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The Leviathan Chronicles
The Leviathan Chronicles tracks Macallan Orsel, a young genetic scientist in present-day New York City who discovers that immortality is not a fool's fantasy, but rather a reality for several factions of powerful immortals living among us. Across centuries and continents, they have battled for supremacy--and Macallan must suddenly grapple with a mysterious and lethal virus, a covert government organization aware of the immortals--and her own family's connection to both. In order to save herself and the immortals, Macallan must learn to use a key hidden within her own DNA. But a deadly secret has been kept deep in the bottom of the ocean for over a thousand years that could threaten not just the immortals, but all of mankind.
600 pages, Podiobook
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224 people want to read
About the author
Christof Laputka
13 books18 followersChristof Laputka is the author of the novel The Leviathan Chronicles which is a state of the art audio adventure, melding the spirit of classic 1940's radio dramas with the podcasting technology of today.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 29, 2015
Ever since I finished "We're alive" I've been on a massive audio drama hangover. Due to several recommendations I started "The Leviathan Chronicles". From the start it was very clear that this wasn't going to be anywhere near the quality of "We're alive". But it seemed good enough to keep me interested and listening.
Until the very last episode.
I may have rated it a generous 3 Stars before that god awful final, but thanks to the dreadful conclusion to the first season this has earned a solid 1 Star rating.
At this point I would like to thank the author for ruining the characters I was rooting for and completely nullifying every second of the previous journey.
Until the very last episode.
I may have rated it a generous 3 Stars before that god awful final, but thanks to the dreadful conclusion to the first season this has earned a solid 1 Star rating.
At this point I would like to thank the author for ruining the characters I was rooting for and completely nullifying every second of the previous journey.
May 22, 2013
Okay, kinda corny but pretty awesome at the same time. I'm a little torn. These guys get massive kudos for doing something original. This is a serialized podcast that reminds me of Fringe, Lost, or the Atlantis books by Bob Mayer.
It's done like the old radio shows from pre-television days complete with sound effects for gun shots, foot steps, different voice actors and everything. It's been keeping me sane at work while I file papers and all that for over a week now, not to mention giving me something to do while I mow the lawn, weedwack and all the other tedious household chores.
If you're into audiobooks then this is for you, no doubt about it. The best part is that the entire series is free, although they take donations so show the love with what you can afford. You can find the first season through Podiobooks.com and if you have a podcast player on your Android (I use BeyondPod) then you can search for "Leviathan Chronicles" and the whole thing complete with some of the extras comes up ready to go.
It's done like the old radio shows from pre-television days complete with sound effects for gun shots, foot steps, different voice actors and everything. It's been keeping me sane at work while I file papers and all that for over a week now, not to mention giving me something to do while I mow the lawn, weedwack and all the other tedious household chores.
If you're into audiobooks then this is for you, no doubt about it. The best part is that the entire series is free, although they take donations so show the love with what you can afford. You can find the first season through Podiobooks.com and if you have a podcast player on your Android (I use BeyondPod) then you can search for "Leviathan Chronicles" and the whole thing complete with some of the extras comes up ready to go.
August 19, 2018
This is a review of the podcast.
1) I know not all authors are native English speakers, but if you don't understand the difference between 'was' and 'had been' (and when it's appropriate to use each), then GET A GOOD EDITOR!! This issue arises over and over again, and I've only listened to three episodes so far. Similarly, if you don't know that the singular form of millennia is 'a millennium', don't put your writing into the field. It's not ready yet.
2) The American submarine Captain character's solution to something coming up from underneath them is to shoot it with a couple of missiles designed to hull battle-cruisers. Seriously? You can only take the 'Americans are stupid barbarians' trope so far. And that discounts all the exposition that the officers in the submarines were required to deliver as they explained the problem to their commanding officers, who apparently knew nothing about things that might be encountered in their jobs.
3) The heroine, who is apparently an esteemed microbiologist, is INCREDIBLY FUCKING STUPID AND IRRITATING! She gets a phone call during her meeting with a department head because she's been stealing computing time from other departments, and leaves without saying 'My grandmother is ill'. She is late to give a teaching seminar, but stops (with seven whole minutes to spare) at a Starbucks, and not only gets into a conversation with a weirdo stranger, but GETS INTO A CAR with him, without letting her assistant (and lover) know that she's not going to turn up, even though the department head will be auditing the class. Then, when she gets into a car crash, and is abducted, she doesn't even THINK about calling him until after she's checked her bank balance. When she finally DOES get back to the lab, she finds him tied up, and dripping blood, and doesn't call an ambulance as her first step. Basically, this woman is a complete schmuck, and any decent editor would have written the words "Why would she DO that??" on about every second page, telling the author to go back, and try again.
The premise of this is fantastic, but the execution (of the podcast version, at least) is let down by a writer in desperate need of good editing.
1) I know not all authors are native English speakers, but if you don't understand the difference between 'was' and 'had been' (and when it's appropriate to use each), then GET A GOOD EDITOR!! This issue arises over and over again, and I've only listened to three episodes so far. Similarly, if you don't know that the singular form of millennia is 'a millennium', don't put your writing into the field. It's not ready yet.
2) The American submarine Captain character's solution to something coming up from underneath them is to shoot it with a couple of missiles designed to hull battle-cruisers. Seriously? You can only take the 'Americans are stupid barbarians' trope so far. And that discounts all the exposition that the officers in the submarines were required to deliver as they explained the problem to their commanding officers, who apparently knew nothing about things that might be encountered in their jobs.
3) The heroine, who is apparently an esteemed microbiologist, is INCREDIBLY FUCKING STUPID AND IRRITATING! She gets a phone call during her meeting with a department head because she's been stealing computing time from other departments, and leaves without saying 'My grandmother is ill'. She is late to give a teaching seminar, but stops (with seven whole minutes to spare) at a Starbucks, and not only gets into a conversation with a weirdo stranger, but GETS INTO A CAR with him, without letting her assistant (and lover) know that she's not going to turn up, even though the department head will be auditing the class. Then, when she gets into a car crash, and is abducted, she doesn't even THINK about calling him until after she's checked her bank balance. When she finally DOES get back to the lab, she finds him tied up, and dripping blood, and doesn't call an ambulance as her first step. Basically, this woman is a complete schmuck, and any decent editor would have written the words "Why would she DO that??" on about every second page, telling the author to go back, and try again.
The premise of this is fantastic, but the execution (of the podcast version, at least) is let down by a writer in desperate need of good editing.
June 2, 2013
Gave up after a few chapters. For a story with a narrator, there was far too much contrived exposition in the dialog. I was able to get past that fault, but when they started completely dis-obeying the laws of physics I bailed.
March 14, 2016
Excellently produced sound. Miserable acting.
March 2, 2018
Good. Lord. Friends, this is bad. This is bad writing, this is worse voice acting, and this is HEY WOW THERE ARE REALLY LOUD SOUND EFFECTS!!!!!
Loud does not equal great production values.
The science doesn't make a lick of sense - and for a series whose main character is supposed to be a brilliant genetic scientist, she is dumber than a box of hair. Somewhere Laputka picked up the association of telomeres and cell aging, and he threw it in like that was going to be enough.
Let me correct him: it is not enough.
Our imperilled heroine has wounds that are apparently never treated, and then never mentioned again. She comes up in a matter of a few minutes from a depth of nearly 8000 feet in the ocean, and nobody has the bends?
And later on the background story helpfully provides us with a conspiracy that is put in place by the Church of England, in 1044. There was no Church of England in 1044. There is some discussion of the British Navy, and the British crown, and British intelligence... never mind that there was no Britain in 1044. But perhaps Laputka never heard of William the Conqueror.
I gave up when the aliens joined the party. I mean, come ON.
Loud does not equal great production values.
The science doesn't make a lick of sense - and for a series whose main character is supposed to be a brilliant genetic scientist, she is dumber than a box of hair. Somewhere Laputka picked up the association of telomeres and cell aging, and he threw it in like that was going to be enough.
Let me correct him: it is not enough.
Our imperilled heroine has wounds that are apparently never treated, and then never mentioned again. She comes up in a matter of a few minutes from a depth of nearly 8000 feet in the ocean, and nobody has the bends?
And later on the background story helpfully provides us with a conspiracy that is put in place by the Church of England, in 1044. There was no Church of England in 1044. There is some discussion of the British Navy, and the British crown, and British intelligence... never mind that there was no Britain in 1044. But perhaps Laputka never heard of William the Conqueror.
I gave up when the aliens joined the party. I mean, come ON.
March 8, 2023
Finished season 1 earlier this week. In my opinion The Leviathan Chronicles is the cream of the crop when it comes to well-produced audio drama. Sure there are a few historical errors that have been pointed out, but folks - it's FANTASY. Just enjoy it for what it is. At this point my favorite character has got to be Harlequin. I'm anxiously looking forward to season 2. The way things were left at the conclusion of season one, I'm no longer certain exactly which of the various sides/groups is "good" or "evil". Bravo, Mr. Laputka. I'm hooked.
