Devon Rossfeld's mind has been hijacked. When a harrowing message from the future, delivered by a voice claiming to be his own grandson, depicts the beginning of the end, he thinks he's losing his mind. But the warning is too specific, too terrifying to ignore.
Peyton Viallis is America's most celebrated tech visionary, the architect of RAIN (Regenerative Artificially Intelligent Network), a revolutionary chip that has quietly reshaped how millions of people think, work, and connect. But Devon's grandson, transmitting from thirty years in the future, delivers a chilling Viallis is about to pivot from Silicon Valley to Pennsylvania Avenue. When she wins the presidency, RAIN won't just connect the country. It will control it.
Devon has one chance to stop it before it starts.
But stopping it means going up against one of the most powerful and well-protected people in America. It means protecting Ada, the woman from one unforgettable night who may know far more about Viallis than she's letting on, and the child neither of them planned for. The deeper Devon digs into Viallis's empire, the larger the target on his back grows. And the more his grandson reaches through time to warn him, the closer they both come to the sinister forces willing to kill to preserve their vision of a perfect future.
Devon faces an impossible stay silent while America sleepwalks into a surveillance state, or blow the lid off a conspiracy that will make him sound insane and put him directly in the crosshairs of the conspirators.
A propulsive near-future AI thriller for fans of Blake Crouch, Andy Weir, and the unsettling world of Black Mirror. RAIN is where technology meets tyranny, and one ordinary man is the only thing standing between them.
RAIN is the kind of story that leaves you saying, “Just one more chapter,” only to find yourself reading into the early hours of the morning.
If you're into government conspiracies, as I am, this is a must-read. In a world where data centers seem to be popping up everywhere, RAIN delivers a thought-provoking thriller that explores AI, government power, and the impact of both on an unsuspecting rural farm boy.
Every moment leaves you eager for the next. The story is filled with subtle clues and clever nods to real-world government conspiracies and programs, including references reminiscent of the CIA’s LSD experiments and other controversial historical events and characters.
The first-person perspective brings the story to life, making it feel as though you're watching a movie unfold while reading. The pacing is excellent, the suspense is constant, and the plot keeps you guessing until the very end.
Not only am I a sucker for a good sci-fi book, but given how much my day-to-day touches on the next wave of technology, RAIN had me hooked from the start. There’s something especially gripping about reading a story that feels futuristic, yet just close enough to our current reality to make you wonder, how far away are we really from something like this?
Conner Michael does an incredible job of pulling you into Devon’s world. You don’t just follow his journey, you genuinely feel what he’s going through. Every challenge, decision, moment where you think he might finally catch a break had me turning the pages as fast as I could to see how he was possibly going to navigate whatever came next.
That’s what made RAIN so hard to put down for me. It has the technology and big ideas I love in sci-fi, but at its core, it’s Devon and his journey that keep you invested. The stakes feel real, the momentum never seems to let up, and before you know it, you’re completely along for the ride.
And that ending? Let’s just say Book 2 cannot come quickly enough. I’m incredibly excited to see where Devon’s journey takes him next; and if you love sci-fi, emerging technology, AI, or simply a story that makes you say “okay, just one more chapter” until suddenly it’s way past your bedtime, put RAIN on your TBR.
Rain is where technology meets tyranny. A revolutionary neural AI chip, implanted in humans, is slowly changing the way people think; hoping to assume the presidency of the United States.
His characters are well-developed and believable, though not necessarily likeable. None of them are whom they appear to be. The twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat right to the last page. It was so captivating and exciting that I simply couldn't put it down! This provocative, somewhat dark and twisted story grabs you from the first page and keeps you guessing until the very end! I can’t wait to see where this story goes next.
Thank you to the author who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Rain was an awesome read that constantly made me want to know what would happen next. The cast of characters was dynamic and unique, with a great mix of likable allies and complex foes. From the very beginning, the story grabbed my attention and unfolded through a series of well-written, engaging moments. While many books become predictable, Rain kept me guessing throughout. New characters and storylines continually made me wonder how everything would come together, and that curiosity had me finishing the book in no time. If you enjoy a fictional thriller (that may eventually become reality...), you'll definitely enjoy Rain. My only question for the author is: when is the next book in the series coming?
RAIN is a super fun read that feels very timely with the state of the world and politics, making it that much more fun and real. The author does a great job developing characters that are easy to adventure with. The plot and storytelling are exceptional the whole way through. Add this one to your summer reading list.
RAIN is the perfect poolside summer read! Tons of twists that will leave you on the edge, wondering who the real good guys are. With AI in the news constantly, RAIN is so entertaining. It gives reader's a taste of how our world could change in so many ways...for better or for worse. I can't wait to see how this story unfolds!
I am an avid reader, 100 plus books a year. Loved this book for it's fast pace, and intrigue. It has you guessing. Technology has all of us questioning what is real, what is imagined, and what is possible. The book left me wondering about characters, their background, where they came from, and what is in-store for them. I am envisioning a bunch of outcomes. Can't wait for the next adventure.
This story follows Devon in a wild series of events. Though this was not my typical genre, I enjoyed reading Conner’s debut book. If you like high paced and dense action, hate big tech and its ever looming control of our lives, and want to read a quick thriller from a debut author. Start here, the end was a genuine twist that surprised me.