Of Ghosts & Broken Promises


Fiction - Short Story/Novela
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 01/16/2024
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite

Ronan, a recluse living in a futuristic world obsessed with virtual reality and drugs, receives an encrypted invitation to a party. He does not think much about it, but the events that follow transform his life forever. In this society, people are self-centered and do not care about others' feelings or opinions. AI devices are everywhere, and hackers take advantage of people for amusement. Ronan seeks more from life and finds hope when he meets Justine, a kindred spirit who lights up his heart. However, hackers hack her neuros and plan to fry her brain, basically holding her virtual hostage before Ronan even gets to know her. Determined to save her life, Ronan enters the cyber world to be her knight in shining armor. Mark Lingane's Of Ghosts and Broken Promises chronicles Ronan's journey and showcases the harsh reality of a deprived society.

Of Ghosts and Broken Promises by Mark Lingane is a captivating story that takes readers on a thrilling adventure. The book perfectly captures how people behave online, posting insensitive comments, manipulating others, and ignoring social issues. Ronan is a formidable character whom I could not help but root for. He throws himself into a world he has no experience in, facing monsters, learning to navigate, and confronting his fears. He is determined and skilled but also has weaknesses that humanize him and make him relatable. The story concludes with a surprising ending that leaves readers pondering about the future and the direction our society is heading. While technology has undoubtedly enhanced our communication, it has deprived us of authentic human connections, face-to-face interactions, and living in the present moment. Nowadays, we tend to trust everything we read online and are inclined to make hasty judgments about others without truly knowing them. If you love stories about Artificial Intelligence with a touch of social issues, Of Ghosts and Broken Promises is a must-read.