Hal Cousins is one of a handful of scientists nearing the most sought-after discovery in human history: the key to short-circuiting the aging process. Fueled by a wealth of research, an overdose of self-confidence, and the money of influential patrons to whom he makes outrageous promises, Hal experiments with organisms living in the thermal plumes in the ocean depths. But as he journeys beneath the sea, his other world is falling apart.
Across the country, scientists are being inexplicably murdered - including Hal's identical twin brother, who was also working to unlock the secret to immortality. Hal himself barely eludes a cold-blooded attack at sea, and when he returns home to Seattle, he finds himself walking into an eerie realm where voices speak to him from the dead...where a once-brilliant historian turned crackpot is leading him on a deadly game of hide-and-seek...and where the beautiful, rich widow of his twin is more than willing to pick up the pieces of Hal's life - and take him places he's never been before.
Suddenly Hal is trapped inside an ever-twisting maze of shocking revelations. For he is not the first person to come close to ending aging forever - and those who came before him will stop at nothing to keep the secret to themselves. Now every person on earth is at risk of being made an unsuspecting player in one man's spectacular and horrifying master plan.
Download and start listening now!
"This was an excellent book - like all of Greg Bear's. I love how it ties in 20th century history with sci-fi (or is it really fiction?). Nice pacing, good science to back up what he's writing - definitely a book that is written well and is completely believable. " — Tina (4 out of 5 stars)
"This was an excellent book - like all of Greg Bear's. I love how it ties in 20th century history with sci-fi (or is it really fiction?). Nice pacing, good science to back up what he's writing - definitely a book that is written well and is completely believable. "
" Very disappointing read from Greg Bear. Even if you are a fan, to be avoided... "
" A mix of biology-themed sci-fi and a mystery. The ending was convoluted and that lowered the rating by one star. Otherwise an entertaining sci-fi book. "
" Ok, I didnt get as far as finishing this book. While the idea was ok in theory, I found the execution dull and lacking in real emotion. "
" too many twists and turns--hard to follow. At one point I found myself wishing the narrator would be killed off already! The ending was pretty good though "
" I initially thought the writing was weak, the plot strong. As pages went by, the plot weakened. Odd, meandering, and in the end, unfulfilling. Conceptually intriguing, but not wielded successfully. "
" I have only one thing to say: Hol-ly CRAP. "
" Very entertaining, a very fast read, as usual a lot of research and real science make the story intriguing. "
" Meh. Convoluted but not particularly inventive or interesting. "
" Eh - this was weird. Scientists searching for the secret to longer life stumble to close to a conspiracy, and from there the plot spirals out of control, never to really resolve itself. "
" A smart read but in the end not very satisfying 8/10 "
" It was good enough to finish. "
" A great book, but with a weak ending. "
" Passed the fifty page rule. Failed the hundred page rule. "
" Near future SF with a complex biological plot. Not one of my favourites of his "
" a fast paced book! "
Greg Bear is an American author of more than forty books spanning the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. His science fiction works have covered themes of galactic conflict, artificial universes, consciousness and cultural practice, and accelerated evolution. His fiction has garnered five Nebula Awards, two Hugo Awards, the Monty Award, and the Heinlein Award. He has also been an illustrator of science fiction works in both hardcover and paperback. He has written articles on film for the Los Angeles Times and book reviews for the San Diego Union. He is a founding member of the Association of Science Fiction Artists and of the San Diego Comic-Con. and has served as president and vice president of the Science Fiction Writers of America. He has also served as a consultant for NASA, the US Army, the State Department, and other organizations on such matters as crime and criminal justice, virology and evolution, and bio security.
Jeff Woodman is an actor and narrator. He is a winner of the prestigious Audie Award and a six-time finalist. He has received twenty Earphones Awards and was named the 2008 Best Voice in Fiction & Classics, as well as one of the Fifty Greatest Voices of the Century by AudioFile magazine. As an actor, he originated the title role in Tennessee Williams’ The Notebook of Trigorin and won the S. F. Critics’ Circle Award for his performance in An Ideal Husband. In addition to numerous theater credits on and off Broadway, his television work includes Sex and the City, Law & Order, and Cosby.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.