The Last Ark by Guy Morris
What's It About?
The Last Ark: Lost Secrets of Qumran picks up shortly after the events of SWARM, continuing the story of tech entrepreneur Derek Taylor and his closest allies in their search for the rogue artificial intelligence (AI) entity known as SLVIA.In the second installment of the thrilling SNO Chronicles series, author Guy Morris manages the extraordinary feat of stitching together scintillating artifacts and prophecies from the ancient past with modern espionage and artificial intelligence technology. If Indiana Jones had the technological savvy of Elon Musk, he would fit perfectly in this book.
The Last Ark: Lost Secrets of Qumran picks up shortly after the events of SWARM, continuing the story of tech entrepreneur Derek Taylor and his closest allies in their search for the rogue artificial intelligence (AI) entity known as SLVIA.
THRILLING TECH-FILLED ADVENTURE NOVEL
Facing off against occult organizations, government-backed terrorists, and some of the most powerful despots on the planet, Taylor and team must rely on SLVIA as the only tool powerful enough to keep them ahead of their enemies. But can they trust that their sophisticated ally has the same definition of success when it comes to preserving mankind?
The Last Ark: Lost Secrets of Qumran has the familiar feeling of a sequel while exploring bold new territory and characters only alluded to in the previous installment. While The Last Ark is best appreciated as a follow-up to SWARM, it stands on its own as a fast-paced techno-thriller.
SHIFTING MORALS AND CRIMINAL CHARACTERS
In the beginning of the book, Guy Morris provides a list of characters that span both volumes along with their roles, titles, and a general identification of their allegiance — though readers will learn that the roles of “good guy” and “bad guy” frequently shift and intermingle throughout the course of this exciting story.
Taylor, for example, leads a team of hackers and double agents known as SNO – Spy Net Online (or Scavenger Nut Origami, from one of their recruitment tools). While SNO is branded a cyber-criminal organization and terrorist cell by many countries, their efforts are mostly benevolent: crippling dictators, exposing maniacal plots, and generally shining light on the darker dealings of those in power.
MIXING FICTION AND REALITY TO RAISE THE STAKES
While top-notch action and adventure are abundant in The Last Ark, the thing that makes each of Guy Morris’s novels so hard to put down is the way the author incorporates real-life technology, organizations, military weapons, and historical facts that are meticulously researched and carefully rendered.
Readers of The SNO Chronicles series learn of long-buried ancient artifacts, end-times prophecies that shape modern religion, hidden power structures, special ops groups that are active today, and geopolitical conflicts that have been quietly swept from public view. Not to mention the invasive technological capabilities depicted in The Last Ark that will have readers asking, “They can’t really do that, can they?”
As Morris warns in the beginning of the book, the characters and scenarios may be fictional, but so many of the startling details within these pages are indeed factual.
Once again, the artificial intelligence entity referred to as SLVIA (Sophisticated Language Virtual Intelligence Algorithm) takes a prominent role in this story, becoming an insightful character and an important ally to the team of agents that are pursuing it.
A GRIPPING CONTINUATION OF “SWARM”
In SWARM, readers witnessed both the destructive and benevolent capabilities of artificial intelligence; The Last Ark prods even further into the nature of SLVIA and why it strives to prevent the impending apocalypse foretold by ancient prophets. We also learn much more of the man who created the SLVIA program decades earlier in a secret government lab. Nelson Garrett takes a center stage in The Last Ark, as he joins Taylor’s efforts to track SLVIA, and explores his own mysterious lineage in the process.
Guy Morris delivers yet another gripping story that is successful on so many levels. History, religion, politics, espionage, alliances and assassins are all in play. The fate of our near future relies heavily on uncovering secrets of the ancient past.
Morris immerses readers in an end-times scenario that isn’t so very distant from the current state of global affairs. The Last Ark poses a crucial question: will we use unparalleled power and modern technology to save the world or destroy it?
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About Guy Morris:
Guy Morris writes deeply researched, intelligent and plausible action thrillers that have been compared to Dan Brown, Iris Johansen and Robert Ludlum. Guy was influenced by men of the Renaissance who were fluent in business, science, politics and the arts. A diver, sailor, and adventurer with three degrees and 36 years in high-tech firms, Guy Morris thrillers bend the fine line between truth and fiction with a sardonic wit.
