White's first Starmetal Symphony installment offers deadly deep-space robots, showcases the power of music, and illustrates how love can persist even in the face of imminent demise. I loved the main characters' fashion, banter, and stubbornness. In the first book in Alex White's Starmetal Symphony space opera series, Gus is a jazz pianist whose biggest hope for the pending end of the world was to play at the most epic goodbye party of all time. After all, the Vanguards, giant, deadly AI robots, are headed from deep space to destroy Earth at any moment. But when the Vanguards arrive, the sudden, brutal ending Gus has envisioned for himself doesn't happen. Instead, Gus and a few other Earthlings are pulled in by a small group of traitorous Vanguards--and tasked with being modified, temporarily melded with the robots, battling other robots--and saving all of humanity. I really liked the way music is a key and powerful element; how working together benefits all; the quirky characters and their banter; the presence of giant fighting robots (they are not imbued with personality but are battle machines with infinite knowledge); and the fight for love in this LGBTQ space opera. My obsession with the irresistible dry humor, grudging and undying loyalty, and love for the series The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon on the part of Martha Wells's Murderbot (check out my rave review in Six Great Stories about Robots, Humans and Alien Life, and AI) may have ruined me for all other robot characters forever. But August Kitko isn't about the robots from space. The robots and the imminent demise of the human race that they seem perched to enact serve as a catalyst for the main characters to assess their own purposes and consider what makes life worth living. They forge desperate human connections and struggle with loss and an uncertain future, and I loved the impractical, invigorating, stubborn love in the book. There's a light tone running through the heightened, saving-the-universe tension, along with entertaining, offbeat fashion, which is vividly described. (There is also a copious amount of goopy fluids described--they are dispersed both in battle and in the melding of humans and robots. I could feel my face contorting as I read about the immersive goo.) Do you have any Bossy thoughts about this book? I really enjoyed Alex White's Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe, the first in the Salvagers series--which I look forward to finishing. That first book in that space opera series offers diverse characters, strong women, a heist setup, and, ultimately, a ragtag group of underdogs saving the day. I think it's time for me to read more Alex White books--I've heard that the alien novels The Cold Forge and Into Charybdis are great. You might also like the books on the Greedy Reading List Six Great Stories about Robots, Humans and Alien Life, and AI.

David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Jerry Garcia, and members of the Rolling Stones, as well as authors and artists She can serve as a muse; she can inspire music and art in others; she can learn what others want or need

Lostetter's standalone science fiction is a story about robots, a ragtag space crew, friends like family, and reimagining one's place in the universe. Its one job was to fight the invaders. It had more information on how to sauté spring onions than it did on the aliens. Activation Degradation, standalone science fiction from Marina L. Lostetter, begins with Unit Four's initial activation. It has just become sentient, and like its robot sisters, it has been programmed to fight the aliens currently attacking its ship. But whether it's a glitch or instincts that shouldn't be possible, Unit Four realizes that the situation as its handler has explained it doesn't quite add up. When Unit Four is taken onto the enemy alien ship as a prisoner and is unable to communicate with its handler, it begins to understand that all is not black and white, and that it may need to rethink all it has been taught to believe. Lostetter's book started off with a lot of logistics that slowed things for me, but as of page 66 the action and character development and exploration of morality and friendship and life purpose began clicking along. Activation Degradation explores what makes a person worth saving--or simply existing--as well as unconventional love and relationships, personal responsibility, sacrifice and bravery, and staying open to revolutionarily new ideas and ways of looking at the world--and the universe. Do you have any Bossy thoughts about this book? Activation Degradation has echoes of Martha Wells's Murderbot books centered around a grumpy, skeptical AI, as well as a wonderful ragtag, loyal space crew reminiscent of books like The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. Lostetter is also the author of the books Noumenon, Noumenon Infinity, and Noumenon Ultra.

