What do you think?
Rate this book
Me and the Machine
A math wunderkind from a breeder-world slum will sacrifice anything to become a soldier—even her own identity.
Born into a society sculpted by endless war, Gaby dreams of fighting on the front lines. But the Intelligence Division has other uses for her talents, and sends her to witness a top-secret training exercise on an experimental starship.
Once aboard, a violent mutiny overtakes the ship, leaving Gaby alone to protect the ship’s secret Passenger, a symbiotic artificial intelligence that—when joined with a compatible human—can hack other AIs, turning the tide of any battle, perhaps even the war.
But the only way to keep the AI out of the mutineers’ hands is to keep it in her head, and Passenger wasn’t meant to stay integrated with a human for long.
With no rescue in sight, and the barrier between Gaby’s mind and the machine’s deteriorating, she must do more than evade She’ll need to fight back.
Born into a society sculpted by endless war, Gaby dreams of fighting on the front lines. But the Intelligence Division has other uses for her talents, and sends her to witness a top-secret training exercise on an experimental starship.
Once aboard, a violent mutiny overtakes the ship, leaving Gaby alone to protect the ship’s secret Passenger, a symbiotic artificial intelligence that—when joined with a compatible human—can hack other AIs, turning the tide of any battle, perhaps even the war.
But the only way to keep the AI out of the mutineers’ hands is to keep it in her head, and Passenger wasn’t meant to stay integrated with a human for long.
With no rescue in sight, and the barrier between Gaby’s mind and the machine’s deteriorating, she must do more than evade She’ll need to fight back.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2024
4 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Wesley Watts
1 book3 followersWesley Watts (he/him) writes character- driven science fiction and fantasy stories that blend elements of military, cyberpunk, space opera, and flintlock fantasy sub genres together.
He began storytelling as a game master for pen-and-paper role playing games back when the fading echoes of the Satanic Panic still shrouded such activities in an aura of perceived immorality.
Born in Minneapolis, raised in Denver, transplanted to Cleveland, he lives with his wife and an ever growing pride of cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 7, 2024
“Me and the Machine” by Wesley Watts is an exciting and intricate cyberpunk science fiction novel that will fascinate you from page one. Central character Gaby is a math genius from a ghetto in the breeder world and will do anything to fulfill her one driving ambition: become a soldier. And she is willing to give up her own identity in order to achieve it. Being on the front lines seems like a logical dream to her, as she is the child of a warmongering culture, but the entity known as the Intelligence Division would prefer to use her skills for other purposes, so they dispatch her to observe a clandestine training exercise on a starship that is purely experimental.
When she arrives on the ship Discordia, chaos erupts in the form of mutiny devised by her childhood friend that threatens the entire vessel. It’s up to Gaby to defend the top-secret AI they have on board, named Passenger. The trick with Passenger is that with a human hacker, other AIs can be accessed, which can alter the outcome of any battle, maybe even the war itself. The mutineers want Passenger, but it’s now in Gaby’s head, and the AI may not stay there for long, because it wasn’t designed to do so. Without rescue, Gaby is at risk of capture or worse, unless she fights back.
Watts is the kind of science fiction writer you’ve been looking for. He has a great story to tell, and uses detail and skill, yet keeps it at a level the reader can follow. It’s a human story at its best, where the themes of the AI/human connection are explored in a tense, suspenseful way.
These characters are so alive, especially Gaby, who wants to follow in her brother’s footsteps. You can feel her emotional and psychological struggles, and you really can’t predict how the scenarios will play out. Gaby is small in stature and has an incredible mind. You will come to like and respect her character, motivations, and choices. The challenges she faces seem insurmountable, but the fun part is reading how it all unfolds.
Told in first-person, the novel has a personal feel, and this is what I like in a science fiction story. The science in this particular science fiction saga is very interesting and thought-provoking. Even the casual science fiction fan will fall in love with the intellectually stimulating, entertaining nail-biter “Me and the Machine” by Wesley Watts.
