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The Forever Factor
The Forever Factor
Silicon Valley’s relentless pursuit of innovation collides with the profound quest for longevity in this thrilling new novel.
When visionary inventor Petra Alexander stumbles upon a groundbreaking discovery that could radically extend the human lifespan, she’s catapulted into the high-stakes world of Silicon Valley startups. Armed with ambition and a deeply personal drive, Petra must navigate the cutthroat corridors of tech giants, venture capitalists, and biohackers—as well as threats from powerful forces dead set against the transformative technology she’s developing.
Funded by “The Hydras,” an elite group of tech moguls dedicated to biohacking and longevity, Petra pushes the boundaries of science, spurred by her quest to find a cure for the rapid-aging disease that killed her sister and now threatens her mother. Reluctantly assuming the mantle of biotech CEO, she faces impossible Who will control access to a life-saving breakthrough? What sacrifices will she make in the name of progress? And how far is she willing to go when her own life is at risk?
Packed with gripping suspense and nuanced ethical dilemmas, The Forever Factor offers a rare glimpse into the startup culture that shapes our world. From clandestine yacht gatherings to high-stakes negotiations in Silicon Valley boardrooms, the novel intertwines scientific breakthroughs, corporate intrigue, and human drama in a narrative that will leave you questioning the very nature of life, mortality, and innovation.
Fans of Michael Crichton’s techno-thrillers and Blake Crouch’s speculative fiction will find themselves captivated by this smart, fast-paced tale that dares to Should anyone be allowed to master immortality—or does the pursuit threaten the very future of humanity?
Silicon Valley’s relentless pursuit of innovation collides with the profound quest for longevity in this thrilling new novel.
When visionary inventor Petra Alexander stumbles upon a groundbreaking discovery that could radically extend the human lifespan, she’s catapulted into the high-stakes world of Silicon Valley startups. Armed with ambition and a deeply personal drive, Petra must navigate the cutthroat corridors of tech giants, venture capitalists, and biohackers—as well as threats from powerful forces dead set against the transformative technology she’s developing.
Funded by “The Hydras,” an elite group of tech moguls dedicated to biohacking and longevity, Petra pushes the boundaries of science, spurred by her quest to find a cure for the rapid-aging disease that killed her sister and now threatens her mother. Reluctantly assuming the mantle of biotech CEO, she faces impossible Who will control access to a life-saving breakthrough? What sacrifices will she make in the name of progress? And how far is she willing to go when her own life is at risk?
Packed with gripping suspense and nuanced ethical dilemmas, The Forever Factor offers a rare glimpse into the startup culture that shapes our world. From clandestine yacht gatherings to high-stakes negotiations in Silicon Valley boardrooms, the novel intertwines scientific breakthroughs, corporate intrigue, and human drama in a narrative that will leave you questioning the very nature of life, mortality, and innovation.
Fans of Michael Crichton’s techno-thrillers and Blake Crouch’s speculative fiction will find themselves captivated by this smart, fast-paced tale that dares to Should anyone be allowed to master immortality—or does the pursuit threaten the very future of humanity?
412 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2025
22 people are currently reading
1032 people want to read
About the author
Tom Hogan
23 books55 followersFrom archaeological digs in Israel to life in both Protestant and Catholic seminaries to launching tech startups in Silicon Valley, Tom Hogan has led a fascinating life. And he brings that richness of experience to his writing, both fiction and non-fiction.
Archaeology: Undergraduate and graduate work in Biblical History and Archaeology led Tom to become a ceramic specialist on digs in Israel, dating strata (levels of civilization) by the type and quality of ceramic shards discovered there. That led to work at the Harvard Semitic Museum, where he worked with the team deciphering the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Holocaust: Funded by a grant from the National Conference for Community and Justice, Tom developed one of the first programs for introducing the Holocaust into high school and university curricula. He then became a lecturer in Holocaust Studies at Santa Clara University. In 2000 he took a five-year sabbatical from his work in tech marketing (below) to become an associate professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at UC Santa Cruz.
Technology Marketing: Tom joined Oracle in its early days as the company’s first Creative Director, developing the marketing programs (including ORACLE Magazine and Oracle Open World) that distinguished the company in its early days. He eventually migrated to the VC (Venture Capital) world as the founder of Crowded Ocean, a small agency that specialized in launching startups. Crowded Ocean has launched 51 startups, with 17 of them going public or being acquired, a remarkable 33% success rate in an industry where 10% is considered great.
Writing: While doing his graduate work in Biblical Archaeology at Harvard, his novel (which later became What the Hell) was selected by the Nieman Foundation for sponsorship, which included being coached by Ann Beattie. Over the years he wrote for a number of political and travel journals, including an article for Newsweek about pedophilia in the Catholic Church. In 2018 he retired from Silicon Valley and moved to Austin to write full-time.
Archaeology: Undergraduate and graduate work in Biblical History and Archaeology led Tom to become a ceramic specialist on digs in Israel, dating strata (levels of civilization) by the type and quality of ceramic shards discovered there. That led to work at the Harvard Semitic Museum, where he worked with the team deciphering the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Holocaust: Funded by a grant from the National Conference for Community and Justice, Tom developed one of the first programs for introducing the Holocaust into high school and university curricula. He then became a lecturer in Holocaust Studies at Santa Clara University. In 2000 he took a five-year sabbatical from his work in tech marketing (below) to become an associate professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at UC Santa Cruz.
Technology Marketing: Tom joined Oracle in its early days as the company’s first Creative Director, developing the marketing programs (including ORACLE Magazine and Oracle Open World) that distinguished the company in its early days. He eventually migrated to the VC (Venture Capital) world as the founder of Crowded Ocean, a small agency that specialized in launching startups. Crowded Ocean has launched 51 startups, with 17 of them going public or being acquired, a remarkable 33% success rate in an industry where 10% is considered great.
Writing: While doing his graduate work in Biblical Archaeology at Harvard, his novel (which later became What the Hell) was selected by the Nieman Foundation for sponsorship, which included being coached by Ann Beattie. Over the years he wrote for a number of political and travel journals, including an article for Newsweek about pedophilia in the Catholic Church. In 2018 he retired from Silicon Valley and moved to Austin to write full-time.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 25, 2025
An awesome different subject line. Well written, easily read, held me to the pages like a magnet. I'm not saying anymore. Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2025
The Forever Factor is a biotech thriller that explores what it means to chase immortality in a world where power and progress never come without a price.
Petra Alexander isn’t your typical tech CEO, she’s a brilliant, reluctant genius driven not by greed but by the grief of losing her sister and the ticking clock on her mother’s life.
When her anti-aging breakthrough catches the eye of "The Hydras”, a cabal of billionaire biohackers funding the race to beat death, Petra enters the world of mega-money longevity science, where ideas are currency, people are pawns, and failure isn't just costly… it’s lethal.
🧬 What Worked:
* Petra: A standout lead. She's ambitious but conflicted, vulnerable yet formidable. Her emotional arc grounds the science, and I appreciated that she’s portrayed with complexity, not your stereotypical “female genius” trope.
* Tech realism: The scientific detail feels sharp and well-researched without bogging the story down. If you’ve ever wondered what it would actually take to slow down aging, this book doesn’t shy away from the gritty (and ethical) mechanics.
* Big questions: Should we live forever? Who gets to decide who can? The novel’s strength is how it raises these without hitting you over the head with moralising.
* The pacing: Action, espionage, backroom VC deals, yacht summits, and biotech sabotage? I was hooked.
If you like your thrillers thought-provoking, tech-laced, and character-driven, The Forever Factor delivers in spades. It reads like The Social Network meets Limitless with a dash of Westworld, a sleek biotech drama that dares to ask whether living forever is worth the cost of your humanity.
Petra Alexander isn’t your typical tech CEO, she’s a brilliant, reluctant genius driven not by greed but by the grief of losing her sister and the ticking clock on her mother’s life.
When her anti-aging breakthrough catches the eye of "The Hydras”, a cabal of billionaire biohackers funding the race to beat death, Petra enters the world of mega-money longevity science, where ideas are currency, people are pawns, and failure isn't just costly… it’s lethal.
🧬 What Worked:
* Petra: A standout lead. She's ambitious but conflicted, vulnerable yet formidable. Her emotional arc grounds the science, and I appreciated that she’s portrayed with complexity, not your stereotypical “female genius” trope.
* Tech realism: The scientific detail feels sharp and well-researched without bogging the story down. If you’ve ever wondered what it would actually take to slow down aging, this book doesn’t shy away from the gritty (and ethical) mechanics.
* Big questions: Should we live forever? Who gets to decide who can? The novel’s strength is how it raises these without hitting you over the head with moralising.
* The pacing: Action, espionage, backroom VC deals, yacht summits, and biotech sabotage? I was hooked.
If you like your thrillers thought-provoking, tech-laced, and character-driven, The Forever Factor delivers in spades. It reads like The Social Network meets Limitless with a dash of Westworld, a sleek biotech drama that dares to ask whether living forever is worth the cost of your humanity.
December 26, 2025
The Forever Factor is a fast, smart, and thought-provoking story about science, power, and how far people are willing to go to change life itself.
The story follows Petra Alexander, a brilliant inventor who discovers something that could dramatically extend human life. What starts as a scientific breakthrough quickly turns into something much bigger and more dangerous. Powerful people want control of her discovery, and Petra is pulled into a world of tech elites, secret deals, and moral choices that could affect humanity forever.
What I liked most is how real the story feels. Even though it deals with advanced science and big ideas, the emotions feel grounded. Petra isn’t a superhero, she’s human, driven, conflicted, and often unsure of who to trust. The book asks important questions about ambition, ethics, and what it really means to “improve” humanity.
The pacing is steady, the tension builds naturally, and the story blends science, technology, and human drama in a way that’s easy to follow. If you enjoy thrillers that make you think, especially stories about the future of science and the cost of progress, this book is worth reading.
The story follows Petra Alexander, a brilliant inventor who discovers something that could dramatically extend human life. What starts as a scientific breakthrough quickly turns into something much bigger and more dangerous. Powerful people want control of her discovery, and Petra is pulled into a world of tech elites, secret deals, and moral choices that could affect humanity forever.
What I liked most is how real the story feels. Even though it deals with advanced science and big ideas, the emotions feel grounded. Petra isn’t a superhero, she’s human, driven, conflicted, and often unsure of who to trust. The book asks important questions about ambition, ethics, and what it really means to “improve” humanity.
The pacing is steady, the tension builds naturally, and the story blends science, technology, and human drama in a way that’s easy to follow. If you enjoy thrillers that make you think, especially stories about the future of science and the cost of progress, this book is worth reading.
December 17, 2025
The Forever Factor is a gripping, intelligent techno-thriller that seamlessly blends cutting-edge science, Silicon Valley ambition, and deeply human stakes. Tom Hogan and Amanda Iles deliver a fast-paced narrative that explores the seductive promise, and terrifying consequences, of radically extending human life. Through Petra Alexander’s journey, the novel raises urgent questions about power, access, and morality in a world where longevity becomes a commodity.
What truly elevates this book is its balance of suspense and substance. The authors immerse readers in the ruthless startup ecosystem while grounding the story in emotional urgency and ethical tension. The result is a novel that feels both thrilling and disturbingly plausible. The Forever Factor doesn’t just entertain, it provokes reflection on mortality, innovation, and who gets to decide the future of humanity. A smart, cinematic read that lingers long after the final page
What truly elevates this book is its balance of suspense and substance. The authors immerse readers in the ruthless startup ecosystem while grounding the story in emotional urgency and ethical tension. The result is a novel that feels both thrilling and disturbingly plausible. The Forever Factor doesn’t just entertain, it provokes reflection on mortality, innovation, and who gets to decide the future of humanity. A smart, cinematic read that lingers long after the final page
January 7, 2026
The Forever Factor is a gripping, fast paced techno thriller that seamlessly blends Silicon Valley ambition with the ethical weight of human longevity. Tom Hogan and Amanda Iles deliver a story that feels chillingly plausible, driven by sharp pacing, high stakes, and moral complexity. What stands out most is the balance between scientific innovation and emotional urgency, particularly through Petra Alexander’s deeply personal motivations. The exploration of power, access, and the cost of progress elevates this novel beyond suspense into thought provoking speculative fiction. A compelling read that will resonate strongly with fans of Michael Crichton and Blake Crouch.
August 4, 2025
The Start-up trials and the tribulations of a talented female scientist turned into a CEO. The ramifications of longer life span drug extensions are evaluated in some detail. Rather long stretches of character dialog.
June 21, 2025
Review to come.
June 30, 2025
an exciting read!
November 12, 2025
The Forever Factor is a riveting blend of science, suspense, and soul, Tom Hogan masterfully explores how ambition and morality collide in the race to conquer time itself.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews