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Against the Machine
Against the Machine: Evolution
Earth, 2212: The novel, third in the Against The Machine trilogy, yet free standing on its own, tells of a dystopian society in the midst of catastrophic climate change. Billions have died. The minority of people remaining inhabit the MEGs, former cities transformed by technology into huge protective domes; outside is the MASS living by subsistence. All seems well for those in the CORPORATE. It is not. With worsening climate, the MASS increasingly restive and their AI Silicons becoming sentient, those at the top have concocted a final to leave Earth for Alpha Centauri, destroying the planet in their wake. Four protagonists, each from separate segments of this world, come together to attempt to prevent the plan. By the end they have managed to alter the human/machine interface, so changing human evolution.
- GenresScience Fiction
250 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2023
3 people are currently reading
12364 people want to read
About the author
Brian Van Norman
7 books412 followersAuthor of of five novels: The Betrayal Path (Amazon), Immortal Water (Guernica Editions), Against the Machine: Luddites (Guernica Editions), Against the Machine: Manifesto (Guernica Editions) and Against the Machine: Evolution (Guernica Editions).
Once a teacher, theatre director and adjudicator, Brian Van Norman left those worlds to travel with his wife, Susan, and take up writing as a full time pursuit. He has journeyed to every continent and sailed nearly every sea on the planet. His base is Waterloo, Ontario, Canada though he is seldom found there.
Once a teacher, theatre director and adjudicator, Brian Van Norman left those worlds to travel with his wife, Susan, and take up writing as a full time pursuit. He has journeyed to every continent and sailed nearly every sea on the planet. His base is Waterloo, Ontario, Canada though he is seldom found there.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 9, 2023
Brilliant!! A powerful, thought-provoking, fresh, and exquisitely inventive Must Read!
Gifted author, Brian Van Norman, has released the latest exciting installment in his trilogy of the man/machine interface. "Against the Machine: Evolution", is a riveting book, nearly impossible to put down!
"Against the Machine: Evolution" rockets us into a not-so-distant future world rife with artificial intelligence, severe climate change and a great social divide. We find ourselves consumed head-on with a dual society, cursed by the covetousness of human’s clawing for vainglorious power through the conduit of neural network technology.
Van Norman's mastery of descriptive prose and charismatic character development has again delightfully electrified our senses.
In "Against the Machine: Evolution" we find ourselves two hundred years in a damaged future of caste conflict and repression. On one hand, Van Norman exhibits the security and comforts provided, under chitin/crystalline domes, for the apparently utopian MEG civilization. On the other hand, we glimpse a second culture in a suppressed population of outsiders, the MASS, living outside the domes and forbidden their shelter.
The protagonists of the novel are a varied. The famed BATL athlete, Ayrian Mellor, commander of Toronto MEG’s Raptors; then Mel's elegant inamorata, Li Na Ming Huang, an esteemed opera singer, along with the brilliant, youthful Ke Hui Feng, a rebellious acting Toronto MEG CEO. There is an apparently unassuming but eccentric genius, Ping Wang Min, a cyber-psychological positronic therapist who alone communicates with "I & I", the Artificial General Intelligence: guiding it toward a swiftly emerging sentience. And finally, a talented member of the MASS, Otsi'tsa Zaharie, with her raw extraordinary courage, completes the group.
These diverse champions unify to wield the hammer to smash the oppressive authoritarian regime of the CORPORATE before it destroys what remains of their ravaged Earth. Part of their task must be the elimination of antagonist, the tyrannical Toronto MEG CEO, Wei Qiang Zhang, and his corrupt adherents.
"Against the Machine: Evolution" is a cautionary alarm with the ominous warning of cataclysmic annihilation should we foolishly refuse to be vigilant guardians of our dying Earth, our soaring technology and particularly our comprehension of our own complex evolution.
In his trilogy, Van Norman has enthralled us with an absorbing and educational journey spanning centuries.
Van Norman’s imaginative first installment, "Against the Machine: Luddites" was our introduction to progenitor George Mellor, the father of the Luddite movement during the 18th century Industrial Revolution and the emissary of the powerful "Enoch's Hammer". This insurgent past gives birth to future High-Tech rebellions.
In his second installment "Against the Machine: Manifesto", we were galvanized by Van Noman's skillfully drawn character, Mel Buckworth, a 20th century man obsessed with his singular struggle against inevitable human loss made manifest by our uncontrolled technology. Systematically, emotionally and physically, Buckworth believes he is witnessing the stripping away of the apparent benefits of contemporary technological society.
The first two novels envisage the third. As indicated previously, this novel is set two hundred years in a future at a precarious tipping point between human/machine interface or total extinction.
Gifted author, Brian Van Norman, has released the latest exciting installment in his trilogy of the man/machine interface. "Against the Machine: Evolution", is a riveting book, nearly impossible to put down!
"Against the Machine: Evolution" rockets us into a not-so-distant future world rife with artificial intelligence, severe climate change and a great social divide. We find ourselves consumed head-on with a dual society, cursed by the covetousness of human’s clawing for vainglorious power through the conduit of neural network technology.
Van Norman's mastery of descriptive prose and charismatic character development has again delightfully electrified our senses.
In "Against the Machine: Evolution" we find ourselves two hundred years in a damaged future of caste conflict and repression. On one hand, Van Norman exhibits the security and comforts provided, under chitin/crystalline domes, for the apparently utopian MEG civilization. On the other hand, we glimpse a second culture in a suppressed population of outsiders, the MASS, living outside the domes and forbidden their shelter.
The protagonists of the novel are a varied. The famed BATL athlete, Ayrian Mellor, commander of Toronto MEG’s Raptors; then Mel's elegant inamorata, Li Na Ming Huang, an esteemed opera singer, along with the brilliant, youthful Ke Hui Feng, a rebellious acting Toronto MEG CEO. There is an apparently unassuming but eccentric genius, Ping Wang Min, a cyber-psychological positronic therapist who alone communicates with "I & I", the Artificial General Intelligence: guiding it toward a swiftly emerging sentience. And finally, a talented member of the MASS, Otsi'tsa Zaharie, with her raw extraordinary courage, completes the group.
These diverse champions unify to wield the hammer to smash the oppressive authoritarian regime of the CORPORATE before it destroys what remains of their ravaged Earth. Part of their task must be the elimination of antagonist, the tyrannical Toronto MEG CEO, Wei Qiang Zhang, and his corrupt adherents.
"Against the Machine: Evolution" is a cautionary alarm with the ominous warning of cataclysmic annihilation should we foolishly refuse to be vigilant guardians of our dying Earth, our soaring technology and particularly our comprehension of our own complex evolution.
In his trilogy, Van Norman has enthralled us with an absorbing and educational journey spanning centuries.
Van Norman’s imaginative first installment, "Against the Machine: Luddites" was our introduction to progenitor George Mellor, the father of the Luddite movement during the 18th century Industrial Revolution and the emissary of the powerful "Enoch's Hammer". This insurgent past gives birth to future High-Tech rebellions.
In his second installment "Against the Machine: Manifesto", we were galvanized by Van Noman's skillfully drawn character, Mel Buckworth, a 20th century man obsessed with his singular struggle against inevitable human loss made manifest by our uncontrolled technology. Systematically, emotionally and physically, Buckworth believes he is witnessing the stripping away of the apparent benefits of contemporary technological society.
The first two novels envisage the third. As indicated previously, this novel is set two hundred years in a future at a precarious tipping point between human/machine interface or total extinction.
October 30, 2023
Absolutely brilliant!!! Brian Van Norma delivers one amazing book, I really want to say this is a Sci-fi genre but in todays world this is looking more and more about our future reality, the book starts in 2212, a dystopian world where people are divided by the CORPORATE, where technology and AI are what really moves society: the MEG´s living inside a dome, well protected and safe, and the MASS living in precarious conditions to barely survive.
Four characters are living in different situations and places, but all of them are the main character of the story, where they try to protect earth at all costs. Don’t waste any more time and start reading this masterpiece.
Four characters are living in different situations and places, but all of them are the main character of the story, where they try to protect earth at all costs. Don’t waste any more time and start reading this masterpiece.
October 16, 2023
by Garrick Fincham Loved it! 😍
The further in you go, the deeper it gets, and the more irresistible the pull.
I started this book uncertain. The world you first encounter is cold - a technocracy hiding from crisis behind their crystal domes (the MEGS). Lives are ordered, calm, and repressed. Characters and setting are clinical and cold, but an immediate 'undertow' grabs you before you know it. As you join a 'BATL Commander' on a spacecraft dropping from orbit towards Toronto 'MEG' you're already wondering: What the hell is BATL?
Beyond the MEGs is the MASS, a wrecked landscape replete with texture and presence - the antithesis of what you've already encountered under the domes. Now you're with with shrunken populations clinging to existence in ruined cities. One of the few things that bind these populations together? Pseudo war turned sport... so that's what BATL is!
So, is this a kind of 'Maze Runner' rehash? Not a bit of it - and for two good reasons:
Firstly, world-building. Setting it in Canada gives the story a unique feel from the off, and this kept me googling locations and scratching my head all the way through, dragging me right in. Then there is the Western/Asian fusion culture of the MEGs. You're skillfully fed enough connections to our world and time, to make this feel like a real future that grew out of our present. At the same time, the world of the novel is so distanced from our own society that you just keep on trying to put the fragments together.
The second element is a different 'core narrative' to many dystopian stories. The rise of the AI sentience 'I & I' is a central thread - this is a book about AI as much as anything else. In a series of exchanges between 'I & I' and its 'handler/programmer' Ping we see unfolding elements of its sentience - it awakens in front of our eyes. The fact that this is the far-off world of the MEG distances it from more 'near future' stories of singularity and makes it more realistic than the old 'my pocket calculator got wired wrong and now wants to destroy the world' yarn.
Finally, let's look at characters. There are lots, and inevitably their characterisation seems a bit thin at times - they often just don't quite get the air time. But the breadth of people you are following is essential to grasping the fractured nature of the world and narrative, and more than once you get a subtle, throwaway line with a real punch that just gives you a flash of insight into yet more hidden depths.
Great for fans of environmental dystopia like 'The Drowned World' (J.G. Ballard), or singularity novels like 'Accelerando' (Charles Stross).
REVIEWED BY
Garrick Fincham
The further in you go, the deeper it gets, and the more irresistible the pull.
I started this book uncertain. The world you first encounter is cold - a technocracy hiding from crisis behind their crystal domes (the MEGS). Lives are ordered, calm, and repressed. Characters and setting are clinical and cold, but an immediate 'undertow' grabs you before you know it. As you join a 'BATL Commander' on a spacecraft dropping from orbit towards Toronto 'MEG' you're already wondering: What the hell is BATL?
Beyond the MEGs is the MASS, a wrecked landscape replete with texture and presence - the antithesis of what you've already encountered under the domes. Now you're with with shrunken populations clinging to existence in ruined cities. One of the few things that bind these populations together? Pseudo war turned sport... so that's what BATL is!
So, is this a kind of 'Maze Runner' rehash? Not a bit of it - and for two good reasons:
Firstly, world-building. Setting it in Canada gives the story a unique feel from the off, and this kept me googling locations and scratching my head all the way through, dragging me right in. Then there is the Western/Asian fusion culture of the MEGs. You're skillfully fed enough connections to our world and time, to make this feel like a real future that grew out of our present. At the same time, the world of the novel is so distanced from our own society that you just keep on trying to put the fragments together.
The second element is a different 'core narrative' to many dystopian stories. The rise of the AI sentience 'I & I' is a central thread - this is a book about AI as much as anything else. In a series of exchanges between 'I & I' and its 'handler/programmer' Ping we see unfolding elements of its sentience - it awakens in front of our eyes. The fact that this is the far-off world of the MEG distances it from more 'near future' stories of singularity and makes it more realistic than the old 'my pocket calculator got wired wrong and now wants to destroy the world' yarn.
Finally, let's look at characters. There are lots, and inevitably their characterisation seems a bit thin at times - they often just don't quite get the air time. But the breadth of people you are following is essential to grasping the fractured nature of the world and narrative, and more than once you get a subtle, throwaway line with a real punch that just gives you a flash of insight into yet more hidden depths.
Great for fans of environmental dystopia like 'The Drowned World' (J.G. Ballard), or singularity novels like 'Accelerando' (Charles Stross).
REVIEWED BY
Garrick Fincham
November 20, 2023
"Brian Van Norman's 'Against the Machine: Evolution' is a bit like a roller coaster ride through a dystopian future - thrilling, but you can’t help but feel a tad queasy about what our world could turn into. Set in 2212, it paints a picture of Earth that’s both fascinating and a bit terrifying. Think of it as a cautionary tale with a side of sci-fi spice.
The story unfolds in a world ravaged by climate change, a theme that’s as timely as my last online shopping spree during a midnight bout of insomnia. The survivors in this tale are holed up in MEGs, sort of like sci-fi bunkers on steroids, while the rest scrape by in what’s left of the world. It's a stark contrast that could make anyone ponder over their next electricity bill or the unchecked items in their recycling bin.
What strikes a chord is not just the imaginative world-building but the underlying current of what it means to be human when everything else is falling apart. It’s like trying to find your glasses when your house is a mess - a small, personal struggle amid larger chaos.
Van Norman doesn't just give us a doom and gloom narrative; there's hope, resilience, and the undying human spirit woven throughout. It’s akin to finding a half-melted bar of chocolate in the glove compartment - a small, surprising delight in the midst of a traffic jam apocalypse.
While the book stands alone, it's like the third piece of a puzzle, completing a picture that’s both intriguing and a little unsettling. It's a reminder that our actions today could lead to a future where living in a dome might not just be for sci-fi enthusiasts.
Against the Machine: Evolution’ is a compelling read that’s equal parts warning and wonder. It’s a journey through a future that’s best visited in pages, not in reality. Perfect for those nights when you’re contemplating the meaning of life, or just what to binge-watch next."
The story unfolds in a world ravaged by climate change, a theme that’s as timely as my last online shopping spree during a midnight bout of insomnia. The survivors in this tale are holed up in MEGs, sort of like sci-fi bunkers on steroids, while the rest scrape by in what’s left of the world. It's a stark contrast that could make anyone ponder over their next electricity bill or the unchecked items in their recycling bin.
What strikes a chord is not just the imaginative world-building but the underlying current of what it means to be human when everything else is falling apart. It’s like trying to find your glasses when your house is a mess - a small, personal struggle amid larger chaos.
Van Norman doesn't just give us a doom and gloom narrative; there's hope, resilience, and the undying human spirit woven throughout. It’s akin to finding a half-melted bar of chocolate in the glove compartment - a small, surprising delight in the midst of a traffic jam apocalypse.
While the book stands alone, it's like the third piece of a puzzle, completing a picture that’s both intriguing and a little unsettling. It's a reminder that our actions today could lead to a future where living in a dome might not just be for sci-fi enthusiasts.
Against the Machine: Evolution’ is a compelling read that’s equal parts warning and wonder. It’s a journey through a future that’s best visited in pages, not in reality. Perfect for those nights when you’re contemplating the meaning of life, or just what to binge-watch next."
November 25, 2023
We have come across a lot of books that fabricate a whole new and different world, filled with imaginative elements set in realistic backgrounds and woven with relatable scenarios. This is one of those reads. This is my first read by the author, but the writing style and way of presentation are impressive and captivating.
The story is set in a scenario where the planet is in its worst condition due to harsh climatic effects, and generations of people are suffering. This is like a huge trouble, and everything seems like it's falling apart. The use and misuse of technology play an evitable role in the drastic and disastrous conditions, and this makes the story not only engaging but also delivers an important message. The subplots are engaging and reinforce the message depicted in the story. The story is fast-paced, and the built-in curiosity to learn new things makes the read more engaging.
The story is set in a scenario where the planet is in its worst condition due to harsh climatic effects, and generations of people are suffering. This is like a huge trouble, and everything seems like it's falling apart. The use and misuse of technology play an evitable role in the drastic and disastrous conditions, and this makes the story not only engaging but also delivers an important message. The subplots are engaging and reinforce the message depicted in the story. The story is fast-paced, and the built-in curiosity to learn new things makes the read more engaging.
December 7, 2023
If you're diving into Brian Van Norman's "Against the Machine: Evolution," buckle up for a narrative roller coaster that's part sci-fi thriller, part existential pondering on the human condition. Set in 2212, this book doesn't just flirt with dystopian clichés—it marries them, for better or worse.
In a world ravaged by climate catastrophes and societal divides, Van Norman introduces us to a cast of characters as diverse as the crises they face. From the tech-savvy elites in their MEGs to the struggling masses outside, the story is a vibrant tapestry of human resilience and despair. It’s like peeking into a kaleidoscope where every turn shows a different facet of a society on the brink.
Van Norman's prose is a curious mix of blunt and poetic. The characters, they're like puzzles, each piece fitting into the other in unexpected ways. You've got the rebels, the thinkers, the dreamers—all united by a cause that’s as noble as it is doomed.
Without spoiling too much, let’s just say it’s the kind of conclusion that leaves you staring at the last page, wondering if what you read was a warning or a prophecy. It’s like finishing a hearty meal but still feeling a bit hungry—satisfied, yet curious for more.
In a world ravaged by climate catastrophes and societal divides, Van Norman introduces us to a cast of characters as diverse as the crises they face. From the tech-savvy elites in their MEGs to the struggling masses outside, the story is a vibrant tapestry of human resilience and despair. It’s like peeking into a kaleidoscope where every turn shows a different facet of a society on the brink.
Van Norman's prose is a curious mix of blunt and poetic. The characters, they're like puzzles, each piece fitting into the other in unexpected ways. You've got the rebels, the thinkers, the dreamers—all united by a cause that’s as noble as it is doomed.
Without spoiling too much, let’s just say it’s the kind of conclusion that leaves you staring at the last page, wondering if what you read was a warning or a prophecy. It’s like finishing a hearty meal but still feeling a bit hungry—satisfied, yet curious for more.
December 14, 2023
"Against the Machine: Evolution," the latest work from Brian Van Norman, emerges as a compelling and thought-provoking piece. Set in a dystopian future of Earth in 2212, it vividly portrays a world grappling with catastrophic climate change. Van Norman's narrative intricately weaves together the lives of four distinct protagonists, each hailing from different strata of this fractured society, who unite in a desperate attempt to thwart a plan that threatens Earth itself.
The novel, standing independently yet as the third in the Against The Machine trilogy, delves deep into the themes of man versus machine. It explores a society where the majority, known as the MASS, struggle for existence, while a minority resides within MEGs—former cities transformed into vast technological domes. This dichotomy of existence is a critical element of the narrative, reflecting a world divided not just by physical structures but by power, technology, and the very essence of humanity.
What makes Van Norman’s writing particularly riveting is his ability to blend the daunting aspects of a sci-fi dystopia with the unsettling parallels to our current world. Reviews have lauded the book as "brilliant" and "exquisitely inventive," emphasizing its powerful and fresh approach. Readers find themselves immersed in a narrative that is as thrilling as a roller coaster ride, yet it leaves one feeling slightly unsettled, pondering the possible future of our own world.
The division of society is starkly portrayed, with the CORPORATE controlling technology and AI, dictating the lives of those within the MEGs and the MASS. This aspect of the book speaks volumes about our increasing reliance on technology and its potential impact on societal structures. Moreover, the novel's setting, characterized by a planet gravely affected by climate change, strikes a chord with contemporary environmental concerns, underscoring the book's relevance in today's discourse.
In conclusion, "Against the Machine: Evolution" is not just a science fiction novel; it is a mirror reflecting our potential future, wrapped in a narrative that is both engaging and unsettling. Van Norman’s work is a must-read for those who enjoy deep, thoughtful explorations of futuristic societies, technology's role in our lives, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.
The novel, standing independently yet as the third in the Against The Machine trilogy, delves deep into the themes of man versus machine. It explores a society where the majority, known as the MASS, struggle for existence, while a minority resides within MEGs—former cities transformed into vast technological domes. This dichotomy of existence is a critical element of the narrative, reflecting a world divided not just by physical structures but by power, technology, and the very essence of humanity.
What makes Van Norman’s writing particularly riveting is his ability to blend the daunting aspects of a sci-fi dystopia with the unsettling parallels to our current world. Reviews have lauded the book as "brilliant" and "exquisitely inventive," emphasizing its powerful and fresh approach. Readers find themselves immersed in a narrative that is as thrilling as a roller coaster ride, yet it leaves one feeling slightly unsettled, pondering the possible future of our own world.
The division of society is starkly portrayed, with the CORPORATE controlling technology and AI, dictating the lives of those within the MEGs and the MASS. This aspect of the book speaks volumes about our increasing reliance on technology and its potential impact on societal structures. Moreover, the novel's setting, characterized by a planet gravely affected by climate change, strikes a chord with contemporary environmental concerns, underscoring the book's relevance in today's discourse.
In conclusion, "Against the Machine: Evolution" is not just a science fiction novel; it is a mirror reflecting our potential future, wrapped in a narrative that is both engaging and unsettling. Van Norman’s work is a must-read for those who enjoy deep, thoughtful explorations of futuristic societies, technology's role in our lives, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.
February 28, 2024
Abandoned. Life's too short to be reading boring books.
June 11, 2024
Brian Van Norman’s "Against the Machine: Evolution," the third installment in the Against The Machine trilogy, is a gripping and thought-provoking narrative set in a dystopian future where Earth teeters on the brink of collapse. Despite being part of a series, this novel stands firmly on its own, inviting readers into a meticulously crafted world where technological advancement and environmental degradation intersect with chilling consequences.
The year is 2212, and the planet has been ravaged by catastrophic climate change. Billions have perished, and the survivors are divided into two starkly contrasting societies. The privileged minority resides in MEGs, technologically advanced domes that offer protection and a semblance of normalcy. In stark contrast, the MASS live a life of subsistence in the devastated remnants of the outside world. The CORPORATE elite, however, face their own hidden crises, with worsening climate conditions, increasing unrest among the MASS, and their AI Silicons beginning to exhibit sentience.
Van Norman’s world-building is both intricate and immersive, creating a palpable sense of urgency and despair. The depiction of the MEGs and the MASS highlights the severe disparities in this future society, while the sentient AI Silicons add a layer of complexity to the narrative, posing ethical and existential questions about the nature of consciousness and the future of humanity.
The novel follows four protagonists from different segments of this fractured world, each bringing a unique perspective and set of skills to the unfolding crisis. Their convergence and collective effort to thwart the CORPORATE’s catastrophic plan to abandon Earth for Alpha Centauri is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Van Norman masterfully develops these characters, making their struggles and motivations deeply relatable and compelling.
As the protagonists work to prevent the CORPORATE’s final act of destruction, they manage to alter the human/machine interface, setting the stage for a new phase in human evolution. This climactic turn is both thrilling and thought-provoking, offering a glimmer of hope amid the dystopian despair.
"Against the Machine: Evolution" is a powerful exploration of the consequences of technological hubris and environmental neglect. Van Norman’s narrative is fast-paced and engaging, blending action with profound reflections on humanity’s future. This novel is a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and those interested in the ethical implications of technological advancement.
The year is 2212, and the planet has been ravaged by catastrophic climate change. Billions have perished, and the survivors are divided into two starkly contrasting societies. The privileged minority resides in MEGs, technologically advanced domes that offer protection and a semblance of normalcy. In stark contrast, the MASS live a life of subsistence in the devastated remnants of the outside world. The CORPORATE elite, however, face their own hidden crises, with worsening climate conditions, increasing unrest among the MASS, and their AI Silicons beginning to exhibit sentience.
Van Norman’s world-building is both intricate and immersive, creating a palpable sense of urgency and despair. The depiction of the MEGs and the MASS highlights the severe disparities in this future society, while the sentient AI Silicons add a layer of complexity to the narrative, posing ethical and existential questions about the nature of consciousness and the future of humanity.
The novel follows four protagonists from different segments of this fractured world, each bringing a unique perspective and set of skills to the unfolding crisis. Their convergence and collective effort to thwart the CORPORATE’s catastrophic plan to abandon Earth for Alpha Centauri is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Van Norman masterfully develops these characters, making their struggles and motivations deeply relatable and compelling.
As the protagonists work to prevent the CORPORATE’s final act of destruction, they manage to alter the human/machine interface, setting the stage for a new phase in human evolution. This climactic turn is both thrilling and thought-provoking, offering a glimmer of hope amid the dystopian despair.
"Against the Machine: Evolution" is a powerful exploration of the consequences of technological hubris and environmental neglect. Van Norman’s narrative is fast-paced and engaging, blending action with profound reflections on humanity’s future. This novel is a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and those interested in the ethical implications of technological advancement.
November 10, 2023
I found some of the universal jargon/acronyms hard to follow early on, but I did enjoy that we started with getting to know the main characters and learning a bit about them. Each character has a unique perspective that helps fuel how they interact with saving Earth. I could almost feel Ping's fear as the AI started to probe for information early on.
But my favorite part? BATL. At the core, this style of entertainment seems inevitable in a technology-filled dystopia, and I love how it captures the fundamentals of humanity's historically dark desire to see sanctioned violence.
Norman put a lot of care into creating this universe; you can tell he's spent countless hours within its boundaries. It's a well-developed space. The characters are fun and have a lot of depth beyond what you would expect on the surface.
I recommend reading the rest of the books, but true to claims, the book is good on its own overall.
But my favorite part? BATL. At the core, this style of entertainment seems inevitable in a technology-filled dystopia, and I love how it captures the fundamentals of humanity's historically dark desire to see sanctioned violence.
Norman put a lot of care into creating this universe; you can tell he's spent countless hours within its boundaries. It's a well-developed space. The characters are fun and have a lot of depth beyond what you would expect on the surface.
I recommend reading the rest of the books, but true to claims, the book is good on its own overall.
December 4, 2023
The Emperor: The Emperor, the Son and the Thief by Robert Reid is a piece of work whose action is situated in the early 16th century. Robert Reid presents three characters whose fates are connected and meant to collide: the ruthless Emperor who wants to conquer all, the orphan who has to steal for his survival, and a boy with royal blood who starts to uncover his lineage.
I wasn’t expecting much from this book, especially since it was one of the first books by this author. (I was disappointed too many times with “first books.") and I have seen too many similar plots. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the author. From his manner of writing, you would believe that he had a few more books under his belt. The characters were well-rounded, and the work put into the research for the book’s universe (landscapes, buildings, traditions, fashion, etc.) had become, as I read, a beautiful and magical painting in my mind.
I wasn’t expecting much from this book, especially since it was one of the first books by this author. (I was disappointed too many times with “first books.") and I have seen too many similar plots. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the author. From his manner of writing, you would believe that he had a few more books under his belt. The characters were well-rounded, and the work put into the research for the book’s universe (landscapes, buildings, traditions, fashion, etc.) had become, as I read, a beautiful and magical painting in my mind.
October 31, 2023
This grabs your attention right from the start, and doesn’t let go for a moment. The world-building is extensive and seamless, and surrounds you immediately. Set in the future, it seems to show the inevitable result of the way things are trending today. The plot moves along smoothly, with enough tension and twists that you’ll be reluctant to set this down for even a moment. Although this is the third book in a series, you don’t need to read the other two before diving in (although once you read this, you’ll probably want to read the others)! I enjoyed getting to know each of the four protagonists, as they fight to save Earth from the powerful and greedy who wish to destroy it as they make their own escape. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys dystopian sci-fi.
November 6, 2025
“It felt like standing on the edge of a new world.”
I can’t remember the last time a science fiction story made me this emotional. The opening chapter had me holding my breath, that re-entry scene felt so real I almost felt the rumble in my chest. But what got me most wasn’t the technology or the setting, it was Mellor himself. A soldier, scarred, stoic, trying to fit into a world that seems to have moved on without him. The contrast between his raw humanity and the hyper-controlled MEG world broke me in a quiet way. Brian Van Norman doesn’t just write; he sculpts atmosphere. This book left me both uneasy and awestruck.
I can’t remember the last time a science fiction story made me this emotional. The opening chapter had me holding my breath, that re-entry scene felt so real I almost felt the rumble in my chest. But what got me most wasn’t the technology or the setting, it was Mellor himself. A soldier, scarred, stoic, trying to fit into a world that seems to have moved on without him. The contrast between his raw humanity and the hyper-controlled MEG world broke me in a quiet way. Brian Van Norman doesn’t just write; he sculpts atmosphere. This book left me both uneasy and awestruck.
November 8, 2025
I don’t usually read science fiction, but this book completely pulled me in from the first chapter. There’s something almost poetic about how Brian Van Norman describes the return to Earth — the light, the silence, the dread. It’s not just about machines; it’s about memory, guilt, and the uncomfortable truth that progress always costs something. I found myself highlighting sentences just because they felt so heavy and true. The scene with Ping and the AI left me speechless, it’s like watching humanity talking to its own reflection for the first time. I closed the book feeling both haunted and hopeful.
November 28, 2025
Sarah Bookclub introduced me to this book, and I’m genuinely impressed by how bold and imaginative it is. Set in 2212, this story paints a chilling yet believable picture of a world broken by climate collapse, where only a fraction of humanity lives under technologically fortified domes. The tension between the privileged CORPORATE class, the struggling MASS, and the rising intelligence of the Silicons creates a fascinating, multilayered conflict.
The stakes are as high as they come, the destruction of Earth itself, and the four protagonists who rise against this plan make the journey gripping from start to finish. A deeply thought-provoking dystopian thriller.
The stakes are as high as they come, the destruction of Earth itself, and the four protagonists who rise against this plan make the journey gripping from start to finish. A deeply thought-provoking dystopian thriller.
November 28, 2025
This book, recommended to me by Sarah Bookclub, took me on an incredible and emotionally charged journey. The world of 2212 is harsh, haunting, and heartbreakingly realistic. Billions lost, cities turned into survival domes, and the poor forced to scrape by outside, it’s a powerful reflection of inequality pushed to its final extreme.
What I loved most is how the author humanizes the four protagonists. Each comes from a completely different part of this fractured future, yet they share the same desperation to stop humanity’s self-destruction. Their struggles, fears, and courage pull you into the story in a way that lingers long after the last page. It’s a dystopian novel with real heart.
What I loved most is how the author humanizes the four protagonists. Each comes from a completely different part of this fractured future, yet they share the same desperation to stop humanity’s self-destruction. Their struggles, fears, and courage pull you into the story in a way that lingers long after the last page. It’s a dystopian novel with real heart.
December 20, 2025
Based on the overview, Against the Machine: Evolution promises a sweeping and urgent vision of a future on the brink. A world divided between protected mega-domes and those left to survive outside, combined with sentient AI and corporate escape plans, sets the stage for a powerful exploration of inequality and survival. The idea of four protagonists from different segments of society coming together feels especially compelling, suggesting a story driven as much by humanity as by technology.
I was introduced to this book through Big Ideas Book Club, and the premise alone makes it hard to ignore.
I was introduced to this book through Big Ideas Book Club, and the premise alone makes it hard to ignore.
November 8, 2025
What struck me most about this story wasn’t the science or the action, though both are amazing, it was the loneliness. Mellor isn’t just a man re-entering a world controlled by machines; he’s someone who has outlived his time, his world, and maybe even his soul. I could feel the ache in every page. It reminded me that technology doesn’t just change our environment; it changes our sense of belonging. This book isn’t comfort reading, it’s the kind that challenges you, wakes you up, and quietly breaks your heart.
December 20, 2025
This book sounds like science fiction at its most relevant. Climate collapse, corporate control, and evolving AI aren’t just futuristic concepts, they’re reflections of concerns we already face. From the description, Against the Machine: Evolution seems to balance large-scale worldbuilding with intimate human stakes, especially through its diverse set of protagonists. The promise of altering human evolution itself is an intriguing direction for the trilogy.
This title came to my attention thanks to Big Ideas Book Club, and it immediately stood out.
This title came to my attention thanks to Big Ideas Book Club, and it immediately stood out.
October 29, 2025
What a vivid opening, I felt like I was on that hypersonic wing with Ayrian Mellor. The worldbuilding is rich and tactile (the Tech Ring, the chitin/crystalline domes, the MASS/MEG divide), and the small human details, lobule studs, attendants calming passengers, make the setting believable. Mellor’s voice is calm but quietly observant; I already care about him and want to see how his return changes things
November 6, 2025
Against the Machine by Paul Kingsnorth is a powerful, poetic critique of modern life. It explores how technology, capitalism, and progress have distanced humanity from nature, faith, and meaning. The writing is deep and thought-provoking, though at times a bit heavy and nostalgic. Overall, it’s an insightful read for anyone questioning the modern world and searching for something more human and grounded.
November 8, 2025
Against the Machine: Evolution hit me harder than I expected. I started reading out of curiosity and by chapter two, I was completely lost inside it. The author paints the world so vividly that you can almost smell the sterile metallic air, feel the emptiness of the new Earth. I found myself reading slower and slower toward the end because I didn’t want it to finish. This isn’t just a sci-fi story; it’s a meditation on what it means to be human when everything human has been replaced.
November 8, 2025
This book took me on a trip I wasn’t prepared for. At first, I thought it was going to be another AI story, but it turned out to be something far more spiritual. The dialogue between Ping and the intelligence is pure brilliance, it’s almost philosophical poetry. I loved how it forces you to think about the fine line between creator and creation. The ending stayed with me like an echo. I felt like I had just witnessed something ancient being reborn.
November 8, 2025
I stayed up until 3 a.m. finishing this book, and I don’t regret a single minute. I’ve read a lot of speculative fiction, but nothing quite like this. The writing feels like you’re inside a dream, clear one second, foggy the next, but always meaningful. There’s a sadness that hangs over everything, a sense of loss that feels too close to real life. I actually had to stop and breathe after one of the AI scenes; it hit me that maybe we’re already closer to this world than we think.
December 20, 2025
The premise of this novel is ambitious and timely. A divided Earth, sentient AI, and a ruling elite willing to abandon the planet entirely create a chilling backdrop. What appeals most is that the story appears to be driven by moral choices rather than just spectacle. Even as a standalone, it sounds like a meaningful entry in the Against the Machine universe.
I discovered this book through Big Ideas Book Club, and I’m glad it was on my radar.
I discovered this book through Big Ideas Book Club, and I’m glad it was on my radar.
December 21, 2025
What caught my attention here is the focus on four protagonists from different layers of society. That structure suggests a multifaceted look at a broken world, rather than a single perspective. Combined with the evolving human-machine interface, the story promises both emotional depth and speculative ambition.
I learned about this book through Big Ideas Book Club, and it’s one I’m interested in exploring further.
I learned about this book through Big Ideas Book Club, and it’s one I’m interested in exploring further.
December 21, 2025
This story feels uncomfortably close to home. Climate catastrophe, social division, and powerful entities making irreversible decisions for everyone else are themes that resonate deeply today. Based on the description, Against the Machine: Evolution seems poised to challenge readers while delivering a high-stakes narrative.
I was introduced to this book through Big Ideas Book Club, and it’s one that feels especially relevant.
I was introduced to this book through Big Ideas Book Club, and it’s one that feels especially relevant.
October 29, 2025
Stunningly constructed universe. The chapter balances big-picture catastrophe (ecocide, the Omegan era) with intimate sensory detail (the warmth of sunlight through shields, the fuchsia interior). The contrast between life inside the MEG and the ragged MASS is heartbreaking and compelling. If you love layered sci-fi with political and social texture, this is a brilliant start.
October 29, 2025
I liked the atmosphere and the imagery, especially the Tech Ring and the domes, but the prose can feel dense at times; there’s a lot of information dumped in a single chapter. I’d prefer a few scenes where we slow down and experience small moments rather than long exposition. Still, the premise and stakes are intriguing enough that I’ll keep reading.
October 31, 2025
(Hooked and Excited)
An immersive and haunting first chapter. The scope is cinematic, spaceflight, ruined coasts, glowing domes, and yet the writing keeps a humane center. The final image of passengers entering decontamination and the sense of return set up an excellent mystery: what will Mellor find back home? Already counting the pages until chapter two.
An immersive and haunting first chapter. The scope is cinematic, spaceflight, ruined coasts, glowing domes, and yet the writing keeps a humane center. The final image of passengers entering decontamination and the sense of return set up an excellent mystery: what will Mellor find back home? Already counting the pages until chapter two.
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