When she arrives on the ship Discordia, chaos erupts in the form of mutiny devised by her childhood friend that threatens the entire vessel. It’s up to Gaby to defend the top-secret AI they have on board, named Passenger. The trick with Passenger is that with a human hacker, other AIs can be accessed, which can alter the outcome of any battle, maybe even the war itself. The mutineers want Passenger, but it’s now in Gaby’s head, and the AI may not stay there for long, because it wasn’t designed to do so. Without rescue, Gaby is at risk of capture or worse, unless she fights back.
Watts is the kind of science fiction writer you’ve been looking for. He has a great story to tell, and uses detail and skill, yet keeps it at a level the reader can follow. It’s a human story at its best, where the themes of the AI/human connection are explored in a tense, suspenseful way.
These characters are so alive, especially Gaby, who wants to follow in her brother’s footsteps. You can feel her emotional and psychological struggles, and you really can’t predict how the scenarios will play out. Gaby is small in stature and has an incredible mind. You will come to like and respect her character, motivations, and choices. The challenges she faces seem insurmountable, but the fun part is reading how it all unfolds.
Told in first-person, the novel has a personal feel, and this is what I like in a science fiction story. The science in this particular science fiction saga is very interesting and thought-provoking. Even the casual science fiction fan will fall in love with the intellectually stimulating, entertaining nail-biter “Me and the Machine” by Wesley Watts.
May 8, 2024
I am a fan of dystopian sci-fi. It’s always going to float my boat, as I love the scope you can have with it. I would say that this does not disappoint. There are two main points of view in this story: Gaby, the FMC, and Morgan, her brother’s friend. Watts writes in first person for Gaby and third for Morgan, which is an interesting choice, but it means there’s no cause for confusion when switching POVs.
Morgan’s is primarily his memories and backstory, whereas Gaby drives the current narrative throughout.
There’s a lot going on in this story: it starts slow, with Gaby trying to change her fate, get taller via certain illegal implants, and get on the front line. But of course, that’s not where she’s headed, as she’s a genius, and Intelligence want her elsewhere.
The main component of the story takes part on the starship, which we travel in detail. The tension ramps up as Gaby has to integrate with an AI and hide from the mutineers. The detail in this novel is exceptional: nothing is skipped over, nothing is left out. We have Matrix style AI inner landscape handling, and action sequences that Die Hard and the like would not be ashamed of. The pacing is good, although I felt the ending was rushed compared to the rest. Watts has left it open which works: there is room for some kind of sequel, perhaps.
Considering this is a story about an AI, and a mutiny, and a very dystopian society, it is very human, very emotionally led. It’s a clever story, skilfully told. I would keep an eye out for this book, and for other books by this author. He’s got more stories to tell, and I think we want to hear them.
Morgan’s is primarily his memories and backstory, whereas Gaby drives the current narrative throughout.
There’s a lot going on in this story: it starts slow, with Gaby trying to change her fate, get taller via certain illegal implants, and get on the front line. But of course, that’s not where she’s headed, as she’s a genius, and Intelligence want her elsewhere.
The main component of the story takes part on the starship, which we travel in detail. The tension ramps up as Gaby has to integrate with an AI and hide from the mutineers. The detail in this novel is exceptional: nothing is skipped over, nothing is left out. We have Matrix style AI inner landscape handling, and action sequences that Die Hard and the like would not be ashamed of. The pacing is good, although I felt the ending was rushed compared to the rest. Watts has left it open which works: there is room for some kind of sequel, perhaps.
Considering this is a story about an AI, and a mutiny, and a very dystopian society, it is very human, very emotionally led. It’s a clever story, skilfully told. I would keep an eye out for this book, and for other books by this author. He’s got more stories to tell, and I think we want to hear them.
August 2, 2024
There's an object lesson in kicking of a world-building-heavy novel here in Me And The Machine. We open with our protagonist Gaby trying to obtain and then potentially blackmail a vaguely dodgy doctor into giving her genetic modifications so she can qualify to become a Space Marine. In the course of a nervy, heist-like chapter, we get the unfolding idea of what Gaby wants, what her current situation is and also get to watch her in action - she is smart, but not savvy, poor but not destitute. What's more, she fails. It's an excellent way of grounding her in a book that takes an awful lot of leaps into sci-fi flights of fantasy and just about keeps the audience onside.
It is later identified that Gaby is a mathematics prodigy (wise not to open with that), living with her neglectful parents who spend most of their time in VR, or lightly disparaging her. She is a trainee in the information corps of the fleet but would rather be a grunt like her brother, who died, was - hence the modifications. She wants to go fight in the endless war, and any seasoned sci-fi reader will take a quick look at the heavily militaristic society she lives in and wonder briefly if they are the good guys. She is then picked for a special project, flown to a prototype spaceship, and introduced the The Machine of the title.
Me And The Machine is a solid sci-fi YA novel that isn't reinventing its wheel but does make a lot of smart choices. It is good at explaining maths as problem-solving and then bringing us into an analogy of how that problem-solving might work. It is good at making supporting characters' heel turns actually matter. At the heart it has put together an almost Dickensian central character whose writ large motivations jobe against her attempt at moral action, and has the courage to not be too simplistic when it gets to its impossible decisions. Some of the writing is a bit simp;istic and I wasn't always convinced that the lead was a teenage girl, but the narrative arc is solid and entertaining.
It is later identified that Gaby is a mathematics prodigy (wise not to open with that), living with her neglectful parents who spend most of their time in VR, or lightly disparaging her. She is a trainee in the information corps of the fleet but would rather be a grunt like her brother, who died, was - hence the modifications. She wants to go fight in the endless war, and any seasoned sci-fi reader will take a quick look at the heavily militaristic society she lives in and wonder briefly if they are the good guys. She is then picked for a special project, flown to a prototype spaceship, and introduced the The Machine of the title.
Me And The Machine is a solid sci-fi YA novel that isn't reinventing its wheel but does make a lot of smart choices. It is good at explaining maths as problem-solving and then bringing us into an analogy of how that problem-solving might work. It is good at making supporting characters' heel turns actually matter. At the heart it has put together an almost Dickensian central character whose writ large motivations jobe against her attempt at moral action, and has the courage to not be too simplistic when it gets to its impossible decisions. Some of the writing is a bit simp;istic and I wasn't always convinced that the lead was a teenage girl, but the narrative arc is solid and entertaining.
June 18, 2024
I spent 90% of the book incorrectly trying to predict what would happen next! This was a WILD ride. I immediately fell in love with Gaby. Her personality really sucks you in from the very beginning. I don't usually expect to get hooked on sci-fi this hard, but I couldn't put it down. I need a prequel, a sequel and a spin off series ASAP! Whatever it takes to get more of Wesley's writing in my hands.
June 5, 2024
First time reading a book like this and I really enjoyed the different type style of writting im new to this but this book caught my eye from the very first page. I will definitely read more books by this Author.
July 15, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC
Me and the Machine is a fast paced, tense novel that, once the main plot gets kicking, is almost claustrophobic. If you’re looking for unsettling science fiction, this is absolutely the book for you. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it horror, but there’s a creeping sense of dread that pervades every inch of this novel. Following Gaby, a cadet in a corporately owned military, as she is taken to a demonstration of a new weapon featuring AI integration, the atmosphere of Watts’ writing is undeniable. The moment Gaby sets foot on the ship, she becomes entangled in a mutiny by her late brother’s best friend, forcing her into a precarious position.
Me and the Machine is perfect for readers of science fiction, particularly fans of books like Some Desperate Glory. A gripping read, it will entrance readers from cover to cover, drawing them into a world where AI integration is becoming a terrifying reality. I highly recommend.
Me and the Machine is a fast paced, tense novel that, once the main plot gets kicking, is almost claustrophobic. If you’re looking for unsettling science fiction, this is absolutely the book for you. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it horror, but there’s a creeping sense of dread that pervades every inch of this novel. Following Gaby, a cadet in a corporately owned military, as she is taken to a demonstration of a new weapon featuring AI integration, the atmosphere of Watts’ writing is undeniable. The moment Gaby sets foot on the ship, she becomes entangled in a mutiny by her late brother’s best friend, forcing her into a precarious position.
Me and the Machine is perfect for readers of science fiction, particularly fans of books like Some Desperate Glory. A gripping read, it will entrance readers from cover to cover, drawing them into a world where AI integration is becoming a terrifying reality. I highly recommend.
July 13, 2024
This was such a good, entertaining YA sci fi read. This dystopian sci fi book has a very smart FMC, mutiny, suspense, AI, action, you name it.
Gaby is an incredibly talented FMC. She wants to become a gausser like her brother, but when she’s chosen by the Intelligence Division to take part in a secret training exercise, all hell breaks loose. What follows is a great story about a takeover of a space warship, and the people involved, as well as Gaby’s determination to do what she thinks is right.
The author does a fantastic job at character development, and the world building both on and off the ship was fantastic. You really get a feel of the layout of the warship, which most of the story takes place on. He is able to aptly describe the ship without getting overly technical, which I like.
Overall, this was a highly enjoyable read, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys an easy to read, very entertaining sci fi book.
Thanks to the author for the advance reader copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Gaby is an incredibly talented FMC. She wants to become a gausser like her brother, but when she’s chosen by the Intelligence Division to take part in a secret training exercise, all hell breaks loose. What follows is a great story about a takeover of a space warship, and the people involved, as well as Gaby’s determination to do what she thinks is right.
The author does a fantastic job at character development, and the world building both on and off the ship was fantastic. You really get a feel of the layout of the warship, which most of the story takes place on. He is able to aptly describe the ship without getting overly technical, which I like.
Overall, this was a highly enjoyable read, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys an easy to read, very entertaining sci fi book.
Thanks to the author for the advance reader copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 21, 2024
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this novel.
Reading this novel requires thought. There are several twists and turns in the plot, enough surprises to keep things fresh. As a reader, if you think you know where the story is going, that’s when the narrative changes, and you find yourself on uncertain ground.
The story is primarily told in first person, present tense. Some older readers may prefer reading their stories in past tense, but this is a style popular in young adult/new adult novels.
Gaby is a sympathetic protagonist, a true underdog who grows up in a lower-class neighborhood on a foreign planet. She is slowly drawn into something bigger than herself . . . a ship’s mutiny centering around AI technology that can reshape worlds. And then there are secrets that Gaby uncovers during her journey. There are credible subplots woven into the fabric of the story. There are also some new adult themes that arise, such as questions about career, sexuality, class, and family.
Readers of Ender’s Game will recognize some of the military aspects of this story. But it is the use of AI as the backdrop that makes things interesting.
There are some flashbacks in the story that initially may cause some reader confusion, but thankfully that is short lived.
If you’re interested in a science fiction story with plot twists and ethical dilemma, then you will enjoy this story.
Reading this novel requires thought. There are several twists and turns in the plot, enough surprises to keep things fresh. As a reader, if you think you know where the story is going, that’s when the narrative changes, and you find yourself on uncertain ground.
The story is primarily told in first person, present tense. Some older readers may prefer reading their stories in past tense, but this is a style popular in young adult/new adult novels.
Gaby is a sympathetic protagonist, a true underdog who grows up in a lower-class neighborhood on a foreign planet. She is slowly drawn into something bigger than herself . . . a ship’s mutiny centering around AI technology that can reshape worlds. And then there are secrets that Gaby uncovers during her journey. There are credible subplots woven into the fabric of the story. There are also some new adult themes that arise, such as questions about career, sexuality, class, and family.
Readers of Ender’s Game will recognize some of the military aspects of this story. But it is the use of AI as the backdrop that makes things interesting.
There are some flashbacks in the story that initially may cause some reader confusion, but thankfully that is short lived.
If you’re interested in a science fiction story with plot twists and ethical dilemma, then you will enjoy this story.
March 15, 2024
Watts’ latest book is an exhilarating dystopian sci-fi story filled with fast-paced action, intense drama, and twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Born in a war-torn society, Gaby longs to escape her impoverished upbringing and become a soldier.
But when the Intelligence Division sees potential in her mathematical skills, they send her on a top-secret mission aboard an experimental starship. As chaos erupts and a mutiny breaks out, Gaby is left alone to protect the ship’s most valuable asset: Passenger, a powerful AI that can turn the tide of any battle. With no hope of rescue, Gaby must not only evade capture but also summon the strength to fight back against impossible odds.
Watts’ vibrant and fully realized sci-fi world explodes with advanced technology, virtual reality elements, extraterrestrial settlement, and artificial intelligence saturation, all told from Gaby’s first-person compelling voice. The concise writing that deftly explores the characters’ inner turmoil adds a sharp intellectual depth to the intricate and multilayered plot.
It’s an atmospheric story with relatable characters who win readers’ support from the opening page. Gaby, in particular, stands out as a tortured yet determined heroine with a compelling backstory. Vivid futuristic landscapes, dynamic action scenes, and authentic dialogue are another plus. Watts’ writing shines as he offers sharp insights on societal issues while keeping this survival sci-fi tale rooted in its own meticulously crafted world.
Deeply absorbing and thrilling, this compelling read serves as a poignant and melancholic reminder to stand up for what is right even amid the pressures of conformity and insecurity.
But when the Intelligence Division sees potential in her mathematical skills, they send her on a top-secret mission aboard an experimental starship. As chaos erupts and a mutiny breaks out, Gaby is left alone to protect the ship’s most valuable asset: Passenger, a powerful AI that can turn the tide of any battle. With no hope of rescue, Gaby must not only evade capture but also summon the strength to fight back against impossible odds.
Watts’ vibrant and fully realized sci-fi world explodes with advanced technology, virtual reality elements, extraterrestrial settlement, and artificial intelligence saturation, all told from Gaby’s first-person compelling voice. The concise writing that deftly explores the characters’ inner turmoil adds a sharp intellectual depth to the intricate and multilayered plot.
It’s an atmospheric story with relatable characters who win readers’ support from the opening page. Gaby, in particular, stands out as a tortured yet determined heroine with a compelling backstory. Vivid futuristic landscapes, dynamic action scenes, and authentic dialogue are another plus. Watts’ writing shines as he offers sharp insights on societal issues while keeping this survival sci-fi tale rooted in its own meticulously crafted world.
Deeply absorbing and thrilling, this compelling read serves as a poignant and melancholic reminder to stand up for what is right even amid the pressures of conformity and insecurity.
June 27, 2024
A self-professed screw up, Gaby, a Math wunderkind from the slums, longs to follow in her brother’s footsteps and fight on the frontlines. But Gaby has a small problem and to fix that problem she comes up with a carefully crafted plan, it is a good plan, an almost foolproof plan until it all goes wrong and now she finds herself with an offer she can’t refuse, as it will lead her to getting what she has always wanted. The problem is, there is far more to the offer than Gaby could have ever imagined.
Now, Gaby finds herself taking part in a top-secret training exercise onboard an experimental ship and in the middle of a mutiny. With betrayal, secrets, and hidden plots coming from left and right, Gaby must fight! She must fight to protect the ship’s secret weapon, and she must fight to protect her mind. Why? Because, in order to save the weapon, she must keep it in her head, and the longer it stays there, the more the barrier between human and machine deteriorates.
