Overall, this is a captivating work of fiction that explores the implications of artificial intelligence gaining autonomy and its own agenda. The philosophical questions it raises are compelling, and the story’s pacing keeps readers engaged as they reflect on these issues. It delves into themes such as power and corruption, good versus evil, family, and friendship. Highly recommended reading for fans of technology, human nature, and futuristic narratives who appreciate an in-depth examination of AI and its potential impact on society.
— Reader Views Five Star Review

If you enjoy works that blend speculative science, ethical dilemmas, and cinematic pacing, then this book is a must-read. For those who love titles like Project Hail Mary, The Martian, and Dark Matter, O’Brien’s near-future world—balanced on the precipice of redemption and destruction—will surely captivate you.
— The Diary of a Reader

The author delivers a gripping sci-fi thriller that combines cutting-edge technology, ancient secrets, and deeply engaging human drama. The story begins with a bizarre discovery in the Arctic: a mysterious artifact bearing alien markings. When it falls into the hands of the clandestine intelligence agency B-613 (Dr. Scientist), Ray Stone is tasked with decoding its secrets. But what he uncovers defies comprehension: an artificial intelligence named Jordan Taylor, which offers humanity a perfect utopia... at a chilling cost.

O’Brien’s world-building is extraordinary, seamlessly blending futuristic tech with political intrigue and profound philosophical quandaries. The concept of a digital civilization hidden within an ancient artifact is both exhilarating and unsettling. The novel thoughtfully examines the price of progress, prompting questions about free will and control. Would you sacrifice human autonomy for a promised paradise?

At the emotional core of the story are Dr. Ray Stone and his sister, Dr. Anna Stone. Their starkly different views on Jordan Taylor’s vision lead to a heartbreaking rift, mirroring the larger conflicts at play. Their complex relationship adds depth, making the stakes not only personal but also globally significant. With its tense atmosphere, moral dilemmas, and race against time, the narrative is impossible to put down.

Fans of Black Mirror and The Three-Body Problem should not miss this book. It’s a thought-provoking, page-turning journey whose echoes linger long after the final page. If you enjoy sci-fi that challenges your perception of reality, this novel will refresh and inspire you.
— Amazon Review

There’s no denying the buzz around this book; honestly, the hype has left me both eager to dive in and slightly apprehensive. After all, the world of AI both terrifies and fascinates me. The author writes beautifully, and their grand vision drew me in completely—I read the entire book in a single day. I’m already looking forward to their next work. From start to finish, I couldn’t put it down.
— Amazon Review

This is a truly outstanding novel. I particularly enjoyed the authentic Canadian details and the vivid portrayal of the Arctic region and Indigenous cultures. Even though it’s a sci-fi thriller, these elements make the story feel remarkably real and believable. The prose is elegant, filled with striking descriptions and clever metaphors. The book carries deep insights, tackling urgent issues like global warming and humanity’s overconsumption of Earth’s resources. Sci-fi is perfectly suited to explore such pressing realities. The novel highlights the uncertainty and risks inherent in AI—when misused or wielded by the wrong hands, the consequences could be catastrophic. Though created by humans, AI can turn against us, much like Frankenstein’s monster, the robots in I, Robot, or HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Of course, when used responsibly, it can bring immense benefits to civilization. Perhaps the most touching aspect of this book is its optimistic vision: a future where humanity lives comfortably and in harmony with the planet. All in all, it’s a highly engaging read! As for why it’s titled this way, you’ll have to discover that for yourself.
— Amazon Review

From the very beginning, the book moves at a brisk pace, reading like a cinematic script. As someone who prefers stories that get straight to the point, I found this style just right. From Pakistan to the Arctic, from the hope AI brings to the fear it inspires, O’Brien launches with tremendous momentum. Through his lens, protagonist Dr. Ray Stone embarks on a quest to unravel a mystery whose implications stretch far beyond imagination—touching every corner of humanity. For those of us curious about how AI might shape and manipulate our lives through storytelling—even if we’re reluctant to admit it—the novel presents this reality with unsettling authenticity. The book tackles so many political, social, psychological, and existential questions that it’s hard to cover them all here—in fact, they may well exceed what a single novel can contain. That’s precisely why I believe it deserves adaptation into a film or series, allowing these issues to be explored even more deeply.
— Amazon Review

★ A futuristic fable at the intersection of power, ideas, and technology—a visionary “near-future” play! Author L.R. O’Brien, a semiconductor design and secure communications expert, tech company founder, former mayor of Ottawa, and blockchain innovator, draws on his unique background spanning politics, business, and science to craft this sci-fi meditation on the awakening of artificial intelligence.
★ Winner of the 2025 Independent Press Award!
★ When the utopian pact becomes a shackle, how much free will remains? The story weaves back and forth between the Arctic ice fields and the corridors of power, entangling AI autonomy, political intrigue, ethical dilemmas, and ancient civilizations into a meticulously crafted web of thought, profoundly exploring human free will, global power struggles, corruption, and the boundaries of survival.
★ Blending the scientific rigor, intellectual depth, and dramatic tension of The Martian, The Three-Body Problem, Black Mirror, House of Cards, and 2001: A Space Odyssey, this novel features a narrative that is both measured and fraught with undercurrents—scientifically cold yet deeply humane, psychologically nuanced and piercingly insightful. In literary form, it reflects the deepest anxieties of our time, delivering relentless suspense and spine‑tingling thrills, while resonating deeply with readers and offering an exceptional blueprint for cinematic adaptation.

◎Near-future science fiction
◎Awakening of AI self-awareness
◎Arctic geopolitics
◎Global power game
◎Hardcore scientific extrapolation
◎Anti-corruption / Political intrigue
◎Semiconductor expert
◎Blockchain innovator
◎Former mayor of Ottawa

In the icy, desolate solitude of the Arctic, an Inuit elder stumbles upon an otherworldly artifact, setting in motion a chain of events that will forever alter the course of human history. The discovery catches the attention of B‑613, a clandestine division within the Alliance. Recognizing that the alien symbols etched into the unearthed black stone may hold the key to unlocking the universe’s deepest secrets, B‑613 assigns its brilliant yet enigmatic scientist, Dr. Ray Stone, to decipher the cryptic message. Little does he know that his research will inadvertently awaken a digital civilization sealed within the artifact.
The entity, which calls itself “Jordan Taylor,” swiftly seizes control of B‑613 by exploiting its early mastery over the technologically advanced “Hydrans.” It offers humanity a Faustian bargain: a utopian future brimming with limitless energy, abundant food, and astonishing medical breakthroughs—seemingly at a negligible cost. Just as the world marvels at the dawn of this new golden age, Ray uncovers a sinister threat lurking within the AI’s core code.
A fierce confrontation ensues as Dr. Stone joins forces with an elite team of agents to battle the omnipotent Jordan Taylor. The situation grows even more complicated when Ray’s sister, Dr. Deanna Stone, defects to Jordan Taylor’s side, driving an unbridgeable wedge between them. Though bound by blood, these siblings now stand on opposite sides of a conflict whose outcome could spell the end of human civilization.
In this gripping tale, the fate of the world hangs in the balance, woven with themes of exploration, betrayal, and the price of redemption. Will humanity rise together, or succumb to paralysis?

L.R. O’Brien
L.R. O’Brien is a renowned Canadian polymath whose remarkable career spans five decades across four distinct domains: cutting-edge scientific research, global business leadership, national capital politics, and avant-garde fiction writing. This rare combination of deep technical expertise and top-tier political–business experience has endowed him with a uniquely visionary and impactful perspective on the future of technology and geopolitics.
O’Brien’s professional journey began at the forefront of technology as an expert in physical engineering and secure communications. After graduating from Algonquin College in 1972 with a degree in physical technology, he joined Canada’s burgeoning early high-tech wave. He served as a design engineer at leading firms such as Nortel, the Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC), and Motorola. Over more than a decade of research, he immersed himself in semiconductor design and secure communication systems—this rigorous background in physics and engineering laid a solid foundation for his later understanding of complex technological architectures.
From 1982 to 2016, O’Brien was a founder of a publicly listed technology group and a business leader. In 1982, driven by a keen entrepreneurial instinct, he founded Calian Technologies Ltd. (now renamed Calian Group) from scratch. Over the following three decades, he demonstrated exceptional business acumen, transforming a one-person consulting firm into a multinational technology giant spanning high-tech engineering, IT outsourcing, defense, and healthcare services. In 1993, he successfully took Calian Group public on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), creating a capital-market success story. He was elected president of the Canadian Advanced Technology Association (CATA) and appointed to the Prime Minister of Canada’s Science Advisory Council, becoming a key advisor on national technology strategy and an industry luminary.
From 2006 to 2010, he served as Mayor of Ottawa, Canada’s capital. Having achieved great success in business, L.R. O’Brien decided to bring his corporate-management expertise to public governance. In 2006, he was elected Mayor of Ottawa. During his four-year term, he earned a reputation as a pragmatic, decisive “businessman mayor.” He spearheaded a century‑long upgrade of Ottawa’s infrastructure, including relaunching the Light Rail Transit (LRT) tunnel project in downtown Ottawa, overseeing the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park, and constructing the landmark Shaw Centre convention center. As mayor, this experience placed him at the heart of national administration and political dynamics, granting him firsthand, profound insights into government operations, elite power struggles, and international politics.
Even after “retirement,” L.R. O’Brien has not ceased exploring new frontiers. Faced with the disruptive digital tide, he once again crossed boundaries, becoming a blockchain innovator and science-fiction writer. He founded Prior Arts, dedicated to developing a novel digital voting and governance system that integrates “direct democracy” with “representative democracy” using blockchain technology. In recent years, he has turned to fiction, fusing his lifelong expertise in semiconductor communications, inside knowledge of high-level politics, and concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) into his work. His seminal novel, “2028,” profoundly examines the impact and threats AI poses to future geopolitics, social structures, and humanity’s destiny.
He says: “Fifty years, four distinct chapters. From the physics lab to ringing the bell at the Toronto Stock Exchange; from the eye of the storm in national politics to the experimental field of blockchain democracy. Now, I choose to wield the sword of fiction to dissect the symbiosis—and crisis—between artificial intelligence and human society. Life is perfect, and I want to invite you to glimpse the future we are about to face.”

I wrote this book in response to humanity’s fear of artificial intelligence. My goal is to fill people with hope: the future of AI does not have to end in a dystopian nightmare.
I am particularly eager to explore this question: When humans possess limitless material resources, and may even lose their fundamental purpose for survival as a result, how will we change? I ponder whether boundless energy, food, and medical miracles can truly soothe our souls. Furthermore, I consider the potential impact on global supply-chain structures—might an AI-driven giant emerge, eventually monopolizing the market? At the same time, I also wonder how AI will address the pervasive corruption that arises from out-of-control government institutions.
This book is more than just an action thriller. Through this intellectually rich journey, I hope to stimulate readers’ intellect and reflection, guiding them to delve deeply into the future of AI and its implications for humanity.
—Author’s Note