Anyone by Charles Soule will make you desire and fear the world it builds in equal measure.

At its best, science fiction serves as both a social commentary and a cautionary tale. A good sci-fi story immerses you in a world that looks just familiar enough that you can place yourself in it, while exploring a fundamental change that makes it unrecognizable.

Charles Soule has been acclaimed for his science fiction work in novels and comics alike, so its no surprise that hes mastered the craft. Although I had not picked up any of his works previously, if any of them are penned with the storytelling prowess of Anyone, consider me very interested.

Anyone is centered around an intriguing technology called the Flash. The Flash allows you to temporarily transfer your consciousness into another body. You can hang out in that body for a while, and then when youre ready, Flash back to your own.

While at first glance the Flash seems like a logistical nightmare and like something that would be immediately abused to the point of madness, the people of Anyone have actually managed to make it work for them. The climate crisis has been all but eradicated with fewer planes in the sky and cars on the road, entertainment has been revolutionized, and of course, the elite can achieve virtual immortality by continually Flashing into younger hosts.

The book also makes some great observations about empathy, discrimination, prejudice, and inclusion that I didnt expect. As the Flash continues to impress the books characters, Anyone keeps pace by mesmerizing the reader with its capabilities and potential. What would happen to racism, homophobia, and sexism if you couldnt tell who someone is just by looking at them? This book does its best to answer that in a thought-provoking way.

Anyone takes place over two different timelines, and theyre both a wild ride. Its rare that a book can engage me equally in two storylines as different as those in this book. Yes, both storylines are centered around the Flash, but the stories come at it from completely different angles.

One storyline follows Gabby White, who somewhat accidentally invents the tech that allows the Flash to be realized. This storyline is all big dreams, family dynamics, espionage, and corporate greed. The way it unfolds allows you to dream alongside Gabby, while simultaneously agonizing over her decisions and circumstances.

The second storyline takes place 25 years after the first, in a world where the Flash has been fully integrated into society. With Annami, we fully explore the capabilities of the Flash, including the salacious and less than legal side of things. Were also forced to ask ourselves some tough ethical questions about power and the greater good.

Both storylines are interesting, engaging, and packed with action and mystery! Soule has told two amazing stories with Anyone, intertwining them seamlessly. And theyre definitely intertwined. As the story goes on, you realize just how important Gabbys story is to Annamis, and vice versa.

As much as the book is a cautionary tale about this particular kind of technology, its also a commentary on how quickly weve adapted to other technology in our lives, without really stopping to think about the consequences. We have sacrificed a lot for convenience, and Anyone takes a different approach to showcasing that than Ive seen before.

Pick up a copy of Anyone if youre interested in jumping into this intriguing, thoughtfully crafted world. Fans of sci-fi will be enthralled by the technology, fans of drama will love the corporate edge, and fans of stories will be with these characters from the first page to the last.

Pick up your own copy of Anyone by Charles Soule now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local bookstore. Dont forget to add the book to your Goodreads shelf!

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'Anyone' book review: You'll tear through this sci-fi story in a 'Flash' - Hypable