Phoenix Afterlife

by James Leth

Neuroscientist Alice Kurz and her team have developed a technology that could lead to immortality. For Alice, it’s a chance to develop a cure for Alzheimer’s, the disease that destroyed her grandmother. Test subject Eliot Stearns knows nothing about this. He believes he’s part of a five-day isolation study, locked in the lab, his only contact with the rest of the world through videoconference with the research team. Eliot and Alice grow close through deep conversations exploring the world’s oldest stories, the nature of consciousness, and what it truly means to be human. But everything changes when Eliot discovers that the study is not what it seems to be, and five days of isolation could last the rest of his life.

295 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 2015

About the author

With two computer science degrees from MIT and over 30 years in engineering R&D, I try to keep the technical material in my fiction realistic -- or at least a plausible extension of what we know today.

I released my first novel, Phoenix Afterlife, in October 2015.

I am currently preparing my second novel for release.

Reviews

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science Fiction at its best! Totally blew my mind LOL...

[Threasa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book on goodreads, and I thank you very much. Mr. Leth has written a very good book. However, most of the technical information was over my head. You don't really have to understand it all to know what is going on in the book. I just hope that the experiments they do in the book aren't really feasible. It would be very scary if they were.

[Andres Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book enough. It is incredibly smart and full of heart. The science fiction is mind blowing and so well conceived that it seems a definite possibility. Mr. Leth also undertook many wonderful subjects throughout the narrative such as conscience, morality, ethics, etc. This is definitely a book I will be re-reading.

[Joseph Dubey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good bookwhich brings up problems that future generations will have to think about. It has a very good story line which kept me enthralled. I espescially liked the ending.

[J C Steel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesa Vista is an incubator for tech start-ups. Eliot Stearns, at a loss for two weeks from his normal job, applies to participate in a study at the Rocky Mountain Neurocybernetics Research Institute. After all, having nanobots create a map of his brain to further research into Alzheimer's and dementia cures sounds like a laudable cause, and solves his problem of two weeks of unpaid leave that he can't really afford. It isn't until he goes looking for a place to save some private files, and finds a file already there with his signature filename and containing a dire warning that he begins to really consider that he may be in serious trouble...

Phoenix Afterlife was one of those books that I emerged from still chewing happily on some of the ideas in the story, which provided me with an interesting distraction for quite some time after finishing it. James Leth has used his plot to frame discussion on a few fascinating ethical and scientific concepts. The story itself is a well-structured thriller, playing with society's ongoing involvement with scientific progress and communication, as well as its deep-rooted fear of the unknown, and the characters were well-developed and believable. This is definitely a title I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking read with their science-fiction – gripping and unique.

[Jennie Rosenblum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could have rated this 4.5 stars. While I find most Science Fiction to be unbelievable, I was pleasantly surprised by this first book by Leth. I enjoyed the challenge this book had on my thought process and at the same time was entertained by reading a well composed story. The fully developed characters and a story line that kept me intent on following along were a pleasant surprise. I can't wait to see what comes next from this author.

[Linda W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very intelligently written with a captivating story – I highly recommend this book.
The characters are interesting and well developed. The story addresses fascinating questions in a new light: Where does humanity begin and end? Where is the line between technology enhancing life versus replacing life? The author does a great job of balancing science, philosophy and an exciting story full of twists and turns.

[Rissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was well-written and I truly liked the characters. The plot was well-thought out and executed. I wasn't expecting the plot twists. While the story is squarely in the science-fiction genre, it seems to be realistic and possible in the near future. I received this book through Goodreads giveaway.