"Both stimulating and fascinating, this fabulous speculative thriller reaches into the near future with a race to locate a missing woman."
A beautiful balance is maintained in this truly thrilling speculative novel, between the believable near future of artificial intelligence and a very human race to investigate a crime. Julia Z has kept her head down since her mid teenage years as a famous hacker, when begged by a lawyer to help find his kidnapped wife she steps into a world of violence and a fight for survival.
Author Ken Liu writes with a masterful hand, blending the humanity of personal, social and political decisions with what feels like an all too real artificial intelligence. This is both epic in the scale of the future world, and intimate as you spend time with the main character. From beginning to end I was completely invested in this story, and was delighted to discover that it is the start to a new series.
While acting as a fabulous introduction to the world of Julia Z, this stands as a complete and intoxicating story in its own right. The main character is fascinating to observe, she is determined and feisty while maintaining her own particular set of morals and standards. The AI deserves its place in the spotlight alongside Julia, as with most human designed mechanics its place in society depends on the minds that use it.
As the story progressed my thoughts spun and twisted as I raced to keep up with the investigation. This was an absolute blast of a read and so sits as both a LoveReading Star Book and a Liz Pick of the Month. All That We See or Seem is a mind-blowing exhilarating ride from start to finish and comes as highly recommended by our team.
*ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 MUST-READ BOOKS OF 2025*Is all that we see or seemBut a dream within a dream?- Edgar Allan PoeAt 14, Julia Z became infamous as the "orphan hacker," a teenage prodigy who broke the law and captivated a nation. Now, years later, she's trying to leave that life behind, hiding in the quiet suburbs of Boston. But her fragile anonymity is shattered when a desperate lawyer bursts into her life, begging for her help to find his wife-a celebrated artist who uses AI to craft shared dreams for thousands of followers and who has been kidnapped by a criminal syndicate.Against her better judgment, Julia embarks on a harrowing journey across the country, drawn ever-deeper into the shadows of the American dream. As she tracks the criminals, she confronts not only their perilous schemes but also the ghosts of her own past. Resourceful, relentless, and deeply contemptuous of authority, Julia must dig deep into her unique skillset and fractured psyche to uncover the truth - and to hold onto hope when everything around her descends into darkness.This is the first book in an electrifying new series that masterfully intertwines the urgent thriller with thought-provoking speculation on the future of art in an age dominated by artificial intelligence. Julia Z is a bold, unforgettable heroine destined to captivate readers - a literary creation as rich and compelling as the Dandelion Dynasty itself.
| Primary Genre | Science Fiction |
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*ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 MUST-READ BOOKS OF 2025*Is all that we see or seemBut a dream within a dream?- Edgar Allan PoeAt 14, Julia Z became infamous as the "orphan hacker," a teenage prodigy who broke the law and captivated a nation. Now, years later, she's trying to leave that life behind, hiding in the quiet suburbs of Boston.
All That We See or Seem features in the following genres: Books of the Month, Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, Star Books, Science Fiction, Thriller and Suspense, Science fiction: near future, Technothriller, Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction, Thriller and Suspense, Science Fiction, Technothriller, Science fiction: near future, Narrative theme: Journeys and voyages, Narrative theme: Social issues
Paperback, Hardback. £9.89, down from the £10.99 cover price. In Stock.
All That We See or Seem was written by Ken Liu and published by Head of Zeus an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
All That We See or Seem has 404 pages
Yes it is part of The Julia Z Series series
£9.89, reduced from £10.99. In Stock.
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