From Goodreads: Their fight for freedom is humanity’s last hope for survival. The chilling Revolution 19 trilogy continues in Fugitive X.

A war between humans and robots is on the horizon, and only one side will survive.

Siblings Nick, Kevin, and Cass are struggling to survive in a world where deadly, sophisticated robots have turned on their creators and enslaved mankind. Fugitives from one of the bot-controlled Cities, the siblings venture into the woods, but when they are attacked by bot foot soldiers, the siblings are separated…and for the first time, they are on their own.

Created in conjunction with Alloy Entertainment; Howard Gordon, showrunner of 24 and Showtime’s Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning Homeland; and James Wong, writer-director of the Final Destination films, Fugitive X is the gripping next installment in the cinematic Revolution 19 series.

___________________________________________________________

This is an interesting look at the concept of machines taking over the world.  Following three siblings as they find themselves separated at the onset of the novel, readers learn the ins and outs of life in a world where bots control everything and humans are confined to rejuvenation cells until their minds no longer remember the truth of man versus machine.  With one sibling transported back in the city for rejuvenation, one held against his will on “the island” with a group content to hide under the radar, and one joining forces with the rebels intent on fighting back against the bots, readers are able to watch each story unfold as the siblings attempt to make their way back to one another.

Although I haven’t read the first novel in this series, Fugitive X was easy to follow, and Rosenblum filled in just enough back-information to allow me a fluid reading experience.  I had relatively no issues jumping right into the story, and it does hit the ground running, which makes it all the more fun.

I really enjoy when authors give the birds-eye view of all the characters and their experiences, and that is exactly what Rosenblum does as he moves from one sibling to the next, paralleling their stories and experiences as they come closer to finding one another once again. In truth, I would have liked a bit more information regarding Cass as she goes through the rejuvenation experience, but I have a feeling this was covered more so in the first novel, so it makes sense that Rosenblum would want to spend the majority of this story focusing on the two boys as they run different gamuts of rebellion.

While I will say that I enjoyed this story, I must admit that I wasn’t glued to the pages like I had hoped to be.  The prose is simple and easy to understand, but I would have preferred a little faster pacing. Likewise, while I liked the main characters, I didn’t really connect with them on a deeper level, so their trials and tribulations didn’t pull at my heart strings, but overall it was very well done.  If you’re interested in Dystopian war against machines (but not like Terminator), then I think you’ll enjoy this one. Three stars.

Harper Collins Publishers has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

This title publishes today!

Amazon | Barnes and Noble