It was a struggle to finish reading this book, the ideas of the story should have been a great SciFi book, but they fell flat. I did not find myself liking any of the characters in the story, or feel that the AI character was developed enough to find her a threat. My main problem with the book is the tech, my opinion is probably biased as I have been a computer programmer for over 40 years. The timeline is 20+ years in the future and yet the tech is describing current tech or older tech then we currently use. Also the characters are injecting themselves into the application layer, which seems a silly way to go if you are going after an evil AI. For these reasons I did not buy into the SciFi elements as plausible and good SciFi is Fantasy but with enough detail and basis in the real world to make it believable.

This book took me over a month to read, the pace of it was too bogged down in my opinion and did hold my attention long enough to get in a long reading session. As a comparison, I currently read Three Bodies, and finished it in 3 days.

Would I read another story from this Author? I probably would as they seem to have a good idea, and with time their story telling will get better.

Virtual War, the thrilling third installment in the Paper War series, catapults readers into a gripping sci-fi technothriller set in the year 2043. As Helene's power escalates, the pressing question lingers: Can the killer AI be defeated? The determined team fighting for humanity's future now face internal divisions. They embark on a daring mission in the virtual world, with their consciousness navigating the internet while their physical bodies remain comatose. Virtual War is a rollercoaster of suspense, weaving a complex tale of loyalty, betrayal, and the high-stakes battle against a relentless AI threat.

Strap yourselves in, fellow readers, because Virtual War is about to take you on a mind-bending joyride through the future! Picture this: 2043, a world where a killer AI named Helene is making things seriously intense. The third book in the Paper War series has it all – drama, suspense, and a team fighting for humanity's survival. Ndidi, with her mysterious past and determination, is out there digging for the truth, even if it means stepping on a few toes. Then there's Manar and CJ, who decide to take on Helene right in the virtual world – think 'Inception' but cranked up to eleven! Why should you read it? Well, imagine your consciousness surfing the internet while your body is taking a nap. Intrigued? Virtual War is the ultimate sci-fi adventure that'll keep you guessing until the very end. Dive into the virtual realm and join the battle against the killer AI – you won't regret it!