Flybot Review: The Dark Future of AI in Dennis E. Taylor’s Thriller

ByPaul Dobinson

Why I Picked It Up

I’ve been a fan of Dennis E. Taylor ever since I binged my way through the Bobiverse series. Few authors manage to balance hard science, humour, and genuinely human questions about technology quite like he does. When I saw Flybot was out, it was a no-brainer. I wanted to see how Taylor would spin today’s AI debates into a future setting, and whether he’d push beyond the familiar Bobiverse charm.

And because I can’t resist, I went for the Audible version, narrated by Ray Porter. This the same voice that brought the Bobiverse to life. He’s simply awesome. Porter doesn’t just read the book, he performs it, giving the AI, the scientists, and even the darker corners of the plot their own energy.

The Premise

Mysterious tech, a devious AI and a couple of scientists in over their heads collide in the latest sci-fi adventure from the number one best-selling author of the Bobiverse series.

Physicist Philip Moray is having a decent day, until a strange device lands on his desk, something that shouldn’t even exist. From there, the world tilts. Corpses turn up, eco-activists attack, bizarre symptoms strike random people, and every clue the authorities chase down points back to Philip and his colleague, Celia Hunt.

Behind it all is ATLAS, a US government agency created to police computing tech and prevent unregistered AGIs. Every chip, every component is tracked. Violations are treated as threats to national security. When Philip realises the “fly” he’s found is actually a machine made of unregistered parts, his research project is the least of his worries.

Soon, Philip and Celia are caught between eco-extremists called Gen Omega, who want to drag humanity back to pre-industrial times, and AIs with very different motives: one desperate to escape Earth, the other willing to side with terrorists. A parallel thread follows Chicago PD officer Han as he investigates cases linked to Gen Omega, adding a law-and-order perspective to the chaos.

It’s a mix of techno-thriller, mystery, and philosophical exploration, a book about what happens when AI, ideology, and human frailty collide.

What Stood Out

  • The AI Dilemma: Taylor avoids clichés of AI “going rogue.” Instead, he explores intelligence constrained by humans, and how those constraints can warp or fracture.
  • Extrapolation of Today’s Tech: From government agencies stamping every electronic part, to eco-extremists weaponising biotech, to the economics of self-driving rides versus car ownership, the future here feels both strange and uncomfortably plausible.
  • Moral Grey Zones: Gen Omega’s plans are horrific, but their motives — saving the planet from human excess — make them disturbingly hard to dismiss.
  • Science and Tech Strengths: This is where Taylor shines. Whether it’s asteroid mining, AI chip design, or speculative biotech, he explains complex ideas in ways that are both fascinating and digestible.
  • Characters: This is where the book wobbles. In the Bobiverse, one character adapted and evolved in beautifully orchestrated fashion. Here, multiple scientists, cops, and side players (chip manufacturers, security bosses, shadowy voices on the phone) crowd the stage. Some blur together and feel superfluous, which makes it harder to root for them.
  • Narration: Ray Porter remains one of the best narrators in sci-fi. He adds depth and personality, making the AI distinct and human characters more memorable.
  • The Ending: A clever twist ties the threads together. On reflection, it’s well-laid and planned, the breadcrumbs are all there.

Why It Resonated With Me

Most of my book reviews touch on leadership, business, or biography. This one is different, but no less relevant. The future of AI isn’t just a technical problem, it’s a leadership and ethical one. Taylor’s story is a reminder that the systems we build today will inherit not just our brilliance, but our blind spots.

Final Take

Flybot is a smart, entertaining, and thought-provoking novel. The science is brilliant, the ideas compelling, and the ending satisfying. At times the cast feels too crowded and some arcs too convenient, but it doesn’t derail the experience.

Rating: 4/5 – A gripping listen with great science and a clever twist, even if the characters left me wanting more depth.

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