July 17, 2010
This is one of the best produced books in podcast form that I have come across in a long time. It has an amazing cast, various sound effects and a captivating storyline.
The story will keep you hooked and coming back for more as often as you can get to your mp3 player.
The humor and interaction of the characters is really very good. This is a well written and very well produced book. One that will have you anxious to finish so that you can move on to the sequel.
The story will keep you hooked and coming back for more as often as you can get to your mp3 player.
The humor and interaction of the characters is really very good. This is a well written and very well produced book. One that will have you anxious to finish so that you can move on to the sequel.
October 9, 2014
And it was going so well in the beginning... I dropped this book after 10 chapters or so due to huge historical inaccuracies in the "how it all began" storyline that could have been avoided by the author after spending 10 minutes on Wikipedia or other basic sources. After such sloppiness I could not take the rest of it seriously. If that wouldn't bother you, by all means, listen to it, a very nicely done audio book with different voices, accents, sound effects, etc!
April 18, 2018
This is an impressive collection of unnecessary plot devices.
In two chapters the protagonist is told to go get the MacGuffin. She has no reason to so an absurdly framed murder, an attack by random faceless bad guys, and a giant chunk of money conspire to put the protagonist in Alaska where she can't go on a boat because it is windy. Then more attacks, so they go out anyway, a shipwreck appears magically 500 miles from where it should be so they can check it out. The ship gets blown up by the navy even though they plot states all other ships are in port for the storm. Then they steal an unexploded depth charge(?!) and use it to blow up bad guys with a robot. Then they are stranded and freezing to death so she uses her magic cell phone and some dudes show up in a hover plane.
FFS...
In two chapters the protagonist is told to go get the MacGuffin. She has no reason to so an absurdly framed murder, an attack by random faceless bad guys, and a giant chunk of money conspire to put the protagonist in Alaska where she can't go on a boat because it is windy. Then more attacks, so they go out anyway, a shipwreck appears magically 500 miles from where it should be so they can check it out. The ship gets blown up by the navy even though they plot states all other ships are in port for the storm. Then they steal an unexploded depth charge(?!) and use it to blow up bad guys with a robot. Then they are stranded and freezing to death so she uses her magic cell phone and some dudes show up in a hover plane.
FFS...
February 12, 2016
Alright, this started out decent, but as it progressed, it got more complex and confusing. Great sound techs and the voice acting was alright (fake accents are damn annoying though). But the writing? The characters? This story felt like it wasn't fleshed out beforehand, which I think was necessary for such a complex plot.
Also the end of season 1 (which is when I'm writing this review) doesn't make me want to continue listening. Characters just became puppets to portray some weird global morality and ethical code that just doesn't make sense with the characters I've (somewhat) gotten to know over many many hours.
Also the end of season 1 (which is when I'm writing this review) doesn't make me want to continue listening. Characters just became puppets to portray some weird global morality and ethical code that just doesn't make sense with the characters I've (somewhat) gotten to know over many many hours.
September 3, 2012
Wow, this is one of the best Podcasts i had the pleasure of listening to. The story is fantastic, the voice actors are great. i was hooked from the beginning and drawn into the world of leviathan. the only problem in production was, at least to me, very often the background noises like machineengines,gunshots, statics, roars etc. ,are so loud you cant understand anyone speaking during those scenes.
But nevermind if you are into podcasts and audiobooks you MUST listen to this one! Its for free, so why are you still here? Go and get it immediately!Put your headphones on and enjoy!
But nevermind if you are into podcasts and audiobooks you MUST listen to this one! Its for free, so why are you still here? Go and get it immediately!Put your headphones on and enjoy!
November 9, 2014
Maybe in season 2 Mr. Laputka gets better with his writing, but listening to the first season, he is not properly using the medium well. There is so much needless narration that we are instead bored to death with minute details. For instance, we don't need to know a character exited a building on Park Ave, walked to Lexington, and proceeded to take a train downtown. Just advance the scene, PLEASE.
It is pretty disappointing since I was directed to this series via the Byron Chronicles which is much better and less dry.
It is pretty disappointing since I was directed to this series via the Byron Chronicles which is much better and less dry.
April 18, 2015
I got the audio version of this and it was pretty damn cool. There were a couple of places where the plot went a little wonky (No spoilers) hence the 4 stars instead of 5, but it kept me entertained, and that's the point, isn't it?
November 13, 2020
Don’t listen to the haters. The Leviathan Chronicles is a kickass science fiction audio drama about a civil war between two powerful groups of Immortals. Listening to The Leviathan Chronicles is possibly one of the greatest things that will ever happen to your ears.
July 1, 2024
Season two just left me on a lurch. Will there be more?
August 19, 2022
*Review is based only on the first season*
This was an interesting idea and I enjoyed parts of it, it took a while for me to get used to the switching between narrator and drama but I got there.
That said I did not like the ending, it seemed that anyone he didn't want to include in the second season he just killed off, and for most of them it was pretty violent - it's odd I read a lot of violent books and watch a lot of horror movies but there is something about having it described with sound effects that just made it a bit 'eww" - and it felt completely unnecessary, especially as some of them still had stories untold. I suspect at least one of them was added purely just to die in the conclusion.
I did enjoy it sort of, some of it was a bit cliched but there is nothing wrong with that (and I can't comment on the accuracy of the history or science mentioned) but the way Macallan reacts to Tully's decision to save his best friend at the end is just stupid. She is immortal and can survive for longer, his best friend is being attacked by a trained assassin and doesn't have the benefit of immortality. Yes, I get that Macallan was in danger and that they had a night of sex but, to be honest with her reaction I'm thinking he made the right choice.
The other thing that bugged the heck out of me is that about ten or so episodes in you start getting adverts. Now I have Spotify premium so I wasn't expecting that - when it was at the end it was a little annoying but I get it they needed sponsors, then it was at the start and the end, then it was the beginning, middle, and the end. It was as bad as watching a long video on youtube!
Anyway, I'm not sure if I will actually bother with the rest. I've got a lot of things I need to read, listen to, and watch so this isn't going to be a priority.
This was an interesting idea and I enjoyed parts of it, it took a while for me to get used to the switching between narrator and drama but I got there.
That said I did not like the ending, it seemed that anyone he didn't want to include in the second season he just killed off, and for most of them it was pretty violent - it's odd I read a lot of violent books and watch a lot of horror movies but there is something about having it described with sound effects that just made it a bit 'eww" - and it felt completely unnecessary, especially as some of them still had stories untold. I suspect at least one of them was added purely just to die in the conclusion.
I did enjoy it sort of, some of it was a bit cliched but there is nothing wrong with that (and I can't comment on the accuracy of the history or science mentioned) but the way Macallan reacts to Tully's decision to save his best friend at the end is just stupid. She is immortal and can survive for longer, his best friend is being attacked by a trained assassin and doesn't have the benefit of immortality. Yes, I get that Macallan was in danger and that they had a night of sex but, to be honest with her reaction I'm thinking he made the right choice.
The other thing that bugged the heck out of me is that about ten or so episodes in you start getting adverts. Now I have Spotify premium so I wasn't expecting that - when it was at the end it was a little annoying but I get it they needed sponsors, then it was at the start and the end, then it was the beginning, middle, and the end. It was as bad as watching a long video on youtube!
Anyway, I'm not sure if I will actually bother with the rest. I've got a lot of things I need to read, listen to, and watch so this isn't going to be a priority.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2020
Is the acting great? No. Is the editing great? No. But they are both decent to good and the sound effects and music is very good indeed. While there are some plot holes and obvious bending of the laws of physics throughout the story, it really isn't any worse than your average summer blockbuster movie.
The story is good, a mix of suspense, mystery and action. The pacing is actually pretty good as well. A lot of the 1 star reviews here are for the first half of the series that ended on a cliff hanger. Due to various circumstances, it took a good long while for the first part of the second half to come out and even longer for the second part to be released. But the story is now complete and a wild ride indeed.
I suggest listening to this with the mindset of a popcorn action flick. Is it a great story? Not quite, but give it a chance and you will see that it is a good romp into an action packed world of mystery and suspense!
The story is good, a mix of suspense, mystery and action. The pacing is actually pretty good as well. A lot of the 1 star reviews here are for the first half of the series that ended on a cliff hanger. Due to various circumstances, it took a good long while for the first part of the second half to come out and even longer for the second part to be released. But the story is now complete and a wild ride indeed.
I suggest listening to this with the mindset of a popcorn action flick. Is it a great story? Not quite, but give it a chance and you will see that it is a good romp into an action packed world of mystery and suspense!
November 2, 2024
An initially impressive audio adventure about immortals who live in a utopia at the bottom of the Marianas trench, and have secrets!
Leviathan is written and directed in the style of old radio dramas, but packaged up with modern production quality. Unfortunately this means the writing can afford to be lazy, since there are lots of info dumps and everybody has an internal monologue. The characters themselves seemed motivationally challenged, and toward the end internally inconsistent. Also, the voice actors converse unnaturally, at the same fast clip and at some remove from themselves, like they are all narrators of someone else's story instead of participants in a conversation.
It was cute at first, then bizarre, but I wanted to see where the plot would take the characters. Alas, the season one finale was a tremendous disappointment, and after halfway (25 episodes), I'm out. There are much better podcasts out there.
Leviathan is written and directed in the style of old radio dramas, but packaged up with modern production quality. Unfortunately this means the writing can afford to be lazy, since there are lots of info dumps and everybody has an internal monologue. The characters themselves seemed motivationally challenged, and toward the end internally inconsistent. Also, the voice actors converse unnaturally, at the same fast clip and at some remove from themselves, like they are all narrators of someone else's story instead of participants in a conversation.
It was cute at first, then bizarre, but I wanted to see where the plot would take the characters. Alas, the season one finale was a tremendous disappointment, and after halfway (25 episodes), I'm out. There are much better podcasts out there.
February 5, 2019
I am late to the party on this one, but I am just about to finish the last episode. I was hooked on the first episode I thought it was very well written and well acted, but the other episodes did not match as time went on.
Overall I enjoyed it for what it was, but some of the characters became so dislikable to the point that I was got cross. The immortals were arrogant, perhaps this is what the author was trying to do, but I am not convinced. The constant over describing of clothing or weapons to show wealth was frustrating. But apart from that I would recommend for people to give this a go, it’s a good travel or holiday listen.
Overall I enjoyed it for what it was, but some of the characters became so dislikable to the point that I was got cross. The immortals were arrogant, perhaps this is what the author was trying to do, but I am not convinced. The constant over describing of clothing or weapons to show wealth was frustrating. But apart from that I would recommend for people to give this a go, it’s a good travel or holiday listen.
August 27, 2020
This has a lot of potential but my gosh the writing of the female protagonist, some of this belongs on the #menwritingwomen threads on twitter and the lines of Indian characters are questionable at best. Hacking and Science could definitely have had more research put into it.
I am up to Chapter 14, it's kept me interested with the storyline up until this point and I don't usually listen to this sort of podcast so I guess thats adding to the intrigue, I realise these episodes are from 2008 so I'm hoping newer episodes might be a bit less cheesy... maybe?
I am up to Chapter 14, it's kept me interested with the storyline up until this point and I don't usually listen to this sort of podcast so I guess thats adding to the intrigue, I realise these episodes are from 2008 so I'm hoping newer episodes might be a bit less cheesy... maybe?
February 18, 2022
Discovered this dramatisation on Spotify. It has 3 seasons and tells the tale of a group of immortals and there secret city under the sea with aliens. The story line it's self was predictable. If I was reading the book I would have given up after a few chapters but this made it listenable. The mystery of how the city came to be about and how the aliens fit in kept me engrossed. There was a few plot holes some of which didn't seem to get filled. How season 3 ended I assume there could be another. All in all a good little serial podcast.
September 24, 2017
The Leviathan Chronicles is an action-packed thriller that travels the globe and the depths of the ocean involving immortals, aliens, and advanced technology. I didn't like Season Two as much, mainly because the Fish Eye Freddy character seemed like more of a caricature.
August 14, 2020
Gave it a second chance, made it further. Did not finish, would not recommend.
Dialogue seems too forced and sophomoric, like everyone is desperate to out-vocabulary each other. And that ridiculous “yeah, whatever” Anton uttered about Harlequin in the Breakouts episode was the last straw.
Dialogue seems too forced and sophomoric, like everyone is desperate to out-vocabulary each other. And that ridiculous “yeah, whatever” Anton uttered about Harlequin in the Breakouts episode was the last straw.
October 15, 2023
The plot has more holes than a doughnut shop. It also manages to be inconsistent within a single episode (the protagonist has her leg broken and then 5min later, she's ok)
Unless you are a 12-year-old riddled with ADHD, avoid.
Unless you are a 12-year-old riddled with ADHD, avoid.
June 1, 2017
This is audio drama at its finest. Being a native New Yorker I could visualize all the city scenes... author has a gift... it's like a movie for your ears
February 20, 2019
Pretty unique.
May 9, 2020
Loved it!
Read
January 28, 2022Holy cow...if I had a dollar for every deux ex machina....
March 23, 2022
The story was incredible and action packed which really helps with my attention span but I felt like the character development was lacking.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews