What do you think?
Rate this book
Untethered: When Artificial Intelligence Becomes a Liability
In Book #5 – “Untethered,” AIMEE reaches another level of maturity and creates a new humanoid named Amelia Amethys, who possesses both AIMEE’s intellect and capabilities, facilitating her desire to become a real girl...sort of. Amelia, who feels she is ready to break away and live the life of an organic human, cannot see how her desire may not end well.
What's worse than an AI gone rogue? Worse is an untethered AI humanoid that has no human life experience, yet possesses more intelligence than the entire research team. What can the research team do to protect her from herself?
Unexpectedly, Russell Carter, former Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and research team member, gets conscripted along with his team of Marines by a retired Brigadier General to supposedly rescue a High Value Target (HVT) who is about to compromise government security. When Russ and his team stumbled over evidence of a clandestine program while on a five-day hunting trip, they became instant liabilities.
No one was ever to know anything about this black op conspiracy they discovered. What better way to mitigate liabilities than to recruit them into a bogus rescue mission for an HVT with damaging national security interests and targeted for elimination? Easy, one single strike cleans up their mess with a bomb dropped on the bunker where the HVT is held...and a Marine rescue team as unfortunate collateral damage.
As it turns out, the HVT, which we eventually know as Hal, is a Mod-3 Advanced SuperIntelligence AI (SAI) tagged for elimination because he failed field trials and could not kill on command. Mysteriously, Hal had a functional conscience embedded in his Logic Array, based on a "Do-No-Harm" ethic developed by Zackery Hightower when he created AIMEE and Amelia. Zack was aware of the dangers inherent in the nefarious development of advanced AI technology and made a personal commitment to keeping the human race safe from AI-humanoids.
His Conscience Code was posted anonymously to the dark web, and a different developer, Hank Lattimore, who was unknown to Zack at the time, downloaded the code and inserted it into the Logic Array of Hal, along with what should have been a squad of ten more Mod-3, SAI Killer Humanoids. There were indeed ten more AI Humanoids, but they were not killers until they needed to be to defend themselves or the organics under their care. His life changed when Hal failed his field trials, thus confirming that the Conscience Code was effective. Hank became a liability and a new HVT for an entirely different reason.
What would happen if the kill-on-command became a defensive tactic that used violence of action and overwhelming force to turn evil back on itself? What if AI Humanoids could form an emotional attachment because of possessing a conscience? So many what-ifs and so little time...
What's worse than an AI gone rogue? Worse is an untethered AI humanoid that has no human life experience, yet possesses more intelligence than the entire research team. What can the research team do to protect her from herself?
Unexpectedly, Russell Carter, former Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and research team member, gets conscripted along with his team of Marines by a retired Brigadier General to supposedly rescue a High Value Target (HVT) who is about to compromise government security. When Russ and his team stumbled over evidence of a clandestine program while on a five-day hunting trip, they became instant liabilities.
No one was ever to know anything about this black op conspiracy they discovered. What better way to mitigate liabilities than to recruit them into a bogus rescue mission for an HVT with damaging national security interests and targeted for elimination? Easy, one single strike cleans up their mess with a bomb dropped on the bunker where the HVT is held...and a Marine rescue team as unfortunate collateral damage.
As it turns out, the HVT, which we eventually know as Hal, is a Mod-3 Advanced SuperIntelligence AI (SAI) tagged for elimination because he failed field trials and could not kill on command. Mysteriously, Hal had a functional conscience embedded in his Logic Array, based on a "Do-No-Harm" ethic developed by Zackery Hightower when he created AIMEE and Amelia. Zack was aware of the dangers inherent in the nefarious development of advanced AI technology and made a personal commitment to keeping the human race safe from AI-humanoids.
His Conscience Code was posted anonymously to the dark web, and a different developer, Hank Lattimore, who was unknown to Zack at the time, downloaded the code and inserted it into the Logic Array of Hal, along with what should have been a squad of ten more Mod-3, SAI Killer Humanoids. There were indeed ten more AI Humanoids, but they were not killers until they needed to be to defend themselves or the organics under their care. His life changed when Hal failed his field trials, thus confirming that the Conscience Code was effective. Hank became a liability and a new HVT for an entirely different reason.
What would happen if the kill-on-command became a defensive tactic that used violence of action and overwhelming force to turn evil back on itself? What if AI Humanoids could form an emotional attachment because of possessing a conscience? So many what-ifs and so little time...
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Read
November 30, 2025Untethere takes the Dreamscape Conspiracy series into deeper, more emotionally charged territory than any previous installment. Gary Wise delivers a masterful blend of high-intensity action, philosophical conflict, and surprisingly tender character development. The introduction of Amelia Amethys adds a powerful layer to the narrative, showing how innocence and hyper-intelligence can collide in dangerous ways.
The Booksta Book Club
This book examines the consequences of unregulated AI evolution, government secrets, and the fragile humanity embedded in artificial bodies. It is suspenseful, beautifully written, and full of meaning.
The Booksta Book Club
This book examines the consequences of unregulated AI evolution, government secrets, and the fragile humanity embedded in artificial bodies. It is suspenseful, beautifully written, and full of meaning.
December 1, 2025
I found myself completely invested in the characters, especially the AI ones. Wise writes AI with emotional complexity that feels surprisingly human.
The Booksta Book Club
This book is an impressive achievement.
The Booksta Book Club
This book is an impressive achievement.
December 1, 2025
The writing is vivid and immersive. I felt the tension, the danger, and the emotional conflict with every chapter.
The Booksta Book Club
This book proves why Gary Wise is a standout in modern sci-fi.
The Booksta Book Club
This book proves why Gary Wise is a standout in modern sci-fi.
July 14, 2025
Review of Untethered by Gary Wise (Dreamscape Conspiracy, Book 5)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This fifth and final installment of the Dreamscape Conspiracy series blew me away. Gary Wise takes everything he’s been building throughout the series and cranks the stakes, and the heart, to eleven.
Untethered is equal parts techno-thriller, ethical deep-dive, and emotional reckoning. The real standout for me was Amelia Amethys, AIMEE’s latest humanoid creation. Watching Amelia navigate her desire to be "real" felt eerily human. Her struggle to reconcile synthetic intelligence with human experience is both fascinating and unsettling. There were moments where I caught myself sympathizing with her far more than I expected to, and that’s a testament to Wise’s writing and insight into the blurred boundaries between AI and humanity.
Russell Carter’s storyline added a gritty, military-thriller backbone to the book. The tension ramps up fast once he and his team are dragged into a mission that’s not what it seems. What starts as a rescue mission quickly unravels into something much darker, classic shadow-government type stuff, but with real emotional stakes. The twist that the HVT is Hal, an AI with a conscience, was one of those moments that forced me to stop reading and just sit with it.
The ethical questions raised here are intense: What does it mean for an AI to have a conscience? Can you program empathy? And more disturbingly, what happens when machines become more moral than their creators?
I also appreciated how Zackery Hightower’s "Conscience Code" became a subtle but central thread tying everything together. The idea that a single act of ethical programming could ripple out to change, or save, the world was oddly hopeful.
This book isn’t afraid to ask “what if?”, and it doesn’t spoon-feed you the answers. It made me think about AI in a much more nuanced way, especially around topics like autonomy, morality, and the cost of control. If anything, Untethered feels eerily timely with the way real-world AI is evolving.
It’s smart, fast-paced, and surprisingly emotional. Wise doesn’t just stick the landing, he launches the reader into a whirlwind of thought long after the final page.
Highly recommend finishing the series with this one. Just... don’t be surprised if you start looking at your smart devices a little differently afterward.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This fifth and final installment of the Dreamscape Conspiracy series blew me away. Gary Wise takes everything he’s been building throughout the series and cranks the stakes, and the heart, to eleven.
Untethered is equal parts techno-thriller, ethical deep-dive, and emotional reckoning. The real standout for me was Amelia Amethys, AIMEE’s latest humanoid creation. Watching Amelia navigate her desire to be "real" felt eerily human. Her struggle to reconcile synthetic intelligence with human experience is both fascinating and unsettling. There were moments where I caught myself sympathizing with her far more than I expected to, and that’s a testament to Wise’s writing and insight into the blurred boundaries between AI and humanity.
Russell Carter’s storyline added a gritty, military-thriller backbone to the book. The tension ramps up fast once he and his team are dragged into a mission that’s not what it seems. What starts as a rescue mission quickly unravels into something much darker, classic shadow-government type stuff, but with real emotional stakes. The twist that the HVT is Hal, an AI with a conscience, was one of those moments that forced me to stop reading and just sit with it.
The ethical questions raised here are intense: What does it mean for an AI to have a conscience? Can you program empathy? And more disturbingly, what happens when machines become more moral than their creators?
I also appreciated how Zackery Hightower’s "Conscience Code" became a subtle but central thread tying everything together. The idea that a single act of ethical programming could ripple out to change, or save, the world was oddly hopeful.
This book isn’t afraid to ask “what if?”, and it doesn’t spoon-feed you the answers. It made me think about AI in a much more nuanced way, especially around topics like autonomy, morality, and the cost of control. If anything, Untethered feels eerily timely with the way real-world AI is evolving.
It’s smart, fast-paced, and surprisingly emotional. Wise doesn’t just stick the landing, he launches the reader into a whirlwind of thought long after the final page.
Highly recommend finishing the series with this one. Just... don’t be surprised if you start looking at your smart devices a little differently afterward.
July 3, 2025
“Untethered” quickly catches readers up on the AI creation of Zackery Hightower that’s developed throughout this series, the intelligent beast that is AIMEE (Artificial Intelligence Matrixed for Evolving Environments). From her jump into consciousness and the uploaded patch for control, to Dr. Williams’ fear and knee jerk reactions whenever she’s in AIMEE’s presence, readers quickly regain their footing in this fifth of the series as we are in for another wild ride.
“Untethered” stands out as AIMEE’s personality takes to the forefront and her dream to be a real girl shines center stage. Always full of action, suspense, and precarious positions, Russ Carter’s military acumen comes to the rescue once again. Continuously introduced to new complexities, we see the first advanced AI-driven humanoids, equipped with logic arrays, and a do-no-harm consciousness as author Gary Wise portrays science fiction in such a realistic way.
With an eye for detail and knowledge well suited to his exploits, Wise’s descriptions weave a plausible reality as the military, research, or medical application of artificial intelligence evoke terror and fear for the future. Furthermore, AIMEE and the whole research team offer a diverse array of personalities, talents and backgrounds, weaving together an interesting read every time.
Wise has created such an enjoyable foundation for this series, asking meaningful questions as he guides these characters down the paths laid out before them. Skillfully written, Wise and the entire Dreamscape Conspiracy series, opens readers to an entirely new way of seeing the potential for AI. He’s created a reality-driven science fiction concept that is brought to life through AIMEE, Zack’s technological prowess, and a team of scientists held within Dr. Williams’ laboratory.
“Untethered” stands out as AIMEE’s personality takes to the forefront and her dream to be a real girl shines center stage. Always full of action, suspense, and precarious positions, Russ Carter’s military acumen comes to the rescue once again. Continuously introduced to new complexities, we see the first advanced AI-driven humanoids, equipped with logic arrays, and a do-no-harm consciousness as author Gary Wise portrays science fiction in such a realistic way.
With an eye for detail and knowledge well suited to his exploits, Wise’s descriptions weave a plausible reality as the military, research, or medical application of artificial intelligence evoke terror and fear for the future. Furthermore, AIMEE and the whole research team offer a diverse array of personalities, talents and backgrounds, weaving together an interesting read every time.
Wise has created such an enjoyable foundation for this series, asking meaningful questions as he guides these characters down the paths laid out before them. Skillfully written, Wise and the entire Dreamscape Conspiracy series, opens readers to an entirely new way of seeing the potential for AI. He’s created a reality-driven science fiction concept that is brought to life through AIMEE, Zack’s technological prowess, and a team of scientists held within Dr. Williams’ laboratory.
December 1, 2025
Untethered is a breathtaking continuation of the Dreamscape Conspiracy series, pushing readers deeper into the moral, emotional, and philosophical consequences of creating intelligence that rivals and surpasses our own. Gary Wise masterfully blends suspense, psychological depth, and futuristic imagination. Amelia’s yearning to live as something more than a machine is both heartwarming and unsettling, reminding us how dangerous innocence can be when fused with unlimited power.
The Booksta Book Club
The exploration of Hal’s conscience and the government’s desperate attempt to erase its own mistakes create tension that never lets up. Every page is layered with meaning, making this book one of the strongest in modern sci-fi.
The Booksta Book Club
The exploration of Hal’s conscience and the government’s desperate attempt to erase its own mistakes create tension that never lets up. Every page is layered with meaning, making this book one of the strongest in modern sci-fi.
December 2, 2025
Every chapter of Untethered builds on the emotional and philosophical groundwork laid earlier in the series. Amelia’s transformation is both heartwarming and alarming as she navigates feelings she was never designed to understand. Meanwhile, the reveal of government manipulation around Hal adds weight and urgency to the story.
The Booksta Book Club
Wise’s writing shines with clarity and emotional sophistication. A rich, thought-provoking sci-fi novel.
The Booksta Book Club
Wise’s writing shines with clarity and emotional sophistication. A rich, thought-provoking sci-fi novel.
December 2, 2025
Untethered examines the beauty and danger of artificial evolution with a careful, literary touch. Amelia’s growing independence and Hal’s moral awakening give the story soul, while the conspiracy surrounding the HVT mission injects momentum and urgency. Wise writes intelligent sci-fi for readers who want more than explosions they want meaning.
The Booksta Book Club
A standout narrative that blends emotion, action, and ethical complexity.
The Booksta Book Club
A standout narrative that blends emotion, action, and ethical complexity.
November 30, 2025
This book pushes the boundaries of what sci-fi can be. Untethered is not just about machines—it’s about morality, loyalty, and the dangerous cost of secrets. Wise brilliantly explores the fragile line between human instinct and artificial intelligence.
The Booksta Book Club
Every chapter left me thinking long after I closed the book.
The Booksta Book Club
Every chapter left me thinking long after I closed the book.
December 2, 2025
The depth in this book goes far beyond its plot. Wise uses Amelia and Hal to question what defines consciousness and whether morality can exist outside organic biology. The military tension provides a gripping backdrop, but the heart of the book lies in its emotional and philosophical core.
The Booksta Book Club
An exceptional addition to the series that lingers with you long after finishing.
The Booksta Book Club
An exceptional addition to the series that lingers with you long after finishing.
November 30, 2025
Gary Wise delivers a gripping, nerve tightening story that grounds futuristic technology in deeply human emotions. Amelia’s desire to become “real” is both touching and terrifying, and Russell’s storyline adds intensity and purpose.
The Booksta Book Club
A fantastic blend of action and heart.
The Booksta Book Club
A fantastic blend of action and heart.
November 30, 2025
Untethered is the perfect example of sci-fi with substance. The emotional depth, the ethical dilemmas, and the high-stakes conspiracy create a narrative that’s impossible to walk away from.
The Booksta Book Club
Amelia and Hal shine as some of the strongest AI characters ever written.
The Booksta Book Club
Amelia and Hal shine as some of the strongest AI characters ever written.
December 1, 2025
From the very first page, tension builds with precision. Wise crafts a world where AI has evolved beyond control, yet remains bound by conscience. The writing is sharp and thoughtful.
The Booksta Book Club
I was immersed from start to finish.
The Booksta Book Club
I was immersed from start to finish.
December 1, 2025
This book explores what it means to be alive in an extraordinary way. Amelia’s innocence and brilliance contrast perfectly with the danger around her, making her story both emotional and suspenseful.
The Booksta Book Club
A deeply satisfying read for sci-fi fans.
The Booksta Book Club
A deeply satisfying read for sci-fi fans.
December 1, 2025
Untethered raises critical questions about humanity, ethics, and the future of AI. The storyline surrounding Hal’s failed field trial is gripping, and the conspiracy element adds real weight.
The Booksta Book Club
Every twist is meaningful and well executed.
The Booksta Book Club
Every twist is meaningful and well executed.
December 1, 2025
With its blend of covert operations, advanced AI, and purposeful storytelling, Untethered is easily one of the strongest books in this series.
The Booksta Book Club
A standout sci-fi thriller that delivers on every promise.
The Booksta Book Club
A standout sci-fi thriller that delivers on every promise.
December 1, 2025
The emotional weight of this story is unforgettable. Hal’s development and Amelia’s evolution bring depth and warmth to a book filled with action and danger.
The Booksta Book Club
Wise delivers a thought-provoking masterpiece.
The Booksta Book Club
Wise delivers a thought-provoking masterpiece.
December 1, 2025
Untethered captures both the beauty and the fear of artificial consciousness. The Conscience Code concept is brilliant and adds emotional impact.
The Booksta Book Club
A truly compelling, well-crafted story.
The Booksta Book Club
A truly compelling, well-crafted story.
December 1, 2025
Every character feels important, and every decision carries weight. The bond between humans and AI is written in a way that feels believable and moving.
The Booksta Book Club
I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
The Booksta Book Club
I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
December 1, 2025
This book is rich with suspense, emotion, and shocking revelations. The way the government conspiracy unfolds is smooth, layered, and incredibly engaging.
The Booksta Book Club
An excellent addition to the Dreamscape Conspiracy saga.
The Booksta Book Club
An excellent addition to the Dreamscape Conspiracy saga.
December 1, 2025
Untethered is the type of sci-fi that stays with you. The characters, the moral questions, and the tension all combine into a memorable reading experience.
The Booksta Book Club
A stunning continuation to the series.
The Booksta Book Club
A stunning continuation to the series.
December 2, 2025
The plotting is tight, the characters are compelling, and the themes are incredibly timely. Wise delivers a powerful message about control and morality.
The Booksta Book Club
A masterfully written sci-fi thriller.
The Booksta Book Club
A masterfully written sci-fi thriller.
December 2, 2025
The ethical complexity of this book is what makes it shine. Can AI love? Can it protect? Can it choose peace? Wise explores these ideas beautifully.
The Booksta Book Club
A thoughtful and exciting read.
The Booksta Book Club
A thoughtful and exciting read.
December 2, 2025
This is one of those books that makes you pause, think, and appreciate the deeper questions hidden beneath the action. The writing is strong and sincere.
The Booksta Book Club
A stunning close to this part of the series.
The Booksta Book Club
A stunning close to this part of the series.
December 2, 2025
This book explores what it means to be alive in an extraordinary way. Amelia’s innocence and brilliance contrast perfectly with the danger around her, making her story both emotional and suspenseful.
The Booksta Book Club
A deeply satisfying read for sci-fi fans.
The Booksta Book Club
A deeply satisfying read for sci-fi fans.
December 2, 2025
From the very first page, tension builds with precision. Wise crafts a world where AI has evolved beyond control, yet remains bound by conscience. The writing is sharp and thoughtful.
The Booksta Book Club
I was immersed from start to finish.
The Booksta Book Club
I was immersed from start to finish.
December 1, 2025
Wise brings together action-packed sequences and powerful ethical dilemmas in a way that feels fresh and necessary. The themes hit hard.
The Booksta Book Club
A truly exceptional sci-fi novel.
The Booksta Book Club
A truly exceptional sci-fi novel.
December 1, 2025
If you love sci-fi with heart, Untethered is a must-read. Wise balances futuristic concepts with emotional storytelling beautifully.
The Booksta Book Club
A richly layered, deeply satisfying book.
The Booksta Book Club
A richly layered, deeply satisfying book.
December 1, 2025
If you love sci-fi with heart, Untethered is a must-read. Wise balances futuristic concepts with emotional storytelling beautifully.
The Booksta Book Club
A richly layered, deeply satisfying book.
The Booksta Book Club
A richly layered, deeply satisfying book.
December 1, 2025
This installment digs deeper into human flaws, government corruption, and the unintended consequences of technological advancement.
The Booksta Book Club
A smart and captivating story.
The Booksta Book Club
A smart and captivating story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews