Marie whisks readers back into the world of the Cognation Academy with her third of the After Intelligence Series, which finds intrepid student Charlotte Blythe, now in her third year at tech-giant Cognation’s wildly innovative school, on edge after Dr. Kindred, Athena Fawlings, and her parents present a new tech product that might herald the fall of Cognation: “a new kind of soulmate.” Designed to “seamlessly integrate” with the user’s senses, this augmented intelligence device dazzles Charlotte’s classmates, but Charlotte is more than skeptical. After uncovering secrets about Cognation in the previous books, and alarming encounters with an AI named C.J. who might just be preparing to destroy everything she knows, Charlotte and her wry android bestie Isaac must expose the truth about Cognation Industries’ “brazen hubris” and this “invasive” tech’s “potentially catastrophic consequences.”

This entry is a swift, exciting, of-the-moment read that plunges readers into the tangled web of machine learning, augmented and artificial intelligence, and thoughtful exploration of the ethics of all of this. One strong twist finds Charlotte suddenly wondering if actually it’s AI C.J. who needs protection—from humans. Charlotte remains a winning hero, somewhat at odds with her peer group but caring about what matters most, and her friendships bring heart to the material. (A date that suffers from technical difficulties is a highlight.) For all Marie’s persuasive expertise in presenting this world, non-techie readers will not feel overwhelmed by the cool science elements as Charlotte discovers the lies and truths of Cognation.

In fact, Marie smartly uses the school setting to offer pointed, age-appropriate conversations exploring the issues of privacy, hackability, and more. The introduction of soulmates powers welcome exploration of invasive science, with the questions raised being answered, in words and inventive action, by a young generation that has only ever lived with such technologies. Lovers of searching but down-to-Earth science fiction will appreciate this sequel’s accessible and relatable consideration of the urgency of setting boundaries with technology.

Takeaway: Smart YA sequel of an innovative academy, invasive tech, and a bold student hero.

Comparable Titles: Rebecca Hanover’s The Similars, Suzanne Young’s Girls with Sharp Sticks series.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A