Who Wants to Live Forever by Hanna Thomas Uose is a compelling mix of near-future sci-fi and deeply human storytelling, making you question how you would react if faced with the same choices as the characters.

The Book Blends speculative fiction with significant emotional depth and explores a world where immortality is attainable—but at what cost? Written with emotional impact, it doesn't just ask whether we can live forever, but whether we should. It makes you ponder profound questions: What would you sacrifice for a longer life or immortality? How would that change the way you feel about time? How would it reshape society as a whole?

What truly makes this book stand out is how real the characters' actions and motivations feel. Their struggles, hopes, and fears are so believable that I genuinely cared for them, which made their choices all the more compelling. Uose's writing is immersive, balancing philosophical questions with engaging storytelling. The book perfectly captures the tension between technological advancement and personal consequence, making it both thought-provoking and gripping.

I was immediately hooked from the first few chapters and knew it was a five-star read. I immediately wanted to purchase a physical copy for my shelf. The narration is perfect, bringing the story's emotional depth to life and enhancing the experience.

I love books and media that address the possible future use of technology, like John Marrs' books and Black Mirror, and Who Wants to Live Forever fits perfectly within that category. The world-building is subtle yet impactful, with each small technological detail adding to the more significant questions the book raises. The characters are not just facing a decision about immortality—they are grappling with what it means to truly live, to find purpose in a world where time is no longer a limitation. The author's ability to weave such intimate human emotions into a speculative scenario is remarkable.

If you enjoyed the emotional complexity of Normal People by Sally Rooney mixed with the innovative storytelling of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, this is a must-read. It's a perfect blend of heart and high-concept sci-fi that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

In this ambitious story, a new drug, Yareta, comes to market which will allow users to live for hundreds of years. The story follows Sam and Yuki, a couple in their early thirties who split up after Yuki discovers that Sam has signed up to receive the drug. What happens over the next years, with an increasing range of characters, raises a series of issues about how such a drug might be received and what the implications could be.

Sam starts a new relationship with Maya, another Yareta user, who, unlike him, is determined to use the extra span of years effectively. She eventually lands a job with the company which holds the patents for the drug, working as an assistant to the CEO. This involves a lengthy diversion about her time in California while Yuki spends time in Tokyo. All of this is interspersed with flashbacks and date changes. The result is that the essential story, about Sam and Yuki does not entirely flow. Also, although Sam retains his youth by taking the drug, there is little sense of him maturing or learning by experience.

There are some interesting features. The first few chapters of the novel clearly relate the debate surrounding the introduction of Yareta to Brexit, to the extent that the referendum vote to permit its use comes out in favour by the same amount. The book also explores what happens with children and pregnancy, as well as the difficulty of maintaining progression in a career when all of the top jobs are taken by people who are going to live for a century or more.

In some ways, the book tries to do too much but it is an entertaining read and there’s lots to discuss and think about in the way the story unfolds. It’s an entertaining read and a well presented audiobook.

The premise of this book had me absolutely hooked. Imagine a world where you can choose to stop aging at a certain point? Intriguing, isn't it? I absolutely loved the concept and the world Uose built. I listened to this one on audio, and the narration was brilliant, really pulled me right in.

The story follows Yuki and Sam, a married couple, who have different views on the drug that allows people to live forever It’s a real thought-provoking read, making you ponder what you'd do in that situation.

While I really enjoyed the journey, the ending wasn't exactly my cup of tea. But overall, it was a fantastic read.

The book explores themes of mortality, choice, and what it truly means to live. It’s a great one for anyone who loves a bit of speculative/ dystopian fiction with a philosophical spin.

What an interesting idea! If there was a drug that you could take to stop you aging, would you take it? This is the world of Sam and Yuki. And their choices break them apart. This could go to so many interesting places, but stalls along the way for Yuki and Sam to do their introspective navel gazing. It does bring up the conundrum of what happens if you take the drug, but then everyone you love keeps aging, and how you end up with two societies living in parallel. It comes together nicely at the end, but does get a little lost through the middle.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an early copy of Who Wants to Live Forever. While the book has an intriguing premise, I found the execution too slow and not exciting enough to maintain my attention. I’m sure others will enjoy this book; it just didn’t resonate with me.

In "Who Wants to Live Forever", Hannah Uose examines some of life's biggest questions through the story of Yuki and Sam, two people deeply in love. Their relationship is tested when a groundbreaking drug called Yareta, which promises eternal youth, is introduced to the public. Yuki argues against taking the drug, but Sam decides he would rather be immortal to pursue his art than grow old together with Yuki, and we watch the consequences unfold.

Uose paints a believable picture of a near future where living forever affects everything around us. It shows that our choices about life and death can impact everything from our closest relationships to how the world works. It is difficult to say more without spoilers, but it is a bittersweet and worthwhile reading (or listening) experience. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator.

This book is perfect for readers who like "Normal People," "Everything Everywhere All at Once," and "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow." It is for anyone curious about the ethical dilemmas surrounding technology, what it means to be human, and have true love.

Thank you to Brazen and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ by Hanna Thomas Uose is an evocative, thought-provoking debut that explores immortality, love, and the cost of time in an intricate, dreamlike narrative. From the moment I started the audiobook, I was immediately drawn into its world. The premise is a fascinating one: a drug called Yureta promises immortality by halting aging, and the story weaves together multiple perspectives on this life-altering option, challenging the value of life itself.

At the heart of the novel are Sam and Yuki, a married couple whose lives take drastically different turns due to Yureta. Sam, an aspiring musician, chooses to take the drug to extend his time and fulfill his ambitions. Yuki, however, becomes an outspoken opponent, rallying against the political and social consequences of immortality. Their diverging paths offer a deep exploration of the personal sacrifices one must make when offered the chance to live forever. The narrative also touches on various other characters with their own views on the drug, adding layers of complexity and depth to the story.

The writing is stunning. The author creates vivid, tangible settings, from a cool spring in Tokyo to a rainy London afternoon, where every scene feels alive. These details, combined with a lyrical prose style, immerse the reader in the world and make it easy to lose track of time. The pacing of the novel mirrors the flow of time itself, moving between past and future, across continents and lives, with a haunting rhythm that enhances the emotional and philosophical undercurrents of the story.

The audiobook narrator brings the story to life with remarkable skill, perfectly capturing the emotional weight and nuances of each character. I found the shifts between perspectives, while initially disorienting, ultimately added to the dreamlike quality of the novel. It was like drifting between different lives and timelines, witnessing the subtle ways in which society and individuals evolve in response to the possibility of immortality.

The novel raises the ultimate question: What would you sacrifice for immortality? It touches on the personal costs, like the loss of loved ones, and the societal divides that could emerge from unequal access to life-extending technology. It's a powerful, reflective exploration of humanity's desire for more time, and the existential crisis that comes with it.

While the ending initially left me unsettled, as it felt a departure from the rest of the narrative’s style, after reflecting on it, I found it strangely fitting. It’s not a neat, tied-up conclusion, but rather one that mirrors the unpredictability and complexity of life itself.

In the end, ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ is a beautiful, bittersweet exploration of love, loss, and the human desire to hold onto time. If you enjoy thought-provoking science fiction, with a side of romance and moral dilemmas, this is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Octopus Audio / Brazen for the advanced copy.

I want to extend a huge thank you to Octopus Audio and NetGalley for giving me the chance to listen to an audio ARC of Who Wants To Live Forever by Hanna Thomas Uose. I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to dive into this book ahead of its official release.

This novel offers a profound exploration of love, mortality, and the desire for eternal life, weaving together elements of dystopian fiction, speculative science, and philosophical reflection. It follows characters whose aspirations lead them to challenge the boundaries of human existence, raising ethical questions, personal conflicts, and the timeless inquiry—if you had the option, would you choose to live forever? With a narrative that spans decades and various locations, this book delves into the cost of immortality and the emotional burden it entails.

The concept of this book is truly brilliant—a blend of science, dreams, love, romance, ambition, potential, and politics. I was eager to embrace it as a lifelong favorite. However, I felt something was missing. I yearned for more—more emotion, more drama, more intense challenges. I wanted the story to resonate more deeply on a personal level, to pull me further into the characters’ struggles. That said, I’m not suggesting the book is bad—far from it! It just didn’t connect with me as strongly as I had anticipated. But trust me, this is a brutally realistic tale, and if you enjoy authentic science fiction that tackles themes of love, loss, and the pursuit of possibility, you might find yourself captivated by this book in a way that I couldn’t.

On a brighter note, I absolutely adored the narrator's style, which enriched the experience for me. I also have a deep respect for the author's vision, and while this book wasn’t a perfect fit for me, I would love to explore more of Hanna Thomas Uose’s works in the future. This is a story that will surely resonate with its ideal audience, and I truly believe that many readers will be touched by its depth and realism.

I loooooooooved this book!!! It was like a mixture between Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, and like...the Soulmate Equation??? It was a really consuming look at love and relationships, and given the chance in a changing world, what would we give up for immortality. I loved the characters (they were the WORST - but written well). Ugh. Adore

Thank you NetGalley and Octopus Audio for the ARC

Unfortunately I didn't vibe with this story. I found the concept very interesting, but was bored during the story. I think it might've been to hard for me to sympathise with the characters and therefore I felt alienated by the story. That said I can see the appeal and I think the story will be a huge success with another audience than myself.

TITLE: Who Wants to Live Forever?
AUTHOR: Hannah Thomas Uose
PUB DATE: March 2025
.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

WHAT I LIKED:

☆ Thought-provoking premise
☆ Beautiful, immersive writing
☆ SO many feelings!

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:

☆ Absolutely nothing, I LOVED IT
☆ -
☆ -

SYNOPSIS:

☆
Sam and Yuki are soulmates, dreaming of a lifetime together, that is, until Yareta comes along. A revolutionary drug that halts ageing, it divides the world into two camps: those who embrace eternal youth and those who refuse to stop time. Yuki is firmly against it. Sam, however, can’t resist. And just like that, their future together is shattered.
☆
As the story unfolds, we meet a whole host of characters dealing with the emotional, political, and ethical consequences of immortality. Love, loss, power- everything changes when death is no longer a certainty. But in a world where time stands still, what does it mean to truly live?
☆
THOUGHTS:
☆
I LOVED this book. It’s the kind of story that lodges itself in your brain and refuses to budge. The writing is absolutely gorgeous, achingly human, tender yet somewhat upsetting, full of quiet heartbreak. It made me question EVERYTHING: love, mortality, even the meaning of existence. Would I take Yareta? Would you?
☆
The exploration of different values, the fear associated with death, the very idea of immortality and what that does to our perception of time, is incorporated fully into this wonderful novel. Heavily philosophical and entirely thought-provoking but never dull or boring.
Honestly, I’ll be thinking about this book forever (ironic, really). An easy five stars…read it immediately!
☆
Huge thanks to Netgallery and Octopus Audio for and advanced copy of this. Simply gorgeous!
☆

RATING: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

Thank you so Hanna Thomas Uose, Octopus Audio and Netgalley for this Arc.

Wow wow wow!

In Who Wants To Live Forever, we follow Yuki and Sam as a new drug is developed which can extend a human life to over 200+ years. Yuki is on the campaign trail to make sure this drug isn’t released into the UK, meanwhile, Sam is feeling like his like is at a standstill and thinks a few more years could be useful so he can follow his dreams.

This book is genius!
I can’t even begin to put into words how much I loved this and I truly think the author captures EXACTLY how the world would react to a drug like this being made available.

*mild spoilers ahead*

I imagine the ending maybe a little frustrating for some but I think this shows that even if we try our hardest to control our life and the time we have, total control is truly impossible.

Looking forward to buying this for all of my friends over the coming year!

wow, I really enjoyed this book. I listened to the audiobook at the same time as I was reading the galley. It’s a bit longer than the books I usually read, but I enjoyed it until the end. Thank you so much.

Thank you for granting me early access to this audiobook and a special thank you to the narrator. What a performance. I loved it so much.

Absolutely loved this thought-provoking book! Well written characters, flawed and human, set in an all too believable world.

Yuki and Sam are perfect for each other from the start, but niggles creep in. Life doesn't pan out how they'd hoped, Sam's dream of fame is slipping away from him, and Yuki has had to put the dream of children out of her mind.
But there is a way to make time stand still, the wonderdrug that stops the ageing process in it's tracks. It's super expensive, but can you put a price on having the time you need in life? Is it worth risking your life 'now' for the hope of a better 'now' in the future?

Not only are the characters well-rounded and real (think Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow), but the choices they make leave you questioning what choices you would make in their shoes.

My only complaint is that it ended too soon!

I was lucky enough to have an ARC of the audiobook gifted by NetGalley and the publisher Octopus Audio. The narration was impeccable 👌

Such an amazing debut and I was hooked from the first moments. When Yareta, a drug that extends human life indefinitely (or to 200 years+ which is basically indefinitely), hits the UK market, we meet Yuki and Sam, both wrestling with the implications in different ways. What ensues is a time-bending story that centres in what it really means to be human if you remove aging, ailing, dying, etc, but only from the portion of the population that can afford it.

I listened to the audiobook, and Lydia Thomas' characterizations and accent work were *chef's kiss.* Her Frank especially, with his California-cool, laissez-faire to the highest bidder attitude was so well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Octopus for the opportunity to listen ahead of publishing!

I loved this book. It's one of those books that I got into straight away. The plotline is fantastic and i didnt want the book to end, it kept me up reading into the early hours of the morning. I really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters. A definite 5 star book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Do you ever think that you could become the perfect version of yourself if only you had enough time?

I cannot stop thinking about this beautiful book! The story follows Sam, Yuki and Maya, weaving back and forth between the late 2010s and the not-so distant future. A life-extending drug is on the market - but there are strings attached. Only the super-rich can afford it without making major sacrifices, and those who are on it can't have children without a permit. The story focuses on a couple who are divided by whether or not to take the drug, but it also explores the political, social and ethical repercussions of extending the human lifespan. When the story is starting to feel heavy, Uose gently reminds us of the insignificance of our mortality by narrating from the point of view of anthropomorphised plants and natural objects. It is a thoughtful story, beautifully written, with heart-breakingly flawed characters. I can't wait for this debut so I can start recommending it!

Who Wants To Live Forever imagines a world where a drug is available to dramatically slow down the ageing process and extend life expectancy several times over. This medication is prohibitively expensive for most people and the novel explores the moral issues raised by the development that isn’t available to everyone. Married couple Sam and Yuki are deeply in love and aligned in many ways, but what if one of you felt the drug is immoral and dangerous but the other one wants to take it.
This is a thought provoking novel that raises many questions about our need to seek immortality but at what cost and do we really want to live forever if our loved ones don’t.

I absolutely loved the concept of this book, it was so unique and thought provoking. This is a story that stays in your mind long after you’ve finished the book, making you question everything about love, mortality, and the cost of eternal life.

At its heart, the book follows Yuki and Sam, two soulmates seemingly destined to spend their lives together. But when a innovative drug that pauses aging becomes available, Sam chooses immortality, sacrificing his relationship with Yuki in the process. Told through multiple perspectives and spanning decades and continents, the story explores the profound consequences of this decision. However, it can be a bit challenging to follow exactly when certain events take place.

With the rapid advancements in AI and technology happening in our real world today, this book feels strangely relevant. It raises a haunting question: if eternal life were possible, how would humanity respond? This is a book that doesn’t just tell a story, it makes you reflect on the future and what it truly means to be human.

Lastly, I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for offering an ARC in exchange for my honest review.