* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

3.5 stars. In the wake of a series of deadly viruses, humans live in a state of isolation. While they can't go out, their "companions" can come in. Companions are human consciousnesses contained in AI shells and act as nannies, maids, caregivers, and friends. But their programming isn't perfect and breaks in security features lead to some harrowing circumstances.

This tale is told in a series of disjointed, yet connected vignettes. The concept was great and I really love the world that was created. I'm not typically a fan of AI type stories, so this was a good middle ground for me and I found it intriguing. The implications were interesting to ponder and I liked seeing some of them played out through the plot.

The writing is good, but sometimes feels overly choppy and disorienting. Similarly, I liked the individual stories and how they wove together, but the transitions made things a little dizzy. The pieces often felt too short, somewhat rushed, and incomplete. I wanted so much more. The ending few chapters were confusing at first, but came clearer with some contemplation. This is a book that will likely have me thinking about the circumstances for a while to come.

I would like to see more from this author and really would love this particular world to be explored more fully. It was incredibly creative and had so much to offer. LOTS of potential. I just wanted to know more, to see more, to have a more encompassing exploration of the topic.