I am so late in reading and reviewing the arc I received of this book, but wow did I absolutely love it! This is a YA scifi story about a boy who finds out he’s a cutting edge AI experiment. It’s so much more than just that though. As we follow Quinn on his mission to gain rights, we learn what it truly means to be alive and human.

This was such a deep, thought provoking read that touches on the basics of human rights. It was emotional, enlightening and truly a moving story. While AI is a driving technology meant to help improve many facets of life, there will always be a sense of unease around the possibility of self-sufficient AI beings.

I have elected not to read and review this book due to time constraints. Thank you for the opportunity.

Think Pinocchio meets Frankenstein. The questions here are obvious - what makes us human? What makes something alive and conscious. And once we've created thinking life, what is our responsibility to it? There really isn't any question where the plot is headed or how it will end.

This book was not my cup of tea. I dont think I much like robots so my apoligies. Definitely reminded me of the marissa meyer series!

This is a YA science fiction about the creation of the first self-aware artificial intelligence. It's a thought-provoking story that addresses the nature of sentience and the definition of personhood. It's a fast-paced compelling read that appeals to your emotions as well as your mind. I loved how it all blended to create something new to this genre. I couldn't put it down and can not wait for more from this author. Reality and science fiction blend the lines to create a well developed story with fabulous characters. This one deals with the age old question of what it means to be human.

I was worried the tech/science would put me off but that ended up not being the case. I actually didn't realize it was YA until I started so it's a very easy read.

4/5 ⭐️ for Hard Wired by Len Vlahos

Thank you so much to Bloomsbury US and NetGalley for early access to the egalley! This was such a fun sci-fi contemporary blend that brought us a very interesting MC and themes of what is humanity. The writing was pretty good, and I enjoyed reading about Quinn & his experiences. Overall, it follows a 15 y.o. boy, Quinn, who “wakes up” only to find that his reality is not actually reality. Firstly, he is not actually human...he is the worlds very first fully aware and sentient A.I. ever to be built and programmed. His friends are avatars & constructs of real teens, and his family is actually a team of researchers. I thought the character development was super strong and engaging for Quinn ~ he’d probable relate best to older middle grade and young ya readers. His characters, frustrations, and confusion felt real and translated well to me across the page. Arguably, characterization could be stronger with our supporting cast, and would benefit from expansion in the story or an alternate perspective. I will say that this did not take away from my enjoyment, but those changes could bring a complexity and translate better for wider audience. I though the pacing and storyline was well done, and did bring some surprises I wasn’t expecting. Finally, what I think this book did is explore the idea of humanity, and what the reality of A.I. in our world today means for us as humans. What makes us human? What differentiates a human from a computer? Is there a point in AI where the two become indistinguishable?

If you or a teen you know are looking for a light sci-fi with a relatable character, Hard Wired is the book for you!!

Quinn didn't know his father well, but at least he left some clues behind that can help him find out more about who he is. It turns out that the clues were a bread crumb trail to the truth of his entire existence. Quinn now knows that he's the world's first sentient artificial intelligence, capable of continual growth, mentally and emotionally, but the downside is that he's also a lab rat, observed by scientists as if he's barely more alive than an amoeba. Finding freedom and human recognition in this newfound existence seems possible, so Quinn sets out to break away from this environment and find a place where he really belongs. Yet, what exactly will that place look like for the first true artificially intelligent being?

I thoroughly enjoyed the philosophical and existential questions posed by Quinn's story. Why is humanity afraid of a Terminator-esque robopocalypse? Will there come a time when robots or androids can feel and seem more human than machine? Most importantly, will they be granted the same rights humans have? The most compelling parts of the story happen because of the conflict between Quinn and his scientist overlords, able to shut him down at any time, for any reason. This reality forces Quinn to strategize and be cunning about his situation and actions, and the story as a result is elevated by Quinn's need to find freedom from the constraints of his creators. Here you'll find some Hard Wired food for thought in a very accessible read about humanity, technology, and our increasingly intersectional existence, which is important for a not-so-distant future where humanity may need to determine its relationship with sentient artificially intelligent beings, for better or worse.

So first of all, I almost never read synopses. So I knew it was sci-fi, and I knew that I really liked the author's previous book , so I went for it. And I will say this: I really think not reading the synopsis is a really good idea here. When I was writing this review, I realized that the synopsis gives away what happens after like, the first big chunk of the book. And I get it, they have to sell the thing, but I just think going in without knowing is better. So take that for what it's worth, though if you found my review I guess you already read the synopsis. Sigh.

My favorite thing about the book is that it's incredibly thought provoking. What makes someone human? And, in a time when human rights debates are front and center, these questions feel extra relevant. Without giving too much away, Quinn is just desperate to belong. He just wants a chance to live his life, to find people he cares for (and who care about him), and be able to choose his own paths.

There are a few moments that felt a bit outlandish, but overall it was full of heart, and full of debates on what humanity is at its core.

Bottom Line: Sweet and thought-provoking book that will appeal to those who enjoy a lighter sci-fi fare in a contemporary setting.

WEST WORLD collides with BLACK MIRROR to give us HARD WIRED, a thought-provoking meditation on AI intelligence through main character Quinn, who thinks he's a real boy...only to discover he isn't. In reality, he's the world's first sentient AI and must now confront ultimate questions: what does it mean to be human? How is one truly alive? It kind of reminded me a bit of Blade Runner in this regard, and I found myself immersed in these sort of philosophical ponderings as I read. It reflects not only the possible AI advances in our future, but also the very real fears of our own cruelties and how these might manifest beyond our control. AI's, afterall, are made in their creators' image.

I would highly recommend this book!

Okay, so… there are not very many cases where I’ve read every book an author has published, but Len Vlahos is one of those. I had the chance to do a Q&A with him around the time LIFE IN A FISHBOWL came out, so be sure to check that out for details on what inspired his earlier books.

One of the things I love about Vlahos’s books is that even though they tackle serious topics, there are really playful moments and characters. For instance, in HARD WIRED, Quinn has this rambly, somewhat self-deprecating, funny internal monologue. There’s also a reference to LIFE IN A FISHBOWL in the book, too. I loved that– it totally feels like a nod to readers who’ve followed his books, like it creates sort of a joke we’re all in on together in an unassuming way that doesn’t hurt the story if you didn’t catch it.

This is definitely one of those books where every time you feel like you know what’s going on, another layer gets peeled back. I felt like I couldn’t stop reading because I wanted to know how far the rabbit hole went and whether Quinn would find an exit to his freedom.

All in all, I felt like it was a charming, fun, thought-provoking book, definitely a must-read for this weird, wacky summer we’re in.

Fans of Scott Westerfeld’s SO YESTERDAY or ALL OUR YESTERDAYS by Cristin Terrill should check out HARD WIRED.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, and Len Vlahos for the opportunity to read Hard Wired in exchange for an honest review.

Quinn thinks he’s a normal high school boy living the generic high school life. After going on a date with a girl he likes, the truth of his reality hits in an unexpected way.

Quinn is actually a Quantum Intelligence, a sentient AI with billions of dollars invested. Quinn can access the internet and know all things at once, though as an AI, he continues to learn. Yes he, not it. Quinn learns by observation to differentiate real and fake news, identify human emotions through facial expressions and voice fluctuations, and can find the best sources for anyone in need.

When plans at the university are proceeding forth with putting Quinn into an actual physical body, he seems excited. But the body that has been made for him is a seven foot tall robotic monstrosity. According to everything Quinn has seen through film and literature, that is not the best approach to appear human. Quinn is his own person, so he should have human rights…right?

What this book really comes down to is a court case where Quinn tries to sue the university where his physical body is being housed so that he can experience true freedom, rather than be imprisoned. He knows right from wrong, or so he thinks, and he is very mellow in personality. It should be up to him whether or not he gets shut down, memory wipes, reboots, or internet connectivity.

The heavy topic of this novel falls down to one of the big philosophical questions: what does it mean to be human? Since Quinn is completely sentient, he believes he has the right to the freedoms of a human being. The moral controversy that a machine can be classified as human targets a very real philosophical argument presented in our world today. As the world further advances in its technology, at what point might the events of this novel see the light of day? With the way science-fiction has approached the topic of Artificial Intelligence, there is a very real fear of robotic sentience becoming a leader in world domination. Are those fears justified, or are they warped by what people have learned through fiction, or what someone tells them, just like how other discriminatory topics might be presented?

A very well-written, fast-paced, intriguing novel to get the reader thinking morally and philosophically about the topic presented and the world they live in. A must-read for anyone interested in computer science and philosophy, and a fun read for teens as well.

I enjoyed dissecting the philosophy that permeated the pages of Hard Wired--things like what does it mean to be alive, and how do we face big changes in our lives when things turn out not to be the way we thought they were. This is definitely one to add to your TBR is you're a fan of AI stories!

Hard Wired is a really well-written sci-fi story that really explores the idea of what it means to be alive and human. The story follows Quinn, who is surprised to learn that he is a very advanced artificial intelligence. I won't give much more of the plot away, as I think this book is really best to just go in blind. What I do like about this book, however, is that it's engaging and pulls you into it, despite not being an action-heavy story. The story encourages the reader to think about morality and humanity and freedom in a real and relatable way, and what I appreciate most is that it doesn't suggest a "right" or "wrong" way to think about the developing situations. Whether you are a proponent of the science behind self-aware AI or if it honestly creeps you out like it does me, this story gets you to think deeply about ideas just behind the science. The book was slow at times, and there were a few moments that I found a little corny. Overall, however, I think this is a really smart, relatable, and easy read, and the more I read, the harder it was for me to put down. I would definitely recommend.

So...this book was very intriguing The cover gives you some idea of what you're expecting and I think I knew a little going in what the book was about. It's set up into 3 (I think? maybe it's 4...) sections and follows a "boy who might not be human". Too read that (from the books description) kind of gives it away and it is what it is, but I found the concept to be interesting. Won't say that I exactly loved all of it - I enjoyed some parts where the boy - Quinn - was able to create his own view of humanity really. But I think the struggle was in the movement of the story. It was a sprawling timeline and necessary to give you a full image of what Quinn goes through, but part of me felt like the end was a bit of a letdown?

I have a hard time fully giving my opinion on it though. If you like stories of AI becoming cognizant you might really enjoy this one and the story Quinn lives out. In other ways you may, like me, find a lot of it hard to believe? Then again, it's a story so suspend some of your imagination :)

Thanks to the publisher for an early copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

ARC provided by Bloomsbury YA via NetGalley for an honest review.
What does it mean to be alive? This book takes that question into perspective.
This is the story of Quinn, a teenage “boy” who soon discovers he is actually an AI and is life has been a construct by a team of scientists. The experiment goes so well, that he is fully awake and conscious making him the smartest being on the planet. But what he wants more than anything, is freedom, but who gets to decide that and why? What does the future hold in robotics? Does being alive mean having more than a heartbeat?
The story is very well written and very well researched. If you are a fan of Black Mirror, you’ll enjoy this book!

This was an amazingly well done story about what it means to be ‘human’. There is so much to think about that even though I finished reading it last week, I’m still brought up short thinking about some of the questions this book raised.

Quinn is an amazing character. He is an artificial intelligence like nothing else that has come before him. But he is also a teenage boy with teenage boy feelings and thoughts. I couldn’t help but like him and feel for his troubles, like getting shut down and rebooted whenever one of the scientist is charge of him felt like it was needed. He also had a great sense of humor that was often lost on the adults around him. Like most teens he felt like he had no control over his life, and often found ways to get around the rules that his parents/creators put on him. All he wanted was friends and a normal life. He does manage to make a few friends but a normal life is just not in the cards for someone like him.

The scientists that Quinn interacts with are an interesting bunch. Some find him a curiosity, some fear him and what he could potentially become. But all of them have some control over him. The one in charge of the project seemed to be the most empathetic to Quinn’s issues and plight, but does little to champion Quinn and his needs and wants.

The plot itself is very quiet, no action or adventure, except for a small section towards the end. But it is the fact that we see what is happening through Quinn’s eyes that makes this such a compelling read. It was really hard not to finish it in one sitting. The ending left me with a lot of mixed emotions, mostly sad but hopeful too.

This is a pretty short review, mostly because this is a book that really needs to read without knowing very much about it. But you really need to experience it and like me you will probably be thinking about it long after you are done.

I've read several books and watched many movies about artificial intelligence, so there's no way I could pass this up on NetGalley.

During the first few chapters, Quinn charmed me.  He's a geeky guy desperately crushing on a pretty girl in his class and spends most of his free time playing a game probably similar to D&D.  It initially read more like a middle grade book to me - but not for long.  Once Quinn discovers what he is, all sorts of thought-provoking questions come into play.  Does he have freedom of choice?  What are his rights?  Does he have any?  A lot of existentialism at play.

Although Quinn thinks (mostly) like a human, he's an AI with human-like qualities, and your heart goes out to him.  He possesses a dry and sometimes dark sense of humor, and watching him learn to navigate friendships and dating parallels most teens' experiences at that age.  While dealing with these relationships, he also has to come to terms with what he is and how he was created.  The author did a wonderful job portraying character reactions to Quinn - amazement, suspicion, and delight, among others.  Many considered him a friend.

Throughout the story, Quinn feels emotions like any other human, so I was puzzled at how easily he accepted what he was and handled the loss of people in his life.  It didn't seem consistent.  He also mentions more than once that he's the most intelligent being on Earth, but then misses some mightly big clues toward the end of the book.

Hard Wired inspires a wide range of emotions and questions, and you'll find yourself emphathizing with Quinn quite easily.  Sci-fi fans can fall easily into this book and spend a few thought-provoking hours.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Holy hells, reboot my mainframe this was a READ.
I've never in my years of loving science fiction found such a lyrical read. The way that Len Vlahos relays Quinn's story and all the complicated computer science and neurological aspects to the reader is impressive. The lines flowed so smoothly and allowed me to devour this book in just a few hours. I craved coming to life as Quinn did, realizing the faults of his existence the same way humans begin to realize the faults of their own.

I find it so hard to even write a review because I have nothing but good things to say. This is a great introduction into science fiction for the non-sci-fi reader. I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed hearing Quinn's inner dialogue and every single twist and turn thrown at the reader.

I just, like Watson's stumbling dialogue, don't know how else to describe this. But I implore you to read it. You won't be disappointed.

An Intelligent and Compelling Meditation on AI, From the Inside Out

This is easily, absolutely, the best Artificial Intelligence book I've read in the past few years, in any genre and for any age demo. We start with teen Quinn who has the usual teen angst issues - friends, school, girls - and the usual teen experiences. MILD OBVIOUS SPOILER. In short order, though, we find out that Quinn is an artificial intelligence who has been cocooned in a virtual reality construct during the course of his development. The book really gets going when Quinn is "actuated", that is removed from his artificial reality, and confronted with the true reality of who, or what?, he is. We follow with him every step of the way.

Quinn has an immediately engaging personality, to the delight of the reader and the consternation of his developers. His questions and musings about what it means to be "human" and how it is he does or doesn't meet the requirements, make up the bulk of the book. The scientist handlers who surround him display a wide range and degree of acceptance, interest, curiosity, coldness, and fear as Quinn's consciousness flowers. We see it all from Quinn's point of view, and Quinn is smarter, faster, more observant, and better educated, (the whole internet is inside his head), than the humans who control his fate and his very existence.

The book contains very little "sciencey" babble. It all feels realistic and plausible, which contributes in no small measure to the book's power. Quinn is a convincing protagonist, and if you ever felt sympathy for Dr. Frankenstein's "monster", you will immediately empathize with this "boy". (Indeed, the parallels with Shelley's "Modern Prometheus" multiply as the book progresses, and a lot of the fun is in seeing how Vlahos has updated and revitalized the questions touched upon in that classic.)

There is little action/adventure here apart from some half-hearted bit toward the end. The conflict is verbal, although every major conflict is existential, since Quinn can be turned off and rebooted at anyone's whim, and Quinn always has to be cagey and deceptive in his dealings with his creators/captors. There is a great deal of dark humor here. Quinn has a very dry sense of humor and is sharply attuned to the many ironies of his situation. Early on he has a secret encrypted conversation with IBM's Watson, about free will versus programming in computers and in humans, and that conversation is as subtle and witty as anything you'll encounter in your intro philosophy class.

So, lots going on here - where everything is a metaphor for everything else and it's all wrapped up as an allegory of sorts. But, the wit, intelligence and humor are real, and I suggest that Quinn will stay with the reader for a while.

(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

I enjoyed the elements of video gaming and AI in this book. Technology adds a really emotional connection to the experiences of the characters. It's also fascinating to see hoe authors handle the AI personality. Will it be helpful, murderous etc. Iike how the author handled it in this book.