The Robot Books I love a good artificial intelligence- or robot-focused story, and these six (plus, in The economy runs on robots, partially augmented humans, and humans desperately trying to compete with artificial Artificial intelligence! to the body to enable faster or more strenuous work; manage the implications of a backlash against artificial later Rose is a world-renowned physicist working to unlock the secrets of the hand and the curious artifacts

The first in Alex White's Salvagers space opera series offers diverse characters, strong women, a heist setup, and, ultimately, a ragtag group of underdogs saving the day. In Alex White's science fiction novel A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe, the first in White's Salvagers series, a group of outcasts bands together to locate a legendary ship before it falls into the hands of the wrong people, people who would use it as a weapon. The Harrow, the greatest warship ever built, has been lost for so long, some say it's merely a legend. But a hotshot racer who's on the run, a has-been treasure hunter looking for redemption, and the rest of the ragtag crew of the Capricious know that the ship is real--and that whoever controls the ship will control the fate of the universe. A Big Ship is a space heist book with lots of action, strong women characters driving the plot, and a great underdogs-unite premise. I wasn't completely clear on the intersections of magic (glyphs, spells) and futuristic technology (AI, spaceships, futuristic weaponry), but White includes extensive details about the workings and processes. The explanation of the big reveal regarding the who-what-where-why of the evil masterminds felt so involved that it drew me out of the story somewhat. I was in this for the characters, among them Cordell, the tough captain with a heart of gold; Boots, a jaded former fighter pilot turned reality star who hopes for a miracle; and Nilah, a privileged and daring racer who falls for the grumpiest crew member of all. Each character in A Big Ship is reeling from planet-level destruction and heartbreak, and it's satisfying to follow them as they seek redemption, take comfort in and build loyalty to one another, and identify and aim to outsmart their enemies to try to save the world with scrappiness and luck. Do you have any Bossy thoughts about this book? I'm in love with the title of the second book in this series, A Bad Deal for the Whole Galaxy. The third book is titled The Worst of All Possible Worlds. White is also the author of Alien: The Cold Forge and Every Mountain Made Low.

And what will happen to their long-held dynamic when Stella wakes up a different person, with new and artistic A couple of minor grumbles: I had to suspend my disbelief about the artist being able to see the true that a younger lover had left her and broke her heart, etc.), but I did bask in the warmth of that artist-subject

endless imagined cameos, fictional adventures, and gems of wisdom from real-life musicians, authors, and artists The other is a shockingly talented artist who abandoned the creation of new work after an incredibly

Artificial intelligence!

In this second book in the series, Amina is obliged to seek a magical artifact on behalf of a powerful

In this second book in the series, Amina is obliged to seek a magical artifact on behalf of a powerful

Artie Dam is a high school history teacher, father to a grown son, longtime husband to his wife, and Artie is friendly and kind, but private. Only we fully realize that Artie is feeling desperately lonely, disillusioned, and depressed. When Artie discovers a deep secret about his life, he's unsure how to cope. I loved reading about Artie's life and being allowed into his inner world.

In the second book in the series, Amina seeks a magical artifact, but she finds herself on an island

Cy is a widower in a small Pennsylvania town who is drawn in by a newspaper article about enormous ancient

He says that she is actually from Camelot, in King Arthur's time, and that he himself is Merlin. The existence of the kingdom and magic itself are reliant upon Vera's time-travel back to Arthur's world A newly imagined relationship with Arthur is hard-won and lovely.

In Strout's newest novel, we meet an irresistible new character in high school history teacher Artie Only the reader understands Artie's deep loneliness, only we live through his discovery of a shattering Artie is friendly and kind, but private. When Artie discovers a deep secret about his life, he's unsure how to cope. I loved reading about Artie's life and being allowed into his inner world.

Reading Now I'm reading a favorite author's newest novel featuring the wonderfully wrought character of Artie 01 The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout In Elizabeth Strout's newest novel, we meet Artie Dam, But Artie is feeling desperately lonely, disillusioned, and depressed.

I could have been satisfied with a long Atlantic-style article on these topics, but Fraser's writing

After years working to advance artificial intelligence in a near-future dystopian world decimated by

it big enough for stardom--are invited to the private Scottish island and castle where the reclusive Arthur

it big enough for stardom--are invited to the private Scottish island and castle where the reclusive Arthur

Smith builds a subplot from the real-life, much-publicized case of the Tichborne Claimant, in which Arthur

McGuire Ian McGuire's newest novel White River Crossing is set in the brutal cold and wilderness of sub-Artic

living on the streets of eighteenth-century Cairo, skillfully thieving and honing her skills as a con artist for my full review of The City of Brass . 06 The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman Grossman's reimagined Arthurian training as a lowly ward; his family has little use for him; and his heart is set upon joining King Arthur's makes his way to the Round Table, only elderly, impaired, has-been knights are left, and he learns that Arthur

He says that she is actually from Camelot, in King Arthur's time, and that he himself is Merlin. The existence of the kingdom and magic itself are reliant upon Vera's time-travel back to Arthur's world A newly imagined relationship with Arthur is hard-won and lovely.

He says that she is actually from Camelot, in King Arthur's time, and that he himself is Merlin. The existence of the kingdom and magic itself are reliant upon Vera's time-travel back to Arthur's world modern underwear, and running shoes; this complicates things in time-travel world but I loved it), and Arthur A newly imagined relationship with Arthur is hard-won and lovely.

He says that she is actually from Camelot, in King Arthur's time, and that he himself is Merlin. He says that the kingdom and magic itself are reliant upon Vera's time-travel back to Arthur's world,

Arthur, a recluse who only comes into town at the change of seasons--and who others avoid as actively But Arthur is mysterious, and he's not who Birdie thought he was. In 1840 in London, young Arthur lives near the sewage-filled River Thames, desperate to escape poverty full review of Woodworking . 06 Culpability by Bruce Holsinger Culpability  shapes questions regarding artificial But inserting a layer of artificial intelligence on top of tragedy dramatically complicates things.

herself yearns for creative freedom, but as a woman with no standing, she is not allowed to express her artistic

herself yearns for creative freedom, but as a woman with no standing, she is not allowed to express her artistic

Lie Wins by Ashley Elston Elston's first adult novel ticked all of my mystery-reading boxes: a con artist

When the writer was just out of high school, she was set for a big cross-country adventure and artist's

When the writer was just out of high school, she was set for a big cross-country adventure and artist's

Lie Wins by Ashley Elston Elston's first adult novel ticked all of my mystery-reading boxes: a con artist

A Twisty, Fast-Paced, Con-Artist Mystery 01 First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston Elston's first adult novel ticked all of my mystery-reading boxes: a con artist, fake identity, dangerous boss, complicated mark

In this second and final book in the duology, grieving Arthie Casimir and her makeshift gang--Flick,

In this final book in the duology, grieving Arthie Casimir and her makeshift gang--Flick, Jin, and vampire

Elston's first adult novel ticked all of my mystery-reading boxes: a con artist, fake identity, dangerous

Barraclough examines artifacts such as " remnants of wooden gaming boards, elegant antler combs, doodles

read my full review by clicking this link . 05 The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman Grossman's reimagined Arthurian training as a lowly ward; his family has little use for him; and his heart is set upon joining King Arthur's makes his way to the Round Table, only elderly, impaired, has-been knights are left, and he learns that Arthur

Sonia falls into a destructive relationship with a volatile older artist, while Sunny is living with

faery-controlled world with the French Revolution as a backdrop, A Far Better Thing ; and I'm reading a King Arthur of his world by taking the entire magical system by surprise. 03 The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur fought for training as a ward; his family has little use for him, and his heart is set upon joining King Arthur's makes his way to the Round Table, only elderly, impaired, has-been knights are left, and he learns that Arthur

themes here are often haunting, always powerful, and wonderfully nuanced, even when the scenes (the artist's

Smith builds a subplot from the real-life, much-publicized case of the Tichborne Claimant, in which Arthur

Smith builds a subplot from the real-life, much-publicized case of the Tichborne Claimant, in which Arthur The title refers to the impostor butcher Arthur Orton, but also applies to the failed, grasping author

I could have been satisfied with a long Atlantic -style article on these topics, but Fraser's writing

In the novel we follow young Louisa, an aspiring artist, and her inspiration, a dying artist with an

Locke as his ward since her beloved, offbeat father disappeared during a trip to acquire artifacts for

I just love a good artificial intelligence or robot-focused story that explores what it means to be human After years working to advance artificial intelligence in a near-future dystopian world decimated by

Arthur, a recluse who only comes into town at the change of seasons--and who others avoid as actively But Arthur is mysterious, and he's not who Birdie thought he was. Arthur is unlike anyone Birdie and her daughter have ever met; his speech pattern is unusual, and he

living on the streets of eighteenth-century Cairo, skillfully thieving and honing her skills as a con artist