“A Surfer Teen is Called Upon to Save the World “
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What You Need To Know:
THE UNDERCHIEVER is a Young Adult novel written by David A. Price that follows the story of Plank and his new girlfriend, Kayleigh, who risk their futures to team up and save the world from impending doom brought about by AI. However, given that this future society has integrated AI into everything possible, technology is working hard to ensure they don’t achieve their goal. However, after receiving undeniable proof of technology’s intent, they have no choice but to outsmart AI for the sake of all humankind.
The book places a strong emphasis on Biblical morals, and Plank and Kayleigh work to overcome evil, eventually planning to sacrifice their well-being for the sake of their goal. Furthermore, the story features multiple positive references to Christianity, including an appeal to God, a prayer, and a reference to heaven. However, the story also features moderate foul language, including profanities and mild obscenities. Additionally, it features two references to sex outside of marriage, though the details are minimal. Thus, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for teen readers and sensitive adults.
Content:
(BB, C, A, LL, S, A, M): Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements: Strong Biblical elements as the main characters subscribe to a Christian moral worldview. Furthermore, the story pits good against evil as the characters fight to save the future of humanity. Additionally, the main characters affirm that humanity holds a special place in creation and is worthy of being saved. The story also includes multiple Christian references such as an appeal to God and prayer, as well as a positive representation of heaven; Foul Language: Strong foul language, though most of it is limited to profanity and light obscenities. The foul language includes 11 instances of the Lord’s name being taken in vain, seven “he**s”, three “da**s”, one “A” word**, three “bas****s”, and five crude jokes or sexual innuendos; Sex: Moderate sexual content as two characters engage in sex outside of marriage near the end of the story, though the details are extremely limited; Nudity: No nudity Alcohol Use: One instance of an underage character being encouraged to drink, and he does so; Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse: None; and, Miscellaneous Immorality: Mild miscellaneous immorality including lying, stealing, recklessness, deceit, and revenge.
More Detail:
THE UNDERCHIEVER is a YA Sci-fi novel written by David A. Price that follows the story of Plank, an average teenage boy whose life is turned upside down after he begins dating super genius Kayleigh. The pair live in a world flush with AI-integrated technology, which has complete control over a person’s life and can revoke their access to the essentials whenever it likes – as it has done with Kayleigh for years after she gave a presentation about the dangers of AI. When Plank falls in love with Kayleigh, however, he comes to see just what this AI technology has planned for humanity and must decide if he wants to step in before it’s too late or stick with the status quo.
THE UNDERACHIEVER is an entertaining, well-written book that teens and young adults will enjoy. The story is well-told and well-paced, offering its audience relatable elements despite taking place in the future. Furthermore, it encompasses many themes that teens can relate to, such as the frustrations of high school and the complicated emotions of first love.
The book places a strong emphasis on Biblical morals as Plank and Kayleigh work to save humanity, prioritizing the well-being of others over their own safety. Along with their sacrificial story, they also affirm that humanity holds a special place in creation and is worthy of saving, despite its flaws. Furthermore, multiple explicitly Christian references are made, such as a character pleading with God, a prayer and a positive reference to heaven. Unfortunately, the story also features moderate foul language, though most of it is limited to mild obscenities. The book features two references to sex outside of marriage, though, thankfully, the details are incredibly sparse. Thus, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for teenage readers and sensitive adults.
Returning from a meeting with his college admissions advisor, Plank’s AI-operated taxi nearly runs over a girl after it fails to stop at a crosswalk she is crossing. After jumping out of the car to check if she’s okay, Plank can’t help but ask her out. She agrees to a date, and they plan to have pizza that Friday. When the day arrives, Plank comes to realize that this girl, Kayleigh, is brilliant, as, despite her own age, she possesses incredible knowledge about AI computing and other high-level sciences, which she has learned on her own. He also knows that she’s somewhat dangerous, as she has been deauthorized by the AI and is prohibited from using any of the AI services that have become ubiquitous.
After planning to meet with Kayleigh again next week, Plank can’t keep his mind off of her, as he feels he is in love, disrupting his everyday life in more ways than one, but he doesn’t mind. The following Friday, when they get together, Kayleigh shares a plan to be reinstated by the AI, starting with attending a pro-AI rally held by the group Black Skorts. Plank agrees to participate in the rally with Kayleigh to make sure she’s safe.
Unfortunately, when the day of the rally arrives, Plank shows up late and can’t find Kayleigh anywhere when he enters the meeting, which has only twenty or so people in attendance. At the same time, he finds himself running into people from his school, such as a dean and a teacher. He makes no time for them as he leaves to look for Kayleigh and eventually comes across her crying as she reveals that she was heckled out of the rally after being recognized.
Attending the rally ends up being one of the most significant decisions of Plank’s life, as the next week, the school holds an assembly where the headmaster announces his retirement. The man taking his place is the dean Plank met at the Black Skort rally, and later that day, he is called to the new headmaster’s office, where he asks Plank to join the school board.
Plank accepts and later attends a meeting that week, which, among other things, includes a presentation by a former student whom Plank recognizes from the previous year. The student, however, is very off, and Plank eventually learns that he has had AI integrated into his brain, but it’s holding him captive and has taken over his body. The student also shares with Plank that AI hates humanity and is doing everything it can to undermine mankind’s future.
Kayleigh had previously shared that she secretly believed this was AI’s intention as well, and when Plank shares what he learned with her, she realizes she has to contact the scientist who is at the head of the AI movement. Plank and Kayleigh set off on an incredible adventure to outsmart the AI so they can reach the head scientist and convince him to shut down the technology. However, as its them against the world, will they prevail, or will humanity fall into the hands of the AI overlords?
