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The Forever Gene
Librarian's note: There is an Alternate Cover Edition for this edition of this book here.
A SCIENCE FICTION ADVENTURE...
"Soon, everyone was talking about the Faerie Folk."
How would alien beings really make first contact with us? What would they want, and what would they offer in return? And what price would we really pay?
When David Herald developed the Forever Gene, he believed he had vanquished humanity's most implacable nemesis. Death itself was no longer inevitable for those who were prepared to embrace his daring new synthetic gene.
He thought that his invention would change life on Earth forever. He was right, but not in the way he expected. He could never have imagined the interest his technology would attract from beyond our galaxy...
A SCIENCE FICTION ADVENTURE...
"Soon, everyone was talking about the Faerie Folk."
How would alien beings really make first contact with us? What would they want, and what would they offer in return? And what price would we really pay?
When David Herald developed the Forever Gene, he believed he had vanquished humanity's most implacable nemesis. Death itself was no longer inevitable for those who were prepared to embrace his daring new synthetic gene.
He thought that his invention would change life on Earth forever. He was right, but not in the way he expected. He could never have imagined the interest his technology would attract from beyond our galaxy...
369 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2014
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83 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 29, 2016
Who wants to live forever?
We won't know the answer for decades, perhaps even centuries, but our current research indicates that the gene will extend a person's life indefinitely.
For most science fiction books one key advance, such as the idea of a genetic manipulation that will halt the aging process, would be the basis of the entire plot. But the technology of the title is only one of the threads in The Forever Gene which is brimming with interesting concepts as well as an excellent first-contact storyline.
The Faerie Folk are aliens of an elven appearance and they arrive one day without warning to offer Planet Earth access to their spacefaring technology.
David Herald was the creator of the Forever Gene which freezes biological age when it is applied. He is no selfless humanitarian and makes big money selling the precious gift of life. He and his wife, Pris, run a clinic where the procedure is undertaken, offering effective immortality - but only to those few financial fat-cats who can afford the multimillion dollar price tag. When the Faerie Folk arrive David and Pris find themselves being asked to apply the procedure in a highly unusual way, in return for which they are, apparently, well rewarded.
One of the aspects I love about this book and indeed about all of Warren Dean's writing that I have enjoyed so far, is the open internationalism. Any nation can become the place where events happen and if they do, then it is portrayed in a non-partisan way. In this case, the aliens arrive in Ulan Bator and one of our heroines is a Mongolian journalist, Qara-Chinoa. She is befriended by one of the Faerie Folk - a translator with the expedition called Vi. It is a relationship that turns out to have far reaching consequences.
Aided by blueprints from the Faerie Folk, an international consortium begins building an interstellar-capable craft from a base on the moon and there we meet Katya Kasparova, second in command of the Russian delegation to that consortium and someone who becomes a key player in events after the aliens have left earth. When the aliens do leave, their parting gift is one that seems beneficial, but leaves tremendous issues in its wake. Issues which affect the lives of everyone on earth and lead to dramatic consequences that push humanity out into the stars.
It struck her that the predominant concepts reflected were beauty, nature, and co-operation rather than conflict, passion, sorrow, and sacrifice, which were thecommon themes expressed in human artwork.
The story is generally well paced and the writing style excellent. The characters are mostly the kind of people you can believe in, root for and want to know more about. The plot is credible and exciting and the futuristic technology is intriguing, creative and well explained where needed.
For me the only slight flaw was that I was not fully accepting of the reaction of humanity as a whole to the gift of the Faerie Folk. Some of the things that the author saw as being key problems were ones which I could see there being little issue resolving. But that is a personal view based on my own, perhaps too optimistic, view of humanity. And on a side note, I did feel the author made an odd choice in highlighting the UK as a place where religious sentiment in relation to morality was deemed to have real influence. Even today it is one of the top five least religious countries in the world. But these are minor gripes when set against the overall story.
I would whole heartedly recommend 'The Forever Gene' to lovers of sci-fi and to those who enjoy apocalyptic and dystopian fiction too. I am hoping that there will be more books in the series available soon.
