DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK
Today’s technology
Tomorrow’s trap
Gutsy and resourceful, Kenna Ward is a “lifeguard for the brain,” an envoy for Virtu-Tech, the preeminent virtual reality provider whose implants allow consumers to experience exhilarating imagined adventures—all while remaining perfectly safe. Most of the time, that is.
In the rare instance when a participant mistakes an overwhelming situation as real, it’s up to Ward to enter their scenario and pull them back to reality.
But when Ward’s partner goes rogue and the system begins responding in odd and dangerous ways, she delves deeper, uncovering a sinister conspiracy to dominate not only the virtual reality world, but the real one as well.
Ward must stop this psychological sabotage before there are no more independent minds left to control.
Reviews
“The inhabitants of this well-crafted futuristic thriller from Hyzy (the Manor House mysteries) live out their fantasies every day. They get up, go to work, then stroll down the Champs Élysées, climb Mt. Everest, or visit Cleopatra in Egypt. Everything is customized, safe, and on demand. And if they run into trouble, Virtu-Tech “envoys” will help. All it takes is a small implant behind the ear. Virtu-Tech has brought VR to the masses, and millions tune in to tune out, until something goes terribly awry. Despite the heroic efforts of envoy Kenna Ward, a VR trip for a player named Charlie ends with him suffering mortal wounds, even with layers of sophisticated safety protocols. When the tragedy is declared an accident, Kenna isn’t satisfied and begins investigating. What she finds is a virtual world where nothing is what it seems: weapons draw real blood, and foes want to kill, all to protect a new realm. Hyzy combines a supercharged plot with characters who leap off the page in this eerily plausible tale.” (Oct.)
—Publishers Weekly
“Strap in and go for a ride with Virtual Sabotage, a thrilling change of pace for Julie Hyzy. She takes us on a mind-bending trip into a world where villains set the rules, and heroes can’t believe what they know to be true. Fascinating, fun, and deeply satisfying.”
— Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of Judgment
“Virtual Sabotage blurs the borders between man and machine, sounding a warning about the safety of social media. Think Michael Crichton with a cyberpunk twist. Breakneck pacing, seamless prose, and authentic research—Julie Hyzy is definitely the voice to heed in high-tech thrillers.”
—K.J. Howe, bestselling author of Skyjack