‘Exadelic’ takes a shot at being Silicon Valley’s ‘Ready Player One’

“Exadelic” by Jon Evans, a sci-fi novel, blends Silicon Valley’s tech culture with a thrilling AI conspiracy, offering an engaging, if somewhat nostalgic, tech-centric journey.

While we typically steer clear of discussing novels, there are moments when a piece of fiction fits so perfectly with the tech world we cover that it deserves a mention. Enter “Exadelic,” a sci-fi book written by Jon Evans, who used to write for us. He aims to replicate the pop culture-laden vibe of “Ready Player One” but with a Silicon Valley twist, and he does it quite well.

Now, let’s be clear, comparing “Exadelic” to “Ready Player One” isn’t all roses. “Ready Player One” was fun but had some flaws, mainly because it was very focused on a specific group of people and their experiences.

So, if the idea of “Ready Player One” set in Silicon Valley makes you hesitant, you’re not alone, and your concerns are justified. However, “Exadelic” does use references and nostalgia liberally, but it quickly moves past that and becomes something more.

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Without giving away too much, imagine you and your friends suddenly find yourselves in the middle of an AI-driven tech conspiracy that could affect the whole world. It’s not the most original plot, but the story keeps evolving in unexpected ways.

At first, the story feels like a thrilling tech adventure, with a tech executive trying to outsmart a rogue AI. I was worried it would stay that way, but luckily, the plot takes some twists and keeps you guessing.

To say more would spoil the fun of reading a story that deals with today’s tech and ethical issues. Think of rampant AI, shady venture capitalists, and questions about reality – all topics we cover here in our tech news. There’s even a touch of the supernatural!

It’s worth noting that a central part of the book involves a form of sexual assault, which, in hindsight, may not have been necessary, even if it’s a reference to philosophical ideas.

While “Exadelic” is a great book to take with you on a flight or to the beach, it leans heavily on Silicon Valley culture. This has its pros and cons. On one hand, it draws from Evans’s deep knowledge of startups, tech, and the world of investments, as well as the San Francisco of the early 2000s – things many readers will recognize and enjoy.

But there’s a downside to basing such an expansive story on a specific moment and perspective. It’s like a sci-fi story from the ’60s imagining the future with tube televisions and analog computers – it feels out of sync with the imagination shown in other parts of the story.

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Imagine a computer in the year 3000 still using a mouse and keyboard – it feels out of place compared to the rest of the story.

While many classic sci-fi stories break free from these limitations, “Exadelic” seems content with being a product of its time, creatively mixing and matching these concepts into something original, if not entirely new. If you can appreciate a bit of nostalgia and don’t mind a somewhat mysterious main character (though the supporting characters are more interesting), “Exadelic” offers an enjoyable ride.