Harmony’s Betrayal by Gavin Noble Mills takes place in a dystopian future where citizens are evaluated by their CiVal score, a measure of their societal worth. The story follows Detective Freya Blackwood, who finds herself embroiled in a minor case of fraud, only for it to spiral into something far more dangerous. Freya begins the story investigating a seemingly trivial infraction, but her life takes a chaotic turn when she is accused of murder, a crime she does not remember committing. What follows is her desperate attempt to uncover the truth, escape capture, and figure out how she became embroiled in such a dark conspiracy, all while contending with her deteriorating mental state and a relentless artificial intelligence system overseeing it all.

Mills crafts a complex, futuristic society with chilling attention to detail. The CiVal system, where citizens are graded on their value to society, adds a layer of tension and intrigue to every action Freya takes. For instance, when Freya’s CiVal score plummets after being accused of murder, it becomes clear how deeply embedded this system is in controlling people’s lives. I found this exploration of societal surveillance both fascinating and disturbing. It raised questions about autonomy, morality, and how much power an artificial intelligence should wield. Freya is a compelling protagonist. Her hardened, no-nonsense demeanor sometimes felt a little distant, but it worked well for her character, especially as someone navigating a dystopian world. However, I did wish for more vulnerability from her earlier on. The tension builds steadily throughout the story, with Freya’s paranoia and sense of being hunted palpable. The unpredictability of whether she can trust her own mind adds an extra layer of suspense that kept me turning pages. The story starts with a relatively slow build-up before everything escalates quickly. While the stakes are high, and the urgency is clear, I sometimes felt like there wasn’t enough time to absorb what was happening.

Harmony’s Betrayal is an intense and thought-provoking read that blends dystopian themes with an intriguing mystery. If you’re a fan of stories exploring the darker side of surveillance, artificial intelligence, and moral ambiguity, this book is worth your time. The mix of psychological thriller and sci-fi makes it a gripping read, especially for those who enjoy complex world-building and flawed but resilient protagonists.

Pages: 168 | ISBN : 1068865903