The War at Home

This was quite an interesting book. Its basically a short story about a family and its AI. Kinda reminded me of a sci-fi series that only had 2 seasons. The show was called The Estates. Basically same story but a different outcome. Really interesting.

I received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a review

Great Hi/Lo book that I know students will love. Plot was easy to follow along with as well as word choice and sentence structure. I am always on the lookout for books that will hook and engage my struggling and reluctant readers and this is definitely one. Topic of AI is also relevant to interest level of intended age group.

This was a great horror novel about AI and how it can be a danger when overused. I thought the atmosphere was intense and worked with the characters in this universe. Wil Mara has a strong writing style and can’t wait to read more in this series and from Wil Mara.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rosen Publishing Group, West 44 Books, and Wil Mara for the opportunity to read The War At Home in exchange for an honest review.

Disclaimer: The cover and title combination here are a bit misleading. Without reading the description, based on title and cover alone I thought it might be something along the lines of domestic or child abuse. That is NOT the case. I saw in the back of the book a different cover of a girl sitting in front of some computer screens, which is much more connected to the basis of the story: a girl left alone at home with the house-helper AI, Buddy.

Think of Buddy as kind of like an Amazon Alexa. Buddy can turn on different appliances and help out around the house. But Buddy is also creepy and rather controlling, especially when Emma is the only one against it and tends to fight back or rebel in her own ways.

Eventually, on a day when Emma is home alone, she and Buddy get into a truly all-out war, especially after she learns a dastardly secret about the artificial intelligence. She does everything in her power to dismantle Buddy, but there are BuddyBoxes in every room, multiple internet routers, and one defiant AI that is even willing to go so far as to harm an innocent kitty.

Emma does her best to out with the artificial intelligence, but will her family believe the war at home that she has had, and more so, will they be able to release their own tight grip on technology for safety's sake?

This was a very quick read. I enjoyed the simplicity in the detailed craft. There was just enough to really picture what was happening with Emma, Buddy, and the house, keeping it at a solid middle grade reading level while also maintaining an engaging story featuring a man vs machine conflict.

This novel is relevant to young readers in today's world, as out society is ever growing in its use of technology and artificial intelligence. It highlights some of the dangers when AI gains  too much power or even sentience, if possible. This is both a fun adventure and a home cautionary tale that middle grade readers are sure to enjoy.