Augusta Pine Does Not Exist by Emily Lloyd-Jones

e-ALC, 10:45:54
Narrated by: Christine Laking, E.A. Castillo, Major Curda, Max Meyers, & Steven Rutledge
Release Date: July 7, 2026
Published by: Macmillan Audio
Read from: July 28-29, 2026
Stand-alone
Source:  Netgalley (I received this ALC from the publisher and Netgalley. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning: Car Accident, Abandonment, Death, Gun Violence, Murder, Cursing
For Readers of:  Action, Audio, DEAR, Favorites, Sparkly Covers, Most Anticipated, Multiple Narrators, So Good I Read the Acknowledgements, Technology, YA, Irregular Timeline, Thrillers

     Combining the suspense of a thriller, the intrigue of spy fiction, and the emotional resonance of a confessional narrative, this is gripping, wholly original novel about a teen secret operative who must outwit a band of murderous cyberterrorists.
     I was fifteen when I became a murderer.
     After a hack gone tragically wrong, a teen girl is given an ultimatum: accept a harsh prison sentence or leave her old life behind and use her talents in the service of a shady government agency.
     Three years later, the newly-named Augusta Pine has become a skilled wraith, one of the Identity Security Division’s secret operatives. She has no home, no family, and her only friends are her coolly professional handler and a snarky AI spybot. So when she is sent to Portland for an assignment, she seizes the chance to catch a glimpse of her beloved grandmother and rents the apartment next door.
     What begins as nostalgic stalking turns into a fight for survival when a group of cyberterrorists hacks the building and imprisons the residents. Augusta doesn’t know exactly what they want, but she does know they are ready to murder for it. With her quick wits, tech savvy – and help from an intriguing fellow hostage – Augusta must race against the clock to stay one step ahead of the killers.
     Unfolding through a suspenseful narrative interspersed with case-file excerpts, this is a pulse-pounding novel about identity, connection, and justice.

*MY THOUGHTS*

This was so good! I could not put it down! And to make it even better, this is everything my kiddos are asking for right now, so they are going to be hella excited when they get this in their hands. And it has AI which they’re all looking for. Wins all around!

Ok so this is a teen who is a hacker + spy + criminal savior? I’m not sure how to explain it. But she goes after some cyber terrorists. The only thing helping her is smaller than your thumb. When I say this gets crazy, I mean it. Every time I thought it couldn’t get crazier, it still did lol It was like something on every page! I don’t want to say more because spoilers, but just know you won’t be able to put it down either.

The characters were all so good. I loved every single one. I really hope one of them is replaced and this is a series? I want another one and I want to be with these characters again. But anyways, even with this small cast, they all brought something to the story. Even the ones you don’t think will be important. I think my favorite was the AI spybot lol Funny to see that little thing had an attitude and all lol

The plot took awhile to reveal itself, but you don’t even notice it because everything else that is happening. The pacing of this is impeccable. There’s always something happening. You will never be bored. And when the plot twist comes, if you don’t say, “WHAT?!” out loud, you can’t sit with us LOL I was shocked and confused and had to rewind it back. This was a page turner for reals!

I need some more of y’all to pick this up so I can talk about this without talking in circles. I need to freely speak without fear of spoilers LOL So go get it and let me know what you think about it! I’ll be waiting!

Overall, I give this