Neil Taylor’s Anticipation has taken the young adult genre by storm. Boldly challenging readers to explore how their every online move – every swipe, scroll, and click – could be shaping a future far beyond their control. In a world on the edge of a technological tipping point, seventeen-year-old Riya inherits her Dad’s lifework: an AI that doesn’t just analyse social data, but actually predicts human behaviour with eerie accuracy.
This marks a shift from my usual middle-grade or picture book territory. But Taylor’s raw language and occasional bursts of cheeky humour (yes, there are a few choice swear words) make it a refreshing and unapologetic YA thriller.
This is a book that has the tension of The Hunger Games, the existential questions of Black Mirror, and the heart of a coming-of-age novel about stepping out of a parent’s shadow. And yet, Anticipation manages to feel fresh, intimate, and deeply relevant.
Anticipation in 3 Words:
- Prophetic – AI that predicts human behaviour using social media data? Taylor crafts a near-future so realistic it’s terrifyingly believable. It’s like peeking into an uncomfortable crystal ball where your Instagram likes reveal far more than you’d want anyone to know.
- Relentless – Riya’s story is a white-knuckle ride from the start. After a chilling phone call with her father sets the tone, she’s catapulted into a world of high-stakes chases and double-crosses. Let’s just say, if you value your sleep, don’t start this one at night.
- Heartfelt – Amidst all the AI drama, Anticipation shines as a deeply personal story. Riya’s journey isn’t just about outrunning shady tech titans—it’s about reckoning with her father’s legacy, finding her own path, and wrestling with the fine line between responsibility and freedom. It’s a teenage experience with real, emotional punch.
The Self Beyond the Algorithm
Taylor’s approach to the question of AI prediction is thoughtful and complex, probing a question that most YA thrillers skirt around: can a person be more than the data they create? Taylor hints at how even the most powerful AI can’t capture everything about a person – their hopes, dreams, and emotions that resist being boiled down to data points. While Anticipation provides a gripping, speculative look at AI and privacy, it also raises deeper questions about the intersection between our curated online lives and our authentic selves.
Taylor introduces readers to a world where technology’s predictive powers threaten to make choice itself obsolete. In one memorable scene, Riya realises that, although the AI seems to know her every next move, there are still parts of herself that are elusive, unpredictable – parts that even the most sophisticated algorithm can’t predict. This is exactly why her Dad wanted her involved. In this sense, Anticipation suggests that as powerful as AI might become, human willpower and unpredictability remain its ultimate counters. It’s a refreshing, nuanced angle that lifts the novel beyond a simple cat-and-mouse thriller and into a discussion about identity, freedom, and the boundaries of selfhood.
Why Anticipation Deserves a Spot on Your Shelf
Anticipation by Neil Taylor is, on the surface, a wild, unpredictable thriller, but Taylor has infused it with a level of social awareness that makes it something special. He doesn’t just ask “What if?” He pushes further: “What are we already giving up?” It’s the kind of book that keeps you glued to the page, only to leave you thinking long after you’ve closed it.
One of the best things about Taylor’s writing is how he balances the thrill of the chase with moments of genuine introspection. Riya is more than just a resourceful protagonist; she’s reflective, and vulnerable, struggling with the idea of inheriting her father’s work and all its complexities. Taylor’s portrayal of Riya’s journey is powerful, even poignant at times, as she learns not only what it means to be the target of this colossal AI but also what it means to truly know herself.
The story comes alive with humour, tension, and bursts of raw emotion, creating a reading experience that feels relevant and unforgettable. For those intrigued by speculative technology, this is a gem of a YA book that doesn’t sacrifice character for concept. Riya’s determination, the question of human unpredictability versus algorithmic “fate,” and the story’s subtle jabs at our own online habits give Anticipation a memorable and multifaceted quality. Taylor may be a newcomer to the literary scene, but if Anticipation is any indicator, he’s a voice to watch.
So, if you’re craving a read that’s equal parts pulse-pounding and thought-provoking, Neil Taylor’s Anticipation might just be your new obsession.
If You Liked…
If you enjoyed books like Scythe by Neal Shusterman, Feed by M.T. Anderson, or even Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, Anticipation should be next on your list. Taylor offers that same mix of high-stakes action, social critique, and genuine heart that will keep readers engaged from start to finish.
For more insights into Anticipation and a peek behind the scenes of Neil Taylor’s creative process, you can check out his official website at neiltaylorauthor.com. He’s shared more about what inspired Riya’s story, his perspective on the ever-evolving relationship between technology and privacy, and what we might expect from him next.
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