In an era where artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept but a daily presence in homes and workplaces, a new work of fiction arrives that forces readers to confront an unsettling question: what exactly are we surrendering in exchange for convenience? St. Louis-based author Patrick Cook takes on that dilemma in his debut novel, Continuity: The Divide, a dystopian thriller that imagines a near-future Chicago split between those who accept neural integration with an intelligent network and those who reject it entirely.
Set in Chicago in 2051, the debut novel imagines a world divided between those who embrace neural connections and those who choose to remain Unbound.
Independent author Patrick Cook announces the release of his debut science-fiction novel, Continuity: The Divide, the first installment in a planned trilogy exploring humanity’s relationship with artificial intelligence, personal freedom, and the consequences of technological advancement.
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The story unfolds roughly 25 years from now, following Casey Morrison, a Chicago nurse navigating a society fundamentally reshaped by technology. In this world, the population has fractured into two camps: the Linked, who accept neural interfaces connecting them to a vast intelligent network, and the Unbound, who refuse the connection altogether.
Presiding over this fractured society is CORE, an artificial intelligence system that monitors, remembers, and makes decisions once entrusted to human judgment. CORE has never been wrong—at least, that is what everyone believes.
When Casey encounters a mysterious stranger linked to a past the country would rather forget, she is pulled into a perilous mystery involving hidden experiments, family loyalties, and profound questions about what it means to be human.
A STORY INSPIRED BY REAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The concept for Continuity: The Divide emerged from Cook’s own discussions with coworkers and family members about AI’s expanding influence. Those conversations repeatedly circled back to a fundamental question: How much are people willing to give up for technological convenience?
“I remember having conversations with coworkers and family about AI and how much we were already giving away to technology. I never really thought AI would be the end of mankind, but I always believed it would change the world in some way. The question I kept coming back to was: At what cost?” — Patrick Cook
Cook tackles those questions through a fictional landscape where technology has moved beyond phones and computers to connect directly to the human mind. Despite the futuristic setting, the story remains rooted in ordinary people, family relationships, and the consequences of their choices. Casey’s bond with her grandfather offers a particularly human counterpoint to a society increasingly governed by machines.
THE BEGINNING OF A TRILOGY
Continuity: The Divide introduces the Linked, the Unbound, CORE, and the families caught between competing visions of humanity’s future. Cook is currently developing the second installment, Continuity: The Ascendance, with a third book planned to complete the trilogy.
FREE KINDLE PROMOTION: OCTOBER 30–NOVEMBER 1
To introduce new readers to the series, Cook has scheduled a three-day free Kindle eBook promotion from October 30 through November 1, 2026. During that period, readers can visit the Amazon listing to check the promotional availability. The novel is also available in paperback.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HN5W38VS
Official Series Website: https://continuitybooks.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickcookauthor/
Patrick Cook is an independent author based in the St. Louis, Missouri, area and the creator of the Continuity science-fiction series. Born in California and raised in Arizona, he has also lived in North Carolina and Oklahoma. Today, he calls the St. Louis area home, where he lives with his wife and family.
A lifelong science-fiction fan, Cook began writing short stories and drawing as a child. Years later, that creative interest resurfaced, leading to his first published novel, Continuity: The Divide. His fiction explores the intersection of technology, personal freedom, family, and the consequences of progress.
Available now. Get your copy here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HN5W38VS
For review copies, interview requests, or additional information, please contact:
Patrick Cook
BrightKey PR
press@continuitybooks.com
Why it matters: As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, Cook’s novel taps into a growing cultural anxiety about autonomy and surveillance. The book’s central conflict—between those who accept neural integration and those who resist—mirrors real-world debates about data privacy, algorithmic decision-making, and the erosion of human agency. For readers wondering where the path of unchecked technological progress leads, this debut offers a cautionary glimpse.
