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The Immortality Virus
In the mid-21st century, the human race stopped aging. Those who know why aren't talking, and the few who are brave enough to ask questions tend to disappear. To an elite few, The Change means long life and health, but to the increasing masses, it means starvation, desperation, and violence.
Four centuries after The Change, Grace Harper, a blacklisted P.I., sets off on a mission to find the man responsible for it all and solicit his help to undo The Change - if he's still alive. To complicate matters, Grace's employer is suspected of murdering his father, and when the police learn of their connection, they give her a choice - help them find the evidence they need to convict Matthew Stanton, or die. But if they discover Grace's true mission, they won't hesitate to kill her in order to protect their shot at immortality.
Four centuries after The Change, Grace Harper, a blacklisted P.I., sets off on a mission to find the man responsible for it all and solicit his help to undo The Change - if he's still alive. To complicate matters, Grace's employer is suspected of murdering his father, and when the police learn of their connection, they give her a choice - help them find the evidence they need to convict Matthew Stanton, or die. But if they discover Grace's true mission, they won't hesitate to kill her in order to protect their shot at immortality.
247 pages, Nook
First published April 15, 2011
11 people are currently reading
865 people want to read
About the author
Christine Amsden
16 books422 followersChristine Amsden has been writing science fiction and fantasy for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.
Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. They have two beautiful children.
Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. They have two beautiful children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
April 29, 2011
This review was originally posted on my blog: Evie @ Bookish
The Immortality Virus is a dark dystopian Science Fiction novel by Christine Amsden. It's an action-packed, fast-paced and thrilling book, spiced up with mystery and sprinkled with a tiny bit of romance. Everything is perfectly balanced, making this book a great treat for every Science Fiction fan.
The story takes place in the far future, sometime around the year 2450, which is 400 hundred years after The Change, an event that caused people to stop aging and dying from natural causes. The world is in chaos. People are forced to live on the streets. They're dying from cold and hunger or they end up being slaves on the farms outside the city. The planet is overpopulated, the Rebellions are bombing public places, in hope to kill as many people as possible. It's a dark, violent and deeply depressing world, in which only the rich people, The Establishment, can live a long and healthy life. Everyone else lives in constant fear and poverty.
Grace Harper, the heroin of this story, is a private investigator, who once worked for Kansas City Police Department. Many years ago she saved a female reporter from being killed by two vagrants, killing one of the attackers in the process. Unfortunately for Grace, as it later turned out, the "vagrant" he killed was actually a son of one of the wealthiest people in Kansas City, and, as we all know, people like that have the power and connections to easily get anyone killed. She was lucky enough not to get a death sentence, but her carrier was undeniably over. Grace was officially blacklisted, which meant she would never be able to get a legitimate job for any company owned by The Establishment or the government.
The story starts with Grace being offered an investigation job, by a CEO of a Medicorp company, Matt Stanton. Mr. Stanton wants Grace to find Jordan Lacklin, a scientists who once worked for Medicorp. He was working on a cure for Alzheimer's disease for his wife, who was diagnosed with it. In the process, he discovered that aging, linked to all kinds of conditions, including Alzheimer's, was caused by humans own generic structure and that it could be turned off. Not long after this discovery Jordan disappeared without a trace and the humanity stopped aging. Matt offers Grace a very generous amount of money for finding Jordan and bringing him back to Medicorp, so that, as he claims, he could ask him to reverse the effects of the "immortality virus". Grace, knowing that refusal equals death, accepts the offer and agrees to take the job. With that starts a thrilling roller-coaster ride, filled with danger, mystery, life-threatening events and unexpected twists and turns, all leading to a bone-chilling and surprising conclusion.
It took me 4 days to finish the book. Not because it wasn't engaging enough or it failed to hold my interest, not at all! Quite to the contrary, I was very captivated by the story, to the point that I often found myself just sitting in the room, and pondering upon the issues raised by this amazing book. It made me wonder how our lives would look like if we really managed to stop the aging process completely? What would happen to the human race, to the Earth? How would this affect us? Christine's book is so brilliantly written that I found myself totally absorbed in the world of 2450. It was a disturbing and disquieting read, a delicious dystopian treat! I would definitely recommend this book to all Science Fiction and dystopian fans, you can't go wrong with it! And don't let the cover put you off! It might not be the most gorgeous cover we've ever seen, but trust me when I say, the content of the book is absolutely fantastic!
The Immortality Virus is a dark dystopian Science Fiction novel by Christine Amsden. It's an action-packed, fast-paced and thrilling book, spiced up with mystery and sprinkled with a tiny bit of romance. Everything is perfectly balanced, making this book a great treat for every Science Fiction fan.
The story takes place in the far future, sometime around the year 2450, which is 400 hundred years after The Change, an event that caused people to stop aging and dying from natural causes. The world is in chaos. People are forced to live on the streets. They're dying from cold and hunger or they end up being slaves on the farms outside the city. The planet is overpopulated, the Rebellions are bombing public places, in hope to kill as many people as possible. It's a dark, violent and deeply depressing world, in which only the rich people, The Establishment, can live a long and healthy life. Everyone else lives in constant fear and poverty.
Grace Harper, the heroin of this story, is a private investigator, who once worked for Kansas City Police Department. Many years ago she saved a female reporter from being killed by two vagrants, killing one of the attackers in the process. Unfortunately for Grace, as it later turned out, the "vagrant" he killed was actually a son of one of the wealthiest people in Kansas City, and, as we all know, people like that have the power and connections to easily get anyone killed. She was lucky enough not to get a death sentence, but her carrier was undeniably over. Grace was officially blacklisted, which meant she would never be able to get a legitimate job for any company owned by The Establishment or the government.
The story starts with Grace being offered an investigation job, by a CEO of a Medicorp company, Matt Stanton. Mr. Stanton wants Grace to find Jordan Lacklin, a scientists who once worked for Medicorp. He was working on a cure for Alzheimer's disease for his wife, who was diagnosed with it. In the process, he discovered that aging, linked to all kinds of conditions, including Alzheimer's, was caused by humans own generic structure and that it could be turned off. Not long after this discovery Jordan disappeared without a trace and the humanity stopped aging. Matt offers Grace a very generous amount of money for finding Jordan and bringing him back to Medicorp, so that, as he claims, he could ask him to reverse the effects of the "immortality virus". Grace, knowing that refusal equals death, accepts the offer and agrees to take the job. With that starts a thrilling roller-coaster ride, filled with danger, mystery, life-threatening events and unexpected twists and turns, all leading to a bone-chilling and surprising conclusion.
It took me 4 days to finish the book. Not because it wasn't engaging enough or it failed to hold my interest, not at all! Quite to the contrary, I was very captivated by the story, to the point that I often found myself just sitting in the room, and pondering upon the issues raised by this amazing book. It made me wonder how our lives would look like if we really managed to stop the aging process completely? What would happen to the human race, to the Earth? How would this affect us? Christine's book is so brilliantly written that I found myself totally absorbed in the world of 2450. It was a disturbing and disquieting read, a delicious dystopian treat! I would definitely recommend this book to all Science Fiction and dystopian fans, you can't go wrong with it! And don't let the cover put you off! It might not be the most gorgeous cover we've ever seen, but trust me when I say, the content of the book is absolutely fantastic!
May 10, 2011
Who wouldn’t want to live forever?
Grace is a black-listed private eye in a community where the inhabitants don’t age. You’d think it would be a paradise, but instead, the world has turned to hell. There isn’t enough room for all the people, and jobs and living quarters are scarce. People eat strange processed food, and there’s even a neat reference to the “Soylent Green” movie with Charleton Heston. People fend for themselves in slums, or give up their lives to become “slaves” in the country.
Grace has a small apartment and food, but she needs money to continue her safe lifestyle. The richest man in the city has contacted her. He thinks he has the answer to why people stopped aging, and it’s up to her to find the man behind it. She must reunite with a lost love to finish the job.
The Immortality Virus is well thought out sci fi with a great premise and a murder mystery at its core. The word building is strong, and the characters are three dimensional people with long past histories, which makes them complicated and fun to read about. The hordes of people reminded me of zombies at times, and it was interesting to see how society could turn bad from what you’d think would be a good thing. Death is a natural part of life. Without it, there’s no room for the next generation to be born.
Grace is a black-listed private eye in a community where the inhabitants don’t age. You’d think it would be a paradise, but instead, the world has turned to hell. There isn’t enough room for all the people, and jobs and living quarters are scarce. People eat strange processed food, and there’s even a neat reference to the “Soylent Green” movie with Charleton Heston. People fend for themselves in slums, or give up their lives to become “slaves” in the country.
Grace has a small apartment and food, but she needs money to continue her safe lifestyle. The richest man in the city has contacted her. He thinks he has the answer to why people stopped aging, and it’s up to her to find the man behind it. She must reunite with a lost love to finish the job.
The Immortality Virus is well thought out sci fi with a great premise and a murder mystery at its core. The word building is strong, and the characters are three dimensional people with long past histories, which makes them complicated and fun to read about. The hordes of people reminded me of zombies at times, and it was interesting to see how society could turn bad from what you’d think would be a good thing. Death is a natural part of life. Without it, there’s no room for the next generation to be born.
May 19, 2011
“The Immortality Virus” by Christine Amsden is a thought provoking dysopian science fiction epic set in a future world where tinkering with viral vectors stopped mankind from aging.
A great mixture of a creation of knurly characters, developed painstakingly through their trials, wild adventure, and a deep set of subplots, Christine paints with words a highly visual and vicariously empowered dialogue with the reader.
This is the sort of “fun book” that is hard to put down - the adventures, the intrigue and the characters so engaging as to create in this reader a discipline issue - where I had intended to take my time and read the book a chapter or two at a time, I waxed the read in just a few sessions.
Most impressive to me was the personal growth of the characters - the realistic development is an author’s fine art, and it is done well in “The Immortality Virus.”
I should reveal that I’d been privileged to read a pre-release copy of this book, in exchange for my opinion of the novel. I’d be very pleased if I had bought my own copy and paid shipping - in fact I hope to finagle a signed copy someday.
Very much a novel that is easy to recommend, and will stand the test of time as a SciFi Dysopian classic among the best of the genre.
And most importantly I had a blast reading this book!
A great mixture of a creation of knurly characters, developed painstakingly through their trials, wild adventure, and a deep set of subplots, Christine paints with words a highly visual and vicariously empowered dialogue with the reader.
This is the sort of “fun book” that is hard to put down - the adventures, the intrigue and the characters so engaging as to create in this reader a discipline issue - where I had intended to take my time and read the book a chapter or two at a time, I waxed the read in just a few sessions.
Most impressive to me was the personal growth of the characters - the realistic development is an author’s fine art, and it is done well in “The Immortality Virus.”
I should reveal that I’d been privileged to read a pre-release copy of this book, in exchange for my opinion of the novel. I’d be very pleased if I had bought my own copy and paid shipping - in fact I hope to finagle a signed copy someday.
Very much a novel that is easy to recommend, and will stand the test of time as a SciFi Dysopian classic among the best of the genre.
And most importantly I had a blast reading this book!
February 8, 2013
Book Info: Genre: Speculative Fiction
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Anyone interested
Trigger Warnings: Misery, violence, murder, (implied) rape
My Thoughts: The author won an Eppie (EPIC Award) for this story. And I’m absolutely not surprised. This was a very well-done story, strongly written, fast-paced, nicely plotted—everything I look for in a great story! The characters are all well-developed and interesting, and the main part of the story is nicely wrapped up, but enough spare threads were left to make it realistic (life is never wrapped up in a neat bow at the end).
One thing that really bugs me is the question as to why no strong population control was ever enacted? People stopped aging in 2050, which is in the future from now, and even now there are plenty of countries that are sensitive to population control. If the entire world stopped dying of natural aging, it seems to me only logical that some sort of population controls would be put into place, but while there were some token efforts made in that direction, they were just that …token. That just boggles my mind.
Still, it wasn’t enough to keep me from enjoying this book a lot. It has elements of dystopia, science fiction, and suspense all wrapped up together, and is something I can highly recommend to anyone who thinks they might be interested in reading this book. Stop hesitating and do it!
I notice that I also have a copy of this author’s book Touch of Fate, for which I owe a review, so that is up next!
Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book as a gift from a friend. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: In the mid-21st century, the human race stopped aging. Those who know why aren't talking, and the few who are brave enough to ask questions tend to disappear. To an elite few, The Change means long life and health, but to the increasing masses, it means starvation, desperation, and violence.
Four centuries after The Change, Grace Harper, a blacklisted P.I., sets off on a mission to find the man responsible for it all and solicit his help to undo The Change–if he's still alive. To complicate matters, Grace's employer is suspected of murdering his father, and when the police learn of their connection, they give her a choice–help them find the evidence they need to convict Matthew Stanton, or die. But if they discover Grace's true mission, they won't hesitate to kill her in order to protect their shot at immortality.
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Anyone interested
Trigger Warnings: Misery, violence, murder, (implied) rape
My Thoughts: The author won an Eppie (EPIC Award) for this story. And I’m absolutely not surprised. This was a very well-done story, strongly written, fast-paced, nicely plotted—everything I look for in a great story! The characters are all well-developed and interesting, and the main part of the story is nicely wrapped up, but enough spare threads were left to make it realistic (life is never wrapped up in a neat bow at the end).
One thing that really bugs me is the question as to why no strong population control was ever enacted? People stopped aging in 2050, which is in the future from now, and even now there are plenty of countries that are sensitive to population control. If the entire world stopped dying of natural aging, it seems to me only logical that some sort of population controls would be put into place, but while there were some token efforts made in that direction, they were just that …token. That just boggles my mind.
Still, it wasn’t enough to keep me from enjoying this book a lot. It has elements of dystopia, science fiction, and suspense all wrapped up together, and is something I can highly recommend to anyone who thinks they might be interested in reading this book. Stop hesitating and do it!
I notice that I also have a copy of this author’s book Touch of Fate, for which I owe a review, so that is up next!
Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book as a gift from a friend. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: In the mid-21st century, the human race stopped aging. Those who know why aren't talking, and the few who are brave enough to ask questions tend to disappear. To an elite few, The Change means long life and health, but to the increasing masses, it means starvation, desperation, and violence.
Four centuries after The Change, Grace Harper, a blacklisted P.I., sets off on a mission to find the man responsible for it all and solicit his help to undo The Change–if he's still alive. To complicate matters, Grace's employer is suspected of murdering his father, and when the police learn of their connection, they give her a choice–help them find the evidence they need to convict Matthew Stanton, or die. But if they discover Grace's true mission, they won't hesitate to kill her in order to protect their shot at immortality.
July 10, 2011
Grace is a blacklisted private investigator living in the city in the mid-21st century. Humans no longer grow old and die; they stop aging in their 20s. This has led to overcrowding, starvation, and lots of violence. Grace takes a new case for a rich client who wants her to find the man who created the virus that stopped the aging, and convince him to find a way to undo it. But Grace has lots of enemies, and find her man might make her more of a target than she can survive.
This was a very fast paced read set in a very violent world. The action is non-stop with few resting points. It makes for a very exciting read.
I did find it somewhat confusing to keep track of everyone who was after Grace and why. It seemed like everyone possible was out to get her, with several factions within each organization being involved. I found that if I didn't try to keep everyone separate, but just thought of them as "the enemy", it was easier and simpler to handle.
The premise behind the idea that humans have stop aging was interesting. I liked that the results weren't all pretty, and that not everyone agreed with the change. The inclusion of the old timers, people who were already past their 20s at the time of the change was neat. This took respect for your elders to a whole new level. Especially since they were the only people most people would be able to identify as elders. The idea of everyone looking the same age, whether they are from the same generation or not, was thought provoking. If you couldn't tell age from appearance, how does that affect the way you treat people?
Overall, this was an interesting, exciting read that leaves you pondering some questions after the story as ended. An entertaining case of a change meant for the better that doesn't necessarily end up being good.
This was a very fast paced read set in a very violent world. The action is non-stop with few resting points. It makes for a very exciting read.
I did find it somewhat confusing to keep track of everyone who was after Grace and why. It seemed like everyone possible was out to get her, with several factions within each organization being involved. I found that if I didn't try to keep everyone separate, but just thought of them as "the enemy", it was easier and simpler to handle.
The premise behind the idea that humans have stop aging was interesting. I liked that the results weren't all pretty, and that not everyone agreed with the change. The inclusion of the old timers, people who were already past their 20s at the time of the change was neat. This took respect for your elders to a whole new level. Especially since they were the only people most people would be able to identify as elders. The idea of everyone looking the same age, whether they are from the same generation or not, was thought provoking. If you couldn't tell age from appearance, how does that affect the way you treat people?
Overall, this was an interesting, exciting read that leaves you pondering some questions after the story as ended. An entertaining case of a change meant for the better that doesn't necessarily end up being good.
June 3, 2011
In “The Immortality Virus” By Christine Amsden readers are taken on am amazing thrill ride they will be sad to see come to an end.
Set in the mid-21st century in a world where nobody ages, nobody grows old and dies. Sounds like a dream come true right? Well Amsden takes readers through the downside of a world full of people who no longer age. Four centuries after “the change” which is the time people stopped aging. People crowd together in public places, such as parks, as there is not enough housing available. If you can find an apartment they are tiny and cramped, some share a bathroom with other residents. Food becomes scarce and people starve waiting for their next meal, which usually consists of a meal bar known as a Nutri-bar.
