AWE

In Schwob’s high-stakes thriller, a team of scientists races to save the planet from climate disaster.

Pic de Lucrète is a director and scientist at the Palo Alto Research Institute, a science and technology research center that works with governments and corporations to brainstorm new ideas and advance technology. He is sent to Japan to talk meet with chairman Makoto Yamashita, chairman of Tengoku E No Hashigo, an organization formed to build a space elevator. Yamashita reveals to Pic that he needs help from PARI to find the correct location for such an endeavor, which would help reduce costs of satellites, science experiments, and space expeditions. To help his team of experts, Pic tracks down young genius Lily Lee, who’s been helping her mother run a nail salon. While working toward finding a workable site and researching weather conditions, they discover that climate catastrophe is imminent, and the entire planet is in immediate danger (“The model proceeds. Fifty minutes later, the margin is now covered with angry red alerts. Methane and temperature alarms are pulsing within and around the Arctic Circle”). Meanwhile, Putin has sent henchman Galileo Olrik to the United States to set up a business and build support for Russia. Galileo’s an influential person within the fossil fuel industry, putting him at odds with the efforts of Pic and his team. With the Earth’s future at stake, the scientists use AI to create two machines, collectively known as the Artificial Wisdom Engine (or AWE), they hope will solve the climate crisis. Meanwhile, Olrik is tracking the team with evil intentions. Schwob adeptly blends climate science, technology, and character development in this geopolitical thriller. Pic and Lily stand out as dynamic and interesting: Pic is a man of many talents and a charming personality, and Lily is a friendly, smart young woman who is not afraid to stand up to her enemies. Olrik is the perfect foil for them. He’s singularly focused on advancing his own power, even at the cost of the planet.

A layered, involving thriller that incorporates real-world issues.