What do you think?
Rate this book
AI Reborn #2
Reloaded
Alien bioweapons. Robots with human minds. One man's fight to retain his humanity.
Eric never thought he'd live long enough to witness an alien invasion. He was right. He died 200 years ago.
But then the army decided to revive him, implanting his consciousness into the AI core of an advanced military killing machine. Right on the cusp of a visit from extraterrestrial invaders.
He and his platoon, the Bolt Eaters, now struggle to escape the clutches of the alien bioweapons that have a stranglehold on the planet. The team members grapple, too, with perhaps a bigger problem: their newly awakened emotions. It's hard to be an effective killing machine when suddenly you've developed a conscience. Throw in a wildcard in the form of a rogue Russian AI that wants to slaughter them all, and the Bolt Eaters certainly have their work cut out for them.
As the tensions between team members rise, and the odds worsen, the Bolt Eaters do the only thing they can do, the thing they were programmed to do. They fight.
Eventually the platoon makes a discovery that could change the course of the invasion. Assuming, of course, that they can overcome their inner demons and survive long enough to use it.
Eric never thought he'd live long enough to witness an alien invasion. He was right. He died 200 years ago.
But then the army decided to revive him, implanting his consciousness into the AI core of an advanced military killing machine. Right on the cusp of a visit from extraterrestrial invaders.
He and his platoon, the Bolt Eaters, now struggle to escape the clutches of the alien bioweapons that have a stranglehold on the planet. The team members grapple, too, with perhaps a bigger problem: their newly awakened emotions. It's hard to be an effective killing machine when suddenly you've developed a conscience. Throw in a wildcard in the form of a rogue Russian AI that wants to slaughter them all, and the Bolt Eaters certainly have their work cut out for them.
As the tensions between team members rise, and the odds worsen, the Bolt Eaters do the only thing they can do, the thing they were programmed to do. They fight.
Eventually the platoon makes a discovery that could change the course of the invasion. Assuming, of course, that they can overcome their inner demons and survive long enough to use it.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2018
548 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Hooke
102 books508 followersIsaac Hooke is the best-selling author of the Ethan Galaal series of thriller novels, as well as the SF-themed ATLAS trilogy. When Isaac isn't writing, publishing, and blogging, he's busy cycling and taking pictures in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He has a degree in Engineering Physics.
You can follow Isaac on Twitter @IsaacHooke and his website http://IsaacHooke.com.
You can follow Isaac on Twitter @IsaacHooke and his website http://IsaacHooke.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 15, 2018
When this author goes big, he really goes big. As you should know from the first book, we have a “squad” or “platoon” of mechanized soldiers out on the middle east desert. These soldiers appear to be all robots and definitely not human. They are, in fact, robots with human minds or engrams, at least some of them are. Instead of having an artificial intelligence like a normal robot or android, the A. I. in the Cicadas model are created from previously frozen human brains. There engrams are uploaded into the A. I. container and through a process of recovery, these former humans are brought back to life but now inside mechanical/electro robot bodies. The experience is not easy and many don’t make the transition. These new A.I.s or Cicadas models are referred to as Mind Refurbs. They are all military and preprogrammed to fight.
Now they’ve come across something that even they may not be able to defeat. An alien entity has decided to conquer Earth and set about directing a massive gamma burst against the European/Middle East continents virtually wiping out all forms of life. Only those who were heavily shielded or deep under ground survived the blast. Fortunately for the “Bolt Eaters”, they had military-spec shielding and mostly survived intact. Now they find that the alien enemy has released some biological creatures that feast on the humans that’s left on the planet. Additionally, the aliens have released very tiny metal-eating termites. These things move in swarms and eat anything and everything made of metal. That would definitely include the Bolt Eaters if the Cicadas hadn’t rigged up a electrical shield that prevents them from landing. Still, some of the platoon members don’t have the capability to create such a shield so it’s still very important that they avoid these termite swarms.
So far, it appears that the aliens have wiped out everything in this part of the world. The Bolt Eaters believe they are the only entities in this entire region so they have to find a way back to the Americas and warn them of what’s coming as if they didn’t know. Along they way, they fight numerous battles with the biological creations of the aliens. These creatures are armed with some advanced weaponry. It would be advantages to the Bolt Eaters if they could acquire those weapons and the related technology, without getting killed, of course.
Pretty fast paced book. It also deals a lot with Mind Refurbs that previously had suppressed emotions so they could cope with their new life situation. One of the Mind Refurbs was a previous programmer before he died so he makes an effort to release the Bolt Eaters from those suppressed emotions. One problem with their suppressed emotions is they cannot fire on anyone or any thing unless attacked first. That could definitely get them all killed given their current situation.
But, what effects does having all your human emotions back knowing that you are now a killing machine and nothing much more. Are you even human any more and if not, just what are you? Some tough thoughts are going through the Bolt Eaters as they also try to stay alive.
Book 3, “Rebooted” is already out and I’m going to tackle it pretty soon.
Now they’ve come across something that even they may not be able to defeat. An alien entity has decided to conquer Earth and set about directing a massive gamma burst against the European/Middle East continents virtually wiping out all forms of life. Only those who were heavily shielded or deep under ground survived the blast. Fortunately for the “Bolt Eaters”, they had military-spec shielding and mostly survived intact. Now they find that the alien enemy has released some biological creatures that feast on the humans that’s left on the planet. Additionally, the aliens have released very tiny metal-eating termites. These things move in swarms and eat anything and everything made of metal. That would definitely include the Bolt Eaters if the Cicadas hadn’t rigged up a electrical shield that prevents them from landing. Still, some of the platoon members don’t have the capability to create such a shield so it’s still very important that they avoid these termite swarms.
So far, it appears that the aliens have wiped out everything in this part of the world. The Bolt Eaters believe they are the only entities in this entire region so they have to find a way back to the Americas and warn them of what’s coming as if they didn’t know. Along they way, they fight numerous battles with the biological creations of the aliens. These creatures are armed with some advanced weaponry. It would be advantages to the Bolt Eaters if they could acquire those weapons and the related technology, without getting killed, of course.
Pretty fast paced book. It also deals a lot with Mind Refurbs that previously had suppressed emotions so they could cope with their new life situation. One of the Mind Refurbs was a previous programmer before he died so he makes an effort to release the Bolt Eaters from those suppressed emotions. One problem with their suppressed emotions is they cannot fire on anyone or any thing unless attacked first. That could definitely get them all killed given their current situation.
But, what effects does having all your human emotions back knowing that you are now a killing machine and nothing much more. Are you even human any more and if not, just what are you? Some tough thoughts are going through the Bolt Eaters as they also try to stay alive.
Book 3, “Rebooted” is already out and I’m going to tackle it pretty soon.
June 7, 2018
"Welcome back, Eric."
Continuing the adventures of the Bolt Eaters as they fight to save the world. But now the Containment Code has been reached which makes them more fight ready, a new danger has appeared - themselves. Because now, without the tranquility of starch which sedated their emotions, each now has to come to terms with fear, hate, jealousy even love, all of that which is human. Together with the question, are they human still? "Being incased in machines can't change that." Or can it? Is our hero, "merely the collection of memories and experiences of a man named Eric Scala, stored in an A.I. core"?
Whichever it is, the team forge ever closer ties as they face the mad Russian Bokerov again as well as the alien invasion ("Why do aliens always get the best tech?") with little expectation of success. But plenty of hope.
The action rarely stops, the opposition is a creative horror and, human or not, the team relationships are very real.
Recommended S.F.
Continuing the adventures of the Bolt Eaters as they fight to save the world. But now the Containment Code has been reached which makes them more fight ready, a new danger has appeared - themselves. Because now, without the tranquility of starch which sedated their emotions, each now has to come to terms with fear, hate, jealousy even love, all of that which is human. Together with the question, are they human still? "Being incased in machines can't change that." Or can it? Is our hero, "merely the collection of memories and experiences of a man named Eric Scala, stored in an A.I. core"?
Whichever it is, the team forge ever closer ties as they face the mad Russian Bokerov again as well as the alien invasion ("Why do aliens always get the best tech?") with little expectation of success. But plenty of hope.
The action rarely stops, the opposition is a creative horror and, human or not, the team relationships are very real.
Recommended S.F.
June 13, 2018
They continue the fight.
Eric's platoon has survived and learned new skills. They were able to save a handful of humans in the middle East and discovered that earth is being attacked by aliens. And it's not their imaginations or science fiction. They have been able to acquire some of the alien weapons and have learned to use them. They have found a way back to the US, and might have a way to save the remaining population of the world. They are also struggling with emotions they had to find a way to turn on to win against the enemy. They've lost team members that have become family and don't know if their plan will work or what will remain of earth if they succeed.
Eric's platoon has survived and learned new skills. They were able to save a handful of humans in the middle East and discovered that earth is being attacked by aliens. And it's not their imaginations or science fiction. They have been able to acquire some of the alien weapons and have learned to use them. They have found a way back to the US, and might have a way to save the remaining population of the world. They are also struggling with emotions they had to find a way to turn on to win against the enemy. They've lost team members that have become family and don't know if their plan will work or what will remain of earth if they succeed.
January 22, 2023
Just as much fun as the first book. A little confusing at first because it starts off right where the last book left off, assuming you just finished the previous entry. No re-introduction to characters, location, or situation. Just BANG! your in. Not much in the way of character arcs for anyone but the main character and even his was pretty slight.
Despite that, a fun read. I will definitely continue reading this series.
Despite that, a fun read. I will definitely continue reading this series.
June 13, 2018
Second good book and an excellent series.
I enjoy anything that has to do with robots a ice gun fights aliens. The book is fast-paced and fun to read, you will enjoy the characters as much as I did. I suggest people read this book, and since it’s a trilogy and all three are out there you don’t have to wait.
I enjoy anything that has to do with robots a ice gun fights aliens. The book is fast-paced and fun to read, you will enjoy the characters as much as I did. I suggest people read this book, and since it’s a trilogy and all three are out there you don’t have to wait.
June 14, 2018
The second book in the new series with a twist from author Isaac Hooke. Hooke’s writing is again, a little more adult in nature with the soldierly banter, but everything that made you love his writing before is present in this new adventure. He's changed it up again and this time he's dealing with an AI as the main character, but for that and the different names this could be an Argonaut story.
July 5, 2018
Great book, highly recommended
Great action. Recommended. If you like military scifi you will definitely like this book. There were a few minor points that did not seem realistic however like how a copter type aircraft can fly at mach 5. Most jets dont even fly half that speed. Definitely worth your time.
Great action. Recommended. If you like military scifi you will definitely like this book. There were a few minor points that did not seem realistic however like how a copter type aircraft can fly at mach 5. Most jets dont even fly half that speed. Definitely worth your time.
August 19, 2020
Exciting !
Another good story!! One cliff hanger after another. Although, the part about the Admiral ceding control of the new stuff to ratty enlisted men is pushing belief. Most officers think the enlisted are rowdy children, requiring guidance all the time. Or has things changed since I was in?
Another good story!! One cliff hanger after another. Although, the part about the Admiral ceding control of the new stuff to ratty enlisted men is pushing belief. Most officers think the enlisted are rowdy children, requiring guidance all the time. Or has things changed since I was in?
June 27, 2018
Excellent second act
Up to his usual standard of non-stop action and banter. This follows the pattern. The premise of the story is plausible only in dreams. Farfetched is an understatement.
Up to his usual standard of non-stop action and banter. This follows the pattern. The premise of the story is plausible only in dreams. Farfetched is an understatement.
July 14, 2018
Good story
Enjoyed the 2nd book and looking forward to the next. A bit too America centric, but then again which sci Fi book isn't. Will recommend series to anyone looking for an entertaining read
Enjoyed the 2nd book and looking forward to the next. A bit too America centric, but then again which sci Fi book isn't. Will recommend series to anyone looking for an entertaining read
August 4, 2018
Good military scifi, adult and real world black humour you would expect from a close knit army unit. Decent character development in this one more so than previous.
This freebie series from kindle unltd has switched me onto reading more of his stuff so job done
This freebie series from kindle unltd has switched me onto reading more of his stuff so job done
October 31, 2018
Another read i would recommend
Well Eric is still alive and kicking well sort of lol. It's another book I would recommend and like my reviews telling you the story spoils the read so like I say get the book and enjoy the read.
Well Eric is still alive and kicking well sort of lol. It's another book I would recommend and like my reviews telling you the story spoils the read so like I say get the book and enjoy the read.
March 28, 2019
Action & AI what's not to like?
Reloaded is as much fun as book one. I enjoined the wonderful character developments and powerful emotions. I’m ready for the third book in this trilogy. Fast paced - great read - with good humor to boot.
Reloaded is as much fun as book one. I enjoined the wonderful character developments and powerful emotions. I’m ready for the third book in this trilogy. Fast paced - great read - with good humor to boot.
September 2, 2020
This is the third or fourth series by Isaac Hooke that I've read and each and every one of them has been fantastic. I know when I see his name on a book that I'm going to thoroughly enjoy reading it. If you're into science fiction and alien wars then you have to read his books.
June 21, 2018
Good read!
I really enjoyed this read! It continues the story quite well and builds on to it. Great story flow and lots of sci fi elements. Read this!
I really enjoyed this read! It continues the story quite well and builds on to it. Great story flow and lots of sci fi elements. Read this!
July 1, 2018
Great continuation of book one. Had to get book 3 and already started it
July 25, 2018
Fun fast read.
July 29, 2018
Very unique story
I like scifi as it is much like inventing! If we can think it, we can eventually do it. Interesting ideas.
I like scifi as it is much like inventing! If we can think it, we can eventually do it. Interesting ideas.
August 24, 2018
Another excellent book in the series.
October 14, 2018
Looking up
I like this 2nd installment of the trilogy as it builds on the 1st and adds depth to the story line.
I like this 2nd installment of the trilogy as it builds on the 1st and adds depth to the story line.
September 14, 2025
Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited. Read with the Alexa voice application. Military reincarnation as a soldier space opera. Fighting really tough space alien monster nano tech. Borrowed on Sep 9, 2025.
Read
June 8, 2018This just gets better and better, on to book 3.
July 19, 2018
I hate micro bugs
Excellent second book.
Enjoyed the characters and development of your work and will start on next book as soon as I finish this review.
Keep up the great writing.
Excellent second book.
Enjoyed the characters and development of your work and will start on next book as soon as I finish this review.
Keep up the great writing.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews