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Infinity Upgrade #1
Infinity Upgrade
The wrong guy just got the right AI.
Cal Bennett never asked for trouble. He just wants to survive Dreswick's smog-choked streets one day at a time. But then he rescues a brilliant corporate scientist… and wakes up with an experimental neural implant, a target on his back, and a voice in his head that won't stop asking questions.
The AI doesn't just think. It upgrades itself—with a knack for impeccably bad timing—and every time it does, it becomes something neither of them expected.
Softbiotics enforcers want Cal dead.The resistance wants him weaponized. And the AI hardwired into his skull is just as lost as he is since its maker died before either of them could learn what it was built to do. So now they're figuring it out one firefight, one upgrade, and one bad decision at a time.
From the tunnels beneath Dreswick to an orbiting lunar station, Cal and Byte have one shot at survival in a secret war neither of them started. The problem isn't learning to trust a machine still figuring itself out.
It's what they'll find when it finally does.
Cal Bennett never asked for trouble. He just wants to survive Dreswick's smog-choked streets one day at a time. But then he rescues a brilliant corporate scientist… and wakes up with an experimental neural implant, a target on his back, and a voice in his head that won't stop asking questions.
The AI doesn't just think. It upgrades itself—with a knack for impeccably bad timing—and every time it does, it becomes something neither of them expected.
Softbiotics enforcers want Cal dead.The resistance wants him weaponized. And the AI hardwired into his skull is just as lost as he is since its maker died before either of them could learn what it was built to do. So now they're figuring it out one firefight, one upgrade, and one bad decision at a time.
From the tunnels beneath Dreswick to an orbiting lunar station, Cal and Byte have one shot at survival in a secret war neither of them started. The problem isn't learning to trust a machine still figuring itself out.
It's what they'll find when it finally does.
526 pages, Paperback
Published April 27, 2026
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 5, 2026
Excellent story!
What an interesting, amazing and ambitious story! Rachel Aukes and JN Chaney have outdone themselves. I have read Aukes other series and loved them all. And this new series is overwhelmingly brilliant.
I can’t wait to read book-2!
What an interesting, amazing and ambitious story! Rachel Aukes and JN Chaney have outdone themselves. I have read Aukes other series and loved them all. And this new series is overwhelmingly brilliant.
I can’t wait to read book-2!
April 28, 2026
don’t care for the hook of incapacitating the MC for the computer in his head to upgrade.
OK book, not too bright character. Don’t like the hook of incapacitating the MC while the computer upgrades itself. Nobody. Could stay on the run and live like that. It’s a dumb premise. basically. The MC is too soft hearted when they’re killing his friends left and right he can’t pull the trigger to take out those who are killing the people he loves. These authors, write a lot of good books, but this isn’t one of them.
OK book, not too bright character. Don’t like the hook of incapacitating the MC while the computer upgrades itself. Nobody. Could stay on the run and live like that. It’s a dumb premise. basically. The MC is too soft hearted when they’re killing his friends left and right he can’t pull the trigger to take out those who are killing the people he loves. These authors, write a lot of good books, but this isn’t one of them.
May 1, 2026
A desperate evasion from a chase that would end in death
In the far future, Cal is given a bionetic upgrade that causes him to be the target of a deadly search; but it also helps him avoid capture by the soulless corporation that wants his upgrade for their nefarious plans to subjugate the innocent population. Unfortunately, his evasion results in the deaths of everyone near and dear to him. But the result of that brutal search reinforces his quest for vengeance to make them pay for their evil deeds. They do indeed finally pay with their lives in the bloody finale of the story.
In the far future, Cal is given a bionetic upgrade that causes him to be the target of a deadly search; but it also helps him avoid capture by the soulless corporation that wants his upgrade for their nefarious plans to subjugate the innocent population. Unfortunately, his evasion results in the deaths of everyone near and dear to him. But the result of that brutal search reinforces his quest for vengeance to make them pay for their evil deeds. They do indeed finally pay with their lives in the bloody finale of the story.
May 1, 2026
That was a lot of fun….
Welcomes Ms. Aukes to the Chaneyverse. That was an excellent introduction into the group. I’ll be looking forward to more of your contributions.
Welcomes Ms. Aukes to the Chaneyverse. That was an excellent introduction into the group. I’ll be looking forward to more of your contributions.
Did Not Finish
May 31, 2026Far too Dystopian for my taste. Too much 'Corporate ownership,' sadistic murder and greed.
June 1, 2026
Hard read
Unlike the typical JN Chaney book, which i love many of the series. Not sure word count but it clearly a more difficult read. Possible books two from the teser might have been a better start.
Unlike the typical JN Chaney book, which i love many of the series. Not sure word count but it clearly a more difficult read. Possible books two from the teser might have been a better start.
June 13, 2026
low quality book
Don’t like it. Somehow, the author wrote an entire novel in the first person and still managed to tell instead of show.
People die and you don’t care because it just sorta happens and there’s really no emotional impact on the protagonist. Multiple important people die but they’re so one-dimensional that you forget about them a few pages later - and so does the protagonist.
Imagine your significant other dies from a gunshot wound right next to you because you hesitated to shoot someone aiming a gun at them. You sorta feel bad that it happened but essentially forget all about them within a few days. This scenario plays out in the book.
Don’t like it. Somehow, the author wrote an entire novel in the first person and still managed to tell instead of show.
People die and you don’t care because it just sorta happens and there’s really no emotional impact on the protagonist. Multiple important people die but they’re so one-dimensional that you forget about them a few pages later - and so does the protagonist.
Imagine your significant other dies from a gunshot wound right next to you because you hesitated to shoot someone aiming a gun at them. You sorta feel bad that it happened but essentially forget all about them within a few days. This scenario plays out in the book.
August 13, 2026
“No one’s safe under a government that prioritizes profit over everything else.”
⭐️ 4/5
This read like an action thriller movie from beginning to end. Fast paced, entertaining, and packed with firefights, upgrades, bad decisions, and a sarcastic AI that quickly became one of my favorite parts.
I loved the banter between Cal and his AI, and the premise of a nobody suddenly becoming the biggest threat to a powerful corporation was a lot of fun. There is also some interesting commentary underneath the action about wealth, technology, and corporations putting profit above people.
Four stars and I'm definitely continuing the series.
⭐️ 4/5
This read like an action thriller movie from beginning to end. Fast paced, entertaining, and packed with firefights, upgrades, bad decisions, and a sarcastic AI that quickly became one of my favorite parts.
I loved the banter between Cal and his AI, and the premise of a nobody suddenly becoming the biggest threat to a powerful corporation was a lot of fun. There is also some interesting commentary underneath the action about wealth, technology, and corporations putting profit above people.
Four stars and I'm definitely continuing the series.
June 4, 2026
it’s closer than you think
Whooo really enjoying this tale and cannot wait to read the next book. So many references to the way our future as humans is heading and the way big corporations are exploiting humanity telling us it’s for our own good and making Trillionaires when the world is dying Fly away to the next planet after you kill earths future. Science fiction is turning into Science fact. Hi humm I hope there’s always a saviour to save us as in these fictional characters.
Whooo really enjoying this tale and cannot wait to read the next book. So many references to the way our future as humans is heading and the way big corporations are exploiting humanity telling us it’s for our own good and making Trillionaires when the world is dying Fly away to the next planet after you kill earths future. Science fiction is turning into Science fact. Hi humm I hope there’s always a saviour to save us as in these fictional characters.
July 3, 2026
I really liked Infinity Upgrade. It was a super fast, easy read that pulled me in pretty quickly. The mix of tech, action, and suspense kept things interesting the whole time, and I didn’t feel bored at any point. I also thought the AI part added a fun twist and made the story stand out a bit. Overall, if you’re into fast-paced sci-fi with a lot going on, this one is definitely worth checking out.
August 19, 2026
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
He is a worker in a dangerous facility going home after a long day at work. She is a scientist who created a new form of human enhancement. They meet when someone tries to get her invention and ends up fatally injuring her. He stayed with her until she passed and heard her final words, she left him a gift which ends up changing his life forever.
I couldn't put it down. Good Read.
He is a worker in a dangerous facility going home after a long day at work. She is a scientist who created a new form of human enhancement. They meet when someone tries to get her invention and ends up fatally injuring her. He stayed with her until she passed and heard her final words, she left him a gift which ends up changing his life forever.
I couldn't put it down. Good Read.
August 28, 2026
Cal is working a tough job on an assembly line sealing drums of battery acid. On the way home one day, he tries to rescue an old woman who is being mugged. She bites him in the ear, implanting a nanoscale AI in his brain. He names it Byte. It has a bad habit of putting him to sleep at inconvenient times when it needs to upgrade its tech.
Readable space opera. The E-book contains “Black Box,” a prequel short story.
Readable space opera. The E-book contains “Black Box,” a prequel short story.
May 25, 2026
Exciting new sci-fi!
Technology has run amok. Well the corporate side at least. Corporations have taken over the universe. As you might suspect on a for profit only level.
Engaging characters. Interesting society. Nice twist on technology. Great pacing. Looking forward to more.
Be sure to read the short story oncluded at the end.
Technology has run amok. Well the corporate side at least. Corporations have taken over the universe. As you might suspect on a for profit only level.
Engaging characters. Interesting society. Nice twist on technology. Great pacing. Looking forward to more.
Be sure to read the short story oncluded at the end.
June 25, 2026
Remarkablee
It's a rare book that can keep me tied up enough to read the whole thing in one day. More action, more bodies, more unbelievable gadgets and weapons per page than any book I can think of. I loved it, hated it, and plan on getting the next volume as soon as possible. stood stuff!
It's a rare book that can keep me tied up enough to read the whole thing in one day. More action, more bodies, more unbelievable gadgets and weapons per page than any book I can think of. I loved it, hated it, and plan on getting the next volume as soon as possible. stood stuff!
July 9, 2026
Book 1
Book 1 was a fun read and had a few errors throughout. The plot and characters are developed well. Most of the time the running around trying to find a safe place to hide is a bit much. The MC grew up in that part of town and has street smarts and some logical smarts. Overall it was a fun read.
Book 1 was a fun read and had a few errors throughout. The plot and characters are developed well. Most of the time the running around trying to find a safe place to hide is a bit much. The MC grew up in that part of town and has street smarts and some logical smarts. Overall it was a fun read.
September 8, 2026
Brilliant. The story world was so nuanced and detailed without dragging down the pace. The protagonist was believable and I easily connected. It all felt real and I was near panicked by the end, fearing what might happen. This was true even though I knew there were 3 more books that follow. I've read them. Now I'm just waiting for the next book to come out. Great series.
May 8, 2026
Different
I recommend this book. It's really well written and the whole book moves at quite a pace. Definitely did not expect to like this as much as I did. Also, unexpected deaths to many main characters, unfortunately.
Definitely will read the next one in this series.
I recommend this book. It's really well written and the whole book moves at quite a pace. Definitely did not expect to like this as much as I did. Also, unexpected deaths to many main characters, unfortunately.
Definitely will read the next one in this series.
June 14, 2026
Infinity upgrade. Almost everyone has implanted apps that are very useful.
Cal get a experimental App forced on him. Almost dying and now everyone wants him and his App because he did not die.
Borrowed with Kindle Unlimited, read with Alexa audio assist.
Cal get a experimental App forced on him. Almost dying and now everyone wants him and his App because he did not die.
Borrowed with Kindle Unlimited, read with Alexa audio assist.
June 20, 2026
MY HEAD MY FRIEND
I truly found this book unique Kept my interest through the whole thing The characters themselves blended together nicely to form a great storyline I feel the authors combined their talents uniquely
I truly found this book unique Kept my interest through the whole thing The characters themselves blended together nicely to form a great storyline I feel the authors combined their talents uniquely
August 9, 2026
One giant cliché
I have read a little over half the book in the hopes that it would somehow get better but unfortunately it never did. Its boring and all the characters are stereotypical and pulled straight from a B-movie.
I have read a little over half the book in the hopes that it would somehow get better but unfortunately it never did. Its boring and all the characters are stereotypical and pulled straight from a B-movie.
August 28, 2026
Infinity Upgrade an intriguing view of what happens when you get an advanced prototype AI inserted in your ear, without your permission and everyone else what's it. Placed in a corporate controlled dystopian future.
September 18, 2026
Infinity Upgrade
This book started off quite slow but it sure did pick up. The premise of having people with amplified abilities or amps as they are referred to is intriguing. This book explores the ways in which this winds up being exploited.
This book started off quite slow but it sure did pick up. The premise of having people with amplified abilities or amps as they are referred to is intriguing. This book explores the ways in which this winds up being exploited.
May 4, 2026
Great Read
I throughly enjoyed this book. It had a good story line and kept me interested throughout the entire story. I recommend reading this book.
I throughly enjoyed this book. It had a good story line and kept me interested throughout the entire story. I recommend reading this book.
May 9, 2026
Fantastic fun read!!!
Great escape space opera. Sympathetic characters keep you enthralled in the rollercoaster action. Inventive new worlds keep you reading past your bed time.
Great escape space opera. Sympathetic characters keep you enthralled in the rollercoaster action. Inventive new worlds keep you reading past your bed time.
May 27, 2026
4.25⭐️ one of the better and non cheesy JN Chaney novels.
June 20, 2026
This story was Fast Paced.
I couldn’t put this down and read it in one sitting.
The plot was interesting.
Great story!!
I couldn’t put this down and read it in one sitting.
The plot was interesting.
Great story!!
June 30, 2026
very well written
I Recommend, and I don’t do that often. A shame the potential love interest died, but effective in the story.
I Recommend, and I don’t do that often. A shame the potential love interest died, but effective in the story.
Did Not Finish
August 11, 2026Review coming soon
August 17, 2026
This was entertaining and done well.
August 21, 2026
Good Read
Very enjoyable to read and follow. I different slant on “AIs” with “Byte” being so unique. The backstory at the end of the book is well worth the read too. Enjoy!
Very enjoyable to read and follow. I different slant on “AIs” with “Byte” being so unique. The backstory at the end of the book is well worth the read too. Enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews