Intriguing concept but lacks depth

I recently finished reading “the everything engine” by Dave Gross, and I have to say, it was a mixed bag for me. The premise is undeniably fascinating- an exploration of a world where technology and human experience intertwine in unexpected ways. The blurb hints at a grand adventure filled with innovation and discovery, which definitely piqued my interest.

Gross has a knack for creating vivid settings and intriguing characters, and I appreciated the initial set up of the story. The idea of an engine that can seemingly do it all is captivating, and I was eager to see how the plot would unfold. However as I delved deeper into the narrative, I found that some elements felt a bit rushed and under developed. While the world building was strong, I wished for more depth in character development and emotional resonance.

The pacing also felt uneven at times, with certain sections dragging while others raced by. I found myself wanting to linger in some moments that could have added more richness to the overall experience.

Overall, “the everything engine” has a lot of potential and offer some thought-provoking ideas, but it left me wanting more in terms of character depth and narrative flow. If you’re a fan of speculative fiction, it’s worth a read, but just be prepared for a few bumps along the way.

This was my first book by Dave Gross, and I found it easy to follow. The writing flows well, and it's largely driven by dialogue. I really liked both main characters, Jason and Anushka and how Gross went on to develop them over the course of the story.

The plot is set in 2050, but with today’s advanced AI tech, it doesn’t feel like far-off sci-fi anymore. That makes the story feel more real and even a bit unsettling. The ending leaves you wanting to know what happens next, which I liked.

Overall, I’d give The Everything Empire 3.5 stars for the plot and how it explores big ideas in a grounded way. I think I’ll check out more from this author.