The lives of Tao

Roen Tan is an overweight, underachieving IT technician living a thoroughly unremarkable life—until the day an ancient alien entity named Tao takes up residence in his body. Tao is a Quasing, one of many extraterrestrial consciousness who have been secretly inhabiting humans for millennia, guiding the course of human history from within. When Tao's previous host dies unexpectedly, the alien finds himself stuck with possibly the most unprepared vessel imaginable. Now Roen must undergo a crash course in espionage, combat training, and world-saving as he's thrust into an ancient war between two factions of Quasing with opposing visions for humanity's future. This genre-blending novel combines science fiction with spy thriller elements and an unexpectedly humorous take on the reluctant hero's journey. Wesley Chu creates an entertaining premise that reimagines major historical events and figures as influenced by alien manipulation, while grounding the story in Roen's relatable transformation from couch potato to secret agent. The dynamic between the sarcastic, battle-hardened Tao and the bumbling but determined Roen provides both comedy and heart, making this an accessible entry point for readers who enjoy action-packed adventures with wit, creative world-building, and an everyman protagonist who must literally rise to the occasion or risk the fate of humanity.