MOM: Magic Circles, Book 1

In an ambitious but incoherent combination of postapocalyptic techno-thriller, murder mystery, and psychological exploration of reality, Piprell (Kicking Dogs) showcases the dangers of overreliance on technology. In the mid-21st century, biological and technological warfare between India and China has destroyed most of the world. Africa has entirely disappeared, and Islamic terrorists have released a virus that sterilized anyone left alive. The remaining humans have taken refuge in malls, where the Mall Operations Manager (MOM), an artificial intelligence, provides protection from the outside, instant information, and virtual reality worlds to explore. But for Cisco, a test pilot for the virtual worlds, and Leary, his mentor figure, things are starting to seem wrong. Mondays are coming more often, the other test pilots are being killed, and Brian the Evil Canadian is plotting to finish destroying the world. The setting and its history are well developed, and the unique futuristic vocabulary becomes clear with a little effort, but the frequent point-of-view changes and genre shifts are jarring. Pervasive sexual violence and racist caricatures will put off many readers. (Apr.)