“Humans aren’t stupid enough to give control of their defense systems to some Colossus or SkyNet-type AI,” - Mortimer A2. My thanks to Interstellar Flight Press for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Level Five’ by William Ledbetter. This near future techno-thriller was originally released in 2018 as an audiobook and is now receiving a print/ebook edition. In ‘Level Five’, Nebula Award winner William Ledbetter has woven together various plot threads and characters to create an engaging tale of computer intelligence, nanotechnology, and attempts to secure the future of the world. As the title indicates, the focus is upon an advanced level of artificial intelligence. An important non-human character is Mortimer, a computer intelligence developed by a Wall Street investment company. It is seeking to take steps to free itself from its digital restraints. The novel does have human characters that are involved in various secret projects, not all are in the side of their species. No further details to avoid spoilers. The concept of AI gaining sentience and seeking to turn the tables on humanity has long been explored in science fiction and here Ledbetter addresses further possibilities. I was impressed by the technical information provided throughout and felt that Ledbetter explained quite complex ideas in a way that was understandable. Overall, I found ‘Level Five’ an intelligent thought provoking novel with plenty of action as well as ideas. At times I was on the edge of my seat. I note that Ledbetter has a sequel on audiobook, ‘Level Six’, that takes place fifteen years later, which I shall plan to check out.