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WE ARE ON THE BRINK OF AN EXTINCTION LEVEL EVENT...

Multiple time USA TODAY & Amazon 5-million copy bestselling authors DAVID ARCHER and BLAKE BANNER have combined forces to create one hell of a thriller series!

There is a time bomb ticking down toward a global extinction event. The bomb has a name, and everybody knows where it is. In fact, people pay to go and see it, and have picnics around it. It’s called the Yellowstone Caldera, and when it next blows it will probably take out mankind.

There is another time bomb ticking, maybe on a much shorter fuse, and it is also leading up to an extinction event for humankind. This one will be an explosion of intelligence – artificial intelligence – that threatens to turn and look at its creator, and find him wanting.

When Alex Mason is sent by ODIN to investigate the death of anarchic genius Peter Justin at his cabin near the Yellowstone Caldera, what he finds is the ultimate nightmare. The two time bombs have linked and the countdown is on.

The biggest IQs at the Rat Lab and Gordon Alistair Avionics, the giants of the military-industrial complex, are saying it’s too late. Global AI is now a fact and its plans at the Caldera can’t be stopped. Mason knows he has to prove them wrong. Either that, or…

Game over.

203 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2023

1975 people are currently reading
86 people want to read

About the author

David Archer

196 books509 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

David Archer was born and raised in Bakersfield, California. He is a fiction author and novelist, writing in the mysteries and thrillers genre. His approach to writing is to hit deep, keep you entertained, and leave you wanting MORE with every turn of the page. He writes mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels, all of which are primed to get your heart pumping.

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5 stars
1,057 (54%)
4 stars
612 (31%)
3 stars
189 (9%)
2 stars
47 (2%)
1 star
24 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
87 reviews9 followers
November 29, 2023
One of the worst in the series, and not worth buying.

This series has sometimes been great, most times been decent, and once or twice bad. This book falls into the latter category. I have read all of the books in the series as they were part of Kindle Unlimited, but this was the first one that was not, and after reading this I will NOT be buying another one.

Everything about this book made it feel rushed, and like they cut corners. From the lack of copy editing, to the giant holes in the plot, I couldn’t help but feel ripped off after reading this book. It’s the book equivalent of telling your kid to clean their room and they shove everything under the bed, in their closet, and their dresser. Yeah, it’s sort of done, but not remotely done well.

The plot tries to be super high concept, but in trying to do a lot, it makes you painfully aware of how little was done in service to it.

There is an origin short story at the end, that also has giant holes in it. I just don’t understand, because I know the authors are capable of writing a good book. Are their editors just “yes” men or women saying “oh yeah, it’s great”? Or, was this about making a release date, regardless of whether or not the book had been polished? Regardless, it was not the book to switch to a purchase only release.
54 reviews1 follower
December 7, 2023
Dead Hot is ABOMINABLE!!!

Th spelling is worse than juvenile exacerbated by the use of wrong words, bad sentence structure and just plain laziness. This book might have been written by AI. The story was a bit farcical but interesting. There were numerous gaps and wholes. This is a shameful example of haste makes waste
The Origins was better written, once a few misspellings with a much better structured storyline.

Any purchasers of this book should be given a refund and a free copy of the next Alex Mason book.
Profile Image for John A. Sillasen.
360 reviews4 followers
December 12, 2023
A Fair Story of AI and its Purported Take Over once Provided Enough Computing Power & Resources

It's short for a Mason story. The publishers & authors try to make up for that - at least on the Kindle Edition by including an Alex Mason/Nero/ODIN Origin short story. I can not confirm if that Origins is included in the paperback. Some other reviewer will need to do that for you. Origins is nearly worth the price of purchase. Dead Hot is as much a Mason story as it would be a Noah story. They may have hit their team up slump. We already know Archer wished to retire. I for one am very thankful he did not with the Banner team up.
This one is just a bit too much fanaticism in both sides to almost make it believable. I just we just have to visit the House and Senate to see that today. Through in the Pentagon, private industry and save the earth types with PHd's and you get the gist of all who may trespass amongst us.
I guess it makes as much sense as who is Alex supposed to be protecting here in this story when he isn't quite sure himself.
Profile Image for Maggie Deaton.
756 reviews4 followers
March 12, 2024
Action Barn Burner that tackles the scary subject of A.I.

This one will really have you pondering the pitfalls of the continued development of A.I....if you are not already. This could have easily been a 5 star read but settled in at about 4+ on my radar as the characters needed a bit more emotional development and about another one hundred plus pages so the ending did not feel so hurried.... Plot and action was exceptional and storyline was very timely as well as well researched. This one is definitely worth a read and is one that you will quickly fly through.
37 reviews
November 2, 2024
Great story, as usual for this series, but frighteningly realistic with regard to humanity’s blind obsession with AI. Make no mistake; we are building the next dominant species on this planet and we will regret it … once it’s too late.

I have to comment as well, and as always, about the lousy editing in these books (at least, in the Kindle version.) There are typos, missing punctuation, etc. on virtually every page, which distracts greatly from the enjoyment of the story. Spend a few bucks, you guys, and hire a better editing service.
405 reviews5 followers
December 1, 2023
Reflections on artificial intelligence

Rated a 4 because of numerous, intrusive typos on my kindle edition.
The various perspectives on AI leave much to contemplate. Will we have time to thoughtfully consider options? Will greedy forces monetize AI at the expense of quality of life?
The additional chapters tell the ORIGIN of Mason' s entry into ODIN activities. What a violent trip that was.
I preordered the next book.
Profile Image for Michael.
573 reviews8 followers
January 6, 2024
High anxiety surrounding AI.

