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The Deathless #1
The Last Mortal Man
When a strange new technology wages war on the foundation of nanobiology, causing a wave of destruction that could destroy humanity, Jack Sterling, who is allergic to the very nanobiology that made his family's fortune, is the world's only hope of survival. Original.
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 6, 2006
About the author
Syne Mitchell
15 books48 followersWife of Eric S. Nylund
Syne Mitchell (born 1970) is a novelist in the science fiction genre.[1] She has a bachelor's degree in business administration and master's degree in physics. She lives in Seattle, Washington and is married to author Eric S. Nylund. Her first science fiction novel was Murphy’s Gambit which won the Compton Crook Award in 2001. She subsequently published the first installment of the Deathless series, called The Last Mortal Man. She is currently working on podcasting and writing non-fiction essays.
According to her blog, Mitchell's The Last Mortal Man series has not been chosen for further publication. As a result, she has chosen to pursue other series. To further this goal, she has joined a local writer's group.
Mitchell publishes an online magazine for handweavers, WeaveZine, and produces a monthly podcast, WeaveCast.
The Deathless series was canceled by ROC publishing due to "sluggish sales." Syne Mitchell wrote a preview of Book 2, which was added to the back of Book 1.
Syne Mitchell (born 1970) is a novelist in the science fiction genre.[1] She has a bachelor's degree in business administration and master's degree in physics. She lives in Seattle, Washington and is married to author Eric S. Nylund. Her first science fiction novel was Murphy’s Gambit which won the Compton Crook Award in 2001. She subsequently published the first installment of the Deathless series, called The Last Mortal Man. She is currently working on podcasting and writing non-fiction essays.
According to her blog, Mitchell's The Last Mortal Man series has not been chosen for further publication. As a result, she has chosen to pursue other series. To further this goal, she has joined a local writer's group.
Mitchell publishes an online magazine for handweavers, WeaveZine, and produces a monthly podcast, WeaveCast.
The Deathless series was canceled by ROC publishing due to "sluggish sales." Syne Mitchell wrote a preview of Book 2, which was added to the back of Book 1.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 18, 2016
I'll go ahead and list one major complaint right here, which isn't a spoiler and not the author's fault. According to Mitchell's blog, the publisher has declined the rest of the series due to the sales of this title. I don't know if Mitchell will find another publisher for it or not (it'll be a shame if she doesn't), but I have to say, talk about disappointing. I think the title stands enough on its own, meaning it doesn't leave you with a major cliff-hanger, but knowing the series won't continue? Beyond annoying. [return][return]It deserves to continue. [return][return]I feel bad recommending this since I know it's book one in a series that's been axed, but you know what? It's a good book. Good action, solid characters, and a kick-ass female heroine who's believable and complex in a very positive way. Once I got started, I found myself wanting to track down Mitchell's other titles, because her prose is a smooth read, her characters are believable, and premises good. And I'll do that too, look for Mitchell's other titles. I just hope another publisher picks up this series and gives it the run it deserves. Book one is a lot of fun, and I can only imagine how fascinating the rest of the series would be, should Mitchell ever get to publish it. [return][return]For a full review, which may or may not include spoilers, just click here: http://calico-reaction.livejournal.co...
November 15, 2020
One of the most memorable SciFi books I've read in the 2000s, and one of the best plots involving attempts at longevity through technology.
July 17, 2007
"The Last Mortal Man" book by Syne Mitchell is the first book in the Deathless series. It was a really strange one...
It's a sci-fi set in a not so distant future on Earth. The Sterling company has developed nano-technology that allows people to become Deathless, virtually Immortal. For almost two hundreds years everything worked just fine, but then, the disassemblers appeared, a tiny, new-generation nano-technology, that destroyes the old one. The world started to crumble and hundreds of thousands of people died in a matter of seconds. And that's the beginning of the story...
The main heroes are Alexa DuBois and Jack Sterling, the great-grandson of Lucius Sterling, the founder of the Sterling company.
The Immortals can't have children, but Lucius decided to have one anyway and thanks to an artificial insemination, he really did have a kid with his current flame. His great-grandson Jack
is allergic to nano-technology though, and has to live in the so called Dead Zone where there is no nano-technology present. He lives in Watershed Valley in the religious community of the Mennonites.
Alexa is a dying girl who wanted to kill Lucius Sterling but he makes her his best weapon and bodyguard, turning her into a ruthless Deathless who is ordered to protect the Sterling children above everything else.
And then there is the little girl, Isobel... But that would spoil the main plot :)
The actual story is set in an apocalyptic world and opens the question if it's right to save one individual at the cost of millions of other lives - and that's the main problem of the story too. You can't feel sorry for anything that happens to the main heroes because through their so called humanity they spread death around ruthlessly. To save one village, Jack kills thousands of people by blowing up an airport... To save one girl, Jack sacrifices at least a dozen children younger than she...
I have never encountered a book that was so full of betrayal, selfishness, mistrust and ruthless killing where one wasn't needed and indecision where a merciless strike really was needed. And I'm not even talking about the Mennonite with their Old Ways and Bible preaching; they treated women like rags, beating them and denying them their rights - with Jack just looking away to "not make it even worse". Alexa doesn't trust anyone, not even Jack, and she has all the bones in her body crushed, looses legs and arms like she is shagging hair. Jack doesn't trust anybody, not even Alexa and survives time and time again severe allergic reactions... etc.
It's a sci-fi set in a not so distant future on Earth. The Sterling company has developed nano-technology that allows people to become Deathless, virtually Immortal. For almost two hundreds years everything worked just fine, but then, the disassemblers appeared, a tiny, new-generation nano-technology, that destroyes the old one. The world started to crumble and hundreds of thousands of people died in a matter of seconds. And that's the beginning of the story...
The main heroes are Alexa DuBois and Jack Sterling, the great-grandson of Lucius Sterling, the founder of the Sterling company.
The Immortals can't have children, but Lucius decided to have one anyway and thanks to an artificial insemination, he really did have a kid with his current flame. His great-grandson Jack
is allergic to nano-technology though, and has to live in the so called Dead Zone where there is no nano-technology present. He lives in Watershed Valley in the religious community of the Mennonites.
Alexa is a dying girl who wanted to kill Lucius Sterling but he makes her his best weapon and bodyguard, turning her into a ruthless Deathless who is ordered to protect the Sterling children above everything else.
And then there is the little girl, Isobel... But that would spoil the main plot :)
The actual story is set in an apocalyptic world and opens the question if it's right to save one individual at the cost of millions of other lives - and that's the main problem of the story too. You can't feel sorry for anything that happens to the main heroes because through their so called humanity they spread death around ruthlessly. To save one village, Jack kills thousands of people by blowing up an airport... To save one girl, Jack sacrifices at least a dozen children younger than she...
I have never encountered a book that was so full of betrayal, selfishness, mistrust and ruthless killing where one wasn't needed and indecision where a merciless strike really was needed. And I'm not even talking about the Mennonite with their Old Ways and Bible preaching; they treated women like rags, beating them and denying them their rights - with Jack just looking away to "not make it even worse". Alexa doesn't trust anyone, not even Jack, and she has all the bones in her body crushed, looses legs and arms like she is shagging hair. Jack doesn't trust anybody, not even Alexa and survives time and time again severe allergic reactions... etc.
February 5, 2014
This was an exciting technology-based science fiction. With a heavy emphasis on science, this story made nanotechnology exciting, yet very accessible to layman readers.
I’m not really knowledgable about nanotechology or nanobiology, anything overly science-y. There were a few descriptions and explanations that I didn’t understand, but most of the science was written in a way that even I could understand and believe. The book’s beginning sections build up a scary future where nanotechology is in everything. It builds slowly, like most technology, and each new introduction sounds great. It’s exactly the way things happen now, which makes this a bit frightening.
Offsetting the technology is the main character Jack, who’s allergic to the nanotechnology. I love his character. He’s kind and friendly, and is an all-around good guy. It’s easy to like, admire, and pity everything he goes through.
Alexa is a different story. I liked her in the beginning, when she was a regular person trying to survive. By the end though, she seemed more like a robot machine than a person. I didn’t care for her by then, mainly because her personality seemed nonexistent.
Overall, this was a fun and exciting book. When I finished, I immediately went looking for the next book in the series, and was severely disappointed to learn that the rest of the series was never published. It definitely should have been, as the story was quite good, and I wanted more. Luckily, the main plot was wrapped up enough that there was no cliffhanger ending, but I still really wish there was more to read in the series.
I’m not really knowledgable about nanotechology or nanobiology, anything overly science-y. There were a few descriptions and explanations that I didn’t understand, but most of the science was written in a way that even I could understand and believe. The book’s beginning sections build up a scary future where nanotechology is in everything. It builds slowly, like most technology, and each new introduction sounds great. It’s exactly the way things happen now, which makes this a bit frightening.
Offsetting the technology is the main character Jack, who’s allergic to the nanotechnology. I love his character. He’s kind and friendly, and is an all-around good guy. It’s easy to like, admire, and pity everything he goes through.
Alexa is a different story. I liked her in the beginning, when she was a regular person trying to survive. By the end though, she seemed more like a robot machine than a person. I didn’t care for her by then, mainly because her personality seemed nonexistent.
Overall, this was a fun and exciting book. When I finished, I immediately went looking for the next book in the series, and was severely disappointed to learn that the rest of the series was never published. It definitely should have been, as the story was quite good, and I wanted more. Luckily, the main plot was wrapped up enough that there was no cliffhanger ending, but I still really wish there was more to read in the series.
January 3, 2008
Another one of my all-time favorite books. Great look at society where death has been defeated ... at a price. Unfortunately, I've heard that because the book didn't do as well as hoped, this "Book One" is the only one that will be published. Annoying as it ends with the beginning of Book Two!
November 15, 2017
Should have been about 100 pages shorter.
January 22, 2018
It took me a very long time to get through this book, but that doesn't mean it wasn't enjoyable. I'm not sure that I'll read he subsequent novels, as it was a bit heavy on violence for my tastes.
July 15, 2018
Interesting read, although I did not buy the whole Nano-biology thing. 3.5 stars.
September 6, 2022
bonkers good! it is criminal that this was discontinued
February 15, 2016
The first part was great, the rest was extremely annoying. The author suddenly decided that every character in the book was a complete idiot. One of the main characters, who had been built up into a supremely competent, self assured woman suddenly made every decision wrong. Every single one. Every couple of pages. Every quality that she had up until then was thrown away. It was very annoying, and the teaser at the end for the next book showed that the next book didn't improve in any way. By the end of the book, I didn't care about any of the main characters at all... or any of the side characters. I'd skip this series. By the way, there is no 'last mortal man' included in this book. There are some people who are turned immortal, but they are eventually revealed to only number a thousand or so out of billions. Nor does he somehow become the last man on earth. Nor is he even the only man on earth unaltered by the book's ubiquitous technology. I hate titles that misrepresent the book.
Update: I guess another big problem I had with this book was the entire underlying technology: Nanotech that's all biology based, but somehow makes everything - every little thing - out of upgraded techno DNA with more base pairs. The new tech from the story destroys all the old tech when even one molecule of it touches an object made with the old tech. Look, how the heck did they make everything out of this? Like, plastic, or glass windows, or things made of metal? This is the big reveal, and the author didn't think this through at all!
Update: I guess another big problem I had with this book was the entire underlying technology: Nanotech that's all biology based, but somehow makes everything - every little thing - out of upgraded techno DNA with more base pairs. The new tech from the story destroys all the old tech when even one molecule of it touches an object made with the old tech. Look, how the heck did they make everything out of this? Like, plastic, or glass windows, or things made of metal? This is the big reveal, and the author didn't think this through at all!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2012
The Story: Alexa DuBois is a Deathless, converted with nanotechnology to be immortal. She didn’t plan it but when an assassination attempt on the creator of the technology, Lucius Sterling, goes wrong, she ends up with few choices. Ironically she becomes bodyguard to the intended victim and is indentured to serve for over 150 years. Things get interesting when a plague is released that destroys all nano-enhanced items both organic and inorganic – a problem when almost every human is enhanced or Deathless. The unenhanced son of Sterling has to rescue the planet by neutralizing the threat.
My Thoughts: This is a well written story that has a nice blend of tech talk and plausible science with a good story about what life would be like for an immortal and some morality lessons as well. The characters are well developed and caused me to react to them in realistic ways. Alexa in particular is a very interesting character who undergoes a lot of changes and wrestles with some serious decisions. I really liked the book and was looking forward to reading the sequel which was previewed in the back but then I found out the publisher did not pick up the sequel due to soft sales of this book.
My Thoughts: This is a well written story that has a nice blend of tech talk and plausible science with a good story about what life would be like for an immortal and some morality lessons as well. The characters are well developed and caused me to react to them in realistic ways. Alexa in particular is a very interesting character who undergoes a lot of changes and wrestles with some serious decisions. I really liked the book and was looking forward to reading the sequel which was previewed in the back but then I found out the publisher did not pick up the sequel due to soft sales of this book.
September 15, 2007
Set in the future, immortality can be bought by only the wealthiest people. Thanks to scientific advances made by Lucius Sterling’s corporation, all of society has become dependent on nanotechnology to complete tasks ranging from the simplest to the most advanced, including a conversion process to become immortal. It is almost inconceivable when Lucius’ descendent, Jack, is born with a life threatening allergy to all nanotechnology. Instead of living a life of seclusion, Jack seeks refuge in Montana with the Mennonites, one of the last pristine places untouched by scientific advances. When an unknown threat begins destroying everything that is based on nanotechnology, including the immortals, Jack must find a solution to prevent the entire destruction of civilization. An action packed science fiction thriller.
December 23, 2011
From the back of the book: In the twenty-fourth century, nano-designed biology has turned the world into humanity's playground. And entrepreneur Lucius Sterling has created a trillion-dollar empire solving the world's problems: poverty, disease, war, and even death. But when a new technology attacks the fundamental building blocks of nano-biology, the survival of humanity is at stake.And only Sterling's estranged grandson, Jack, can stop the destruction.
This book is part of a trilogy, but I don't believe I'll be looking for the other 2 books to finish reading it. I found the characters to be selfish, hateful, emotionless people and couldn't bring myself to care if any of them survived. I had it figured out who was behind the attacks 1/4 of the way into the story. Quite a let down.
This book is part of a trilogy, but I don't believe I'll be looking for the other 2 books to finish reading it. I found the characters to be selfish, hateful, emotionless people and couldn't bring myself to care if any of them survived. I had it figured out who was behind the attacks 1/4 of the way into the story. Quite a let down.
August 30, 2009
Interesting story and characters. The science was almost really cool, but some of the applications of it were inconsistent. (So everyone knows everything through Gaia-Net and yet there are all these private conversations and secret deals? ) Did draw me in rather thoroughly and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2007
This book started out with a lot of promise. I'm usually not interested in science fiction, but this book has an interesting premise. I wouldn't be surprised if the book was turned into a movie some day. The book I could've done without reading though.
September 29, 2014
Interesting but not that absorbing. The last mortal man obviously isn't quite right seeing as there are people other than him without any nanotechnology, though from choice not an allergy. And while I made it though this book I won't be looking for the rest.
November 5, 2012
The Last Mortal Man by Syne Mitchell (8/10)
SF. A bit slow to start because she needed to build up her future before she could start tearing it down, but a good story and a good start to a trilogy.
[Copied across from Library Thing; 5 November 2012]
SF. A bit slow to start because she needed to build up her future before she could start tearing it down, but a good story and a good start to a trilogy.
[Copied across from Library Thing; 5 November 2012]
Read
March 31, 2015Fun fast read. Favorite part of this book might be the love triangle between a mortal man am immortal killing machine of a woman and a Mennonite girl living in the 24th century. Shame about the series
June 14, 2007
cool sci-fi. nanobiology taken too far.
February 17, 2008
pretty good book but the author is taking FOREVER to write the next book.
May 11, 2008
Set in the near future when nano-technology can greatly extend life, and for the fortunate few, grant virtual immortality.
October 22, 2008
read this book and join the fans who demand a book two of the Deathless.
Read
July 2, 2009Quite entertaining
May 5, 2012
I thought this book was very creative and well written. I really enjoyed it.
April 22, 2013
Nothing to get excited about. Written like a multiple book series with nothing to follow.
July 29, 2013
Read this many years ago and kinda loved it. Sadly, there never was published a book 2 due to, apparently, poor sales of this first one.
August 23, 2014
Fast read and fun. Wish it were somewhat shorter - it gets repetitive (Alexa almost dying 5 times) near the end. Will read the next one.
August 13, 2015
perf pulp scifi that ends on a cliffhanger and went out of print, rip forever
November 9, 2015
Great book I've reread it many times. I would love her to write the next two in the series this is a must read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews