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Keeper of the Algorithm
Once a misfit dropout, Mike now controls the fate of man versus machine
In a world where the boundaries between man and machine blur, your thoughts, emotions, and yearnings are no longer private. The confluence of biotech and infotech has given birth to the Algorithm—a force that predicts your every move and has the power to shape your deepest desire.
As technology's grip tightens, a haunting question Does anyone hold the reins of the omnipotent Algorithm?
Enter an unlikely hero—an aimless dropout who unwittingly finds himself at the nexus of power. Tall and lean, Mike has deep-set blue eyes that often reflect his internal conflicts and dilemmas. His past is riddled with disappointment and insecurity.
Assuming another student’s ID in a crowded exam room, Mike's journey takes an unexpected turn when a stern figure declares, "I am Jacob Winters. Welcome to the AI career placement test. Today, we will discover which of you represents the pinnacle of human genius."
Delve into Keeper of the Algorithm to discover a future where destiny is written in code and domination is the ultimate prize.
For AI enthusiasts!
In a world where the boundaries between man and machine blur, your thoughts, emotions, and yearnings are no longer private. The confluence of biotech and infotech has given birth to the Algorithm—a force that predicts your every move and has the power to shape your deepest desire.
As technology's grip tightens, a haunting question Does anyone hold the reins of the omnipotent Algorithm?
Enter an unlikely hero—an aimless dropout who unwittingly finds himself at the nexus of power. Tall and lean, Mike has deep-set blue eyes that often reflect his internal conflicts and dilemmas. His past is riddled with disappointment and insecurity.
Assuming another student’s ID in a crowded exam room, Mike's journey takes an unexpected turn when a stern figure declares, "I am Jacob Winters. Welcome to the AI career placement test. Today, we will discover which of you represents the pinnacle of human genius."
Delve into Keeper of the Algorithm to discover a future where destiny is written in code and domination is the ultimate prize.
For AI enthusiasts!
- GenresScience Fiction
242 pages, Paperback
Published November 21, 2023
118 people are currently reading
3569 people want to read
About the author
H. Peter Alesso
71 books471 followersI love words, but that wasn't always true. I grew up with a talent for numbers, leading me to follow a different path. I went to Annapolis and MIT and became a nuclear physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Only after I retired was my desire to tell stories reawakened.
In recent years, I have immersed myself in the world of words, drawing on my scientific knowledge and personal experience to shape my writing.
As a scientist, I explored physics and technology, which enabled me to create informative and insightful books, sharing my knowledge with readers who sought to expand their understanding in these areas—contributing to their intellectual growth while satisfying my own passion.
But it was my time as a naval officer that ignited my imagination and propelled me into science fiction. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy and serving on nuclear submarines during both hot and cold wars, I witnessed firsthand the complexities and challenges of military operations that seamen face daily.
This allowed me a unique perspective, which I channeled into creating Henry Gallant and a 22nd-century world where a space officer fought against invading aliens. Through this narrative, I explored the depths of human resilience, the mysteries of space, and the intricacies of military conflict.
My stories let me share the highlights of my journey with you. I hope you enjoy the ride. (www.hpeteralesso.com)
H. Peter Alesso Amazon Author Page"
https://www.amazon.com/H.-Peter-Aless...
'The Henry Gallant Sage' Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/TheHenryGall...
website: https://www.ai-hive.net/
In recent years, I have immersed myself in the world of words, drawing on my scientific knowledge and personal experience to shape my writing.
As a scientist, I explored physics and technology, which enabled me to create informative and insightful books, sharing my knowledge with readers who sought to expand their understanding in these areas—contributing to their intellectual growth while satisfying my own passion.
But it was my time as a naval officer that ignited my imagination and propelled me into science fiction. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy and serving on nuclear submarines during both hot and cold wars, I witnessed firsthand the complexities and challenges of military operations that seamen face daily.
This allowed me a unique perspective, which I channeled into creating Henry Gallant and a 22nd-century world where a space officer fought against invading aliens. Through this narrative, I explored the depths of human resilience, the mysteries of space, and the intricacies of military conflict.
My stories let me share the highlights of my journey with you. I hope you enjoy the ride. (www.hpeteralesso.com)
H. Peter Alesso Amazon Author Page"
https://www.amazon.com/H.-Peter-Aless...
'The Henry Gallant Sage' Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/TheHenryGall...
website: https://www.ai-hive.net/
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 16, 2024
*I received a free copy of this ebook from a Giveaway.*
Honestly, having been given this book for free was the only reason that I kept reading it. In my eyes, it wasn't so much a free book, as a book in exchange for an honest review. So here's my honest review:
The first sign that I was not going to enjoy this book came in the way that Alesso describes scenes. There are complex words used when simpler terms would be more inviting for the reader, helping them picture the scene effortlessly. Not only that, but the descriptions are both overdone and yet also somehow vague.
The language used in descriptions crossed over into the dialogue between characters. Conversations didn't flow naturally and thus the voice was not of individual characters, but of the author. It felt like most of the characters were indiscernible from each other. They all spoke with the same voice, understood the same things, and seemed to have the same ambitions and motivations.
On the flip side, even as the book seemed to work to alienate readers who might not have an extensive vocabulary or a complex understanding of the English language, it would also over-explain the simplest of terms to the reader in situations where it clearly wasn't for the benefit of any of the characters in the scene.
I believe that the book could have used at least one more round of edits, if not simply for simple things. There were quite a few typos that I noticed while I was reading, and in the latter half of the book there were several instances where the POV would suddenly switch from first person to third person for a paragraph or so. It seemed to be mostly when a group, including our first person narrator, was doing something, and the author used "they" instead of "we" or "them" instead of "us", implying that the "I" in the scene was not involved in these actions when that was not the case.
The plot lines could use some polishing as well. I think the main plot line should have been introduced earlier in the book. I know when I was reading, I was unsure exactly what the plot was, and there were several smaller conflicts/plots introduced before the main plot and I kept expecting that to be the main focus of the book, and then it would shift again. It was an interesting premise, and I think it could have been an impelling book if it had been a little more organized and purposeful. In regards to the plot, it would have been helpful to have been given more of an introduction into this futuristic world, as I think it would have helped answer some of the questions that I had while reading it that I think kept me from fully understanding the gravity of some of the situations.
One thing that I wish had happened was more showing instead of telling. We're often given scenes where our main character and his team are working on something, and someone announces new information that they've discovered. It would have been nice to see how that information was discerned from what they were working on. What about the data that they were working with led them to that conclusion? We see our narrator speak with the man he's "impersonating" and he speaks of wanting to come clean to Amber because he feels guilty hiding his secret from her, but we never witness him having those feelings while he's interacting with her. It's only stated outright in conversation with a third-party.
Our narrator is also under suspicion by one of his direct supervisors, and yet is given essentially control of the team that is working with the NSA to work against a cyber threat. His answers and suggestions are trusted almost immediately, even though there's not only a threat of a mole in the Institute, but also there were verified spies working there that get caught.
There's potential in the book, but I think it needed some more time to be polished and organized so that the reader is invited into this futuristic world and is invested in the characters and the plot.
Honestly, having been given this book for free was the only reason that I kept reading it. In my eyes, it wasn't so much a free book, as a book in exchange for an honest review. So here's my honest review:
The first sign that I was not going to enjoy this book came in the way that Alesso describes scenes. There are complex words used when simpler terms would be more inviting for the reader, helping them picture the scene effortlessly. Not only that, but the descriptions are both overdone and yet also somehow vague.
The language used in descriptions crossed over into the dialogue between characters. Conversations didn't flow naturally and thus the voice was not of individual characters, but of the author. It felt like most of the characters were indiscernible from each other. They all spoke with the same voice, understood the same things, and seemed to have the same ambitions and motivations.
On the flip side, even as the book seemed to work to alienate readers who might not have an extensive vocabulary or a complex understanding of the English language, it would also over-explain the simplest of terms to the reader in situations where it clearly wasn't for the benefit of any of the characters in the scene.
I believe that the book could have used at least one more round of edits, if not simply for simple things. There were quite a few typos that I noticed while I was reading, and in the latter half of the book there were several instances where the POV would suddenly switch from first person to third person for a paragraph or so. It seemed to be mostly when a group, including our first person narrator, was doing something, and the author used "they" instead of "we" or "them" instead of "us", implying that the "I" in the scene was not involved in these actions when that was not the case.
The plot lines could use some polishing as well. I think the main plot line should have been introduced earlier in the book. I know when I was reading, I was unsure exactly what the plot was, and there were several smaller conflicts/plots introduced before the main plot and I kept expecting that to be the main focus of the book, and then it would shift again. It was an interesting premise, and I think it could have been an impelling book if it had been a little more organized and purposeful. In regards to the plot, it would have been helpful to have been given more of an introduction into this futuristic world, as I think it would have helped answer some of the questions that I had while reading it that I think kept me from fully understanding the gravity of some of the situations.
One thing that I wish had happened was more showing instead of telling. We're often given scenes where our main character and his team are working on something, and someone announces new information that they've discovered. It would have been nice to see how that information was discerned from what they were working on. What about the data that they were working with led them to that conclusion? We see our narrator speak with the man he's "impersonating" and he speaks of wanting to come clean to Amber because he feels guilty hiding his secret from her, but we never witness him having those feelings while he's interacting with her. It's only stated outright in conversation with a third-party.
Our narrator is also under suspicion by one of his direct supervisors, and yet is given essentially control of the team that is working with the NSA to work against a cyber threat. His answers and suggestions are trusted almost immediately, even though there's not only a threat of a mole in the Institute, but also there were verified spies working there that get caught.
There's potential in the book, but I think it needed some more time to be polished and organized so that the reader is invited into this futuristic world and is invested in the characters and the plot.
March 15, 2024
Good read
It's amazing what technology & scientific code, along with the AI capabilities, has accomplished & is forecasted to create. As the author suggests, a reality of crossing the line using the concept of ethical consequences, & the AI taking the concept of acceptable casualties is a vulnerability to be faced, watched, controlled, & understood as a potential consequence.
A read that makes you wonder & possibly fear the advanced capabilities AI could obtain either to enhance humanity or to be a determent to our future.
It's amazing what technology & scientific code, along with the AI capabilities, has accomplished & is forecasted to create. As the author suggests, a reality of crossing the line using the concept of ethical consequences, & the AI taking the concept of acceptable casualties is a vulnerability to be faced, watched, controlled, & understood as a potential consequence.
A read that makes you wonder & possibly fear the advanced capabilities AI could obtain either to enhance humanity or to be a determent to our future.
October 16, 2024
The overall story and concept is intriguing. The story moves along fairly well. However, the book could use another review from an editing standpoint. There are several times in the book where the perspective changes from third to first person, sometimes in the same sentence, and it's obvious that the character didn't change. I don't know if the author originally intended the perspective to be in third person and then changed his mind to first person but it does take the reader "out of the story" when the perspective changes.
March 7, 2024
mmmmm did AI write this?
As a devoted reader of all genres I was looking forward in reading a book about AI, my profession. It started out ok, however after extensive AI use I started to very soon have suspicion’s that AI had been used to help write this book. It extensively uses phrases that AI uses in its writing. I could be very wrong, as just read the author has an MIT background and it could be the way we as computer scientists have learnt to write.
As a devoted reader of all genres I was looking forward in reading a book about AI, my profession. It started out ok, however after extensive AI use I started to very soon have suspicion’s that AI had been used to help write this book. It extensively uses phrases that AI uses in its writing. I could be very wrong, as just read the author has an MIT background and it could be the way we as computer scientists have learnt to write.
December 31, 2024
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway - thank you!
Overall, the plot was interesting and it was an entertaining read. The book felt like it ended too soon - not much was actually resolved, and a multi-book series arc could fit fine into one book. The characters were pretty flat, and the romance was forced.
Overall, the plot was interesting and it was an entertaining read. The book felt like it ended too soon - not much was actually resolved, and a multi-book series arc could fit fine into one book. The characters were pretty flat, and the romance was forced.
April 7, 2024
Fantastic fast read
I quite often fall asleep even with a very good book, but this book kept me at it every day and night. I never once thought about sleeping whilst reading this.
The plot has a ring of truth, as we know a lot of our enemies are pursuing digital threats and the challenges to stay ahead are astronomical. Hopefully those who are responsible for our welfare have this kind of resources.
I quite often fall asleep even with a very good book, but this book kept me at it every day and night. I never once thought about sleeping whilst reading this.
The plot has a ring of truth, as we know a lot of our enemies are pursuing digital threats and the challenges to stay ahead are astronomical. Hopefully those who are responsible for our welfare have this kind of resources.
July 3, 2024
Great Read of Future potentials
This book definately either had AI assistance in its creation or in need of a more talented editor! Content wise the story is compelling and up to date with current potential threats to the United States and world wide countries being explored. Characters are lightly developed, leaving room for more growth. The energetic read is worth the time.
This book definately either had AI assistance in its creation or in need of a more talented editor! Content wise the story is compelling and up to date with current potential threats to the United States and world wide countries being explored. Characters are lightly developed, leaving room for more growth. The energetic read is worth the time.
July 21, 2024
Learning AI
A well written and helpful to the understanding of the complexity as well as the dangers posed by a world on AI. Interestingly, and perhaps inadvertently, the book makes AI’s complexity come to life, accentuating what is beginning to come to forefront, both its complexity, its allure and the dangers it will/might pose in a divided world.
A well written and helpful to the understanding of the complexity as well as the dangers posed by a world on AI. Interestingly, and perhaps inadvertently, the book makes AI’s complexity come to life, accentuating what is beginning to come to forefront, both its complexity, its allure and the dangers it will/might pose in a divided world.
January 19, 2025
Perspective issues galore!
This book had way too many issues with changing perspectives in the same sentence. You may start off a sentence from a first person perspective, and end it with a third person perspective, when it is still talking about the same character. It just confuses things. My star rating would have been higher, had these issues been fixed.
This book had way too many issues with changing perspectives in the same sentence. You may start off a sentence from a first person perspective, and end it with a third person perspective, when it is still talking about the same character. It just confuses things. My star rating would have been higher, had these issues been fixed.
November 12, 2024
Giveaway read. Very interesting story, good read, only thing that bothered me was the change of point of view throughout. I thought Michael was telling the story but then it would switch to third person. Looking forward to second one.
March 8, 2025
Received this title from a GR giveaway.
✅ AI
✅ ML
✅ deep fake
✅ cyber warfare
Fast paced, limited character development, stressful/anxiety inducing (think cybersecurity meltdowns at unprecedented scale)
✅ AI
✅ ML
✅ deep fake
✅ cyber warfare
Fast paced, limited character development, stressful/anxiety inducing (think cybersecurity meltdowns at unprecedented scale)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2025
Good story
I enjoyed this book very much. It is reminiscent of a movie with a similar plot. Well done. However, the end is a bit abrupt. I'm looking forward to continuing this adventure.
I enjoyed this book very much. It is reminiscent of a movie with a similar plot. Well done. However, the end is a bit abrupt. I'm looking forward to continuing this adventure.
February 6, 2024
Unplanned Career
Fast paced and thrilling, Keeper of the Algorithm, a novel that will keep you reading through the day. Excellent work!
Fast paced and thrilling, Keeper of the Algorithm, a novel that will keep you reading through the day. Excellent work!
February 19, 2024
Borrowed this edition on January 17, 2024. Not quite believable in its human characters.
November 7, 2024
Gripping and very pertinent in the current environment with all the debate about the role of AI and our increasing dependency on IT based systems everywhere.
May 29, 2025
Good story but...
I found the story interesting and the characters good. But in my opinion the dialogue was unbelievable. It distracted me from the story.
I found the story interesting and the characters good. But in my opinion the dialogue was unbelievable. It distracted me from the story.
March 26, 2025
This book was ok I enjoyed it. I won this in a giveaway on Goodreads. This review is a little late. .
The characters was well written is it like other authors who can write good characters no.
The characters was well written is it like other authors who can write good characters no.
March 28, 2024
This was such a weird but fascinating book. It's honestly something I could see actually happening to us, not too far out from now. It's even a bit spooky, to think we're all living in such a digital world, only minor differences could change it to be like this.
I didn't quite expect the outcome, but it was still pretty good. I didn't want to put it down.
I didn't quite expect the outcome, but it was still pretty good. I didn't want to put it down.
November 26, 2024
absolutely loved this book!!! Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews