Take a photo of a barcode or cover
roadtripreader 's review for:
And Shall Machines Surrender
by Benjanun Sriduangkaew
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Take Murderbot, The Human Division, The Creator, Extinction, Ex Machina, and maybe, weirdly, Hand Maiden's Tale put it in a blender, add today's conspiratorial fear of AI, put in future-tech concepts, sprinkle fantasy, blend and then take the contents, splash it on canvas then set the canvas on fire, take the ashes put them in one of those LED astronomy globe desklights and turn it on. That's this book and in the end,I quite like it. It shines in weird ways.
Plot/Storyline/Themes:
Two ex Armada agents(Dr Leung is so cagey about her past even in her inner monologue) have to figure out why AI-Human hybrids (who have godlike status in this universe) are comitting suicide in the most public, violent and synced ways.
Could you stick the hook in any deeper and reel me in? Nope, that's some good bait and it got me to read in one sitting.
Character Development/Favorite Character: -1.5
The characters feel like they land for a minute and then take off before you can really peel back the layers and poke around in them. The result is a feeling of unrealness which might be what the citizens of this world feel. Like should I give a damn about that character?
I did however take an instant disliking to Krissana Khongtip. Still do.
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene::
Orfea and Krissana analyzing the data dump by Mina. The nerd in me love probability analysis and doing the critical thinking to get to that "nooo way whhhat" moment.
After that it's just all shooting, punching etc etc and 3rd act. But before that - data data and more data.
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
🖤“Utopia isn’t about tastes. It is about the common good, the greatest comfort for the greatest number—that is what Shenzhen is.” (Orfea on the great Dyson Sphere)
🖤"We’re both veterans at atrocities, Doctor, and I used to adore your hardness.” (Krissana on Orfea)
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
â– Mandate AI
â– Benzaiten in Autumn
â– Haruspex
â– Pax Americana sounding like a bible-thumping red state.
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Science Fiction Books by 2025
Plot/Storyline/Themes:
Two ex Armada agents(Dr Leung is so cagey about her past even in her inner monologue) have to figure out why AI-Human hybrids (who have godlike status in this universe) are comitting suicide in the most public, violent and synced ways.
Could you stick the hook in any deeper and reel me in? Nope, that's some good bait and it got me to read in one sitting.
Character Development/Favorite Character: -1.5
The characters feel like they land for a minute and then take off before you can really peel back the layers and poke around in them. The result is a feeling of unrealness which might be what the citizens of this world feel. Like should I give a damn about that character?
I did however take an instant disliking to Krissana Khongtip. Still do.
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene::
Orfea and Krissana analyzing the data dump by Mina. The nerd in me love probability analysis and doing the critical thinking to get to that "nooo way whhhat" moment.
After that it's just all shooting, punching etc etc and 3rd act. But before that - data data and more data.
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
🖤“Utopia isn’t about tastes. It is about the common good, the greatest comfort for the greatest number—that is what Shenzhen is.” (Orfea on the great Dyson Sphere)
🖤"We’re both veterans at atrocities, Doctor, and I used to adore your hardness.” (Krissana on Orfea)
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
â– Mandate AI
â– Benzaiten in Autumn
â– Haruspex
â– Pax Americana sounding like a bible-thumping red state.
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Science Fiction Books by 2025