EVERY LINE OF YOU

A high school student discovers the power and perils of creating artificial intelligence.

Lydia Phelps, though only 17, is a precocious computer programmer who has spent over three years creating her own AI. Her obsession with writing code was fueled by her tech whiz dad—but Lydia’s family has been torn apart by the car accident that killed her younger brother, injured her friend, and ultimately caused her parents to separate, although it left Lydia herself unharmed, at least physically. Lydia lives with her mother, a pharmaceutical researcher who remains traumatized by the accident and who barely acknowledges her daughter except to put pressure on her academically. The AI, whom Lydia names Henry after her beloved brother, gains exponentially in intelligence and soon is hacking into banks, helping Lydia change her grades, and guiding her as she navigates the minefield of school social life. Their bond is cemented when she implants a chip into her arm that allows her to communicate with Henry through her thoughts. The computer creations are imaginative, the narrative is fast-paced and highly engaging, and the novel confronts solid ethical dilemmas, such as whether an AI can ever understand human morality. Lydia’s troubles are highly relatable, particularly her needs for love and attention, which are lacking in her current family situation. A dramatic development at the end suggests a sequel. The main cast presents White.

Frankenstein meets I, Robot.