Grace, a former police officer now black listed by The Establishment, is contacted by one of the wealthiest men in the city and asked to take a job finding the man he thinks is behind “the change” and hopefully find a cure. Should she do it? The stakes are high; The Establishment would stop at nothing to make sure their chance at immortality is not tampered with. Grace knows there is no easy way out of this situation and decides to take her chances with the job offered to her. This is no easy job, as Grace soon finds out. Grace sets out to find the man thought to be behind the change and ends up in even more trouble than even she could have imagined. Will she succeed? Is there any hope left for the people living this hellish existence in a world that is quickly becoming too small?
The Immortality Virus is a fast paced, action packed, dystopian adventure from page one! When you start this story make sure you have plenty of time to finish because you will not want to put it down.
*This Review may also be found on Amazon.com*
Set in the mid-21st century in a world where nobody ages, nobody grows old and dies. Sounds like a dream come true right? Well Amsden takes readers through the downside of a world full of people who no longer age. Four centuries after “the change” which is the time people stopped aging. People crowd together in public places, such as parks, as there is not enough housing available. If you can find an apartment they are tiny and cramped, some share a bathroom with other residents. Food becomes scarce and people starve waiting for their next meal, which usually consists of a meal bar known as a Nutri-bar.
Grace, a former police officer now black listed by The Establishment, is contacted by one of the wealthiest men in the city and asked to take a job finding the man he thinks is behind “the change” and hopefully find a cure. Should she do it? The stakes are high; The Establishment would stop at nothing to make sure their chance at immortality is not tampered with. Grace knows there is no easy way out of this situation and decides to take her chances with the job offered to her. This is no easy job, as Grace soon finds out. Grace sets out to find the man thought to be behind the change and ends up in even more trouble than even she could have imagined. Will she succeed? Is there any hope left for the people living this hellish existence in a world that is quickly becoming too small?
The Immortality Virus is a fast paced, action packed, dystopian adventure from page one! When you start this story make sure you have plenty of time to finish because you will not want to put it down.
*This Review may also be found on Amazon.com*
September 17, 2014
Imagine a world where noone died, at least not from aging or related diseases. Populations explode, food and housing is scarce, everything is exorbitantly expensive. You can't walk down the street in the city without being hemmed in by other people, pushed right up against them. Hundreds of thousands of people live on the streets, in parks, scrambling for survival.
This is the world Christine Amsden presents us in The Immortality Virus. Everyone looks like they are 25, except for those who were already older when everyone stopped aging. Enter Grace Harper, private investigator, fired from the police, blacklisted from any government related contracts. She is hired to try to find the man thought to be responsible and try to get his help to reverse the anti-aging effect. Of course, the "Establishment" doesn't want this to happen, so they try to stop her. Then the fun begins.
I really enjoyed this book. It flowed well and kept my attention. It was a well written, thought-out storyline with lots of action to keep everything moving forward. Grace Harper is a strong character with a wonderfully sarcastic wit who prefers working alone to get the job done. Ms. Amsden takes this strength and starts bending it as we see Grace gradually learning to trust others and realizing it's not a weakness to accept help.
It's a dark, bleak world in the The Immortality Virus. I had thought maybe Ms. Amsden should have put some touches of lightness by showing positive aspects of living hundreds of years. But maybe there's really not many to be found. After all, as the band Queen asks, "Who wants to live forever?"
This is the world Christine Amsden presents us in The Immortality Virus. Everyone looks like they are 25, except for those who were already older when everyone stopped aging. Enter Grace Harper, private investigator, fired from the police, blacklisted from any government related contracts. She is hired to try to find the man thought to be responsible and try to get his help to reverse the anti-aging effect. Of course, the "Establishment" doesn't want this to happen, so they try to stop her. Then the fun begins.
I really enjoyed this book. It flowed well and kept my attention. It was a well written, thought-out storyline with lots of action to keep everything moving forward. Grace Harper is a strong character with a wonderfully sarcastic wit who prefers working alone to get the job done. Ms. Amsden takes this strength and starts bending it as we see Grace gradually learning to trust others and realizing it's not a weakness to accept help.
It's a dark, bleak world in the The Immortality Virus. I had thought maybe Ms. Amsden should have put some touches of lightness by showing positive aspects of living hundreds of years. But maybe there's really not many to be found. After all, as the band Queen asks, "Who wants to live forever?"
June 20, 2011
I received an advance copy from the writer. I had never heard of this author, nor read her work.
It’s the future, and the world is in chaos. Four hundred years ago, humans stopped aging. Few knew why, and the Change cast the world into despair. Now, the powerful elite, The Establishment, rule the world.
And a bleak society it is.
Food is limited. Jobs are limited. Homelessness and slavery are the norm as people struggle to get by.
I love dystopian novels. The Immortality Virus was a wonderful read. I loved the beginning, where the author set up a bleak world. People fighting over food. Death and mayhem exist everywhere, and people don’t seem to care. As is typical in dystopian-and what causes me to love it-is people’s acceptance of such a bleak life. A life where collective thought has brought humanity to its end.
The author’s writing is engaging. Dialogue is solid, and the story moves quickly. I felt there were a few slow moments, but nothing distracting. My only complaint is the book cover. There were times I felt I wanted to know the characters better, but again, nothing distracting.
Overall, The Immorality Virus is a wonderful book. The author has talent, and I will read more of her work.
-Vincent
It’s the future, and the world is in chaos. Four hundred years ago, humans stopped aging. Few knew why, and the Change cast the world into despair. Now, the powerful elite, The Establishment, rule the world.
And a bleak society it is.
Food is limited. Jobs are limited. Homelessness and slavery are the norm as people struggle to get by.
I love dystopian novels. The Immortality Virus was a wonderful read. I loved the beginning, where the author set up a bleak world. People fighting over food. Death and mayhem exist everywhere, and people don’t seem to care. As is typical in dystopian-and what causes me to love it-is people’s acceptance of such a bleak life. A life where collective thought has brought humanity to its end.
The author’s writing is engaging. Dialogue is solid, and the story moves quickly. I felt there were a few slow moments, but nothing distracting. My only complaint is the book cover. There were times I felt I wanted to know the characters better, but again, nothing distracting.
Overall, The Immorality Virus is a wonderful book. The author has talent, and I will read more of her work.
-Vincent
June 28, 2011
My rating is actually a 4.5, but I'm giving a well-deserved roundup.
What struck me the most was the novel's deep sense of place--a believable dystopic middle America, where immortality is a curse no one wants to reverse. While characterization and pacing were also strong (I couldn't put the darn thing down), I really want to know the fate of this world. This makes sense--the protagonist genuinely discards self-preservation in favor of making her world a better place--and in a sense, the world created here was my favorite character and the most compelling plot point.
Why not a 5? I didn't find the ending 100% satisfying. Don't get me wrong--it was good--but it didn't quite reach the level of resolution I'd hoped for. I guess I need to hope for a sequel.
What struck me the most was the novel's deep sense of place--a believable dystopic middle America, where immortality is a curse no one wants to reverse. While characterization and pacing were also strong (I couldn't put the darn thing down), I really want to know the fate of this world. This makes sense--the protagonist genuinely discards self-preservation in favor of making her world a better place--and in a sense, the world created here was my favorite character and the most compelling plot point.
Why not a 5? I didn't find the ending 100% satisfying. Don't get me wrong--it was good--but it didn't quite reach the level of resolution I'd hoped for. I guess I need to hope for a sequel.
May 16, 2011
The Immortality Virus is a science fiction tale set in a totalitarian world.
It's the future and people don't age as they did before, the only things truly that would hinder a person would be murder, suicide or disease. The streets are packed with people who have no jobs, no homes and no future. When the morality rate always increasing, tensions in The Establishment begin to rise and new and drastic measures are enacted to ensure the populace doesn't reach maximum capacity and every day threatens to do just that.
Grace Harper is a 130 year old, pro-death, black-listed Private Investigator hired to find the man who created the immortality virus and she has no clues in which to go on. Her success rate is 50-50 and the only thing she has is a diary written over 400 years ago. Deciding to track down his surviving children and grand-children, Grace begins to unravel the mysteries involved with why people don't age and finds herself one step closer to finding Jordan Lacklin.
Jordan Lacklin is a brilliant scientist who was trying to create a cure for Alzheimers Disease in which his wife of 50 years, Margaret, was suffering from. Trying to race against the clock as his two sons, Ethan and Kevin, want to pull the plug on their mother's life support system with a court injunction, Jordan can feel he hasn't much time, after going on a shooting spree in which he allegedly kills all his fellow co-workers, save one, he is never heard from again. He was 76 at the time of "The Change" and is referred to as an "old-timer"...those who were already old when the virus spread and forever captured them in that state of "decay".
After heading out of town to follow a lead, something Grace has never done, she is kidnapped and placed on a Farm, a place rumored to turn people into nutri-bars, the number one food staple providing all of their vitamins and protein; only the rich and the elite can afford to eat real food. The Farm is run by the Coopers, old Mr. Cooper appears to be a decent sort, and gives his slaves proper treatment, unlike most other Farms were the slaves weren't even considered people any longer. Alexander Lacklin works at the Farm as a scientist and befriends Grace when she arrives. However, before they can learn from each other about Alex's grandfather, lasers fly and Grace is now a prisoner on the Farm. Not knowing who to trust or where to turn, Grace must keep her wits about her if she is going to survive.
I really enjoyed this book and I'm hoping there is a sequel coming because there were many questions not answered in the book and that would be a let down to not have those integral parts of the plot summed up.
I quite enjoyed all the characters in the story, they were believable and did not stray off their original content. Author Christine Amsden really knows how to write to keep her reader interested and interacted with the story. I thought the idea of the immortals to be a novel approach and honestly, my imagination of picturing all those thousands of people standing in the park in the middle of January trying to keep warm while they hope The Establishment drops nutribars on their heads from helicopters was quite vivid. I had never thought of a population explosion in such a way before and it was rather disturbing!
I was disturbed by the lack of care that these futuristic inhabitants emulated, the empathy in humanity was removed, as people just trying to eat or get warm, are killed without a moment's thought. The distinction between the poor and the elite is almost nil and if you didn't have a garbage can to live in, you can almost be sure your mortality isn't going to be a blessing. I liked the edge the author gave us on such a society. Everyone walked in fear of The Establishment and though we are never really given a glimpse at them, your fear of them arriving in a situation is real and that was very clever of the author, to incorporate such a thought, without ever using them in a situation!!
Even though I am not a huge fan about love as a back story, this one works, in order to show how the reader how 50 years loving someone in our regular mortality is a long time and is cherished, however, when you live hundreds and hundreds of years, that same period becomes a blip and love is treated more like a game than an emotion. All in all though, this was a very enjoyable read and I would recommend it to anyone of the sci-fi genre who likes a fresh approach on an old subject!
It's the future and people don't age as they did before, the only things truly that would hinder a person would be murder, suicide or disease. The streets are packed with people who have no jobs, no homes and no future. When the morality rate always increasing, tensions in The Establishment begin to rise and new and drastic measures are enacted to ensure the populace doesn't reach maximum capacity and every day threatens to do just that.
Grace Harper is a 130 year old, pro-death, black-listed Private Investigator hired to find the man who created the immortality virus and she has no clues in which to go on. Her success rate is 50-50 and the only thing she has is a diary written over 400 years ago. Deciding to track down his surviving children and grand-children, Grace begins to unravel the mysteries involved with why people don't age and finds herself one step closer to finding Jordan Lacklin.
Jordan Lacklin is a brilliant scientist who was trying to create a cure for Alzheimers Disease in which his wife of 50 years, Margaret, was suffering from. Trying to race against the clock as his two sons, Ethan and Kevin, want to pull the plug on their mother's life support system with a court injunction, Jordan can feel he hasn't much time, after going on a shooting spree in which he allegedly kills all his fellow co-workers, save one, he is never heard from again. He was 76 at the time of "The Change" and is referred to as an "old-timer"...those who were already old when the virus spread and forever captured them in that state of "decay".
After heading out of town to follow a lead, something Grace has never done, she is kidnapped and placed on a Farm, a place rumored to turn people into nutri-bars, the number one food staple providing all of their vitamins and protein; only the rich and the elite can afford to eat real food. The Farm is run by the Coopers, old Mr. Cooper appears to be a decent sort, and gives his slaves proper treatment, unlike most other Farms were the slaves weren't even considered people any longer. Alexander Lacklin works at the Farm as a scientist and befriends Grace when she arrives. However, before they can learn from each other about Alex's grandfather, lasers fly and Grace is now a prisoner on the Farm. Not knowing who to trust or where to turn, Grace must keep her wits about her if she is going to survive.
I really enjoyed this book and I'm hoping there is a sequel coming because there were many questions not answered in the book and that would be a let down to not have those integral parts of the plot summed up.
I quite enjoyed all the characters in the story, they were believable and did not stray off their original content. Author Christine Amsden really knows how to write to keep her reader interested and interacted with the story. I thought the idea of the immortals to be a novel approach and honestly, my imagination of picturing all those thousands of people standing in the park in the middle of January trying to keep warm while they hope The Establishment drops nutribars on their heads from helicopters was quite vivid. I had never thought of a population explosion in such a way before and it was rather disturbing!
I was disturbed by the lack of care that these futuristic inhabitants emulated, the empathy in humanity was removed, as people just trying to eat or get warm, are killed without a moment's thought. The distinction between the poor and the elite is almost nil and if you didn't have a garbage can to live in, you can almost be sure your mortality isn't going to be a blessing. I liked the edge the author gave us on such a society. Everyone walked in fear of The Establishment and though we are never really given a glimpse at them, your fear of them arriving in a situation is real and that was very clever of the author, to incorporate such a thought, without ever using them in a situation!!
Even though I am not a huge fan about love as a back story, this one works, in order to show how the reader how 50 years loving someone in our regular mortality is a long time and is cherished, however, when you live hundreds and hundreds of years, that same period becomes a blip and love is treated more like a game than an emotion. All in all though, this was a very enjoyable read and I would recommend it to anyone of the sci-fi genre who likes a fresh approach on an old subject!
September 3, 2012
The The Immortality Virus was a fast paced science fiction tale set in an alternative reality if the key’s to immortality was found. It is not a dystopian story as much as it takes place in a dystopian future. Thing about what would happen if everyone stopped being able to die, but people kept having babies? Christine Alderman takes us along for her fictional exploration of this very question. Through in a mystery, a wee bit of romance and you have a science fiction novel that even those that are not SF fans will enjoy.
Our protagonist, Grace Harper is a former Chicago cop. She is relatively young, under 150 years, and has already gotten herself blacklisted by The Establishment, basically Corporate America. Because of an “incident” she was no longer able to be a police officer and turned to being a private investigator. The world is in chaos, people are starving, she has to body surf (and not the fun kind involving a wet suit and a great set of waves in Cali or Hawaii) through the crowds to get to the trains. People are living on nutrient bars because there is not enough food to support the populace.
With The Establishment there are different factions, just as we have here in today’s world. Answering that age-old question, as much as things change, they will always stay the same. Occupying this Wall Street is completely different though. When a CEO in The Establishment offers her a job, her own personal secret of being pro-death comes to light. Can she find how The Change came about? Can she help solve a 400 year old problem? Or will she get caught up in corruption, cover up and a brewing war.
The story is a fun read and was had to put down. It kick started me out of a reading slump because it was just what the doctor ordered, something different and interesting. The author developed the characters in a realistic and as I read I could see how each were growing along with their own changing convictions. Even the name Grace is wonderfully chosen. I could picture her, almost like a white hat wearing hero from a western!
I took my time reading this, but not because I was not engaged, but because it was reading so fast. I wanted to think about what I was reading and enjoy my little trip into the future. Hard core Science Fiction buffs may not like some of the softer sides, the more human sides of this story but if you like your science fiction on the side of urban futuristic spice, a dash of mystery, a splash of romance to brood in dark introspection of”what if?” I recommend it. This is not a YA read, there are some moments that are a bit intense and would not want to have to answer questions to my 15-year-old.
Our protagonist, Grace Harper is a former Chicago cop. She is relatively young, under 150 years, and has already gotten herself blacklisted by The Establishment, basically Corporate America. Because of an “incident” she was no longer able to be a police officer and turned to being a private investigator. The world is in chaos, people are starving, she has to body surf (and not the fun kind involving a wet suit and a great set of waves in Cali or Hawaii) through the crowds to get to the trains. People are living on nutrient bars because there is not enough food to support the populace.
With The Establishment there are different factions, just as we have here in today’s world. Answering that age-old question, as much as things change, they will always stay the same. Occupying this Wall Street is completely different though. When a CEO in The Establishment offers her a job, her own personal secret of being pro-death comes to light. Can she find how The Change came about? Can she help solve a 400 year old problem? Or will she get caught up in corruption, cover up and a brewing war.
The story is a fun read and was had to put down. It kick started me out of a reading slump because it was just what the doctor ordered, something different and interesting. The author developed the characters in a realistic and as I read I could see how each were growing along with their own changing convictions. Even the name Grace is wonderfully chosen. I could picture her, almost like a white hat wearing hero from a western!
I took my time reading this, but not because I was not engaged, but because it was reading so fast. I wanted to think about what I was reading and enjoy my little trip into the future. Hard core Science Fiction buffs may not like some of the softer sides, the more human sides of this story but if you like your science fiction on the side of urban futuristic spice, a dash of mystery, a splash of romance to brood in dark introspection of”what if?” I recommend it. This is not a YA read, there are some moments that are a bit intense and would not want to have to answer questions to my 15-year-old.
May 29, 2011
Christine Amsden’s second novel, The Immortality Virus, raises an intriguing question: Is it really all that wonderful to find the secret of immortality and live forever?
It’s the 21st century and the world is being ruled by The Establishment, a totalitarian government made of an elite few. People don’t age anymore. As a result, overpopulation has created poverty, hunger, violence, and chaos. People don’t even have empathy for their fellow human beings anymore and cruelty and murder abound. Only the elite few can afford to eat normal food; the rest feed on suspicious, high-protein nutri-bars believed to be made up of human flesh.
At the beginning of the story, our feisty 130-year old PI protagonist, Grace Harper, is hired to complete a mission: she must discover the whereabouts of Jordan Lacklin, the scientist responsible for the ‘virus’ that started The Change about 400 years ago while working on the cure for Alzheimer’s. The secret mission puts Grace’s life in danger. On one side, there are those who want to undo The Change to improve the quality of life and the world; on the other side, there are those who want to keep living forever because they have the means to live in luxury… and they’ll go to extremes to make sure Grace doesn’t complete her mission.
The Immortality Virus is an entertaining, dystopian/science fiction novel with an interesting premise. Grace Harper is a sympathetic, kick-ass heroine: strong, spirited and opinionated. She also has a kind heart that stands out in the cruel society she inhabits. I personally loved her witty comebacks and quirky sense of humor. Although the story gets a bit slow somewhere around the middle, Amsden offers enough action, twists and turns to keep most readers turning the pages. The dialogue is crisp and natural and helps to keep the pace moving. Amsden uses a lot of dialogue and action scenes, and keeps description and narration at a minimum. She also throws in a bit of romance for good measure. I also enjoyed the way she depicts the future, presenting us with a grim and realistic glimpse of what society could become as a result of greed and medical technology. If you love dystopian novels with strong heroines and you’re attracted to the subject of immortality, I recommend you give this one a try.
It’s the 21st century and the world is being ruled by The Establishment, a totalitarian government made of an elite few. People don’t age anymore. As a result, overpopulation has created poverty, hunger, violence, and chaos. People don’t even have empathy for their fellow human beings anymore and cruelty and murder abound. Only the elite few can afford to eat normal food; the rest feed on suspicious, high-protein nutri-bars believed to be made up of human flesh.
At the beginning of the story, our feisty 130-year old PI protagonist, Grace Harper, is hired to complete a mission: she must discover the whereabouts of Jordan Lacklin, the scientist responsible for the ‘virus’ that started The Change about 400 years ago while working on the cure for Alzheimer’s. The secret mission puts Grace’s life in danger. On one side, there are those who want to undo The Change to improve the quality of life and the world; on the other side, there are those who want to keep living forever because they have the means to live in luxury… and they’ll go to extremes to make sure Grace doesn’t complete her mission.
The Immortality Virus is an entertaining, dystopian/science fiction novel with an interesting premise. Grace Harper is a sympathetic, kick-ass heroine: strong, spirited and opinionated. She also has a kind heart that stands out in the cruel society she inhabits. I personally loved her witty comebacks and quirky sense of humor. Although the story gets a bit slow somewhere around the middle, Amsden offers enough action, twists and turns to keep most readers turning the pages. The dialogue is crisp and natural and helps to keep the pace moving. Amsden uses a lot of dialogue and action scenes, and keeps description and narration at a minimum. She also throws in a bit of romance for good measure. I also enjoyed the way she depicts the future, presenting us with a grim and realistic glimpse of what society could become as a result of greed and medical technology. If you love dystopian novels with strong heroines and you’re attracted to the subject of immortality, I recommend you give this one a try.
April 7, 2011
This book is a dark and gritty Sci-Fi novel set in a Dystopian future society where people no longer age. I am actually amazed at how quickly I read it, I started on a Saturday morning and had completed it by the Sunday night. I ended up engrossed in the story and filled any of my free time with reading it. Any book that can do that is a winner in my opinion.
I really liked was the way that the darkness and misery of society was woven into the novel. The author didn't just set a scene at the beginning, she continually enhanced your picture and understanding of the world as the story progressed.
Overall, I can simply say that I loved this novel; it kept me hooked right up until the end and still has me wanting more. I want to know how the politics of this world progress, I want to know what happens to the characters, I want to know if the misery of the majority of the human race can somehow be ended.
A more in-depth review can be found at my blog Books & Things - http://killie-booktalk.blogspot.com
I really liked was the way that the darkness and misery of society was woven into the novel. The author didn't just set a scene at the beginning, she continually enhanced your picture and understanding of the world as the story progressed.
Overall, I can simply say that I loved this novel; it kept me hooked right up until the end and still has me wanting more. I want to know how the politics of this world progress, I want to know what happens to the characters, I want to know if the misery of the majority of the human race can somehow be ended.
A more in-depth review can be found at my blog Books & Things - http://killie-booktalk.blogspot.com
June 5, 2016
In the world of Immortality Virus, it's not that you're immortal (you can die) it's just that you don't age. I especially liked the construct because it lets you think about a lot of the issues that plague our world: overpopulation and what happens when the divide between the rich and the poor grows very large. I loved that the female character was independent and mostly grumpy whenever she couldn't get herself out of trouble. There's a lot to think about in this book including forced labor work farms and the rich waging wars upon each other. I guess in the end living close to forever doesn't sound that great.
I'd say this book is more of a 3.5 but I bumped it up because a) it was fun to read and b) I like the author. There were places where I felt the book could have used a tiny bit more editing but all in all it was fun and an interesting world. I feel like my fun books get penalized in ratings because they don't make me cry or haunt me. But I am working on realizing that the fun book should be judged for exactly that and rating accordingly.
I'd say this book is more of a 3.5 but I bumped it up because a) it was fun to read and b) I like the author. There were places where I felt the book could have used a tiny bit more editing but all in all it was fun and an interesting world. I feel like my fun books get penalized in ratings because they don't make me cry or haunt me. But I am working on realizing that the fun book should be judged for exactly that and rating accordingly.
March 22, 2012
4.5 stars. Not 5 only because I reserve that for my all-time favorite books that I still love after a reread, or years later, and I feel are "life changing," whatever that means.
I read this in only a few days, which is pretty impressive considering how little time I generally have to read. It was a blast to read, very action packed. I kept thinking, "What ELSE is she going to do to her characters?" and feeling like nothing was safe. The main character was very likeable and smart, and it was fun watching her mind work. I can't decide if I like how the big background conflict was resolved at the end. I think I do.
Anyway, if you're looking for a fun, easy read kind of along the lines of The Hunger Games (lots of action, tension, and romance), pick this one up.
I read this in only a few days, which is pretty impressive considering how little time I generally have to read. It was a blast to read, very action packed. I kept thinking, "What ELSE is she going to do to her characters?" and feeling like nothing was safe. The main character was very likeable and smart, and it was fun watching her mind work. I can't decide if I like how the big background conflict was resolved at the end. I think I do.
Anyway, if you're looking for a fun, easy read kind of along the lines of The Hunger Games (lots of action, tension, and romance), pick this one up.
June 14, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed this read! The characters were well thought out, the world was vivid (though bleak), and the plot sucked me in enough that I put off other things just to finish the book. I was bummed that it ended as quickly as it did... I am hoping for a sequel as there seems to be so much more going on than what was resolved. Great book!
May 3, 2011
Read my review here http://booksbyamotherstouch.blogspot....
October 15, 2011
*Rating* 3 - 3.5 stars
*Genre* Speculative Fiction/Science Fiction
*Review*
The Immortality Virus, by Christine Amsden, is set in the mid-21st century where the human race has stopped aging upon reaching the age of twenty-five. The only problem with being given the gift of immortality is that nobody dies naturally any longer. Because of this fact, people live in poverty and chaos. Those who live on the street are similar in nature to zombies, in that they eat what they can get ahold of.
Grace Harper is our main protagonist. She is a 130-year old blacklisted P.I. and one of best at finding missing persons. Grace is also pro-death advocate or a person who believes that immortality is wrong, and that death is a natural progression of life itself; also called natural life.
Grace is asked to find the man responsible for the immortality virus (Jordan Lacklin) because he is under the impression that most people want to undo The Change that occurred because of Lacklin’s desire to cure Alzheimer’s disease. That is, everyone except for the Establishment whose rules and regulations protect those at the highest levels of society, while tossing away citizens without any means to stand up and fight back.
To complicate matters, Grace's employer Matthew Stanton Jr., is suspected of murdering his own father by the Kansas City PD who just happens to be her former employer. For Grace, this case is not only rich in its monetary payout, but also ripe with mystery and danger at each and every corner.
Grace’s former boss at the KCPD, Captain Marcus Flint, gives her a choice; she can either help them, meaning the Establishment, find the evidence that will convict Stanton of murdering his father, or they won't hesitate to kill her in order to protect the status quo. This is the same man who told Grace “if we ever cross paths again, I will have to kill you.” Nice doing business with you!
While reading this book, I made several references to the 1973 movie called “Soylent Green” which starred Charlton Heston and was about a huge cover-up that reached all levels of government on how the food called Soylent Green was made. For Grace, like Heston before her, she realizes that she is in mortal danger if the Establishment finds out that she is working against them. If you read into the various references as to how the food is made, and how people went missing, or are killed along the way, you will understand how my reference plays into this storyline.
Grace’s character goes through a roller coaster ride of being beaten, tortured, branded as a slave, and forced to fight for her life against the slaves who live on the farm that produces food. She also ends up losing a body part, and finds love in the one place she would never have thought of. Grace pretty much refuses to give up on who she is. She has always tried to fight for those who can’t help themselves, and has come under severe scrutiny for her actions; including losing her job at the KCPD and being blacklisted.
Grace understands that no matter what she does, she will probably end up being killed by the Establishment, or several other factions who are nothing more than terrorists. One of which just happens to be trying to reunite the US as a country once again.
The Immortality Virus is a murder/mystery novel set in a science fiction/dystopian US that is no longer a nation. I enjoyed the world building and the fact that the author doesn’t try to sugar coat the living conditions that the citizens find themselves living in. Grace, especially, lives in a very small apartment, and has to do whatever she can in order to gather enough food to survive.
I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy the dystopian genre, and wonder if Amsden has thought about doing a sequel to this novel.
*Genre* Speculative Fiction/Science Fiction
*Review*
The Immortality Virus, by Christine Amsden, is set in the mid-21st century where the human race has stopped aging upon reaching the age of twenty-five. The only problem with being given the gift of immortality is that nobody dies naturally any longer. Because of this fact, people live in poverty and chaos. Those who live on the street are similar in nature to zombies, in that they eat what they can get ahold of.
Grace Harper is our main protagonist. She is a 130-year old blacklisted P.I. and one of best at finding missing persons. Grace is also pro-death advocate or a person who believes that immortality is wrong, and that death is a natural progression of life itself; also called natural life.
Grace is asked to find the man responsible for the immortality virus (Jordan Lacklin) because he is under the impression that most people want to undo The Change that occurred because of Lacklin’s desire to cure Alzheimer’s disease. That is, everyone except for the Establishment whose rules and regulations protect those at the highest levels of society, while tossing away citizens without any means to stand up and fight back.
To complicate matters, Grace's employer Matthew Stanton Jr., is suspected of murdering his own father by the Kansas City PD who just happens to be her former employer. For Grace, this case is not only rich in its monetary payout, but also ripe with mystery and danger at each and every corner.
Grace’s former boss at the KCPD, Captain Marcus Flint, gives her a choice; she can either help them, meaning the Establishment, find the evidence that will convict Stanton of murdering his father, or they won't hesitate to kill her in order to protect the status quo. This is the same man who told Grace “if we ever cross paths again, I will have to kill you.” Nice doing business with you!
While reading this book, I made several references to the 1973 movie called “Soylent Green” which starred Charlton Heston and was about a huge cover-up that reached all levels of government on how the food called Soylent Green was made. For Grace, like Heston before her, she realizes that she is in mortal danger if the Establishment finds out that she is working against them. If you read into the various references as to how the food is made, and how people went missing, or are killed along the way, you will understand how my reference plays into this storyline.
Grace’s character goes through a roller coaster ride of being beaten, tortured, branded as a slave, and forced to fight for her life against the slaves who live on the farm that produces food. She also ends up losing a body part, and finds love in the one place she would never have thought of. Grace pretty much refuses to give up on who she is. She has always tried to fight for those who can’t help themselves, and has come under severe scrutiny for her actions; including losing her job at the KCPD and being blacklisted.
Grace understands that no matter what she does, she will probably end up being killed by the Establishment, or several other factions who are nothing more than terrorists. One of which just happens to be trying to reunite the US as a country once again.
The Immortality Virus is a murder/mystery novel set in a science fiction/dystopian US that is no longer a nation. I enjoyed the world building and the fact that the author doesn’t try to sugar coat the living conditions that the citizens find themselves living in. Grace, especially, lives in a very small apartment, and has to do whatever she can in order to gather enough food to survive.
I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy the dystopian genre, and wonder if Amsden has thought about doing a sequel to this novel.
June 17, 2011
Book Review 2 Treasure Boxes
What would happen if people stopped aging? How long until the world becomes overrun? Aging has stopped for four hundred years and the world is so over-populated it is difficult to move around. Grace Harper has been contacted to find the scientist who invented the anti-aging gene, with hopes that this gene can be removed from humanity and people can start aging again. The only problem is, many people in The Establishment don't want that to happen.
The Immortality Virus is the second book that Christine Amsden has written. It is science fiction, taking place on earth towards the end of the 21st century. The story is told in the third person narrative primarily from Grace Harper's point of view. As the main character, she is a caring, independent private investigator who has been black-listed by The Establishment.
There are several interesting concepts examined in this story. As the world becomes overpopulated it becomes a dying society with all focus on feeding the people and none on technology resulting in astonomically high unemployment. The society that develops creates a huge disparity between the haves and the have-nots, with the weathly Establishment doing anything to keep what they have in the dwindling resources by oppressing everyone else.
This is an interesting portrayal of a world where people haven't aged for 400 years. I found the story interesting and it grabbed my attention from the first page. As the tale unfolded I was never sure where we were going and there were a few twist and turns along the way as well. At times I could tell that Ms. Amsden is still developing her writing style and technique, but overall I liked how the story was told. The story was not really resolved in any way, so I found the ending to be a bit disappointing.
This is a stand alone book. If you enjoy reading an original and thought provoking science fiction, then you should give The Immortality Virus a try.
My favourite quotes from the book:
"Most of the time, too much trust will kill someone in my line of work. This time, though, I think I have no chance without trust, and precious little chance with it."
and
"She dreamed at a million miles a second, as if she'd never properly dreamed before and needed to make up for it."
Question to ponder:
Would you want to live indefinitely, if you could stop aging after hitting 25?
What would happen if people stopped aging? How long until the world becomes overrun? Aging has stopped for four hundred years and the world is so over-populated it is difficult to move around. Grace Harper has been contacted to find the scientist who invented the anti-aging gene, with hopes that this gene can be removed from humanity and people can start aging again. The only problem is, many people in The Establishment don't want that to happen.
The Immortality Virus is the second book that Christine Amsden has written. It is science fiction, taking place on earth towards the end of the 21st century. The story is told in the third person narrative primarily from Grace Harper's point of view. As the main character, she is a caring, independent private investigator who has been black-listed by The Establishment.
There are several interesting concepts examined in this story. As the world becomes overpopulated it becomes a dying society with all focus on feeding the people and none on technology resulting in astonomically high unemployment. The society that develops creates a huge disparity between the haves and the have-nots, with the weathly Establishment doing anything to keep what they have in the dwindling resources by oppressing everyone else.
This is an interesting portrayal of a world where people haven't aged for 400 years. I found the story interesting and it grabbed my attention from the first page. As the tale unfolded I was never sure where we were going and there were a few twist and turns along the way as well. At times I could tell that Ms. Amsden is still developing her writing style and technique, but overall I liked how the story was told. The story was not really resolved in any way, so I found the ending to be a bit disappointing.
This is a stand alone book. If you enjoy reading an original and thought provoking science fiction, then you should give The Immortality Virus a try.
My favourite quotes from the book:
"Most of the time, too much trust will kill someone in my line of work. This time, though, I think I have no chance without trust, and precious little chance with it."
and
"She dreamed at a million miles a second, as if she'd never properly dreamed before and needed to make up for it."
Question to ponder:
Would you want to live indefinitely, if you could stop aging after hitting 25?
August 14, 2012
What would it be like if we were given the chance to be a step closer to immortality? In Mrs. Amsden’s science fiction/dystopian thriller, readers get to explore that possibility where our main character Grace Harper lives in the world where no one ages. Grace is a 130 year old black-listed private investigator, but she doesn’t look a day older than 25 years old. The totalitarian government is a world in which no one wants to live in, the older timers (those who were already old before the change) rule/high society while everyone else makes the low class, scrounging for food or nutri-bars. Grace Harper is hired by Matthew Stanton to help him find a man that hasn’t been located for almost 400 years to clear his name in his father’s murder. While on the other side, The Establishment (government) wants Grace to help them prove Matthew Stanton is the killer. Grace has three days to find the answers, but she doesn’t know which side to be on….because between Matthew Stanton and The Establishment…it would be helping the lesser of two evils.
The Immortality Virus was a breath of fresh air in the sea of my usual paranormal books; I haven’t read a great science fiction novel in a while…so it was a nice change of book scenery LOL. The action and suspense started immediately in the first chapter, where Grace learns why she was called in by the richest man in Kansas. The pacing was usually on point, but kind of bogged down in the middle when Grace arrives at the farm (slave-like camps) and didn’t really hold my interest much but once readers passed those farm scenes it got interesting again. Grace was a very likeable character, she strong, independent and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. There were two love interests in the book for Grace, but the romance was almost nonexistent in the book, while the book focused more on the main plot. I don’t know if this is a series or not but the book ended on a cliff hanger. There’s a likely chance that there will be another book in the series, since there are still a lot of unsolved problems. Overall this was a great science fiction/dystopian novel, and I highly recommend it to everyone who is looking for a new book to read. The Immortality Virus will appeal to all genre readers, whether it is science fiction, dystopian, fantasy, mystery, or contemporary fiction.
FTC disclaimer: The author provided me with a copy of The Immortality Virus, in return I provide an honest review.
The Immortality Virus was a breath of fresh air in the sea of my usual paranormal books; I haven’t read a great science fiction novel in a while…so it was a nice change of book scenery LOL. The action and suspense started immediately in the first chapter, where Grace learns why she was called in by the richest man in Kansas. The pacing was usually on point, but kind of bogged down in the middle when Grace arrives at the farm (slave-like camps) and didn’t really hold my interest much but once readers passed those farm scenes it got interesting again. Grace was a very likeable character, she strong, independent and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. There were two love interests in the book for Grace, but the romance was almost nonexistent in the book, while the book focused more on the main plot. I don’t know if this is a series or not but the book ended on a cliff hanger. There’s a likely chance that there will be another book in the series, since there are still a lot of unsolved problems. Overall this was a great science fiction/dystopian novel, and I highly recommend it to everyone who is looking for a new book to read. The Immortality Virus will appeal to all genre readers, whether it is science fiction, dystopian, fantasy, mystery, or contemporary fiction.
FTC disclaimer: The author provided me with a copy of The Immortality Virus, in return I provide an honest review.
July 17, 2011
The Immortality Virus is set in the mid-21st century, in a a world far different than that which we know today. Centuries ago, a virus was found that stopped the aging process in humans. Life and society has changed drastically since The Change. Life has largely become a "everyone for themselves" fight for survival. Starvation and slavery have become everyday concerns for most of the population because of the ever increasing number of people. Centuries after the change began, blacklisted PI Grace Harper is hired to find the man who is responsible for the virus that created The Change. Within hours, she is also recruited by the police department to investigate the man that had just hired her. Caught between the two opposing parties, Grace has a choice,... between finding a way to fulfill both requests or to die.
Science fiction and dystopian fiction never used to be among my favorite genres, but the more I read of it, the more I enjoy it. This book is a true example of one to enjoy. The plot, while complicated at times, was absolutely engrossing. There were a lot of twists and turns, and far more than two single sides fighting one another. At any given time, Grace had several factions after her. Yes, there were times when that got a bit confusing with so many different "enemies" involved. But I think the confusion for the reader was deliberate as it completely reflected Grace's own confusion. That confusion is also what kept me completely into the story, always wanting to know what was really going on. I just couldn't put it down!
The world the author created, with bits of my own reality mixed in, was an entirely believablepossible future. I like dystopian fiction that makes me question things and this definately made me question a lot of things. Seeing the world and society in this book, would I really want to live forever? The lack of humanity in the dystopian world was horrifying and very sad. It was almost a question of whether there had been too much technology and not enough humanity involved in advances that would drastically change the world as we know it. The scrabbling, fight of survival existence that went on in the book was an exaggeration of some of the outer fringes of our own society today and that made the world of the book that much more believable. All in all, I felt like it was a brilliant book!
Science fiction and dystopian fiction never used to be among my favorite genres, but the more I read of it, the more I enjoy it. This book is a true example of one to enjoy. The plot, while complicated at times, was absolutely engrossing. There were a lot of twists and turns, and far more than two single sides fighting one another. At any given time, Grace had several factions after her. Yes, there were times when that got a bit confusing with so many different "enemies" involved. But I think the confusion for the reader was deliberate as it completely reflected Grace's own confusion. That confusion is also what kept me completely into the story, always wanting to know what was really going on. I just couldn't put it down!
The world the author created, with bits of my own reality mixed in, was an entirely believablepossible future. I like dystopian fiction that makes me question things and this definately made me question a lot of things. Seeing the world and society in this book, would I really want to live forever? The lack of humanity in the dystopian world was horrifying and very sad. It was almost a question of whether there had been too much technology and not enough humanity involved in advances that would drastically change the world as we know it. The scrabbling, fight of survival existence that went on in the book was an exaggeration of some of the outer fringes of our own society today and that made the world of the book that much more believable. All in all, I felt like it was a brilliant book!
April 5, 2013
I really enjoyed this one: it was original and very well done science fiction.
Good points: The world building was very interesting. I found myself fascinated by this author's vision of what humanity and our world might look like if old age and most causes of death (e.g. Alzheimer's and so on) no longer existed. The way in which this change existed but human nature was still the same depressing constant was very well done. I also loved the main characters: the main character of Grace was someone I couldn't help but root for. I loved the fact that she had been a cop and *knew* what the world was like, yet couldn't help but be the person she was and try to make it a better place. I also really liked the other characters such as Alexander (I really enjoyed the way that they found each other and found something *real* with each other, despite the darkness of the world they lived in). The plot was very interesting -I was intrigued to learn how this immortality had occured, among other things. The plot moved along quite well and kept me interested, as Grace went through many events in her quest for the truth, yet it did not take place at such a breakneck speed that one could not feel for the characters and their troubles.
Bad points/constructive criticism: I have relatively little to say here, except for one thing. I will say that I would have enjoyed finding out whether or not there would ever be any hope of having humanity recover their lost mortality (it didn't seem very likely at the end of the novel, of course, but still). In this sense I did feel the novel ended just a little bit abruptly in that I would personally have liked for some elements/questions to have answers (i.e. would/could humanity ever find a way to make things better, could we ever recover our mortality, was this even desirable?). I also wondered what would happen to Alexander's uncle as well as to Alexander, Grace, and the other characters and would have enjoyed having a bit more of a hint of what might happen to them.
Your mileage may of course vary. :)
All in all though, I highly recommend this one. Very enjoyable!
Good points: The world building was very interesting. I found myself fascinated by this author's vision of what humanity and our world might look like if old age and most causes of death (e.g. Alzheimer's and so on) no longer existed. The way in which this change existed but human nature was still the same depressing constant was very well done. I also loved the main characters: the main character of Grace was someone I couldn't help but root for. I loved the fact that she had been a cop and *knew* what the world was like, yet couldn't help but be the person she was and try to make it a better place. I also really liked the other characters such as Alexander (I really enjoyed the way that they found each other and found something *real* with each other, despite the darkness of the world they lived in). The plot was very interesting -I was intrigued to learn how this immortality had occured, among other things. The plot moved along quite well and kept me interested, as Grace went through many events in her quest for the truth, yet it did not take place at such a breakneck speed that one could not feel for the characters and their troubles.
Bad points/constructive criticism: I have relatively little to say here, except for one thing. I will say that I would have enjoyed finding out whether or not there would ever be any hope of having humanity recover their lost mortality (it didn't seem very likely at the end of the novel, of course, but still). In this sense I did feel the novel ended just a little bit abruptly in that I would personally have liked for some elements/questions to have answers (i.e. would/could humanity ever find a way to make things better, could we ever recover our mortality, was this even desirable?). I also wondered what would happen to Alexander's uncle as well as to Alexander, Grace, and the other characters and would have enjoyed having a bit more of a hint of what might happen to them.
Your mileage may of course vary. :)
All in all though, I highly recommend this one. Very enjoyable!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2011
Imagine a future where all the sicknesses of old age have been eradicated. Sounds heavenly, right? But that’s not how it seems in Christine Amsden’s wonderfully imagined dystopia, The Immortality Virus. The author has mastered that powerful art of not explaining everything. As a result, she creates a world filled with details that explain themselves, impinging on the reader’s consciousness without question, building up to a powerful whole. In this dark world, Grace Harper has been given a task, to find the man whose research first caused “The Change,” plunging the world into its miserable state. On the way she’ll meet old friends and new, revisit questions of eternal love, and ponder how once this dystopia really might have seemed heavenly.
The story takes its protagonist through crowded city streets, onto subways, past tiny apartments with amenities mimicking those of past centuries, and out into fields where researchers struggle to find new foods that will feed the masses. But which researchers, and which helpers can she trust?
Grace, who long ago rejected grace, finds unexpected kindness in others and herself, plus unexpected sympathy for the damned. Meanwhile the reader comes to see our world and hers through different eyes, and ponder where our dreams might one day take us.
I wasn’t expecting this novel to grab me by the throat quite so consistently, but Christine Amsden’s vision of the future has truly come to haunt me. For anyone who enjoyed Blade Runner, who likes imagining what might one day be, or who wonders how long love might endure, I definitely recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received an ecopy of this book from Twilight Times Books in exchange for an honest review.
The story takes its protagonist through crowded city streets, onto subways, past tiny apartments with amenities mimicking those of past centuries, and out into fields where researchers struggle to find new foods that will feed the masses. But which researchers, and which helpers can she trust?
Grace, who long ago rejected grace, finds unexpected kindness in others and herself, plus unexpected sympathy for the damned. Meanwhile the reader comes to see our world and hers through different eyes, and ponder where our dreams might one day take us.
I wasn’t expecting this novel to grab me by the throat quite so consistently, but Christine Amsden’s vision of the future has truly come to haunt me. For anyone who enjoyed Blade Runner, who likes imagining what might one day be, or who wonders how long love might endure, I definitely recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received an ecopy of this book from Twilight Times Books in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2011
31/2 stars I read this in two days and felt it was a good book. I could visualize the depressing world the Earth had become, lack of resources and greed had taken over. The book progressed well and my only complaint was that it seemed to drag, just a bit, in the middle. But, I wanted to know what was going to happen so I trudged through. It kept me interested and reading with a kick butt detective and her search for why the world had gone to hell in a hand basket.
This book is set in the future where no one dies of old age anymore. Everyone looks about 25 and only die from accidents and viruses that are still around. The problem is the overpopulation this has caused. People fill the street starving and homeless. The rich and wealthy have everything they need and the rest of society is trying to catch a bone, the middle class is virtually nonexistent.
The author paints a dark world that I would not want to live in or raise children in. Hunger, poverty and homelessness abound in her world. She let us see what a shame immortality could be if everyone had it. A dead body, found on the street, was fair game to anyone who came across it, hungry children and desperate adults rule this world. The future was bleak and that led this detective to her next job, the one that could be her last.
This book is imaginative and quick to read. If you enjoy urban futuristic stories you will enjoy this. The author even mixed in a tiny bit of romance that always makes life worth living and books worth reading. I hope the future is better than this.
This book is set in the future where no one dies of old age anymore. Everyone looks about 25 and only die from accidents and viruses that are still around. The problem is the overpopulation this has caused. People fill the street starving and homeless. The rich and wealthy have everything they need and the rest of society is trying to catch a bone, the middle class is virtually nonexistent.
The author paints a dark world that I would not want to live in or raise children in. Hunger, poverty and homelessness abound in her world. She let us see what a shame immortality could be if everyone had it. A dead body, found on the street, was fair game to anyone who came across it, hungry children and desperate adults rule this world. The future was bleak and that led this detective to her next job, the one that could be her last.
This book is imaginative and quick to read. If you enjoy urban futuristic stories you will enjoy this. The author even mixed in a tiny bit of romance that always makes life worth living and books worth reading. I hope the future is better than this.
July 27, 2011
When I'm picking a book to read, sci-fi is definitely very low on the list of contenders, but sometimes I like to mix it up. So when the opportunity to review The Immortality Virus came, I took it. This being said, I was so surprised that I actually really enjoyed reading this book! The whole idea that it was 400 years into the future and people stopped aging around the age of 25 was put together in an engaging and entertaining book. The storyline reminded me of the movie iRobot or I am Legend (basically any futuristic Will Smith movie...), but instead with a kick-butt female main character. Grace was such a fun character to read about and I loved how she was so strong and fearless yet she still had insecurities when it came to her heart. This book was mainly sci-fi, but I loved the little added romance that didn't take over the main plot of the book. Even with a little romance, there was always something different happening in each chapter and plenty of action to keep the story interesting. The author did an awesome job of creating our world 400 years in the future and the consequences to actions we know people were bound to take. Tons of people think it would be awesome to be able to be able to live forever, but this book shows that everyone living forever is not as ideal as it seems. I loved every second of this futuristic book and it constantly kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next. I hope there's a sequel because I know that this is definitely not the last sci-fi book that I'm going to read!
March 8, 2015
The Immortality Virus considers the question of what might happen if everyone stopped ageing almost as soon as they reached adulthood. This has led to host of new problems for humanity: the world is heavily overpopulated, with the poor dying on the city streets every day, uncounted and uncared-for. Life in the countryside is hardly any better, with desperate people voluntarily entering into slave labour.
Against this backdrop, it's hardly surprising that some would prefer to see humanity return to a natural lifespan - although to speak such words in public is a death sentence. The Establishment, the men and women at the top of society, are enjoying their immortal life too much to want to let go. For them, one risk to a long and happy life is from their children, who see no other prospect of getting an inheritance. Ever.
Amsden gives us a set of believable characters - some likeable, others rather less so - and an action-packed plot as Grace tries to figure out how humanity became immortal in the first place, and what they could do to stop it. I found it an enjoyable read, with a well-developed concept.
Against this backdrop, it's hardly surprising that some would prefer to see humanity return to a natural lifespan - although to speak such words in public is a death sentence. The Establishment, the men and women at the top of society, are enjoying their immortal life too much to want to let go. For them, one risk to a long and happy life is from their children, who see no other prospect of getting an inheritance. Ever.
Amsden gives us a set of believable characters - some likeable, others rather less so - and an action-packed plot as Grace tries to figure out how humanity became immortal in the first place, and what they could do to stop it. I found it an enjoyable read, with a well-developed concept.
June 14, 2011
THE IMMORTALITY VIRUS by Christine Amsden is an interesting Sci-fi set in the year 2050. The plot is intriguing,fast paced,and action packed. The characters will keep you guessing,engaging,and interesting. This is a story full of science fiction adventure, action,danger, romance, chaos, violence,and mystery. With "The Change" comes chaos,violence,desperation,starvation,and a shot at immortality. When Grace Harper,who has been blacklisted as a P.I.,she is hired by Matthew Stanton,the CEO of Medicorp, to locate a scientist,Jordan Lacklin,who once worked for Medicorp.They seem to want him to reverse the effects of the "Immortality Virus" or so they say. She agrees.This story is a roller coaster ride with twists and turns that leads to a bone chilling and unexpected conclusion.This story will appear to any and all sci-fi,adventure,and action readers. A very unique and great read. This book was received for the purpose of review from the author and details can be found at Twilight Times Books and My Book Addiction and More.
August 6, 2012
The Immortality Virus is a wild ride. It's a scary glimpse into the results of what could happen were the fountain of youth discovered. Years into the future, no one ages anymore and the world is over populated. Violence and poverty is an overwhelming reality. In the middle of all of this, Grace is hired to find the man who may be responsible. For the most part, I did enjoy the book. I liked the characters and the plot. There is a little bit for everyone in the book: Sci-fi, action, mystery and a subtle romance.
In the end, I was left with a bunch of questions that I wish the author had explored more. I would have loved to see more about how the Change came about and how the world became the way it was when we meet Grace. I would have also liked a bit more resolution at the end of the book. While part of the mystery was solved, I wanted to know where Grace and Alex ended up.
In the end, I was left with a bunch of questions that I wish the author had explored more. I would have loved to see more about how the Change came about and how the world became the way it was when we meet Grace. I would have also liked a bit more resolution at the end of the book. While part of the mystery was solved, I wanted to know where Grace and Alex ended up.
June 7, 2011
Don't let the cover of Christine Amsden's new book, The Immortality Virus, scare you off. Inside is a dark dystopian science fiction novel with merit on many levels. The beginning dragged a bit, and while normally I would find the frequent references in that section to specific geographical locations annoying, those familiar with the Kansas City area will chuckle just a bit at references to various neighborhoods.
In a world where people no longer age, money rules everything as the masses starve and many seek voluntary slavery in order to survive. Grace, an idealist ex-cop and blacklisted private detective finds herself at the center of a plot from many angles. If she has the courage to fight, she just might make a difference and help reverse the damage caused by the virus unleashed upon the masses.
Disclaimer: A copy of the book was provided by the author.
In a world where people no longer age, money rules everything as the masses starve and many seek voluntary slavery in order to survive. Grace, an idealist ex-cop and blacklisted private detective finds herself at the center of a plot from many angles. If she has the courage to fight, she just might make a difference and help reverse the damage caused by the virus unleashed upon the masses.
Disclaimer: A copy of the book was provided by the author.
April 23, 2011
I thought this was a pretty good book! There are ton of genres in this one book: romance, sci-fi, action, and adventure. This is what makes it such a good book. It does start off a little slow at the beginning but by the time you get to the middle of the book it really picks up. I was so engrossed in this book that I finished it in a day. I love how this book is something new instead of the same old romance story or action story. It's something that I've never read about in a book and definitely a unique topic. I would definitely recommend this book to all the sci-fi and action lovers out there. Go pick up the e-book today! The paperback version comes out June 15, 2011, so mark your calendars :). Also, check out her book called, Touch of Fate.
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