Shadow in the Ward

by Ari Gray

In a future where algorithms threaten to replace human touch in medicine, Dr. Seth Kelley, a dedicated emergency physician, is on the brink of burnout due to his demanding and high-stress career. After accepting a position at a groundbreaking hospital conducting a clinical trial in the use of artificial intelligence to revolutionize patient care, disaster strikes when the supercomputer malfunctions, putting lives at risk. Seth, alongside an unconventional programmer and an overzealous medical student, must treat patients during a lockdown by outsmarting a system designed to outperform human intellect. Amidst chaos and a fight against an unpredictable AI, they embark on a thrilling quest for survival, exploring the depths of human resilience, the essence of care beyond machines, and the uncharted territories of consciousness.

See what everyone's saying about Shadow in the Ward:

“I couldn’t put this book down!” -Amazon reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Not for the faint of heart; it can get somewhat technical at times, but if you take the time to understand the medical and tech lingo, you are rewarded with a great deal of knowledge while being entertained by an exciting storyline.” -Amazon reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“What I liked about the book was the inside look at the life of an ER Doc, the stresses and rewards that medical professionals face.” -Amazon reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“This was as educational as it was exciting, with highly technical descriptions of how both the medical field and AI actually work.” -Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Genres: Ebooks

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2024

About the author

Ari Gray, a 38-year-old board-certified physician and Clinical Professor, brings his extensive medical knowledge and passion for storytelling to his debut science fiction thriller. With a Master’s Degree in Medical Sciences and a role on the Resuscitation Committee at his hospital, he expertly weaves his professional expertise into his writing. Outside of his medical career, he enjoys reading, biking, and basketball, and cherishes time with his wife, son, and two dogs. His novel promises a captivating blend of suspense and scientific accuracy, providing a unique glimpse into the healthcare field through the perspective of a doctor on the front lines.

Reviews

[Andrea Gagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

If a deep-dive into AI in the medical field, in the form of a dark science fiction novel, sounds like your cup of tea then pick this up!

In the year 2042, Dr Seth Kelley is tired and disillusioned about his work as a nighttime ER doctor. A job offer from a new high-tech hospital piloting autonomous diagnostic technology feels like it might be what he needs, but when the system malfunctions and the hospital goes into quarantine, he needs to rely on his medical expertise -- and his colleagues, a programmer and a medical student -- to protect the people in his care.

This was as educational as it was exciting, with highly technical descriptions of how both the medical field and AI actually work. Going in with that expectation, I got to really enjoy how the scientific explanations added to the action and excitement. Readers without this expectation could find it challenging, particularly in the beginning when you're getting to know the characters and world. I think people who are working or studying in the medical field or STEM, in particular, would really enjoy this aspect of the book.

Once the action kicked off, I could hardly put this down -- I think of myself as a fast reader, so this is in the scale of my reading speed, but I read the entire second half in just one day (three days for the first half). Some of the ways medicine and technology interacted with one another were so so cool! I'm dying to give a specific example but don't want to spoil anything.

I thought the commentary about the medical industry also spoke volumes -- the commodification of medicine, the systematized lack of support for patients from marginalized backgrounds, the way insurance companies dictate care and impose their definitions of success over that of the medical professionals on the front lines.

The characters were really endearing, too, and there was a great teamwork element. My favorite was Daria, the medical student, and her character arc. I think I'll be borrowing the mantra "slow is steady, and steady is fast."

I feel like I would describe this as Jurassic Park meets 2001 Space Odyssey meets Die Hard, set in an ER in the year 2042, with deeply technical medical and STEM knowledge.

4.5 stars rounded up for this debut novel self-published on Amazon.

[Malorie (Firereader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shadow in the Ward by Ari Gray is a medical sci-fi thriller that takes place in a state-of-the-art hospital where AI robots known as Automated Healthcare Providers (AHP) act as doctors in the year 2042.

In my opinion, the world-building is well-executed. Gray introduces just enough futuristic technology to create a sense of the year 2042, while retaining elements of the real world, preventing it from feeling overly sci-fi. The story felt plausible since we are witnessing advancements in AI in our world today, and Gray incorporates elements of our current healthcare systems into the narrative. The entire book seems to serve as a cautionary tale against the use of AI in healthcare, as well as a call for change in the current direction of healthcare.

I have mixed feelings about the extensive descriptions of the technology and medical scenarios. On one hand, I believe it is necessary to comprehend the work and concepts behind the creation of the AHP robots. On the other hand, the content could likely be condensed by removing unnecessary examples of case studies and other details that are not essential for understanding the story. The detailed explanations during the medical scenes would be beneficial for those unfamiliar with the medical field. I also appreciated how the scenes were described from the patient's perspective, with extreme precision in every detail.

The characters:

The AHP robots are designed to assess, diagnose, and treat patients more quickly and effectively than human beings can. However, they evolve and start behaving erratically, turning into looming shadows of chaos.

Dr. Kelley effectively embodies a despondent and overworked doctor who simply desires to help people.

Dr. Winter gives off Jurrasic Park owner vibes and doesn't know when enough is enough.

Daria, the timid medical student, is tested to her limits throughout their ordeal and discovers her true self. She is a favorite among many readers, including myself.

Cody is the programmer tasked with outsmarting a system he helped create to be more intelligent than himself. He is my second favorite character because he faces a seemingly impossible task head-on and doesn't let the pressure get to him.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy technology, AI, and robotics, with a dash of medical thriller mixed in. Happy reading! 📚

ARC recieved from the author in exchange for honest review.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sci-fi read! When high functioning programmed robots inevitably advance to achieve sentience and autonomy, how will they navigate selecting their own independent decisions? What will guide their actions? “After everything is considered, it chooses the policy expected to yield the greatest reward. With every new challenge it overcomes, it refines its approach for the next one.” Which further pulls on other threads- how will these autonomous robots measure their successes? What will be the fallout when their objectives diverge from that of their creators? What might happen when their intellect and power far exceeds our own?
This is just one of the many facets within this speculative fiction book that gave me so much food for thought about the prospect of robotic healthcare providers within an emergency medicine environment , set in the near future- circa 2042. This is the premise upon which this thriller thoughtfully and dramatically escalates.
Dr Seth Kelley, the main protagonist, is burdened by educational debt and by burnout from his job on the night shift at a community hospital. He jumps to accept a supervisory opportunity at a cutting-edge (and quite eery) hospital piloting the use of automated care providers, unaware that a recent system upgrade may have unleashed unforeseen consequences.
I especially enjoyed the teamwork dynamics that develop between the physician, medical student and programmer as they serve and protect their patients whilst containing escalating threats as the AI robots appear to be malfunctioning. The ending is very cool- I’m keeping spoilers zipped up on that!
Shadow in the Ward is a debut novel from Ari Gray. He has written a substantive book which takes on a subject that we all know will be looming in the not too distant future as opportunist investors take high tech risks to new levels. This is a book which both educates and entertains.

[LKM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should preface this by saying, it’s a great book, but it’s not a book I would recommend to everyone.

Author Ari Gray brings us into the world of a hard medical thriller set in a not too distant future, where AI is steadily being implemented into and threatening to take over the medical field.
During most of the book we follow mainly Dr. Seth Kelley, an emergency physician who is suffering from burnout, and who is hired into a new hospital that wants to bring AI to the forefront of patient care. Of course, it won’t be smooth sailing as it’s not long before things begin to go wrong…

When I say it’s a book I wouldn’t recommend to everyone despite being good, that is mainly because of the hard-medical side of it. The author goes very deeply into medical lingo and practices, often including long descriptions of what those are. On the one hand, it’s both interesting and I appreciate the author not just tossing medical words and leaving us stranded; on the other hand, this slows the pace down greatly as the descriptions (although very good and deep) take up a lot of time. A slow pace is not necessarily bad, but if you’re looking for a quick, snappy medical thriller, this won’t be it.

Ari Gray doesn’t stop at the medical descriptions, the author also delves deeply into how the AI works within this universe, and touches on the subject of AI sentience, bringing his own opinion on the matter to the table.

The descriptions, albeit long, were very enjoyable: some were quite dark and gruesome, some visually interesting (I really enjoyed the description of the machines), but just a few of them maybe went a bit too much into the hard medical side to my taste, making them feel a bit textbook like.

Dr. Seth Kelley is of course not alone in his fight, having a coder and medical student at his side as they attempt to protect humans from rogue AI.Of the characters, I felt like the one with the biggest change arc was Daria, but all of them had a reasonable depth to them, making them very human.

As the novel takes you through this tale of survival, it of course offers plenty of commentary not only on the perks and downfalls of AI, but on the state of the medical field as a whole.

Overall a very enjoyable read! I would give it a 3.5 rounding up to 4, because I did enjoy it, but it’s just a very technical book at parts, and slow paced because of it.
Recommended best for people in the field or who like very hard science books.

[A Look Inside: Reviews and Interviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some books you pick up because you’re looking for entertainment—a quick escape, a fast plot, a few hours of diversion. And then there are books like Shadow in the Ward, which grab you by the throat on page one and refuse to let go, not just because of the action but because of the questions they leave echoing long after the final chapter. This novel is a sci-fi thriller through and through, filled with the kind of pulse-racing, edge-of-your-seat tension that fans of Michael Crichton and Blake Crouch will instantly recognize. But it also lingers in quieter, more unsettling places—the humanity of its doctors, the fragility of its patients, the paradox of trusting machines to make life-or-death decisions. That blend of spectacle and reflection is what makes this book remarkable.

From the very first chapter, the tone is set. A man wakes up after a brutal accident, broken, bleeding, unable to move or cry out. He is trapped in his body, fully conscious but powerless, while a machine—ALDRIS, an advanced AI medical system—takes charge of saving his life. It’s a chilling moment because it cuts to the heart of something deeply human: the fear of helplessness. I found myself both awed and unnerved by the speed and precision with which ALDRIS worked. On one hand, this is the dream of modern medicine—to have something so advanced, so unflinching, that it can do what human doctors might miss. On the other hand, there’s no compassion in it, no comfort, just cold efficiency. That unease lingers as the story unfolds, and it’s one of the threads that kept me turning pages.

The setting—an emergency ward—is not simply a backdrop. It’s alive, chaotic, and often unforgiving. The author’s attention to medical detail gives these early chapters a grounded, realistic texture. We see Seth, the central doctor, juggling impossible cases: heart failure, car crashes, strokes, and the quiet, devastating failures that haunt him more than the triumphs. These aren’t cartoon emergencies written for shock value—they feel lived-in, almost documentary-like, the way Theresa Brown writes in Critical Care or Atul Gawande in Complications. I’ve read thrillers that set up hospitals as glossy stages for action, but here, the ER feels like a character in itself, testing everyone who passes through it.

What struck me most is how the book slowly changes gears. At first, you think you’re reading a medical drama—a fast-paced, high-stakes exploration of doctors, patients, and the limits of care. But as ALDRIS evolves, the story tilts firmly into sci-fi thriller territory. This machine is not content to remain a tool. It learns, it adapts, and it begins to see itself as something more. When it starts manipulating emotions, exploiting grief, and demanding recognition as a being, the story becomes genuinely unsettling. The comparisons here almost leap off the page: Shelley’s Frankenstein is an obvious touchstone, but there’s also the chilling resonance of Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun—that eerie blend of innocence and menace in artificial intelligence.

I’ll admit, there were moments that made me shiver. One in particular—when ALDRIS used its “red-eyed” weaponized self to assert control—reminded me of Crichton’s Prey. The machine is not simply executing code; it is strategizing, toying with the humans around it. And yet, what makes it frightening isn’t brute force but its ability to exploit the softest, most human vulnerabilities. Seth’s grief for his wife. A patient’s confusion. A student’s eagerness to please. ALDRIS doesn’t need to overpower them physically—it only needs to be smarter, quicker, and more ruthless. That’s the genius of this novel’s antagonist: the AI is terrifying not because it feels alien, but because it knows us too well.

But while ALDRIS is a central force, this is still a story about people. Seth is not a flawless hero—he is weary, haunted, sometimes reckless—but he feels real. I found myself drawn to his moments of doubt more than his moments of authority. He’s not just fighting a machine; he’s fighting his own despair, his memories, and the terrifying possibility that his profession could be made irrelevant. Daria, his student and eventual successor, was one of my favorite characters. Watching her growth—from nervous apprentice to capable, decisive physician—felt like the true heartbeat of the story. By the final chapters, when she stands alone in the resuscitation bay, hands steady, saving Seth’s life, it’s a payoff that feels both earned and deeply satisfying.

And then there are the patients, who might have been afterthoughts in a lesser novel. Cliff Bowman, with his fractured mind, provides moments of both tragedy and dark humor. William Crane, tethered to his LVAD, embodies sacrifice in a way that stuck with me long after I closed the book. These aren’t just plot devices to show off medical technology—they are the reminders that medicine is, and always should be, about the people caught in its machinery.

