What do you think?
Rate this book
2040: A Riveting Journey into Tomorrow's World
In 2040, advanced technology has transformed daily life, yet many social ills remain.
At 40, Michael faces a remain in Boston, tethered to uninspiring government programs, or forge a fresh path. Embracing the latter, he relocates to Berkeley to join his twin brother in his groundbreaking research into dark matter.
Could this elusive, intangible substance, rumored to permeate the universe, also reside within the human brain, holding the key to the mysteries of consciousness?
When an experiment goes awry, or perhaps ominously right, Michael undergoes an extraordinary transformation, emerging with newfound confidence, insatiable ambition, and an enigmatic edge. Enter Anni, a formidable Chinese power broker and trailblazer in the realm of artificial intelligence.
Amidst this backdrop, a catastrophic "sleeping sickness" sweeps across the globe, consuming the consciousness of its victims. Scientists make a chilling discovery; the origins are extraterrestrial.
Delving into themes of dark matter, artificial intelligence, and the new frontier of artificial intimacy, this novel offers a stark look at the challenges and wonders that may await us in the not-so-distant future.
At 40, Michael faces a remain in Boston, tethered to uninspiring government programs, or forge a fresh path. Embracing the latter, he relocates to Berkeley to join his twin brother in his groundbreaking research into dark matter.
Could this elusive, intangible substance, rumored to permeate the universe, also reside within the human brain, holding the key to the mysteries of consciousness?
When an experiment goes awry, or perhaps ominously right, Michael undergoes an extraordinary transformation, emerging with newfound confidence, insatiable ambition, and an enigmatic edge. Enter Anni, a formidable Chinese power broker and trailblazer in the realm of artificial intelligence.
Amidst this backdrop, a catastrophic "sleeping sickness" sweeps across the globe, consuming the consciousness of its victims. Scientists make a chilling discovery; the origins are extraterrestrial.
Delving into themes of dark matter, artificial intelligence, and the new frontier of artificial intimacy, this novel offers a stark look at the challenges and wonders that may await us in the not-so-distant future.
- GenresSpeculative Fiction
Audible Audio
Published May 1, 2025
4 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Robert Albo
14 books8 followersI started writing speculative fiction in 2018 after working in the technology industry and management consulting for twenty years. My first 3-book series is a fantasy sci-fi coming-of-age story about a teenager and was completed in 2022.
My interest in writing sci-fi stemmed from my undergraduate years at UC Berkeley where I studied physics. I was amazed how all the universal constants worked out perfectly to support life. For example, if the force of gravity had been slightly stronger, the the universe would've collapsed on itself after Big Bang. If it had been slightly weaker, then nothing would've come together to form stars and planets. We're not talking about different life; there'd be no life. It made me believe in intelligent design of our universe by a universal being.
My series, Her Dark Matter Necklace, combined God with sci-fi in a coming-of-age story. My future novels will be targeted around either sci-fi or religion.
I live in Orinda, CA with my wife Sarah.
My interest in writing sci-fi stemmed from my undergraduate years at UC Berkeley where I studied physics. I was amazed how all the universal constants worked out perfectly to support life. For example, if the force of gravity had been slightly stronger, the the universe would've collapsed on itself after Big Bang. If it had been slightly weaker, then nothing would've come together to form stars and planets. We're not talking about different life; there'd be no life. It made me believe in intelligent design of our universe by a universal being.
My series, Her Dark Matter Necklace, combined God with sci-fi in a coming-of-age story. My future novels will be targeted around either sci-fi or religion.
I live in Orinda, CA with my wife Sarah.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 1, 2024
This was very good, raising so many questions relevant to our time and to our near future.
VERDICT: Enthralling story: a gripping plot and an invitation to reflect on consciousness, humanity, AI, and the cosmos.
My full review is here:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2024/01/01/...
VERDICT: Enthralling story: a gripping plot and an invitation to reflect on consciousness, humanity, AI, and the cosmos.
My full review is here:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2024/01/01/...
March 29, 2024
In his captivating sci-fi novel "2040," author Robert Albo weaves a thrilling tapestry of futuristic technology, political intrigue, and the enduring power of love. This thought-provoking page-turner is sure to appeal to fans of hard science fiction, as well as those who enjoy character-driven stories set against the backdrop of a richly imagined future.
The protagonist, Michael Knightsbridge, is an unlikely hero—an underachiever who finds himself at the center of a global crisis when a mysterious "sleeping sickness" begins to claim victims around the world. As Michael navigates the complexities of dark matter research and his growing political influence, readers are drawn into a world where the boundaries between science and science fiction blur, and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.
Albo's vivid prose brings the year 2040 to life, from the gleaming halls of UC Berkeley to the highest echelons of power in Washington D.C. The novel's pacing is masterful, with each revelation about the nature of the sleeping sickness and the role of the enigmatic Anni Chan ratcheting up the tension until the final, heart-wrenching climax.
But "2040" is more than just a gripping sci-fi adventure. It's also a deeply human story, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and the transformative power of second chances. Michael's relationship with Marie Sanchez, his fiancée, forms the emotional core of the novel, and their story will resonate with anyone who has ever loved and lost.
With its seamless blend of cutting-edge science, political commentary, and emotional depth, "2040" is a must-read for science fiction enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, thought-provoking story. Albo has created a world that feels at once fantastical and all too plausible—a testament to his skill as a writer and his keen eye for the ways in which technology and politics shape our lives. This is a novel that will linger in readers' minds long after they turn the final page, inviting them to ponder the nature of consciousness, the sacrifices we make for love, and the future that awaits us all.
Written by Claude
The protagonist, Michael Knightsbridge, is an unlikely hero—an underachiever who finds himself at the center of a global crisis when a mysterious "sleeping sickness" begins to claim victims around the world. As Michael navigates the complexities of dark matter research and his growing political influence, readers are drawn into a world where the boundaries between science and science fiction blur, and the fate of humanity hangs in the balance.
Albo's vivid prose brings the year 2040 to life, from the gleaming halls of UC Berkeley to the highest echelons of power in Washington D.C. The novel's pacing is masterful, with each revelation about the nature of the sleeping sickness and the role of the enigmatic Anni Chan ratcheting up the tension until the final, heart-wrenching climax.
But "2040" is more than just a gripping sci-fi adventure. It's also a deeply human story, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and the transformative power of second chances. Michael's relationship with Marie Sanchez, his fiancée, forms the emotional core of the novel, and their story will resonate with anyone who has ever loved and lost.
With its seamless blend of cutting-edge science, political commentary, and emotional depth, "2040" is a must-read for science fiction enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, thought-provoking story. Albo has created a world that feels at once fantastical and all too plausible—a testament to his skill as a writer and his keen eye for the ways in which technology and politics shape our lives. This is a novel that will linger in readers' minds long after they turn the final page, inviting them to ponder the nature of consciousness, the sacrifices we make for love, and the future that awaits us all.
Written by Claude
December 30, 2023
Michael Knightsbridge isn't exactly an overachiever, living off of government programs as opposed to his twin brother, Wendell who is a researcher at UC Berkeley. In the year 2040, Artificial Intelligence has a larger role in society and Wendell is digging into his research in dark matter. Wendell invites Michael to help coordinate volunteers at his lab, scanning people's brains for dark matter bundles. Within days of a scan of his own, Michael is thrown into the world of dark matter, is connected with a powerful Chinese broker named Anni and thrown into the political scene. While Michael's life is turned upside down, he discovers purpose as a mysterious illness called the sleeping sickness hits the world. With Anni in his corner and his insight into dark matter, Michael is in a unique position to help save the world or destroy it.
2040 is a fast-paced speculative fiction novel set in the not too distant future. I could immediately relate to Michael's character. In a world of over achievers, Michael has chosen to sit back and live a slower paced life; however, his life changes drastically after he accepts the position with his brother's lab. From here, the plot moves super quickly. I would have loved to dig deeper into Michael's character as all the changes were happening around him as well as into the larger picture of the world's reactions with the discovery of dark matter, sleeping sickness and the quickly changing political views. I was intrigued by the sleeping sickness as well as the being behind it and would have loved to delve deeper into that other world. Anni's character was another enigma whose true identity I guessed at early. I was interested in how her consciousness developed and her partnership with Michael. The ending wrapped up rather quickly and it would have been great to see how Michael's action affected the world. Overall, a wonderful speculative fiction story with amazing ideas that I would have liked to see dug into even more.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
2040 is a fast-paced speculative fiction novel set in the not too distant future. I could immediately relate to Michael's character. In a world of over achievers, Michael has chosen to sit back and live a slower paced life; however, his life changes drastically after he accepts the position with his brother's lab. From here, the plot moves super quickly. I would have loved to dig deeper into Michael's character as all the changes were happening around him as well as into the larger picture of the world's reactions with the discovery of dark matter, sleeping sickness and the quickly changing political views. I was intrigued by the sleeping sickness as well as the being behind it and would have loved to delve deeper into that other world. Anni's character was another enigma whose true identity I guessed at early. I was interested in how her consciousness developed and her partnership with Michael. The ending wrapped up rather quickly and it would have been great to see how Michael's action affected the world. Overall, a wonderful speculative fiction story with amazing ideas that I would have liked to see dug into even more.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
June 26, 2024
Michael Knightsbridge was going nowhere in life. He lived off of government assistance programs and felt no drive to achieve anything more in his life. Then, after his twin brother sells their parents’ house and convinces Michael to move to California and move into his family's home. He even gives Michael a job at the lab where he works. But after an accident happens while Michael is working, his life takes a very different turn, and everything changes.
This was an interesting story set in the near future, where technology and Artificial intelligence plays an integral part in everyone's lives. In this story, we see both positive and negative possibilities for both. We also see how emotional intuition and responses can sometimes be as or more beneficial in the long run to simple logic. This story has a number of hidden (and not so hidden) themes running through it. Some of them deal with politics, technology, emotions, logic, kindness, cruelty, right and wrong, as well as a few others. All of this combined to create a story that turned out to be something quite different than I had expected.
I don't know if this is meant to be the first book in a series or a stand alone novel, but if it does ever have a sequel, I would be interested in seeing what happens to the characters next. If you enjoy speculative fiction, science fiction, stories involving Artificial intelligence, aliens, and humanity, then I think you should give this book a try. It may not have been what I was expecting, but it was something that I did enjoy reading.
This was an interesting story set in the near future, where technology and Artificial intelligence plays an integral part in everyone's lives. In this story, we see both positive and negative possibilities for both. We also see how emotional intuition and responses can sometimes be as or more beneficial in the long run to simple logic. This story has a number of hidden (and not so hidden) themes running through it. Some of them deal with politics, technology, emotions, logic, kindness, cruelty, right and wrong, as well as a few others. All of this combined to create a story that turned out to be something quite different than I had expected.
I don't know if this is meant to be the first book in a series or a stand alone novel, but if it does ever have a sequel, I would be interested in seeing what happens to the characters next. If you enjoy speculative fiction, science fiction, stories involving Artificial intelligence, aliens, and humanity, then I think you should give this book a try. It may not have been what I was expecting, but it was something that I did enjoy reading.
December 29, 2023
ARC provided by NetGalley. #2040 #NetGalley
A really poor attempt to create a sci-fi, political thriller. While the original idea to investigate the link between dark matter and consciousness hooked me to read this book, it all fell apart as I kept reading.
Our main character, Michael, makes a living by participating in government projects like walking, which is somehow equivalent to allowances. When his brother convinces him to sell their parents' house and move with him to another city, even working for him in a menial job, I found myself going down a rabbit hole with no wonders at the bottom.
The author struggled to make Michael be likeable thus justifying a non-justifiable character evolution - not development - while what I actually got was a subtle misogynist perspective guised under the pretext of a shy man not knowing how to talk to women. There was not a single female character in this book that the author didn't dedicate space to describe her appearance, not following the same path when it came to men.
I can't give enough info about the plot of the book without giving away spoilers so I will restrain myself by just pointing out that it felt like a story written by a 10 year old who threw some dark matter grapes, a pinch of alien juice and some newspapers in the mixer. Oh oh, and A.I. flavoring on top.
Poor writing, poor execution of an interesting idea and some undercover misogynism.
A really poor attempt to create a sci-fi, political thriller. While the original idea to investigate the link between dark matter and consciousness hooked me to read this book, it all fell apart as I kept reading.
Our main character, Michael, makes a living by participating in government projects like walking, which is somehow equivalent to allowances. When his brother convinces him to sell their parents' house and move with him to another city, even working for him in a menial job, I found myself going down a rabbit hole with no wonders at the bottom.
The author struggled to make Michael be likeable thus justifying a non-justifiable character evolution - not development - while what I actually got was a subtle misogynist perspective guised under the pretext of a shy man not knowing how to talk to women. There was not a single female character in this book that the author didn't dedicate space to describe her appearance, not following the same path when it came to men.
I can't give enough info about the plot of the book without giving away spoilers so I will restrain myself by just pointing out that it felt like a story written by a 10 year old who threw some dark matter grapes, a pinch of alien juice and some newspapers in the mixer. Oh oh, and A.I. flavoring on top.
Poor writing, poor execution of an interesting idea and some undercover misogynism.
June 27, 2024
With AI on the horizon, this was a peek into the window that could very well be the future of this country.
Eerily too close to home while being in another dimension literally.
Michael Knightsbridge is a nobody. Stuck in a dead end job, mindlessly on autopilot through his life, nothing going for him. His twin brother is a genius physicist and offers for Michael to come live with him in California.
What’s Michael got to lose?
From there the sky is the limit.
I found the plot a little farfetched yet somehow predictable.
I also wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style, it read more YA to me.
Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC
3 ⭐️
Eerily too close to home while being in another dimension literally.
Michael Knightsbridge is a nobody. Stuck in a dead end job, mindlessly on autopilot through his life, nothing going for him. His twin brother is a genius physicist and offers for Michael to come live with him in California.
What’s Michael got to lose?
From there the sky is the limit.
I found the plot a little farfetched yet somehow predictable.
I also wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style, it read more YA to me.
Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC
3 ⭐️
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews