BLOG TOUR: Scorched Planet Policy - Bob Fairbrother

 

Captain Zail Jent has crashed her malfunctioning craft on Earth.

She gets out in time before it slips into a river, marooning her in a climate-ravaged, hostile part of the planet. And her smart suit that mind controls and protects her through a meds feed has failed, causing drug withdrawal amnesia and sickness. If she doesn’t get help soon, she is going to die.

With Zail’s memory gone, she puzzles over who she is, where she comes from, and what she is meant to do here. And how is she going to get home?

As her memory returns, Zail begins to question whether home is what she thought it was, forcing her to cast doubt on everyone.

But what if she is the one who should be feared?

What did I think?

Wow!  What an incredibly thought-provoking and entertaining read.  I don't read a lot of science fiction but I do like dystopian novels so I am so pleased that Scorched Planet Policy straddles both genres as it's an absolutely cracking book.

When Captain Zail Jent crashes her craft on Earth, she is shocked to see the damage humans have caused on their own planet.  Seeing Earth through alien eyes is incredibly powerful and it's actually heartbreaking to see what it looks like from space in Bob Fairbrother's imagined not too distant future of 2054.

It's quite a short book at 194 pages but it's worth taking your time over it to appreciate the intelligent plot and to consider the powerful and very realistic issues that face the planet.  To lighten the somewhat heavy storyline, it is written with a sprinkling of humour that did actually make me laugh out loud on numerous occasions.

Intelligent, thought-provoking and scarily realistic,  Scorched Planet Policy is an unforgettable and unmissable novel that will appeal to readers of all genres.  Even if you don't normally read science fiction or dystopian, you will not regret picking up this important and timely novel that entertains from start to finish.

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours bookstagram tour this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Waterstones

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About the author:

Mentor and coach, trail runner, hiker, skier, French language mangler, book reader, junior football league volunteer, Brighton and Hove Albion FC supporter, player of the occasional game of table football, creator of the South Devon Book Festival and writing.

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BLOG TOUR: Artificial Artifacts - John Fennec

A visionary debut collection exploring the rise of artificial intelligence and adapted technologies and their ethical and social impacts on the human experience.

From a small rural American town subjected to horrors brought by an elaborate deep-fake hoax, to Black Mirror-esque fables about technology dependency, age extension, and psychological invasions, Artificial Artifacts invites readers on a journey where the boundaries between human and machine blur, and the consequences of our creations become chillingly profound.

As enigmatic tech mogul Peter Byrell's story unfolds, so does the tapestry of our digital age, leaving us to ponder: in a world where truth is malleable and consciousness is encoded, what does it truly mean to be human? 

What did I think?

I don't usually read short stories but this collection of futuristic stories was just too difficult to resist and I am so pleased that I read Artificial Artifacts as it is unlike anything I have ever read before.

There are 11 stories in the book and they are all very easy to read (so don't worry if you're not up to date with technology).  Some of the stories do have a business theme but I think they are easy to follow.

I think everyone will have a favourite story in this collection and it's actually the first one that has remained with me as I particularly enjoyed the reverse timeline.  It's very clever and I was completely riveted.

Artificial Artifacts is incredibly thought-provoking and scarily realistic.  John Fennec portrays a future that is quite easy to imagine and it gave me 1984 vibes; I wonder if I'll pick it up in 10 or 20 years time to see how much has come true.  Watch this space!

I received a gifted hardback for the Love Books Tours Bookstagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

John Fennec is a debut author and seasoned professional investor, whose insights into technology and life sciences significantly inform his writing. His recent work in artificial intelligence revealed its vast potential as well as haunting implications, inspiring him to fulfil his lifelong dream of authorship. With support of a family of scientists and colleagues in tech, John crafts stories grounded in realism, which he terms ‘the art of the plausible’. John wants you to know that he writes the old-fashioned way, unassisted by A.I. generated content. Residing in London with his supportive wife and three children, John balances his professional pursuits with a rewarding family life.

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BLOG TOUR: The Age of the Artificial Person - Alastair Waterman

Could this be the last book written solely by a human? The Age of the Artificial Person by Alastair Waterman redefines the boundary between the natural and artificial, offering a fresh perspective on human evolution and AI. Far from suggesting AI will replace us or that humans are outdated, this book celebrates humanity as a technology that has shaped itself through culture for millennia. AI is our next step— not a replacement, but a partner in crafting our destiny beyond biological limits.

Explore five eras of cultural evolution, ponder if machines can feel, and discover 'Dark Science'—AI’s potential to transcend human bias. From digital immortality to rethinking consciousness, this thought-provoking read invites tech enthusiasts, philosophers, and futurists to embrace our role as architects of the future. Grab your copy to join the conversation!

 

What did I think?

I really enjoyed learning more about AI in Alistair Waterman's The Age of the Artificial Person.  I was quite suspicious of it beforehand but I feel more comfortable now, after considering how much it can improve our lives.

There is a lot of information in the book and I have to say that the large font size made it much easier to read; not just because it's easier on the eyes but because it slows the pace and allows the information to seep into your brain.

I have only really heard of AI being misused, such as writing a 'review' of a book that really just regurgitates the synopsis as the AI hasn't read it, so it was good to see the wider picture.  I was actually quite surprised how much AI had crept into my life without really standing back to consider it: predictive text for example.

To move forward as a species, we do need to embrace AI as it could make our lives easier.  I don't think it will ever fully replace a person but rather than being negative towards AI it is worth thinking about what you could be doing while AI is doing any mundane tasks.

The Age of the Artificial Person is an informative and thought-provoking book to debate and discuss.  I'm glad that I have read The Age of the Artificial Person as it has made me so much more receptive to AI.  It's coming whether we like it or not anyway!  

I received a gifted ARC from Literally PR to read and review for the blog tour and this is my (not AI) honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

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BLOG TOUR: The Voodoo Series - J.L. Hancock

Voodoo, a gifted military technician, struggles with harrowing memories of war and the emptiness that comes with loss. To cope, he’s thrown himself into his work for a secretive military research organization, purposefully leaving little time for anything else. Until one night, a familiar voice from Voodoo’s past interrupts his recurring nightmares with a cryptic prophecy.

At the same time, across the ocean in Japan, two world-renowned scientists go missing along with the secrets behind a powerful form of artificial intelligence called the “God Algorithm.”

To Voodoo’s surprise, he soon finds himself on the front lines of an A.I. arms race with the future of freedom at stake. Will Voodoo find the scientists in time? Or will the “God Algorithm,” a piece of code so terrifying it has the potential to shift global power, fall into the wrong hands. Find out in this mind-bending, relentlessly paced techno thriller sure to please fans of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and Jack Carr’s James Reece.

What did I think?

I really enjoyed The Hawk Enigma.  It's not one of my usual genres so it took me a little while to get into it but once I did I couldn't put it down. 

As it's a technothriller with a military slant, there are a lot of acronyms in the book but they are explained straight away so you don't even have to look them up yourself.   I even learned the meaning of some common acronyms that I had heard before but had never really thought about what the letters actually stand for (such as RHIB - rigid-hulled inflatable boat).

There are some very intriguing flashbacks in the book and I loved the way it all came together with a number of shocks and surprises along the way.  The action never stops and the characters are brought to life via J.L. Hancock's wonderfully vivid and descriptive prose.  I really enjoyed the banter between the characters and the humorous way they referred to certain situations and items.

Grisly, evocative and action-packed, if The Hawk Enigma isn't made into a film it will be an absolute travesty.  It's a very well-written and accomplished debut novel and I would highly recommend giving it a read.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

An escaped prisoner. A lab hidden in western China develops an AI weapon. A Russian special operator investigates a heinous crime scene.

In the stunning sequel to The Hawk Enigma, Voodoo and his team of special operators are thrust back into the heart of a global conflict. The stakes have never been higher as China’s Belt and Road Initiative pushes into Central Asia, exposing dark ambitions and a secret lab advancing AI warfare.

Set against the vast steppes of Kazakhstan, this story unfolds in the shadow of the former Soviet Union. Tensions rise as Voodoo’s team embarks on a covert mission. New team members add to the friction as more troubles from Voodoo’s past return to the present.

They soon find themselves on the brink of a perilous future the Western world is unwilling to face: a world where AI reigns supreme, and there's no turning back. Fans of Jack Ryan, Tom Clancy, and Clive Cussler will snatch this thriller and refuse to let go.

Will Voodoo’s team succeed? Or has his luck finally run out?

 

What did I think?

Voodoo is back!  Having read The Hawk Enigma, I raced straight onto the sequel, The Spear and the Sentinel.  Whilst I have read the books in order, you could pick up The Spear and the Sentinel as a standalone as the author includes a quick recap of The Hawk Enigma for anyone who hasn't read it.

The reader is plunged straight into the action and the pacing never lets up as the story progresses at an impressive rate of knots.  There are a lot of close shaves that had me holding my breath in anticipation as I have really come to care about Voodoo and his team.

Some of the technology went way over my head but I still enjoyed the book and I really appreciated the way the author explained the myriad acronyms so quickly after they were mentioned.  

The Spear and the Sentinel is a cracking sequel that is filled with tension, suspense and action.  A highly recommended read that is unmissable if you love a military thriller and/or technothriller.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

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BLOG TOUR: Artificial Wisdom - Thomas R. Weaver

SALVATION HAS A PRICE.

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

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 of 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?

 

What did I think?

Mind-officially-blown!  Wow, just wow, what an outstanding and completely mind-blowing debut from Thomas R. Weaver!  I didn't think I would ever find a book that could hold a candle to Orwell's 1984 but Artificial Wisdom is 1984 for a new generation and it's an instant classic.

Journalist Marcus Tully is in mourning for his wife and unborn child who were killed in the tabkhir, a devastating climate event in the Middle East that raised humidity to such a level that no one could survive.  With an upcoming election to appoint a dictator, a whistleblower sends Tully information about the tabkhir and how it may not have been the accident that everyone thinks.

The thing that takes Artificial Wisdom up to the next level is that one of the candidates in the election isn't human, Solomon is AI.  When Tully uncovers disturbing information about the human candidate's decision making, Solomon may be the only one who can save humankind.  I just have to share a quote from Solomon that really resonated with me and made me sit up and take notice:

"But if there's one thing I have learned about humankind, it's how bad you are at living in the now.  People seem to live in both the past and in the future, two big overlapping circles, but rarely focus on the intersection and enjoy the moments given to them right now."

Vote Solomon!  

It was interesting that while I was reading Artificial Wisdom, I heard about an AI version of Tom Hanks being used in an advert without the actor's permission.  I was initially thinking that Artificial Wisdom was futuristic but AI is here now and it gives me goose bumps now that I have read this fantastic book.

Intelligent, imaginative and scarily realistic, Artificial Wisdom had me so hooked that when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it and I was so completely immersed in the story that I even dreamt about it.  Completely unmissable and very highly recommended.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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