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martlet's review
5.0
Nicholas Sansbury Smith knocks it out of the park again! I'm normally not a fan of sci-fi, but pre-ordered this based on the author. I'm glad I did! This book meets all the requirements of a good sci-fi: mad scientists, artificial intelligence, incredible war machines, space, hybrids, and a planet on the brink of extinction.
The glue that holds the story together, though, is Captain Akira Hayashi. Akira, the leader of an elite team of modified soldiers (Engines) called Shadow Squad, comes from a long line of honorable warriors who's stories are told in the codex he carries into battle. Akira knows that artificial intelligence is the only way to save the failing planet, but to be successful they must defeat the Coalition, who believes artificial intelligence has doomed mankind.
Aided by AI, the battles are still waged with flesh and blood. Don't fall in love with any one character, though. NSS has shown in previous series a rich back story isn't a guarantee of survival. This story had me on the edge of my seat and I ended up getting it on audible so I wouldn't have to leave Shadow Squad on the verge of battle with Iron Wolves and Breakers when I got in the car.
Will the Nova Alliance triumph? Will Akira's war horse lead them to triumph? What? Space elevators? Asteroids? Pistons? I can't wait for book 2. Write faster!
The glue that holds the story together, though, is Captain Akira Hayashi. Akira, the leader of an elite team of modified soldiers (Engines) called Shadow Squad, comes from a long line of honorable warriors who's stories are told in the codex he carries into battle. Akira knows that artificial intelligence is the only way to save the failing planet, but to be successful they must defeat the Coalition, who believes artificial intelligence has doomed mankind.
Aided by AI, the battles are still waged with flesh and blood. Don't fall in love with any one character, though. NSS has shown in previous series a rich back story isn't a guarantee of survival. This story had me on the edge of my seat and I ended up getting it on audible so I wouldn't have to leave Shadow Squad on the verge of battle with Iron Wolves and Breakers when I got in the car.
Will the Nova Alliance triumph? Will Akira's war horse lead them to triumph? What? Space elevators? Asteroids? Pistons? I can't wait for book 2. Write faster!
mirrorballmusings's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
twainy88's review
5.0
RC Bray sings?
Take my money!
A pandemic-like human-decimating event (SANS) happens 60 years from now. A billion humans survive in chaos, war.
The dark near future painted here is plausible. Keep listening!
War is becoming a way of life.
Japanese history/Mythos permeates this story which really is quite intriguing. This is a great foundation for a series!
Akira is a great MC and Shadow Squad is a fun diverse group including a wolf-dog droid.
AI, robotics, genetically enhanced humans & animals, pistons. Two factions remain, pro-AI anti-AI! War continues.
There’s a space elevator, a moon base, moon mining …
I loved the horse & dog!!
What NSS does to humans is brutal, explicit, visceral. No character is safe.
The book is go go go from the start. Pay attention to the explanations contained in the first few chapters because once it takes off your head will be spinning with the action, war & science.
Will humanity survive and will it be because of or in-spite of AI. Book one of a new series with intriguing aspects of Japanese culture, AI/robotics, nods to 90’s stories that you might catch & if not you should give it another listen.
E-Day … did you catch the dual meaning? This book is all about the exciting journey not the static destination and you’ll soon be waiting for book two with me.
PS - this is my 300th book read this year
Take my money!
A pandemic-like human-decimating event (SANS) happens 60 years from now. A billion humans survive in chaos, war.
The dark near future painted here is plausible. Keep listening!
War is becoming a way of life.
Japanese history/Mythos permeates this story which really is quite intriguing. This is a great foundation for a series!
Akira is a great MC and Shadow Squad is a fun diverse group including a wolf-dog droid.
AI, robotics, genetically enhanced humans & animals, pistons. Two factions remain, pro-AI anti-AI! War continues.
There’s a space elevator, a moon base, moon mining …
I loved the horse & dog!!
What NSS does to humans is brutal, explicit, visceral. No character is safe.
The book is go go go from the start. Pay attention to the explanations contained in the first few chapters because once it takes off your head will be spinning with the action, war & science.
Will humanity survive and will it be because of or in-spite of AI. Book one of a new series with intriguing aspects of Japanese culture, AI/robotics, nods to 90’s stories that you might catch & if not you should give it another listen.
E-Day … did you catch the dual meaning? This book is all about the exciting journey not the static destination and you’ll soon be waiting for book two with me.
PS - this is my 300th book read this year
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