BLACKSPACE: A near-future technothriller about neural interfaces, stolen memory, and mind control

by Irma Berg

Zurich, 2076

War took millions and remapped the world.

The National Science Corporation now grants a select few Access to Blackspace, a guided sensory reality where dreams can be lived as truth. Michael Rosenkz, a scientist who originally built this technology to rehabilitate war survivors, now sees the state preparing to “upgrade” sessions by returning people to the same dream while extending memory and quietly digitizing their inner states.

He understands the stakes are far more than mere entertainment; this is the last private territory of consciousness, once accessible only to its owner. A reporter from an underground channel offers him a chance to speak, yet any move could cost lives.

Blackspace is both a techno-thriller and a psychological inquiry into the privacy of human memory and neural interfaces. It asks uncomfortable questions about free will and the price of comfort, when the state changes its posters but never forsakes its enduring agenda to direct human behavior. If your memories can be stolen, what remains of you?

Short psychological sci-fi dystopia you can read in one night.

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2025

About the author

Irma Berg @irmaberg is an author and journalist based in Dubai, where she has lived for over a decade. Her work explores consciousness, technology, and the architecture of emotion.

She is also the author of the nonfiction bestseller UAE: The Culture of Possible, a book that examines cultural transformation and innovation in the Middle East.

Her work spans reportage, long-form essays, and fiction. In journalism and research, she investigate cultural phenomena, societal change, and the dynamics of identity. In fiction, she aim to give voice to the invisible – the emotional landscapes we carry, the dreams and dilemmas we feel but rarely express in words.

Reviews

[Terry F · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author presents a good futuristic story in her book. Unfortunately, at my age, I've read and watched this story too many times. There was nothing in the plot that I did not anticipate in the classic tale of humanity versus corporate/government interests. The writing is good, and the story might intrigue a novice reader of this genre.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Into the Mind’s Last Frontier

Black Space is a haunting glimpse into a future where even our dreams are no longer our own. Set in Zurich, 2076, it blends science fiction and psychology in a way that feels disturbingly real. The story of Michael Rosenkz, a scientist torn between innovation and moral collapse, kept me turning pages in awe. Every scene made me question what privacy and freedom truly mean when technology knows your every thought. It’s intense, intelligent, and a beautifully written short dystopian masterpiece that lingers long after the final page.

[Aklima Akter · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLACKSPACE completely blew me away! The concept of neural interfaces and memory manipulation felt so real that I couldn’t stop reading. It’s fast-paced, thought-provoking, and loaded with twists that kept me guessing until the end. A must-read for sci-fi and thriller fans alike!

[KEN BARNES · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book combines science, suspense, and psychology in the best way possible. The author’s vision of the near future feels frighteningly plausible. I loved how it questions identity, technology, and free will — it’s one of those rare thrillers that stays with you long after you finish.

[Jason Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world-building in BLACKSPACE is phenomenal. Every detail about the neural tech, data control, and human emotion felt grounded and believable. It’s a perfect blend of sci-fi imagination and real-world tension. Highly recommended!

[Belen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started reading BLACKSPACE, I couldn’t put it down. The pacing is perfect, the characters are layered, and the plot twists hit hard. It’s like Black Mirror meets Inception. Absolutely fantastic storytelling!

[Alexis Louwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t just a thriller it’s a deep dive into what makes us human. The themes of stolen memory and control made me think about how technology could redefine identity. Brilliant writing and hauntingly relevant.

[John T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every chapter of BLACKSPACE kept me on edge! The tension, action, and futuristic ideas are balanced perfectly. The author did an incredible job making advanced tech feel personal and terrifying at the same time.

[Patrick L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved most is that beneath the high-tech concepts lies a story about humanity, memory, and emotion. The main characters felt real, their struggles relatable even in such a futuristic world. Beautifully written and emotionally charged.

[Alfredo A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love stories like Neuromancer or Altered Carbon, this book will be your next obsession. It’s gritty, visionary, and full of surprises. The world of BLACKSPACE feels both futuristic and disturbingly real.

[Antonio Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and exciting storytelling

I really enjoy this book, specifically the storytelling which is exciting and engaging. Fiction involving AI can easily end up being cliche but this book brought new angles in a fun and creative way.

[Samuel V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading BLACKSPACE felt like watching a high-budget sci-fi film. The visuals, the pacing, the moral dilemmas everything was executed perfectly. I could easily see this becoming a hit movie or series!

[Louie I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mix of neural technology, corporate greed, and memory theft makes this a total page-turner. It’s both a warning and a thrill ride BLACKSPACE nails the balance between action and ideas.

[Allen Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me question everything about memory, control, and personal freedom. The emotional depth of the story took me by surprise it’s not just sci-fi, it’s deeply philosophical too.