AWE

A Technothriller

By: Pierre R. Schwob

Narrated by: Jordan Kilgore

AWE (the Artificial Wisdom Engine) is developed by our heroes to avert a catastrophic tipping point predicted by a climate model. AWE must also combat pernicious disinformation, particularly the fake news generated by an industrialist—a psychopathic and murderous antagonist linked to Putin, who is determined to protect his and his clients' interests. The team is led by renaissance man Pic de Lucrète and Lily Lee, an off-scale smart young mathematician whose Chinese family still suffers from the effects of the Tiananmen Massacre. The action moves from Palo Alto and Stanford, to Moscow, Tokyo, and Beijing. Eventually, Xi Jinping lends China's might to the effort, establishing the notion that international cooperation is vital, alongside scientific rigor, to solve global issues.

©2024 Pierre R. Schwob (P)2025 Pierre R. Schwob

Futuristic Journey

AWE: A Technothriller' is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the urgent issues of climate change and the ethical dilemmas we face today with a futurist viewpoint. Pierre R. Schwob follows Pic de Lucrète and his team of scientists as they race against time to combat disinformation and avert a global catastrophe. The intricate plot weaves together suspense and innovative scientific concepts, making the urgency of the climate crisis feel both immediate and relatable.

The character development is detailed, bringing out the feelings and drivers of each player. Lily Lee is a brilliant mathematician of Chinese heritage, and Pic takes her under his wing when he hires her. An exceptional villain, characterized as a Russian oil billionaire, applies fatal methods to preserve his business empire. The diverse cast keeps listeners engaged until the final page.

Pierre R. Schwob illustrates how scientists might leverage AI to fight virulent disinformation and prevent an impending disaster. The world may never take action unless Pic's team can usurp the spread of lies and fake news. If people of the world unite, they might avoid civilization suffering immeasurable loss. The thrilling plot takes listeners from Silicon Valley to Tokyo, St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Beijing with vivid futuristic details.

Jordan Kilgore's narration is well-paced, with voice intonations that differ between characters. Though initially mildly confusing, listening to this story is the recommended modality. The scientific lingo sometimes goes a bit too far for the average listener. Overall, it is a fabulous audio experience. Areas focused on fake news and social relevance came across as pompous for contemporary viewpoints.

'AWE: A Technothriller,' created by a visionary author and computer scientist, Pierre R Schwob, combines suspense, science fiction, technology, and contemporary issues into a thought-provoking narrative. Fans may reflect on shared moral and ethical choices that could shape the future of our world. This novel entertains and inspires critical reflection on our collective responsibilities to the planet. Recommended read for anyone who appreciates a blend of thrilling action and pressing real-world issues!

Timely and entertaining

AWE: A Technothriller by Pierre R. Schwob has already become an Amazon bestseller, earning high praise from critics and readers alike thanks to its gripping, timely themes. Now that the audiobook is out, I wanted to add my voice to the conversation with a spoiler-free review.

I have always loved a good techno-thriller, so as soon as I got this audiobook, I jumped right in. The writing is sharp, the themes are relevant, and the pacing keeps things moving. From the very beginning, it’s clear that this isn’t just a futuristic “what if” story – it feels grounded in the world we live in today.

At its core, the story revolves around a groundbreaking artificial intelligence project designed to tackle one of humanity’s most pressing challenges. But as the team behind it soon realizes, technology alone isn’t enough to fix the world’s problems. They find themselves navigating a complex landscape where misinformation, power struggles, and global politics make their mission even more difficult.

The main characters are well-drawn and bring a lot to the story. Their intelligence, determination, and personal histories add depth to the narrative, making them easy to root for. Their work takes them across the world, highlighting how interconnected these issues really are.

One of the things I found most compelling and hopeful is how the book explores the need for international collaboration. It’s not often that thrillers focus on cooperation instead of conflict, but this one does, and it makes a strong case for why working together is the only way forward.

This book is definitely timely. AI is evolving fast, fake news is everywhere, and climate change is an issue we can’t ignore. This audiobook takes those real-world topics and weaves them into a thriller that feels unsettlingly plausible.

Performed by SOVAS Voice Arts Award winner Jordan Kilgore, this adaptation brings the story to life in a way that’s both immersive and thought-provoking.

Kilgore’s narration adds a lot to the experience. He keeps the pacing just right, making even the more technical aspects easy to follow, and he brings real depth to the characters. It never feels like he’s just reading, he’s telling a story.

Overall, AWE is an engaging and thought-provoking listen. It’s a smart, well-crafted thriller that blends science, politics, and ethics into a fast-moving narrative. If you’re interested in artificial intelligence, the spread of fake news, and climate change, this is the audiobook you’ve been waiting for.