Have you ever wondered if technology is becoming too smart? Could the technological advancements we make ever backfire? How could that impact our future? If these thoughts have ever crossed your mind, you will likely enjoy Jack Kelley’s debut novel Crystal and the Underlings: The Future of Humanity.

Advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and genetically modified “Elite” humans rank higher in this dystopian world where unmodified humans, or “underlings”, are largely marginalized. The book’s main protagonist is Crystal (a.k.a. Ice), a legendary Elite warrior who undertakes a risky undercover mission to infiltrate an underling stronghold. Her mission, while successful on the surface, does not go exactly as she planned. Little does Crystal know, her initial assignment morphs into an action packed adventure filled with tense battles, romance, and moments of humor. Allegiances are quick to change, and previous comrades are quick to become the new enemies. With the odds stacked against them, the underdogs in the fight for humanity must use natural intelligence and unconventional military strategy to survive.

What I liked most about this book was the adventure filled story line, particularly the military strategy and planning that goes into each mission. The author has a unique ability to be keenly descriptive, which allowed me to vividly imagine the setting and events unfolding. While set in the distant future, familiar geographic and pop culture references throughout allows the reader to connect to the characters. There are also some unexpected plot twists that I will not mention here, but it certainly made the story more interesting to me. I liked that there are many character types, including various builds of AI powered robots, genetically engineered humans, and unmodified humans (underlings). Each character has a unique personality ranging from cold-blooded killer to friendly colleague, and everything in between. While Crystal is the protagonist, other characters such as James “Maverick” Brownstone certainly share the spotlight.

My only criticism of the novel is that it carries a heavy Christian theme, which may not appeal to readers of a larger audience. The novel does not mention subscribers of different faiths, which would be interesting to explore in the setting provided. While Crystal, and presumably most Elites, initially appear to be non-theist or atheistic, this is the only obvious representation included outside of the Christian faith. However, I believe that these religious themes do not take away from the main story of Crystal and her ultimate personal transformation.

The story of Crystal and the other main characters is quite powerful, and I believe that fans of romance or action/adventure novels will enjoy it just as much as fans of science fiction. In fact, I believe that most fiction fans would enjoy reading this novel as it incorporates themes and elements across many genres. Everyone enjoys a good underdog story, and Crystal and the Underlings is that and much more!