book was well paced and I enjoyed it all the way through.
January 19, 2018
I downloaded the book to Kindle and it may even have been a free one. Excellent.
An original story and well written. The story kept moving to keep the reader interested.
An original story and well written. The story kept moving to keep the reader interested.
June 11, 2019
Passed the time on a long flight.
March 20, 2020
A thriller read
Great story that has strong characters is full of action with some twists to keep your interest can't wait to read the next book in the series
Great story that has strong characters is full of action with some twists to keep your interest can't wait to read the next book in the series
June 16, 2020
Excellent book
What an interesting mystery with space stuff thrown in. I truly enjoyed this book. Will be thrilled to read more.
What an interesting mystery with space stuff thrown in. I truly enjoyed this book. Will be thrilled to read more.
April 9, 2022
Interesting and good read
The December Protocol has an interesting story line, well written, fast paced. I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
The December Protocol has an interesting story line, well written, fast paced. I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
May 31, 2022
Qell written and different
Not your ordinary run of the mill Sci fi or police case, well written and suspenseful, well done on a good read
Not your ordinary run of the mill Sci fi or police case, well written and suspenseful, well done on a good read
June 23, 2020
Has all the ingredients for a good science fiction book. The writing style reminds me of some of the great writers of the 70's and 80's.
This book starts tackling some interesting topics including immortality, surviving on a harsh planet, believable values and ethics, throw in a bit of greed and a harsh environment and you have a mix that makes for a good read.
I hope the rest in the series are equally good. I hate starting books that are simplistic and designed to hook people into buying lots of books in a series, for the purpose of making easy money, rather than telling a good story. Hopefully, it is the latter.
This book starts tackling some interesting topics including immortality, surviving on a harsh planet, believable values and ethics, throw in a bit of greed and a harsh environment and you have a mix that makes for a good read.
I hope the rest in the series are equally good. I hate starting books that are simplistic and designed to hook people into buying lots of books in a series, for the purpose of making easy money, rather than telling a good story. Hopefully, it is the latter.
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