EDITOR’S CHOICE
A thrilling, intelligent debut with a fierce heroine and gripping cyber intrigue—Foresight is a must-read for tech fiction lovers.
Craig Ford’s Foresight is a gripping and smartly-paced techno-thriller that thrusts readers into the murky world of hacking through the eyes of a compelling teenage protagonist. Samantha, or “Sam” to most, seems like your average sixth form student—quiet, kind, focused on her future. But beneath this ordinary façade lies “Foresight”, a fiercely intelligent hacker who has never met a system she couldn’t manipulate.
The dual identity premise isn’t new, but Ford handles it with a refreshing sense of character depth and internal conflict. Sam’s careful compartmentalisation of her life begins to fray as the tension between her two worlds intensifies, and the narrative explores the cost of living in secrecy with admirable nuance.
The technical aspects of hacking are presented with just enough realism to feel authentic without overwhelming readers unfamiliar with the subject. Ford balances digital espionage with emotional stakes, ensuring that Sam is not just a brain behind a screen, but a fully fleshed-out young woman grappling with identity, responsibility, and danger.
Where Foresight shines is in its atmosphere—the “deep dark corners of the hacker world” feel tangible, mysterious, and at times, truly chilling. It’s a world Sam knows how to navigate, but even she begins to realise that knowledge is not always power when the rules are constantly shifting.
This is the first in a planned trilogy, and it sets the stage well. While some side characters could have used more development, Foresight is a sharp, immersive read for fans of tech-driven fiction with a strong female lead.
