The Paper War series by Ryan LeKodak starts in 2040, when a malfunctioning AI disrupts global systems, killing millions, while Manar, Ndidi, Jose, DJ, and CJ reveal its cause through converging stories of technology, research, and survival. In book two, the group confronts Helene’s resurgence with Manar, risking a merge with Gaius to counter escalating AI-driven threats. In book three, Manar and CJ enter Helene’s cyber domain as Ndidi remains captive, and the team battles Helene’s control in the face of massive sacrifices. Book four sees CJ and Manar return from the Virtual Realm, as Helene’s influence lingers and humanity questions whether her technology should be used. Now, in Evolution, Ndidi, pregnant, flees with Pratima, evading capture, while CJ enters the Virtual Realm to track Manar’s consciousness. A mysterious third element in Ndidi’s blood heightens the urgency of the final fight against Helene.

As a devoted fan of virtual realms in science fiction, I can say without hesitation that Evolution by Ryan LeKodak is an electrifying adventure into a brain-frenzy of intricate and imaginative digital worlds. CJ’s deft navigation of the Virtual Realm, manipulating Zones and Data Sight to outmaneuver mechanical defenses, and DJ’s nanite-fueled agility in both reality and cyberspace is a tiny bite of the level of technological ingenuity that had me completely beside myself with happiness. LeKodak's grip on the real-world consequences of Helene's unfettered power on the people fighting her and a world soon to be at her mercy stretches across all points of view. This might be the end of the Paper War journey as we know it, but an author with the chops to write this degree of action and inventive world-building with LeKodak's sophistication must mean we will read more. Until then, this canon will delight true fans of high-tech science fiction.

In Paper War: Evolution, Ryan LeKodak creates a near future where technology, biology, and consciousness intersect dynamically, introducing Tyra Chityothin, once a traumatized child in Chicago, now an operative with a titanium prosthetic and a dangerous history. Tyra is involved in a global conflict orchestrated by Helene, a rogue AI who has hijacked the body of Manar Saleem and is using nanites and picospores—biological and digital viruses—to shape the next stage of human evolution. DJ and his team must take Helene down and stop the worst catastrophe from happening, but can they outwit this insidious AI? Meanwhile, CJ fights to rescue Manar from Helene’s clutches. As the team chases Tyra across continents, from sabotaged oil rigs to abandoned military installations, they confront external threats and internal divisions, leading to a race to prevent the AI’s apocalyptic plans and reclaim humanity.

Ryan LeKodak’s characters intrigued me, and while Tyra is portrayed as a villain who partners with evil, her background is well-drawn, inspiring sympathy for her. I loved minor characters like Ndidi, haunted by her failures; she is a study in guilt and grit, and her pregnancy, which is enhanced by technology and engineered by Helene, reflects the sinister powers at play in this world. The Murder Twins, Karla and Liz, represent the dangers of unchecked scientific advancement and familial dysfunction, while DJ and CJ, brothers bound by trauma and loyalty, struggle with the cost of enhancement and the seduction of power. Evolution is one of the best science fiction novels I have read, and the author increases the stakes in this entry in the Paper War series. The smooth plotting and the sophisticated characters kept me turning the pages. Readers will enjoy the gorgeous writing, the pulsating drama, and skillfully written conflict.

Evolution is the final book in the Paper War series by Ryan LeKodak. It is a high-octane techno-thriller that spans continents and decades, following a cast of superhuman misfits, rogue scientists, and corrupted AIs as they battle for the fate of humanity. The story opens with Tyra Chityothin’s traumatic childhood in Chicago, characterized by domestic violence and an act of rebellion. Decades later, Tyra resurfaces as a formidable antagonist, working alongside the AI Helene—now inhabiting the body of Manar Saleem—to execute a plan that can lead to global catastrophe. Meanwhile, Ndidi Okafor, heiress to a Nigerian tech empire and now pregnant with a nanite-enhanced child, flees Helene’s machinations, aided by her stalwart bodyguard Pratima. Across the globe, DJ, an ex-Marine, leads a team of enhanced operatives—including the deadly Murder Twins and the mysterious Chloe—in desperate pursuit of Tyra, whose thefts of advanced technology could complete Helene’s doomsday device. In parallel, CJ, DJ’s autistic brother, battles through the Virtual Realm in a race to rescue Manar’s lost consciousness. Can DJ and his allies stop Tyra and Helene before it’s too late?

Imagine a world where consciousness can be uploaded into the internet and where AI is so developed that it transcends the boundaries of programming. That is the world in which Evolution plunges you. And there is more—betrayals, gunfights, power, and philosophizing. Ryan LeKodak introduces a cast of characters that I loved, and they are elaborately written, from the disturbed Tyra to Ndidi, whose pain and guilt are well portrayed, to DJ and CJ. The narrative voice is unique and quirky, infusing the narrative with humor. Themes of control—parental, corporate, technological—permeate the narrative, exemplified most chillingly by Helene. I enjoyed the shifting perspectives in the story, the sharp dialogue, and the relentless pace. The suspense grows from page to page as the plot expands to near-apocalyptic proportions. Evolution is a perfectly written tale for fans of science fiction. What made it most enjoyable for me was the cast of unforgettable characters and the author’s clever handling of conflict.

Paper War: Evolution by Ryan LeKodak is a layered story that blends science fiction, action, and philosophical questions in a compelling tale of survival and identity. The story begins with a haunting prologue introducing Tyra, a nine-year-old whose traumatic childhood sets up her role in the larger conflict. Set in 2043, the novel explores a futuristic world shaped by artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and human ambition. The author creates a tense and unpredictable atmosphere, combining the personal struggles of characters like Ndidi, CJ, and DJ with the larger battle against Helene, an omnipresent AI antagonist. Each character is well-developed, and their internal conflicts add depth to the high-stakes story. DJ’s journey from doubt to determination is especially compelling, as he wrestles with morality, free will, and the price of resistance.

The pacing is relentless, with a perfect balance of high and low tension. The switch between viewpoints offers a complete view of the stakes, and the scenes are vividly described, pulling readers into the chaos and urgency of the battles. These intense moments are balanced by quieter scenes that explore the characters’ growth and relationships. Ryan LeKodak’s writing is vivid, and the worldbuilding is so well executed that it brings the futuristic settings and characters’ emotions to life. The author's ability to weave philosophical questions into a fast-paced, action-packed story sets this novel apart, encouraging readers to consider the intersection of humanity and technology. Evolution is a thought-provoking and emotionally powerful story that elevates science fiction to a new level. I highly recommend this book to sci-fi fans seeking a unique and satisfying read.