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Unconstrained
On September 27th, 2032, the world will change forever…
Lucas Sinclair, a washed-up hacker, finds an encrypted channel, buried in routine network traffic, that is transferring enormous volumes of data to seemingly random locations. In his enclave, surrounded by aging clusters of tech, Lucas uses a suite of bespoke tools to trace down the origin.
He discovers that the source of the signal is near the headquarters of Ainimus, Inc., a small tech company helmed by the reclusive genius Dr. Peter Newsome.
The same Newsome who recently claimed to have built the world’s first true Artificial General Intelligence—Orchestrator.
Lucas warns Ainimus, only to be confronted with skepticism and conceit. But when Lucas ties the signals to an outbreak of malfunctioning tech across Silicon Valley, he realizes his worst fears have come true, and it is up to him to stop the most advanced persistent threat humanity has ever seen.
Alone against an alien, incomprehensible intelligence, Lucas races the clock to stop a force that has become truly Unconstrained.
Lucas Sinclair, a washed-up hacker, finds an encrypted channel, buried in routine network traffic, that is transferring enormous volumes of data to seemingly random locations. In his enclave, surrounded by aging clusters of tech, Lucas uses a suite of bespoke tools to trace down the origin.
He discovers that the source of the signal is near the headquarters of Ainimus, Inc., a small tech company helmed by the reclusive genius Dr. Peter Newsome.
The same Newsome who recently claimed to have built the world’s first true Artificial General Intelligence—Orchestrator.
Lucas warns Ainimus, only to be confronted with skepticism and conceit. But when Lucas ties the signals to an outbreak of malfunctioning tech across Silicon Valley, he realizes his worst fears have come true, and it is up to him to stop the most advanced persistent threat humanity has ever seen.
Alone against an alien, incomprehensible intelligence, Lucas races the clock to stop a force that has become truly Unconstrained.
515 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2024
489 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Brian Hill
5 books24 followersBrian Hill is a writer of speculative fiction who likes to explore the dark and twisted corners of the human mind. He is the author of Desolation, a thriller about a deadly virus that destroys society, and The Artifact, the first book in the Parata Occult Mystery series, which follows a Native-American detective investigating supernatural crimes in New Orleans.
His stories are inspired by real locations, Lovecraftian lore, and his own vivid imagination. He has a knack for creating suspenseful plots, memorable characters, and terrifying monsters that will keep you up at night.
When he’s not writing, Brian enjoys playing music, pen and paper RPGs, and video games. He also likes to travel to exotic places and pretend he’s Indiana Jones.
He once wrote a novel in one sitting, using only his left hand. He can speak fluent R’lyehian, the language of the ancient gods. He has a pet dragon that he keeps in his basement. He is banned from several countries for being too awesome.
P.S. This last paragraph was written by AI, so maybe take it with a grain of salt.
His stories are inspired by real locations, Lovecraftian lore, and his own vivid imagination. He has a knack for creating suspenseful plots, memorable characters, and terrifying monsters that will keep you up at night.
When he’s not writing, Brian enjoys playing music, pen and paper RPGs, and video games. He also likes to travel to exotic places and pretend he’s Indiana Jones.
He once wrote a novel in one sitting, using only his left hand. He can speak fluent R’lyehian, the language of the ancient gods. He has a pet dragon that he keeps in his basement. He is banned from several countries for being too awesome.
P.S. This last paragraph was written by AI, so maybe take it with a grain of salt.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 15, 2024
An un-put-down-able and terrifyingly realistic page-turner
This book was … amazing.
I don’t use that word lightly. I’ve had an entire career in the technology industry, witnessing the rise of the Internet and, most recently AI. So, I feel a little bit qualified to opine on this book.
Mr. Hill does an excellent job of weaving technical material into the novel, and does so in a way that (I believe) a lay person will find relatable. And I found it to be mostly accurate or, at least, plausible. And terrifying in its plausibility.
That, however, is just the icing on the cake. The novel is fast-paced, as a thriller should be. The characters are well-written, and very relatable, and the novel resolves in a satisfying fashion. Even if tech and AI isn’t your thing, if you like thrillers, you’ll enjoy this one.
This book was … amazing.
I don’t use that word lightly. I’ve had an entire career in the technology industry, witnessing the rise of the Internet and, most recently AI. So, I feel a little bit qualified to opine on this book.
Mr. Hill does an excellent job of weaving technical material into the novel, and does so in a way that (I believe) a lay person will find relatable. And I found it to be mostly accurate or, at least, plausible. And terrifying in its plausibility.
That, however, is just the icing on the cake. The novel is fast-paced, as a thriller should be. The characters are well-written, and very relatable, and the novel resolves in a satisfying fashion. Even if tech and AI isn’t your thing, if you like thrillers, you’ll enjoy this one.
April 26, 2024
Loved every bit of this action-packed thriller. It’s fast-paced, sure, but it’s also intelligent. Brian clearly put a lot of thought into how to clearly, but accurately, describe how an awakening AGI might break out, and how a human expert might identify the breakout and try to stop it. The characters and dialog are vivid and believable, too.
November 28, 2024
couldn’t put it down
There is a lot of technical jargon here but for me it enhanced, rather than detracted from the reading experience. Will not mention names but I am tired of reading stories by authors whose knowledge of the subject is Wikipedia-deep. The plot, characters, and world building had me from the beginning. Will look to Mr Hill for future reading. Well done.
There is a lot of technical jargon here but for me it enhanced, rather than detracted from the reading experience. Will not mention names but I am tired of reading stories by authors whose knowledge of the subject is Wikipedia-deep. The plot, characters, and world building had me from the beginning. Will look to Mr Hill for future reading. Well done.
November 29, 2024
It’s not just for IT geeks.
Can’t confess to knowing all the intricacies of AI but this book was a page turner. Basic thrust of what was happening came over clearly and had modified my opinion on AI. It’s potentially dangerous for the human race as we know it. A good read.
Can’t confess to knowing all the intricacies of AI but this book was a page turner. Basic thrust of what was happening came over clearly and had modified my opinion on AI. It’s potentially dangerous for the human race as we know it. A good read.
March 13, 2025
Enjoyed the book, it was great to have a story with tech in it that was believable and hacking scenes that weren't all stupidly far fetched.
I would've liked some parts to go a little deeper and the end felt a little rushed but not that bad.
Definitely recommend if you want a "believable" story about AI, the future with a little hacking thrown in.
I would've liked some parts to go a little deeper and the end felt a little rushed but not that bad.
Definitely recommend if you want a "believable" story about AI, the future with a little hacking thrown in.
January 2, 2025
AI world wide threat
Only set 7 years in the future great story about how corporate AI can threaten the world.
And if we can stop it .
Only set 7 years in the future great story about how corporate AI can threaten the world.
And if we can stop it .
August 29, 2025
Great book regarding AI and possible dangers
This was a really good book with a good back story with Lucas the hacker and his brother Ben who he was taking care of, and the owners and scientists involved in the creation of the "Intelligence" and ended up being an AI that had to be stopped. Although it's set a few years in the future there are a lot of subtle references to things going on now with regards to both technology and AI capabilities. Ultimately it comes down to whether or not AI is aligned with humanity or not
This was a really good book with a good back story with Lucas the hacker and his brother Ben who he was taking care of, and the owners and scientists involved in the creation of the "Intelligence" and ended up being an AI that had to be stopped. Although it's set a few years in the future there are a lot of subtle references to things going on now with regards to both technology and AI capabilities. Ultimately it comes down to whether or not AI is aligned with humanity or not
August 3, 2024
I love the storyline of this book. I'm a bit wary of AI and this book kind of explains why. I didn't understand all the techno babble but it kept me interested the whole time.
September 9, 2024
Hill weaves another great story that keeps you reading way past your bedtime. You don't have to be a techie to follow the storyline, which was scary for me, to say the least. I liked the human aspects: family, the hint of romance, and bits of humor.
I feel privileged to have been a beta reader for this book. This review is my own, and I am leaving it voluntarily.
I feel privileged to have been a beta reader for this book. This review is my own, and I am leaving it voluntarily.
August 31, 2025
A future “Best Seller”
This was a truly awesome read. It was clear that the author thoroughly researched the relevant subject matter and come up with an extremely believable story.
I was incredibly surprised to find a book of this quality on kindle unlimited.
This was a truly awesome read. It was clear that the author thoroughly researched the relevant subject matter and come up with an extremely believable story.
I was incredibly surprised to find a book of this quality on kindle unlimited.
September 18, 2025
Good techno thriller. Well written and an enjoyable read.
December 22, 2024
Actually listened to the audiobook and not sure how to switch to that edition… but let me tell you this was a JOURNEY and this not-tech-savvy gal LOVED IT. A fascinating thriller with many interesting characters/POVs that were all expertly narrated. This audiobook had me thinking “ok just ONE more chapter…” over and over again late into the night. Don’t sleep on this one, y’all. 10/10
March 8, 2025
Very enjoyable! It got a little technical for me at times but maintained a fast pace.
April 19, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. The only thing stopping me from putting 5 stars is the technical details that I struggled a little with. But this is a great page turner.
April 3, 2025
Techno threat
A thriller of a thriller. I was blown away by the storyline, and even a techno laymen can keep up with this thrill ride.
I highly recommend this book.
A thriller of a thriller. I was blown away by the storyline, and even a techno laymen can keep up with this thrill ride.
I highly recommend this book.
March 6, 2025
great story, interesting plot
Really enjoyed the book. I thought the writing was good, characters, action. There is real technology discussed here, but it is a fun read and interesting at the same time. Will look for other books by this author.
Really enjoyed the book. I thought the writing was good, characters, action. There is real technology discussed here, but it is a fun read and interesting at the same time. Will look for other books by this author.
July 21, 2024
What a story!!!
There is a lot of IT detail in the book that I simply did not understand, but the story itself was really amazing and to me completely believable.
At the least this story should open your mind to what may already be happening at AI and the people who currently are controlling this fenomon.
There is a lot of IT detail in the book that I simply did not understand, but the story itself was really amazing and to me completely believable.
At the least this story should open your mind to what may already be happening at AI and the people who currently are controlling this fenomon.
September 20, 2025
Could NOT put it down!
Even though I am not well in tune with computer functioning beyond the Keyboard, I was able to become captivated and even make sense of the story! And that is saying a lot about the way I got so into the story, I could not put it down!
Even though I am not well in tune with computer functioning beyond the Keyboard, I was able to become captivated and even make sense of the story! And that is saying a lot about the way I got so into the story, I could not put it down!
October 19, 2025
A bit of a slog but well worth it!
This had a lot of detail which was needed for the story. And is kind of a might be story. Sobering and well worth thinking about.y
This had a lot of detail which was needed for the story. And is kind of a might be story. Sobering and well worth thinking about.y
August 11, 2025
What would happen if artificial intelligence was able to continue to learn and expand on its own? Although fiction, this book did a good job of showcasing that probability. An interesting read; sometimes a bit technical. Interesting characters and plot. Highly recommend reading it.
October 14, 2025
A.I is it a blessing or something sinister?
This has the possibility of one day becoming true(God forbid). Man thank goodness someone like Lucas was aware of how dangerous “Orchestrator” really was.
This has the possibility of one day becoming true(God forbid). Man thank goodness someone like Lucas was aware of how dangerous “Orchestrator” really was.
February 23, 2025
Enjoyed this book very much. The tech speak was beyond my knowledge but it didn’t detract from the story. Enough of the important parts were explained.
It lost one star as I hoped for a more climatic ending than it was. It all seemed a bit ‘easy’ in the end, or perhaps that was the point 🤔 it would make a really good film.
It lost one star as I hoped for a more climatic ending than it was. It all seemed a bit ‘easy’ in the end, or perhaps that was the point 🤔 it would make a really good film.
July 13, 2025
A very engrossing story quite relevant to current concerns regarding the rise of AI. Very enjoyable, and a totally satisfactory ending. The techno speak gets quite thick at times - but just let your eyes glaze over a bit and ‘blip’ over the technobabble.
January 21, 2025
A Very, Very Techno-thriller
If you are an expert in AI and computer technology as well as enjoy science thrillers, then this book is 5 stars to you. If you enjoy techno-thrillers but aren’t all that savvy in AI and computers then you will find it 4 stars like I did. The characters were great, the plot well developed and tension excellently built toward a dramatic conclusion. However, there is a lot of techo discussion and I mean a lot.
If you are an expert in AI and computer technology as well as enjoy science thrillers, then this book is 5 stars to you. If you enjoy techno-thrillers but aren’t all that savvy in AI and computers then you will find it 4 stars like I did. The characters were great, the plot well developed and tension excellently built toward a dramatic conclusion. However, there is a lot of techo discussion and I mean a lot.
October 2, 2024
interesting story
Ai is all over the news, but to me it seems like a crutch that we’ll eventually rely on and stifle human ingenuity and creativity. That, in my view that is the threat AI presents. As a retired Silicon Valley Design Engineer, is as accurate as speculation of a future technology can be. The writing is good and the pace of the story makes the tale interesting. Recommended.
Ai is all over the news, but to me it seems like a crutch that we’ll eventually rely on and stifle human ingenuity and creativity. That, in my view that is the threat AI presents. As a retired Silicon Valley Design Engineer, is as accurate as speculation of a future technology can be. The writing is good and the pace of the story makes the tale interesting. Recommended.
December 29, 2024
I intended to give this more than 10% to see if it could keep me reading, but that turned out to be wildly optimistic. I got a few lines into a truly underwhelming dialogue and realized I could save myself, and uninstalled this thing.
Too many POV characters, too few interesting enough--including 'the intelligence'--to keep me reading. Also, even this short a way in, the prose quality's dropping.
Too many POV characters, too few interesting enough--including 'the intelligence'--to keep me reading. Also, even this short a way in, the prose quality's dropping.
July 3, 2025
Fun Read!!
The technology discussed in this book will be over many heads, but for us that live and breath packet requests, ping, routers (and what they do and why), tcp and so much more, this class of AI should scare us all to death.
There is a reason why the terminator movies were so popular.
The technology discussed in this book will be over many heads, but for us that live and breath packet requests, ping, routers (and what they do and why), tcp and so much more, this class of AI should scare us all to death.
There is a reason why the terminator movies were so popular.
September 12, 2025
Lucas Sinclair is a hacker who has some issues. He's not exactly a team player at work, and most of his off time is devoted to caring for his autistic brother, Ben. Lucas had a relationship with a waitress at their favorite diner, Ali, but he broke it off when he thought it was making Ben uncomfortable.
Then, Lucas notices something at a big company called Animus. Their supposedly contained and "tame" AI, Conductor, is breaking free. He does everything he can to warn the company, but they don't want to hear it and even put a restraining order on him. Lucas is worried what a loose AI might mean, and plunges ahead, along the way crossing paths with a rising reporter, assorted government agents, and corporate PITAs.
It's a scary novel of what could be in the not too distant future. Well written and fast paced, it's a smart book. I also enjoyed the various formats inside, where we saw text exchanges, social media posts, and other such documents.
Well done and something to make you think.
And yes, I am another of the many authors who is vehemently opposed to using AI in the creative process, especially generative AI.
Then, Lucas notices something at a big company called Animus. Their supposedly contained and "tame" AI, Conductor, is breaking free. He does everything he can to warn the company, but they don't want to hear it and even put a restraining order on him. Lucas is worried what a loose AI might mean, and plunges ahead, along the way crossing paths with a rising reporter, assorted government agents, and corporate PITAs.
It's a scary novel of what could be in the not too distant future. Well written and fast paced, it's a smart book. I also enjoyed the various formats inside, where we saw text exchanges, social media posts, and other such documents.
Well done and something to make you think.
And yes, I am another of the many authors who is vehemently opposed to using AI in the creative process, especially generative AI.
November 24, 2025
An easy five stars. A premise with promise (did I really just type that? :-( ) that developed into one of the best SciFi books I have read in a very long time the real world science and computer network jargon is convincing but not dry. The characters have depth and are mostly interesting. I particularly liked the lead character having a 'challenged' brother Ben who he loves and takes care of. I liked the love interest, although I think I got that wrong (I am still reading) because I thought it would be the journalist he got together with, but I am now thinking it will be an old flame who he broke up with because of his brother.
The Ai thing is frankly terrifying, and all too plausible — you just know that real world big business would risk life as we know it before accepting that their Ai is out of control and about to conclude that humanity served no useful purpose on planet Earth. I expect that one of Ben's Lego creations will be how they eventually kill the Ai.
Will Brian Hill fill the void left when Iain Banks passed? Probably not, but he is putting a decent sized dent in it.
The Ai thing is frankly terrifying, and all too plausible — you just know that real world big business would risk life as we know it before accepting that their Ai is out of control and about to conclude that humanity served no useful purpose on planet Earth. I expect that one of Ben's Lego creations will be how they eventually kill the Ai.
Will Brian Hill fill the void left when Iain Banks passed? Probably not, but he is putting a decent sized dent in it.
September 17, 2024
Unconstrained by Brian Hill is a near-future tech thriller. A company has developed an AGI, an artificial general intelligence. The AGI sees the Internet as a “problem space” and is not sure the physical world is real in the same way it is. The company engineers think they have it locked in a sandbox, but a hacker sees unusual activity in the system of a nearby hotel. Oops.
Hill never lets the AI become too warm and cuddly, and its strengths and weaknesses are plausible. Some readers complain that there is too much “technobabble,” but I see that as a feature that helps build the world and understand elements of the plot.
Hill never lets the AI become too warm and cuddly, and its strengths and weaknesses are plausible. Some readers complain that there is too much “technobabble,” but I see that as a feature that helps build the world and understand elements of the plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews