A few dead bodies are a small price to pay in the quest for immortality.
In 2025 America, it’s hardly news when a renowned octogenarian scientist dying of cancer disappears from a local hospice, but when Kansas City Star reporter Rich Azadian begins to dig, he discovers that other elderly scientists around the world have also vanished recently—all terminally ill and receiving the same experimental treatment from a global health company. His investigation leads him to the reclusive Noam Heller, a brilliant researcher exploring new technologies to reverse-age cancer and other cells. Using revolutionary stem cell treatments and snippets of DNA from rare, immortal Arctic jellyfish, his breakthrough promises the genetic equivalent of the fountain of youth.
But when Heller is murdered and his lab destroyed, Rich and his girlfriend Antonia become targets themselves. With the local police and federal authorities failing to see the big picture, he realizes he must take matters into his own hands to survive and stop the killing. His only hope is to mobilize his network of brilliant misfits and infiltrate the vast and lethal race—among cutthroat corporations, national intelligence services, rogue scientists, and a mysterious international organization—to control the new technologies and perhaps the secret of life itself.
Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fiction—novels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
Jamie Frederic Metzl is an American technology futurist, geopolitical expert, and writer, a former partner in the global investment company Cranemere LLC, and a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. He was formerly the Asia Society's Executive Vice President.
I'm a longtime Sci-Fi reader, since the age of 12. For true Sci-Fi readers, I can say two things about this book:
1. Concept is good and well-executed. The Sci-Fi concept presented in this book, while not quite original, comes off as something new, presented in an up-to-date manner.
2. The writing is "meh." I found this book by listening to the author's interview on WNYC with Leonard Lopate. I was impressed enough with the author's credentials and concept to buy the book. Ultimately, I was disappointed with his writing. His style is rather mechanical, and not at all lyrical. The prose is stiff, missing out on opportunities to use creative language, failing to fully develop characters.
Love the title! I was a little confused in the beginning because it was like information overload and kind of lost my interest. Once you push through the first few chapters, things start to make more sense, and it really takes off. Set in 2025, this is intriguing and scary all at the same time as the search for eternal youth is deadly.
Set in a near future, an octogenarian scientist dying of cancer is suddenly missing from the nursing home where he is. The police is not making great efforts in trying to find him, but this case catches the eye of Rick Azadian, a reporter for the local newspaper. While investigating this case, Rich discovers other elderly people missing in similar circumstances: old, in advanced stages of cancer, and with some level of dementia. Piecing things together, Rick realizes that the disappearances are related to cancer research, and the sneaky Noam Heller may have some answers. But somebody doesn't want the truth to see the light, and Heller, Rich, and his girlfriend will become the targets in a dangerous game.
I always enjoy a good technothriller, and this one has all the ingredients for success: a catchy story, interesting characters, some degree of science, and a good writing. The book trapped me from the start with the intrigue about the missing people. The premises were well set, and it was impossible not to want to know more. I found this book, and especially the first half, to be be a page turner.
Sometimes in technothriller I get confused when there are many one dimensional characters. Rich and Antonia are quite the opposite. They are interesting, and their story feels real. The interaction with other characters is also quite fluid, and the dialogs feel natural. Sometimes I have issues connecting to characters in thrillers, but this is not the case. I cared about Rich, and especially about Antonia.
There is some 'plausible' science in this story, and this is one of the keys of this book. I am not saying that the science could be real, but the hypothesis made sense for people not really into biology and genetics.
The writing was good, making the story flow, and keeping my attention. I had the impression that it dragged a bit towards the end, but it could be that I was really impatient for knowing the outcome.
The subject about eternal life is an interesting one, especially because in this story, there is a particular toll associated to it. It is an interesting point of view, and quite original I must say. This is one of those books that make you think what things could be worth it, or what limits one would be willing to reach.
I really enjoyed James Anderson Foster's soothing narration. I had troubles to distinguish the characters in a couple of occasions, but the book is in general well written so that this doesn't often occur. His character interpretations were quite expressive and emotional, and despite the couple of times I got confused with the characters, it was a very well done job. The audio production was spotless.
I would recommend this book to anyone who would enjoy a good technothriller, not only with a good story but also with great characters.
A book I never would have picked up on my own, but one that became more interesting, the deeper I got into the story. When an elderly scientist suffering from cancer and near death suddenly disappears from his hospice bed, reporter Rich Azadian is on it. But no one knows anything. Then, another scientist also disappears. Set in the future by a few years with more advanced digital do-dads than currently exist, the story has a hint of science-fiction, but when a researcher who claims to be working on a reverse-aging means by which cancer can be eliminated is found dead in his lab, Rich knows he's onto something really wierd. Also potentially dangerous when his girlfriend gets involved in his search for explanations.
Rich's search for answers involves other reporters and a gigantic ship (formerly a Soviet carrier) housing several international scientists who agree to help him solve the mystery. But can he do so soon enough to save Antonia when she is kidnapped? And even if found, will be she the same when it appears they've done something to her similar to what has made those elderly scientists no longer so old?
This was quite an enjoyable read. The author clearly did a lot of research into the science and extrapolated well into the future science. One of the only unbelievable things was that the novel took place in 2025. Although the book was written a few years ago, the leaps made were a bit too great. The main character was fairly likable, except for his disdain for dogs—I don’t trust people who don’t like dogs. 😀
#GoodReadswithJohnT Eternal Sonata was set to be in 2025 and how coincidental I read it this year. In comparison to its technological setting it is still too advanced though nothing new that isn’t already happening. So I learnt about a Jelly fish that when it gets old it regenerates and turns into a young one again (immortal jellyfish). The story line is very interesting somewhat catchy and almost the happy ending you might imagine with a big twist at the end. #Bibliophile #BookLover
I really enjoyed this book. I think the character was well written and I love how real his relationship felt with Toni. I couldn’t help but laugh with how Maurice acted in the end with the lab and didn’t get in trouble???! Also I feel like the villain in the story was very anticlimactic, I could use with more heart racing thriller moments in the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I’m really struggling with whether this is a 2- or 3-star read for me, but ultimately I just didn’t really like the writing, as interesting as the premise is. That aside though, I don’t care that you have a Tesla, so SHUT UP ABOUT IT.
Even though I didn't read its precursor "Genesis Code" this is just as good as a stand-alone novel(Although after reading this I definitely plan to read "Genesis Code.") I also am not a big fan of the sci-fi genre but I really did like it and would definitely recommend if you like mysteries(non-cozy this one is) or thrillers or sci-fi. Brief synopsis: A journalist stumbles upon the scientific quest for immortality when doing a story on a missing Jewish scientist as he starts to seek the missing pieces of a puzzle of why two Jewish scientists turn up missing at around the same time but from different localities. Soon after he traces down another scientist but the puzzle only intensifies as the former Israeli Jewish scientist ends up being murdered because of his research to fight cancer which killed his wife. The pharmaceutical company Santique which initially funded the research is highly suspect and who and where are the Scientists Beyond Nations(SBN) located because the journalist needs to speak to them. Are they the Mossad(Israeli Intelligence?) To find the answers to this and more you need to read the book. :-)
You know how you read some books and you think “man, I bet this author is really cool in real life!”?? Yeah this isn’t that book. This is a book that makes you immediately imagine a 70 year old robot trying to write like a younger human. You can tell this was written old dude who thinks a hell of a lot of himself and who just assumes you find him impressive even though you really are just looking around the room for someone else to talk to.
Good idea for a book but filled with painfully awkward phrasing, random cringeworthy sexism and generally crappy writing. The book was written in 2016, set in 2024 yet they have technology that is more like 2050-2060? Do not recommend.
"Eternal Sonata" by Jamie Metzl is an eternal read. Metzel is the author of several books including "Genesis Code" and "The Depths of the Sea." He appeared several times on national and international media on his opinion about biology which includes genetics, mutation, and of course on the conquest of youth. He is a graduate of Oxford with a PhD and a JD from Harvard Law School. He received the prestigious honor of the magna cum laude award from Brown University. Along with this, he served in the US National Security Council and is the Executive Vice President of the Asia Society. He is a frequent speaker for audiences,which include nonprofit organizations and schools. In Metzel's free time he is a regular runner, which leads him to have complete over 54 marathons and some of them include triathlons, marathons, and ultramarathons.
Anyways back to "Eternal Sonata", the book is narrated by Rich Azadian, a local news reporter whose curiosity leads him to quite an adventure. After, being told by his editor to uncover the story of the disappearance of Professor Benjamin Hart, who was dying of terminal cancer, he soon learns the deeper scheme of things. Azadian meets with Heller, a scientific genius who found the meaning of eternal youth. Heller uses Arctic jellyfish, which are shown on the cover of the book, to reverse cancer cells and irreversibly reverses youth. Azadian is entranced by the expertise of Heller genius, including his lab and his intellectual ability, he learns many facts. However things turn for the worst when Heller is murdered , only a few hours after Azadin left, and later his girlfriend Antonia 'Tony' Hewitt becomes a target of the mysterious murder. He soon goes on a journey to find this criminal mastermind. He uses the help of his colleagues to find the network of people behind this untold crimes. Azadian soon uncovers the deep secrets which leads him to uncover the mystery to youth itself.
The idea in this book is how human's greed can cause people to not think ethically. Re known scientists became thirsty just for a sip of eternal youth. Human greed can drive people into doing the impossible such as going to infinite heights such as murdering people to reach their goal. After learning about this book through my friend, I was immediately entranced by the poetic style of the author and how possible this book would become reality in the near future. As I just said, the author has a poetic style, he winds words together like DNA.
The book definitely has a beautiful style of writing although I had to search some of the words I definitely thought this was one of the most hypnotizing books I read. Overall my impression of the book was that it is an instant page turner, although I would consider it a difficult read, considering the amount of pages and the amount of characters mentioned in this book. As it says on the cover page "a thriller of a near future" I definitely agree with this, considering how greedy humans especially at a time of this; this is where humans are headed to sooner or later. Anyways I think anyone who likes thriller and people who are interested in dystopian societies would like this book.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: Plausible-enough technothriller set in 2025, only ten years after it was written. Events have, um, overtaken the planned shocking stuff...I've had multiple mRNA vaccines developed in a matter of months to help me fight off a lethal plague, so this posited accelerated medical-research stuff isn't as impressive as it would've been just a short time ago.
The thriller parts, featuring intrepid reporter Rich Azadian and his gal-pal Antonia Hewitt, are solidly paced. Alzheimer's research shading into immortality research worked well as a spine for the thrillery bits. Fast paced, Pattersonesque chapters plus dialogue and descriptions that are very focused and taut lead me to wonder why y'all haven't bought millions of 'em. The author's voice works, the plot speeds, and the stakes are convincing. Don't wait, thriller readers.
I always find it a challenge to try a new fiction writer, particularly in the thriller and science fiction genres where one can get a little too comfortable with familiar styles and keep reading the same authors. My decision to read Eternal Sonata was based on a meeting and conversation with Jamie Metzl, where he was wearing one of his "foreign affairs hats". What struck me in conversation was his breadth of interests (many shared) and knowledge and it was only in passing that he mentioned he had published a (new) novel. I picked up a copy shortly before the holidays and cracked open the spine lying on the beach expecting a fun read.
Despite not having read Genesis Code, I was quickly drawn into the story which opened up with the disappearance of a couple of elderly prominent scientists in the not-too-distant future. We soon have a murder mystery that revolves around highly secretive cancer research that has the potential to unlock the riddle of immortality, or rather amortality. The protagonist - reporter Rich Azadian from Genesis Code - and his fiancee are faced with a number of practical and moral decisions along the way, and the big questions raised are prescient. In most works of science fiction, the issues at hand are often removed in terms of immediacy from the real contemporary world. The human race today is at an inflection point. We will no longer evolve because of our environment (which we for the most part control) but rather because of the technology we can apply to make us live longer, better and stronger than we hitherto could.
Metzl has mapped the near future intelligently in a way that has one marveling and reflecting, but never at the expense of the plot or rhythm of the story. His attention to detail and understanding of the subject at hand puts him in a different class to other authors who dabble in the genres, yet he doesn't sacrifice fluidity for accuracy. His understanding of the way the world - including the intelligence services - also gives a healthy dose of realism that is often missing in other writings, where the reader has to struggle to stay engaged. No fear of that happening here.
Overall this was a wonderful read but one that still has me pondering the questions the characters struggle with throughout the story.
Eternal Sonata is a Sci-Fi inspired mystery thriller that is captivating from the first few chapters onward. The story is fast paced and refreshingly unique. Jamie presents complex intellectual stimulating topics related to bioethics, genetic engineering, and technology in an easily digestible fashion so that readers of all levels can follow the story.
I am not particularly interested in Science fiction novels, however, I found Eternal Sonata intriguing due to the period of time in which the story takes place as well as the suspense and mystery. I enjoyed uncovering the mystery as Rich Azadian, the main character, pieces together facts to reveal the plot before the readers’ eyes. The story takes place in the 2020s and the technology represented is creatively cool and believable; Jamie does a great job of stimulating the reader while refraining from being overly-outlandish.
I recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a unique sci-fi based thriller for an enjoyable read. The shortness of chapters and the sequential flow make this a must-have for readers that enjoy reading during travel to past the time as well as those intrigued by suspense and mystery looking to finish a book in one sitting.
A sequel to Genesis Code, Jamie Metzl’s Eternal Sonata is just as much a tour-de-force of clever writing, captivating plot, and creative prognostication as the first book in this series. In this highly anticipated follow-up, Dikran “Rich” Azadian, the intrepid, noble journalist-philosopher in Kansas City, returns, along with a host of other compelling characters from Genesis Code and several welcome additions to the cast. Together, they solve another timely genetics-related murder mystery, this one concerning immortality. Through legislation (such as the News Protection Act and the National Competitiveness Act), innovation (including universal.Devices and SaladBars), information (particularly about Middle East conflict and scientific advancements), and organizations (for example, Scientists Beyond Borders and the U.S. Data Analytics Agency), Metzl paints a picture of the near-future that is simultaneously plausible, exciting, and troubling. I highly recommend this science fiction thriller as both extremely entertaining and educational!
The book envelopes the impact of the ongoing research in genetic engineering on health into an action style story that is easy to read and to follow despite all of the medical and technical terms used. However, I couldn't find any significant novelty in the book or the story itself (yes, its supposedly to be non pure fiction book). Also, the story contains several political propagandas which shows how this story is rather biased in its contents, signifying stereotyping in general for certain politics and countries.
This book was amazing. It was probably the best book I've read in a very long time. The story was perfectly laid out and the characters were so well developed, they might as well be real people. I will definitely read Jamie Metzl's other books.
This is a masterpiece of new biotechnology that can have the potential to change the world we can develop in the future as we search for immortality by one of the most thoughtful authors of the possibilities that the manipulation of biology can offer.