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The Doomsday Code
The greatest discovery in human history . . . OR OUR LAST?
In an artificial intelligence lab in Shanghai, something has gone terribly wrong. Days after a major breakthrough in machine learning, CyberGen Industries' lead AI scientist is dead—and their precious prototype has vanished into the ether. An investigation reveals that, against all odds, the lab's “unhackable” system has been breached.
The discovery, an algorithm mimicking human intelligence, is growing quickly—becoming more cunning and unpredictable with each passing hour. Soon its capabilities will eclipse its creators entirely.
Who stole it? And more troubling, what do they plan to do with it?
Ex-NSA hacker Adrian Pryor may be the only person on the planet capable of reining it in. He spent his career keeping the world safe, a vigilance for which he paid an enormous, personal price. Adrian knows there are people who will stop at nothing to control the powerful technology. He must find a way to do the impossible: to stop them, and to outmaneuver a rival more clever, more powerful, and more alien than anything he has ever seen.
Grounded in real-world science, Sara Yager’s wildly inventive debut brings advanced AI to life, illuminating a frightening, all-too-real truth about the future: we are one breakthrough away from inventing ourselves out of existence.
In an artificial intelligence lab in Shanghai, something has gone terribly wrong. Days after a major breakthrough in machine learning, CyberGen Industries' lead AI scientist is dead—and their precious prototype has vanished into the ether. An investigation reveals that, against all odds, the lab's “unhackable” system has been breached.
The discovery, an algorithm mimicking human intelligence, is growing quickly—becoming more cunning and unpredictable with each passing hour. Soon its capabilities will eclipse its creators entirely.
Who stole it? And more troubling, what do they plan to do with it?
Ex-NSA hacker Adrian Pryor may be the only person on the planet capable of reining it in. He spent his career keeping the world safe, a vigilance for which he paid an enormous, personal price. Adrian knows there are people who will stop at nothing to control the powerful technology. He must find a way to do the impossible: to stop them, and to outmaneuver a rival more clever, more powerful, and more alien than anything he has ever seen.
Grounded in real-world science, Sara Yager’s wildly inventive debut brings advanced AI to life, illuminating a frightening, all-too-real truth about the future: we are one breakthrough away from inventing ourselves out of existence.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2023
30 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Sara Yager
2 books9 followersSara Yager spent ten years in the tech industry before leaving to raise her children full-time. With a unique perspective as a mom and former tech professional, she brings a fresh and insightful voice to the world of speculative fiction.
She came up with some of her best concepts for The Doomsday Code while waiting in the elementary school pickup line. She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. This is her first novel.
She came up with some of her best concepts for The Doomsday Code while waiting in the elementary school pickup line. She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. This is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 30, 2023
This review is based on an uncorrected e-galley of this novel.
In an artificial intelligence lab in Shanghai, something has gone terribly wrong. Days after a major breakthrough in machine learning, CyberGen Industries' lead AI scientist is dead—and their precious prototype has vanished into the ether. An investigation reveals that, against all odds, the lab's “unhackable” system has been breached.
The discovery, an algorithm mimicking human intelligence, is growing quickly—becoming more cunning and unpredictable with each passing hour. Soon its capabilities will eclipse its creators entirely.
Who stole it? And more troubling, what do they plan to do with it?
Ex-NSA hacker Adrian Pryor may be the only person on the planet capable of reining it in. He spent his career keeping the world safe, a vigilance for which he paid an enormous, personal price. Adrian knows there are people who will stop at nothing to control the powerful technology. He must find a way to do the impossible: to stop them, and to outmaneuver a rival more clever, more powerful, and more alien than anything he has ever seen.
In a time when AI algorithms are becoming hot button issues, we must start asking ourselves what the repercussions of this technology could be and what might happen if these algorithms become sentient creatures. This novel does just that. The Doomsday Code explores the lengths that people will go to in order to escape death, even to the point where they merge with a machine and you have to ask yourself what actually makes us human.
Though this wasn't the best novel I've read, I thought it was entertaining. It was fairly quick to get through and I thought that the author did their research when looking at this topic. I definitely recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an e-ARC of this novel. All opinions are my own.
In an artificial intelligence lab in Shanghai, something has gone terribly wrong. Days after a major breakthrough in machine learning, CyberGen Industries' lead AI scientist is dead—and their precious prototype has vanished into the ether. An investigation reveals that, against all odds, the lab's “unhackable” system has been breached.
The discovery, an algorithm mimicking human intelligence, is growing quickly—becoming more cunning and unpredictable with each passing hour. Soon its capabilities will eclipse its creators entirely.
Who stole it? And more troubling, what do they plan to do with it?
Ex-NSA hacker Adrian Pryor may be the only person on the planet capable of reining it in. He spent his career keeping the world safe, a vigilance for which he paid an enormous, personal price. Adrian knows there are people who will stop at nothing to control the powerful technology. He must find a way to do the impossible: to stop them, and to outmaneuver a rival more clever, more powerful, and more alien than anything he has ever seen.
In a time when AI algorithms are becoming hot button issues, we must start asking ourselves what the repercussions of this technology could be and what might happen if these algorithms become sentient creatures. This novel does just that. The Doomsday Code explores the lengths that people will go to in order to escape death, even to the point where they merge with a machine and you have to ask yourself what actually makes us human.
Though this wasn't the best novel I've read, I thought it was entertaining. It was fairly quick to get through and I thought that the author did their research when looking at this topic. I definitely recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an e-ARC of this novel. All opinions are my own.
October 26, 2023
Finished reading: October 24th 2023
"So, the question remains, are we using technology, or is it using us?"
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Sandstone Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
December 19, 2023
I received an review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I thank BookSirens, the publisher and the author for the copy.
This book for me is a 3.5 star.
Artificial Intelligence as a power has been a quite old topic and we have seen its omnipresence in books and movies. Its earliest presence could be seen in the 1925-1927 book and movie Metropolis and quite more popularly in the Terminator series which talks about a takeover of the world by AI.
This is a very vibrant theme and when I read the book blurb for this book it made me want to request and read this book.
The book starts with an incident with a lead scientist dying and the prototype missing. The challenge spirals out of control as the algorithm had developed on its own and fast growing into a global threat.
The book is timely considering that in the current time we are seeing the growth of AI with every other day discussing about a new achievement by various companies in the public domain but significantly it is hardly clear how far the R&D has gone in the unpublished areas and under the radar operations.
Sara needs to be complimented for her research on the subject and the command she exerts over it. The story moves at a good pace and leaves in its wake characters that needed to be more fleshed out. But for such a kind of thriller the entity and its handling are priority to the story and the surrogate and supporting characters do not stall the story at any point and can be ignored.
With this being a debut novel, expect great things from her imagination in the future so am keeping her in my sights as an author whose books I would definitely browse.
Recommended.
This book for me is a 3.5 star.
Artificial Intelligence as a power has been a quite old topic and we have seen its omnipresence in books and movies. Its earliest presence could be seen in the 1925-1927 book and movie Metropolis and quite more popularly in the Terminator series which talks about a takeover of the world by AI.
This is a very vibrant theme and when I read the book blurb for this book it made me want to request and read this book.
The book starts with an incident with a lead scientist dying and the prototype missing. The challenge spirals out of control as the algorithm had developed on its own and fast growing into a global threat.
The book is timely considering that in the current time we are seeing the growth of AI with every other day discussing about a new achievement by various companies in the public domain but significantly it is hardly clear how far the R&D has gone in the unpublished areas and under the radar operations.
Sara needs to be complimented for her research on the subject and the command she exerts over it. The story moves at a good pace and leaves in its wake characters that needed to be more fleshed out. But for such a kind of thriller the entity and its handling are priority to the story and the surrogate and supporting characters do not stall the story at any point and can be ignored.
With this being a debut novel, expect great things from her imagination in the future so am keeping her in my sights as an author whose books I would definitely browse.
Recommended.
December 28, 2023
This story had a "ripped from the headlines" feel as I was reading, as the national news was featuring stories about governments attempting to put in place controls on AI. In the acknowledgements, the author admits to attempting to write a "Michael Crichton thriller." As a debut novel, I think this is a good attempt at a thought provoking, within the realm of possibility story in the style of Crichton.
The story, starting with a lot of tension, increases pace throughout up to the climax. I thought the antagonist had an interesting arc, going from against AI completely to a "if you can't beat it, join it" attitude. For me, his character probably made the story more enjoyable. Those attempting to stop him, while necessary components to the story, were more pigeon-holed characters. I found I could predict their actions fairly well. But, of course, this is because they are reacting to the antagonist.
Another nod to the author's attempt at Crichton's style, there was a resolution, but it could be considered ambiguous as to how successful it was.
I received an advanced copy through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story, starting with a lot of tension, increases pace throughout up to the climax. I thought the antagonist had an interesting arc, going from against AI completely to a "if you can't beat it, join it" attitude. For me, his character probably made the story more enjoyable. Those attempting to stop him, while necessary components to the story, were more pigeon-holed characters. I found I could predict their actions fairly well. But, of course, this is because they are reacting to the antagonist.
Another nod to the author's attempt at Crichton's style, there was a resolution, but it could be considered ambiguous as to how successful it was.
I received an advanced copy through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 14, 2023
Adrian Pryor is a former NSA hacker - now living in exile abroad,, seeking asylum from the US. .
His life suddenly takes on new purpose and urgency when he is picked up and whisked away to
Shanghai and a secret AI lab run by a very sophisticated high-tech company. He is needed to help them
recover the Ai algorithm their top scientist was working with before he was suddenly.
killed.
Everyone is after him: the US, the Chinese government ministry and the billionaire owner of the company.
who wants the Ai algorithm for himself and his own devious purposes.
The story is deep, with incredibly fascinating yet terribly frightening AI scenarios,
A thriller with all the touches of a genre that is sure to grown rapidly as we move forward in the AI
realm.
The characters were well defined if a bit pat at times but still made the story flow smoothly.
Just a bit too long in descriptions at times and terminology could have, occasionally, been a little less technical.
.
His life suddenly takes on new purpose and urgency when he is picked up and whisked away to
Shanghai and a secret AI lab run by a very sophisticated high-tech company. He is needed to help them
recover the Ai algorithm their top scientist was working with before he was suddenly.
killed.
Everyone is after him: the US, the Chinese government ministry and the billionaire owner of the company.
who wants the Ai algorithm for himself and his own devious purposes.
The story is deep, with incredibly fascinating yet terribly frightening AI scenarios,
A thriller with all the touches of a genre that is sure to grown rapidly as we move forward in the AI
realm.
The characters were well defined if a bit pat at times but still made the story flow smoothly.
Just a bit too long in descriptions at times and terminology could have, occasionally, been a little less technical.
.
December 4, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Not a bad story, but seems a bit of a rehash of other books I have read in the past. It read more like the opening episode of a series than a true book. Obviously a sequel is in the works. Perhaps an entire series.
I was looking for greater character development. In this book, the character intros are more like placeholders. I don't have much appreciation for the internal conflict they must be experiencing. I was just expecting more. I do hope the sequel develops more character personalities. I especially would like to see a great character personality in our protagonist.
I never felt threatened by the storyline. I always prefer stories that seem all too credible and can easily be extrapolated into my real life. I also want witty and cleaver endings.
Not a cliff hanger ending here, but this ending does set up for the next book. Have a GoodReads.
Not a bad story, but seems a bit of a rehash of other books I have read in the past. It read more like the opening episode of a series than a true book. Obviously a sequel is in the works. Perhaps an entire series.
I was looking for greater character development. In this book, the character intros are more like placeholders. I don't have much appreciation for the internal conflict they must be experiencing. I was just expecting more. I do hope the sequel develops more character personalities. I especially would like to see a great character personality in our protagonist.
I never felt threatened by the storyline. I always prefer stories that seem all too credible and can easily be extrapolated into my real life. I also want witty and cleaver endings.
Not a cliff hanger ending here, but this ending does set up for the next book. Have a GoodReads.
January 25, 2024
"The Doomsday Code" initially hooked me with its intriguing premise: a sci-fi thriller revolving around AI gone rogue. While it offered an exciting glimpse into a potential future dominated by superintelligence, the execution ultimately fell short of its ambitions. I did enjoy the fast-paced narrative and well-developed main characters, but the science was occasionally clunky, and the abrupt ending left me wanting more.
The science fiction elements, particularly the exploration of AI's potential dangers, are handled surprisingly well. The near-future setting is believable and immersive, and the integration of technology feels organic. However, while the action never lets up, some of the scientific explanations felt rushed or oversimplified.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The science fiction elements, particularly the exploration of AI's potential dangers, are handled surprisingly well. The near-future setting is believable and immersive, and the integration of technology feels organic. However, while the action never lets up, some of the scientific explanations felt rushed or oversimplified.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 20, 2024
Please read this book
I chose this rating because it reflects the relevance of the subject matter. AI is such a growing influence in all of our lives. Just yesterday I asked AI to create a birthday song and birthday wishes for a co-worker. It's amazing what is happening real-time in this area. And this book truly captures the unexpected effects of AI and its future influence on the world today. I would highly recommend this book as it is engaging and a quick read. You will love it. Thank you, Sara, for your in-depth research and your imagination come to life! Nice finish and congratulations to this first time author!
I chose this rating because it reflects the relevance of the subject matter. AI is such a growing influence in all of our lives. Just yesterday I asked AI to create a birthday song and birthday wishes for a co-worker. It's amazing what is happening real-time in this area. And this book truly captures the unexpected effects of AI and its future influence on the world today. I would highly recommend this book as it is engaging and a quick read. You will love it. Thank you, Sara, for your in-depth research and your imagination come to life! Nice finish and congratulations to this first time author!
October 15, 2023
2.5-3 stars.
I would have given this a higher rating if the story and characters had been more fleshed out. There was very little 'before' and 'middle', just the 'end' with mostly climax of the story. To me, it read like a mashup of a treatise on the possibilities and dangers of artificial intelligence, a white paper on the future of humanity, and a bit of story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I would have given this a higher rating if the story and characters had been more fleshed out. There was very little 'before' and 'middle', just the 'end' with mostly climax of the story. To me, it read like a mashup of a treatise on the possibilities and dangers of artificial intelligence, a white paper on the future of humanity, and a bit of story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 16, 2023
Doomsday Code is an intriguing introduction to what AI could hold for the world's future. It is a fast past book, full of twists and turns. The characters in Sara Yager'sDoomsday Code are exceptional and not always who they seem to be. Personally, I will be looking for a sequel.
December 31, 2023
I usually read the classics and history but a friend recommended this first novel by the author. Well done by a young author on her first novel. It is fast paced and fun to read, an entertaining, quick read which leaves you thinking about AI in the world today.
November 14, 2023
Very slow and dull. Did not hold my interest.
November 20, 2023
Action filled from the start! Quick pace and suspense kept me turning pages. This book will really get you thinking about technology and our future…
February 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this sci-fi/ speculative fiction thriller. It reminded me of a Blake Crouch novel and was an entertaining read all the way through.
October 20, 2023
A suspenseful cross between fiction and nonfiction that made me think twice about our future
November 14, 2023
Advanced Reader Review**
Exciting future AI suspense/Thriller. There was action taking off from the beginning of the book, until the end. The main characters had background and purpose while the side characters did not take up unnecessary space w excess details. (Whew)
I was able to pre read before it hit the public and was thoroughly impressed being this a first book being written by the author. It appears she did her homework on AI, on location and other details that are within the book.
Only reason for a 4⭐️
It felt like the ending came abruptly when it came. It was still a great ending though.
I look forward to another novel
Exciting future AI suspense/Thriller. There was action taking off from the beginning of the book, until the end. The main characters had background and purpose while the side characters did not take up unnecessary space w excess details. (Whew)
I was able to pre read before it hit the public and was thoroughly impressed being this a first book being written by the author. It appears she did her homework on AI, on location and other details that are within the book.
Only reason for a 4⭐️
It felt like the ending came abruptly when it came. It was still a great ending though.
I look forward to another novel
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews