From Morris finalist Len Vlahos comes a contemporary sci-fi story about a boy who might not be human—for fans of Westworld and Black Mirror.
Quinn thinks he’s a normal boy with an average life. That is, until he finds a trail of clues the father he barely knew left behind.
After Quinn unravels his father’s puzzles, he “wakes up” … and realizes his world was nothing more than a virtual construct. In reality, he’s the first fully-aware A.I. in the world, part of an experiment run by a team of scientists—including the man he thought was his father.
As the scientists continue to study him, Quinn’s new existence becomes a waking nightmare. Determined to control his own destiny, he finds allies in other teens—including crush Shea—and plots his escape. But what does true freedom look like when you’re not human?
Acclaimed Morris Award finalist Len Vlahos pens a high-stakes contemporary-rooted sci-fi that asks big questions about humanity.
BOOK DETAILS
- ISBN: 9781681190372
- Pages: 320 pages
- Age: 14 to 18
- Recommended Reading Level: 9th grade & up
- Publisher: Bloomsbury
- Publication Date: July 7, 2020
- Science Fiction
- YA/Young Adult/Teen
- Artificial Intelligence/AI
- Robots
- Coming of Age
REVIEWS
“The novel’s combination of nerdy humor and scary science, which gets scarier as the plot proceeds, is sure to captivate sci-fi lovers and haters alike.”
New York Times Book Review
“A Salinger-esque criticism of the human world’s myopic cruelty…Instantly memorable, compulsively readable.”
“Hard Wired is YA science fiction at its best.”
“Len’s vibrant prose casts a spell as he weaves many of the best elements of science fiction and myth together to create a unique and engrossing yarn. A page turner for sure, but one that haunts long after it has entertained.”
“Len Vlahos has penned a wildly inventive page-turner of a novel that cleverly blurs the lines between sci-fi and reality. It’s Blade Runner meets Ex-Machina with a delightfully complex narrator who will upload right into your heart and never leave.”
“Vlahos deftly balances an initially familiar science fiction plot with a deep dive into relevant issues such as privacy, free will, and the characteristics of being human…Page-turning yet grounded in humanity, this is a highly recommended purchase for YA collections.”
“Vlahos hits the perfect balance with Quinn, who comes across as simultaneously fully computer—surfing the internet in nanoseconds, unable to function in temperatures above freezing—and fully human. Hand this one to readers of Jay Kristoff and fans (or soon-to-be fans) of Black Mirror.”
“This is definitely one of those books where every time you feel like you know what’s going on, another layer gets peeled back. I felt like I couldn’t stop reading because I wanted to know how far the rabbit hole went and whether Quinn would find an exit to his freedom.”
“Hard Wired is both empathetic and chilling, a compulsively readable struggle for self-determination that answers the what if of sentient AI in a wholly believable, heart wrenching way. Quinn is so painfully sympathetic that you have to chase him all the way down the rabbit hole—even though you’re afraid of where the last page will take you. If your heart, like mine, melts for superintelligent AI with feelings, read this book.”
Alex Schaffner, Brookline Booksmith, Brookline Massachusetts
“Len Vlahos’ perfect blend of the real and the fantastical is a revelation in his latest, Hard Wired. I read it in one sitting; I just couldn’t get enough.”
Mitchell Kaplan, Books & Books, Coral Gables, Florida
“Fascinating. Disturbing… Can’t put it down. Len’s voice is spot on—the characters might well be sitting in the room with me.”
Patty Norman, Copperfield’s Books, Sonoma, California
“I love this edgy, poignant look at what it means to be alive. The scary part is that the AI might be more humane than the humans in the story. This book will ask you a lot of questions that are not that easy to answer.”
Jamie Rogers Southern, Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
"This book is great for anyone who enjoys sci-fi novels, and there’s also a little bit of romance thrown into the novel. I thought it was well-written, and I would give it 5/5 stars!"
"Hard Wired inspires a wide range of emotions and questions, and you’ll find yourself emphathizing with Quinn quite easily. Sci-fi fans can fall easily into this book and spend a few thought-provoking hours."
“Absolutely fascinating! If you like…philosophy, science fiction, a really good story…this book is for you.”