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Augusta Pine Does Not Exist
Combining the suspense of a thriller, the intrigue of spy fiction, and the emotional resonance of a confessional narrative, this is gripping, wholly original novel about a teen secret operative who must outwit a band of murderous cyberterrorists.
I was fifteen when I became a murderer.
After a hack gone tragically wrong, a teen girl is given an ultimatum: accept a harsh prison sentence or leave her old life behind and use her talents in the service of a shady government agency.
Three years later, the newly-named Augusta Pine has become a skilled wraith, one of the Identity Security Division’s secret operatives. She has no home, no family, and her only friends are her coolly professional handler and a snarky AI spybot. So when she is sent to Portland for an assignment, she seizes the chance to catch a glimpse of her beloved grandmother and rents the apartment next door.
What begins as nostalgic stalking turns into a fight for survival when a group of cyberterrorists hacks the building and imprisons the residents. Augusta doesn’t know exactly what they want, but she does know they are ready to murder for it. With her quick wits, tech savvy – and help from an intriguing fellow hostage – Augusta must race against the clock to stay one step ahead of the killers.
Unfolding through a suspenseful narrative interspersed with case-file excerpts, this is a pulse-pounding novel about identity, connection, and justice.
I was fifteen when I became a murderer.
After a hack gone tragically wrong, a teen girl is given an ultimatum: accept a harsh prison sentence or leave her old life behind and use her talents in the service of a shady government agency.
Three years later, the newly-named Augusta Pine has become a skilled wraith, one of the Identity Security Division’s secret operatives. She has no home, no family, and her only friends are her coolly professional handler and a snarky AI spybot. So when she is sent to Portland for an assignment, she seizes the chance to catch a glimpse of her beloved grandmother and rents the apartment next door.
What begins as nostalgic stalking turns into a fight for survival when a group of cyberterrorists hacks the building and imprisons the residents. Augusta doesn’t know exactly what they want, but she does know they are ready to murder for it. With her quick wits, tech savvy – and help from an intriguing fellow hostage – Augusta must race against the clock to stay one step ahead of the killers.
Unfolding through a suspenseful narrative interspersed with case-file excerpts, this is a pulse-pounding novel about identity, connection, and justice.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published July 7, 2026
About the author
Emily Lloyd-Jones
15 books2,300 followersEmily Lloyd-Jones grew up on a vineyard in rural Oregon, where she played in evergreen forests and learned to fear sheep. After graduating from Western Oregon University with an English degree, she enrolled in the publishing program at Rosemont College just outside of Philadelphia. She currently resides in Northern California.
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July 9, 2026And the book is out!! I’m so happy readers will get to meet Augusta, my chaotic little hacker heroine.
AUGUSTA PINE DOES NOT EXIST is my white whale of a book. It took seven years, several drafts, and a lot of heist planning. It’s about a lot of things: the lengths we go to for family, how technology is encroaching into our lives, how we recover from mistakes we’ve made, and of course, a very snarky heroine.
It also has a slightly sociopathic AI spybot that looks like a bumblebee. And he is everyone’s favorite.
This book (and the whole fictional world) is very dear to me, and I hope readers will love Augusta as much as I do.
The book is now available for preorder wherever books are sold!! Preorders are so helpful for authors - I would really appreciate it!
AUGUSTA PINE DOES NOT EXIST is my white whale of a book. It took seven years, several drafts, and a lot of heist planning. It’s about a lot of things: the lengths we go to for family, how technology is encroaching into our lives, how we recover from mistakes we’ve made, and of course, a very snarky heroine.
It also has a slightly sociopathic AI spybot that looks like a bumblebee. And he is everyone’s favorite.
This book (and the whole fictional world) is very dear to me, and I hope readers will love Augusta as much as I do.
The book is now available for preorder wherever books are sold!! Preorders are so helpful for authors - I would really appreciate it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
꣑ৎ⋆˙⟡⋮ 3.25 stars ☆
carmen sandiego x home alone 🙂↕️ think carmen sandiego heists & hacks meet home alone chases & traps (except set in a hotel) to outsmart the villains.
i can’t lie, this was a bit silly and quirky so it kind of felt like a fever dream at times…but not necessarily in a bad way. overall, this was an entertaining and cute spy reverse heist! it was also a pretty quick read as it kept me on my toes throughout—there was never a lack of action and there were some plot twists i did not see coming. i adored augusta’s cleverness and resilience and the whole premise of the ISD (identity security division) was quite interesting.
i loved the messages in this book as well! the technology was innovative and quite original (i especially thought the tattoo tech was interesting) and it explored some of the ethics behind deepfakes and ai, including the possibility of sentient ai, which is super relevant in today’s day and age. it was also an interesting exploration of moral complexity—the modus operandi of the ISD was, in many ways, about doing the wrong things for the right reasons.
however, it did feel a little more middle grade/younger ya than true ya, and i do feel like it should be marketed a little more towards a younger audience. this was due to a variety of factors. the mc’s jokes and quips and nicknames for others felt a lil juvenile and sometimes a tad cringe to me. the worldbuilding drops were a bit explicit and i wish they had been shortened and integrated more (there were paragraphs of background into various pieces of tech, and direct connections to modern-day tech were framed as references to the “past," since this book was set in the future). it wasn’t terrible but it did make the book feel a lil more middle grade, since it didn’t feel like the reader was trusted to put it together based on the context.
overall, though, i did enjoy! but i would recommend to a younger audience than it's marketed to. tldr: lighthearted, quirky, and quick-paced reverse spy heist.
thank you so much to emily lloyd-jones, macmillan children’s publishing, and netgalley for an arc (my first one!) in exchange for my honest review 🤍 this book comes out july 7, 2026!
꣑ৎ⋆˙⟡⋮ pre-read
YAY first arc (thank you to netgalley & macmillan publishing!) i'm so excited to read this one 😚 i've been meaning to get more into thrillers & the heist vibes here are immaculate (which i'll def be needing more of after finishing my lunar chronicles reread). anyways i have a feeling this will be fun 🙂↕️🕵️♀️💻💐
carmen sandiego x home alone 🙂↕️ think carmen sandiego heists & hacks meet home alone chases & traps (except set in a hotel) to outsmart the villains.
i can’t lie, this was a bit silly and quirky so it kind of felt like a fever dream at times…but not necessarily in a bad way. overall, this was an entertaining and cute spy reverse heist! it was also a pretty quick read as it kept me on my toes throughout—there was never a lack of action and there were some plot twists i did not see coming. i adored augusta’s cleverness and resilience and the whole premise of the ISD (identity security division) was quite interesting.
i loved the messages in this book as well! the technology was innovative and quite original (i especially thought the tattoo tech was interesting) and it explored some of the ethics behind deepfakes and ai, including the possibility of sentient ai, which is super relevant in today’s day and age. it was also an interesting exploration of moral complexity—the modus operandi of the ISD was, in many ways, about doing the wrong things for the right reasons.
however, it did feel a little more middle grade/younger ya than true ya, and i do feel like it should be marketed a little more towards a younger audience. this was due to a variety of factors. the mc’s jokes and quips and nicknames for others felt a lil juvenile and sometimes a tad cringe to me. the worldbuilding drops were a bit explicit and i wish they had been shortened and integrated more (there were paragraphs of background into various pieces of tech, and direct connections to modern-day tech were framed as references to the “past," since this book was set in the future). it wasn’t terrible but it did make the book feel a lil more middle grade, since it didn’t feel like the reader was trusted to put it together based on the context.
overall, though, i did enjoy! but i would recommend to a younger audience than it's marketed to. tldr: lighthearted, quirky, and quick-paced reverse spy heist.
thank you so much to emily lloyd-jones, macmillan children’s publishing, and netgalley for an arc (my first one!) in exchange for my honest review 🤍 this book comes out july 7, 2026!
꣑ৎ⋆˙⟡⋮ pre-read
YAY first arc (thank you to netgalley & macmillan publishing!) i'm so excited to read this one 😚 i've been meaning to get more into thrillers & the heist vibes here are immaculate (which i'll def be needing more of after finishing my lunar chronicles reread). anyways i have a feeling this will be fun 🙂↕️🕵️♀️💻💐
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Me on This Book in Eight Ironic English Words: AI: an always-wrong miracle created by always-wrong godlets.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"And so along came Lawyerbot : the first virtual defense lawyer. Technically a defendant couldn’t be represented by an app. The founding fathers wouldn’t have approved. But a person could represent themselves pro se— and if they happened to be following the advice of an app, that was their choice. It wasn’t really a choice. But the illusion made the whole system seem less dysfunctional. If I’d gone to court, I probably would’ve been repped by Lawyerbot." p124
In Short:
This one starts out with a strong concept and a setting so corrupt and despicable, it completely changes the standards for moral judgment. It's a brilliant setting because the reader doesn't have to wrestle with questions of justice. They can accept that "this is just how it is here" and then see how the story unfolds under those conditions.
This is a book with a concept so strong, it carries the whole book. I've read a lot of anti-AI books, but this one has a completely new thing to say about the tech and its proliferation. Though I tend to be supportive of AI for many uses, I agree with the author's criticism here. The element is well thought out and applied, brilliantly, through an unstable setting. Just beautiful construction.
"I think of those times when I was a kid, playing on the swings with my sisters. I remember swinging as high as we could go, then leaping from the rubber swings: the arcing path we would take through the air, then the slam of feet into bark dust and dirt. This is just another leap. Something I used to do for fun. I jump." p208
Preread:
Great concept and setting!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc!📚
"Content Warnings:"
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
murder, kidnapping/abduction, isolation, loss of family, attachment/identity wounds, jumping, falling,
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"And so along came Lawyerbot : the first virtual defense lawyer. Technically a defendant couldn’t be represented by an app. The founding fathers wouldn’t have approved. But a person could represent themselves pro se— and if they happened to be following the advice of an app, that was their choice. It wasn’t really a choice. But the illusion made the whole system seem less dysfunctional. If I’d gone to court, I probably would’ve been repped by Lawyerbot." p124
In Short:
This one starts out with a strong concept and a setting so corrupt and despicable, it completely changes the standards for moral judgment. It's a brilliant setting because the reader doesn't have to wrestle with questions of justice. They can accept that "this is just how it is here" and then see how the story unfolds under those conditions.
This is a book with a concept so strong, it carries the whole book. I've read a lot of anti-AI books, but this one has a completely new thing to say about the tech and its proliferation. Though I tend to be supportive of AI for many uses, I agree with the author's criticism here. The element is well thought out and applied, brilliantly, through an unstable setting. Just beautiful construction.
"I think of those times when I was a kid, playing on the swings with my sisters. I remember swinging as high as we could go, then leaping from the rubber swings: the arcing path we would take through the air, then the slam of feet into bark dust and dirt. This is just another leap. Something I used to do for fun. I jump." p208
Preread:
Great concept and setting!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc!📚
"Content Warnings:"
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
murder, kidnapping/abduction, isolation, loss of family, attachment/identity wounds, jumping, falling,
July 2, 2026
4.3 ⭐️
[7:42pm — 02/07/2026]
𐙚⋆°🐝⋆♡ 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀
⤷ thriller
⤷ spy fmc
⤷ young adult
⤷ founded family (?)
𐙚⋆°🐝⋆♡ 𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸
❛❛𝐢'𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧.❜❜
⤷ 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 by 𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲
-`♡´- 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 -`♡´-
Okay, first of all, thank you to Penguin for sending me an ARC copy. I'm forever grateful!
This book was interesting, I'm quite surprised actually at how cool it turned out to be!
I've been in a sorta slump lately, hence reading only a little in the beginning and then finishing the remainder in one go. I'll say the structure of this book is new; I've not seen many books like this, and I really enjoyed it.
Looking at the characters first, Augusta Pine. Oh dear God, my heart ached for her from the beginning. Augusta's life is complex, and I love how she was written, given the detour her life unexpectedly took after the car crash. I love her personality. She's straight-up, humorous, just your average teenager. She reassured me that the version of me a couple of years ago was very normal and valid lol.
I want to speak of other characters; however, I do not want to accidentally spoil anything. So, I'll do a very brief overview. Eames, Nonna, Piper, Prefect, Edgar etc, every single character was written very well. I loved the way each of them played their roles very well. And I mean very well; they even fooled me. That's all I'm saying! Read it to find out 👀.
Moving on to the plot. It was INSANE. This book made me realise how much I love and miss reading thriller books. The plot twists were amazing; I was gasping at the most random times. I'm still lost at how everything was happening on the same day; it was crazy, but I was hooked like no other. Again, I'm not going to say too much because I do not want to spoil this book for anyone. It was that good.
The structure of the book. I LOVED this layout. It was interesting because I did not expect it to go that route. Regardless, it was a new spin. It kept the flow very intriguing, to say the least, though it took me some time to get used to. It got me out of my comfort zone in a way, and I admire that, actually, a lot. I expect no less from a thriller book, but truly, this was wonderful to read.
I hope we get another book, and if we do, consider me THERE!! Because I need an Eames book or maybe even one about Piper (ifykyk). Overall, this was a great read, and I genuinely recommend it if you're into thriller, spy, and mystery.
Review of advance copy received from Penguin
[8:07pm — 02/07/2026]
[7:42pm — 02/07/2026]
𐙚⋆°🐝⋆♡ 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀
⤷ thriller
⤷ spy fmc
⤷ young adult
⤷ founded family (?)
𐙚⋆°🐝⋆♡ 𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸
❛❛𝐢'𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧.❜❜
⤷ 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 by 𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲
-`♡´- 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 -`♡´-
Okay, first of all, thank you to Penguin for sending me an ARC copy. I'm forever grateful!
This book was interesting, I'm quite surprised actually at how cool it turned out to be!
I've been in a sorta slump lately, hence reading only a little in the beginning and then finishing the remainder in one go. I'll say the structure of this book is new; I've not seen many books like this, and I really enjoyed it.
Looking at the characters first, Augusta Pine. Oh dear God, my heart ached for her from the beginning. Augusta's life is complex, and I love how she was written, given the detour her life unexpectedly took after the car crash. I love her personality. She's straight-up, humorous, just your average teenager. She reassured me that the version of me a couple of years ago was very normal and valid lol.
I want to speak of other characters; however, I do not want to accidentally spoil anything. So, I'll do a very brief overview. Eames, Nonna, Piper, Prefect, Edgar etc, every single character was written very well. I loved the way each of them played their roles very well. And I mean very well; they even fooled me. That's all I'm saying! Read it to find out 👀.
Moving on to the plot. It was INSANE. This book made me realise how much I love and miss reading thriller books. The plot twists were amazing; I was gasping at the most random times. I'm still lost at how everything was happening on the same day; it was crazy, but I was hooked like no other. Again, I'm not going to say too much because I do not want to spoil this book for anyone. It was that good.
The structure of the book. I LOVED this layout. It was interesting because I did not expect it to go that route. Regardless, it was a new spin. It kept the flow very intriguing, to say the least, though it took me some time to get used to. It got me out of my comfort zone in a way, and I admire that, actually, a lot. I expect no less from a thriller book, but truly, this was wonderful to read.
I hope we get another book, and if we do, consider me THERE!! Because I need an Eames book or maybe even one about Piper (ifykyk). Overall, this was a great read, and I genuinely recommend it if you're into thriller, spy, and mystery.
Review of advance copy received from Penguin
[8:07pm — 02/07/2026]
June 29, 2026
No matter how Emily Lloyd-Jones dresses up these baby potatoes, they’ll be fun and delicious.
This felt like an interesting jump for Lloyd-Jones after 3 intriguing fantasy books (The Bone Houses, The Drowned Woods & The Wild Huntress). When I heard she was making a futuristic ya mystery thriller, I was so curious, I asked for an ARC- so TY MacMillian Audio. 🥰
Maybe because I was a kid growing up with Men in Black and Alias this kinda felt like cat nip in my TBR.
The non-linear timeline threw me a little, but I understood why she did it in the end.
I kinda adored how this felt more like a radio drama. The audio makes me hope there is more in this world in the future.
Augusta Pine Does Not Exist is out 7 July 2026.
This felt like an interesting jump for Lloyd-Jones after 3 intriguing fantasy books (The Bone Houses, The Drowned Woods & The Wild Huntress). When I heard she was making a futuristic ya mystery thriller, I was so curious, I asked for an ARC- so TY MacMillian Audio. 🥰
Maybe because I was a kid growing up with Men in Black and Alias this kinda felt like cat nip in my TBR.
The non-linear timeline threw me a little, but I understood why she did it in the end.
I kinda adored how this felt more like a radio drama. The audio makes me hope there is more in this world in the future.
Augusta Pine Does Not Exist is out 7 July 2026.
December 7, 2025
This book was all sorts of action-packed thriller but also adorably warm. It covers fighting your fears, loneliness, and the importance of family while also touching on moral dilemmas of technological advancement in a spy girl setting. And it was the found family side characters that really got me, making me laugh and giving me warm fuzzy feelings that left me hugging this book.
The pacing of the book in the beginning (with the use of flashback scenes) took me out of the main plot sometimes but I got used to it pretty quickly.
Thank you to Emily Lloyd-Jones, Macmillan Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
The pacing of the book in the beginning (with the use of flashback scenes) took me out of the main plot sometimes but I got used to it pretty quickly.
Thank you to Emily Lloyd-Jones, Macmillan Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Super fun! Definitely for young reader fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes and shows like Veronica Mars or Totally Spies!
July 12, 2026
Augusta Pine does not Exist was interesting. Really, really interesting.
I'm glad I read it
I'm glad I read it
July 13, 2026
2026: 4.25
This was fun
Totally different vibe from the other E L-J books I have read, but in a way that shows range
This was fun
Totally different vibe from the other E L-J books I have read, but in a way that shows range
November 19, 2025
I'm such a huge fan of Emily's books, and I've become an even bigger fan after this shift from fantasy to dystopian/scifi. God, the humor is TOP NOTCH and the emotional core is stark in the best possible way. Of course I fell so utterly in love with the book as whole.
Want to Read
November 12, 2025not at ALL what I expected from ELJ but okay !
July 12, 2026
When our main character, a nifty hacker in the near future with a rebellious side, was fifteen, she hacked a car, which ends in a terrible accident and death. She’s given two options: twenty years in jail or ten working for an off-the-books security division, doing their bidding as a Wraith—basically a ghost, skipping between cities and jobs, infiltrating lives and using her hacker skills for her covert government agency. Her name isn’t Augusta but that’s who she is now, no set home or contact with her family is allowed, instead she must follow her handler to whatever task is at hand.
A few years passes after her initial switch from ordinary citizen to full-time hacker, and Augusta has never missed her family so much. Unbeknownst to her handler she’s been keeping tabs on her grandmother and sister via her grandmother‘s email. So when she has a little time before her next job and rents the place next to her grandmother’s, she’s so close yet so far away. She knows she can’t make contact, but just being close and hoping to catch a glimpse of her feels fulfilling enough. Only, when tragedy strikes and a group of cyber criminals hack her grandmother‘s building that she’s staying in, imprisoning all of the residents, Augusta is thrown into a new challenge with an entirely different set of requirements. Going in blind has never been something her agency willingly does but this time they don’t know who or what is behind it, only that Augusta is the only person they have on the inside. Good thing she has her trusty bot, and knows how to work technology to her advantage, a skill she knew how to do even before she joined the agency. She takes brother and sister Eames and Piper, who are staying with their Aunt in the building, under her wing as she tries to disarm the criminals one by one. But face-to-face with danger whilst trying to protect people she cares about is harder than ever, yet it’s never been so useful to be a ghost. Augusta just needs to stay alive long enough to use her learned skills as a Wraith to her advantage.
There was so many things I loved about Augusta Pine Does Not Exist. Being set in the future gave it this exhilarating yet astute edge, blending modern technology advancements to the extreme into the storyline, and it’s not hard to imagine that someday there will be things like in the book in our day-to-day life (which is quite frightening if you ask me, as I am not a fan of AI.) I really felt for Augusta, she didn’t mean to become a murderer at the start of her story, the thing that made her have to choose to become a wraith. I felt her pain as she could only read about the lives of her sister and grandmother through emails and in passing, knowing so much yet so little, and not being able to tell them she was still alive and would hopefully be coming back someday once she served her sentence with the agency. Emily wrote the technology-meets-assassin storyline so exquisitely gripping that it felt almost like there was a movie playing in my head of the book as I read, vivid and heart-pounding. The Eames and Piper storyline took me on such a rollercoaster that I wasn’t expecting—I couldn’t help but feel emotional at the way that Augusta took them under her wing and how close they became by the end of the story. I could definitely see there being a sequel and that is something I would really love to read because I feel like the ending did leave it open to there being another adventure for Augusta. This was my first book by Emily Lloyd-Jones but it certainly won’t be my last. This was such a tantalising, twisty, edge-of-your-seat YA thriller-meets-sci-fi novel that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish.
A few years passes after her initial switch from ordinary citizen to full-time hacker, and Augusta has never missed her family so much. Unbeknownst to her handler she’s been keeping tabs on her grandmother and sister via her grandmother‘s email. So when she has a little time before her next job and rents the place next to her grandmother’s, she’s so close yet so far away. She knows she can’t make contact, but just being close and hoping to catch a glimpse of her feels fulfilling enough. Only, when tragedy strikes and a group of cyber criminals hack her grandmother‘s building that she’s staying in, imprisoning all of the residents, Augusta is thrown into a new challenge with an entirely different set of requirements. Going in blind has never been something her agency willingly does but this time they don’t know who or what is behind it, only that Augusta is the only person they have on the inside. Good thing she has her trusty bot, and knows how to work technology to her advantage, a skill she knew how to do even before she joined the agency. She takes brother and sister Eames and Piper, who are staying with their Aunt in the building, under her wing as she tries to disarm the criminals one by one. But face-to-face with danger whilst trying to protect people she cares about is harder than ever, yet it’s never been so useful to be a ghost. Augusta just needs to stay alive long enough to use her learned skills as a Wraith to her advantage.
There was so many things I loved about Augusta Pine Does Not Exist. Being set in the future gave it this exhilarating yet astute edge, blending modern technology advancements to the extreme into the storyline, and it’s not hard to imagine that someday there will be things like in the book in our day-to-day life (which is quite frightening if you ask me, as I am not a fan of AI.) I really felt for Augusta, she didn’t mean to become a murderer at the start of her story, the thing that made her have to choose to become a wraith. I felt her pain as she could only read about the lives of her sister and grandmother through emails and in passing, knowing so much yet so little, and not being able to tell them she was still alive and would hopefully be coming back someday once she served her sentence with the agency. Emily wrote the technology-meets-assassin storyline so exquisitely gripping that it felt almost like there was a movie playing in my head of the book as I read, vivid and heart-pounding. The Eames and Piper storyline took me on such a rollercoaster that I wasn’t expecting—I couldn’t help but feel emotional at the way that Augusta took them under her wing and how close they became by the end of the story. I could definitely see there being a sequel and that is something I would really love to read because I feel like the ending did leave it open to there being another adventure for Augusta. This was my first book by Emily Lloyd-Jones but it certainly won’t be my last. This was such a tantalising, twisty, edge-of-your-seat YA thriller-meets-sci-fi novel that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish.
July 6, 2026
4.5⭐️ i was hooked the entire time, such a face paced, gripping book had me second guessing everything. augusta pine im obsessed with you don’t ever change girl
April 12, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Balzer + Bray for an early copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. This was the first book I have read by this author and I will be looking for more! I loved the storyline and the characters. I thought it was well written. It was such a fun book to read and I liked how I was in the mind of a killer. I would definitely recommend this book!
Want to Read
March 30, 2026sometimes I need a little spy fiction mystery
this one sounds good!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
this one sounds good!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
June 24, 2026
I listened to the audiobook of Augusta Pine Does Not Exist, and while I enjoyed it overall, it took some time to fully click. The beginning was a bit confusing, especially in audio format, since it switches between present-day action and past “case file” missions. Without the visual cues of chapter titles and formatting, it was harder to track what timeline I was in. I ended up re-listening to the first dozen chapters, and once everything fell into place, the story became much more engaging.
The premise is strong and leans firmly into science fiction. Augusta is recruited as a “wraith” for the ISA after accidentally killing a classmate by hacking his self-driving car. To avoid prison, she’s given a new identity, altered appearance, and a completely erased past. As the only minor ever recruited, she’s controversial within the agency—but also highly effective, even if her methods tend to be messy and unpredictable.
Augusta is a compelling protagonist. She’s flawed, often impulsive, and tends to go rogue, but that’s what makes her interesting. Beneath the action and sci-fi elements, there’s a clear thread of redemption running through her story. I also really liked her handler and especially EDGR, her sentient AI bee, who adds both humor and heart. EDGR’s injury was surprisingly emotional, and his return was a standout moment.
Once the structure becomes clear, the novel balances action, character development, and a hint of potential romance (even though it doesn’t fully develop). The characters feel well-developed, and the emotional beats land well, particularly as Augusta wrestles with her past and her place in the agency.
Overall, this is a solid sci-fi story with strong characters and a meaningful redemption arc. The audiobook experience can be a bit disorienting at first, but it’s worth sticking with. I’d recommend it for middle school to high school readers, especially those who enjoy fast-paced sci-fi with emotional depth.
The premise is strong and leans firmly into science fiction. Augusta is recruited as a “wraith” for the ISA after accidentally killing a classmate by hacking his self-driving car. To avoid prison, she’s given a new identity, altered appearance, and a completely erased past. As the only minor ever recruited, she’s controversial within the agency—but also highly effective, even if her methods tend to be messy and unpredictable.
Augusta is a compelling protagonist. She’s flawed, often impulsive, and tends to go rogue, but that’s what makes her interesting. Beneath the action and sci-fi elements, there’s a clear thread of redemption running through her story. I also really liked her handler and especially EDGR, her sentient AI bee, who adds both humor and heart. EDGR’s injury was surprisingly emotional, and his return was a standout moment.
Once the structure becomes clear, the novel balances action, character development, and a hint of potential romance (even though it doesn’t fully develop). The characters feel well-developed, and the emotional beats land well, particularly as Augusta wrestles with her past and her place in the agency.
Overall, this is a solid sci-fi story with strong characters and a meaningful redemption arc. The audiobook experience can be a bit disorienting at first, but it’s worth sticking with. I’d recommend it for middle school to high school readers, especially those who enjoy fast-paced sci-fi with emotional depth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.50 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of the audiobook version of this title. I kind of forgot that when I started this book, that it is like sci-fi-esque (I was thinking it was just a YA mystery). So, that did catch me off guard in the beginning when I was trying to piece together what was happening at the start, but not the book’s fault. Having said this, I thoroughly enjoyed this! The elements of mystery and intrigue were really captivating. And the futuristic technology aspects were easy enough to comprehend and helped to move the plot along. As well as were very cool concepts to think about on a whole. I found a couple of the reveals a bit predictable, but I am an adult reading a teen book, so again not the book’s fault. Even though some of the reveals were easier to discern, I still found myself not knowing how things would wind up at the end of the story. And there were still plenty of twists that I didn’t see coming too. I think that this book was well written and was really fun to listen to the audio version of the book too, as the narration was well done and was set up like it was being read as audio files from a computer, which was a cool concept to hear. Overall, I really great YA sci-fi, mystery combination of a book that I would recommend others to pick up. The only reason I am not giving it five stars, is just because I didn’t get five-star feelings and at times, it felt a little repetitious. But again, a really great book, that others should check out!
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of the audiobook version of this title. I kind of forgot that when I started this book, that it is like sci-fi-esque (I was thinking it was just a YA mystery). So, that did catch me off guard in the beginning when I was trying to piece together what was happening at the start, but not the book’s fault. Having said this, I thoroughly enjoyed this! The elements of mystery and intrigue were really captivating. And the futuristic technology aspects were easy enough to comprehend and helped to move the plot along. As well as were very cool concepts to think about on a whole. I found a couple of the reveals a bit predictable, but I am an adult reading a teen book, so again not the book’s fault. Even though some of the reveals were easier to discern, I still found myself not knowing how things would wind up at the end of the story. And there were still plenty of twists that I didn’t see coming too. I think that this book was well written and was really fun to listen to the audio version of the book too, as the narration was well done and was set up like it was being read as audio files from a computer, which was a cool concept to hear. Overall, I really great YA sci-fi, mystery combination of a book that I would recommend others to pick up. The only reason I am not giving it five stars, is just because I didn’t get five-star feelings and at times, it felt a little repetitious. But again, a really great book, that others should check out!
May 1, 2026
This one was really fun while also having a reasonable core of sharpness. It felt fairly similar to The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe in the way the story is told (with a uniquely skilled character stumbling upon a situation unexpectedly that they are equipped to handle - even if they and others don’t always think so) though I would say it’s not as heavy or emotionally raw.
I liked the little tidbits of Augusta’s file and previous cases she’s worked (it allowed more of her humor and confidence to seep in, since the main story was much more fraught). It also worked for worldbuilding, allowing ELJ to build a bit more of a picture of what this somewhat nearby future looks like and what some of the technological capabilities are. I also really admired the commitment to never include a single name from Augusta’s past life (not hers, her victim’s, or her family’s) - it really fit with the kind of mental compartmentalization Augusta would have to do to survive her situation.
I hope we get more books in this universe with this MC, but I also understand if we don’t - because it does stand on its own. I just had a fun time and would like to have more fun times in the future
{Thank you Balzer + Bray for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}
I liked the little tidbits of Augusta’s file and previous cases she’s worked (it allowed more of her humor and confidence to seep in, since the main story was much more fraught). It also worked for worldbuilding, allowing ELJ to build a bit more of a picture of what this somewhat nearby future looks like and what some of the technological capabilities are. I also really admired the commitment to never include a single name from Augusta’s past life (not hers, her victim’s, or her family’s) - it really fit with the kind of mental compartmentalization Augusta would have to do to survive her situation.
I hope we get more books in this universe with this MC, but I also understand if we don’t - because it does stand on its own. I just had a fun time and would like to have more fun times in the future
{Thank you Balzer + Bray for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}
June 10, 2026
I have to admit, I was a little nervous going into this one. I intentionally avoided reading the full synopsis because I wanted to experience it blind, and it didn’t take long to realize it leaned heavily into the tech/sci-fi side of things—a subgenre that usually isn’t my favorite. Happily, this book completely won me over.
I was fortunate to receive both the eARC from Macmillan Children’s and the ALC from Macmillan Audio, which let me enjoy this as an immersion read ahead of publication. The audiobook elevated the entire experience. With a full cast featuring Christine Lakin, E. A. Castillo, Major Curda, Max Meyers, and Steven Rutledge, every performance felt engaging and authentic.
What I especially appreciated was the sound design. Thankfully, this isn’t a heavily dramatized production, but the subtle audio effects used to distinguish the various technologies added an extra layer of immersion without becoming distracting. It truly felt like the ideal way to experience this story.
I think teen readers are going to be captivated by the adventure the main character embarks on. Along the way, the story quietly explores many of the challenges young people face, weaving them naturally into the narrative without ever feeling preachy. I also think it’s a great fit for older middle grade readers.
Beyond the action and adventure, this is one of those books that lingers after you’ve finished it, raising thought-provoking questions about technology, the speed at which it’s evolving, and where that path could ultimately lead us.
I was fortunate to receive both the eARC from Macmillan Children’s and the ALC from Macmillan Audio, which let me enjoy this as an immersion read ahead of publication. The audiobook elevated the entire experience. With a full cast featuring Christine Lakin, E. A. Castillo, Major Curda, Max Meyers, and Steven Rutledge, every performance felt engaging and authentic.
What I especially appreciated was the sound design. Thankfully, this isn’t a heavily dramatized production, but the subtle audio effects used to distinguish the various technologies added an extra layer of immersion without becoming distracting. It truly felt like the ideal way to experience this story.
I think teen readers are going to be captivated by the adventure the main character embarks on. Along the way, the story quietly explores many of the challenges young people face, weaving them naturally into the narrative without ever feeling preachy. I also think it’s a great fit for older middle grade readers.
Beyond the action and adventure, this is one of those books that lingers after you’ve finished it, raising thought-provoking questions about technology, the speed at which it’s evolving, and where that path could ultimately lead us.
July 9, 2026
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the preview! All opinions are my own.
Having loved Emily Lloyd-Jones 3 fantasy books, I was intrigued with the director she took for her new book. Augusta Pine Does Not Exist was an entertaining spy thriller with lots of heart. I also really enjoyed the audiobook with the different narrators and sound effects for the spy memorandum and interview portions.
This book has a great mix of spying, thriller elements, family drama, humor, heart, and high stakes. You really feel how much Augusta loves her family and wants to one day maybe get back to them, and you can also see how much Eames loves his sister and wants to protect her. Big shoutout to my little bee Edgar--I've never loved a sentient AI more. There were some twists I wasn't expecting, and they were done really well. I saw someone else say this was a bit like a teen Die Hard, and actually that's so accurate.
It feels like this could become a series if the author wanted it to be. The story completely wraps up, but I could also see the door left a little open for more adventures for Augusta, and I would absolutely read them! Definitely recommended.
Having loved Emily Lloyd-Jones 3 fantasy books, I was intrigued with the director she took for her new book. Augusta Pine Does Not Exist was an entertaining spy thriller with lots of heart. I also really enjoyed the audiobook with the different narrators and sound effects for the spy memorandum and interview portions.
This book has a great mix of spying, thriller elements, family drama, humor, heart, and high stakes. You really feel how much Augusta loves her family and wants to one day maybe get back to them, and you can also see how much Eames loves his sister and wants to protect her. Big shoutout to my little bee Edgar--I've never loved a sentient AI more. There were some twists I wasn't expecting, and they were done really well. I saw someone else say this was a bit like a teen Die Hard, and actually that's so accurate.
It feels like this could become a series if the author wanted it to be. The story completely wraps up, but I could also see the door left a little open for more adventures for Augusta, and I would absolutely read them! Definitely recommended.
July 12, 2026
Augusta Pine was fifteen when she made a mistake. She was given two choices either face the consequences of a harsh prison sentence, or leave her old life behind and use her talents to serve a government agency. Augusta decides to become a wraith, a secret operative for the Identity Security Division. When Augusta finds herself on an assignment in Portland, she can’t help but rent the apartment next door to her grandmother. Unfortunately, shortly after her arrival, a group of cyberterrorists attack the building, imprisoning the residents. Augusta, with the help of a fellow hostage, is determined to take down the cyberterrorists.
This was my first book by Emily Lloyd-Jones, and it certainly won’t be my last. This book was different from anything I’ve ever read in a good way. The futuristic technology aspects were cool, and the main character Augusta, was likable and easy to root for. The plot is fast-paced and action-packed. The twists were perfectly timed. I highly recommend this one to anyone that enjoys YA thrillers! I give this one 4 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s, and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was my first book by Emily Lloyd-Jones, and it certainly won’t be my last. This book was different from anything I’ve ever read in a good way. The futuristic technology aspects were cool, and the main character Augusta, was likable and easy to root for. The plot is fast-paced and action-packed. The twists were perfectly timed. I highly recommend this one to anyone that enjoys YA thrillers! I give this one 4 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s, and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
June 6, 2026
Augusta Pine does not exist. She was created three years ago, a wraith used by a government agency that nobody really knows about. A secret operative, she is tasked with carrying out jobs that depend on her highly specialised skills.
Though she knows this choice was really her only option, she is hopeful that she can find a way back home eventually. Though she knows it is dangerous, she rents an apartment next to her grandmother. Unfortunately, on the day she goes to try and find out details of what her grandmother is doing she finds herself embroiled in a terrorist plot.
This is a story that, quite frankly, is preposterous. Thriller, spy fiction and an unexpectedly touching story about a young woman trying to make her way in the world. Good fun, and thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this.
Though she knows this choice was really her only option, she is hopeful that she can find a way back home eventually. Though she knows it is dangerous, she rents an apartment next to her grandmother. Unfortunately, on the day she goes to try and find out details of what her grandmother is doing she finds herself embroiled in a terrorist plot.
This is a story that, quite frankly, is preposterous. Thriller, spy fiction and an unexpectedly touching story about a young woman trying to make her way in the world. Good fun, and thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this.
July 12, 2026
*4.5 Stars*
I was provided an audio ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this one. I wasn't sure what to think when I first started it but once I got into the story, I really loved it. I liked the plot and the setting and it all just kept me on my toes from the very beginning to the very end. The main character was really layered and interesting and I liked her badass ways. I loved getting to know her and I also liked seeing her grow throughout the story. I was just very into all of it and I had the best time. This was my first book by this author but it won't be my last!
I was provided an audio ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked this one. I wasn't sure what to think when I first started it but once I got into the story, I really loved it. I liked the plot and the setting and it all just kept me on my toes from the very beginning to the very end. The main character was really layered and interesting and I liked her badass ways. I loved getting to know her and I also liked seeing her grow throughout the story. I was just very into all of it and I had the best time. This was my first book by this author but it won't be my last!
May 31, 2026
This was an excellent, futuristic spy novel! I loved following Augusta in this action packed story. This was a fast paced, binge-able read that I didn’t want to put down. I liked how this book also incorporated the occasional flashback chapters that took us back to one of Augusta’s previous cases. Overall this was a fun young adult read.
Read this if you like:
📖 Spy stories
📖 Science fiction thrillers
📖 Fast pacing
Thank you to @fiercereads and @netgalley for the gifted copy.
Read this if you like:
📖 Spy stories
📖 Science fiction thrillers
📖 Fast pacing
Thank you to @fiercereads and @netgalley for the gifted copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
RTC
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners for the audiobook!
Narrated by Christine Lakin; E. A. Castillo; Major Curda; Max Meyers; Steven Rutledge
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners for the audiobook!
Narrated by Christine Lakin; E. A. Castillo; Major Curda; Max Meyers; Steven Rutledge
July 11, 2026
SUCH A CRISP BOOK VERY GOOD VERY GOOD
June 26, 2026
She used to have a different name and a very different life, but that was before she became a murderer when she was fifteen and a hack on a self-driving car went very wrong.
Now Augusta Pine works for the Identity Security Division (ISD) as a Wraith--an agent with no official identity, no family ties, and nothing to lose. Ten years of service and Augusta will be free to return to her old life, her old family. If she survives that long.
Three years later on a rare break between missions, Augusta circumnavigates orders from her handler, Prefect, to book a rental apartment in Portland. She tells Prefect it's because of the dead racoon she saw in the pool at the hotel he booked. And that's partly true. But it's also to steal a brief, traitorous glimpse of her grandmother--part of the family she's forbidden to contact. It's never enough but these rare encounters and hacked emails let Augusta pretend she's still the girl her family already buried; let's her imagine she'll be someone they want back when she finishes the rest of her sentence.
Which means Augusta is just in time when the building is hacked by cyberterrorists with Augusta and the residents trapped inside as hostages.
Luckily for Augusta she's uniquely suited to dealing with this kind of situation. Unluckily for Augusta, trying to stop the terrorists puts her directly in their crosshairs and forces her to reluctantly work with some of the residents. As she tries to protect Eames--a teen boy with secrets of his own--and his little sister Piper, Augusta will have to use all of her skills as a hacker and a Wraith as well as her best friend and best kept secret--a powerful spybot named Edgar--if she wants to bring the criminals to justice and get out with her new identity intact in Augusta Pine Does Not Exist (2026) by Emily Lloyd-Jones.
Find it on Bookshop.
Augusta Pine Does Not Exist is an standalone sci-fi thriller. Augusta is both sardonic and painfully wistful as a narrator, desperate to return to her old life even as she mourns the girl she used to be and fears becoming someone her family won't recognize or want. Flashbacks throughout the novel in the form of case debriefings highlight key points in Augusta's time as a Wraith leading her to this time and place when the unthinkable happens.
Lloyd-Jones conjures an eerily prescient near future where generative artificial intelligence continues to gain sophistication and surveillance increases leading to deeper deep fakes, more dangerous instances of fraud, and identities becoming the most important piece of currency. In a world populated by smart buildings, self-driving cars, and electron ink tattoos are used for everything from payments to identity protection, Augusta will have to rely on her own wits and her grandmother's old fashioned aversion to technology if she wants to get herself and her friends through this dangerous hostage situation.
Augusta Pine Does Not Exist is as entertaining as it is timely. With the lightest hints of romance, plenty of humor and snark, and high action Augusta Pine Does Not Exist is the perfect beach read this summer (or any time of year!). Highly recommended.
Possible Pairings: Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter, The Truth Commission by Susan Juby, Don't You Trust Me? by Patrice Kindl, Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart, Pretending to Be Erica by Michelle Painchaud, The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe, The Deceivers by Kristen Simmons, Die Hard, Minority Report
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
Now Augusta Pine works for the Identity Security Division (ISD) as a Wraith--an agent with no official identity, no family ties, and nothing to lose. Ten years of service and Augusta will be free to return to her old life, her old family. If she survives that long.
Three years later on a rare break between missions, Augusta circumnavigates orders from her handler, Prefect, to book a rental apartment in Portland. She tells Prefect it's because of the dead racoon she saw in the pool at the hotel he booked. And that's partly true. But it's also to steal a brief, traitorous glimpse of her grandmother--part of the family she's forbidden to contact. It's never enough but these rare encounters and hacked emails let Augusta pretend she's still the girl her family already buried; let's her imagine she'll be someone they want back when she finishes the rest of her sentence.
Which means Augusta is just in time when the building is hacked by cyberterrorists with Augusta and the residents trapped inside as hostages.
Luckily for Augusta she's uniquely suited to dealing with this kind of situation. Unluckily for Augusta, trying to stop the terrorists puts her directly in their crosshairs and forces her to reluctantly work with some of the residents. As she tries to protect Eames--a teen boy with secrets of his own--and his little sister Piper, Augusta will have to use all of her skills as a hacker and a Wraith as well as her best friend and best kept secret--a powerful spybot named Edgar--if she wants to bring the criminals to justice and get out with her new identity intact in Augusta Pine Does Not Exist (2026) by Emily Lloyd-Jones.
Find it on Bookshop.
Augusta Pine Does Not Exist is an standalone sci-fi thriller. Augusta is both sardonic and painfully wistful as a narrator, desperate to return to her old life even as she mourns the girl she used to be and fears becoming someone her family won't recognize or want. Flashbacks throughout the novel in the form of case debriefings highlight key points in Augusta's time as a Wraith leading her to this time and place when the unthinkable happens.
Lloyd-Jones conjures an eerily prescient near future where generative artificial intelligence continues to gain sophistication and surveillance increases leading to deeper deep fakes, more dangerous instances of fraud, and identities becoming the most important piece of currency. In a world populated by smart buildings, self-driving cars, and electron ink tattoos are used for everything from payments to identity protection, Augusta will have to rely on her own wits and her grandmother's old fashioned aversion to technology if she wants to get herself and her friends through this dangerous hostage situation.
Augusta Pine Does Not Exist is as entertaining as it is timely. With the lightest hints of romance, plenty of humor and snark, and high action Augusta Pine Does Not Exist is the perfect beach read this summer (or any time of year!). Highly recommended.
Possible Pairings: Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter, The Truth Commission by Susan Juby, Don't You Trust Me? by Patrice Kindl, Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart, Pretending to Be Erica by Michelle Painchaud, The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe, The Deceivers by Kristen Simmons, Die Hard, Minority Report
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
June 16, 2026
Very fun spy/thriller/action story perfect for kids who loved Stuart Gibbs’ Charlie Thorne series but are now 14-15. Set in near future (touch of Sci-Fi) this was a fun read
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If there's one thing that's true for any Emily Lloyd-Jones book, it's that I'm going to get way too emotionally attached.
I added Augusta Pine Does Not Exist to my TBR almost immediately after seeing it because I've recently fallen in love with several of Emily Lloyd-Jones's other books, and I was super excited to get approved for it in Netgalley. If I'd had the time, I easily could've consumed this in one sitting, and I'm already craving a reread because I was completely enthralled with this story. It reminded me a lot of Chloe Gong's Coldwire mixed with the action and suspense of Amie Kaufman's Red Star Rebels. Also, I really appreciated the social commentary on AI and exploitation of the poor in times of crisis, and in general, I thought the worldbuilding with the wraiths and the technology used were super fun. I do want to mention that I've seen some other reviews claiming this is more of a lower YA, and I think I'm inclined to agree, but I think it's still an enjoyable read for everyone.
Augusta Pine does not exist. She's a wraith (a spy, essentially, whose past has been erased) working for the Identity Security Division as a means of escaping the prison sentence she deserves. When Augusta takes a chance to revisit her past, she gets caught up in a cyberterrorist attack, and if she wants to protect herself and those she cares for, she'll need to put a stop to it herself. Part Home Alone-esque plot, part spy fiction, this book was action-packed from beginning to end. Sometimes the pace is slowed by mini reports on Augusta's past missions (which were super fun to read), but overall, I felt that the pace was quite fast and the tension was high almost the entire time. There were quite a few plot twists throughout (one of which I spoiled for myself) with a mix of predictability, but I think all of them were foreshadowed in one way or another. The suspense kept me hooked the entire time, and I loved how the cleverness of the characters pushed the plot along. The ending is mostly satisfying, but I feel like it's open for more, and I would absolutely love to follow Augusta's story further in the future. I'm holding out hope that the author decides to continue because this was such a fun read.
The character dynamics tied the whole thing together for me. Augusta was an amazing protagonist to follow; she has a great sense of humor, she's incredibly clever, and her backstory made me root for her from the beginning. She's easily earned herself a spot as one of my favorite characters ever, which is another reason I really hope there's more in store for her. Eames and Piper were great additions as well. Piper's commentary was as hilarious as Augusta's, and I really liked Eames's sense of justice as well as his interactions with Augusta. Eames definitely has a lot more depth to him than we saw here (sequel sequel sequel). Nonna was also a fun character and I really liked her devotion to protecting three random kids, so I'm assuming that's where the found family aspect comes from. Oh, and Edgar was adorable. I love him so much. The character that intrigued me the most was Prefect, if only because he's so mysterious. I went back and forth between trusting him and not, and I'm so unsure about him that it intrigues me even further. The characters and their dynamics are all amazing, and the humor was just perfect.
Augusta Pine Does Not Exist is a YA dystopian/cyberpunk spy adventure featuring a main character with an impeccable sense of humor and her robotic bee friend, perfect for fans of Chloe Gong's Coldwire and Amie Kaufman's Red Star Rebels.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4.5/5
I added Augusta Pine Does Not Exist to my TBR almost immediately after seeing it because I've recently fallen in love with several of Emily Lloyd-Jones's other books, and I was super excited to get approved for it in Netgalley. If I'd had the time, I easily could've consumed this in one sitting, and I'm already craving a reread because I was completely enthralled with this story. It reminded me a lot of Chloe Gong's Coldwire mixed with the action and suspense of Amie Kaufman's Red Star Rebels. Also, I really appreciated the social commentary on AI and exploitation of the poor in times of crisis, and in general, I thought the worldbuilding with the wraiths and the technology used were super fun. I do want to mention that I've seen some other reviews claiming this is more of a lower YA, and I think I'm inclined to agree, but I think it's still an enjoyable read for everyone.
Augusta Pine does not exist. She's a wraith (a spy, essentially, whose past has been erased) working for the Identity Security Division as a means of escaping the prison sentence she deserves. When Augusta takes a chance to revisit her past, she gets caught up in a cyberterrorist attack, and if she wants to protect herself and those she cares for, she'll need to put a stop to it herself. Part Home Alone-esque plot, part spy fiction, this book was action-packed from beginning to end. Sometimes the pace is slowed by mini reports on Augusta's past missions (which were super fun to read), but overall, I felt that the pace was quite fast and the tension was high almost the entire time. There were quite a few plot twists throughout (one of which I spoiled for myself) with a mix of predictability, but I think all of them were foreshadowed in one way or another. The suspense kept me hooked the entire time, and I loved how the cleverness of the characters pushed the plot along. The ending is mostly satisfying, but I feel like it's open for more, and I would absolutely love to follow Augusta's story further in the future. I'm holding out hope that the author decides to continue because this was such a fun read.
The character dynamics tied the whole thing together for me. Augusta was an amazing protagonist to follow; she has a great sense of humor, she's incredibly clever, and her backstory made me root for her from the beginning. She's easily earned herself a spot as one of my favorite characters ever, which is another reason I really hope there's more in store for her. Eames and Piper were great additions as well. Piper's commentary was as hilarious as Augusta's, and I really liked Eames's sense of justice as well as his interactions with Augusta. Eames definitely has a lot more depth to him than we saw here (sequel sequel sequel). Nonna was also a fun character and I really liked her devotion to protecting three random kids, so I'm assuming that's where the found family aspect comes from. Oh, and Edgar was adorable. I love him so much. The character that intrigued me the most was Prefect, if only because he's so mysterious. I went back and forth between trusting him and not, and I'm so unsure about him that it intrigues me even further. The characters and their dynamics are all amazing, and the humor was just perfect.
Augusta Pine Does Not Exist is a YA dystopian/cyberpunk spy adventure featuring a main character with an impeccable sense of humor and her robotic bee friend, perfect for fans of Chloe Gong's Coldwire and Amie Kaufman's Red Star Rebels.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4.5/5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Actual rating: 4.25 stars.
Before I get into the review, a quick thank you to NetGalley and the publishers over at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Augusta Pine Does Not Exist follows a teenage hacker who has chosen to work for a shady government agency for ten years in order to avoid being charged for murder following a hack gone wrong. Three years later, she has become a skilled wraith with no home, no family, and only a handler and snarky AI spybot for company. When the apartment building she's in gets hacked by a cyberterrorist organization, Augusta must fight for her survival and race against time to stay one step ahead of the killers. Augusta Pine Does Not Exist comes out on July 7th and is available for preorder now.
I had to take a slight detour from my Christmas in July (which, like Hallmark's, starts in June) to read this ARC. My reading for the month has been really slow so I didn't manage to get this one read when I had planned to. It also took longer to read than expected. I need my real life to calm down and stop getting in the way of my reading life. The thing that really sold me on this one was the characters. We spend most of our time in this one setting, the apartment building, except for the few case-file excerpts interspersed throughout the novel. Which means what really needs to hook the reader is the characters. I felt so much for Augusta and her past, but I also loved her AI spybot, Edgar. It reminded me so much of the different AI I've read of in other SciFi sort of novels. I wouldn't exactly call this one a SciFi, but it does heavily lean in that direction based on the technology used in this somewhat distant future. A lot of smart tech and upgrades to what we sort of already use. (There was also some great messaging in there about our reliance on technology and how it makes us less safe. The fact that this division of the government needed to be set up in this story gave me a weird sort of look into our possible future and it was terrifying.) I also really enjoyed the plot. I will say that I saw a couple of twists coming, but they played out differently than I expected so they were still satisfying to see.
I struggled with the age range on this one. The main character is supposed to be 18 but she feels younger than that at times. As does one of the hostages that she works with throughout the novel. Some of the jokes were pretty low hanging fruit and the quips just got to be a bit much at times. I wish we had gotten a few more case-file excerpts that focused more on what being part of this government agency was like in the office setting. The one example we got was just not enough. It was a great moment of levity in the middle of a stress induced chapter and it could have added so much to the novel.
Overall, this was such and fun read. It was also quick to get through when I was able to actually dedicate a few minutes here and there to reading during the week. It also left a door open to the possibility of making this a series. I think it could be fun to see what Augusta and Edgar get up to following this one. Definitely worth the read.
Before I get into the review, a quick thank you to NetGalley and the publishers over at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Augusta Pine Does Not Exist follows a teenage hacker who has chosen to work for a shady government agency for ten years in order to avoid being charged for murder following a hack gone wrong. Three years later, she has become a skilled wraith with no home, no family, and only a handler and snarky AI spybot for company. When the apartment building she's in gets hacked by a cyberterrorist organization, Augusta must fight for her survival and race against time to stay one step ahead of the killers. Augusta Pine Does Not Exist comes out on July 7th and is available for preorder now.
I had to take a slight detour from my Christmas in July (which, like Hallmark's, starts in June) to read this ARC. My reading for the month has been really slow so I didn't manage to get this one read when I had planned to. It also took longer to read than expected. I need my real life to calm down and stop getting in the way of my reading life. The thing that really sold me on this one was the characters. We spend most of our time in this one setting, the apartment building, except for the few case-file excerpts interspersed throughout the novel. Which means what really needs to hook the reader is the characters. I felt so much for Augusta and her past, but I also loved her AI spybot, Edgar. It reminded me so much of the different AI I've read of in other SciFi sort of novels. I wouldn't exactly call this one a SciFi, but it does heavily lean in that direction based on the technology used in this somewhat distant future. A lot of smart tech and upgrades to what we sort of already use. (There was also some great messaging in there about our reliance on technology and how it makes us less safe. The fact that this division of the government needed to be set up in this story gave me a weird sort of look into our possible future and it was terrifying.) I also really enjoyed the plot. I will say that I saw a couple of twists coming, but they played out differently than I expected so they were still satisfying to see.
I struggled with the age range on this one. The main character is supposed to be 18 but she feels younger than that at times. As does one of the hostages that she works with throughout the novel. Some of the jokes were pretty low hanging fruit and the quips just got to be a bit much at times. I wish we had gotten a few more case-file excerpts that focused more on what being part of this government agency was like in the office setting. The one example we got was just not enough. It was a great moment of levity in the middle of a stress induced chapter and it could have added so much to the novel.
Overall, this was such and fun read. It was also quick to get through when I was able to actually dedicate a few minutes here and there to reading during the week. It also left a door open to the possibility of making this a series. I think it could be fun to see what Augusta and Edgar get up to following this one. Definitely worth the read.
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