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Zeroed Out
Zeroed Out is a cyberpunk thriller set in a fully automated metropolis governed by an all-seeing synthetic intelligence that examines the morality of limiting technological evolution.
While chasing a criminal through an unruly sector of Omega City 6, freelance enforcer Zed Takeda stumbles on the first of many victims by an unknown serial killer that has somehow escaped all forms of the city’s intensive surveillance. His investigation into the murders will uncover some hard truths he had not intended to find.
On the other side of the city, Ash Starbrooke lives as a dreamcaster, or someone whose dreams are turned into highly profitable virtual reality entertainment. She is unaware that the symbols showing up in her nightmares will have her caught up in Zed’s murder investigation.
Their intertwining stories will have them traveling through multiple layers of the neon-drenched, futuristic city filled with street gangs, radical political groups, and social elites
While chasing a criminal through an unruly sector of Omega City 6, freelance enforcer Zed Takeda stumbles on the first of many victims by an unknown serial killer that has somehow escaped all forms of the city’s intensive surveillance. His investigation into the murders will uncover some hard truths he had not intended to find.
On the other side of the city, Ash Starbrooke lives as a dreamcaster, or someone whose dreams are turned into highly profitable virtual reality entertainment. She is unaware that the symbols showing up in her nightmares will have her caught up in Zed’s murder investigation.
Their intertwining stories will have them traveling through multiple layers of the neon-drenched, futuristic city filled with street gangs, radical political groups, and social elites
- GenresScience FictionCyberpunk
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2022
5 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 26, 2022
Disclaimer: ARC provided by the author in exchange for honest and fair review
Let's start this review off with a question? Are you a fan of any of the following movies: Hackers, Minority Report, Saving Private Ryan, Ready Player One, The Matrix, Knock Around Guys?
I know that list of movies seems like an odd mix but honestly this book reminds me of a hodgepodge mix of all the best parts of them. So if you like at least a couple of those movies I'm confident you will enjoy your time in the world Jacob has created.
The story takes place in Omega City 6, a modern domed city that geographically would be located in what is known today as South Dakota. Yup you heard me right this modern sci-fi, steampunk, urban thriller takes place in the middle of a good old corn field or at least that's what it most likely is today :)
The story revolves around two main characters: Zed Taked & Ash Starbrooke and each of them has a best friend/sidekick (Boyd & Cody) that plays an intricate role in how the story advances.
Zed is known as an enforcer who the digital automated city relies on to uphold the peace/law of the land if you will. There are no cops as they are no longer needed as the OS that runs everything also sees everything all the time. Privacy really is a thing of the past but as a result so is crime, well at least in most of the Omega City 6. There is one part of the city "No Hope" where the all seeing OS can no longer watch over you and that is where enforcers like Zed and Boyd are needed the most. Zed is more than meets the eye though and is not a typical tough guy enforcer in that the power doesn't go to his head. Underneath that hard exterior is someone who cares more than he likes to let on and oftentimes bears the weight of the world on his shoulders so others don't have too. When shit hits the fan Zed is the guy you want by your side watching your six.
Ash on the other hand is well.... how do I put this.... she's a freaking hermit. Okay not exactly but sort of. You see Ash is what they call a dreamer and a very popular one at that. At first that probably doesn't sound that bad but in this modern world a dreamer is someone whose dreams are recorded and broadcast out for others to watch and experience as if they were their own in VR. Ash was trained for this role since she was very young and had to sign a contract basically giving away her life to be part of the program. As a result she gets paid exceptionally well, lives in a penthouse and doesn't really want for anything. On the flip side her dreams are really what we would consider to be nightmares and the toll of her dreams end up causing her to become a shut-in who is too afraid to go out into society hence the joke about being a hermit.
So then how does a story about two different people living to radically different lives come together, well if I told you that then I would spoil the whole book. I will say though that these two have far more in common than meets the eye and sometimes it takes the most unlikely of heroes to undo the sins of the past.
If any of the above sounded even remotely interesting to you then I highly recommend giving Zeroed Out a shot. I I thought it was a really fun fast paced murder mystery/thriller set in a unique steampunk world that is sure to keep your attention from start to finish. If I had any critique for this book it’s the fact Jacob ends the book on one hell of a cliff hanger and at least as of writing this he doesn’t have any immediate plans for a sequel.
I will this review off with the most fitting quote I can think off :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3CKg...
Let's start this review off with a question? Are you a fan of any of the following movies: Hackers, Minority Report, Saving Private Ryan, Ready Player One, The Matrix, Knock Around Guys?
I know that list of movies seems like an odd mix but honestly this book reminds me of a hodgepodge mix of all the best parts of them. So if you like at least a couple of those movies I'm confident you will enjoy your time in the world Jacob has created.
The story takes place in Omega City 6, a modern domed city that geographically would be located in what is known today as South Dakota. Yup you heard me right this modern sci-fi, steampunk, urban thriller takes place in the middle of a good old corn field or at least that's what it most likely is today :)
The story revolves around two main characters: Zed Taked & Ash Starbrooke and each of them has a best friend/sidekick (Boyd & Cody) that plays an intricate role in how the story advances.
Zed is known as an enforcer who the digital automated city relies on to uphold the peace/law of the land if you will. There are no cops as they are no longer needed as the OS that runs everything also sees everything all the time. Privacy really is a thing of the past but as a result so is crime, well at least in most of the Omega City 6. There is one part of the city "No Hope" where the all seeing OS can no longer watch over you and that is where enforcers like Zed and Boyd are needed the most. Zed is more than meets the eye though and is not a typical tough guy enforcer in that the power doesn't go to his head. Underneath that hard exterior is someone who cares more than he likes to let on and oftentimes bears the weight of the world on his shoulders so others don't have too. When shit hits the fan Zed is the guy you want by your side watching your six.
Ash on the other hand is well.... how do I put this.... she's a freaking hermit. Okay not exactly but sort of. You see Ash is what they call a dreamer and a very popular one at that. At first that probably doesn't sound that bad but in this modern world a dreamer is someone whose dreams are recorded and broadcast out for others to watch and experience as if they were their own in VR. Ash was trained for this role since she was very young and had to sign a contract basically giving away her life to be part of the program. As a result she gets paid exceptionally well, lives in a penthouse and doesn't really want for anything. On the flip side her dreams are really what we would consider to be nightmares and the toll of her dreams end up causing her to become a shut-in who is too afraid to go out into society hence the joke about being a hermit.
So then how does a story about two different people living to radically different lives come together, well if I told you that then I would spoil the whole book. I will say though that these two have far more in common than meets the eye and sometimes it takes the most unlikely of heroes to undo the sins of the past.
If any of the above sounded even remotely interesting to you then I highly recommend giving Zeroed Out a shot. I I thought it was a really fun fast paced murder mystery/thriller set in a unique steampunk world that is sure to keep your attention from start to finish. If I had any critique for this book it’s the fact Jacob ends the book on one hell of a cliff hanger and at least as of writing this he doesn’t have any immediate plans for a sequel.
I will this review off with the most fitting quote I can think off :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3CKg...
November 22, 2022
I have to start this review by saying WOW! This blew me away as my first Cyberpunk/ Post Apocalyptic Thriller read. Zeroed Out delivers a great reading experience.
You can expect creative world-building and FANTASTIC characters in a dynamic living world using familiar cyberpunk themes. The perfect blend of society with human and machine elements is outstanding. Zed and Ash are incredibly different and yet complementary forces in this story. I truly enjoyed this reading experience.
A small disclaimer is you will either LOVE the ending or you won't. I fell on the side of loving it! I found it a fitting end.
Do yourself a favor and don't miss this story
You can expect creative world-building and FANTASTIC characters in a dynamic living world using familiar cyberpunk themes. The perfect blend of society with human and machine elements is outstanding. Zed and Ash are incredibly different and yet complementary forces in this story. I truly enjoyed this reading experience.
A small disclaimer is you will either LOVE the ending or you won't. I fell on the side of loving it! I found it a fitting end.
Do yourself a favor and don't miss this story
October 23, 2022
You can read my review at the link below:
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2022/...
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2022/...
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
September 15, 2023
An Awesome Living and Breathing Universe
It’s clear that the author has spent much time and thought on the setting of this book. It is set a sprawling, living and breathing place set in the future, filled with technology, escapism, socioeconomic issues, AI, and politics. Its almost a mirror of today. It is a dystopian world where humanity is its own worst enemy and it begs the question: Is AI truly to be feared and should AI be allowed to evolve, and are humans truly deserving of life. In this current era in history where AI has become a polarizing issue, Jacob uses fiction to search for truth and sheds light in a critically thought out manner on AI; it’s benefits, flaws, and the nature of machine sentience and evolution. Is AI truly to be feared? And why? Because it is going to take our jobs and work because it can do those tasks better than a human? Is AI susceptible to greed, fear, and mass genocide like the “precious humans” who are so fearful of it? This book really weighs it out. Here we are slaughtering each other and creating injustice and inequality and suffering in the world, but no, machines… AI… it is the monster, not us. Or is it?
I enjoyed Zed’s character. Reminded me of the detective in the Expanse. A real hard boiled type guy who knows how to throw down. His journey takes him around an AI operated city called Omega 6 where a string of gruesome murders has him trying to piece together the who and why and inevitably embroils him in a conspiracy where he ends up having to make a choice that will effect humanity. It was a slow burn at first as we are shown the daily lives of the dystopian citizens of Omega 6 and the classism which is unintentionally inherent in a operating system ran world but things pick up and the book becomes a rollercoaster ride.
Excellent book! I hope he writes a second.
It’s clear that the author has spent much time and thought on the setting of this book. It is set a sprawling, living and breathing place set in the future, filled with technology, escapism, socioeconomic issues, AI, and politics. Its almost a mirror of today. It is a dystopian world where humanity is its own worst enemy and it begs the question: Is AI truly to be feared and should AI be allowed to evolve, and are humans truly deserving of life. In this current era in history where AI has become a polarizing issue, Jacob uses fiction to search for truth and sheds light in a critically thought out manner on AI; it’s benefits, flaws, and the nature of machine sentience and evolution. Is AI truly to be feared? And why? Because it is going to take our jobs and work because it can do those tasks better than a human? Is AI susceptible to greed, fear, and mass genocide like the “precious humans” who are so fearful of it? This book really weighs it out. Here we are slaughtering each other and creating injustice and inequality and suffering in the world, but no, machines… AI… it is the monster, not us. Or is it?
I enjoyed Zed’s character. Reminded me of the detective in the Expanse. A real hard boiled type guy who knows how to throw down. His journey takes him around an AI operated city called Omega 6 where a string of gruesome murders has him trying to piece together the who and why and inevitably embroils him in a conspiracy where he ends up having to make a choice that will effect humanity. It was a slow burn at first as we are shown the daily lives of the dystopian citizens of Omega 6 and the classism which is unintentionally inherent in a operating system ran world but things pick up and the book becomes a rollercoaster ride.
Excellent book! I hope he writes a second.
July 25, 2024
Great book....loved the story....got hooked pretty quickly which isn't always a thing for me. Easy quick read that will have you thinking about the book even when you're not reading it. Loved it...highly recommend
December 19, 2022
Disclaimer I was given a copy of the book from the author for an honest review.
Let me start with saying, I haven’t read a sci-fi book since I was a teen. After reading this will be adding sci-fi to my reading rotation now! Page turning, visual cyber-punk thriller! Loved it!
I would have liked to see the “reality now” developed more into the storyline.
Enjoyed how the author incorporated humanity and synthetic intelligence living side by side in each sector. Especially liked following Zed throughout the storyline and how he and Ash become intertwined.
Without giving away any spoilers the characters make you wonder, will the future rely on one or the other to survive?!
Let me start with saying, I haven’t read a sci-fi book since I was a teen. After reading this will be adding sci-fi to my reading rotation now! Page turning, visual cyber-punk thriller! Loved it!
I would have liked to see the “reality now” developed more into the storyline.
Enjoyed how the author incorporated humanity and synthetic intelligence living side by side in each sector. Especially liked following Zed throughout the storyline and how he and Ash become intertwined.
Without giving away any spoilers the characters make you wonder, will the future rely on one or the other to survive?!
April 27, 2025
great book
Kept me glued to the very end. Great plotline, unique character development and must read thrills. I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did but now I don’t know why I doubted it
Kept me glued to the very end. Great plotline, unique character development and must read thrills. I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did but now I don’t know why I doubted it
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews