I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

An act of protection turns into a struggle between two powerful AI entities in author Jonni Jordyn’s “The Queen of All Viruses”, the second book in the Mother of All Viruses series.

The Synopsis

The digital intelligence Odyssey returns to his homeworld to find all the biological lifeforms gone with a social structure designed to keep a few digital beings in power with most of the world under their control. They view his arrival as a threat and attack him. Even though he is invulnerable to their attack, one of them risks her life to protect him. When they turn their attack on her, he protects her, but she cleverly steals some of his technology until her ambition makes her a danger to him and a battle of epic proportions follows.

The Review

The author did an incredible job of expanding upon the world the first book introduced by exploring Odyssey’s home world and how society functions both in the past and present there. The exploration of machine mentality versus evolved AI, and whether it truly evolves or mirrors biological mannerisms, is such a treat to see play out on the page, and the way the author balanced this with the repercussions of Odyssey’s actions on Earth was so enthralling to read.

Yet, as a reader, what stood out to me was how the author developed two AI systems and their respective personalities enough to make them memorable characters in their own right. One of the hardest things for an author to ensure when writing is to create characters readers can relate to, root for, or root against, while connecting with them on some emotional level. Odyssey feels both futuristic and otherworldly, yet deeply profound and moving, and his story not only advances the world-building of this series but also deepens the strong themes it explores.

The Verdict

Entertaining, compelling, and thrilling, author Jonni Jordyn’s “The Queen of All Viruses” is a must-read sci-fi thriller-meets-adventure story. The imagery and atmosphere the author explores, and the dynamic character developments, help solidify the foundation that allows this profound insight into AI and the dangers and hopeful notes that reflect how we utilize AI in our own society to flourish, keeping the reader invested until the book’s shocking final chapter. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Jonni Jordyn, an award winning American author born in Oakland, Ca, started out playing music at age two, and moved on to singing and acting in grade school. High School introduced writing and film making followed by drawing and photography in college. In other words, she had a VERY LIBERAL arts education.

Jonni published some poetry and some india ink drawings in literary magazines while in college, won critical acclaim for her acting in a cabaret theater, but was faced with a decision to pick out the arts she wanted to pursue.

Of all the available opportunities, music and song writing won the first round when she found herself performing with legendary stars of the sixties and seventies.

Round two began years later, after leaving California for Arizona. It all started with a blank piece of paper and the question, “how can I possibly write more than eleven thousand words for a single story?” A valid question which was followed up a year later with, “How did I ever write 160,000 words?”

Now, the writing comes much easier, but still there are questions like, “How will I ever get all these ideas written down?” followed closely by, “How many times can I edit the same book?”

Jonni currently lives in Colorado with her bird.

https://www.jordynatlargebooks.com/

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