Title: Sixth Iteration
Author: E. Hughes
Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9973200-6-0
Hardcover ISBN 978-1737705222
eBook ISBN: 978-1737705239
Genre: Science-Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
Availability: Paperback or eBook
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Review
Between corporate espionage, robotics, and astonishing twists, E.Hughes builds a machine for hopeless romantics to deconstruct in her latest book, Sixth Iteration.
The story follows two very different women as they navigate their relationships with the mysterious men in their lives.
We are first introduced to an introverted anthropologist, Stella Andrews. She soon meets the handsome, business-minded mathematician Randall Reid, a representative of Reid Robotics. He arrives on Moon Bay Island with one goal in mind, and that is to help create a programming language that would have an A.I. experience emotions.
We also meet the injured and bitter Sapphire, a ballet dancer whose career was cut short at the height of her fame due to a carefully placed foot. She is given another chance at a future when a mysterious handler from Elito, Tennessee Jenkins, offers her a job.
That Job?
To steal secrets from the focused, charming, and dangerous billionaire CEO playboy of Reid Robotics, Victor Reid.
I’m not a big fan of espionage, so I didn’t find Sapphire’s part of the story as interesting as Stella’s. But as I dove deeper into the plot, I was intrigued by Sapphire’s conflict between completing the mission for Elito and her blossoming romance with Victor Reid. Who will she choose? I was eager to see how it all turned out. To this end, the author offers an unexpected turn of events. Pow!
While Sapphire’s story improved and evolved, Stella’s triangle with Randall and the AI program, R-1, is where the story really shines.
Stella’s awkward, bumbling and often endearing unrequited love for the emotionally stilted but oddly captivating Randall Reid, felt natural and progressed at a great pace. Her evolving relationship with R-1 was so enjoyable, that I found myself excited to see how their relationship would progress.
Sixth Iteration was delightful with plenty of gripping twists, one of them revealing a startling secret that will throw into question everything that was previously read. The story, while complete, has plenty of room to create side stories or even a sequel, if not to build upon the well-crafted world, then to answer some of the lingering questions left behind.
★★★★★– Elijah B.