I think this book was good. I requested it because it sounded interesting, and it was. The cast of characters was interesting and all so different from one another. I love the setting and environment this book created it really helped to create well rounded and dynamic characters

Ten years before, A heatwave killed millions of people across the Persian Gulf. The wife of journalist Marcus Tully, was included in the tragedy. Now it’s 2050 and climate change has heated up the world, leaving no choice but to have a dictator to battle the issue. This results in a past American president and the first AI politician. Marcus Tully investigates the past heatwave and the election, digging himself into tough situations.

Thomas R. Weaver wrote a murder mystery revolving around the future world and what it could look like.

Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐️

Opinion: Climate change is terrifying and this book does an amazing job at showing what the world could look like because of it.

I thought the commentary on ai, social media, and politics was done well. This book kind of indirectly discusses the danger of social media and how it could affect the future. So is already becoming so important, and the story shows what it could become. The politics seem to not change, there’s still corruptness even when the world is in danger. That’s how I interpreted it at least.

The neuroreality concept was a nice touch. The headset and the jello like substance that they had to take to use virtual reality were nice choices.

In general, I thought the world building was great. I’d like to see more about the floating states as I thought that was an interesting concept.

I liked Marcus Tully a lot and felt the most connection with him. I didn’t care much for any of the other characters.

Now, I was aware that this was supposed to be fast paced, so I’m not really adding this opinion into my rating, but the pacing was strange to me. Fast at times and slow at others. Sometimes I felt it could have been flushed out more.

Overall, I did like this book a lot!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've really enjoyed reading this book. New Carthage, a world in a dome, a world ran by AI, a place with VR headsets and politics. A murder occurs, who is responsible and what are their motives? This story really gets you thinking about the future, it is set in 2050, not that far ahead really. I wonder what the future holds for us and if AI could control more in the world for themselves and others?

I love Livia and Tully, they are brilliant characters, have a lot to bring to the table. Solomon is an unusual one but still has bits to offer the team.

I like the mystery aspect of this, I also like the idea of an egospace, a personal, virtual place you can transport to, somewhere you can materialise things into and be happy in. It sounds amazing and can become anything and anywhere you want.

I really enjoyed the future setting. It opens up a world of imagination and makes you think what could be.

The story of Zainab brings a whole new level to this book, also more mystery to why what happened, happened. All is not what it seems!

Would recommend this and look forward to more from Tom soon!

It’s 2050, a decade after a heatwave that killed four hundred million across the Persian Gulf, including journalist Marcus Tully’s wife. Now he must uncover the truth: was the disaster natural? Or is the weather now a weapon of genocide?

A whistleblower pulls Tully into a murder investigation at the centre of an election battle for a global dictator, with a mandate to prevent a climate apocalypse. A former US President campaigns against the first AI politician for the position, but someone is trying to sway the outcome.

Tully must convince the world to face the truth and make hard choices about the future of the species. But will humanity ultimately choose salvation over freedom, whatever the cost?

An enthralling murder mystery with a vividly realised future world, forcing readers to grapple with hard hitting questions about the climate crisis, our relationship with Artificial Intelligence and the price we'd be willing to pay, as a species, to be saved. Perfect for fans of Blake Crouch, Harlan Coben, Neal Stephenson, Philip K. Dick, Kim Stanley Robinson and RR Haywood.

Very interesting premise and plot. Believable and relatable characters and just enough action and adventure to hook you fairly early. I will be looking forward to reading more books in this world and by this author!