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The Wickedest of Things: A Thriller
From Amazon #1 Bestselling author Russel Barrie (Sex, Revenge and Chocolate Cake) comes a thriller torn from the world of business, imagination and betrayal.
Reid Sheraton is a man in search of a challenge, designing games to keep his haunted mind busy to avoid his past. But when his company is bought by the Horizon Corporation, the mysterious Esin has other plans. At Horizon, the greatest event is their Labyrinth, a vast maze of puzzles and trials meant to test their people and push them beyond their limits. Esin wants to win, and in Reid she sees her chance.
With that, the two are swept up in Horizon, a world of dazzling technology, corporate intrigue and a drive to change the world. But as the Labyrinth approaches, sinister things are in motion at Horizon. One man’s ruthless maneuvering corrupts their technology with a betrayal so deep nothing will be the same.
As Reid, Esin and the players enter the Labyrinth, something will go murderously wrong…
Reid Sheraton is a man in search of a challenge, designing games to keep his haunted mind busy to avoid his past. But when his company is bought by the Horizon Corporation, the mysterious Esin has other plans. At Horizon, the greatest event is their Labyrinth, a vast maze of puzzles and trials meant to test their people and push them beyond their limits. Esin wants to win, and in Reid she sees her chance.
With that, the two are swept up in Horizon, a world of dazzling technology, corporate intrigue and a drive to change the world. But as the Labyrinth approaches, sinister things are in motion at Horizon. One man’s ruthless maneuvering corrupts their technology with a betrayal so deep nothing will be the same.
As Reid, Esin and the players enter the Labyrinth, something will go murderously wrong…
- GenresThriller
588 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 2, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
November 9, 2024
If you are a video game player, (Call of Duty...Portal...Magrunner) you will like this book!
If you are a techy, you will like this book!
This was a nerdy and geeky utopia. Super fun read!
I overlooked the fact that the plot is, at times, quite mechanical and very predictable because the story around it was gritty, well paced and kept me engaged. Also, when the author can make me sympathetic toward the bad guy...I dig it!
If you are a techy, you will like this book!
This was a nerdy and geeky utopia. Super fun read!
I overlooked the fact that the plot is, at times, quite mechanical and very predictable because the story around it was gritty, well paced and kept me engaged. Also, when the author can make me sympathetic toward the bad guy...I dig it!
January 30, 2024
Wow!!!! This is a book that will hook you from the very beginning and continue until the very last page. This thriller is a story that is different than any book I’ve ever read. You will never think of A. I.s the same way. The plot is unique and the characters are intriguing. You will not be disappointed if you enjoy fast paced, crazy rides in your reading experiences!!!! Enjoy
February 27, 2024
As someone who typically steers clear of anything remotely tech infused or sci-fi , "The Wickedest of Things" has completely altered my perspective . If it hadn't been recommended, I would have missed out on an absolutely extraordinary story that held me captivated from start to finish.
First and foremost, the plot of this novel is nothing short of relevant and utterly terrifying. It grips you from the very first line and refuses to let go, weaving a tale that feels chillingly plausible and all too real in today's world.
The character building in "The Wickedest of Things" is exceptional. Each character is meticulously crafted, with layers that unravel as the story progresses, making them feel like real, flesh-and-blood individuals. Their complexities and flaws add depth to the narrative, making their fates all the more impactful.
Suspense saturates every page of this novel, keeping you on the edge of your seat with every twist and turn. Just when you think you have it all figured out, the story takes an unexpected and thrilling detour, leaving you breathless and eager for more.
Speaking of plot twists, "The Wickedest of Things" is brimming with them. Each twist is expertly executed, catching you off guard and leaving you reeling as the story hurtles towards its electrifying conclusion.
And then there's Aceso, the AI whose portrayal is both vicious and heartbreakingly vulnerable. Witnessing the duality of this artificial intelligence, oscillating between ruthless aggression and poignant vulnerability, left me emotionally invested in ways I had not anticipated. Aceso is a character who will stay with you long after you've turned the final page, leaving you pondering the complexities of artificial intelligence and its potential consequences.
In conclusion, "The Wickedest of Things” is a novel that deserves every bit of this five-star rating. Whether you're a fan of thrillers or not, this is one book you won't want to miss.
First and foremost, the plot of this novel is nothing short of relevant and utterly terrifying. It grips you from the very first line and refuses to let go, weaving a tale that feels chillingly plausible and all too real in today's world.
The character building in "The Wickedest of Things" is exceptional. Each character is meticulously crafted, with layers that unravel as the story progresses, making them feel like real, flesh-and-blood individuals. Their complexities and flaws add depth to the narrative, making their fates all the more impactful.
Suspense saturates every page of this novel, keeping you on the edge of your seat with every twist and turn. Just when you think you have it all figured out, the story takes an unexpected and thrilling detour, leaving you breathless and eager for more.
Speaking of plot twists, "The Wickedest of Things" is brimming with them. Each twist is expertly executed, catching you off guard and leaving you reeling as the story hurtles towards its electrifying conclusion.
And then there's Aceso, the AI whose portrayal is both vicious and heartbreakingly vulnerable. Witnessing the duality of this artificial intelligence, oscillating between ruthless aggression and poignant vulnerability, left me emotionally invested in ways I had not anticipated. Aceso is a character who will stay with you long after you've turned the final page, leaving you pondering the complexities of artificial intelligence and its potential consequences.
In conclusion, "The Wickedest of Things” is a novel that deserves every bit of this five-star rating. Whether you're a fan of thrillers or not, this is one book you won't want to miss.
July 21, 2024
4.5⭐️
This book surprised me in the best way.
A sci-fi thriller that is suspenseful and masterfully descriptive.
Picture an eclectic bunch of high tech engineers, gamers, roboticists and scientists with a slight sprinkling of brawn and sex appeal, competing to solve a series of intricate escape rooms, only to realise their objective is no longer to win but to survive when an AI insectoid goes rogue.
Love the characters and their roles. This is a lengthy read due to character development and explaining the dynamics behind the techy creations, which, for a bit of a tech noob like me, was appreciated.
Edge of your seat, thrilling read.
I was given a copy by the author and all opinions are my own.
This book surprised me in the best way.
A sci-fi thriller that is suspenseful and masterfully descriptive.
Picture an eclectic bunch of high tech engineers, gamers, roboticists and scientists with a slight sprinkling of brawn and sex appeal, competing to solve a series of intricate escape rooms, only to realise their objective is no longer to win but to survive when an AI insectoid goes rogue.
Love the characters and their roles. This is a lengthy read due to character development and explaining the dynamics behind the techy creations, which, for a bit of a tech noob like me, was appreciated.
Edge of your seat, thrilling read.
I was given a copy by the author and all opinions are my own.
January 25, 2024
I'm not a reader of thrillers, but I gave this one a go and I was certainly not disappointed. The exquisite writing drew me in and I was hooked from the beginning. Through this novel I couldn't help but think that this would make an amazing motion picture. Someone buy the film rights please! A breath taking thriller that made my heart beat faster with a slow burn romance in the background. There's something for everyone in this one. Highly recommend!
February 8, 2024
I loved this book! I really enjoyed all the characters, it has some pretty intense moments, some emotional moments and some humorous ones too.
January 18, 2024
All I can say is I am absolutely in awe with how much I loved this book!
Russel was kind enough to send me a copy of his book and the journey this story took me on was amazing!
This should be a movie. The characters were done so well and were so distinct. The action was intense. My heart was racing basically the entire book. I've never had this kind of anxiety reading a book before. I laughed and even shed a few tears. I could not put this down. I devoured this in a day. Such fast paced and descriptive writing. I haven't read many books like this and I am so glad I got to experience this crazy ride.
If you enjoyed books like The Maze Runner, The Hunger Games or love action movies you will not be disappointed with this read. Escape rooms, labyrinths, a crazy villian and a machine. I definitely think going into this book blind is the way to go. I will be buying a physical copy so I can re read and definitely recommend if you're looking for a good heart racing and even heart warming read!!!
Russel was kind enough to send me a copy of his book and the journey this story took me on was amazing!
This should be a movie. The characters were done so well and were so distinct. The action was intense. My heart was racing basically the entire book. I've never had this kind of anxiety reading a book before. I laughed and even shed a few tears. I could not put this down. I devoured this in a day. Such fast paced and descriptive writing. I haven't read many books like this and I am so glad I got to experience this crazy ride.
If you enjoyed books like The Maze Runner, The Hunger Games or love action movies you will not be disappointed with this read. Escape rooms, labyrinths, a crazy villian and a machine. I definitely think going into this book blind is the way to go. I will be buying a physical copy so I can re read and definitely recommend if you're looking for a good heart racing and even heart warming read!!!
January 19, 2024
The world of "The Wickedest of Things"by Russel Barrie is full of mistery and surprises. But it's also funny and engaging , and time slipps by you as you are reding .
The book is easy to get into. Right from the start the reader is being pulled into Reid Sheraton's world. After openng the book and reading"The first time Reid died it was downright embaracing" I new I wouldn't put it down untill I was finished.I found the protagonist relatable and his way throught Horizon Labyrinth had me at the edge of my seal with suspence and worry.
This is a must read for any lover of suspense and mystery, the plot is well tought out and even the villan leaves you wanting more ! Russel Barrie immersed his readers into a world where wicked things are haunting you and readers are left breatles and wanting more.
The book is easy to get into. Right from the start the reader is being pulled into Reid Sheraton's world. After openng the book and reading"The first time Reid died it was downright embaracing" I new I wouldn't put it down untill I was finished.I found the protagonist relatable and his way throught Horizon Labyrinth had me at the edge of my seal with suspence and worry.
This is a must read for any lover of suspense and mystery, the plot is well tought out and even the villan leaves you wanting more ! Russel Barrie immersed his readers into a world where wicked things are haunting you and readers are left breatles and wanting more.
April 23, 2024
*4.5 Stars*
The Wickedest of Things was a really fun read, but it does have a somewhat slower build up so you can get to know the characters, the company, and some other important pieces of information that play a huge role later on in the story. It takes patience, but the payoff is worth it. The author's writing is so engaging though, that I didn't really mind. And to be honest, I needed some time to organize my thoughts around some of the concepts/themes in this book.
It says a lot about an author's writing strength when my favourite character happens to be AI. ACESO was developed as a leading-edge medic, capable of withstanding bombs, artillery fire, and other such attacks in order to save people in very dangerous situations. She was compassionate and caring, and wanted to really learn how to interact with people. I absolutely fell in love with her character. So, when everything when bust, and I still felt so much compassion for this AI machine, I have to give credit to the author's writing skills.
The character building is quite exceptional. While most of the book is from Reid's POV, the author doesn't neglect his secondary characters, so you really appreciate their strengths and weaknesses and root for them all. I especially developed a fondness for Aster, the engineer who created ACESO; he really showed strength when it was needed and was always there for his team mates. And even though Reid has an eidetic memory, it wasn't used to further along the story and get them out of difficult situations, but more as a personality trait, useful when needed, but not something used as a overused plot device, something for which I was grateful.
While the plot did start off slowly, I still found it really interesting. The whole concept of AI and how it should be used came up constantly in this book, with the owner of the company having more a pacifist bent while one of his vps longed to take the company into a more offensive mode. And there were some players willing to pay a lot of money for this developed technology. So when the vp decides to take matters into his own hands, things take a turn to the nasty side and this is where the book picked up and literally took off. The whole point of this story was for the company to challenge this labyrinth again, something they do every year, and the prizes for the winning team are huge, including grant money for their departments. Made up of a series of locked-room puzzles, it's meant to challenge the players; it was the perfect scenario to unleash a devastating machine on the players and to see how everything would play out. There were so many twists and turns, it left me dizzy. But I couldn't stop turning the pages and stayed up late to finish.
And while the book was great, the ending...just ended. While there was a bit of a conclusion, and I wasn't disappointed with what happened, there were a lot of threads left dangling and I wanted to know what happened.
The Wickedest of Things was both heartbreaking and visceral, flipping back and forth between aggressive behaviour and tenderness, showing the complexity of AI technology and what could happen when technology is capable of showing human understanding and empathy. It's both frightening and compulsive at the same time. And while I love science-fiction, I am definitely not ready for this in my real world. Full of well-developed characters and a complex plot, I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the complexities of artificial intelligence and what that could mean for humans.
i received a free copy of this book from the author.
The Wickedest of Things was a really fun read, but it does have a somewhat slower build up so you can get to know the characters, the company, and some other important pieces of information that play a huge role later on in the story. It takes patience, but the payoff is worth it. The author's writing is so engaging though, that I didn't really mind. And to be honest, I needed some time to organize my thoughts around some of the concepts/themes in this book.
It says a lot about an author's writing strength when my favourite character happens to be AI. ACESO was developed as a leading-edge medic, capable of withstanding bombs, artillery fire, and other such attacks in order to save people in very dangerous situations. She was compassionate and caring, and wanted to really learn how to interact with people. I absolutely fell in love with her character. So, when everything when bust, and I still felt so much compassion for this AI machine, I have to give credit to the author's writing skills.
The character building is quite exceptional. While most of the book is from Reid's POV, the author doesn't neglect his secondary characters, so you really appreciate their strengths and weaknesses and root for them all. I especially developed a fondness for Aster, the engineer who created ACESO; he really showed strength when it was needed and was always there for his team mates. And even though Reid has an eidetic memory, it wasn't used to further along the story and get them out of difficult situations, but more as a personality trait, useful when needed, but not something used as a overused plot device, something for which I was grateful.
While the plot did start off slowly, I still found it really interesting. The whole concept of AI and how it should be used came up constantly in this book, with the owner of the company having more a pacifist bent while one of his vps longed to take the company into a more offensive mode. And there were some players willing to pay a lot of money for this developed technology. So when the vp decides to take matters into his own hands, things take a turn to the nasty side and this is where the book picked up and literally took off. The whole point of this story was for the company to challenge this labyrinth again, something they do every year, and the prizes for the winning team are huge, including grant money for their departments. Made up of a series of locked-room puzzles, it's meant to challenge the players; it was the perfect scenario to unleash a devastating machine on the players and to see how everything would play out. There were so many twists and turns, it left me dizzy. But I couldn't stop turning the pages and stayed up late to finish.
And while the book was great, the ending...just ended. While there was a bit of a conclusion, and I wasn't disappointed with what happened, there were a lot of threads left dangling and I wanted to know what happened.
The Wickedest of Things was both heartbreaking and visceral, flipping back and forth between aggressive behaviour and tenderness, showing the complexity of AI technology and what could happen when technology is capable of showing human understanding and empathy. It's both frightening and compulsive at the same time. And while I love science-fiction, I am definitely not ready for this in my real world. Full of well-developed characters and a complex plot, I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the complexities of artificial intelligence and what that could mean for humans.
i received a free copy of this book from the author.
July 19, 2024
A Review of "The Wickedest of Things" by Russel Barrie
"The Wickedest of Things" is a breathless read, a science-fiction actioner in which Russel Barrie has hurled his readers into the midst of corporate espionage, deadly games, and the dark side of technological ambition. On the alternately lurid/darkly shaded palette of a very near future, Barrie spins an engrossing tale of betrayal, survival, and the blurring line between reality and simulation.
A Haunted Man from the Past:
Reid Sheraton is the tormented video game designer whose unknown and mysterious past fuels his zeal for building mind-bending realities in video games. That's just the kind of talent that puts him on the radar of enigmatic and ruthless Esin, Horizon tech giant CEO into artificial intelligence. The bait that had originally lured Reid in was innocent enough: competing in a game—the ultimate in high-tech underground mazes, the Labyrinth. But deeper Reid plunges into the heart of the Labyrinth, the more clearly the game's promise of an exhilarating contest steadily gives way to a desperate struggle for survival.
Quotes that i loved
"The air itself vibrated with a nervous energy, a thousand minds humming in an unspoken symphony of ambition and anxiety."
"The Labyrinth wasn't just a test of skill; it was a crucible designed to expose the darkest corners of our psyches, to exploit our deepest vulnerabilities and turn them against us."
"In this twisted game of shadows, trust was as rare as breathable air—a luxury no one of us could afford."
A World on the Brink of Tomorrow:
Barrie constructs her world fantastically well. He divinely paints an adequate vision of a future where highly sophisticated technologies, from artificial intelligence to virtual reality, become part of everyday life. But the concept of the Labyrinth is also awesome and frightening at the same time. Can one imagine a series of ever-changing hi-tech mazes that challenge each and every occurrence of your physical and mental agility?. The ever-present threat of death within the Labyrinth raises tension and claustrophobia that follows a reader through the pages, having them trapped alongside Reid in this nightmare.
A Cast of Characters You Won't Soon Forget:
While Reid is indisputably the protagonist, the supporting cast is anything but flat. Esin is the enigmatic CEO and, in her own right, an intricate case study in ambition and ruthlessness—worryingly so, which makes for a very forbidding case of antagonism. Other contestants within the Labyrinth, each with his or her motives and secrets, add depth and intrigue to the story. There's the genius for hacking, Maya, with a streak of the rebel in her, and then stoic but ferociously competing, Tanaka. The interactions create an atmosphere so unpredictable as to leave the reader questioning who to trust.
The Gripping Ride with Some Tweaks:
The Novel is fast-moving. It is done with great expertise that Barrie manages to interweave bits of action sequences, philosophical considerations on reality per se, and moments of character development into a cohesive narrative. Twists and turns abound in this book, holding one at the edge of the seat all the way to the very desire of uncovering just what mystery's been contrived out of the Labyrinth and Esin's true intentions.
A Must-Read for Sci-Fi Enthusiasts:
"The Wickedest of Things" is a real page-turner of sci-fi thriller proportions that will haunt your mind long after reading its last page. It holds action, mystery, and Barrie-driven philosophical questions.
"The Wickedest of Things" is a breathless read, a science-fiction actioner in which Russel Barrie has hurled his readers into the midst of corporate espionage, deadly games, and the dark side of technological ambition. On the alternately lurid/darkly shaded palette of a very near future, Barrie spins an engrossing tale of betrayal, survival, and the blurring line between reality and simulation.
A Haunted Man from the Past:
Reid Sheraton is the tormented video game designer whose unknown and mysterious past fuels his zeal for building mind-bending realities in video games. That's just the kind of talent that puts him on the radar of enigmatic and ruthless Esin, Horizon tech giant CEO into artificial intelligence. The bait that had originally lured Reid in was innocent enough: competing in a game—the ultimate in high-tech underground mazes, the Labyrinth. But deeper Reid plunges into the heart of the Labyrinth, the more clearly the game's promise of an exhilarating contest steadily gives way to a desperate struggle for survival.
Quotes that i loved
"The air itself vibrated with a nervous energy, a thousand minds humming in an unspoken symphony of ambition and anxiety."
"The Labyrinth wasn't just a test of skill; it was a crucible designed to expose the darkest corners of our psyches, to exploit our deepest vulnerabilities and turn them against us."
"In this twisted game of shadows, trust was as rare as breathable air—a luxury no one of us could afford."
A World on the Brink of Tomorrow:
Barrie constructs her world fantastically well. He divinely paints an adequate vision of a future where highly sophisticated technologies, from artificial intelligence to virtual reality, become part of everyday life. But the concept of the Labyrinth is also awesome and frightening at the same time. Can one imagine a series of ever-changing hi-tech mazes that challenge each and every occurrence of your physical and mental agility?. The ever-present threat of death within the Labyrinth raises tension and claustrophobia that follows a reader through the pages, having them trapped alongside Reid in this nightmare.
A Cast of Characters You Won't Soon Forget:
While Reid is indisputably the protagonist, the supporting cast is anything but flat. Esin is the enigmatic CEO and, in her own right, an intricate case study in ambition and ruthlessness—worryingly so, which makes for a very forbidding case of antagonism. Other contestants within the Labyrinth, each with his or her motives and secrets, add depth and intrigue to the story. There's the genius for hacking, Maya, with a streak of the rebel in her, and then stoic but ferociously competing, Tanaka. The interactions create an atmosphere so unpredictable as to leave the reader questioning who to trust.
The Gripping Ride with Some Tweaks:
The Novel is fast-moving. It is done with great expertise that Barrie manages to interweave bits of action sequences, philosophical considerations on reality per se, and moments of character development into a cohesive narrative. Twists and turns abound in this book, holding one at the edge of the seat all the way to the very desire of uncovering just what mystery's been contrived out of the Labyrinth and Esin's true intentions.
A Must-Read for Sci-Fi Enthusiasts:
"The Wickedest of Things" is a real page-turner of sci-fi thriller proportions that will haunt your mind long after reading its last page. It holds action, mystery, and Barrie-driven philosophical questions.
February 17, 2024
I loved this book so much! There was a diverse group of character personalities that most of the main cast were flushed out nicely, the plot was interesting and even though I knew that a murder was gonna happen I didn't know how they would escape and that kept me reading more and more! Every trial and challenge the main cast face was so interesting and just made me wonder how they were gonna get of the labyrinth. And I found Wyatt to be a great antagonist in the book in the fact that he was the most believable villain that realistically, his actions and decisions are very possible in real life. I only wish that we had gotten one last chapter, like a small time jump just to see how Aceso the AI was doing and what the company was gonna do with her. Which I have to say, for being an AI robot, Aceso was such a great character because of her humanity being impeded within her all through the book and it made me feel bad for her.
The book centers around Rein who has a exact memory, like he cant forget anything and Esin who is the VP of Horizons corporations who convinced Reid, the game developer to be a part of her team to will the yearly labyrinth. So Reid, Esin as well as Robin, Aster and Sasha all went into the labyrinth thinking it would be fun and challenging with different puzzles to figure out but then end of in a deadly race to get out before they were found.
(SPOLIER BELOW)
The AI that Horizens invented was a medbot that was created to find people in disasters, treat them and bring them back. He was going to be the CEO Fozzy's greatest legacy but Wyatt the VP for the other division that worked on the AI got himself stuck in a corner when Fozzy wouldn't make the AI into a killing machine and basically got fired from Wyatt thinking he was the best of the best and that Fozzy would never let him go. But he underestimated Fozzy. He went behind Fozzy and promised a rival company the "blueprints" basically of the AI with combat and killing knowledge. So Wyatt was the cause of the AI who is called Aceso, to be a killer bot and caused the death of many in the labyrinth as Wyatt was unaware that Aceso was gonna be in the labyrinth being the stand by medic and left the flashdrive with the killing objective still in him.
(SPOLIER ENDS)
In the end this was a great read and helped me get out of a reading funk. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to be left in their seat just wondering which characters survive and which characters are gonna die till the end. I cried and I laughed and I cheered on these characters and got made with other's. It was a whirlwind of emotions that I experienced because of this book.
The book centers around Rein who has a exact memory, like he cant forget anything and Esin who is the VP of Horizons corporations who convinced Reid, the game developer to be a part of her team to will the yearly labyrinth. So Reid, Esin as well as Robin, Aster and Sasha all went into the labyrinth thinking it would be fun and challenging with different puzzles to figure out but then end of in a deadly race to get out before they were found.
(SPOLIER BELOW)
The AI that Horizens invented was a medbot that was created to find people in disasters, treat them and bring them back. He was going to be the CEO Fozzy's greatest legacy but Wyatt the VP for the other division that worked on the AI got himself stuck in a corner when Fozzy wouldn't make the AI into a killing machine and basically got fired from Wyatt thinking he was the best of the best and that Fozzy would never let him go. But he underestimated Fozzy. He went behind Fozzy and promised a rival company the "blueprints" basically of the AI with combat and killing knowledge. So Wyatt was the cause of the AI who is called Aceso, to be a killer bot and caused the death of many in the labyrinth as Wyatt was unaware that Aceso was gonna be in the labyrinth being the stand by medic and left the flashdrive with the killing objective still in him.
(SPOLIER ENDS)
In the end this was a great read and helped me get out of a reading funk. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to be left in their seat just wondering which characters survive and which characters are gonna die till the end. I cried and I laughed and I cheered on these characters and got made with other's. It was a whirlwind of emotions that I experienced because of this book.
June 9, 2024
Russel Barrie is an author local to me, and I discovered him through a community post on Facebook. I purchased The Wickedest of Things on eBook and embarked on a thrilling adventure!
Barrie's characters in the Wickedest of Things were among my favourite parts of this work. His main character Reid Sheraton is excellent, from his tragic backstory to his exceptional skills that set him apart from the others. I thoroughly enjoyed these characters, and found myself rooting for them from the slow-burn start to the story, right through the edge-of-your-seat action that begins roughly 40% into the book and ceaselessly assaults you until the ending. I'm glad I read this book on eBook... I may have earned blisters from turning the pages as fast as I did.
At times, the way in which Barrie chooses to describe his characters can become somewhat tedious - there are only so many times one can read 'the Adonis' or 'the model male secretary' or 'the slender executive.' I also found that Stephen King's oft-quoted saying from his Memoire On Writing - "The road to Hell is paved in Adjectives" - was on full display in this work. I found myself more often then not being pulled away from what otherwise was an exceptional plot by the groans from overabundant adjective use and the aforementioned habit of describing characters ceaselessly by their physical attributes. My favourite character in the story - the roboticist Aster - probably suffered this tragic mistake more often than anyone else. Other than Robin.
Yet ultimately, Barrie has crafted a page-turner of a story in a unique setting. Perhaps it's because I've spent time living in Vancouver - even worked for a cartoon studio - and have seen first-hand the over-the-top Corporate culture in the world, but I felt as though I was there with the characters walking through the scenes Barrie crafted. I felt their fear in the darkness during the climactic parts of the story. And in the end, I was sad and felt more than a little let down by the ending because I come to enjoy the company of these characters so much. I found myself fond of them, and wanting to know what happened to them a year from now.
Russel Barrie has created a great story with this Novel. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the high-tech thriller genre. Solid 4/5.
Barrie's characters in the Wickedest of Things were among my favourite parts of this work. His main character Reid Sheraton is excellent, from his tragic backstory to his exceptional skills that set him apart from the others. I thoroughly enjoyed these characters, and found myself rooting for them from the slow-burn start to the story, right through the edge-of-your-seat action that begins roughly 40% into the book and ceaselessly assaults you until the ending. I'm glad I read this book on eBook... I may have earned blisters from turning the pages as fast as I did.
At times, the way in which Barrie chooses to describe his characters can become somewhat tedious - there are only so many times one can read 'the Adonis' or 'the model male secretary' or 'the slender executive.' I also found that Stephen King's oft-quoted saying from his Memoire On Writing - "The road to Hell is paved in Adjectives" - was on full display in this work. I found myself more often then not being pulled away from what otherwise was an exceptional plot by the groans from overabundant adjective use and the aforementioned habit of describing characters ceaselessly by their physical attributes. My favourite character in the story - the roboticist Aster - probably suffered this tragic mistake more often than anyone else. Other than Robin.
Yet ultimately, Barrie has crafted a page-turner of a story in a unique setting. Perhaps it's because I've spent time living in Vancouver - even worked for a cartoon studio - and have seen first-hand the over-the-top Corporate culture in the world, but I felt as though I was there with the characters walking through the scenes Barrie crafted. I felt their fear in the darkness during the climactic parts of the story. And in the end, I was sad and felt more than a little let down by the ending because I come to enjoy the company of these characters so much. I found myself fond of them, and wanting to know what happened to them a year from now.
Russel Barrie has created a great story with this Novel. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the high-tech thriller genre. Solid 4/5.
January 13, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
I recently delved into the thrilling world of "The Wickedest of Things" by Russel Barrie, and I must say, it's a rollercoaster ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The narrative revolves around Reid Sheraton, a video game designer who finds himself entangled in the mysterious and dangerous Horizon Labyrinth, thanks to a captivating invitation from the quippy VP of Media and Marketing, Esin Shirzai.
One of the standout elements of the novel is the inclusion of the AI Aceso, initially designed as a medic but taking a deadly turn. The portrayal of Aceso adds a unique layer to the story, as the line between artificial intelligence and humanity becomes blurred. Despite Aceso's lethal capabilities, the narrative skillfully maintains a thread of sympathy for this complex character.
The villainous Wyatt is a formidable force that adds depth and tension to the plot. Barrie has masterfully crafted Wyatt's character, making him more than just a one-dimensional antagonist. Wyatt's motives and actions are shrouded in mystery, keeping readers guessing until the very end.
What truly sets "The Wickedest of Things" apart is its exceptional cast of characters. Reid Sheraton is a relatable protagonist, and his journey through the Horizon Labyrinth is filled with twists and turns that leave readers craving for more. Esin Shirzai's quippy demeanor adds a touch of humor to the intense narrative, balancing the dark undertones with moments of levity.
The pacing of the novel is well-executed, keeping the suspense alive from start to finish. Barrie's writing style effortlessly weaves together intricate plotlines and character arcs, creating a story that is as engaging as it is unpredictable.
In conclusion, "The Wickedest of Things" is a must-read for thriller enthusiasts. With a captivating plot, a diverse and well-developed cast of characters, and the intriguing use of AI Aceso, Russel Barrie delivers a gripping narrative that deserves high praise. I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a thrilling escape into a world where the wickedest things come to life.
I recently delved into the thrilling world of "The Wickedest of Things" by Russel Barrie, and I must say, it's a rollercoaster ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The narrative revolves around Reid Sheraton, a video game designer who finds himself entangled in the mysterious and dangerous Horizon Labyrinth, thanks to a captivating invitation from the quippy VP of Media and Marketing, Esin Shirzai.
One of the standout elements of the novel is the inclusion of the AI Aceso, initially designed as a medic but taking a deadly turn. The portrayal of Aceso adds a unique layer to the story, as the line between artificial intelligence and humanity becomes blurred. Despite Aceso's lethal capabilities, the narrative skillfully maintains a thread of sympathy for this complex character.
The villainous Wyatt is a formidable force that adds depth and tension to the plot. Barrie has masterfully crafted Wyatt's character, making him more than just a one-dimensional antagonist. Wyatt's motives and actions are shrouded in mystery, keeping readers guessing until the very end.
What truly sets "The Wickedest of Things" apart is its exceptional cast of characters. Reid Sheraton is a relatable protagonist, and his journey through the Horizon Labyrinth is filled with twists and turns that leave readers craving for more. Esin Shirzai's quippy demeanor adds a touch of humor to the intense narrative, balancing the dark undertones with moments of levity.
The pacing of the novel is well-executed, keeping the suspense alive from start to finish. Barrie's writing style effortlessly weaves together intricate plotlines and character arcs, creating a story that is as engaging as it is unpredictable.
In conclusion, "The Wickedest of Things" is a must-read for thriller enthusiasts. With a captivating plot, a diverse and well-developed cast of characters, and the intriguing use of AI Aceso, Russel Barrie delivers a gripping narrative that deserves high praise. I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a thrilling escape into a world where the wickedest things come to life.
February 10, 2024
Books like this one are why I love the thriller genre. This story features sci-fi future tech set in the near future. Reid Sheraton is a video game designer with a perfect memory, which makes him extraordinarily good at designing and solving puzzles. The company he works for gets bought out by a mega-corp called Horizon, which as replaced Google as the search engine of the future, among other things. Every year Horizon hosts an event called the Labyrinth, in which department teams send their best to compete in a competition. The competition involves everything from solving complex puzzles, to strength and endurance tests.
When his new supervisor Esin recruits him for her labyrinth team, he is brought to Horizon headquarters where he is introduced to the company's latest creation - an AI medic called Aceso. Aceso and Reid bond as Aceso explores her desire to be able to feel what humans feel in order to help them better.
No thriller is complete without a villian who prioritizes their own self interests above the safety of others, and as the book leads up to the start of the Labyrinth trials we see the antagonist of this story make a series of selfish mistakes that take a sinister and deadly turn. But by the time Reid and his team realize what has happened, they are already locked miles below ground inside the labyrinth trials with no way to escape except to solve the puzzles and stay ahead of the thing that hunts them.
This book had me literally biting my nails off before the trials even started! I think this is one that should be made into a movie. The book was well written with great character arcs, the plot was imaginative and exciting until the very end! I had absolutely no idea what to expect and I love when I can't predict what is going to happen next in a book. This author did a fantastic job and I look forward to reading more of his work.
When his new supervisor Esin recruits him for her labyrinth team, he is brought to Horizon headquarters where he is introduced to the company's latest creation - an AI medic called Aceso. Aceso and Reid bond as Aceso explores her desire to be able to feel what humans feel in order to help them better.
No thriller is complete without a villian who prioritizes their own self interests above the safety of others, and as the book leads up to the start of the Labyrinth trials we see the antagonist of this story make a series of selfish mistakes that take a sinister and deadly turn. But by the time Reid and his team realize what has happened, they are already locked miles below ground inside the labyrinth trials with no way to escape except to solve the puzzles and stay ahead of the thing that hunts them.
This book had me literally biting my nails off before the trials even started! I think this is one that should be made into a movie. The book was well written with great character arcs, the plot was imaginative and exciting until the very end! I had absolutely no idea what to expect and I love when I can't predict what is going to happen next in a book. This author did a fantastic job and I look forward to reading more of his work.
July 13, 2024
AI thriller
The premise of this novel was really interesting. So Reid is a video game designer with an eidetic memory and the gaming company he works for has recently been purchased by a bigger company, Horizon. After he meets his new boss, she informs him of a game that the horizon employees go through every year called the labyrinth and she wants him on the team so they’ll win. All the different divisions of horizon teams and they have to go through the labyrinth and whoever gets out first wins and they get like a huge budget increase and stuff. Horizon recently debuted an AI medic in the form of like almost like a huge robotic bug named Aceso for the military. Now, the CEO of Horizon is very hippie like and his VP of AI wants to eventually market it another version of Aceso as a combat AI rather than like a medic that helps people so the CEO fires him because he goes against the company philosophy. Then the VP goes against his wishes and starts running tests on the AI during his two weeks, and unfortunately that’s where it all goes wrong. They move Aceso into the labyrinth to assist with any people who get hurt but he’s still accidentally programmed to be in combat mode, so something that was supposed to be fun and teambuilding turns out to be fighting for their life. I would totally watch this movie and I enjoyed it!
The premise of this novel was really interesting. So Reid is a video game designer with an eidetic memory and the gaming company he works for has recently been purchased by a bigger company, Horizon. After he meets his new boss, she informs him of a game that the horizon employees go through every year called the labyrinth and she wants him on the team so they’ll win. All the different divisions of horizon teams and they have to go through the labyrinth and whoever gets out first wins and they get like a huge budget increase and stuff. Horizon recently debuted an AI medic in the form of like almost like a huge robotic bug named Aceso for the military. Now, the CEO of Horizon is very hippie like and his VP of AI wants to eventually market it another version of Aceso as a combat AI rather than like a medic that helps people so the CEO fires him because he goes against the company philosophy. Then the VP goes against his wishes and starts running tests on the AI during his two weeks, and unfortunately that’s where it all goes wrong. They move Aceso into the labyrinth to assist with any people who get hurt but he’s still accidentally programmed to be in combat mode, so something that was supposed to be fun and teambuilding turns out to be fighting for their life. I would totally watch this movie and I enjoyed it!
September 30, 2024
Wow
I'm a romance reader, so this book was outside my realm. For starters it was slow start.. I need an immediate hook and for some reason this didn't grab me. I felt like there was too much detail and the action didn't start for about 300 pages in when the labyrinth started.
This was at no fault to the author. I just don't think this book was meant for me.
once the "game" started I was immediately sucked in. It took a while but the grab was there. I loved all the characters except for Wyatt. Read it and you'll see he's a great protagonist. Someone you absolutely love to hate. The character descriptions were on point. They didn't leave room for reader creativity though.
For me even with the over description I kept picturing irobot/alien/maze runner. Mix all those babies up and you get this thriller AI story.
The book is third person which I don't read a lot of and it was done well. I'm used to read multiple POVs and this story had it but it didn't distinguish which POV you were reading.
I loved aceso the AI. She/ he or what wyatt would say it, was a great character. I liked that it wanted to better itself and it was curious about emotions and developed something along the way.
I think this is a good book if your an avid thriller reader. Good story. Thank you Russel for putting this out there to consume
I'm a romance reader, so this book was outside my realm. For starters it was slow start.. I need an immediate hook and for some reason this didn't grab me. I felt like there was too much detail and the action didn't start for about 300 pages in when the labyrinth started.
This was at no fault to the author. I just don't think this book was meant for me.
once the "game" started I was immediately sucked in. It took a while but the grab was there. I loved all the characters except for Wyatt. Read it and you'll see he's a great protagonist. Someone you absolutely love to hate. The character descriptions were on point. They didn't leave room for reader creativity though.
For me even with the over description I kept picturing irobot/alien/maze runner. Mix all those babies up and you get this thriller AI story.
The book is third person which I don't read a lot of and it was done well. I'm used to read multiple POVs and this story had it but it didn't distinguish which POV you were reading.
I loved aceso the AI. She/ he or what wyatt would say it, was a great character. I liked that it wanted to better itself and it was curious about emotions and developed something along the way.
I think this is a good book if your an avid thriller reader. Good story. Thank you Russel for putting this out there to consume
August 28, 2024
The Wickedest of Things by Russel Barrie is a complex ideology, with an interesting plot. The story follows Reid, a game designer with a painful past, who chooses to take part in a labyrinth game put on by the owner of the new futuristic tech agency, Horizon. These games require employees to complete challenging mazes and puzzles within the mountains of Vancouver, in hopes to prove themselves. And that is just the beginning of the pros and cons of technology, both present and future. I’m usually not a huge fan of sci-fi, but I was impressed with the authors detailed writing and way of storytelling, and I can tell the author is very knowledgeable on this subject. I also thought it was cool that it takes place in Vancouver, a familiar stomping ground to me. There is definitely a thriller aspect, with the advancement of AI technology, which is both interesting and terrifying. The beginning has a lot of character building with a lot of dialogue, which did cause me to feel a slow burn at times and left me feeling that the story could have been shorter. All in all, I would consider reading another book by this author.
February 9, 2024
Where to begin... 🤔🤔 Not me screaming at the Author in his DMs throughout the entire book, because I am a nuisance like that 🙈 or because the book was an emotional rollercoaster, it had me deeply trapped within my thoughts just as the Horizon employees felt trapped in the Labyrinth. What started out as a competitive fun game between colleagues soon turned dark when the unexpected emerged from the shadows. But if you don't love this unaliver and somehow have a piece of your heart break for this character, something is clearly wrong. Join ACESO an AI medic machine with evolved thoughts and feelings that "she" can not fully wrap her mechanical brain around, but with the help of a couple words from Reid, she is able to explore through them and be a better machine, confusing everyone in the process 😂☠️ As the teams weave through the maze, some lost along the way 💔 forever bonds formed, healing from past trauma... What more do you want?? 😂😂 Don't hesitate to add it to your TBR if you like to be kept on your toes at every turning page ... 😁😁 This one is definitely for you...
January 29, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! I was sent the pdf form of the book by Russel and I was a little nervous to start it because I didn't want to potentially disappoint by not liking it. But from the first chapter I knew I was gonna like it, the character depth is honestly insane! The characters were so unique in their own way, have interesting backstories, and the interactions between the characters become somewhat addictive. The plot itself was amazing and kept me hooked the entire time, and the romance was beautifully executed. I am a person that only reads physical books, and I'm not really a fan of reading electronically, but this book was good enough that I read it anyway! I plan on buying a physical copy at some point and thank you to Russel for sending me the electronic form of the book.
April 6, 2024
4,5⭐️
If you love a really good thriller than this one is a must read for you.
This book is more than you could have asked for.
The ML is a game developer who get‘s confronted by the FL who is the vice president of a large tech company.
They both enter a competition who takes place in a labyrinth that has different escape rooms. The AI who is initially designed as a medic, but somehow takes a wrong turn and becomes deadly is an interesting twist.
The antagonist is also really well written. I never thought I could feel so much hate for a fictional character.
The story itself is not too slow paced, it is in some parts rather on the faster side. The writing style easily pulls you into the book.
I would definitely recommend this one who likes a thrilling and thought-provoking book.
If you love a really good thriller than this one is a must read for you.
This book is more than you could have asked for.
The ML is a game developer who get‘s confronted by the FL who is the vice president of a large tech company.
They both enter a competition who takes place in a labyrinth that has different escape rooms. The AI who is initially designed as a medic, but somehow takes a wrong turn and becomes deadly is an interesting twist.
The antagonist is also really well written. I never thought I could feel so much hate for a fictional character.
The story itself is not too slow paced, it is in some parts rather on the faster side. The writing style easily pulls you into the book.
I would definitely recommend this one who likes a thrilling and thought-provoking book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2024
I gave this 4.5/5 stars! First I want to thank Russel for reaching out to me about his book. Had he not, I may have never seen it. This book definitely deserves to be all over TT! People should be reading and raving about it because I see it becoming a great movie! Definitely gives off Maze Runner vibes!
I was very impressed with the writing and how reading this felt more like I was watching a movie. There was plenty of action, suspense, humor, and even a bit of romance!
I love how this uses escape rooms and mazes and puzzles to keep you in edge of your seat suspense! The title is fitting because it has all the wickedest things you can imagine come to life! This book leaves you breathless and wanting more! I highly recommend to anyone who loves thrillers!! Kudos, Russel!!
I was very impressed with the writing and how reading this felt more like I was watching a movie. There was plenty of action, suspense, humor, and even a bit of romance!
I love how this uses escape rooms and mazes and puzzles to keep you in edge of your seat suspense! The title is fitting because it has all the wickedest things you can imagine come to life! This book leaves you breathless and wanting more! I highly recommend to anyone who loves thrillers!! Kudos, Russel!!
February 29, 2024
Awesome thriller novel! Reid Sheraton is the main character in this novel and he is definitely interesting. The story follows Reid as he, alongside a group of colleagues, enter into the Labyrinth. The Labyrinth is basically a team buying exercise but it’s also a secret. This story involves some really interesting topics, such as humanity, morality and the role AI has in our world. One aspect I found particularly interesting was the idea of morality being good vs. evil and how this dynamic works in relation to AI.
The main drawback for me was that it felt like the story took a while to build, things began to kick off only at the halfway mark.
Overall, this was a well written thriller which explores many relevant and intriguing themes.
The main drawback for me was that it felt like the story took a while to build, things began to kick off only at the halfway mark.
Overall, this was a well written thriller which explores many relevant and intriguing themes.
March 7, 2024
When I first read the blurb I wasn’t overly interested, as it wasn’t something I wouldn’t usually read. Then I thought about it, and realised that I can’t assume I’m not interested when I have nothing to compare with.
It’s a long book. During character development I did take some breaks and read other books, but that is just me. I’m impatient.
However, when the storyline started to come together things just got better and better. I couldn’t put it down, I had to keep reading, I had to know how it would end.
Such an incredible read. I highly recommend reading. Don’t let the whole A.I part deter you. I mean, I thought it would more so be a guy book initially but am so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone. I love it!
It’s a long book. During character development I did take some breaks and read other books, but that is just me. I’m impatient.
However, when the storyline started to come together things just got better and better. I couldn’t put it down, I had to keep reading, I had to know how it would end.
Such an incredible read. I highly recommend reading. Don’t let the whole A.I part deter you. I mean, I thought it would more so be a guy book initially but am so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone. I love it!
August 1, 2023
What a thriller! It was so exciting I could hardly put it down to eat. Set ingeniously in a corporate culture that cultivates teamwork and creativity, it puts its people into an elaborate labyrinth of escape type rooms in a race for glory. However the race is hijacked by a killer robot with AI that they must escape instead. Whew! When I reached the end I realized I'd been holding my breath for a long time. Oh, and there's a gentle and sensitive love story between flawed people to boot. Highly recommended!
January 16, 2024
This book is antsy!
I was on the edge of my seat the whole way! I hated putting it down and couldn't wait to pick it back up again. The action and suspense were so gripping. The plot was well thought out with an ending that left me satisfied.
I can easily see this film becoming a movie. The way it played out in my head, it felt like I was watching a movie. I enjoyed this read and I'm grateful the author reached out to me, otherwise I probably wouldn't have heard about this book.
I would highly recommend this read.
I gave this a 4.5/5 stars
I was on the edge of my seat the whole way! I hated putting it down and couldn't wait to pick it back up again. The action and suspense were so gripping. The plot was well thought out with an ending that left me satisfied.
I can easily see this film becoming a movie. The way it played out in my head, it felt like I was watching a movie. I enjoyed this read and I'm grateful the author reached out to me, otherwise I probably wouldn't have heard about this book.
I would highly recommend this read.
I gave this a 4.5/5 stars
February 21, 2024
This book took a little while to fully suck me in (I think partially down to the fact that I’ve not been feeling well so reading has been more of a struggle) but once it did I didn’t want to put the book down. The characters were well developed, with me wanting to befriend some characters and feeling hatred for others. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I would like to know what ultimately happened to Aceso but I guess I’ll never know! Would definitely recommend this book for those who love a thriller.
May 17, 2024
first i want to thank the author Russel Barrie for reaching out and asking if i was interested in reading his book!
i went in knowing absolutely nothing about this book, but love a good thriller. His characters are so well written that you actually feel hate towards the antagonist and feel your heartbreak along with those hurt/lost. so many twists and turns it’ll keep your head reeling until the very last word. it was a story on the creation of an AI used to provide medical assistance where no one else can get to and you are able to see just how easy AI can be manipulated and how quickly its systems learn and adapt. a gripping read i will now recommend to anyone i can and will not soon forget
i went in knowing absolutely nothing about this book, but love a good thriller. His characters are so well written that you actually feel hate towards the antagonist and feel your heartbreak along with those hurt/lost. so many twists and turns it’ll keep your head reeling until the very last word. it was a story on the creation of an AI used to provide medical assistance where no one else can get to and you are able to see just how easy AI can be manipulated and how quickly its systems learn and adapt. a gripping read i will now recommend to anyone i can and will not soon forget
January 20, 2024
The book has a slow build-up,you get to know every character and their strengths and uniquenesses. The characters are well developed.
The group of characters is going inside a labrynt, escape room style.
To get out/finish the labrynt,they have to go true to a high difficulty puzzle in every room.
Things take a turn for the worse quickly when the AI starts to kill people.
It's a race against the clock.
I will recommend this book. it's a good thriller.
The group of characters is going inside a labrynt, escape room style.
To get out/finish the labrynt,they have to go true to a high difficulty puzzle in every room.
Things take a turn for the worse quickly when the AI starts to kill people.
It's a race against the clock.
I will recommend this book. it's a good thriller.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2024
I’m not a thriller reader but when Russel asked if I would like to read and review his book I said I would give it a go! I’m so glad I did. At first I wasn’t sure I was going to get into it but from about 30% I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. It was well written, full of diverse and likeable characters who face a lot of panic inducing challenges, great plot, lots of twists and turns and an AI caught in the middle due to greed and bitterness. I would definitely recommend this book 😊
March 18, 2024
☆Couldn't put this one down!☆
This thriller was everything you could wish for and then some! I was so hooked on this entire book! The characters were perfect, and the rollar coaster of emotions had me wanting to binge read the book. The way this author writes makes it super easy to feel highly engaged with the book. I think the writing definitely contributed to the suspense aspect! I highly recommend this to anyone who loves thrillers and sci-fi 🙌
This thriller was everything you could wish for and then some! I was so hooked on this entire book! The characters were perfect, and the rollar coaster of emotions had me wanting to binge read the book. The way this author writes makes it super easy to feel highly engaged with the book. I think the writing definitely contributed to the suspense aspect! I highly recommend this to anyone who loves thrillers and sci-fi 🙌
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