"The Everything Engine" is a whip-smart, high-octane thriller that plunges the reader into a meticulously crafted near-future London, where augmented reality, virtual gaming, and corporate espionage collide. The novel succeeds on multiple levels: as a gripping coming-of-age story, a detailed exploration of artificial intelligence, and a paranoid techno-thriller that feels unnervingly close to our own reality. It centers on a group of university students who, between sword-fighting tournaments and navigating complex relationships, stumble upon a conspiracy that threatens to upend their world.

The story follows Jason Walker, a student at the London School of Economics, and his tight-knit group of friends. Their lives are a whirlwind of lectures, virtual reality games like "Reality Slides" and "DemonBorne," and navigating the social intricacies of student life. This world is vividly realized, filled with technologies like personal AI "Hubs," ocular implants, and full-immersion goggles that blur the line between the real and the virtual. The backdrop is a society grappling with the consequences of automation—the "Great Hollowing" that has displaced millions—and increasing government surveillance in the name of security.

The catalyst for the plot is the announcement of the "Everything Engine," a revolutionary general AI that has finally cracked the code of human language and conceptual learning. While Jason and his friends debate its implications, they remain largely absorbed in their own lives—particularly Jason's challenge match for the title of LSE's "First Sword" and his budding, complicated romance with the sharp and insightful Judith. However, a series of seemingly random events—a malfunctioning AI Hub, a chance encounter, and a misplaced sensor—leads Jason and his friend Dylan to accidentally record a clandestine meeting between a high-ranking government minister and a powerful corporate CEO. They become unwilling witnesses to a conspiracy that proves the "Everything Engine" is not just a technological breakthrough, but a tool for power and control on a global scale.

The novel's greatest achievement is its intelligent and accessible deep dive into the science of artificial intelligence. It brilliantly explains complex concepts like deep learning, neural networks, transfer learning, and the "universal learning algorithm" through the conversations between Jason and his tech-savvy friends, Emma and Phil. The book makes a compelling distinction between "weak AI" that mimics intelligence and the true, conceptual understanding of a general AI, making the stakes of the "Everything Engine's" creation feel both profound and perilous.

The characters are relatable and well-drawn. Jason is a compelling protagonist—cocky and competitive on the surface, but also dealing with a fraught family relationship and a growing awareness of the world's injustices. His friendship with the boisterous Dylan, the sharp-witted Ralph, the thoughtful Phil, and the grounding presence of Emma forms the emotional core of the story. The parallel narrative following Anushka, a department head at GCHQ, adds a layer of high-stakes political intrigue, revealing the shadowy forces at play behind the scenes.

"The Everything Engine" is a thrilling page-turner that masterfully blends exhilarating action sequences in virtual arenas with tense, dialogue-driven scenes of conspiracy. It raises thought-provoking questions about privacy, the ethics of AI, and the centralisation of power in a world where data is the ultimate currency. By the time the novel reaches its heart-pounding climax, the reader is left not only breathless but also with a chilling understanding of how easily the technologies we embrace could be used to control us. This is a must-read for fans of speculative fiction that is as intelligent as it is exciting.

Intriguing concept but lacks depth

I recently finished reading “the everything engine” by Dave Gross, and I have to say, it was a mixed bag for me. The premise is undeniably fascinating- an exploration of a world where technology and human experience intertwine in unexpected ways. The blurb hints at a grand adventure filled with innovation and discovery, which definitely piqued my interest.

Gross has a knack for creating vivid settings and intriguing characters, and I appreciated the initial set up of the story. The idea of an engine that can seemingly do it all is captivating, and I was eager to see how the plot would unfold. However as I delved deeper into the narrative, I found that some elements felt a bit rushed and under developed. While the world building was strong, I wished for more depth in character development and emotional resonance.

The pacing also felt uneven at times, with certain sections dragging while others raced by. I found myself wanting to linger in some moments that could have added more richness to the overall experience.

Overall, “the everything engine” has a lot of potential and offer some thought-provoking ideas, but it left me wanting more in terms of character depth and narrative flow. If you’re a fan of speculative fiction, it’s worth a read, but just be prepared for a few bumps along the way.

This was my first book by Dave Gross, and I found it easy to follow. The writing flows well, and it's largely driven by dialogue. I really liked both main characters, Jason and Anushka and how Gross went on to develop them over the course of the story.

The plot is set in 2050, but with today’s advanced AI tech, it doesn’t feel like far-off sci-fi anymore. That makes the story feel more real and even a bit unsettling. The ending leaves you wanting to know what happens next, which I liked.

Overall, I’d give The Everything Empire 3.5 stars for the plot and how it explores big ideas in a grounded way. I think I’ll check out more from this author.