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Political entrepreneur and systems strategist Mehlhorn ponders a fictional but plausible present and near future in his debut novel, a seriously cerebral sci-fi thriller. The story begins in 2003 with the introductory point of view of Gabriel Hart Calloway, aka Butch, a quirky honors graduate and tech engineer who founds Guardians, a defense operation protecting alternative communities from predatory nation states that have chucked rule-of-law institutions for consolidation of power and authoritarian rule. As the world veers toward increasing chaos and worldwide wars, exacerbated by dwindling sources of truth and facts, various competing networks arise through the efforts of other primary characters in this international drama. Most of these organizations and collaborations depend on technological advances in AI, biometrics, and other forms of electronic technology.
The story soars through its twenty-first-century timeline, with a preponderance of action taking place in the present through the 2030s after introductory forays into the points of view of the remaining cast of memorable characters. Precise, tight prose is appropriately interspersed with short, captivating descriptive passages. The stakes are high throughout the story, and the twists and turns of plot and subplots are numerous and keep pages turning.
In a unique colophon, the author details his use of AI for research, brainstorming, developmental plotting ideas, and editing suggestions, but denies any direct writing composition by AI. There is also a handy, explanatory cast of characters and a glossary to assist readers who need to sort out any questions or confusion they may have about the many organizational and character motivations in this thought-provoking, cinematic tale. This is a novel that is well worth the challenge of absorbing to gain more understanding of the political, technical, and social issues humanity is currently facing.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review