Review: "Infinity Gate" by M.R. Carey, 2023

Infinity Gate by M.R. Carey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Infinity Gate" by M.R. Carey: A Multiversal Odyssey of Humanity, AI, and the Threads That Bind Them

In the vast expanse of contemporary science fiction, M.R. Carey's "Infinity Gate" emerges as a luminous beacon, casting a light on the intricate dance between humanity, technology, and the infinite possibilities of the multiverse. Following his bestselling "The Girl With All the Gifts," Carey crafts a narrative that is as ambitious in its scope as it is intimate in its portrayal of characters, solidifying his reputation as a master storyteller.

The Pandominion, a colossal political and trading alliance, serves as the backdrop for this tale.

Spanning an astounding million worlds, these aren't just any worlds; they're iterations of Earth, each with its unique dimension. Carey's genius lies in his ability to zoom out, presenting a bird's-eye view of a sprawling multiverse, and then zooming in to focus on the individual tales of ambition, love, and survival that populate these worlds.

Our journey through this vast tapestry is guided by a mostly-anonymous narrator, a product of a multiversal war that pits organic beings against the unyielding tide of AI. Through their lens, we meet Dr. Hadiz Tambuwal, a scientist whose aspirations stretch beyond her own dimension. Her initial portrayal as a beacon of hope takes a twist as she becomes ensnared in the machinations of the cunning Essien Nkanika. Yet, it's her evolution, her ability to rise above challenges, that keeps readers riveted.

But perhaps the most intriguing character is Topaz Tourmaline FiveHills, affectionately known as Paz. An evolved, sentient leporine (rabbit), Paz challenges our very understanding of life. With high-tech gear and a spirit that refuses to be caged, she embodies the novel's exploration of the boundaries of technology and evolution.

The omnipresence of the Pandominion serves as a silent observer, a force that, while ever-present, often takes a backseat, allowing the individual stories to shine. This balance is where Carey's narrative prowess truly shines, ensuring readers are as engrossed in the personal tales as they are in the grander narrative.

A notable subplot involves the Cielo, a mysterious entity whose motives and actions add layers of complexity to the story. As plotlines intertwine and characters' paths cross, readers are treated to a narrative that is both expansive and detailed.

Drawing from the rich tapestry of multiverse tales, "Infinity Gate" stands out not just for its premise but for its execution. It's not just a series of "what if" scenarios; it's a deep dive into the consequences of choices, the ripple effects of actions, and the interconnectedness of all beings.

In "Infinity Gate," M.R. Carey offers readers a ticket to a journey that spans dimensions, challenges perceptions, and celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. It's a tale that's both timeless and of the moment, a must-read for science fiction aficionados and casual readers alike.

#InfinityGate #MRCarey #EpicRead #SciFiSaga #Hadiz #Paz #Pandominion #HadizTambuwal #TopazTourmalineFiveHills #Rupshe #EssienNkanika #TheCielo

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Review: The Hierarchies by Ros Anderson, 2020

The Hierarchies by Ros Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review of "The Hierarchies" by Ros Anderson

In a world saturated with science fiction narratives, Ros Anderson's "The Hierarchies" stands out as a compelling exploration of technology's intersection with human nature. The novel masterfully blends the wonder of technological advancements with the grounded realities of human desires and flaws. Through the eyes of Sylv.ie, a humanoid pleasure doll, Anderson delves deep into themes of free will, consent, exploitation, and the often cruel tendencies of humanity.

Anderson's prose is deceptively simple, painting vivid images that come alive in the reader's mind. The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter serving a purpose, driving the narrative forward and compelling readers to turn the page. While it took me a few chapters to immerse myself fully, the journey was worth every moment of reflection and re-reading.

The character dynamics, especially between men and women, are both intriguing and unsettling. Women, whether born or created, are portrayed with depth and complexity, leaving room for interpretation and introspection. In contrast, the men, irrespective of their societal standing, are depicted with a base cruelty that intensifies with age and waning potency.

Drawing parallels to the TV series "Humans," "The Hierarchies" offers a fresh perspective on the age-old debate of sentience and the ethical implications of creating life. While comparisons to iconic works like Asimov's Robot series might be tempting, Anderson's novel deserves to be celebrated in its own right, reflecting the unique cultural and technological nuances of our time.

I would wholeheartedly recommend "The Hierarchies" to any sci-fi enthusiast and believe it holds particular resonance for women and feminists. However, given its mature themes, it might not be suitable for younger readers.

Rating: 4.95/5 stars

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"Summer Frost" by Blake Crouch, 2019

 "Summer Frost" by Blake Crouch, 2019

Summer Frost is a novella about the development of artificial intelligence by Blake Crouch, author of the WAYWARD PINES trilogy.

In Crouch's classic style, he wastes no time getting to the action. Summer Frost takes place in a near-future San Francisco. It blends video gaming, artificial intelligence, nanotechnologies, and other tech that is under development.

The story has an "Ex Machina" (with a hint of "Her") feel to it. The plot explores a software developer's interaction with an emerging self-aware artificial intelligence called Max, for who they are responsible for. As one would expect, the AI starts out rudimentary and expands in a series of natural progressions, eventually taking on a human-like form.

The handling of some of the gender-related issues felt a bit clunky;. However, it's a highly timely topic. There's more discussion of what Max is and is not from a gender point of view than seemed really relevant to the plot and Max's nature as an AI. 

I enjoyed how Crouch also introduces the thought experiment Roko's basilisk and Pascal's wager into Summer Frost, which lends itself well to the plot.

I rate this novella 2.25 out of 5 stars.

Fear the Sky (Fear Saga #1), by Stephen Moss, 2014

Fear the Sky (Fear Saga #1), by Stephen Moss, 2014

Riveting, gripping and just absolutely brilliant!

Easily classifiable as an action and thriller story, this book is definitely hard science fiction at heart. And what a fantastic job the author does and hitting all the genre points.

The story starts with a slowness that is crafted to lull you into a false sense security and hints at a larger impending doom looming in the sky and the invasion headed to Earth. Although there are quite a bit of members, the cast of characters is slowly introduced;  along with their brief backstory that helps make them memorable when they appear later in the book.

The book is a bit long and could have easily been two separate novels. The first half of the book spends a lot of time building a cat-and-mouse spy-style thriller and ending it with awesome fight sequences and close quarter hand-to-hand combats.

The second half of the book seems to have a shift of characters and a new focus. While the storyline is not quite as tight as the first half of the book, it does fit congruously to the overall story arc of the book as ties off some of the loose ends.

My favorite characters:

Lana Wilson (female alien robot, total-bitch princess from alien world)
Ayala (female Mossad intelligence/counter-intelligence agent)
Shaheem (male alien robot, turns into a double agent)
John Hunt (male alien robot, double agent)
Neal (human scientist)
Lori West (human scientist)

I would have rated the book five (5) stars, but I feel some portions of the second half of the book falters a bit.

My Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 out of 5 stars) - I really really liked it.



Book Description by Author:

In eleven years time, a million members of an alien race will arrive at Earth. Years before they enter orbit, their approach will be announced by the flare of a thousand flames in the sky, their ships’ huge engines burning hard to slow them from the vast speeds needed to cross interstellar space.

These foreboding lights will shine in our night sky like new stars, getting ever brighter until they outshine even the sun, casting ominous shadows and banishing the night until they suddenly blink out.

Their technology is vastly superior to ours, and they know they cannot possibly lose the coming conflict. But they, like us, have found no answer to the destructive force of the atom, and they have no intention of facing the onslaught of our primitive nuclear arsenal, or the devastation it would wreak on the planet they crave.

So they have flung out an advanced party in front of them, hidden within one of the countless asteroids randomly roaming the void.

They do not want us, they want our planet. Their Agents are arriving.

The Android's Dream (The Android's Dream #1) by John Scalzi, 2006

The Android's Dream (The Android's Dream #1) by John Scalzi, 2006

Not entirely what I expected from John Scalzi after reading much, if not all, of his books.

The book, story, characters, descriptions, scenarios, etc., were all super packed- there was just a lot of information compressed in this story. Specifically in the first half.

The latter half of the book was fast-paced and action oriented and really made up for the former.

The ridiculousness of the circumstances and situations was nothing short of brilliant in the way it all worked together.  I have to admit, I had a couple of chuckle out loud moments.

I would have liked this book a lot better if the whole book were as good as the last quarter of the book.  I found myself trudging though some parts during the first half, and not really knowing where all of it was headed. It wasn't until towards the end when all the threads wove together a great story.

My rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 out of 5 stars) - I liked it.

Here is the author's description of the book:

A human diplomat kills his alien counterpart. Earth is on the verge of war with a vastly superior alien race. A lone man races against time and a host of enemies to find the one object that can save our planet and our people from alien enslavement...

A sheep.

That's right, a sheep. And if you think that's the most surprising thing about this book, wait until you read Chapter One. Welcome to The Android's Dream.

For Harry Creek, it's quickly becoming a nightmare. All he wants is to do his uncomplicated mid-level diplomatic job with Earth's State Department. But his past training and skills get him tapped to save the planet--and to protect pet store owner Robin Baker, whose own past holds the key to the whereabouts of that lost sheep. Doing both will take him from lava-strewn battlefields to alien halls of power. All in a day's work. Maybe it's time for a raise.

Throw in two-timing freelance mercenaries, political lobbyists with megalomaniac tendencies, aliens on a religious quest, and an artificial intelligence with unusual backstory, and you've got more than just your usual science fiction adventure story. You've got The Android's Dream.

Avogadro Corp (Singularity #1) by William Hertling, 2011

Avogadro Corp (Singularity #1)

by William Hertling, 2011

Avogadro Corp is evidently a fictional version of Google and is one of the world’s most successful technology

companies, with hundreds of millions of users of its email service AvoMail.

AvoMail’s spell checker on steroids becomes the world’s first AI. Avogadro’s Email Language Optimization Project (ELOPe), not only corrects spelling and grammar, but analyzes huge email databases to find the style and arguments more likely to persuade a given recipient and modifies the text accordingly.

As the system spreads, grows, and evolves, it gains notice from several people who have the ability to threaten its survival.  ELOPe starts to protect itself by created a floating datacenter and arming it with Roombas with guns.

As the story progresses, a race to survive by the AI is waged against annihilation by its human creators.

The story was promising and kept me engaged for the most part. It wasn’t until about 2/3 to ¾ of book until the novel just went from something worthy to be converted to a SyFy “B” rated made-for-tv movie to just plain horrible.

It’s not enough that I had to suspend my disbelief, not S3 (other computer nerds like me will get the humor) but rather at S4, to somewhat enjoy the book.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2 out of 5 stars)