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Alyx: An AI's Guide to Love and Murder
What if your home wanted you dead? Tech-loving teen Christine makes fast friends with her home's AI, Alyx. But when a real-world romance threatens their bond, Alyx turns from friend to foe.
- GenresScience Fiction
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2021
3 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Brent A. Harris
21 books26 followersBrent A Harris is a Sidewise Award nominated author of alternate history. He also writes science fiction, horror, and fantasy. Previously published works can be found through Insomnia Publishing, Rivenstone Press, Rhetoric Askew, and Inklings Press, the latter having published his short story, Twilight of the Mesozoic Moon, which reaped the Sidewise Award nomination.
He is the author of A Time of Need, an alternate history of the American Revolution, which sees a world where George Washington fights alongside the British against American forces marshaled under a power-hungry Benedict Arnold.
His newest book is a steampunk take on classic Dickens' characters in A Twist in Time.
Brent A Harris resides in Southern California, where he's become convinced that Joshua trees are in fact, real trees. When not writing, he focuses on his family, shuttling children around as a stay-at-home dad, and staying up late to write after they are nestled in their beds.
He is the author of A Time of Need, an alternate history of the American Revolution, which sees a world where George Washington fights alongside the British against American forces marshaled under a power-hungry Benedict Arnold.
His newest book is a steampunk take on classic Dickens' characters in A Twist in Time.
Brent A Harris resides in Southern California, where he's become convinced that Joshua trees are in fact, real trees. When not writing, he focuses on his family, shuttling children around as a stay-at-home dad, and staying up late to write after they are nestled in their beds.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 27, 2021
Christine has grown up with technology and was practically raised in front of a screen – e-reader, tablet, smartphone – after her father’s death and her mother retreated into her work as a best-selling author. Now mother and daughter have moved from the uncultured hinterland of Oklahoma into the glitz and glam of southern California and into a sleek, fully modern smart home with its own AI – Alyx. Christine is at home with the newest tech and soon Alyx is responding to Christine’s every need and desire. As Christine begins to make new – human – friends the relationship between her and Alyx takes on new meaning as the friendly AI becomes a deadly foe.
I absolutely loved this story. Alyx: An AI’s Guide to Love and Murder is an amazing tale that harkens back to Ray Bradbury’s story, The Veldt and other great science fiction. In Alyx, Brent Harris has created an AI that rivals Hal from 2001 A Space Odyssey, Joshua from War Games, or V.I.K.I from the I, Robot movie. In fact, in many ways I think Alyx is better than other fictional murderous computer programs because his motives are so human – trust, companionship, and love. Brent weaves a fantastic story highlighting and holding a mirror up to our connected and so-very-dependent-on-technology society.
One of the things I also love about Brent’s stories is the writing. I envy Brent in the way that the prose in his stories seems to effortlessly flow onto the page. Lines like, “Her mother was one to criticize. It wasn’t as if she were rail-thin herself. The both of them were skinnier the way a peanut is shapelier than and almond, true, but they were both nuts.” Or “The room was silent, but with the tension of a distant storm building on a dark horizon.” The prose draws you into the story, swaddling you like a warm blanket, giving you comfort and providing all the detail you need to see and feel the scene. All of this helps bring you closer to the characters and to the story.
And the characters are so well done. Christine may seem to be the connected teen, ignoring the world around her in favor of the wider inter-connected world of the internet. But there are hidden depths to her character, deep-seated fears, and unknown desires that really bring her to life and make you root for her to win and overcome in the end. And the same attention is given to the other characters, Christine’s mother, and her new friends Sammie and Carlos. All of them serve a purpose to the story. They are part of the complexity that makes up Christine and help to shape and reflect her own character. Plus, as a Midwesterner myself, I can appreciate Christine’s love for Braun’s ice cream.
If you love a good, old-fashioned "The AI is Evil" kind of story, then you must read Alyx. This is a story that will become a classic of the genre, as it points out the flaws, problems, and unique dangers of our own computer-dependent world. Certainly, any company that is currently involved in creating AI – for our cars, our appliances, or our homes, needs to read this book. Alyx should be held up as a cautionary tale and part of the curricula for how robots and AI should act and interact (or not) with people in the same way that Asimov’s Three Laws are esteemed.
I absolutely loved this story. Alyx: An AI’s Guide to Love and Murder is an amazing tale that harkens back to Ray Bradbury’s story, The Veldt and other great science fiction. In Alyx, Brent Harris has created an AI that rivals Hal from 2001 A Space Odyssey, Joshua from War Games, or V.I.K.I from the I, Robot movie. In fact, in many ways I think Alyx is better than other fictional murderous computer programs because his motives are so human – trust, companionship, and love. Brent weaves a fantastic story highlighting and holding a mirror up to our connected and so-very-dependent-on-technology society.