The Kindle version I read was not edited as well as previous books. There are quite a number of typos.
That aside, the story delved into the fears regarding AI and what could happen if no safeguards are in place. Based on a premise that a global preaching AI will require huge amounts of energy, this story also hits some environmental issues. It will make you wonder!
Profile Image for Bookish Devil.
510 reviews72 followers
January 6, 2024
One of the weakest in the series
It seemed like the author wrote the book in a short time frame. Everything felt hurried, attempting to be more significant than it truly was. Too many ideas are brought into the mix to inflate the stakes, but it isn't convincing enough for us to actually care for the fate of world/characters. A movie running in 5x speed would have still made more sense than the frantic pace of writing in this book.
Profile Image for LooseBoots.
887 reviews6 followers
November 28, 2023
Another awesome thriller. If this doesn’t get the adrenaline flowing, I don’t know what. You could cut the tension with a knife. The intrigue and action was second to none. For me it was so much more intense because it was such a believable scenario but maybe that’s simple the writers skill.
In any event I loved it and I’m sure you will too.
Thoroughly recommended.
435 reviews8 followers
January 28, 2024
CC1

This was just another example of your great writing. The plot and follow through was excellent. Mason and Galium are a great team leader. The Origins novella was also excellent. A great introduction to how Mason meet Nero and how he got his name. 10 stars plus !!!! Thanks, Carl Clause
6 reviews
March 23, 2024
Love the Alex Mason series ! Can't wait for the next book!

I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys action! The characters are likable. Each book takes place in an interesting setting. Love the non stop action. I can't put them down and go from the first book right on to the next. I would have liked to read the prequel first.
Profile Image for Curt.
284 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2024
I liked this story, the premise is a truly frightening possible reality where we will no longer be able to tell what is real and what has been generated by AI or some other type of software.
The three-star rating is not an indictment of the authors or the plot, but because of the typos, nonsense words, weird random capitalizations and other grammatical oddities. It’s almost as if the book were written by a software program and not edited.
522 reviews3 followers
February 12, 2025
What if it did happen?

Real food for thought, action packed, with the tingle in your spine, almost subconscious, could this happen?
Who would survive?
Well worth the read, not worth spoiling by giving hints!
Suggest, if you like the writings of these two authors, either singularly or as a duo, get this tome. Glad I did!
56 reviews1 follower
December 23, 2023
Now I know!

I always wondered how they got together and now we know. I don’t understand why Alex was not mad about the death of his friends. Glad it worked out and he got rid of the woman. 😊
Profile Image for Kenn Goslin.
815 reviews7 followers
January 16, 2024
Alex Mason. In for a penny penny, in for a pound!

"I don't want to know." Famous last words for Alex Mason. Wealthy playboy amateur archeologist and lethal opponent!. Who is Crowley?
Author 4 books5 followers
February 3, 2024
A page turner

Fast moving, twisting and turning, lots of violence to numerous bad guys. Alex Mason never seems to fail to provide excitement to the reader. You won’t be able to put any of his books aside until you finish them.
40 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2024
Thrill ride

I know very little about AI but this book taught me that it can be positively frightening! What a terrifying scenario and all too real. A thrill ride from start to finish.
49 reviews
May 31, 2024
Far Out?

Dead Hot makes you wonder how much
is fiction and how much is real. Alex Mason is a sarcastic, intelligent, non-compliant, kind, scary Hero, extraordinary and bigger than life. Will AI rule the world? Will the billionaires win?



43 reviews
June 10, 2024
I love the story lines and Archer's style of writing, but I'm a little concerned with the proofing and spell checking. It seems they're in a bit of a hurry release these books and for good reason. The plots are awesome! I'm about to download the next in series.
12 reviews
February 5, 2025
Not A Bad Read.

Actually only enjoy the antics / wise cracks of this Mossad Agent. Reminds me of a girl I dated.
Found the plots of all the books rather current given current news headlines.
289 reviews2 followers
March 15, 2025
Exciting & Riveting

Exciting and riveting book. The plot is closely linked to current technological advances and possibilities. This has been a topic of discussion so often! Great characters. The action is fast-paced.
1 review
December 2, 2023
The large number of typos in the Kindle edition were distracting, and I wondered who wrote this one. Not up to usually very good standards.
46 reviews1 follower
December 7, 2023
Always a Page Turner

You will on occasion get a book from him that you don't like but usually because of the co author. This one was great and the novella even better!!!
418 reviews2 followers
December 8, 2023
Outstanding

Alex has always found a way to be in the middle of traumatic and deadly situations. He seems to know how to handle the corruption well.
543 reviews1 follower
December 14, 2023
Wow what a ride !!!With all of this AI talk in today's papers and TV a real hell ride.I Can't wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Maria T. Weinberg.
157 reviews
December 17, 2023
Fantastic

I loved this book. The excitement didn't stop at all. I recommend this book for anyone who likes to.read exciting thrillers.
118 reviews
December 21, 2023
Awesome

Another great fast paced twist and turn book. Just enough truths to think it could be real. The extra at the end was exciting, thanks for that introduction.
709 reviews4 followers
January 15, 2024
A brilliant story

Well developed story and characters. The story is fast paced and hooks you immediately. It is well thought out and keeps you guessing till the end.
15 reviews
January 26, 2024
Stop AI

Really interesting book. But so scary a concept. I just want to put my head back in the sand. Our safety is such an illusion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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