Stand Alone: Wolfhounds - Book One by John Van StryMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a 5-star review. My experience is closer to 4.5-stars, but this a great book. Go read it. Some modest spoilers are in my summary. Just go read the book.
Our protagonist, Chase, is not what he seems. Only he doesn't know it yet.
The society he inhabits is somewhat stratified. There are the common folks living common lives. It appears that moderate success is available to anyone who elects to put in the effort.
Then there are the "royalty". In reality, these are the genetically enhanced humans who can interface with artificial intelligence systems. Being genetically enhanced, the AI interfaced is passed down to their children. Humanity had previously experienced AI systems run amok. It took wars for humanity to reassert control over those computer systems. Now, AI systems require human input before they can carry out complex tasks. Those humans with the genetically engineered interface provide that input.
But wait! Not every interface is equal. Some interfaces provide better access and control of AI systems. The best interfaces are those possessed by the "imperial" family that are passed down to their children.
At some point, a commoner who lacks this interface gains enough governmental power to attempt to overthrow the entire system. He installs an authoritarian system to make things more "fair".
In the meantime, Chase just wanted to improve his position within the criminal world. Some judge tosses him into the Imperial Navy. Chase doesn't understand the judge's motivations. But he quickly adapts to the Navy and learns how to be useful.
His unit gets stuck in a sort of cryosleep. When they awaken, the unit discovers that they have been out of circulation for over a decade. The revolution has killed off the entire imperial family. Other "royals" are now forced to provide the control for the AI system; frequently at gunpoint. The new government is being about as effective as one might imagine.
And Chase might well be the most unlikely person in the universe with the possibility to influence the future.
A great story. Hard to put down. The author has put in a ton of work to make the plot logically consistent and interesting. There simply aren't any unexplained incidents.
I have two critical notes. The first is spelling and grammar. There were less than a dozen instances of poor spelling/grammar.
The second is the concept of "hot". As in "the smokin' hot babe sitting in my Camaro" type of hot. I've read several of this author's books. The women are always "hot". Brother, find a different way of describing women. This wouldn't have been an issue if I hadn't read those other books. But I did. And so it is an issue. Perhaps a minor issue, but an issue.
I will be nominating this book for the Best Novel category of the Hugo Awards of 2024. I think it is that good of a book despite my minor criticisms.
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