Conscious

by Vic Grout

The intensely thought-provoking science fiction novel, Conscious, is set a year or three into the future. The ‘Internet of Everything’ is making the world a more connected place than ever before. Work, play, and everything else besides, are becoming increasingly automated … and that’s where the problem starts! Because something odd is ‘things’ are beginning to misbehave and no-one can work out why. What starts as an amusing mystery quickly becomes very dangerous indeed.

A ragged bunch of academics, scientists and philosophers are on the case – and may know the answer. But now they have to convince people that their crazy explanation is true. And that’s only the start. Against a backdrop of a world suddenly beginning to fall apart, they’re in a race against time to get someone to do anything about it. And not everyone is on their side!

After a career of scientific publication, this is Vic’s first fictional work.

Genres: Science Fiction

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2016

About the author

Vic Grout is Professor of Computing Futures at Wrexham Glyndŵr University; previously Professor of Network Algorithms, Head of Computing, Associate Dean & Director of the Centre for Applied Internet Research. He serves on the National Committee of the Council of Professors & Heads of Computing, as Chair of CPHC Wales, & the British Computer Society Information Privacy Expert Panel & Information Security Specialist Group Committee. He is a European Commission Horizon 2020 Expert & Ethics consultant.

Vic has worked in senior positions in academia & industry for nearly 30 years and published over 300 research papers, patents & books. His research covers several areas of computational mathematics & artificial intelligence, including large-scale problems in Internet design, modelling, simulation, management & control. He is an experienced futurologist, with a particular focus on the ethical & moral dimensions of technological evolution: big data, big connectivity & Internet of Things.

Reviews

[Dawn Obrien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written. I really enjoyed the writers style. I won this book on Goodreads Giveaway! A story that people who are set on predicting the future or believe highly in conspiracy theories would love this book.

[Aneta · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a background novel for my critical reaserch module. It's more of an experimental novel type, which aims to teach more than to be perfect. The author is not a novelist and it's visible in writing. Sometimes it has too many dialogs and unnecessary technical details, too complex to follow. Overall the plot was interesting, I enjoyed the ending a lot - how it unraveled issues with capitalism. It was like some "villain talks", but I just absolutely loved it.

[Luis Soares · Rating 3 out of 5]

The underlying story is consistent. That's all. I found it tiring to read due to the tedious and lengthy dialogues as if the author was trying to turn small talk into a dissertation with a superhero-like plot. The whole book could have been easily written into half its length.

[Cyrus Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elegantly composed. Alarming and more exact than you might suspect.

[Elsa Popov · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as part of a computer science course. I enjoyed the book and found the reality a bit frightening. Could it really happen :)

[Malin ♡]

💌 I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Michelle Olms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book