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BRAIN GAIN: A high-stakes technothriller
From the chart-topping author of "Colony One Mars” and “Moon Base Delta” comes a new, edge-of-your-seat, high-stakes technothriller.
One brain. Two minds. No where to run…
Dawn Harrison wakes up in a research lab with no memories and an AI implanted in her brain. She escapes into a world she no longer recognizes only to quickly become the most sought-after person on the planet.
Pursued by shadowy agencies desperate to reclaim the technology in her brain, Dawn races against time to uncover both the truth of her past and secrets in her head.
But in this high-stakes thriller, even a single thought can be deadly.
One brain. Two minds. No where to run…
Dawn Harrison wakes up in a research lab with no memories and an AI implanted in her brain. She escapes into a world she no longer recognizes only to quickly become the most sought-after person on the planet.
Pursued by shadowy agencies desperate to reclaim the technology in her brain, Dawn races against time to uncover both the truth of her past and secrets in her head.
But in this high-stakes thriller, even a single thought can be deadly.
- GenresScience Fiction
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2024
198 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 1, 2024
Another brilliant book from this author.
I was not sure how this book would go. Having read all the authors' space novels. Techno thrillers are not usually my cup of tea.
But it was fast-paced and a real page turner.
I was infuriated that he let the subject keep getting caught by the same villain.
But in the end, it was a very good read. Lets hope there is a second book and further adventures for Dawn and Jeb
I was not sure how this book would go. Having read all the authors' space novels. Techno thrillers are not usually my cup of tea.
But it was fast-paced and a real page turner.
I was infuriated that he let the subject keep getting caught by the same villain.
But in the end, it was a very good read. Lets hope there is a second book and further adventures for Dawn and Jeb
October 22, 2024
More please
I need more the end got me going thinking about what would be next. Please tell me it's coming soon. I am jonesing for m the ne t release. Aloha
I need more the end got me going thinking about what would be next. Please tell me it's coming soon. I am jonesing for m the ne t release. Aloha
October 3, 2025
Ms. Harrison has my vote for president of the entire world! What a cool concept and what an action packed story sprinkled with the perfect amount of mystery and curiosity. Loved it!!!
June 11, 2025
Brain Gain is a fast-paced, thought-provoking thriller that dives deep into the implications of artificial intelligence, national security, and human identity. At the heart of the story is a pioneering tech company that implants a cutting-edge AI device into a young woman—an experiment that quickly draws global attention.
When U.S. authorities discover the implant, they consider her a high-value national security asset. Meanwhile, the Chinese government, eager to obtain the technology, orchestrates her kidnapping. What follows is a high-stakes international game of cat and mouse, where the goal is either to recover her—or ensure she doesn’t fall into enemy hands.
This book is gripping from the first chapter to the last. It combines the speculative intrigue of near-future tech with the tense pacing of a political thriller. The writing is sharp, the plot tight, and the ethical questions it raises will linger long after you turn the final page.
Highly recommended for fans of techno-thrillers and readers curious about where AI might take us—and what it might cost.
When U.S. authorities discover the implant, they consider her a high-value national security asset. Meanwhile, the Chinese government, eager to obtain the technology, orchestrates her kidnapping. What follows is a high-stakes international game of cat and mouse, where the goal is either to recover her—or ensure she doesn’t fall into enemy hands.
This book is gripping from the first chapter to the last. It combines the speculative intrigue of near-future tech with the tense pacing of a political thriller. The writing is sharp, the plot tight, and the ethical questions it raises will linger long after you turn the final page.
Highly recommended for fans of techno-thrillers and readers curious about where AI might take us—and what it might cost.
June 8, 2025
Good story, but with a huge plot hole.
Here's an analogy (not a scene from the book). Imagine the following scenario: bad guy is approaching a child he intends to kidnap. Good guy sees this happening. He is too far away to physically reach the child first. He must prevent the bad guy from taking the child so he pulls out his gun and shoots ... the CHILD!
If you can spot the flaw in the good guy's solution, you'll balk at the narrative at a critical point in this story.
Apart from that, this is a good story with an interesting premise. Some awkward phrasing and some misused words (e.g. "bemused" for "confused") detract but not enough to spoil the experience. A good editor could, with minimal changes, fix those problems.
Here's an analogy (not a scene from the book). Imagine the following scenario: bad guy is approaching a child he intends to kidnap. Good guy sees this happening. He is too far away to physically reach the child first. He must prevent the bad guy from taking the child so he pulls out his gun and shoots ... the CHILD!
If you can spot the flaw in the good guy's solution, you'll balk at the narrative at a critical point in this story.
Apart from that, this is a good story with an interesting premise. Some awkward phrasing and some misused words (e.g. "bemused" for "confused") detract but not enough to spoil the experience. A good editor could, with minimal changes, fix those problems.
September 21, 2024
I admit to not being a real fan of these techno-thrillers, but Gerald M. Kilby, I think you have just converted me. I was so involved in reading about Dawn Harrison and what was happening to her, that I read this whole book in just one day. Dawn wakes up with no memory of why she is in a hospital room. In fact, with no memory at all. And so, it begins. This was such a thrill to read and I'll definitely be recommending it to everyone. Thank you, Gerald M. Kilby, for another wonderful book to read. Looking forward to reading more of your books.
January 19, 2025
fast-paced technothriller with awesome female protagonist
This was a fun ride with unrelenting pace from the outset. A young woman wakes up in a hospital setting without her memory and a voice in her head that’s not her own. Understandably, she is freaked out and runs. A maelstrom of corporate and political intrigue erupts around her: she is now an extremely valuable asset - or weapon.
Great pacing, a drip feed of back story reveal, and a believable gutsy heroine make for a fun and engaging read. Raced through it and can’t wait for the next one.
This was a fun ride with unrelenting pace from the outset. A young woman wakes up in a hospital setting without her memory and a voice in her head that’s not her own. Understandably, she is freaked out and runs. A maelstrom of corporate and political intrigue erupts around her: she is now an extremely valuable asset - or weapon.
Great pacing, a drip feed of back story reveal, and a believable gutsy heroine make for a fun and engaging read. Raced through it and can’t wait for the next one.
February 9, 2025
A somewhat thriller view of brain-computer interfacing with a bit of Mary Shelley morality thrown in. Corporations and Governments go head to head in who is the most ruthless with some with true core evil psychopathic and sociopathic intent. Borrowed this edition on January 14, 2025, from Kindle Unlimited. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset. The sappy trope of memory loss at the beginning of a techno-griller is getting to be tripe and hokey.
February 19, 2025
A woman wakes up in a room, apparently in a hospital, and finds she does not remember who she is or why she’s there. And to make it worse, her head has been shaved and bandaged. Her confusion increases when she wonders to herself where she is and why and what happened, and a voice in her head answers. Problem is, the voice isn’t hers. It’s someone else.
This book was very different and came up with an interesting premise of what would happen if someone created a microchip to put an AI in someone’s head. Don’t want to say more to spoil the plot, but it was a really fun read… And it makes me remember the Terminator. Was all that AI stuff just imagination? Or is that where we’re heading?
This book was very different and came up with an interesting premise of what would happen if someone created a microchip to put an AI in someone’s head. Don’t want to say more to spoil the plot, but it was a really fun read… And it makes me remember the Terminator. Was all that AI stuff just imagination? Or is that where we’re heading?
November 12, 2024
an intriguing idea
What would you do if you woke up and found out you had an AI implant? And also that you couldn’t remember who you are or how you got there. As you try to piece together your past while everyone is trying to abduct you can you learn how to use your implant. This book is well worth reading
What would you do if you woke up and found out you had an AI implant? And also that you couldn’t remember who you are or how you got there. As you try to piece together your past while everyone is trying to abduct you can you learn how to use your implant. This book is well worth reading
November 28, 2025
Great read
I have read all of the Mars novels and all of the Belt novels and now Brain Gain. Gerald M. Kilby does not know how to write a bad book. They are all great stories, well written with entertaining characters and storylines. I highly recommend this book and all of his books.
I have read all of the Mars novels and all of the Belt novels and now Brain Gain. Gerald M. Kilby does not know how to write a bad book. They are all great stories, well written with entertaining characters and storylines. I highly recommend this book and all of his books.
September 16, 2024
I enjoyed this book. A bit too short for me but I thought the concept of an “on board AI” very appealing. On the whole, the book was well written and engaged the reader. I’m looking forward to reading more from Mr Kirby.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2024
A great start!
Yes, having an AI implanted in someone's head has been done before. However, the author has done a great job on putting his own spin on it and making the characters relatable. I am looking forward to the next one!
Yes, having an AI implanted in someone's head has been done before. However, the author has done a great job on putting his own spin on it and making the characters relatable. I am looking forward to the next one!
October 11, 2024
Fast entertaining read.
Very similar storyline I've read before. I will read the next installment of this story. The main character "Dawn" is a the kind of person I like to follow in a lengthy series.
Very similar storyline I've read before. I will read the next installment of this story. The main character "Dawn" is a the kind of person I like to follow in a lengthy series.
October 22, 2024
Entertaining
A bit too “pat”. Everything just miraculously works out like a Disney movie. The “futuristic” mind-computer interface described in this novel is already here. Patients are controlling computers with brain implants in experimental studies.
A bit too “pat”. Everything just miraculously works out like a Disney movie. The “futuristic” mind-computer interface described in this novel is already here. Patients are controlling computers with brain implants in experimental studies.
November 17, 2024
entertaining thriller
The story is entertaining and I enjoyed the AI themes. Implants are common in space operas and it was interesting to read a story about how they may have got their start. Satisfying ending, but I imagine we have not seen the last of these characters.
The story is entertaining and I enjoyed the AI themes. Implants are common in space operas and it was interesting to read a story about how they may have got their start. Satisfying ending, but I imagine we have not seen the last of these characters.
November 25, 2024
Great story
Always looking for this type of science fiction/ real world story. With the beginning of Musk’s implants this is not as far out as you might think. I enjoyed it and recommend it.
Always looking for this type of science fiction/ real world story. With the beginning of Musk’s implants this is not as far out as you might think. I enjoyed it and recommend it.
January 5, 2025
Really enjoyed it
Quite the wild story, pretty intense with every country after her; but, the implant concept is pretty excellent and the MC is very capable which makes the story believable and exciting. Great job and hope a sequel is coming.
Quite the wild story, pretty intense with every country after her; but, the implant concept is pretty excellent and the MC is very capable which makes the story believable and exciting. Great job and hope a sequel is coming.
January 12, 2025
Very thrilling and entertaining
I loved this book and would like to read a sequel. Perhaps Dawn could become an FBI agent. I particularly liked the way the story moved along at a good pace and wasn't stuffed with waffle to pad it out.
I loved this book and would like to read a sequel. Perhaps Dawn could become an FBI agent. I particularly liked the way the story moved along at a good pace and wasn't stuffed with waffle to pad it out.
January 13, 2025
Not a super great read
Book was just OK. Had to skip ahead and back a few times to keep the plot in view. The heroine's hit and miss acceptance of the implant accelerated way too fast. The final ending was dumb.
Book was just OK. Had to skip ahead and back a few times to keep the plot in view. The heroine's hit and miss acceptance of the implant accelerated way too fast. The final ending was dumb.
January 22, 2025
Have enjoyed reading all Gerald M. Kilby's books so far.
This one was another pleasing read to add to the sci-fi genre previously read of his.
Will look out for more of Kilby's books as they are released..
This one was another pleasing read to add to the sci-fi genre previously read of his.
Will look out for more of Kilby's books as they are released..
February 25, 2025
Dawn is in a lot of trouble when she wakes up with an AI implant in her brain, no memory of how it got there, and is now seen as a valuable "asset" - by various entities! Pacy techno thriller with a great concept, entertaining characters, and overall great read. Pacy and gripping! Highly recommend.
September 21, 2024
Good read and worth your time
Easy read, and the pages seemed to fly. The story is solid, and the characters well developed. I am glad I chose a new author to try out!
Easy read, and the pages seemed to fly. The story is solid, and the characters well developed. I am glad I chose a new author to try out!
September 22, 2024
It's all in her head
Dawn awakens with no memory and a chip in her head. She runs away to find answers, but the bad guys find her. They have no idea who they have.
Dawn awakens with no memory and a chip in her head. She runs away to find answers, but the bad guys find her. They have no idea who they have.
September 25, 2024
Unputdownable.
For anyone whose at all interested in the hypothetical limits of AI technology and a great story. Thank you Gerald Kilby.
For anyone whose at all interested in the hypothetical limits of AI technology and a great story. Thank you Gerald Kilby.
October 1, 2024
good read
I very much enjoyed reading this book. I was not disappointed and I stayed up late at night and early into the morning enjoying reading this book.
I very much enjoyed reading this book. I was not disappointed and I stayed up late at night and early into the morning enjoying reading this book.
October 3, 2024
fun story
Really enjoyed this story. Was rather believable for the genre and reasonably
Well written. Recommend it to anyone into these type of stories.
Really enjoyed this story. Was rather believable for the genre and reasonably
Well written. Recommend it to anyone into these type of stories.
October 5, 2024
Excellent read.
It's one of those books that you start reading, thinking maybe I'll get into it , and then finding that you can't put it down.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
It's one of those books that you start reading, thinking maybe I'll get into it , and then finding that you can't put it down.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 16, 2024
poor ending
Very poor ending to a good read where is book two. Just abruptly cuts off at the end or would have been five star
Very poor ending to a good read where is book two. Just abruptly cuts off at the end or would have been five star
October 24, 2024
A different take on AI vs man Entertaining
I like the take on the AI and is it could be incorporated into humans.
I would like to see a #2 in which she just overcome a rogue AI.
I like the take on the AI and is it could be incorporated into humans.
I would like to see a #2 in which she just overcome a rogue AI.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews