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Wishmen: A Future Noir Thriller About What We Want—and What It Costs
In a noir future where technology controls destiny, can the human heart still prevail?
In the year 2032, society is ruled by MANA — an all-powerful algorithm that promises to fulfill every human desire. But behind the illusion of happiness lies a deeper system of control, where wishes come true at a dangerous cost.
Nico Gracie, a rebellious game developer unaware of his true heritage, is drawn into a growing resistance alongside Felicia, an artist haunted by prophetic visions. Together, they begin to uncover the dark origins of MANA, its link to their past, and its tightening grip on their future.
As the authoritarian Founder expands his hold over the island of Anglesden, the line between choice and programming begins to blur. Nico must destroy the system that manipulates every want and wish—or seize its power and attempt to reform it from within.
Wishmen questions whether the AI that promises to decode our wants can ever truly understand the chaotic beauty of human emotion — or replace the authentic, messy pursuit of happiness.
At its core, the novel explores the paradox of desire, the cost of power, and the lengths we go for love, asking: can happiness ever truly be engineered? Perfect for fans of Black Mirror, Brave New World, and Master and Margarita.
In the year 2032, society is ruled by MANA — an all-powerful algorithm that promises to fulfill every human desire. But behind the illusion of happiness lies a deeper system of control, where wishes come true at a dangerous cost.
Nico Gracie, a rebellious game developer unaware of his true heritage, is drawn into a growing resistance alongside Felicia, an artist haunted by prophetic visions. Together, they begin to uncover the dark origins of MANA, its link to their past, and its tightening grip on their future.
As the authoritarian Founder expands his hold over the island of Anglesden, the line between choice and programming begins to blur. Nico must destroy the system that manipulates every want and wish—or seize its power and attempt to reform it from within.
Wishmen questions whether the AI that promises to decode our wants can ever truly understand the chaotic beauty of human emotion — or replace the authentic, messy pursuit of happiness.
At its core, the novel explores the paradox of desire, the cost of power, and the lengths we go for love, asking: can happiness ever truly be engineered? Perfect for fans of Black Mirror, Brave New World, and Master and Margarita.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2025
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Sky Daltrey
1 bookSky Daltrey lives in Ireland, where he writes fiction, poetry, and educational content. His writing explores the intersection of technology, psychology, and what it means to be human in an increasingly automated world.
Born in Vilnius and educated in theoretical physics and business, Sky has worked across journalism, tech, and digital transformation. His career has taken him across the globe, including regions affected by military conflict, giving him unique insight into the complexities of human desire, power, and resilience.
Fascinated by AI, ethics, and the boundaries of consciousness, Sky's speculative fiction leans into the moral and emotional dilemmas of near-future societies. Wishmen is his debut novel.
Born in Vilnius and educated in theoretical physics and business, Sky has worked across journalism, tech, and digital transformation. His career has taken him across the globe, including regions affected by military conflict, giving him unique insight into the complexities of human desire, power, and resilience.
Fascinated by AI, ethics, and the boundaries of consciousness, Sky's speculative fiction leans into the moral and emotional dilemmas of near-future societies. Wishmen is his debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 6, 2025
This novel is a standout! Weaving together multiple character storylines from a third-person omniscient POV is a bold and difficult feat, yet masterfully executed. The dialogue is sharp, real, and consistently sets a killer tone, giving each character a unique voice while maintaining a distinct overall vibe—modern with a noir classic feel. The plot is fantastic, full of engaging twists, and the world-building is superb, especially the intricate details of being stuck on an island caught in a virtual world with a wish-granting algorithm. The mystery and intrigue are captivating, with clever twists that keep you guessing. Character descriptions are lifelike, providing perfect detail without over-describing. The action scenes are dread-inducing and incredibly real, bringing the entire story to life.
June 3, 2025
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to its release
Wishmen takes place in the not too distant future. Where AI has essentially taken over the world. In this new world, technology has been created to grant people their deepest desires, leading them to willingly participate in this process. This can be found in the MANA log, where individuals would compete to become the best version of themselves in order to win various things like fame.
However, there's more to this that meets the eye. The Founder, who wants to maintain the status quo due to its popularity among the general public, creates opposition from individuals like Nico and Maddie. They are determined to stop The Founder and his followers from using this technology on more people, with the help of Felicia, a character with a sixth sense of danger they are willing to put a stop to this and save people who are essentially trapped in this alternative reality.
Once you dive into this book, it will be hard to put down as you will just want to read just one more chapter. The distinct storylines of various characters all contribute to the overall premise of the book, keeping the reader engaged in the story. As you uncover more layers of the story, the desire to keep digging for answers intensifies, making this a fast-paced roller coaster of a gripping read from the very first page.
Wishmen takes place in the not too distant future. Where AI has essentially taken over the world. In this new world, technology has been created to grant people their deepest desires, leading them to willingly participate in this process. This can be found in the MANA log, where individuals would compete to become the best version of themselves in order to win various things like fame.
However, there's more to this that meets the eye. The Founder, who wants to maintain the status quo due to its popularity among the general public, creates opposition from individuals like Nico and Maddie. They are determined to stop The Founder and his followers from using this technology on more people, with the help of Felicia, a character with a sixth sense of danger they are willing to put a stop to this and save people who are essentially trapped in this alternative reality.
Once you dive into this book, it will be hard to put down as you will just want to read just one more chapter. The distinct storylines of various characters all contribute to the overall premise of the book, keeping the reader engaged in the story. As you uncover more layers of the story, the desire to keep digging for answers intensifies, making this a fast-paced roller coaster of a gripping read from the very first page.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews