A Julia Z Novel - 1: All That We See or Seem

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Award-winning author Ken Liu returns with a gripping sci-fi thriller featuring former “orphan hacker” Julia Z. Thrust into a high-stakes adventure, Julia must leverage her cybersecurity and hacking skills to solve a virtual reality mystery, rescue a kidnapped dream artist, and navigate the complex interplay of technology, identity, and shared dreams. Once notorious as the “orphan hacker” at just fourteen, Julia now seeks a quiet life in a Boston suburb. However, her routine is disrupted when Piers, a lawyer whose wife Elli—a renowned dream artist—has been abducted by dangerous criminals, seeks her help. Despite her desire for solitude, Julia feels compelled to assist Piers and tackle the digital conundrum at hand. Elli, an onierofex, creates immersive experiences by weaving the dreams of her audience into a shared virtual landscape. But Julia uncovers a dark twist: Elli has been providing exclusive dream experiences to the leader of an international crime syndicate, who now demands his dreams in exchange for her freedom. As Julia delves deeper into the blurred lines between reality and illusion, her journey takes her across the country and into the depths of her own psyche.