Debut author McAulty, an expert in machine language learning, extrapolates a scary AI-overrun 2083 that's only a few steps removed from today's reality. This massive and impressive novel is set in an America that outlawed the development of artificial intelligence and quickly lost a short and bitter war against robot-led fascist countries. Most of America is now occupied by Venezuelan "peacekeeping" forces. The story is narrated tastefully and with self-deprecating humor by Barry Simcoe, a 30-something Canadian CEO recently arrived in Chicago to close some international technology deals. Shocked by what he sees, he immediately plunges into 10 days of complicated rescue sorties against a backdrop of urban devastation and corruption. He saves a wounded diplomat robot, allies himself with a Russian biowarfare specialist who's developing an antidote for a virus intended to wipe out the human race, and risks his life to adopt a starving Rottweiler. For romantic appeal, he variously saves and is saved by Mackenzie Stronnick, a gorgeous machine-hating Chicago realtor; tough Venezuelan sergeant Noa Van de Velde; and enigmatic masked robot Jacaranda. Though the technology-rich plot loses a bit of its savage verisimilitude as it progresses, McAulty maintains breathless momentum throughout. Readers will hope for more tales of this sinister future and eagerly pick up on hints that Barry and his companions may continue their exploits. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

*Starred Review* Machine intelligences rule most of the world, human governments are rapidly losing their power, a war-ravaged U.S. is on the brink of descending into chaos, and a mysterious new plague is on the loose. In Chicago, one man finds himself at the nexus of a complex web of secrets that threatens to upend the world as we know it. This debut novel beautifully combines a postapocalyptic man-versus-machine conflict and a medical thriller. The world is immersive and detailed, the characters have depth, the writing is assured, the plotting intelligent, and the pacing about perfect. McAulty's take on how AI might evolve gives the premise a unique twist. The story is action-packed, starting with a boom (literally) and driving you along from one crisis to the next. The action rarely lets up, yet it never becomes tiresome. The exposition gets a bit heavy-handed at times, but not enough to slow things down. There are intriguing details of this world that McAulty teases but never fully reveals, and that builds anticipation for his next books. This is thrilling, epic sf.--Keogh, John Copyright 2018 Booklist

DEBUT McAulty's fast-paced sf thriller debut deftly weaves humor, mystery, drama, and action into an intricately detailed world. Robots are quickly increasing in both numbers and intelligence. Fewer governments are run by humans, with AIs now owning the majority of global economic power. The United States has been invaded and is occupied by several factions. Canadian businessman Barry Simcoe is operating out of a recovering Chicago and begins unraveling a mystery that involves a secret robot cabal, a small resistance group, and the potential extermination of all human life. The postapocalyptic setting is well drawn, but the depth and breadth of details never overwhelm readers. Simcoe is intelligent and capable and, with other key characters, helps to build an engaging and textured story. -VERDICT As the violence and romance aren't explicit, this adventure is appropriate for ambitious adult and YA readers alike.-Matt Schirano, Univ. of -Bridgeport Lib., CT © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.