Willful Machines

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 thats terrorizing the United Statesand has zeroed in on him as its next targetin this socially conscious sci-fi thriller to shelve between The Terminator and Romeo and Juliet (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.

Charlottes attacks have everyone on high alerteveryone 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 hes Charlottes next target. Even worse, Nico may be part of Charlottes plan too.

As Lee races to save himself, uncover Charlottes plan, and figure out if he can trust Nico, he comes to a whole new understanding of what it means to be aliveand what makes life worth living.