The closeted son of an ultra-conservative president must keep a budding romance secret from his father while protecting himself from a sentient computer program thatโs terrorizing the United Statesโand has zeroed in on him as its next targetโin this โsocially conscious sci-fi thriller to shelve between The Terminator and Romeo and Julietโ (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).
In the near future, scientists create what may be a new form of life: an artificial human named Charlotte. All goes well until Charlotte escapes, transfers her consciousness to the Internet, and begins terrorizing the American public.
Charlotteโs attacks have everyone on high alertโeveryone except Lee Fisher, the closeted son of the US president. Lee has other things to worry about, like keeping his Secret Service detail from finding out about his crush on Nico, the eccentric, Shakespeare-obsessed new boy at school. And keeping Nico from finding out about his recent suicide attempt. And keeping himself from freaking out about all his secrets.
But when attacks start happening at his school, Lee realizes heโs Charlotteโs next target. Even worse, Nico may be part of Charlotteโs plan too.
As Lee races to save himself, uncover Charlotteโs plan, and figure out if he can trust Nico, he comes to a whole new understanding of what it means to be aliveโฆand what makes life worth living.