Alterum: A near-future Dystopian AI thriller for fans of The Matrix and Ready Player One

by William F Cooper

Read the cult hard sci-fi thriller that brings the looming AI singularity to life.This high-tech fiction with a human face is perfect for fans of writers like Blake Crouch and Liu Cixin.The Lucid Synthetic Dreaming technology behind virtual reality company Alterum has created an experience indistinguishable from the real world.There is just one problem. There is more to the AI generated non-player characters than most visitors realise.Many of them have woken up to the truth about their existence as the powerless subjects of their hidden rulers. A growing religion lies at the heart of their resistance.Company agent Cunard must work to keep visitors safe while struggling with his growing unease in the system he helps maintain.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2021

Reviews

[Graeme Vetterlein · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st book by a new author, remarkable given that.
Well written, not the frequent "my whole life is on Instagram" world. The author actually has some good points to make writes about clearly

[Tom Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 - I enjoyed the start but got bored in the middle and didn't finish it.

I liked the concept around the book but struggled with the writing personally.

[Dave Snowdon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I would classify this as "hard SF" and there is not really much overt AI in it either.
Interesting plot, but characters were a bit lacking