Unchippedː Kaarina

A civilization reliant on AR. Unchipped refugees forced outside its walls. Can a lone underdog save humanity from itself?

In the two years since the Great Affliction, the Happiness-Program has transformed a civilization on the brink of extinction into an organized, beautiful, and happy society. However, for the Unchipped--those whose chips can''t connect to the system--living a comfortable life remains out of reach.

Kaarina, one of the Unchipped, would give anything to live inside the walls of the city again. Haunted by her mother''s suicide and alone except for Bill, another Unchipped thousands of miles away whose thoughts are inexplicably linked to hers, Kaarina fights for survival, defending her beloved animals from the other savage Unchipped. But when her horse''s illness drives her into the city to find medicine, she becomes acquainted with a Chipped man who makes her question everything.

Now a new fix to the system promises her the chance to finally be normal... just as she begins to learn life in the perfectly augmented reality may not be all that she imagined.

***If you liked Brave New World, you''re going to love the Unchipped series!

***Get early access to Unchipped short stories, plus the Unchipped prequel, The Meeting, by signing up for my newsletter @TayaDeVere(dot)com!