Nano bots are taking over the world

Created: 01/26/2022, 20:12

By: Jessica Bradley

Nano technology © Science Photo Library via www.imago-images.de

The self-publisher Michael Hirtzy won third place in the Tolino Media Newcomer Prize with his SiFi thriller “Before the Abyss”.

This is how the books read - my book tip.

With a mixture of dystopia, science fiction and thriller, author Michael Hirtzy writes about technological advances that we could lose control of.

Will artificial intelligence control our lives in the future?

In his trilogy, the author writes about this possibility.

I have read the first two volumes.

Michael Hirtzy "Before the abyss": About the book

Cover "Before the Abglung" by Michael Hirtzy © Michael Hirtzy

Five students are given the task of testing a revolutionary nanotechnology.

The students sense their great opportunity.

They soon have to realize that they and their clients have different goals.

They go their own way and success proves them right.

The five quickly have to admit that they don't have everything under control as they think they do.

Uncontrolled ambition meets nanotechnology, setting off a chain of events no one could have foreseen.

Michael Hirtzy "Before the Abyss": Language and Structure

It was difficult for me to get into the story at first.

There are many technical terms and unfortunately seldom simple explanations for them.

That's why I was left at a loss at some points.

A character would have been needed here who questions concepts so that even non-technical readers understand the processes.

Michael Hirtzy "Before the abyss": My conclusion

Although I had problems understanding the technical terms and remembering the many characters at the beginning, after a few chapters I got the hang of it and was able to fully engage with the story.

The first volume "Before the Abyss" ends with a nasty cliffhanger, but luckily I was able to dive straight into the next volume by Michael Hirtzy.

Michael Hirtzy "Before the Abyss"

Published in 2020 by Tolino, ISBN 13-978-3-751-92039-1

Price: paperback €9.99, e-book €4.99, number of pages: 240 (deviating from the format)

Michael Hirtzy "Countdown to Doom": About the Book

Cover of "Countdown to Doom" by Michael Hirtzy © Michael Hirtzy

The fast success has blinded the team of Fastlane.

A single wrong decision was enough to destroy everything.

In the days after the catastrophe, the founders of the technology group are confronted with the effects of their actions.

Your computer system Ancos, which is used worldwide, is to be turned off.

But what are the consequences? 

Michael Hirtzy "Countdown to Doom": Speech and Structure

In this volume, too, there are tons of technical details that meant nothing to me.

New characters appear and it took me a while to place them.

But the tension that the author Michael Hirtzy had already built up in the first volume increases in volume two.

Michael Hirtzy "Countdown to Doom": My conclusion

Volume two pulled me into the story faster and more.

The tension was consistently high and I trembled with the characters.

In between I was so fascinated that I started researching some terms because I wanted to delve deeper.

I'm definitely looking forward to the final part of the trilogy, which is due out this year.

I will also tell you about this then.

I would definitely recommend this book to science fiction and technology fans.

Even if I had slight Skynet vibes in between.

Michael Hirtzy "Countdown to Doom"

Published 2021 by Tolino, ISBN 13-978-3-969-66398-1

Price: paperback €12.99, e-book €4.99, number of pages: 240 (deviating from the format)

The author Michael Hirtzy

The 45-year-old author Michael Hirtzy was born in Graz and now lives in Vienna.

He writes thrillers, science fiction and horror on his own.