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Pseudo-Immortals: The Novel
Original price was: RM 48.00.RM 38.00Current price is: RM 38.00.
Author: Charissa Ong Ty
Pseudo-Immortals is the first sci-fi novel by bestselling author Charissa Ong and also marks Penwings Publishing’s debut into the world of full-length fiction. Known for her emotional poetry, Charissa takes a sharp turn into high-tech mystery, weaving a bold, fast-paced story that explores AI, immortality, and what it means to be human.
Leander –
I was lucky enough to be able to read the first draft and devoured it in days (not normal for me!).
I love science fiction, especially when books create a new world with different ideas or concepts than what I’ve already read, and pseudo-immortals does just that. It’s also a pretty light read at the same time and I felt a desire to pick it up even after a long day. Sheila is a deep but entertaining main character and the focus of the first pages of the book – then things start to cascade and one event follows the other, making it hard to put the book away, like with any great read!
Oliver –
Pseudo-Immortals had a lot of very interesting stories to tell. Loved the AI world and the convenience of it.
From being sort of a “teenager” stuck in a corporate world and then transitioning to a mother, which led to her being a spy and then in the end becoming a political figure.
It is quite an interesting read and had so much potential if the book was longer. Plus with that epilogue!! It’s not all man but ALWAYS A MAN that never respects a woman’s wishes 😭.
Secretly wished it was a tad bit longer bcs there were so many things that can be further explained / detailed.
Wai Lu Yin –
Sheila Patel, a 214-year-old pseudo-immortal sustained by bionic parts, lives in pursuit of happiness. She eventually chooses to have a child, Shiva, through the “Build a Baby” program. Fast forward to Sheila’s 243th birthday, tragedy strikes—Shiva is found murdered. With the help of her new love, Flynn, Sheila sets out to uncover the truth behind her child’s death and the dark secrets of Generation Regen and Bionics Co.
Clarissa takes us on a reflective journey through Sheila’s choices in living a full life—from her emotional bond with Flynn to how AI, including her companion Allie, shapes the future. Despite the rise of advanced tech, nostalgic elements like Polaroids remain cherished as vintage mementos.
She thoughtfully explores how AI and technology aid in uncovering the mystery behind Sheila’s daughter’s death, using simple language that makes complex topics like reproduction, aging, and immortality easy to understand. However, she also reveals the darker side of extended life: the costs, the upkeep, and the exploitation driven by greed and profit.
There’s a subtle tension between personal investment and sacrifice—like Sheila weighing the cost of her own bionic upgrades versus what she once spent for her daughter.
Clarissa also weaves in layered interpretations of love: a poem at the story’s opening chapters, quiet sparks between Sheila and Flynn during their mission that will leave you chuckled, and Sheila’s unwavering devotion as a mother.
The only challenge I faced was visualising the action involving technology after the big reveal and the villain which I find it lacking. It took a few reads to fully grasp the sequence of events.
The story ends on a poignant note that tugs at the heart, offering a deeper meditation on the meaning of everlasting love.
Overall, this story left a lasting emotional impression. What stood out most to me was how seamlessly it combined heart and futuristic elements without losing its sense of intimacy. Even with the occasional challenge in visualising certain scenes, the narrative pulled through with a powerful, tender ending.
It’s a meaningful read for those drawn to sci-fi stories that reflect on what it means to love, live, and let go—especially in a world shaped by technology.
Thanks Clarissa, Penswing, and Eat Books Club for having me to review “Pseudo-Immortals”
Pre-order is now available at Penswing.com.
C.Sim –
Given that poetry is what Charissa Ong is best known for, her literary jump into sci-fi is an interesting one. I’m all for authors who expand their literary horizons, so I was down to reading Pseudo-Immortals when it reached my mailbox.
Behind the shiny illustrated covers tells a story of Sheila Patel, a double-centenarian human with bionic limbs (a vintage pseudo-immortal) who lives in the far future where humans and artificial intelligence coexist.
In the first few chapters, you’ll get a strong sense of who Sheila is – someone who masks her loneliness with hobbies and depends on her AI assistant for everyday tasks. Deep down, she yearns for love and that led to her decision to have a baby. From there, the book takes off in quick bursts of action.
Pseudo-Immortals is far from a heavy sci-fi read. Short chapters and straightforward prose, it’s a fast-paced book you can finish over the weekend. The author’s simplistic writing also makes it accessible to anyone new to the genre.
In favour of pacing, I feel the novel sacrifices much of the world-building I expect in sci-fi books. What does the futuristic world look like outside of Sheila’s bubble? How is the AI world governed? What’s life like for other vintages like Sheila? A deep dive into this imagined AI future would have made the book more immersive.
Much of the action happens in the second half of the book. However, some sequences felt a bit hard to follow. Sometimes, I find myself lost in the chase and have to reread certain parts when the pace quickens.
Despite the gaps in immersion and sequential clarity, I commend the author for braving her literary expansion from poetry to sci-fi. It’s no easy feat. Like every journey, it’s onwards and upwards from here.
Huge thanks to Penwings Publishing for the arc and the opportunity to review this book.
Shoutout to Charissa Ong (yes, the author herself!) and Adrianus Harris for the stunning cover design and illustrations.
ari –
When I first started reading it, I had no idea where the story will lead. I really enjoyed the world building and how it is set in the future. I really enjoyed myself since it felt like such an easy read. The characters & their Al partners are likeable. Shila’s personality and humour entertained me. It was nice watching her character grow & go through different life phases. I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting that ending. Also, the physical book cover is gorgeous!
Michele –
As a newcomer to sci-fi, reading Charissa’s debut Pseudo-Immortals felt like a whirlwind—like a kite caught in a storm. The journey spans birth to death, solitude to excitement, grief to justice, and ultimately, peace. Readers experience it all: love, loss, existential crisis, political corruption, fear, a leap of faith, and even humor. Charissa tackles issues especially relevant to younger generations—the “living dead” of social media, endlessly scrolling just to “survive.”
The story follows Sheila Patel, a member of the Vintage group, who questions humanity’s latest breakthrough: a cure for aging. Through her inner monologue and conversations with her AI “friend,” Sheila dives into big existential questions—Is immortality what we really wanted? Why do we exist if we live forever? What does love mean after centuries of life?
Charissa enriches Sheila’s 258-year journey with futuristic twists, clever acronyms, and a fast-moving narrative that picks up quickly after a slower start. Her blending of AI and tech feels effortless—like spreading butter on warm toast—even for someone not typically into sci-fi. A playlist curated by Charissa adds a cinematic layer to the reading experience, and at times, it felt like watching a movie. I even wished to see Sheila, Flynn, Allie, and Bret (their AI partner) brought to life on screen.
That said, the characters didn’t always feel fully developed—they lacked the emotional depth that makes fictional people feel real. Some scenes, especially moments of grief, felt rushed, and the romance didn’t quite land—it seemed more functional than felt. Still, the story’s creativity, momentum, and humor kept me hooked. One line I’ll never forget: “Today’s body stash brings tomorrow’s bag of cash!”
Nevertheless, thank you Charissa for the book and the cover is brilliant!
Pre-order is now available at Penwings.com
Rahdika K –
This book marks the debut novel of the author, and it’s quite a bold start. The story centers around Sheila Patel, who is 214 years old when the novel begins. In her futuristic world, lifespans stretch across centuries thanks to technological advancements. But what happens when you live that long? What becomes of purpose, meaning, or even identity? That’s the crux of Sheila’s journey. The decision she makes and the cost of that decision. As the plot unfolds, she discovers a ploy that ties directly into her predicament. Whether or not she succeeds in seeking justice, and at what price, is what drives the rest of the narrative.
First off, I have to say, I loved the cover! It’s modern, sleek, and eye-catching. The design is minimal yet impactful, and even the edges of the book are beautifully done. Huge kudos to the designer, it truly feels like a work of art.
One of the standout moments for me was the ending. It presents an ethical dilemma that I’m still thinking about. What does it really mean to play God? Can a life stretched over centuries ever feel fulfilling, or does it become monotonous? I appreciated that the author chose to leave readers with this question. It left me reflecting long after I’d turned the final page.
The futuristic setting was another highlight. The author did a commendable job of building a world that feels advanced yet eerily possible. With how rapidly technology is evolving, especially AI, I often find myself wondering, how much is too much? Where do we draw the line? This book sparked those exact thoughts, which made the experience feel even more relevant.
Now, about the characters. The central figures are Sheila and Flynn. Personally, I didn’t feel very connected to them. They didn’t fully come alive for me, and I think their development could have gone a bit deeper. Their relationship, in particular, felt a bit forced, like it stemmed more from circumstance than genuine chemistry. It seemed like they leaned on each other during vulnerable moments rather than forming a meaningful bond. Of course, that might have been intentional, but it left me not really rooting for them as a pair.
The pacing was alright. I did manage to finish it in one sitting. It started off a little oddly and dragged in parts, but the second half picked up speed. That said, the ending felt somewhat chaotic and, at times, a bit confusing. I think a little more clarity in the final chapters would have helped tie things together.
As for the antagonist, I felt they lacked impact. The villain didn’t really stand out for me, and I think the story would have benefited from a more cunning or complex adversary. That could have given the protagonists more depth as well. Some of the plot twists were also a bit predictable.
All in all, this book is an intriguing sci-fi debut that dives into themes of longevity, technology, and what it means to be human. If you’re into futuristic stories that make you question where we’re headed as a society, this one might just be worth checking out.
I would like to thank the publisher and Rish’s Book Club for the arc copy. Wishing good luck for the launch!
Ella –
really intriguing premise with lots of cool tech introduced throughout the story (germline editing, facial disguise tech, consciousness transferral etc.), yet kept accessible for readers new to the scifi genre. the fast-paced story was also really easy to follow and breeze through, with humour and wittiness sprinkled in for that ✨extra character✨ (though i felt it can be toned down a little— why is Sheila mean to her AI!!!)
the author explored themes of good and evil, power and corruption, what it means to be human when you are literally half AI— and i personally would’ve loved for some of the themes to be explored further, with more focus on that and less on the romance (not a fan sorry Flynn i preferred u as an antagonist) bc it felt rather unnatural and “inappropriate”, especially at the time of events (iykyk) i also like my men flawed and flynn is… too good to be true LOL
overall, this was a lighthearted read that is hopeful among a sea of dystopian scifi narratives. give this a shot if you’re looking for a quick YA romance sci-fi read 🙂 not to mention the absolute GORGEOUS cover and sprayed edges. thank you penwings publishing for the ARC and congrats Charissa on your debut novel!
Rhaasri –
With a sleek, artsy cover, the book undoubtedly met the mark on its first impression. Charissa’s writing style accommodates a simple yet fun read, fitting in making her novel debut. Sending the reader into a future that may yet still not be too far away, Charissa Ong provides a glimpse of what might come to be.
Sheila Patel lives her life as a pseudo-immortal during a time when one’s financial means can be used to optimize their body through enhanced capabilities and limb replacements. With old age death no longer a hurdle, quality of life is extended through the will of personal AIs. Although companionship and virtual prototype experiences were easily fulfilled by an AI, Sheila Patel finds herself in search of a deeper sense of living. Her choices lead her down a path of maternal responsibility and eventual discovery of a corporate feud at the very top.
Adventures along the way have her confronting unforeseen circumstances that demand more than just mere brawn and wit. Sheila’s journey teases at a potential romance that may appear clear-cut at first but holds mysteries that can have the reader leaning either way. On the other hand, her partner in crime, Flynn Murr, is not someone you could get a read on at first glance. With a gradual build leading up to several twists in between, the journey in a nutshell was one I am glad I took.
Overall, it was a worthy read that showcased clear promise for Charissa Ong’s future endeavors. Looking forward to what’s in the making.
Chong Di Xun (verified owner) –
I’m a simple man, I buy books from great authors.
I will buy every book from COTY. Pre-order done!