The Lebensborn Experiment

Book 1

De: Joyce Yvette Davis

Narrado por: Kevin Gallagher

Amid the chaos and destruction of World War II, racial profiling runs rampant. After kidnapped children whose appearances fails to meet the Nordic ideal are taken to concentration camps, some are used in experiments to satisfy the Reich's quest for Aryan superiority. It is April 28, 1945, and a sinister struggle between life and death secretly takes place high in a dingy tower of a medieval castle in the Black Forest. Under the watchful eyes of Nazi Colonel Otto Strass, notorious inventor Dr. Josef Weiss injects a 10-year-old Polish boy with an experimental serum, killing him - that is, until the child, Adok, is miraculously resurrected with unforeseen side effects. Meanwhile, somewhere in the castle dungeon, a Negro American soldier, Sergeant Kapp Johnson, awaits ceremonial execution. But things go awry. On that same day, Hitler's unexpected suicide throws the castle into bedlam. In the ensuing confusion, Kapp is mistakenly given the serum. In a matter of minutes, Kapp has been given a gift even God cannot bestow upon him: eternal life on Earth. In this exciting historical thriller, an American soldier and a Polish boy who unwittingly become victims of the Nazi regime in the final days of World War II must find a way to escape their fate and find their way back home before it is too late.

©2014, 2015 Joyce Davis (P)2025 Joyce Davis

Interesting take on the genre

I'm not totally sure what drew me to this book since I'm not usually into books set during WWII or zombie-esque stories. However, I'm glad I took a chance on it because I thought it was an interesting take on both genres. There are a few cringe-worthy moments, mostly during the torture scenes including an unfortunate bunny. For the most part I thought the subject matter was handled well and Davis took an interesting direction by telling the story from both sides of the fight.

Kevin Gallagher did an excellent job narrating. His accents felt natural and not super fake, although they did get pretty thick at times. His female and children voices were also very good. But mostly, he has a great pace that might be a bit fast for some listeners, but was perfect for me.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

TOO MANY, TOO MUCH AND NOT ENOUGH & BAD COVER ART

This book had its moments but dragged on too many times and lost my attention. Not enough on the cool premise of super soldier. Narrator was OK but his cadence was odd. A sort of slow, fast, slow and too dry too much when not doing Voices so it had good and bad. His accents were very good though, it was like a whole different person (people). I get the idea on the Cover Art but it is more detracting than attracting
Provided by Book Representative for an honest review

Engrossing story with more to come!

Set in Europe during WWII, "The Lebensborn Experiment" tells a story of young children stolen from their parents and taken to state-run orphanages, “graded” like livestock for Aryan traits, and adopted out to approved German families never to see their own families again or their parents ever discovering what happened to them. One boy, Adok, is adopted by Dr. Josef Weiss as a companion to an older, mentally-damaged son. Dr. Weiss is working on an immortality serum under pressure from a Nazi colonel, Otto Strauss, and tests the serum on Adok. The boy dies but days later comes back to life with some remarkable physical enhancements: superior eyesight and hearing, the ability to climb like a spider, and apparent immortality.

At the same facility, Colonel Strauss had been holding two black American soldiers prisoner awaiting execution during an upcoming visit by Adolf Hitler himself. When Strauss receives word of Hitler’s suicide and the approach of Allied forces to the facility, he orders the doctor to dispose of the Americans. Weiss kills one but mistakenly administers the immortality serum to the other. When the soldier revives as his body is being removed from the lab, he escapes and is able to return to his old unit to fight again.

The story continues with these central figures’ stories to just after the end of the war in Europe.

This book is exciting, imaginative, and entertaining but sobering as well with the understanding that many of the things described are based in past happenings. The author has created memorable characters that I really rooted for and others that I wanted to be defeated. The title indicates this is book one giving reason to believe there is more to the story. I’ll be looking for that.

Interesting and Disturbing

This is a historical science fiction novel primarily set in Germany during World War II. It is loosely based on a true Nazi experiment. The book is interesting and subject matter is disturbing. If you like history with a science fiction twist I think you might like the story. The narration was good.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator.

Great Book!

If you could sum up The Lebensborn Experiment in three words, what would they be?

Thrilling, Suspenseful, Historical

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dr. Weiss is my favorite character. He's super creepy and I love a well written bad guy.

What about Kevin Gallagher’s performance did you like?

Kevin Gallagher is a great narrator. His inflection is clear and his voice acting keeps you engaged with the story. He really did a great job again.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Nazi's Suck