Blue Screen was a book I was excited to read ever since I heard about it eary this year. I didn’t know what to expect exactly and this was my first time reading Benzle, but I am happy to report he did not disappoint.

The world described is one of the most unique I think I’ve ever encountered in literature. It’s set in the future earth of 2984 in which homes, trees, EVERYTHING has been designed and built specifically for people to have the “optimal” life. The result is an eerie mix of comfort and dystopian technology.

Peter’s (the main character) voice is very strong. It almost reminded me of Ready Player One. I also enjoyed the other characters, Cassandra, the love interest and Hiya, a best friend type were especially good and relatable.

The plot moves at a breakneck speed. I found the book hard to put down and read it in just a long afternoon (200 pages but text is spread out). Its the fastest I’ve read a book in years! The plot twists and turns and propels Peter from one event to the next. From about the midway point on Peter’s situation feels totally up in the air. He cannot rest, the future is uncertain and he is surrounded by the unknown.

There is a scary parallel between today's changing world, a world turning to AI, just as it is in the book.