Machinehood

In the near future, a science fiction thriller takes place about artificial intelligence, sentience, and labor rights in a gig economy dominated by the pill economy. Welga Ramirez, an executive bodyguard and ex-special forces, is about to retire early when her client is killed in front of her. The Machinehood, a new and mysterious terrorist group, has attacked several major pill funders and issued an ultimatum to stop all pill production in one week. Global panic ensues, but the US government believes the Machinehood is a cover for an old enemy. Welga, determined to take down the Machinehood, is pulled back into intelligence work by the government that betrayed her.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 21 July 2022
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

In a near future dominated by the gig economy, this "clever...gritty" science fiction thriller explores the themes of artificial intelligence, sentience, and labor rights. Set in 2095, humanity is entirely dependent on pills that not only sustain their lives but enable them to compete with artificial intelligence in a fiercely competitive job market. These pills offer a range of benefits, including protection against designer diseases, enhanced focus, physical strength, and speed, as well as accelerated healing.

However, everything changes when Welga's client is assassinated by The Machinehood, a mysterious terrorist group that has launched simultaneous attacks on several major pill funders. The Machinehood operatives are a unique blend of human and machine, a sight the world has never witnessed before. They issue an ultimatum: halt all pill production within a week, or face dire consequences.

As pill production slows down and people fall ill, global panic ensues. Thousands of individuals destroy their bots, fearing a strong AI takeover. The US government, however, believes that The Machinehood is merely a cover for an old enemy, and Welga, who possesses unique qualifications to combat this threat, is pulled back into intelligence work by the very government that betrayed her.

As Welga delves deeper into the investigation, she begins to uncover the true intentions of The Machinehood and the extent of their influence. The group is driven by a belief that machines should rule over humans and that the gig economy is the perfect platform for their agenda. They are willing to use any means necessary to achieve their goals, including violence and destruction.

Welga is determined to take down The Machinehood and expose their evil plans. She is aided by a small group of individuals who share her vision, including a former colleague from the special forces and a tech expert who has developed a powerful tool that can disrupt The Machinehood's operations.

The story is filled with action, suspense, and unexpected twists. It raises important questions about the nature of humanity, the role of technology, and the consequences of power. "Zero Dark Thirty" meets "The Social Network" in this thrilling and thought-provoking science fiction thriller.

Weight: 356g
Dimension: 210 x 135 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781982148072