We won't know the answer for decades, perhaps even centuries, but our current research indicates that the gene will extend a person's life indefinitely.
For most science fiction books one key advance, such as the idea of a genetic manipulation that will halt the aging process, would be the basis of the entire plot. But the technology of the title is only one of the threads in The Forever Gene which is brimming with interesting concepts as well as an excellent first-contact storyline.
The Faerie Folk are aliens of an elven appearance and they arrive one day without warning to offer Planet Earth access to their spacefaring technology.
David Herald was the creator of the Forever Gene which freezes biological age when it is applied. He is no selfless humanitarian and makes big money selling the precious gift of life. He and his wife, Pris, run a clinic where the procedure is undertaken, offering effective immortality - but only to those few financial fat-cats who can afford the multimillion dollar price tag. When the Faerie Folk arrive David and Pris find themselves being asked to apply the procedure in a highly unusual way, in return for which they are, apparently, well rewarded.
One of the aspects I love about this book and indeed about all of Warren Dean's writing that I have enjoyed so far, is the open internationalism. Any nation can become the place where events happen and if they do, then it is portrayed in a non-partisan way. In this case, the aliens arrive in Ulan Bator and one of our heroines is a Mongolian journalist, Qara-Chinoa. She is befriended by one of the Faerie Folk - a translator with the expedition called Vi. It is a relationship that turns out to have far reaching consequences.
Aided by blueprints from the Faerie Folk, an international consortium begins building an interstellar-capable craft from a base on the moon and there we meet Katya Kasparova, second in command of the Russian delegation to that consortium and someone who becomes a key player in events after the aliens have left earth. When the aliens do leave, their parting gift is one that seems beneficial, but leaves tremendous issues in its wake. Issues which affect the lives of everyone on earth and lead to dramatic consequences that push humanity out into the stars.
It struck her that the predominant concepts reflected were beauty, nature, and co-operation rather than conflict, passion, sorrow, and sacrifice, which were thecommon themes expressed in human artwork.
The story is generally well paced and the writing style excellent. The characters are mostly the kind of people you can believe in, root for and want to know more about. The plot is credible and exciting and the futuristic technology is intriguing, creative and well explained where needed.
For me the only slight flaw was that I was not fully accepting of the reaction of humanity as a whole to the gift of the Faerie Folk. Some of the things that the author saw as being key problems were ones which I could see there being little issue resolving. But that is a personal view based on my own, perhaps too optimistic, view of humanity. And on a side note, I did feel the author made an odd choice in highlighting the UK as a place where religious sentiment in relation to morality was deemed to have real influence. Even today it is one of the top five least religious countries in the world. But these are minor gripes when set against the overall story.
I would whole heartedly recommend 'The Forever Gene' to lovers of sci-fi and to those who enjoy apocalyptic and dystopian fiction too. I am hoping that there will be more books in the series available soon.
January 25, 2015
This is the second book by Warren Dean I have read, and like the first, Treasure Hunters, it is a well written story than draws you in with excellently drawn characters that you feel for, almost from the word go.
The book follows humanity's first contact with an alien race, but it keeps you guessing about how benign they are all the way through.
The people of Earth react in predictably diverse ways, some welcome the newcomers, some are suspicious and some are 'the end is nigh' types. Gradually the aliens, with a liberal scattering of wonderful gifts of technology, win the majority of human population over, but all is not quite as it seems. Although the aliens seem universally united in their wish to help humanity in return for studying our family systems to help solve their own waning population, it emerges that just like humans, some are not altogether truthful.
The science of both the near future Earth and the aliens that Warren Dean has imagined is explained in some detail, for Hard Scifi enthusiasts this will be a bonus, for those not so interested in propulsion drives and genetics the sections can be easily skimmed over, without missing the twisting, interwoven plot.
From changes in individual fortunes, to those of whole planets, Dean weaves a compelling tale of hope, betrayal, greed and altruism that had me hooked.
I will certainly pick up the sequel.
The book follows humanity's first contact with an alien race, but it keeps you guessing about how benign they are all the way through.
The people of Earth react in predictably diverse ways, some welcome the newcomers, some are suspicious and some are 'the end is nigh' types. Gradually the aliens, with a liberal scattering of wonderful gifts of technology, win the majority of human population over, but all is not quite as it seems. Although the aliens seem universally united in their wish to help humanity in return for studying our family systems to help solve their own waning population, it emerges that just like humans, some are not altogether truthful.
The science of both the near future Earth and the aliens that Warren Dean has imagined is explained in some detail, for Hard Scifi enthusiasts this will be a bonus, for those not so interested in propulsion drives and genetics the sections can be easily skimmed over, without missing the twisting, interwoven plot.
From changes in individual fortunes, to those of whole planets, Dean weaves a compelling tale of hope, betrayal, greed and altruism that had me hooked.
I will certainly pick up the sequel.
May 6, 2016
This book is something of a surprise. It’s Sci-fi, but for me it also works as a straightforward thriller and psychological drama. One is immediately drawn to the human characters – all of whom are slightly quirky and have their own agendas – and one feels empathy for all of them.
The author has a knack of making sci-fi feel as if it is reality, and the reader is whirled along with a plot about extra-terrestrials who suddenly appear and take part in human advances. Cleverly too, you are always given the impression that these aliens may not be trustworthy, and this keeps you in continual suspense. Most of all though, the interest is with the fortunes of the main human characters, who are skilfully drawn and hold your attention – and through the story of these protagonists, a great range of human characteristics are shown.
At times the narrative tends to go over the same ground again, but it’s still a hard book to put down. At the end of it the reader is left rather in the air, but as with most of this genre, there is a sequel to follow.
The author has a knack of making sci-fi feel as if it is reality, and the reader is whirled along with a plot about extra-terrestrials who suddenly appear and take part in human advances. Cleverly too, you are always given the impression that these aliens may not be trustworthy, and this keeps you in continual suspense. Most of all though, the interest is with the fortunes of the main human characters, who are skilfully drawn and hold your attention – and through the story of these protagonists, a great range of human characteristics are shown.
At times the narrative tends to go over the same ground again, but it’s still a hard book to put down. At the end of it the reader is left rather in the air, but as with most of this genre, there is a sequel to follow.
January 12, 2015
This is a well written book that uses well researched and well thought out technologies in combination with the political and social complications that can arise from these to create an interesting and compelling Science Fiction world that absorbs the reader.
The story pushes forward and gives the reader a good sense of consequence while still giving you characters to root for.
The story holds several surprises that keep the reader wondering what will happen next.
All-in-all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next installation in the series.
The story pushes forward and gives the reader a good sense of consequence while still giving you characters to root for.
The story holds several surprises that keep the reader wondering what will happen next.
All-in-all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next installation in the series.
March 29, 2020
SPOILER ALERT: The end of this book does not complete the story; there is a book two, and there could be a third book if the writer chooses to do that.
I began reading this book and thinking that it would be a level 5, outstanding book. But as it went on my feelings about it began to decline. The book feels like it is segmented because in the first part the lead character is a reporter. Then next the lead character is a scientists who developed the Forever Gene. Then the lead character is a Russian cosmonaut. Then the lead character is an alien. And its not until the end of the book when all of these characters come together. BUT, the story does not end. The writer tells us to follow the story in the next book which is to come.
Other reviewers will likely give you the gist of the story. An alien space ship has landed in the woods of Mongolia and the aliens, after months, make themselves know to the population. They are friendly and offer technology. They want the developer of the forever gene to modify it for their use; he does that. Then the aliens depart but leave a departing present for everyone, a gene that gives eternal life. This results in havoc all over the world with nuclear wars. The aliens come back to rescue survivors of the wars, but with an ulterior motive ................ that will play out in book two.
I began reading this book and thinking that it would be a level 5, outstanding book. But as it went on my feelings about it began to decline. The book feels like it is segmented because in the first part the lead character is a reporter. Then next the lead character is a scientists who developed the Forever Gene. Then the lead character is a Russian cosmonaut. Then the lead character is an alien. And its not until the end of the book when all of these characters come together. BUT, the story does not end. The writer tells us to follow the story in the next book which is to come.
Other reviewers will likely give you the gist of the story. An alien space ship has landed in the woods of Mongolia and the aliens, after months, make themselves know to the population. They are friendly and offer technology. They want the developer of the forever gene to modify it for their use; he does that. Then the aliens depart but leave a departing present for everyone, a gene that gives eternal life. This results in havoc all over the world with nuclear wars. The aliens come back to rescue survivors of the wars, but with an ulterior motive ................ that will play out in book two.
May 22, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, hence four stars. Then i found that the next book never got written.
So in the the spirit of the author i will not finish the review, nor read any further books by him.
So in the the spirit of the author i will not finish the review, nor read any further books by him.
March 4, 2015
Mr. Dean has spent a good deal of time building an idea of what kind of dystopia can happen by trusting other peoples' motives. Sadly the mirror held up to the human race is not very flattering. The eruption of our civil down fall does not take much time or push from external forces. This is unsettling since I obviously will automatically connect with the human characters in the story, as I assume, will most of the readership of this book. What does take a little too much time is the pace of the story. While I understand there is a good bit of future or world building that has to take place sometimes less is more. Also there were times when we were re-told things multiple times and it really made the story drag. I was given this book in exchange for a nonreciprocal honest review. I mention this because it did two things that I think may sway my take on this book. 1) It got me past the "I give up" point which I did hit because of the story's slow start. 2) I read this with speed which is not the best way to actually enjoy the book. It makes all those extra words extra frustrating.
Because I went past my normal threshold of where I would give up on a book I was gifted with Mr. Dean's wonderful imagination. He has given a lot of thought to the world and inter species relationships and I felt the story was unique and worth it. I cannot stress enough that if futuristic sci-fi is your thing you will love this book. I have a whole list of people in my head I will urge to read it. The characters could be a bit stronger. I think if the focus shifted just slightly from scenes and settings to people and interplay between them this would have been five stars for me. While there are a couple hiccups in editing mainly quotation marks which can always prove pesky, the only glaring thing that stuck in my craw was the reference to the Declaration of Independence. It is not a law in the USA. The Constitution only set up Government. The first laws to govern our whole nation were the Bill of Rights which are amendments made to the Constitution. For my friends across the pond, the Declaration of Independence was simply our forefathers telling King George to sod off. But hey, I guess you are suspending your disbelief on many other issues so this wonderful tale can be told so you might be able to let that one go. I found this work compelling and multifaceted. If you are a reader where many story lines converging makes you happy, don't miss out on this book.
Because I went past my normal threshold of where I would give up on a book I was gifted with Mr. Dean's wonderful imagination. He has given a lot of thought to the world and inter species relationships and I felt the story was unique and worth it. I cannot stress enough that if futuristic sci-fi is your thing you will love this book. I have a whole list of people in my head I will urge to read it. The characters could be a bit stronger. I think if the focus shifted just slightly from scenes and settings to people and interplay between them this would have been five stars for me. While there are a couple hiccups in editing mainly quotation marks which can always prove pesky, the only glaring thing that stuck in my craw was the reference to the Declaration of Independence. It is not a law in the USA. The Constitution only set up Government. The first laws to govern our whole nation were the Bill of Rights which are amendments made to the Constitution. For my friends across the pond, the Declaration of Independence was simply our forefathers telling King George to sod off. But hey, I guess you are suspending your disbelief on many other issues so this wonderful tale can be told so you might be able to let that one go. I found this work compelling and multifaceted. If you are a reader where many story lines converging makes you happy, don't miss out on this book.
December 16, 2014
Some extra-terrestrial ‘Faerie Folk’ have arrived on Earth bringing messages of peace and goodwill. They offer technology which will help the less-advanced Earthlings travel through wormholes to other galaxies. They also bring the means to erect environmentally-sustainable buildings.
Eventually, these Fairy Folk decide they must return to their own planet to address some pressing issues, but first offer what appears to be a wonderful gift to the entire human race. But can they be trusted?
