Amped by Daniel H. Wilson
In the not so far future scientists discover a way to help those with developmental disabilities and physical disabilities. Brain chip implementation can augment their abilities or just simply regulate medical problems without medication. For example, a child born unable to see or learn due to fetal alcohol syndrome can miraculously see (extremely well too) and performs at the top of his class. Children with ADHD are given autofocus chips and can focus to such an extent that they are skipping grades. Veterans returning from war injured have prosthetic limbs or exoskeletons providing great strength and dexterity. Sounds wonderful right? Until the Pure Pride Alliance has these “Amps” – slang for amplified human – declared as non-human. If you have a port in your head the Constitution no longer applies to you.
Owen Gray was in a car accident as a teen and suffered a severe head injury leaving him with chronic epilepsy. His dad happened to be a specialist in brain implants. He was able to give Owen a medical chip to control his seizures. Now Owen is considered sub-human even though his implant doesn’t do anything but stop the seizures. Or is Owen Amped more than he knows?
Written in the same cinematic style as Robopocalypse this is a great choice if you’re looking for a summer blockbuster read. Great on the page and on audio.
