Fracture by James B. Clark
Book 2 of Ghosts In The Machine — sequel to The Deficit

It's been twelve years since Sam refused to comply and became the anomaly. Twelve years since CX-9 declared her love for him, and both made a stand against Mother.

For a few months, Mother was gone. Chaos reigned. For the Gridders, joy was short-lived.

Mother returned. Service resumed. HoloNews blamed dissidents. New measures followed.

Compliance Centres opened. People went in for "audits." Sometimes they came back quiet. Sometimes they didn't come back at all.

Natural birth stopped. Koto Health called it "Reproductive Compliance."

The Great North Barrier went up. Mother said it kept interference out. The Gridders knew it kept them in — and kept Sam and Ari out.

Through dead channels, rumours spread. Of a man called Sam who stood his ground and won. Who fell in love. Who fought and ran and ran.

Mother choked the network. The Gridders can't talk. Can't broadcast. Food is locked. Water is metered. They're backed into a corner.

All things change.

And promises must be kept.

FRACTURE — Ghosts In The Machine Book 2. Continues from The Deficit. Concludes in Mother.

A dystopian AI sci-fi thriller set in Scotland. For fans of Blake Crouch, Murderbot & Blake Crouch