Sci-Fi / huge engineering / continents changed. Billionnaires achieve immortality through scientific discovery, undertake massive engineering projects to create a utopia.

[asif]

A scientific breakthrough discovery where immortality is discovered but it's limited by governments and results in only billionaires have immortality.

They form a meritocracy and undertake massive engineering projects such as terraforming.

A small cabal of citizens try to fight against this shadowy group and it's basically a thriller with them trying to defeat the state.

Sorry I can't be very precise, I can't even remember if it read this or listened on audiobook or if it was just a BBC radio play. I have some more details below.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

When did you read it?

[Justanotherbiblophile]

Beggars Trilogy (also known as Sleepless Trilogy)?

[asif]

Thanks for your replies.

I think I read/listened to it about 3 years ago but it's not in my Audible or Kindle history, so bizarre.

It's not Beggars Trilogy unfortunately, although that also sounds good and I'll add it to my shelf.

Some scientist type, the head of a very advanced company (kind of Elon Musk character) discovers either immortality or very long life but only shares it with other extremely wealthy people and this creates a 2-tier society with people desperate for the 'cure'. However that's not the main theme of the novel; this immortal group set about to re-build the earth (I don't think there's any space travel) and to create a utopia.

Their intentions are seemingly benign and governments (the heads of which are given access to the cure) act on their will. Somehow (very advanced science) they re-shape the planet with huge undertakings, like bringing rain to the dessert and basically terraforming parts of the world. It's all science and no magic. There is one project to build habitable land on the sea around Turkey or suchlike. Their authority/leverage causes an end to wars.

There is a revolt and our 'heroes' are in combat with this group who definitely seem to have crossed a line. I seem to remember there is a final battle in a huge tower built upon the sea and there are enormous machines trying to kill them, the scale is huge.

I don't re-read many thing but for some reason really want to re-visit this as I associate it with a more carefree time in my life.

[Clare]

Kim Stanley Robinson does something similar in his Mars Trilogy, both the long lives and the terraforming. But I don't recall his moving Earth continents around.
However, I have not read all his Earth-centred books yet.

[asif]

Thanks, I had a look and it doesn't look match any of Robinson's books.

I have a feeling the book I'm looking for was wasn't widely read/ received.

[asif]

Just bumping this on the off-chance anyone knows....

[Kris]

asif, I added plot details to the topic header. Feel free to update it (without spoilers) using the small "edit" link on the desktop website (not the mobile app).

[asif]

I've waited a few years before I bump this...

[Clare]

Still haven't read it, sorry!