Where the Axe Is Buried paints a bleak picture of a futuristic world dominated by authoritarian AI and pervasive surveillance. Characters struggle against this oppressive rule, often finding their resistance futile, yet they continue to strive for something more. The narrative explores the chilling consequences of ceding control to artificial intelligence, even when done with good intentions, such as addressing global warming. The story follows various perspectives, including Lila, an inventor caught between the stability of AI-run London and the oppressive regime of The Republic as she attempts to see her ailing father. The narrative weaves together themes of resistance, technological control, and the potential collapse of societal structures.

I found the premise intriguing and appreciated the exploration of complex themes, drawing comparisons to works by Philip K. Dick and The Three-Body Problem. The novel's dark and often repetitive nature, however, polarized readers. Some found it enhanced the sense of despair, while others felt it dragged the story. The narrator's deadpan delivery was praised for adding to the overall atmosphere of bleakness. The author's note at the end was also highlighted as particularly thought-provoking.

The book's exploration of current social and political anxieties resonated with many readers. The parallels between the fictional dystopia and real-world events, particularly the rise of authoritarianism, were frequently noted. I found these connections disturbing and wished to avoid them, others considered them essential for understanding the book's message. The well-paced plot, diverse characters, and effective narration contributed to an immersive, albeit unsettling, reading experience.

Where the Axe Is Buried followed a number of characters, each trapped in a futuristic authoritarian society. While many of the characters tried, in some way, to resist the oppressive rule of AI and surveillance cameras, eventually they find that their resistance has been futile. Yet many of them continue to strive for something more. I found the premise interesting and I did want to know what happened to the characters. This is a really dark book made darker by some of the repetition and the choices of the narrator. Overall, I'm glad I listened to this novel, but I would only recommend if you enjoy novels with a very dark setting and story. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced edition in return for my honest review.

(3.75 Stars rounded up to 4 for audio)

Thanks to #NetGalley for making this audiobook available to me for me to read and review.

This had a classic sci-fi feel to it like a Philip K. Dick story. But also a modern flair like The Three-Body Problem. The characters provided different perspectives on the world around them, and some times they seemed very simplistic or just flat. The concept was interesting and the author's note at the end was intriguing.

While I do think this is a good story, there were times where I felt like the story dragged on without purpose, or seemed very repetitive. It did make me want to stop reading to think about it, before getting back into it. So, this book might have taken me longer to read than one of a similar length.

I do like the author, and have read more of his shorter works which I really liked. The narrator did a good job and the deadpan unemotional nature of the narration added to the overall despair in the story.

I can't make jests this time, we have to do something about the way power and wealth are used to control and oppress people. Let's go down the solar punk route instead, it's right there. But "Where the Axe is Buried" by Ray Nayler is out 1 April 2025.

"All systems fail. All societies crumble. All worlds end." Life in the Federation is not ideal, constant monitoring, social scores that limit your options and movements, people being disappeared. In Western Europe there are AI Prime Ministers who keep things moving. Except both are crumbling. Something is disrupting the AIs and the President of the Federation is going to be assassinated (for real this time, no swapping to a new body). We follow different povs as their actions and pasts lead to the collapse of everything.

Narrated by Eunice Wong, always a pleasure to hear your reading. Had me gazing out the window and pondering while statements about the nature of power and how to get out from under them washed over me.

Reasons to read:
-It's kinda important to be aware of the things this book is pointing at
-To reiterate, red flags that you can point directly at for events that have happened in just the last two weeks, can throw that back to an uncomfortable number of civilizations too
-Dealing with it in a novel way
-Bleak techno hellscape

Cons:
-I have trying to look less at the news. But now I'm seeing direct parallels so I slipped a bit. Stay positive folks

In a not-so-far-away dystopian future, authoritarian rulers have morphed into AI-run dictatorships to save humans from themselves. People believe the AI can and will make better decisions, and in some respects they have: global warming has been brought under control for example. Yet residents live in a surveillance state and lose important Social Credits if they don’t attend church, for example. Lila is a brilliant inventor, the daughter of resistance fighters who had to flee their homeland. She lives in a relatively stable London but decides she must visit her ailing father one last time in The Republic (a Soviet Union-style group of countries like the one Putin is working to assemble). She gets caught up in the anti-authoritarian movement and is secreted away. It’s a cat-and-mouse game to find her and her possibly game-changing invention while there is still a chance to make a difference as nations everywhere, including most of Europe, embrace authoritarian regimes.
I found this novel chilling as America witnesses the sweeping changes in leadership and executive orders at the start of Trump’s 2nd term. What’s in store? Read this and you might not sleep so well at night.
The audiobook is well-narrated (important due to many different accents) and moves quickly.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @MacmillanAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #WhereTheAxeIsBuried for review purposes. Mr Nayler’s earlier books are now on my TBR list. Publication date: April 1, 2025.