If you are a fan of super smart and intelligent FMCs, unpredictable, futuristic science fiction novels featuring a true underdog, who you will absolutely love, then this is the book for you! Me and The Machine keeps you engaged and eager to know what happens next. The epilogue, also, is the perfect set-up for Book two, and I am quite looking forward to it.
This is my second sojourn into world of science fiction and even though there were some parts that kind of flew over my head, I have to say that I enjoyed reading this book quite a lot and highly recommend it!!!
Now, Gaby finds herself taking part in a top-secret training exercise onboard an experimental ship and in the middle of a mutiny. With betrayal, secrets, and hidden plots coming from left and right, Gaby must fight! She must fight to protect the ship’s secret weapon, and she must fight to protect her mind. Why? Because, in order to save the weapon, she must keep it in her head, and the longer it stays there, the more the barrier between human and machine deteriorates.
If you are a fan of super smart and intelligent FMCs, unpredictable, futuristic science fiction novels featuring a true underdog, who you will absolutely love, then this is the book for you! Me and The Machine keeps you engaged and eager to know what happens next. The epilogue, also, is the perfect set-up for Book two, and I am quite looking forward to it.
This is my second sojourn into world of science fiction and even though there were some parts that kind of flew over my head, I have to say that I enjoyed reading this book quite a lot and highly recommend it!!!
June 9, 2024
This futuristic fantasy novel has me white knuckling it all the way. It’s filled with so much suspense and drama, it has me glued to every page. Good vs evil vs AI, what a tail spin. It had you guessing who was good, who was bad and who played on the fence. This was the most intense fantasy novel I ever read. If you love a good story with lots of characters and not knowing who to trust, then you need to read this book. I highly recommend it.
November 27, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! There’s a genuinely smart, capable FMC, and plenty of twists and turns that kept me turning pages until it was way too late into the night. This is a beautiful blend of sci-fi dystopia and introspection, fighting for what is right even at your own cost. Wesley has crafted a beautiful book that leaves you wanting more every time. Looking forward to more from this author!
October 9, 2024
Good book, well written, sort of military sf but behind the scenes- don't expect any big battle scenes. Note to author: why the atrocious title? It's dumb, puerile, wouldn't even work for a comic book! And no this isn't a YA. How about Machine Interface
January 21, 2025
A compelling story, that has you wondering if you really have free will. I’m not really a science fiction reader, but this book had me hooked from the start. The world building was great, the MFC had a lot of depth. Would highly recommend.
February 28, 2025
A great Sci-Fi romp. The cast of characters were great and the standout of this book. There are twists and turns in their arcs that you might not see coming and Wesley Watts was even able to make me feel sorry for the AI character - now that takes some doing!
There is a fully fleshed out world created here, and you may get slightly lost in the rules and laws of this during your read, but the writing and characters will keep you going until the end, where you are left wanting more with a possible sequel is teased, but it also works well as a standalone novel. I would say the writing falls under YA, but there are adult themes running through the history of the characters. I am being vague here because you are best going into this book knowing and expecting nothing, except a good time!
There is a fully fleshed out world created here, and you may get slightly lost in the rules and laws of this during your read, but the writing and characters will keep you going until the end, where you are left wanting more with a possible sequel is teased, but it also works well as a standalone novel. I would say the writing falls under YA, but there are adult themes running through the history of the characters. I am being vague here because you are best going into this book knowing and expecting nothing, except a good time!
December 28, 2024
Disclaimer: ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Being new to NegGalley, I missed the opportunity to write a complete review for this item because it expired on my shelf. I was able to get to through about 50% of the book and found it very enjoyable.
This book had a great young female protagonist, which is rare in Science Fiction, and will definitely be purchasing this book for my daughter to read.
#MeandtheMachine #NetGalley
Being new to NegGalley, I missed the opportunity to write a complete review for this item because it expired on my shelf. I was able to get to through about 50% of the book and found it very enjoyable.
This book had a great young female protagonist, which is rare in Science Fiction, and will definitely be purchasing this book for my daughter to read.
#MeandtheMachine #NetGalley
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews