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Coded
An Authoritative Government. An Exceptional Hacker. An Operation For Vengeance.
Ariadne Young is an exceptional hacker living in a future America renamed as the Areas of Enlightenment. Democracy has failed and technology has produced the ultimate form of surveillance–the Node, a camera-like device implanted in the eye; watching every move citizens make, waiting to detonate and kill if they disobey.
Desperate to avenge the deaths of her parents, she seeks information about their murderers. With the help of Amity, a sophisticated A.I system, she remains hidden from the Enlightenment–the nation's rulers and creators of the node. When a friend makes the ultimate sacrifice to save her life, she finds Black Web–a rebel organization with resources and tools to help her find vengeance.
The closer she gets to retribution, the more dangerous her world becomes as the Enlightenment begins their own search for those who threaten their regime.
Ariadne Young is an exceptional hacker living in a future America renamed as the Areas of Enlightenment. Democracy has failed and technology has produced the ultimate form of surveillance–the Node, a camera-like device implanted in the eye; watching every move citizens make, waiting to detonate and kill if they disobey.
Desperate to avenge the deaths of her parents, she seeks information about their murderers. With the help of Amity, a sophisticated A.I system, she remains hidden from the Enlightenment–the nation's rulers and creators of the node. When a friend makes the ultimate sacrifice to save her life, she finds Black Web–a rebel organization with resources and tools to help her find vengeance.
The closer she gets to retribution, the more dangerous her world becomes as the Enlightenment begins their own search for those who threaten their regime.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2025
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 14, 2025
David D. Myers holds nothing back in his debut novel, CODED, a YA Dystopian/SciFi hybrid that will make you question if humankind was better off in the Stone Age.
We follow Ariadne, a young hacker living in a future America where citizens are monitored by mandatory eye implants. Yes, you heard that right. The government can see everything.
Navigating the loss of her parents and a close friend, Ariadne struggles to find purpose. In a world of constant surveillance, she's never felt so alone. Who can she trust anymore?
Ariadne struggles with self-doubt, a refreshing take for a main character. She's relatable and an unlikely hero who wants justice for the death of her loved ones ... and revenge.
On her path for answers, she stumbles across a hidden rebellion that shares the same hatred of the government's oppression. We meet a cast of characters with a relatable dynamic, each with their own motives, desires, and optimism. Ariadne is hesitant to make friends at first because it's much easier being alone, but there's someone in the movement who tears down her walls and finally sees her ... for her. Sapphic subplot, anyone? 😉
With flying cars, hoverboards, advanced technology, and much more, the SciFi element is not overlooked. The world-building is vivid, eccentric, and easy to imagine, all while holding to Dystopian vibes.
We follow Ariadne, a young hacker living in a future America where citizens are monitored by mandatory eye implants. Yes, you heard that right. The government can see everything.
Navigating the loss of her parents and a close friend, Ariadne struggles to find purpose. In a world of constant surveillance, she's never felt so alone. Who can she trust anymore?
Ariadne struggles with self-doubt, a refreshing take for a main character. She's relatable and an unlikely hero who wants justice for the death of her loved ones ... and revenge.
On her path for answers, she stumbles across a hidden rebellion that shares the same hatred of the government's oppression. We meet a cast of characters with a relatable dynamic, each with their own motives, desires, and optimism. Ariadne is hesitant to make friends at first because it's much easier being alone, but there's someone in the movement who tears down her walls and finally sees her ... for her. Sapphic subplot, anyone? 😉
With flying cars, hoverboards, advanced technology, and much more, the SciFi element is not overlooked. The world-building is vivid, eccentric, and easy to imagine, all while holding to Dystopian vibes.
September 1, 2025
Honestly this book was a ride!
This book is for you if you love:
*Sci-Fi
*Dystopian World
*Strong FMC
*Heists
*Crazy Plot Twists
*Strong World Building
*Found Family
I have been reading so much Romantasy and this was such a great break and a good reminder that there are other great genres out there that also can have a romance plot in them.
Cannot wait to see what happens next after that cliffhanger!
This book is for you if you love:
*Sci-Fi
*Dystopian World
*Strong FMC
*Heists
*Crazy Plot Twists
*Strong World Building
*Found Family
I have been reading so much Romantasy and this was such a great break and a good reminder that there are other great genres out there that also can have a romance plot in them.
Cannot wait to see what happens next after that cliffhanger!
October 4, 2025
CODED by David Myers is the kind of dystopian Sci-Fi that has big time potential. Especially with the world as it is today.
The story follows Ariadne Young / Nexia as she fights to avenge the wrongful deaths of her parents and the girl she loved while traversing a world overrun by tech and under authoritarian control of the government. As a talented hacker trained by her parents, Ariadne has rebelled against the government control via eye Nodes, which track everything the wearer does, days, goes, etc. With the help of her specialized AI system, she will hack and steal whatever information she can find to out her parents’ murderer.
Ariadne is a great FMC to follow on this journey. She’s wicked smart, deadly with her tech skills, and has a drive for righting wrongs that is enviable. But she also has a heavy dose of pride that gets in her way. With this prideful flaw, she’s super relatable and makes mistakes. She’s been hurt. Bad. And this has crushed her ability to trust and get close to people. Her voice comes off strong and well done.
Myers’ use of advanced tech in CODED is reminiscent of the Divergent series and Minority Report, with hoverboards and holo-tech. The government monitors the country, much like Big Brother in Orwell’s 1984, which is split into areas of expertise or ability, and has an almost Hunger Games vibe. The Node technology was especially cool while also being harrowing. Wearable tech that tracks every breath but can also render the wearer powerless to its control….? Terrifying.
Though I enjoyed reading about Ariadne and her fight for justice, the story’s narrative often distracted me. Every character’s dialogue read as natural and distinct, but the narrative flow left a little to be desired. I often found myself stuck on passive voice or phrasing and prose that relied too much on telling rather than letting me experience it through the character’s eyes and emotions. In my opinion, a good line edit could have caught these problem areas.
Regardless, I still enjoyed Ariadne as a character, and the plot was very much in my wheelhouse. Tack on a much-needed queer-normative environment? Yes, please! CODED is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and an excellent addition to your Sci-Fi shelves.
The story follows Ariadne Young / Nexia as she fights to avenge the wrongful deaths of her parents and the girl she loved while traversing a world overrun by tech and under authoritarian control of the government. As a talented hacker trained by her parents, Ariadne has rebelled against the government control via eye Nodes, which track everything the wearer does, days, goes, etc. With the help of her specialized AI system, she will hack and steal whatever information she can find to out her parents’ murderer.
Ariadne is a great FMC to follow on this journey. She’s wicked smart, deadly with her tech skills, and has a drive for righting wrongs that is enviable. But she also has a heavy dose of pride that gets in her way. With this prideful flaw, she’s super relatable and makes mistakes. She’s been hurt. Bad. And this has crushed her ability to trust and get close to people. Her voice comes off strong and well done.
Myers’ use of advanced tech in CODED is reminiscent of the Divergent series and Minority Report, with hoverboards and holo-tech. The government monitors the country, much like Big Brother in Orwell’s 1984, which is split into areas of expertise or ability, and has an almost Hunger Games vibe. The Node technology was especially cool while also being harrowing. Wearable tech that tracks every breath but can also render the wearer powerless to its control….? Terrifying.
Though I enjoyed reading about Ariadne and her fight for justice, the story’s narrative often distracted me. Every character’s dialogue read as natural and distinct, but the narrative flow left a little to be desired. I often found myself stuck on passive voice or phrasing and prose that relied too much on telling rather than letting me experience it through the character’s eyes and emotions. In my opinion, a good line edit could have caught these problem areas.
Regardless, I still enjoyed Ariadne as a character, and the plot was very much in my wheelhouse. Tack on a much-needed queer-normative environment? Yes, please! CODED is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and an excellent addition to your Sci-Fi shelves.
September 16, 2025
Myers in his debut novel rides the line between sci-fi and dystopian reminiscent of Divergent but with the solid feel of the Pendragon series in his technological world.
Ariadne, or codename Nexia, is a young woman thrust into adulthood without a proper transition to maturity. Extremely intelligent she assesses the world through the world of technology with Myers filling in the gaps in knowledge of security and developing his world through the explanation of her work as he goes along.
Written in first person the reader is given insight into Ariadne with consistent reminders of just why she is doing what she does, who the Enlightment is, and why Nodes (installed cameras in the eyes) are a horrible approach to population management. While there are flying vehicles the technological advancements are within an imaginable realm and well described throughout.
There is also a hint of sapphic romance for anyone looking for a mix of action and romance.
Overall I found that Ariadne was well fleshed and written well, she is a strong character with a true voice. The accompanying cast shows a wide variety of personalities and approaches and held enough weight to be memorable.
Final rating is 4.5/5.
Ariadne, or codename Nexia, is a young woman thrust into adulthood without a proper transition to maturity. Extremely intelligent she assesses the world through the world of technology with Myers filling in the gaps in knowledge of security and developing his world through the explanation of her work as he goes along.
Written in first person the reader is given insight into Ariadne with consistent reminders of just why she is doing what she does, who the Enlightment is, and why Nodes (installed cameras in the eyes) are a horrible approach to population management. While there are flying vehicles the technological advancements are within an imaginable realm and well described throughout.
There is also a hint of sapphic romance for anyone looking for a mix of action and romance.
Overall I found that Ariadne was well fleshed and written well, she is a strong character with a true voice. The accompanying cast shows a wide variety of personalities and approaches and held enough weight to be memorable.
Final rating is 4.5/5.
September 3, 2025
ARC review:
If you handed me this book and told me it's a debut, I wouldn't believe you.
From the first page, CODED had me hooked. David has done an incredible job of building an immersive world that feels as though you're stepping through the page into it.
The book is full of well rounded characters with developed character arcs, excitement, emotion and intrigue. Each chapter leaves you wanting more. I couldn't put it down!
If you're looking for a polished, thought-provoking story with an original world, then CODED is the book for you.
I'd recommend this book to anybody looking for a 90s style dark scifi with a modern twist.
Oh, and there's also a sapphic love story subplot. 🙌
I can't wait for book two.
If you handed me this book and told me it's a debut, I wouldn't believe you.
From the first page, CODED had me hooked. David has done an incredible job of building an immersive world that feels as though you're stepping through the page into it.
The book is full of well rounded characters with developed character arcs, excitement, emotion and intrigue. Each chapter leaves you wanting more. I couldn't put it down!
If you're looking for a polished, thought-provoking story with an original world, then CODED is the book for you.
I'd recommend this book to anybody looking for a 90s style dark scifi with a modern twist.
Oh, and there's also a sapphic love story subplot. 🙌
I can't wait for book two.
October 6, 2025
Wow! Where to begin…
First and foremost, I loved this book! The character development and world building was incredible. The storyline and how everything came together was articulated in a way that kept me engaged and unable to put the book down. This is a debut novel by David D. Myers and I can’t wait for the next book and to find out where this story goes.
Ariadne goes through so much in this book and the strength she shows throughout is inspiring. Following her story was emotional but also a lot of fun as she navigated life after such a profound loss.
David has such a way with words and I highly suggest this book to anyone who enjoys a good dystopian science-fi novel with cyberpunk vibes. This book is in my top 5 favorite reads of the year!
First and foremost, I loved this book! The character development and world building was incredible. The storyline and how everything came together was articulated in a way that kept me engaged and unable to put the book down. This is a debut novel by David D. Myers and I can’t wait for the next book and to find out where this story goes.
Ariadne goes through so much in this book and the strength she shows throughout is inspiring. Following her story was emotional but also a lot of fun as she navigated life after such a profound loss.
David has such a way with words and I highly suggest this book to anyone who enjoys a good dystopian science-fi novel with cyberpunk vibes. This book is in my top 5 favorite reads of the year!
October 10, 2025
Potentially closer to 4.5 stars only because a couple aspects felt a little rushed for my taste, but let’s be honest, this was just a fantastic read in general. Easily one of my top reads of the year!
A high-stakes plot, a personal vendetta turned reluctant hero, and an AI sidekick who’s just sassy enough to somehow end up probably my favorite character? Yes, please!
(And yes, I somehow did accidentally learn some things about coding while reading because it was explained well enough!)
David knocked it out of the park with this debut, and I’m super excited for the next book!
A high-stakes plot, a personal vendetta turned reluctant hero, and an AI sidekick who’s just sassy enough to somehow end up probably my favorite character? Yes, please!
(And yes, I somehow did accidentally learn some things about coding while reading because it was explained well enough!)
David knocked it out of the park with this debut, and I’m super excited for the next book!
October 14, 2025
I'm typically one who enjoys dystopian or sci-fi, however, I LOVED this.
September 21, 2025
Can’t wait for book 2!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews