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The Algorithm Game: Power and Betrayal on Wall Street
He created an unstoppable algorithm. But when he loses control over his creation, the very code that made his career could be his downfall.
Dr. Elisha Segal has always wanted to make it in academia. But when his career as an astrophysicist fails to launch, he needs to find a new job, fast. When offered a lucrative job at Harmony, a Wall Street fintech behemoth, he trades his passion for the privileged world of high-stakes trading.
Finally in a position to give his family everything they have ever wanted, Elisha steps up to the challenge and develops a superior algorithm that could make anyone filthy rich, with just a click of a button. But while his creation, MAGOG, becomes ever more profitable, Elisha realizes the horrifying the algorithm thrives on global disasters and political chaos.
As the polished facade of Wall Street cracks before his eyes, Elisha sees how easily the ultra-rich profit from civil unrest and fearmongering. Attempting to regain control of his creation and his life, he smuggles MAGOG’s code and attempts to flee the country before it's too late. But does he stand a chance playing such a dangerous game against players who don’t follow the rules?
The Algorithm Game is a thought-provoking thriller about power, corruption, and betrayal, perfect for fans of Robert Harris and Blake Crouch.
Dr. Elisha Segal has always wanted to make it in academia. But when his career as an astrophysicist fails to launch, he needs to find a new job, fast. When offered a lucrative job at Harmony, a Wall Street fintech behemoth, he trades his passion for the privileged world of high-stakes trading.
Finally in a position to give his family everything they have ever wanted, Elisha steps up to the challenge and develops a superior algorithm that could make anyone filthy rich, with just a click of a button. But while his creation, MAGOG, becomes ever more profitable, Elisha realizes the horrifying the algorithm thrives on global disasters and political chaos.
As the polished facade of Wall Street cracks before his eyes, Elisha sees how easily the ultra-rich profit from civil unrest and fearmongering. Attempting to regain control of his creation and his life, he smuggles MAGOG’s code and attempts to flee the country before it's too late. But does he stand a chance playing such a dangerous game against players who don’t follow the rules?
The Algorithm Game is a thought-provoking thriller about power, corruption, and betrayal, perfect for fans of Robert Harris and Blake Crouch.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 2, 2026
Gratitude to NetGalley and eBookPro Publishing | Wolf&Gang for the ARC.
I went into "The Algorithm Game" expecting something along the lines of Grisham's The Firm: a modern story of a talented young protagonist stepping into a dream opportunity, only to discover the hidden cost. In a way, the book gestures in that direction. In practice, it never quite delivers.
For a novel of around 240 pages, surprisingly little actually happens. Much of the first half reads like a collection of impressions and extended descriptions rather than a developing narrative. We get detailed passages on Mediterranean flowers, culinary choices, in-flight card games, zoo visits, and most perplexing a full inventory of beer options in a store. These moments may aim to build atmosphere, but instead they stall momentum. Events occur that seem meaningful, yet they rarely lead anywhere. Then, in the final third, the book shifts abruptly into chaos without sufficient context or explanation to make the escalation feel earned or even real.
To be fair, the writing itself is not without merit. There are moments where the prose captures mood effectively, such as: “Something about the building’s staircase was oppressive - perhaps the feeling that no one really used them… or the half-darkness that made everything there barely visible.” But style alone cannot compensate for the lack of narrative drive.
The title is also misleading, particularly the promise of “Power and Betrayal on Wall Street.” This is not a thriller, and comparisons to Blake Crouch feel generous at best.
In the end, it’s hard to shake the impression that this book was published before it was fully developed. An idea with potential that never quite became a story.
An extra star for promoting Bulgarian cheese!
#NetGalley
I went into "The Algorithm Game" expecting something along the lines of Grisham's The Firm: a modern story of a talented young protagonist stepping into a dream opportunity, only to discover the hidden cost. In a way, the book gestures in that direction. In practice, it never quite delivers.
For a novel of around 240 pages, surprisingly little actually happens. Much of the first half reads like a collection of impressions and extended descriptions rather than a developing narrative. We get detailed passages on Mediterranean flowers, culinary choices, in-flight card games, zoo visits, and most perplexing a full inventory of beer options in a store. These moments may aim to build atmosphere, but instead they stall momentum. Events occur that seem meaningful, yet they rarely lead anywhere. Then, in the final third, the book shifts abruptly into chaos without sufficient context or explanation to make the escalation feel earned or even real.
To be fair, the writing itself is not without merit. There are moments where the prose captures mood effectively, such as: “Something about the building’s staircase was oppressive - perhaps the feeling that no one really used them… or the half-darkness that made everything there barely visible.” But style alone cannot compensate for the lack of narrative drive.
The title is also misleading, particularly the promise of “Power and Betrayal on Wall Street.” This is not a thriller, and comparisons to Blake Crouch feel generous at best.
In the end, it’s hard to shake the impression that this book was published before it was fully developed. An idea with potential that never quite became a story.
An extra star for promoting Bulgarian cheese!
#NetGalley
Displaying 1 of 1 review