| Title | : | Eternal Sonata |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1628726792 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781628726794 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 308 |
| Publication | : | First published October 4, 2016 |
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.
Eternal Sonata Reviews
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This was quite the ride and I overall enjoyed it. It lacked in some areas and was not perfectly balanced but it was great deal of fun.
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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.
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3.5
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My original
Eternal Sonata audiobook review and many others can be found at
Audiobook Reviewer.
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. 😀
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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.
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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. :-) -
Not my thing.
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Real Rating: 3.5* of five, rounded down
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. -
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. -
* eArc provided by Edelweiss *
