One plot is set in the alternative 2017, with a young woman named Verity testing a new form of avatar software developed by the military, for a start-up in San Francisco.

She’s hired by a mysterious tech company to evaluate an AI called “Eunice.” Personality: Intelligent, resourceful, and skeptical, Verity quickly realizes that her task is more than it seems.

Significance: Eunice is pivotal to the novel’s exploration of AI agency, ethical concerns, and the boundaries between human and machine intelligence.

Personality: Often detached and weary, Wilf carries the burden of navigating and understanding the ethical implications of meddling with alternate realities.

Personality: Cool, calculating, and enigmatic, Lowbeer uses her advanced understanding of technology and history to shape outcomes across timelines.

Significance: Rainey serves as a reminder of Verity’s personal life and connections, grounding her in reality as she navigates the complexities of the AI-dominated world.