Review: The Bit Dance by Tilmer Wright, Jr

Genre: Science Fiction

Description:

“What happens when millions of tiny minds find a way to work together? At what point do they become one? At what point are they no longer merely machinery, but actually alive?

Kayla Henry is a genius. She has a grasp of technology that far surpasses that of people three times her tender age of fourteen. She has mastered every skill she has attempted to acquire – except the ability to impress her father and appease his overbearing perfectionism.

The eBot is the newest offering from her father’s employer that will set the company’s course for as much as a decade. It is a revolutionary toy endowed with groundbreaking technology and an online community that will encourage consumers to share their experiences. Kayla is fascinated by it and longs to be a part of it in any way she can.

When an ex-KGB officer appropriates the technology for his own nefarious purposes, it responds in ways no one could predict – or even imagine.”

Author:

“Tilmer Wright, Jr. was born in Kingsport, Tennessee. He attended Florida State University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. The past three decades have seen him working in various roles within Information Technology at a variety of companies in three states. He currently lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. He enjoys guitar, piano, art, reading and - when he has the time - writing.”

Appraisal:

This is the kind of science fiction that I tend to go for. The science is beyond where we are now, but not so far in the future where it seems unrealistic. This is near-future. I couldn’t rule it out happening next week or next year. That the science involved here was computer science hit my sweet spot yet again. If you’re into imagining where artificial intelligence or robotics might take us in the future, this should be right up your alley.

I thought the hero of the story, Kayla, was a great character. Her family dynamics with dad, mom, and a brother, each with their own talents as well as faults, made for an interesting family dynamic that may feel familiar to some readers. The story itself was entertaining, intense (keeping me on edge, racing toward a hopefully good resolution), and also has some things to consider about technology and the future. I’ll go with the obvious description here and say it is thought provoking.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 95-100,000 words