2040

Michael Knightsbridge isn't exactly an overachiever, living off of government programs as opposed to his twin brother, Wendell who is a researcher at UC Berkeley. In the year 2040, Artificial Intelligence has a larger role in society and Wendell is digging into his research in dark matter. Wendell invites Michael to help coordinate volunteers at his lab, scanning people's brains for dark matter bundles. Within days of a scan of his own, Michael is thrown into the world of dark matter, is connected with a powerful Chinese broker named Anni and thrown into the political scene. While Michael's life is turned upside down, he discovers purpose as a mysterious illness called the sleeping sickness hits the world. With Anni in his corner and his insight into dark matter, Michael is in a unique position to help save the world or destroy it.

2040 is a fast-paced speculative fiction novel set in the not too distant future. I could immediately relate to Michael's character. In a world of over achievers, Michael has chosen to sit back and live a slower paced life; however, his life changes drastically after he accepts the position with his brother's lab. From here, the plot moves super quickly. I would have loved to dig deeper into Michael's character as all the changes were happening around him as well as into the larger picture of the world's reactions with the discovery of dark matter, sleeping sickness and the quickly changing political views. I was intrigued by the sleeping sickness as well as the being behind it and would have loved to delve deeper into that other world. Anni's character was another enigma whose true identity I guessed at early. I was interested in how her consciousness developed and her partnership with Michael. The ending wrapped up rather quickly and it would have been great to see how Michael's action affected the world. Overall, a wonderful speculative fiction story with amazing ideas that I would have liked to see dug into even more.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

Really good sci-fi story with a lot of near future technology that may hinder more than it helps.
The story starts with an underachieving gamer eventually being hired to work for his overachieving scientist brother.
Within a short period the gamer becomes the person he possibly should have been and helps work against alien invasion
It's definitely a great read and I really would recommend it for people who like stories where the underdog comes out on top.

This was a really interesting concept for a sci-fi novel, I was invested in the advanced technology in this world. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and what was going on with them. I loved the science element and how it worked in this book. Robert Albo does a great job in writing this and leaving me wanting more.