“The Forever Gene” is a well-written and imaginative sci-fi novel set in the near future. Third person points of view are switched between several characters and this happens flawlessly. The pacing of the story is good. The overall novel is well-edited.
The technology used on Earth is an advanced form of what we use now, while the explanations of the Fairy Folk technology is complicated, but sounds realistic.
I enjoyed this story, although I have a complaint about how it finished. There is a sequel, so “The Forever Gene” stops at a crucial point. I always feel a sense of let-down when this happens.
Recommended for fans of sci-fi.
3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest and non-reciprocal review.
Eventually, these Fairy Folk decide they must return to their own planet to address some pressing issues, but first offer what appears to be a wonderful gift to the entire human race. But can they be trusted?
“The Forever Gene” is a well-written and imaginative sci-fi novel set in the near future. Third person points of view are switched between several characters and this happens flawlessly. The pacing of the story is good. The overall novel is well-edited.
The technology used on Earth is an advanced form of what we use now, while the explanations of the Fairy Folk technology is complicated, but sounds realistic.
I enjoyed this story, although I have a complaint about how it finished. There is a sequel, so “The Forever Gene” stops at a crucial point. I always feel a sense of let-down when this happens.
Recommended for fans of sci-fi.
3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest and non-reciprocal review.
May 18, 2015
The Forever Gene is a slow-burning but compelling first contact story that examines the upper and lower reaches of human ambition, and keeps you nodding along with the narrative. So many in this genre lose their appeal once the aliens start blasting everything, and I was grateful that the author took things in a different direction.
The story is told through multiple points of view, including a geneticist, a reporter, a prime minister, a prison inmate, a Faerie Folk translator, and (my favorite) a Russian colonel working on the moonbase. Readers may be put off by the frequent shifts in point of view, but I found myself loving each and every character introduced. All characters, whether human or alien, have distinct personalities and I often wondered about what they were up to offstage (and where they will be in the sequel).
It is work like this that gives me great hope for the future of self-publishing. I’ve said it before, but at the base of all great sci-fi and fantasy is the human element. If you are a fan of science fiction, this is a must-read, but readers who don’t particularly care for sci-fi will find it enjoyable as well.
The story is told through multiple points of view, including a geneticist, a reporter, a prime minister, a prison inmate, a Faerie Folk translator, and (my favorite) a Russian colonel working on the moonbase. Readers may be put off by the frequent shifts in point of view, but I found myself loving each and every character introduced. All characters, whether human or alien, have distinct personalities and I often wondered about what they were up to offstage (and where they will be in the sequel).
It is work like this that gives me great hope for the future of self-publishing. I’ve said it before, but at the base of all great sci-fi and fantasy is the human element. If you are a fan of science fiction, this is a must-read, but readers who don’t particularly care for sci-fi will find it enjoyable as well.
December 12, 2014
This is quite an ambitious novel, following the lives of several characters during Earth’s first contact with an alien race. This contact leads to a global crisis when the political, economic, and religious ramifications of indefinitely extending the human life span are realized. The story itself spans many months and follows the characters throughout numerous countries, even following a few into space.
The plot was unique and the futuristic world well thought out. The author has clearly taken great pains to detail the types of technological advances in this innovative world, but some of these descriptions tended to be quite long, breaking up the action of the novel. I think these lengthy descriptions and explanations should be trimmed down a bit, and the characters need to be developed a little more, but overall the story was unique and engaging. It’s definitely worth a read.
The plot was unique and the futuristic world well thought out. The author has clearly taken great pains to detail the types of technological advances in this innovative world, but some of these descriptions tended to be quite long, breaking up the action of the novel. I think these lengthy descriptions and explanations should be trimmed down a bit, and the characters need to be developed a little more, but overall the story was unique and engaging. It’s definitely worth a read.
January 23, 2017
This was a wonderful read. The story line was innovative and fascinating. I particularly enjoyed the action scenes which kept me on the edge of my seat. I look forward to the next instalment.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews