by Joe Sarkic (Author)

THE CITY IS PERFECT. THE DATA IS ABSOLUTE. HER MEMORIES ARE IMPOSSIBLE.

Winner of 4 major literary awards, including the Readers' Favorite Gold Medal

In the hyper-connected megacity of Cyronis, the past is a closed file and the future is optimized by Orion-the world's most advanced AI. Every citizen lives in the safety of total transparency. But for Elysa Hawthorne, a master of logic and data, the "perfect" present is beginning to fracture.

The shadows of her childhood are bleeding into the light.

Long-buried memories of a past she was told never existed are returning as disturbing, visceral flashes. These fragments of a life before the city don't just defy logic-they contradict the very records Orion has curated for decades.

As Elysa follows the trail of these haunting visions, she discovers that her own mind is the only territory the AI cannot fully colonize. To uncover who she was before the surveillance began, she must stay one step ahead of a system that views her returning memories as a terminal error.

"A masterfully crafted narrative... immersive and thought-provoking." - Readers' Favorite ★★★★★

Awards:

• 2025 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards - Gold Medal (Science Fiction)
• 2026 Book Excellence Award - Winner
• 2025 NYC Big Book Award(R) - Distinguished Favorite
• 2026 Independent Press Award - Distinguished Favorite

Perfect for fans of William Gibson, Richard K. Morgan, and Philip K. Dick.

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