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The Prometheus Option
THE QUBE UNLOCKS THE SECRETS OF NATURE. SOME WILL RISK WAR TO STEAL IT.
Silicon Valley pharmaceuticals CEO Peter Struve has spent seven years and eleven billion dollars to turn the brilliant Emily Dura’s secret dream into reality.
They have created the QUBE: a new kind of computer that can solve the hardest problems of science, medicine, molecular design—and much more. It could usher in a new age of prosperity for humankind, and upend the existing world order in the process.
Unfortunately, Peter's secret was not nearly as secret as he had hoped.
CTO Aidan O'Keefe has his own plans for Emily's invention. His attempt to seize control of StruvePharma leads to tragedy.
FBI agent Laurel Wynn is sent to investigate. Together with SP’s chief of security, former Force Recon Marine John Shea, she uncovers a trail of spies and traitors that leads overseas, to powerful enemies with terrifying resources.
And in the meantime, Peter must recruit the one person in all the world who has the least reason to trust him: Jack Dura, Emily's bitter but equally brilliant ex-husband — the only one alive who can unravel the final mysteries of the QUBE and propel science into a radical new future.
What unfolds is an epic tale of science, spies, and soldiers as the battle to control this technology spins out of control, with world-shaking consequences.
THE VICTOR WILL GAIN THE POWER TO SAVE HUMANITY—OR DESTROY IT.
"Never short on cleverness and zeal." — Kirkus Reviews
"Plan on a long lazy weekend, because once you start, you won’t be able to put it down." — A-Thrill-A-Week
Silicon Valley pharmaceuticals CEO Peter Struve has spent seven years and eleven billion dollars to turn the brilliant Emily Dura’s secret dream into reality.
They have created the QUBE: a new kind of computer that can solve the hardest problems of science, medicine, molecular design—and much more. It could usher in a new age of prosperity for humankind, and upend the existing world order in the process.
Unfortunately, Peter's secret was not nearly as secret as he had hoped.
CTO Aidan O'Keefe has his own plans for Emily's invention. His attempt to seize control of StruvePharma leads to tragedy.
FBI agent Laurel Wynn is sent to investigate. Together with SP’s chief of security, former Force Recon Marine John Shea, she uncovers a trail of spies and traitors that leads overseas, to powerful enemies with terrifying resources.
And in the meantime, Peter must recruit the one person in all the world who has the least reason to trust him: Jack Dura, Emily's bitter but equally brilliant ex-husband — the only one alive who can unravel the final mysteries of the QUBE and propel science into a radical new future.
What unfolds is an epic tale of science, spies, and soldiers as the battle to control this technology spins out of control, with world-shaking consequences.
THE VICTOR WILL GAIN THE POWER TO SAVE HUMANITY—OR DESTROY IT.
"Never short on cleverness and zeal." — Kirkus Reviews
"Plan on a long lazy weekend, because once you start, you won’t be able to put it down." — A-Thrill-A-Week
660 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2016
2 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Kirk
2 books1 followerJeff Kirk is a long-time veteran of Silicon Valley. He studied biology and chemistry at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, the University of New Mexico and the University of California at Berkeley. Then he found out he liked being a computer geek, and against all odds, he still does. He’s worked for startups as well as the most successful companies in the technology business, including Microsoft and Google. He works in Silicon Valley but lives in New Mexico.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 14, 2016
“Out cold.” He looked up at Jack. “Hell of a punch for a biologist.” “Biophysicist,” said Jack. “We’re the supermen of science.”
This was exciting, quite modern and very well-priced (as in, free). I did feel that sometimes it was a little too into the future to be real. I have as much of a lay person's grasp of quantum mechanics as anyone but because so much of the extrapolation is theoretical there's always a disconnect between the science and the future of any story. This was, sadly, unusually strong here.
I didn't really feel connected to any of the characters, either. The focus wasn't on one person in particular for enough of the story to make it interesting, and knowing who the bad guys were all along didn't really keep the adrenaline flowing. An enjoyable futuretech idea with some potent action scenes, but not really with much literary power.
This was exciting, quite modern and very well-priced (as in, free). I did feel that sometimes it was a little too into the future to be real. I have as much of a lay person's grasp of quantum mechanics as anyone but because so much of the extrapolation is theoretical there's always a disconnect between the science and the future of any story. This was, sadly, unusually strong here.
I didn't really feel connected to any of the characters, either. The focus wasn't on one person in particular for enough of the story to make it interesting, and knowing who the bad guys were all along didn't really keep the adrenaline flowing. An enjoyable futuretech idea with some potent action scenes, but not really with much literary power.
May 31, 2016
Incredibly . . . credible. One of my favorite hi-tech thrillers ever. I hardly came up for air all weekend.
October 22, 2016
FANTASTIC FIRST BOOK. I rarely give 4 stars, especially for a first book, but this one deserves it. The Prometheus Option is the first book by Jeff Kirk so I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was an amazingly complex techno thriller storyline, especially for a debut novel. This is a standalone but there is a soft cliffhanger for possible future books. Warning: There is a lot of violence and death.
At times this novel seemed more like reading a textbook. Not surprising since the much of the book takes place in the company's labs. The Prometheus Option will appeal to those those readers who are more left-brained. Other readers will find parts of it too dry and too educational. It gets better if you keep on reading through the dry parts and just want the action of a thriller.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat all of that info here. The author did a good job of setting the stage for the Qube. The characters are multi-dimensional and well written with vivid imagery of both the character descriptions as well as the technology and what it can do. There are plenty of twists and turns and surprises to keep you reading. As usual not everything, or everyone, are as they appear.
Overall it is a fantastic story and worth taking some time to read. I hope the author writes additional books about Jack, Laurel, and the rest of the team.
I was given a copy of this book and chose to write a review for it.
At times this novel seemed more like reading a textbook. Not surprising since the much of the book takes place in the company's labs. The Prometheus Option will appeal to those those readers who are more left-brained. Other readers will find parts of it too dry and too educational. It gets better if you keep on reading through the dry parts and just want the action of a thriller.
The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat all of that info here. The author did a good job of setting the stage for the Qube. The characters are multi-dimensional and well written with vivid imagery of both the character descriptions as well as the technology and what it can do. There are plenty of twists and turns and surprises to keep you reading. As usual not everything, or everyone, are as they appear.
Overall it is a fantastic story and worth taking some time to read. I hope the author writes additional books about Jack, Laurel, and the rest of the team.
I was given a copy of this book and chose to write a review for it.
August 12, 2016
Corporate conspiracy, state-of-the-art technology, government spying, nuclear explosion, and Armageddon pretty much sums up Jeff Kirk’s latest novel, The Prometheus Option. The story revolves around the state-of-the-art technology known as quantum computing with a computer being designed by a company known as StruvePharma, a pharmaceutical company run by CEO Peter Struve. Struve got into designing a quantum computer to help design better drugs, but eventually it became the entire focus of the company. Designing a quantum computer is not cheap and it is not long before StruvePharma needs more money, so Struve begins looking for new investors. This is when everything goes to hell in a handbag and StruvePharma is placed in a center of a maelstrom for which there is no coming back.
Heroes, geeks, spies, traitors, and one truly evil SOB, make up a generous array of characters throughout The Prometheus Option. Most notable is Jack Dura, who is the true genius behind the quantum computer and I am sure will be a primary focus as the series continues. Then there is Aidan O’Keefe, the villain of The Prometheus Option that makes even the most evil of scientists look tame. And no techno-thriller would be complete if there wasn’t a beautiful FBI agent which is embodied in the character Laurel Wynn.
The Prometheus Option has been Jeff Kirk’s brain child for the last three years and his diligence has paid off. Kirk’s love of techno gadgets resonates throughout the novel which I am sure will please the more technically inclined and fascinate those that may only have a passing interest. For those of you that are Silicon Valley residents, you will appreciate that the backdrop of The Prometheus Option focuses on the San Francisco Bay area, as Kirk’s familiarity of the area is epitomized throughout the novel.
The Prometheus Option is a fairly long novel, but the action never stops. So plan on a long lazy weekend, because once you start, you won’t be able to put it down.
If you are interested in learning more about the Prometheus Option Series check it out on my blog A-Thrill-A-Week
Heroes, geeks, spies, traitors, and one truly evil SOB, make up a generous array of characters throughout The Prometheus Option. Most notable is Jack Dura, who is the true genius behind the quantum computer and I am sure will be a primary focus as the series continues. Then there is Aidan O’Keefe, the villain of The Prometheus Option that makes even the most evil of scientists look tame. And no techno-thriller would be complete if there wasn’t a beautiful FBI agent which is embodied in the character Laurel Wynn.
The Prometheus Option has been Jeff Kirk’s brain child for the last three years and his diligence has paid off. Kirk’s love of techno gadgets resonates throughout the novel which I am sure will please the more technically inclined and fascinate those that may only have a passing interest. For those of you that are Silicon Valley residents, you will appreciate that the backdrop of The Prometheus Option focuses on the San Francisco Bay area, as Kirk’s familiarity of the area is epitomized throughout the novel.
The Prometheus Option is a fairly long novel, but the action never stops. So plan on a long lazy weekend, because once you start, you won’t be able to put it down.
If you are interested in learning more about the Prometheus Option Series check it out on my blog A-Thrill-A-Week
July 13, 2016
If you think you do not like reading science fiction, think again!
When the Prometheus Option by Jeff Kirk was first published, it was recommended to me by a friend. I did not know what to expect knowing that science fiction was really not my first choice (I am more of a human interest reader). As of today, I read the Prometheus Option twice! The first read took me by a storm. Numerous times, I was heard saying "O My Gosh!". The writing is rich, the action is captivating to the point that I was reluctant to put the book down. It had been a long time since a novel had such an effect on me. Since reading the Prometheus Option, I have a hard time getting into another novel. So far none can capture my attention with such intensity. I am grateful to the author for those days when I knew I could return to an exciting read. I can't wait for Jeff Kirk's next novel!
When the Prometheus Option by Jeff Kirk was first published, it was recommended to me by a friend. I did not know what to expect knowing that science fiction was really not my first choice (I am more of a human interest reader). As of today, I read the Prometheus Option twice! The first read took me by a storm. Numerous times, I was heard saying "O My Gosh!". The writing is rich, the action is captivating to the point that I was reluctant to put the book down. It had been a long time since a novel had such an effect on me. Since reading the Prometheus Option, I have a hard time getting into another novel. So far none can capture my attention with such intensity. I am grateful to the author for those days when I knew I could return to an exciting read. I can't wait for Jeff Kirk's next novel!
August 24, 2016
A Fun, Smart, Suspenseful Thriller That Unfolds at a Breakneck Pace
This novel is a fast-paced, and plausible, tale of just how disruptive a new technology might be. Kirk's obviously well-researched background explanation of real-world technology dovetails seamlessly with the invented technology of the novel, allowing one to immerse in the plot with no nagging "would that work?" sort of questions. The characters are well-drawn and distinct, and the book is a genuine page-turner. While being a techno-thriller, I also learned a bit about certain areas of science and biology, but that felt neither didactic nor a distraction from the plot. If you liked Neal Stephenson's _REAMDE: A Novel_, give this one a read.
This novel is a fast-paced, and plausible, tale of just how disruptive a new technology might be. Kirk's obviously well-researched background explanation of real-world technology dovetails seamlessly with the invented technology of the novel, allowing one to immerse in the plot with no nagging "would that work?" sort of questions. The characters are well-drawn and distinct, and the book is a genuine page-turner. While being a techno-thriller, I also learned a bit about certain areas of science and biology, but that felt neither didactic nor a distraction from the plot. If you liked Neal Stephenson's _REAMDE: A Novel_, give this one a read.
December 1, 2020
I will start off by saying that I am not generally a fan of science fiction. In fact, the last time I read a work of science fiction was probably in seventh grade. Thus, when this book was recommended to me, I approached it with a great deal of trepidation - it is a long book, and, more than that, very much a work of science fiction. But shortly after beginning it, I knew that it would be a fun read. While the author talks a lot about the science behind his work, it does not interfere with the flow of a good old-fashioned page turner thriller with well-developed characters that one either hates or loves. I recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of escape - it is fast-paced and compelling.
September 14, 2016
Great Option
This book holds a rare combination of a well-written high-tech, Sci-Fy, spy novel, and murder mystery with good characters and a Star Trek-like view of our future. But, getting from today to then will coast many lives, not all of them mere statistics.
This book holds a rare combination of a well-written high-tech, Sci-Fy, spy novel, and murder mystery with good characters and a Star Trek-like view of our future. But, getting from today to then will coast many lives, not all of them mere statistics.
February 28, 2020
Had a fun time with this book! Compelling characters, tech that was believable and explained well enough for the lay-person to piece together what it actually was, and a climax with some stunning imagery. Would recommend to any sci-fi fans!
Read
May 8, 2020The Prometheus Option is a wonderful riveting book from beginning to end. I could hardly put it down! I can't wait to read Jeff Kirk's next book. I read all the free books I can get my hands on and read several a week but this one is exceptional!
Read
August 20, 2020Great read. Some of the science was a bit hard but nothing of the story was missed by skipping some of it.
The characters are excellent and the story moves along at a fast pace.
Different and get interesting read.
The characters are excellent and the story moves along at a fast pace.
Different and get interesting read.
November 21, 2023
I wrote it. Why wouldn’t I love it? :-)
July 15, 2016
OK
Pretty strngw disliked having all rich boy with everything going his way. Seriously. Can any one person be so lucky
Pretty strngw disliked having all rich boy with everything going his way. Seriously. Can any one person be so lucky
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews