2040
by Robert Albo
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Pub Date 1 Jan 2024 | Archive Date 20 Jul 2024
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Description
In 2040, advanced technology has transformed daily life, yet many social ills remain. At 40, Michael faces a choice: remain in Boston, tethered to uninspiring government programs, or forge a fresh path.
Embracing the latter, he relocates to Berkeley to join his twin brother in his groundbreaking research into dark matter. Could this elusive, intangible substance, rumored to permeate the universe, also reside within the human brain, holding the key to the mysteries of consciousness? When an experiment goes awry, or perhaps ominously right, Michael undergoes an extraordinary transformation, emerging with newfound confidence, insatiable ambition, and an enigmatic edge.
Enter Anni, a formidable Chinese power broker and trailblazer in the realm of artificial intelligence. Amidst this backdrop, a catastrophic "sleeping sickness" sweeps across the globe, consuming the consciousness of its victims.
Scientists make a chilling discovery; the origins are extraterrestrial. Delving into themes of dark matter, artificial intelligence, and the new frontier of artificial intimacy, this novel offers a stark look at the challenges and wonders that may await us in the not-so-distant future.
Advance Praise
The setting and protagonist of the novel immediately grabbed my attention. Placing the story just a few years into the future piqued my curiosity and made me want to know what was going to occur in the narrative as well as how these events were going to unfold. The fact that the setting was completely here on the planet Earth in the near future opens this book up to a larger audience other than the science fiction community. Overall, the novel had a very Spielberg-esque feel to it.
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9798870085470 |
| PRICE | US$4.99 (USD) |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Stephanie H, Reviewer
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.
Chris R, Reviewer
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.
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