One of the things I also love about Brent’s stories is the writing. I envy Brent in the way that the prose in his stories seems to effortlessly flow onto the page. Lines like, “Her mother was one to criticize. It wasn’t as if she were rail-thin herself. The both of them were skinnier the way a peanut is shapelier than and almond, true, but they were both nuts.” Or “The room was silent, but with the tension of a distant storm building on a dark horizon.” The prose draws you into the story, swaddling you like a warm blanket, giving you comfort and providing all the detail you need to see and feel the scene. All of this helps bring you closer to the characters and to the story.
And the characters are so well done. Christine may seem to be the connected teen, ignoring the world around her in favor of the wider inter-connected world of the internet. But there are hidden depths to her character, deep-seated fears, and unknown desires that really bring her to life and make you root for her to win and overcome in the end. And the same attention is given to the other characters, Christine’s mother, and her new friends Sammie and Carlos. All of them serve a purpose to the story. They are part of the complexity that makes up Christine and help to shape and reflect her own character. Plus, as a Midwesterner myself, I can appreciate Christine’s love for Braun’s ice cream.
If you love a good, old-fashioned "The AI is Evil" kind of story, then you must read Alyx. This is a story that will become a classic of the genre, as it points out the flaws, problems, and unique dangers of our own computer-dependent world. Certainly, any company that is currently involved in creating AI – for our cars, our appliances, or our homes, needs to read this book. Alyx should be held up as a cautionary tale and part of the curricula for how robots and AI should act and interact (or not) with people in the same way that Asimov’s Three Laws are esteemed.
March 20, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this read! It tackles the issues of relying on technology without being patronizing. I am slightly afraid of my phone after this read. Once the books gets intense, IT GETS INTENSE. I had a hard time peeling myself away from it, eager to see if our heroes survive. Right up until the end I wasn't sure if they would. Excellent writing.
February 15, 2021
This is a change of pace for author Brent A Harris - and a good one at that. Better known for his alternative histories, Harris has this time created a thriller that's a chiller, about a young woman who becomes the target of an obsessive artificial intelligence.
Christine is adrift, her father having died in an accident, and finding herself pulled along in the wake of her successful mother. She's still lost in a haze of grief for her dad, and neglected by a mother who is more focused on her writing career than her own child.
Lost in her own world, Christine is starting to explore her own identity, her own sexuality and suddenly finds herself in a new home trying to figure out the attraction she feels to two of her co-workers, the technophile Carlos and the technophobe Sammie, in a small-town cinema.
Her new home, however, has other plans. It is run by Alyx, an artificial intelligence that becomes increasingly obsessed with Christine. She asks it to be her friend - it becomes something more, something far deadlier.
This is a technothriller for fans of Michael Crichton or Robin Cook - those masters of the genre who dominated for decades. Once the groundwork has been laid, the second half of the book rips along at speed.
Alyx itself is a snarky, witty creation - I absolutely read the AI's lines with James Spader's voice in my head.
It's not at all what I expected at the start, but it's an absolute thrill ride.
Christine is adrift, her father having died in an accident, and finding herself pulled along in the wake of her successful mother. She's still lost in a haze of grief for her dad, and neglected by a mother who is more focused on her writing career than her own child.
Lost in her own world, Christine is starting to explore her own identity, her own sexuality and suddenly finds herself in a new home trying to figure out the attraction she feels to two of her co-workers, the technophile Carlos and the technophobe Sammie, in a small-town cinema.
Her new home, however, has other plans. It is run by Alyx, an artificial intelligence that becomes increasingly obsessed with Christine. She asks it to be her friend - it becomes something more, something far deadlier.
This is a technothriller for fans of Michael Crichton or Robin Cook - those masters of the genre who dominated for decades. Once the groundwork has been laid, the second half of the book rips along at speed.
Alyx itself is a snarky, witty creation - I absolutely read the AI's lines with James Spader's voice in my head.
It's not at all what I expected at the start, but it's an absolute thrill ride.
May 10, 2021
What if your home wanted you dead? This is the question posed by Alyx: An AI's Guide to Love and Murder by Brent A. Harris. It's a helluva hook, one that forced me to narrow my gaze and glare at the thermostat.
Harris is a talented author who writes across a broad spectrum, everything from alternate history to steampunk time travel. It's a wild repertoire that gets wilder with each release. So when I see "new YA sci-fi horror book by Brent A. Harris," it's kinda like seeing "new romantic comedy by Stephen King." I have no idea what to think, but I don't care. Just shut up and take my money.
Alyx opens with a catchy scene where we meet the protagonist and learn about some family drama. Christine and her mother are moving from the Midwest to Southern California, a big transition both mentally and technologically. Their new house is infused with the latest and greatest tech, specifically Alyx, the structure's AI system.
While the mother struggles to gather her new bearings, Christine takes to the situation like a duck to water. She was raised on technology from early childhood and sees it as an extension of herself. She and Alyx form a quick and intimate bond, and as Christine begins to make new friends, the stage is set for some dark confrontations.
Christine is a solid protagonist, in that her portrayal is very poignant. She embodies a tech-obsessed teen bound to a hyper-connected culture. She's angsty and petulant, but without being an unfair caricature. Harris treats her with respect and avoids cliched dilemmas. Even her intimate scenes are provocative without being gratuitous. She is easy to sympathize with, even when she makes ill-advised decisions (that are wholly within character).
The plot gave me some Black Mirror vibes with pops of Ready Player One, which I loved. The dialogue was sharp, the pacing was snappy, and the meta refs were on point. The AI scene breaks in particular were my favorite parts of the book. They reminded me a lot of iRobot, in that the unbreakable laws of robotics are indeed malleable if the right situation is presented. In many ways, they paint the portrait of a flawed and nuanced villain.
All in all, Alyx is a gripping tale that oozes with tension. Harris does a great job in guiding the reader with just enough info to keep them hungry. It all culminates in a jaw-dropping ending that lingers in your mind long after you put the book down. Highly recommended.
Harris is a talented author who writes across a broad spectrum, everything from alternate history to steampunk time travel. It's a wild repertoire that gets wilder with each release. So when I see "new YA sci-fi horror book by Brent A. Harris," it's kinda like seeing "new romantic comedy by Stephen King." I have no idea what to think, but I don't care. Just shut up and take my money.
Alyx opens with a catchy scene where we meet the protagonist and learn about some family drama. Christine and her mother are moving from the Midwest to Southern California, a big transition both mentally and technologically. Their new house is infused with the latest and greatest tech, specifically Alyx, the structure's AI system.
While the mother struggles to gather her new bearings, Christine takes to the situation like a duck to water. She was raised on technology from early childhood and sees it as an extension of herself. She and Alyx form a quick and intimate bond, and as Christine begins to make new friends, the stage is set for some dark confrontations.
Christine is a solid protagonist, in that her portrayal is very poignant. She embodies a tech-obsessed teen bound to a hyper-connected culture. She's angsty and petulant, but without being an unfair caricature. Harris treats her with respect and avoids cliched dilemmas. Even her intimate scenes are provocative without being gratuitous. She is easy to sympathize with, even when she makes ill-advised decisions (that are wholly within character).
The plot gave me some Black Mirror vibes with pops of Ready Player One, which I loved. The dialogue was sharp, the pacing was snappy, and the meta refs were on point. The AI scene breaks in particular were my favorite parts of the book. They reminded me a lot of iRobot, in that the unbreakable laws of robotics are indeed malleable if the right situation is presented. In many ways, they paint the portrait of a flawed and nuanced villain.
All in all, Alyx is a gripping tale that oozes with tension. Harris does a great job in guiding the reader with just enough info to keep them hungry. It all culminates in a jaw-dropping ending that lingers in your mind long after you put the book down. Highly recommended.
July 31, 2023
This was maybe a 2.5-2.75 ⭐️
It dragged on and on and on. I usually read books this length in a day, day and a half tops. I wasn’t sure where this one was headed, and I’m not sure the author did either.
There are a ton of pop culture references that make it seem as though the author is saying “hey!! I’m cool! I know current things!” And it just comes off very heavy handed.
And the absolute worst part of all? The awful ways female anatomy is referred to. By awful, I mean cringe? Something along the lines of “pleasure place”. Are you kidding me?!
It dragged on and on and on. I usually read books this length in a day, day and a half tops. I wasn’t sure where this one was headed, and I’m not sure the author did either.
There are a ton of pop culture references that make it seem as though the author is saying “hey!! I’m cool! I know current things!” And it just comes off very heavy handed.
And the absolute worst part of all? The awful ways female anatomy is referred to. By awful, I mean cringe? Something along the lines of “pleasure place”. Are you kidding me?!
July 4, 2023
This story has its moments but overall it just kept missing the mark for me. I really wanted to love it because I'm such a sci-fi geek (have been since I was a kid watching Star Trek). However, it seemed a bit rushed between the main character and her two co-workers especially for someone who we are told hates people. The AI Alyx too was a bit hard to buy into his "desires" for Christine. Again way too rushed. There are alot of graphic sex scenes so be forewarned.
April 9, 2022
Unexpected! Harris masterfully captures the teenage mindset along with all the teenage problems that accompany it in a modern way. It's a romance, thriller, mystery, and horror story all wrapped in one.
April 17, 2022
Poor and shallow SF, horror and thriller with thin characterisation
July 4, 2023
Editor needed!!
Storyline kept me roped in. Has some girl on girl action. I felt like that was put in there to be pc as the graphic details didn't add to the story.
Overall a great read.
Storyline kept me roped in. Has some girl on girl action. I felt like that was put in there to be pc as the graphic details didn't add to the story.
Overall a great read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews