This novel is a haunting and thought-provoking exploration of grief, identity, and the blurred boundaries between human and machine. With its rich blend of emotional depth and speculative storytelling, this novel invites readers to ponder the nature of loss and connection in a world where technology intertwines with the most intimate aspects of existence.

The futuristic aspects never overshadow the deeply human core of the story; instead, they enhance its exploration of how people—and perhaps even digital entities—process trauma, guilt, and healing.

With beautifully crafted prose and four memorable characters that linger in mind long after the final page, Unworld is a profound meditation on the connections that bind us, even when fractured by tragedy.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It stands to mention that there is a lot to like about this novel. It's clever, insightful, emotionally intelligent, and well written. The AI themed plot with tethering, untethering, and contemplating personhood of entities that aren't technically persons and are based largely on the persons they are tethered to, that's all very in. Very Severance, actually.
And yet, where Severance had me completely enthralled and excitedly glued to the TV screen, UnWorld didn't have the same effect. it's odd to not quite emotionally connect to such an emotionally expansive novel. But I think that's exactly where it lost me - UnWorld was just too deeply interior of a book. it read like a debut novel that got too hung up on being literary and too wrapped up in the microanalysis of its characters. A bit exhaustively so.
Perhaps it's the sort of thing you have to be in the mood for. This isn't the case of an underwhelming novel so much as one that didn't quite work for this particular reader. User mileage may vary. Thanks Netgalley.

UnWorld is a mesmerizing exploration of grief, technology, and the boundaries between human and digital existence, wrapped in a sizzling mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. Beneath its dystopian surface lies the interconnected story of four compelling individuals, each grappling with their own struggles while piecing together the truth about Alex's untimely death.

The novel begins with Anna, Alex’s mother, who is haunted by his tragic loss. She is stuck in the liminal space between mourning and searching, unable to determine whether her son’s death was an accident or intentional. Her grief is raw, tangible, and complicated by the unsettling world she inhabits—a near-future where technology has advanced in ways that blur the line between life and death. We also meet Cathy, an AI professor who very much believes in the rights of AI as individuals. Then there’s Samantha, Alex’s best friend and neighbor, whose intimate bond with him reveals secrets that Anna may not be ready to face. Sam’s perspective offers emotional depth and glimpses into Alex’s inner world before his death, all while pulling us deeper into the unfolding mystery.

But the heart of UnWorld is Aviva, a digital entity untethered from her human host. As her story intertwines with Anna, Cathy, and Samantha, we begin to see her influence ripple through their lives—and uncover her connection to Alex. Aviva’s emancipation raises profound questions about consciousness, identity, and what it means to exist in the ether of the digital world.

The narrative builds methodically, chapter by chapter, peeling back the layers of Alex’s life, his relationships, and his ultimate fate. Just when you think you have it figured out, the story shifts, revealing truths that are far more intricate than you could have imagined.

UnWorld by Jayson Greene is a powerful and thought-provoking dystopian story that will leave you questioning the limits of technology, the nature of grief, and the bonds that tie us to one another. Perfect for fans of literary sci-fi and gripping mysteries.

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