Behind The Curtain

by Maxwell Stegner

The fate of an entire civilization hangs in the balance. In the depths of a top-secret CIA underground bunker, Terry Ferrow, the brilliant Director of Artificial Intelligence, dedicated his life to the "Bright Futures Project." For twenty-five years, he worked relentlessly, crafting an extraordinary AI neural brain chip that he believed would revolutionize the world. As he delved deeper into his groundbreaking creation, the world above was in turmoil. Society was ensnared in a web of mass surveillance, its inhabitants held captive by their very own minds. The once-empowered citizens now found themselves at the mercy of the corrupt government, self-proclaimed "Enlightened Ones," who exploited Terry's invention to manipulate and control the populace. When Terry discovered the monstrous consequences of his brain chip, a fierce determination ignited within him — driven by the desire to restore freedom to a society robbed of it, he knew he had to take action. Terry must confront the cages his chips had constructed, facing formidable adversaries at every turn. Will he be able to liberate the population from the clutches of his creation, ushering in freedom? Or will he find himself trapped in a nightmarish existence, shackled by the invention he once believed would bring about a brighter future? Prepare for a heart-pounding tale of redemption, as Terry Ferrow battles against the shackles of his own creation in a race against time to salvage a world on the brink of surrendering its soul. Will humanity rise from the ashes, or succumb to the insidious grip of a technology gone awry? Scroll up, Click on “Buy Now”, and Find Out What Happens Next!

Genres: Science Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published April 20, 2023

Reviews

[A.C. Salter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this futuristic Ai thriller

Behind the curtain was the first cyber punk action thriller I’ve read in a long while.

Well paced, plenty of action and a thrill ride of a story. And not too far away from where the world could be heading with Ai - my only hope is that Hunter will be there in the future to save us.

[Gregory Blanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

You should be ready to think It easier to wonder could it be . Or should wander off

[Jerry Walch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind the Curtain is a sci-fi thriller set in the future, and it reflects a timely storyline given the current news surrounding artificial intelligence. AI has the potential to benefit humanity greatly, but it also poses significant risks if misused. While Behind the Curtain is a completely fictional narrative, the scenarios depicted could feasibly occur in the not-so-distant future. Science fiction has an unsettling tendency to evolve into nonfiction over time.

This action-packed thriller will keep you glued to the pages until you've read the last word. It features more unseen twists and turns than a sidewinder leaves in its wake across the desert sand.

Stegner has crafted a cast of complex and flawed characters, mirroring the intricacies of real people, just like you, me, and those we love. This depth makes the story all the more believable.

[David Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve finished reading Maxwell Stegner’s debut novel, Behind the Curtain.

This was super cool book. It follows a former CIA software engineer named Terry who develops AI in an implant, but it goes wrong and slowly takes over the population. He’s determined to find his family, recruit a rebellion, and put an end to the AI.

The writing was great and done in a way that’s very easy to read and follow. I also appreciate some of the familiar landmarks.

Well done to this author and I highly recommend checking this book out before the second book releases!

[Ut Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid reader, I recently had the opportunity to delve into a book that tackled a truly captivating subject - AI. While I acknowledge that no book is without flaws, the topic alone kept me engaged throughout my reading journey.

This book deserves recognition for its choice of subject matter. It stimulates intellectual curiosity, encourages critical thinking, and paves the way for meaningful conversations. If you have an interest in exploring unique and captivating topics, I would recommend giving this book a chance

[Z. Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

intriguing

I’m going to preface this with this statement. I don’t read dystopian novels so this one was out of my genre choice, but I will be returning for the second one.

Stegner crafted an extremely well done story line that, in my opinion, ties in a lot of potential future issues we face. His characters are genuine and easily relatable pulling you into their mentality with ease. This story separates itself from other dystopian A I novels in a lot of ways that made it very unique and thoroughly enjoyable.

[Joseph Sackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A symphony of potent emotion, a tome of poetic wisdom, 'Behind the Curtain' is more than a tale of redemption—it's a literary masterpiece that leaves an indelible impression on the landscape of the reader's heart. It's a must-read for those willing to brave a reflection of our potential future and a contemplation of the immense power of human will. 'Behind the Curtain' is not just a novel - it is an experience that resonates long after the last page is turned.

[ReadsWithRissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behind the Curtain was elegantly crafted. After Terry graduated from MIT he went to work for the CIA. He was told that he was going to create an AI program to help people, but little did he know those “behind the curtain” were about to take advantage of him and his work. Terry breaks out of the CIA to stop everything happening and find his parents.

I really enjoyed this book and it reminded me of why I enjoy dystopian books. I can’t wait to read book 2!

[Chandra Slavonic · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book. Dialogue unreal. Writing not good. I will say the topic was interesting and that is why I kept reading. It needs some good editing. Hope the next one is better. Probably will not read it, though.

[Riann Bumpus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read. Once you crack open the book you unlock the possibilities of our potential future. Such an adventurous book! Loved it!

[A.P. Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Behind the Curtain
Author: Maxwell Stegner

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Behind the Curtain takes Big Brother to the next level.

The Enlightened Ones are ready to control the world, and the people's only hope is a man who wants to keep the past behind him.

Join Terry on this Sci-Fi adventure as he desperately tries to save his long-lost family from a monster he helped create many years ago.

Familiar faces of his past threaten his safety and freedom, but luckily, not everyone has been taken over just yet, so he may still have time.

Readers who love underground rebellions will be instantly engrossed in this novel and be on the edge of their seat as they root for the hero to win over a corrupt all-knowing government.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Nick Snape · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behind the Curtain is the first in Maxwell Stegner’s dystopian series. I listened to this one and have to say the narration was perfect for the tone and pacing of the story. The story itself is engaging and fast paced, giving a feel of someone caught up in the mass switch from the society of today to one under the constant surveillance and control of a corrupt and determined government. The whole book has that gritty ‘underground’ feel that draws you into the world, and a sense of the inherent danger that comes with the hybridisation of AI and humanity. There are moments that lack tension, or where more depth would have helped the reader/listener connect with events, but overall, this was a great thriller and comes recommended.

[Danielle Yeager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our MC, Hunter, is a CIA-agent-turned-revolutionary in the battle to right the wrongs his AI creation has wrought on society.

He is a resilient and resourceful loner that gets put through the wringer, and you can't help but cheer for him and his noble cause.

This is an immersive story with plenty of action, it zigged when I thought it would zag, and it has a satisfying stay-tuned-it-ain't-over-yet ending. This is my first read from this author and I can't wait to read more by him, starting with the sequel to BTC!

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and suspenseful.

The author did a great job with the plot of this story. I really enjoyed reading it. The story moves very quickly and keeps the reader guessing. The story is interesting to think about. It is based on AI taking over the population and basically turning people into emotionless, obedient zombies. There is no swearing in the book and no descriptive violence. There is no cliffhanger, but is part of a series.

[John Solomon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Juvenile

Constructed for 13-14 year boys. Terrible grammatical mistakes. Horrid conversations between characters. Worthless use of time. Bad plot execution. Happy it was free.