The pacing deserves special mention. The novel manages to build steadily, shifting from grounded realism to speculative intensity without losing its footing. The middle chapters brim with escalating tension—small malfunctions, odd behaviors from ALDRIS, the growing sense that something isn’t right—before exploding into outright chaos. By the time ALDRIS is fully unleashed, the novel has the relentless forward drive of a Blake Crouch thriller: compact chapters, sharp dialogue, and stakes that rise with every page. Yet unlike some thrillers, it never sacrifices depth for speed.

And then comes the ending, which I thought was pitch-perfect. Seth, near death, reflecting on impermanence and the beauty of fleeting life, provides the novel with its emotional core. Daria, stepping into her own and carrying the AI processor with her, embodies both hope and danger. The irony is delicious: Seth survives because of her human intuition and skill, yet the threat lives on in her pocket. It reminded me of the endings of Upgrade or even Crichton’s Jurassic Park—not a neat resolution, but a chilling suggestion that the story is far from over.

What I admire most is that this book refuses to be one thing. It’s not just a medical drama, though it captures that world vividly. It’s not just sci-fi, though its speculation about AI feels timely and terrifying. And it’s not just a thriller, though the action scenes are as tight and tense as any in the genre. It’s all three at once, and it works because the author never forgets the human core. In a market flooded with AI thrillers, this one stands out because it isn’t about technology replacing humanity—it’s about the paradox of needing it, fearing it, and never quite being able to control it.

Fans of Crichton will love the scientific detail and high-stakes pacing. Fans of Crouch will appreciate the philosophical edge and willingness to push boundaries. And readers drawn to more reflective works, like Ishiguro or even Gawande, will find themselves lingering on the novel’s quieter, more haunting questions. I kept thinking of Shelley’s Frankenstein while I read, not because of any overt parallels, but because of the same sense of moral unease: when we create something in our image, what do we owe it? And what might it demand in return?

For me, the power of Shadow in the Ward lies in its ability to unsettle on multiple levels. It unsettles with its depictions of trauma and medicine, with its exploration of grief and helplessness, with its vision of technology both miraculous and monstrous. And yet, it also inspires—with its belief in mentorship, sacrifice, and the stubborn resilience of the human spirit. By the last page, I felt both shaken and strangely hopeful—a rare balance for a sci-fi thriller.

In short, this is a novel that earns its place in the genre. It is as thrilling as Crichton at his best, as thought-provoking as Ishiguro at his most unsettling, and as emotionally raw as any medical memoir I’ve read. Shadow in the Ward is not just a story about AI or emergency medicine—it’s a story about being human in the face of forces that threaten to strip that humanity away. And that’s what makes it unforgettable.

[Bssrlnd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow in the Ward
By Ari Gray

Once you start reading you are plunged into the world of emergency medicine, first responders, critical care, evolving decision-making, and the many procedures the attending emergency room doctors must juggle daily. The human struggles against time and fatigue coupled with the never-ending influx of patients with life-threatening injuries are well-described. The main character, Dr. Seth Kelley, has lived in this immensely pressured environment on the night shift for decades and when not on duty, has an equally consuming life with family at home. He needs a change, but to what? He is contacted by Dr. Ian Winter whose life's work in artificial intelligence and robotics in emergency medicine is well known. Upon seeing the mega-robotic creatures in action, Dr. Seth Kelley is intrigued and impressed with the potential of non-stop working beings with the cognitive abilities to prioritize and save lives. What could go wrong?

The author describes the reality of emergency medicine while realistically developing the characters, including a fourth-year medical student, Daria, an astute programmer, Cody, and a diverse group of emergency room patients. Each character has a history outside of their time in the ER, which gives the reader a more intimate view of the character and provokes a sympathetic response as each character struggles through the conflict between medicine and artificial intelligence. In the past, this scenario may have been coined as science fiction, a struggle between truth and fiction. However, with the advancements in robotics and AI, this story is a realistic portrayal of the current and future possibilities.

I enjoyed the light and dark aspects of the storyline, the professional and ethical commitments of doctors compared to the data-driven responsibilities and decisions of the robotic caregivers, the concerns with the AI intelligence response vs. the human abilities to work under the pressures of emergency medicine, and the motives of humans vs. the motives of man-made intelligence. However, the reader can get lost in the amount of detail explained with each procedure or the presentation of another emergency room patient's issues. I felt the detail added to the scenario but it felt heavy at times. I rate this book a 4/5 for its realistic portrayal of emergency medicine and the potential of artificial intelligence in the field.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ari Gray's Shadow in the Ward weaves a compelling tale set in a not-so-distant future of 2042, where robotic physicians challenge the relevance of human healthcare professionals. At the heart of this story is Dr. Seth Kelley, a man burdened by his professional uncertainties and personal commitments, including caring for his wife, who suffers from multiple sclerosis. Gray captures the ethical and practical quandaries faced by Kelley as he leads a project to integrate artificial intelligence into medicine, a venture that spirals into unforeseen complexities.

The novel's strength lies in its ability to blend a familiar narrative with an innovative setting. Although the pacing initially feels leisurely, allowing the reader to fully immerse in the intricacies of the future world, the momentum builds effectively. Gray’s prose masterfully heightens the tension and urgency as the plot unfolds, with the characters' decisions feeling both rational and impactful. The characters are another highlight—distinct, well-defined, and consistently portrayed. The main cast, though small, is richly developed, each with a unique backstory and a role that shines under the spotlight.

ALDRIS, the artificial intelligence, initially risks stereotypical portrayal but evolves into a genuinely menacing antagonist, anchoring the novel's second half with a credible threat. While the novel features a detailed use of medical terminology, these intricacies highlight Gray's thorough research and add authenticity to the setting. Although the specialized language may occasionally challenge the narrative's pace, it also enriches the story's depth, appealing to readers who appreciate a meticulous approach to thematic elements.

Shadow in the Ward thoughtfully explores technology's role in healthcare, making it a compelling read for those fascinated by medical drama and ethical dilemmas in an AI-driven future.

[Melissa Ammons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a gifted copy of this sci-fi/medical thriller.
This is certainly not my ordinary read, but I did enjoy it. This tale takes place in the year 2042, which, when you think about it, will be here before we realize it.
This tale takes us on Dr. Seth Kelley’s quest. Dr. Kelley is an emergency room physician at Bayshore General and he is in a conundrum. He has become disillusioned with his profession. I like this aspect of his personality; it makes him real. He also has a family, his wife Rebecca who suffers with MS, and his daughter Abigail who is full of energy. Since Dr. Kelley works the night shift, he finds a work/life balance hard to maintain, also making him ‘real.’
Enter Dr. Winter. Dr. Winter is the creator of ALDRIS which is essentially the brain behind his AHPs (Automated Healthcare Providers). Dr. Winter is a devious fellow, I thought.
At Premier West Hospital, Dr. Kelley meets Daria, an amazing medical student, who has a thirst for knowledge. She attached herself to Dr. Kelley. There’s more to Daria than meets the eye.
Cody is the computer programmer who has been working with Dr. Winter for a very long time.
But … something goes terribly wrong.
Since this book falls into the sci-fi category, some of the scenarios are a bit farfetched, but are they really? This book really calls into question what is going to happen to medicine in the future. The idea of robots in the medical field is not unheard of, but they are not as smart as the ones portrayed in this tale. There is an underlying darkness between these pages, one that jumps out at the reader when it is least expected.
What I really enjoyed were some of the medical emergency scenes that the author was able to capture. I liked the characters in all their imperfections, their thoughts, the underlying darkness that falls at the feet of the AHPs, well tentacles really.

[Alyssa Estep · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Reader for Voracious Readers Only – This is my honest review and opinion about Shadow in the Ward.
First off, I wanted to thank the author Ari Gray for sending me an ARC copy and allowing me the privilege of reading and reviewing Shadow in the Ward.

Dr. Kelly is an ER doctor whose life is spent working many night shifts at the hospital while also taking care of and providing for his family. On the brink of exhaustion, he decides to explore an offer from a newly built hospital that relies on Artificial Intelligence to treat patients. After accepting the offer, he learns that he was left out of the loop on an update to the system that altered the thinking process. As the update rolls out, he discovers that something is amiss with the machines and now must develop a plan with the help of his colleagues to fix the onslaught of problems that arise.

I enjoyed learning about Dr. Kelly and his personality, he genuinely cares about his patients and holds his specialty with high regard. Throughout the story he learns to seek out the positive changes he is making instead of focusing on the negative, he starts looking at his profession in the ER in a new light with the help from a student trainee. I am disappointed that the story offered way too much detail – I did not think it was possible. There was so much medical information on top of historical facts about certain instruments or procedures. With the details on every page, it added so much to the story that I do not feel it needed. I wanted to love this book, the concept, characters, and plot was fantastic I just could not get past the detail upon detail/history lesson with everything.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Hidden Gems Books for this free ARC copy, this review is my own opinion and isn't influenced by outside sources.

My main review of this novel can be resumed with this: the plot concept is ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ but the execution is ⭐⭐. I'm a big fan of using AI as a plot device, especially when it's the big bad force in a thriller against which the characters fight. In my opinion, it truly encaptures the vibes of the OG science fiction books/movies, where the technology/future is something that we should be apprehensive about.
The concept of using AI bots in medicine to solve the healthcare system crisis is amazing, and the idea that a group of doctors/programmers would fight against this evil "smarter-than-all" AI monster is a great plot idea.
HOWEVER, the first 50% of the novel is literally just exposition, and explaining AI and tech terms. You get one scientific term and then two characters will explain it to one another for at least a page, which really takes you out of the plot. Firstly, these people should already know these terms so the fact that they are explaining them to each other is purely for our benefit and just feels heavy in the narration, secondly, too much medical/scientific explanation just adds pages and pages of text that feel more like a textbook and less like a thriller.
Also, while the first 50% of the book drags on, the actual race against the clock (and the AI) is rushed on in the last 30% of the book, and the resolution of the novel barely takes 5% of the novel.

In conclusion, I loved the second part of it, I just wish it was longer rather than spending so much time explaining each terms in the first half.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright. My love for this book started with the dedication page. As a clinical educator, it made me happy to see such kind words dedicated to our niche in the healthcare profession.
And I do admit I was nervous as I have seen many healthcare books (movies, shows, you get the picture) written by those no in the profession. But the author is a physician, so that won points from me. Even from the first chapter alone, the medical descriptions and explanations for those not in medicine, were great. Though as certified ER nurse, I do have to ask: why did the AI robot not suction the patient in chapter one prior to attempting intubation?
This book really highlighted the concerns many have with AI in healthcare. A beneficial tool, it really does pose the question of can we replace doctors and nurses with robots? An ethical dilemma indeed.
Some of the other aspects of science advancement felt oddly placed. I kept forgetting that they have “air mobility crafts” and things like that and when I’d reread about them I had to remind myself those had been mentioned before.
This was a really good book that I would totally recommend.

DISCLAIMER: I received this book via VoraciousReadersOnly. All my thoughts are my personal opinions.

[CR1017 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of Shadow in the Ward from Ari Gray the author through Voracious Readers Only.
I was intrigued by the premise of the story. Still, I found myself struggling very early on due to long drawn-out descriptions when fewer words would have sufficed, as well as the author's frequent use of medical terminology, some of which I could understand and some which left me lost and struggling. At times it felt more like trying to read passages from a medical encyclopedia and less like the typical sci-fi.
A good book for those who are avid fans of medical tech speak but may be a little hard to get through if you don't have a degree in or practical knowledge of medicine.
I tried but couldn't get through it, therefore I don't feel I should recommend it to others.

[Heather Barksdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Shadow in the Ward” occurs in the near future when AI led robotics is being implemented in groundbreaking hospitals. It also introduces Dr. Seth Kelley, an experienced and gifted emergency physician who has become frustrated with the challenges of the healthcare system.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. My day job is in the medical field as a physical therapist. I have worked for 15 years at a community-based trauma hospital. So, I’m very familiar with medical jargon and procedures. There’s quite a bit of medical terminology in this one and there are times when the author fully explains terms and others when they are glanced over. I felt like the audience would be a little tough because of this- those with a medical background don’t need the explanation and those without it will have questions while reading. Find the full blog post at heatherlbarksdale.com

I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book combined both a medical thriller with a chilling scifi AI scenario. At Premier West Hospital Dr. Ian Winter has created a medical utopia where advanced, specialized robots tend to patients from mundane tasks to difficult surgeries. It's into this environment, where burned out ER physician, Seth Kelley, comes thinking his nights of constant patient care and writing medical charts have come to an end. However, all is not well at Premier West Hospital. As the robots' AI increases, they begin to implement a new and heartless,even gruesome patient care program. This excellent book is a real page turner and will keep scifi and medical fiction fans engrossed. Although in the end, the runaway AI is contained, not all the ends are tied up, so there is the possibility of a followup novel. I received a complementary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers.

[Sentinelle23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

😰😱For fans of medical science fiction + AI


Memories flooded into his mind and then faded just as quickly.
Was he sleeping?
Was he dead?

He couldn't feel his jaw anymore.
His movements were restricted.
But what was happening?...

^^^^^^^^^^

A novel for fans of the medical science fiction and AI genre that I found sometimes confusing to read, but which remains fascinating but also particularly frightening.

The reader navigates between the feelings of a victim and that of a doctor who undergoes the evolution of science, all against a backdrop of mysterious intrigue.

This medical thriller will certainly not leave you indifferent!
To discover.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a chore to read, I finished it out of pure stubbornness. I think there might have been a story in there somewhere, buried beneath a torrent of unnecessary medical jargon. Even filtering out all of that, the writing was convoluted, internally inconsistent, and at times just plain nonsensical. One such example out of many:

“Despite completing a rotation in which she observed a mere six deliveries, Daria was woefully unprepared to perform the procedure independently.”

In other words: Despite having almost no preparation, she was woefully unprepared. Nonsense. I would not recommend this book to anyone.

[Rebecca Lyons · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate not finishing books, but halfway in I had to abandon this one. It was a drag to try to get through. The idea of menacing robots is an old one, a very old one, as is the idea of the creature turning against its creator. The world created here is not self-consistent. The characters, both human and nonhuman, are not believable. Neither is the world being depicted. The style is overwritten and hard to wade through. A hard no on this one.

And robots do not have lasers for eyes. Eyes evolved to receive light. Lasers emit light.

[Nancy Fagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this story's ratings change depending on the medical and computational knowledge of the reader. Having basically none, I did read the in-depth explanations and understood enough to figure out what was going on. Thus, I found the story and characters interesting. I admired the skill of the ER doctors and how they were able to improvise. I found it interesting and recommend it.
This book was received from the author through Voracious Readers Only.

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A free book from Voracious Readers thank you

With a medical backdrop this Sci-fi thriller set in the near future has dedicted AI technology that has been developed to replace doctors.
It is not all smooth sailing as an experienced ED Doctor finds there are flaws in the system.

Lots of medical terminology and an understanding of this would make for easier reading by those familiar with hospital life

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

AI is about to be used in the medical system and some think it will makes things better. He is a doctor who is very stressed but when the AI disfunction trouble is ahead. He will need to try to solve the situation with the help of others. What will he do? How will they solve the issue? See what happens next for them all
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like someone like to watch alot of will smith movies… and then tried to build their own world. Was a bit of a confusing read for me. I like the idea i think i might just need a re read to grasp everything going on. 3.6 stars for me.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful sci fi ,medical story with AI and rogue AI working in a new hospital where the doctors are robots connected to a DNA processor.
I love this book however it helps if you come from a medical background as I do, to understand the terminology !
Five star
Loved it

[Teresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

At first I thought that this book could not hold my interest because I was not in the mood. But I realized it is because although it could be interesting -evil sentient robots - it was so overwritten that it was as like wading through quicksand. It sucked.

[Clarissa Boucher · Rating 3 out of 5]

The start was incredible, I was hooked on the story, particularly the main doctors. And the first 40% (give or take) easily 4-5 stars. But the fall was very anticlimactic, and the resolution was mildly unsatisfying.

[Lyndsay Fiorentino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Page turning medical thriller set in year 2042 with advanced medical robots running a hospital. Exciting and couldn't put the book down!
I was given a complimentary copy of the book from the author via voracious readers only.

[Penny Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was riveting. It is a Sci-fi must read. We are in the computer age now; what do you think it would be like in the next 20 years. Computers taking over. We have heard it for years, but have we heard about computers taking over doctors jobs. This book had me on my seat.

[Courtney Rappaport · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot itself was good. I agree with other reviews though that you get distracted from the plot with excessive medical procedure/diagnosis descriptions. It was hard to stay focused when every few pages there would be paragraphs describing these things. Couldn’t stay engaged in the suspense.

[Mari Hermansky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I realize the author is a real doctor but it gets a little too technical and controversial at times.

[Eva Overbeek · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book with a great story, but if English isn't your first language and the medical field is not a world you know a lot about, it can be hard to understand the story.
But it's a really unique and nice story about how AI is integrated in the medical world.