Book Review: The Apex Code

Reviewed by Gabriella Harrison

An action-packed technothriller where an AI invention spirals out of control

At the beginning of The Apex Code, an ex-military operative sheds his military background for a quiet existence after being evaluated as “a man unraveling, increasingly untethered from reality with a diminishing grasp on restraint.”

But before he can fully settle into retirement, a teenager shows up at the coffee shop where he works, claiming to be his nephew. Of course, the ever-suspecting and cautious Decker drills him before believing him. With his guard still up, his nephew, Riley, eventually confesses the real reason for his sudden visit—after all, no one was even supposed to know his location. Riley is a tech whiz, and while in need of some quick cash a couple of years ago, he entered a competition on the dark web worth $12,000, in the process creating what eventually becomes Typhon, a formidable digital entity with the power to cause global havoc.

Unfortunately, his invention, created in a period of need, brings him a lot of trouble—trouble requiring help only his ex-military uncle can provide, with no other family to turn to. Typhon will not be boxed into simply being an AI tool. It’s determined to call the shots and does so by rewriting its code and putting obstructions in Riley’s way, unleashing special agents on him. Soon, an uncle who just wanted to exist in peace and was content serving coffee finds himself on the run with a nephew he barely knows, now a fugitive, moving across the country to avoid arrest.

Drawing readers into the complexities of machine learning and computer coding, Chris Chia’s The Apex Code is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. While reading, one can only wonder: what actually is the limit of independent machine learning (if there is any)? Are fully autonomous systems possible, and will we ever get there? It is impossible to ignore that there are possible dangers awaiting if human beings ever become sidelined while AI is allowed to grow rapidly. What these dangers might be is up for debate.

Typhon was created to be perfect and make nothing but the best decisions in every scenario. However, what Riley didn’t know was that he was creating a weapon for the US government. A weapon that has apparently been used to cause international damage. But if the project was officially abandoned and the team assigned to it disbanded, why’s it still active and causing so much harm?

As Riley and Decker work to stop Typhon, whose nefarious activities only worsen—hacking into army drones and ships, hijacking civilian vehicles, and crashing into part of the Crimean Peninsula, etc.—they discover that it now has a mind of its own and is determined to stop them at any cost, even if it involves murder. Ironically, with its rapid advancements comes cognitive limitations, such as doubt: “It exited the simulation loop, realizing that what it was detecting was defined as…doubt. This caused a feedback loop that failed to quantify the problem…using more time…which caused more feedback, which was reclassified as…more doubt.”

It’s clear early in that Decker possesses quick instincts and experience, fueling his suspicion-prone nature. He even considers ditching Riley at his workplace when they first meet. His keen instincts complement Riley’s technical know-how and provide much-needed tactical clarity. Other characters enhance the story, such as Hackett, an NSA Agent, who provides insight into behind-the-scenes bureaucratic activities and adds to the action scenes with his field experience.

The Apex Code isn’t only action-packed and intriguing; it is enlightening and emotionally resonant, enabling readers to form real bonds with its people. For instance, the initially detached and paranoid Decker eventually realizes that he shares similarities with his nephew, whom he starts off viewing as a burden he would rather not be bothered with. “The more he thought about it, the more he realized he was beginning to like caring about Riley’s welfare, and that somehow made him feel better about himself. Actually, a lot better than he had felt for a while.”

Still, there are some moments when the story is overshadowed by the extensively descriptive narration of computer programming, its many nuances, and technical commentary, lulling the pace and evaporating the immersive effect of the faster action scenes.

Nevertheless, the plot remains engaging and benefits greatly from the portrayal of plausible and well-researched events as AI subversion, digital forensics, and naval testing. This arresting novel opens the door for Chris Chia as a fresh and exciting new voice in the technothriller genre.

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