Roula: The Girl in the Machine

by R. Magnusholm

A rebellious programmer developing a Virtual Reality game succeeds in making one of the non-player characters self-aware. The consequences are terrifying and far-reaching.

Roula’s world is a Mediterranean idyll where life is sweet and easy. Ancient Greek gods and miracles are real, and people lack for nothing.


However, not all is as it seems. When Roula discovers magical abilities, she's alarmed. Ordinary people are not meant to do magic.

As Roula's abilities grow, she learns that her world is in terrible peril. But what can a nine-year-old child do?

Genres: Science Fiction, Near Future, Apocalyptic

218 pages, ebook

First published May 5, 2015

About the author

Ron Magnusholm is an AI researcher, a novelist, and a married father of three. With a broad academic background and early experience serving in military intelligence, he brings both technical and tactical depth to his fiction. He has a strong interest in linguistics and has studied thirteen languages, with a particular focus on rare European languages.

His novels explore artificial intelligence, human enhancement, and global conflict. He is the author of the bestselling Back to the Stone Age trilogy, as well as House of Cain, Roula, and Galatea.

His latest novel, Last Tango in Moscow, is a spy thriller set against the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Reviews

[Gardener · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. Magnusholm's imagination knows no bounds. Descriptions of Roula's world are superb; reading the book really takes you there. Roula is not racy as Galatea, and not as violent as House of Cain by the same author, but there are terrifying adventures and danger throughout. If you ever wondered how dragons would fare against nuclear weapons, this is the book to read.

[Zophas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. But then I have been playing the online game that it was based on for a number of years. It did get a little out of hand towards the end but hey, that's what made it great read.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel with hidden depths
The quality of writing is superb. World-building is flawless. The story is unique with endearing characters and cool adventures. A young girl (Roula) starts seeing computer code overlaying everyday objects. As she learns to manipulate this code and the physical reality, she discovers that her world is a Virtual Reality and she is a non-player character. But that is just the start--the game operator is heading toward bankruptcy, and Roula's world will be shut down.

[L.S. Sharrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Delightful Blend of Greek Mythology and Techno-Thriller

Who is Roula? The author drops subtle hints as to the real nature of Roula's world, but I'm not giving them away here. I became a fan of R. Magnusholm's after reading his exciting novel, The Door to September. Rumor has it he's working on a sequel to Door. I eagerly anticipate that new book.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book, but the pacing isn't great. The lead-up in the game world was about half the book, then the the whole AI takeover seemed a bit disjointed. Overall a good read, but doesn't rise above the 4 I've given it. According to me, of course.