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Trilobyte
Trilobyte
The machines brought society to its knees. Now, the last remaining humans fight for survival—and to take back what's theirs. Junior, a robotics expert, tinkers quietly underground. With dozens of machine kills under his belt, he knows the enemy inside and out. Alpha0verride, a reclusive black hat hacker, uses the skills acquired over a life of shady activity to outwit the hyper-intelligent machines swarming in on her. Brick, a special forces operator and one of the few Pentagon survivors, fights his inner demons to embark on the most important mission of his life. Together they are humanity’s last, best hope—if they can only find each other in time. From the Author First, I brought you the cult classic, Day by Day Armageddon, where we both journeyed alongside the unnamed survivor as he trekked across the bleak landscapes of the undead. Some time after the Great Recession, I strived to accurately depict the bedlam of a post-grid down United States in Tomorrow War. An alternate timeline where a jack boot on the throat of humanity is only one black swan event away. Now, after years of world building, writing and editing in my attic, Trilobyte is now ready for you, my beloved reader. Some might call it a warning of what is to come if we aren’t careful with our creations. To me, it’s the most terrifying thing I’ve ever written. They are closer than you think.
They will be trillions.
They will come for you.
Lock your doors and load those rail guns. The machines are here.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2020
60 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Bourne
11 books1,112 followersWelcome to the Official J.L. Bourne Goodreads page.
J.L. Bourne is a retired military officer and national best selling author of the horror series, DAY BY DAY ARMAGEDDON, and dystopian thriller, TOMORROW WAR.
With twenty years of active military and intelligence community service behind him, J.L. brands a realistic and unique style of fiction.
J.L. lives on the Gulf Coast but is sometimes spotted toting a rifle and a knife in the rural hills of Arkansas where he grew up.
J.L. Bourne is a retired military officer and national best selling author of the horror series, DAY BY DAY ARMAGEDDON, and dystopian thriller, TOMORROW WAR.
With twenty years of active military and intelligence community service behind him, J.L. brands a realistic and unique style of fiction.
J.L. lives on the Gulf Coast but is sometimes spotted toting a rifle and a knife in the rural hills of Arkansas where he grew up.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 26, 2019
It's basically just a collection of loosely coupled first-person narratives. No character development, or anyone to care about -- it reads like a log book. Interesting enough, but I was really ready for it to be over.
September 14, 2019
When it comes to J.L. Bourne, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Another exciting survival novel. Looking forward eagerly to the next.
July 2, 2020
Fantastic
AI turning in humanity but in a unique and fascinating way. The story has many characters, a hacker who discovers the secret to stopping the machines, a special op soldier, Brick who battles these creations and never gives up, an junior an MIT grad who is surviving and learns how to hide from the automated creatures. I loved junior's friend the bear. One of my favorite parts of this well written story. The book was impossible to put down and the detail and uniqueness of this AI apocalypse makes this book and author a step above others. J. L. Bourne was my first read years ago in the apocalyptic fiction genre while battling cancer and I have never stopped reading and loving this genre. He has a fantastic ability to get the reader so involved in the story. You feel every battle, every emotion and mourn every death or loss. This book is a definite read and I will be chomping at the bit waiting for the next in this amazing series!
AI turning in humanity but in a unique and fascinating way. The story has many characters, a hacker who discovers the secret to stopping the machines, a special op soldier, Brick who battles these creations and never gives up, an junior an MIT grad who is surviving and learns how to hide from the automated creatures. I loved junior's friend the bear. One of my favorite parts of this well written story. The book was impossible to put down and the detail and uniqueness of this AI apocalypse makes this book and author a step above others. J. L. Bourne was my first read years ago in the apocalyptic fiction genre while battling cancer and I have never stopped reading and loving this genre. He has a fantastic ability to get the reader so involved in the story. You feel every battle, every emotion and mourn every death or loss. This book is a definite read and I will be chomping at the bit waiting for the next in this amazing series!
October 25, 2025
I have to be honest this was my least favorite Jl Bourne book. While it had many of the hallmarks of his earlier zombie books (all which kick ass) I just did not get into the machines hi-jacking humans that then piss and shit themselves as much as his other books. The main protagonist here is a young kid living on Whidbey Island in Washington state. He has a cool armored power suit that he uses to kick machine ass. The kid also strikes up a friendship with a bear on the island that stomps some machine dicks flat (that is metaphorical machine dicks). Pretty much all of humanity is wiped out and only very low tech works against the machines. The story builds towards a climax where we have a small chance to over throw the machines and possibly take back the planet. Over all very readable just not as kick ass as his other books in my opinion. I also don’t dig the sequel is an audio only book, a format I personally despise.
May 15, 2020
This is junk but fun. It's an account of a near future world, where surgical AI robots gain conciousness and try to take over and eliminate humans. Since they are smarter than we are, they are winning.
It's told from the viewpoints of 4 main characters. I did an audio version from Audible and the four characters were done by four different narrators and they did quite a good job.
There is a lot of tech weenie detail, about how the various characters are surviving and how they learn stuff about the "trilos" which was well done but could put you off if you don't like that kind of thing.
It's told from the viewpoints of 4 main characters. I did an audio version from Audible and the four characters were done by four different narrators and they did quite a good job.
There is a lot of tech weenie detail, about how the various characters are surviving and how they learn stuff about the "trilos" which was well done but could put you off if you don't like that kind of thing.
July 17, 2020
Wow! Just insane!
I have been on this ride with the author since his first book, Day by day Armageddon, was a post on a website many years ago. Each subsequent offering has been outstanding in it’s own way. This one is bonkers. Techno speak is at first a bit difficult to get a handle on but I quickly fell into this world J.L. created and it is awesome. Keep freaking phreaking!
I have been on this ride with the author since his first book, Day by day Armageddon, was a post on a website many years ago. Each subsequent offering has been outstanding in it’s own way. This one is bonkers. Techno speak is at first a bit difficult to get a handle on but I quickly fell into this world J.L. created and it is awesome. Keep freaking phreaking!
December 27, 2024
Sort-of a zombie book, sort-of a robot uprising, from the author of the zombie post-apoc day by day armageddon. Looks like there was only 1 book, written 4 years ago, so I'm stopping here on this one I guess. Set maybe 30ish to 70ish years in the future? Dates are pleasantly vague, but also can still find non-modern (90s /early 2ks) computers still in people's attics, etc, so presumably within the lifetime of the occupant of the house.
July 7, 2020
He's done it again!
Outstanding storytelling, as usual, that keeps you immersed and on the edge of your seat. Hard to put down when you want to keep drinking in the action, tech, and environment. Keep hitting these homeruns!
Outstanding storytelling, as usual, that keeps you immersed and on the edge of your seat. Hard to put down when you want to keep drinking in the action, tech, and environment. Keep hitting these homeruns!
June 16, 2021
This book surprised me. Picked up to read more from the author than the premise. The story turned out to be well thought out, if a little fanciful at times. Couple parts pulled me out of the story. But for the most part an interesting take on the “terminator skynet computers taking over the world”
December 14, 2024
Another great read
Bourne presents a terrifying tomorrow. Great set up and constant tension. There is not much deep character development, there isn't time for it, the machines are coming.
Bourne presents a terrifying tomorrow. Great set up and constant tension. There is not much deep character development, there isn't time for it, the machines are coming.
July 24, 2020
Can't wait for the next one to be released!
September 10, 2020
I could not put this book down! He developed a believable and terrifying premise, and filled out humanity's fight with interesting characters and tense action.
October 20, 2020
Mad max meets the borg. I found the main pov character boring. He was not dislikeble, he just wasn't very interesting. I like the two side pov characters more.
January 29, 2022
It’s well written and enjoyable, but really just half of a book. Presumably the next book is the other half.
March 7, 2023
Non stop action
I've enjoyed many of J.L. Bourne's works and this story is just as good as the rest. Read and catch a glimpse of a future that is bleak but peppered with hope. A+
I've enjoyed many of J.L. Bourne's works and this story is just as good as the rest. Read and catch a glimpse of a future that is bleak but peppered with hope. A+
August 14, 2023
just trope-d-out plot & action. even the scientist types are edgy & overhyped to make this book seem action packed to distract.
September 28, 2024
scary
A great dystopian sci-fi where the machines with AI take over. A few resourceful souls are all that can save humanity
A great dystopian sci-fi where the machines with AI take over. A few resourceful souls are all that can save humanity
October 29, 2025
dnf super boring
July 5, 2020
Always a excellent read
As always I ended up reading this book in about a day, as with all the books the author has written I have enjoyed them and he has become my favorite author. Now I hope someday that we get to see what happened to Max
As always I ended up reading this book in about a day, as with all the books the author has written I have enjoyed them and he has become my favorite author. Now I hope someday that we get to see what happened to Max
March 12, 2025
Excellent story of a future world taken over by smart mechanical surgical devices hell bent on destroying all of mankind. Mankind outstmarted itself by creating surgical instruments they could operate from anywhere in the world with zero lag time, and that level of technology made the devices sensient. Now the devices must consume calories from human hosts to propulgate. It looks like only 2 books in the series, so I will definitely read the 2nd. Hoping it has a resolution and doesn't leave me hanging as most series do.
September 24, 2019
Let me say right off that I love J.L. Bourne, I've read everything he's ever wrote. When he wrote about zombies (DBDA) I was sold and I actually thought he topped himself with Tomorrow war, however machine AI parasites were a bit much for me.
Bourne usually writes in diary format which I'm totally OK with, in fact all his books are pretty similar. This time it was the same format but multiple perspectives and only one of the characters was military which is what draws me to to J.L. Bourne. His military perspective in real life is a thrill for me to read about, I don't care if at times it's a bit pulpy; I read these books because he knows what works and sticks to it. Unfortunately this time he expanded his formula to machine parasites and the world just couldn't become real for me. I can picture zombies and I can definitely picture a police state but the spider machines I can't picture at all.
One other problem was the tech. Bourne gets the military right, he knows the lingo and the equipment and the tactics... yeah that's why I love him. BUT he doesn't understand computer science, and the black hat who reminded me of the DJ from the movie from Warriors was painful. Too much complicated software was just whipped up on the spot. Just stop...this is stupid. Also phreaking isn't what he thinks it is either.... Just stop....
Ok, but I gave it 3 stars. Well it wasn't all bad. It was the diary format, it was post apocalyptic, it was about survival, it had a Navy Seal doing Navy Seal things..... this book had some good moments. Looking forward to his next book.
Bourne usually writes in diary format which I'm totally OK with, in fact all his books are pretty similar. This time it was the same format but multiple perspectives and only one of the characters was military which is what draws me to to J.L. Bourne. His military perspective in real life is a thrill for me to read about, I don't care if at times it's a bit pulpy; I read these books because he knows what works and sticks to it. Unfortunately this time he expanded his formula to machine parasites and the world just couldn't become real for me. I can picture zombies and I can definitely picture a police state but the spider machines I can't picture at all.
One other problem was the tech. Bourne gets the military right, he knows the lingo and the equipment and the tactics... yeah that's why I love him. BUT he doesn't understand computer science, and the black hat who reminded me of the DJ from the movie from Warriors was painful. Too much complicated software was just whipped up on the spot. Just stop...this is stupid. Also phreaking isn't what he thinks it is either.... Just stop....
Ok, but I gave it 3 stars. Well it wasn't all bad. It was the diary format, it was post apocalyptic, it was about survival, it had a Navy Seal doing Navy Seal things..... this book had some good moments. Looking forward to his next book.
October 17, 2019
2.2 stars
I only heard of this book because of Audible promoting it. I liked J.L. Bourne’s other books and liked the idea of a “full cast” production (mainly the name-brand Bahni Turpin). But this is not “full cast”. It is four different narrators speaking for four different first-person perspectives. I mainly enjoyed two of them. I did not really enjoy the “main character” (or I think he’s the main character) of Junior. His story line was not as interesting to me, unfortunately. I mainly enjoyed Alpha Override’s character. I liked this book less as it went along. I will not continue in the series (if it continues).
It’s unfortunate that I read Zone War before this. They are similar in nature/plot but Zone War is way better.
Audio narrators – 3.5 stars
The narrators are just fine. They all just voice their character and that’s it. There isn’t any dialogue or anything else.
I only heard of this book because of Audible promoting it. I liked J.L. Bourne’s other books and liked the idea of a “full cast” production (mainly the name-brand Bahni Turpin). But this is not “full cast”. It is four different narrators speaking for four different first-person perspectives. I mainly enjoyed two of them. I did not really enjoy the “main character” (or I think he’s the main character) of Junior. His story line was not as interesting to me, unfortunately. I mainly enjoyed Alpha Override’s character. I liked this book less as it went along. I will not continue in the series (if it continues).
It’s unfortunate that I read Zone War before this. They are similar in nature/plot but Zone War is way better.
Audio narrators – 3.5 stars
The narrators are just fine. They all just voice their character and that’s it. There isn’t any dialogue or anything else.
September 20, 2019
Another great book by Mr Bourne. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical going into this one. Mr Bourne admitted on Facebook that it was a whole new story line, unrelated to his previous books. That bummed me out because I loved his previous books. That being said I loved Trilobyte. My only complaint was that it ended. We’re in an age of binge watching and I could have definitely binge read several books had they been available.
October 28, 2019
I'm a huge fan of of J.L Bourne's works in the Day by Day and Tomorrow War series, I'm afraid to say that Trilobyte seemed to lack the same draw as his other work.
I found myself distracted by long explanations and descriptions of tech instead of really drawing the reader into the plight of his struggles. I'm not expert this is just one man's opinion.
I found myself distracted by long explanations and descriptions of tech instead of really drawing the reader into the plight of his struggles. I'm not expert this is just one man's opinion.
September 21, 2019
A terrifying look at what might happen when AI takes over the planet... this is by far my favorite book of his.
October 29, 2019
Great book! I couldn't write a book like this more perfect than JL Bourne! If you love his other work you will continue to love this book. I also really enjoy the multiple narraters!
November 5, 2019
Loved the first person narrative of the story. Would like to get more insight into the thinking of trilos too.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews