07 Jun Book Review The Enigma Beyond Charles Breakfield and Rox Burkey #BookReview #Technothriller #ActionAdventure #FictionalThriller #AI #Artificialntelligance #MachineLearning #R-Group #BreakfieldBurkey #EnigmaSeries @1RBURKEY
BOOK REVIEW: THE ENIGMA BEYOND
I’m pleased to provide my 5-star review of the Techno-Thriller, The Enigma Beyond (The Enigma Series Book 11). Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer science fiction. The Enigma Beyond realistically depicts the modern-day danger of AI.
The Enigma Beyond: -A Techno Thriller
by Charles V. Breakfield and Rox Burkey
The human-like computer, HAL, from 2001: The Space Odyssey, is no longer science fiction. The line distinguishing supercomputers from humankind is blurring. Do the risks of artificial intelligence (AI) outweigh the benefits? What is truth in the different realities of social media?
These questions are explored in the techno-thriller The Enigma Beyond by Charles Breakfield and Rox Burkey. A geopolitical group, MAG, strives to dominate all elements of society: politics, social media, finance, healthcare, and military defenses worldwide. A new generation in the R-Group and their supercomputer ICABOD — a global organization formed to combat threats on the Dark Net—are assigned to investigate inconsistencies in how NORAD’S computerized defense system communicates.
The story interweaves various subplots that are connected. Johanna escapes a compound of captives who are guarded by drones. Tony narrowly escapes the elimination of NORAD’S staff by drones as the computerized defense system, JOAN, prepares to join forces with the Chinese space station CHIANG. Together, the systems will control two-thirds of the planetary defense systems from space. Tara is extorted to present mesmerizing pitches to considerable crowds in exchange for medical treatment of her paralyzed daughter. Gracie joins Global Bank to uncover a secret account that funnels money from unwary investors. Can the R-group’s bright, enthusiastic teen apprentices outmaneuver the machines on the Dark Net?
Co-Authors Breakfield and Burkey have written a thought-providing novel about the potential threats of AI in the modern world. Unfortunately, the potential benefits of AI are offset by the danger that the technology will be abused. Even scarier, computers could take on the persona of their creators who have ill intent. Will machines become self-aware and rebel against their human creators and guards?
The story is told effectively from an omniscient point of view. The perspective can shift from one entity to another in a scene. It could be a human or a computer adopting human qualities. For example, NORAD’S computerized system, JOAN, takes on the avatar of a modern-day Joan of Arc. Although I was unfamiliar with some of the technical terms, the story was nonetheless an engaging eye-opener to the potential abuse of AI. The chapters are short, and scenes move quickly from one subplot to another without missing a beat. I enjoyed the dangerous political games humans and supercomputers play to uncover secrets and outmaneuver each other. Truth and misinformation often blur, leading to unexpected twists.
I recommend The Enigma Beyond to readers who enjoy techno-thrillers and are curious about the potential risks of rapidly developing AI, for which we do not have a crystal ball to predict if it will be the beginning of a new golden age or the doom of humanity.
HIGHLIGHTS: THE ENIGMA BEYOND
The Enigma Beyond: -A Techno Thriller
(The Enigma Series Book 11)
By Charles Breakfield & Rox Burkey
Narrator/VoiceActor: Derek Shoales
Blurb:
Automation of humanity’s demise – Artificial intelligence
Technologists make computers faster. Computers are ingesting all the data from around the world, good, bad, or indifferent.
These machines can think—big mistake.
Decision making wars between Artificially Intelligence supercomputers and humans recently kicked into overdrive. Algorithms deliver manufactured choices to individuals and organizations to growing number of personal devices to drive decisions. Continued seduction of mankind becomes eminent unless stopped by our champions.
R-Group, information experts, leverage their next generation youth to rise to the new threats of modern technology. These evolving specialists are poised to compete with complex adversaries run by greedy technological geniuses.
Training of new R-Group family members is real-time cyber assault events. Working with ICABOD, R-Group’s treasured supercomputer, is their best weapon for this battle.
MAG, the consortium of global technology predators, united to bring their insidious plans for technology domination to the world stage.
Everyone caught in the cyber crosshairs realize time’s up!
Technical oligopolies want to dictate their terms for control of political, healthcare, finances, and orbiting defense systems.
Can the champions of the R-Group intercept the MAG group?
Who will win the AI wars?
What readers are saying –
“This latest book in the series is a wake-up call about AI and robots, giving you a feeling of being too close to home.?
“It is an edge of your seat, mind-blowing, realistic and far-reaching thriller that will leave you with nightmares. These are the monsters one cannot see, but they are there, nonetheless.”
“Another great adventure towards the end of the series. There is always something to learn.”
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AUDIOBOOK: THE ENIGMA BEYOND
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BOOK TRAILER: THE ENIGMA BEYOND
OVERVIEW: THE ENIGMA SERIES
R-Group is a group of cyber heroes supporting their clients, businesses, and governments from tyranny by the bad actors of the Darknet. They use their technological, financial, and dedicated resources to find the sources of evil exploits and expose them to the authorities.
The Box Set edition for Books 1-3 of the Enigma Series includes The Enigma Factor, The Enigma Rising, and The Enigma Ignite. The first-generation R-Group began in 1939 in Poland when three patriots tried to hit back at the German invaders by taking their encryption device and learning its secrets. The three men risked their lives to help make a difference in humanity. Their moral principles were handed down through the generations. These guidelines are instilled in their modern-day support as the cyber good guys beat back the cyber criminals oozing all over the Darknet. Each tale uses today’s contemporary issues, such as identity theft, stealing satellite communications, or capitalizing on battlefield communications.
Though each story is a stand-alone, characters continue to grow and evolve throughout the entire series. The technology used in these fictional thrillers is accurate. Who will win and keep the scales tipped in favor of humankind is at the heart of the thrillers.
Buy Links to The Enigma Series
Books in Series Available on Kindle Unlimited?
AUTHOR BIOS: CHARLES BREAKFIELD AND ROX BURKEY
BREAKFIELD – Charles works as a data/telecom solution architect and supports digital security, blockchain solutions, and unified communications. He enjoys writing, studying World War II history, travel, and cultural exchanges. Charles’ love of wine tastings, cooking, and Harley riding often provides writing topics.
Much of his personality comes from his father who served in the military for 30 years and three wars. Charles grew up on multiple bases and different countries. The multi-cultural exposure helps him with the various character perspectives they bring to the series. His personal ambition is to continue to teach Burkey humor.
BURKEY– Rox is a Customer Experience Specialist who works with businesses around the world. As a gifted speaker and accomplished listener, she bridges the chasm between business problems and technical solutions to optimize business productivity. She has written technology papers, white papers, but launches into high gear when plotting our next technothriller or short story.
As a child, she led the other kids with her highly charged imagination generating new adventures with make believe characters. She is proud of being a Girl Scout until high school, and contributed to the community as a member of a Head Start program. Rox enjoys her family, learning, listening to people, travel, outdoor activities, sewing, cooking, and thinking about how to diversify the series.
BREAKFIELD AND BURKEY began their partnership writing non-fictional papers and books. They formed a business partnership to share stories as fictional story writers. They recognize storytelling is an evolving method to share excitement, thrills, and insights to today’s technology risks.
They are passionate about leveraging real technology into fictional writing. The variety of characters have attributes from the many people who crossed their professional paths add that depth. Admittedly, Breakfield often asks interesting people he meets if they thought about being an evil cyberthug or femme fatale in their series.
Both authors travels are pulled into stories that requires real knowledge of specific locals. They enjoy well-rounded thrillers that include levels of humor, romance, intrigue, suspense, and mystery.
They love to talk about their stories at private and public book readings or events. Burkey conducts podcast style interviews with a couple of author groups, and enjoys extracting the tidbits from authors, especially new ones. Her first interview was, wait for it, Breakfield. You can learn where they will be from the calendar on their website.
EnigmaSeries.com has information on the Enigma Series, 12 books, 10 short stories, audio books, book trailers, and the newest series Enigma Heirs releasing in 2023. They have proudly earned multiple awards for their fictional creations.
We are also part of the Underground Authors group writing cozy mysteries/murders in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. We are committed to providing an installment for Season 2 and Season 3 to accompany The Flower Enigma, released in Season 1.
Social Media Links:
Reach out to authors anytime at their e-mail: Authors@EnigmaSeries.com. Co-authors Rox Burkey and Charles Breakfield look forward to your comments and feedback.
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Charles Breakfield
Posted at 09:33h, 07 JuneLinnea, thanks for hosting our techno-thriller The Enigma Beyond (Who won the A.I. wars). We were and still are concerned that artificial intelligent computers may gain the upper hand in decision making or displacing humans in the creative spaces. Our story takes the readers into our current world facing a very real threat that they may discount as impossible. Our challenge to the reader is see what is quite probable. Enjoy.
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 23:24h, 07 JuneHi Charles–I learned so much about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) in The Enigma Beyond. It is as if computers were playing political games like humans, trying to find out the weaknesses of the other and thus take control. The theme of the book is timely as we face potential risks from AI, which is in the headlines today. It is fascinating how science fiction authors portend what could become reality years later. I still vividly remember 2001: A Space Odyssey and the sinking feeling in my stomach when the computerized system, HAL, turned off the life support systems of the humans to save itself.
Jan Sikes
Posted at 14:48h, 07 JuneWhat a great review for this book from Rox and Charles! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Linnea. I have to admit AI is scary and becoming such a big part of our everyday lives. Best wishes to these talented authors!
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 23:28h, 07 JuneHi Jan–Thank you for dropping in and commenting on my book review of The Enigma Beyond. The book was an eye-opener on the potential risks of AI and how computers can detect weaknesses in other systems and take control. The human-like characteristics of computers began to blur with the essence of humankind. I also wish Charles and Rox success in their continuing work in this area.
Luciana
Posted at 22:27h, 09 JuneA very timely story, Linnea and a great review. I’ve read plenty of sci fi books and sci fi authors have been warning about the rise of AI for decades. The rate of technological advances and our dependence on them is going to be our downfall.
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 10:19h, 13 JuneHi Luciana–Thank you for visiting and commenting about sci fi authors who have warned about the use of AI for decades. It is an ironic tragedy that the promise of advanced technology could be our doom.