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Jane Colt #1
Artificial Absolutes
Jane Colt is just another recent college grad working as an Interstellar Confederation office drone—until the day she witnesses her best friend, Adam, kidnapped by a mysterious criminal. An extensive cover-up thwarts her efforts to report the crime, shaking her trust in the authorities. Only her older brother, Devin, believes her account.Devin hopes to leave behind his violent past and find peace in a marriage to the woman he loves. That hope shatters when he discovers a shocking secret that causes him to be framed for murder.With little more than a cocky attitude, Jane leaves everything she knows to flee with Devin, racing through the most lawless corners of the galaxy as she searches for Adam and proof of her brother’s innocence. Her journey uncovers truths about both of them, leading her to wonder just how much she doesn’t know about the people she loves.
371 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2013
18 people are currently reading
583 people want to read
About the author
Mary Fan
59 books370 followersMary Fan is a YA and SFF author hailing from Jersey City. Her books include STRONGER THAN A BRONZE DRAGON (YA steampunk fantasy, Page Street Publishing), the STARSWEPT series (YA sci-fi, Snowy Wings Publishing), the FATED STARS series (YA fantasy, Snowy Wings Publishing), the FLYNN NIGHTSIDER series (YA dark fantasy, Crazy 8 Press), and the JANE COLT trilogy (space adventure, Red Adept Publishing).
She is also the co-editor of the BRAVE NEW GIRLS sci-fi anthologies about tech-savvy teen heroines (proceeds from sales are donated to the Society of Women Engineers scholarship fund). Her short works have been featured in numerous anthologies, including THRILLING ADVENTURE YARNS (Crazy 8 Press), LOVE, MURDER & MAYHEM (Crazy 8 Press), MAGIC AT MIDNIGHT (Snowy Wings Publishing), and MINE! (ComicMix). In addition, she is the editor of Crazy 8 Press's upcoming anthology, BAD ASS MOMS (due out July 2020).
When she's not writing, she can usually be found splitting bags at the kickboxing gym, tangled up in aerial silks, or singing too loudly at choir rehearsal. Find her online at www.MaryFan.com.
She is also the co-editor of the BRAVE NEW GIRLS sci-fi anthologies about tech-savvy teen heroines (proceeds from sales are donated to the Society of Women Engineers scholarship fund). Her short works have been featured in numerous anthologies, including THRILLING ADVENTURE YARNS (Crazy 8 Press), LOVE, MURDER & MAYHEM (Crazy 8 Press), MAGIC AT MIDNIGHT (Snowy Wings Publishing), and MINE! (ComicMix). In addition, she is the editor of Crazy 8 Press's upcoming anthology, BAD ASS MOMS (due out July 2020).
When she's not writing, she can usually be found splitting bags at the kickboxing gym, tangled up in aerial silks, or singing too loudly at choir rehearsal. Find her online at www.MaryFan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 12, 2013
Having grown up with some of the best of the sci-fi genre, I am a huge fan. As such, I get a little nervous about futuristic worlds and universes. I shouldn't have worried.
Artificial Absolutes is much more than spaceships and robots. While there are plenty of both, this story is not all laser guns and space battles. It is a timeless exploration of the complexity of family dynamics, the conflicts between faith and non-belief, and what truly defines a human being. What is the soul and where does consciousness originate?
I'll admit, it took me a while to embrace the flashbacks that explain personal backgrounds and relationship histories. While some felt distracting, overall, they work pretty well to get and keep the story moving. And, when it really counts, readers are just as clueless as Jane and Devin.
Speaking of clueless? Another thing I loved about Artificial Absolutes was the thoroughly convincing, perfectly set up red herrings. Just when I had it all figured out, I was ... not so right. I'll confess, I was not-so-right a lot. With one or two notable (no, I'm not telling) exceptions.
While more of a YA feel than I expected, the combination of youthful bravado and deeper philosophies made for a tremendous read. One can't help looking a little more closely at long-held beliefs. And, just perhaps, gaining a new perspective.
I'm hoping for many more amazing stories from this talented young writer.
~*~*~
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from the publisher [...]. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Artificial Absolutes is much more than spaceships and robots. While there are plenty of both, this story is not all laser guns and space battles. It is a timeless exploration of the complexity of family dynamics, the conflicts between faith and non-belief, and what truly defines a human being. What is the soul and where does consciousness originate?
I'll admit, it took me a while to embrace the flashbacks that explain personal backgrounds and relationship histories. While some felt distracting, overall, they work pretty well to get and keep the story moving. And, when it really counts, readers are just as clueless as Jane and Devin.
Speaking of clueless? Another thing I loved about Artificial Absolutes was the thoroughly convincing, perfectly set up red herrings. Just when I had it all figured out, I was ... not so right. I'll confess, I was not-so-right a lot. With one or two notable (no, I'm not telling) exceptions.
While more of a YA feel than I expected, the combination of youthful bravado and deeper philosophies made for a tremendous read. One can't help looking a little more closely at long-held beliefs. And, just perhaps, gaining a new perspective.
I'm hoping for many more amazing stories from this talented young writer.
~*~*~
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from the publisher [...]. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
November 8, 2015
Artificial Absolutes by Mary Fan
Jane Colt, just out of college works as an Interstellar Confederation office drone. Then her friend Adam is kidnapped, and she does not trust the Authorities to help her find her friend.
Devin, Jane's brother, does believe her and wants to help her find Adam. He is trying to have a good life with his new wife, and leave behind his old violent past. But soon he is frames for murder and he discovers some secrets he wish he never had.
Jane is very likable , she uncovers some secrets, and she must learn to cope with what she learns. Devin is just as likable, he too is faced with hidden secrets and must accept what he learns as well. The brother/sister bonding is unbreakable. They will both go to great lengths to protect each-other, and uncover the truth.
The story is in depth, easy to follow and moves at a steady pace. The characters are very well developed and we learn so much about them. There is plenty of action to keep you on the edge-of-your-seat, drama, and surprises. Overall I found Artificial Absolutes an enjoyable, page-turning intense read. I highly recommend to those who love a great sci-fi, A definite five-star read.
Jane Colt, just out of college works as an Interstellar Confederation office drone. Then her friend Adam is kidnapped, and she does not trust the Authorities to help her find her friend.
Devin, Jane's brother, does believe her and wants to help her find Adam. He is trying to have a good life with his new wife, and leave behind his old violent past. But soon he is frames for murder and he discovers some secrets he wish he never had.
Jane is very likable , she uncovers some secrets, and she must learn to cope with what she learns. Devin is just as likable, he too is faced with hidden secrets and must accept what he learns as well. The brother/sister bonding is unbreakable. They will both go to great lengths to protect each-other, and uncover the truth.
The story is in depth, easy to follow and moves at a steady pace. The characters are very well developed and we learn so much about them. There is plenty of action to keep you on the edge-of-your-seat, drama, and surprises. Overall I found Artificial Absolutes an enjoyable, page-turning intense read. I highly recommend to those who love a great sci-fi, A definite five-star read.
April 9, 2013
“Jane Did It Her Way. Artificial Absolutes, a Sci-Fi Tale You Won’t Forget!”
Take one spunky yet irresistible heroine, a dangerous galaxy, killer robots, deceptive androids, and virtual worlds that would make Isaac Asimov, William Gibson and Philip K. Dick nod with approval and you have “Artificial Absolutes,” the debut novel of Mary Fan, a young author on her way up. The heroine here is Jane Colt, the daughter of a wealthy businessman and (VIP) very important politician mother. She’s a rebellious twenty-something-year-old office drone who wants to escape the smothering expectations of her parents and find her own way. Well, Jane doesn’t have to wait long for her destiny to call, as author Fan introduces the kinds of pitfalls that befall every well-drawn hero, and these challenges come from all directions. She must rescue her kidnapped boyfriend, expose the truth about her brother’s bogus murder rap, and discover the truth which may or may not go against all of the principles her parents and most of society have forced upon her.
What a ride! Jane is a multidimensional character who ponders deep philosophical matters, smirks in the face of danger, handles a starship and a variety of weapons, and shows all of the skills, including compassion, needed to evade and overcome a galaxy of antagonistic forces on her quest to find the ultimate truth in a story where deception spares no part of the galaxy. Aided only by her renegade brother, Devin, a bad boy who’s trying to turn his life around, and a few talented programming nerds, Jane is a worthy match for all comers, and I cannot wait for the sequel.
~ Dean Lombardo, author of "Vespa" and "Space Games"
Take one spunky yet irresistible heroine, a dangerous galaxy, killer robots, deceptive androids, and virtual worlds that would make Isaac Asimov, William Gibson and Philip K. Dick nod with approval and you have “Artificial Absolutes,” the debut novel of Mary Fan, a young author on her way up. The heroine here is Jane Colt, the daughter of a wealthy businessman and (VIP) very important politician mother. She’s a rebellious twenty-something-year-old office drone who wants to escape the smothering expectations of her parents and find her own way. Well, Jane doesn’t have to wait long for her destiny to call, as author Fan introduces the kinds of pitfalls that befall every well-drawn hero, and these challenges come from all directions. She must rescue her kidnapped boyfriend, expose the truth about her brother’s bogus murder rap, and discover the truth which may or may not go against all of the principles her parents and most of society have forced upon her.
What a ride! Jane is a multidimensional character who ponders deep philosophical matters, smirks in the face of danger, handles a starship and a variety of weapons, and shows all of the skills, including compassion, needed to evade and overcome a galaxy of antagonistic forces on her quest to find the ultimate truth in a story where deception spares no part of the galaxy. Aided only by her renegade brother, Devin, a bad boy who’s trying to turn his life around, and a few talented programming nerds, Jane is a worthy match for all comers, and I cannot wait for the sequel.
~ Dean Lombardo, author of "Vespa" and "Space Games"
March 5, 2013
First I have to say that I love me some Sci-FY books. I love anything about the future and what it holds for humans in general. Plus I love the world build up that authors give us when telling us about another life that will come and take over the world. Artificial Absolutes had me thinking about a lot of things as I was reading it because it is a story that is about consciousness and computers. Intelligence at it's finest.
Jane is a recent grad from college and she is excited to be starting in the real world. She works in the office of the interstellar confederation. One day while at work she sees her friend Adam being kidnapped and no one is helping him. As she looks into the kidnapping she realizes that everyone is covering it up and she wants to know why. As she digs deeper what she uncovers both scares her and makes her more curious to unlock the truth behind Adam's kidnapping.
To make matters worse Devin her older brother is the only one who believes her. All Devin wants in life is to live a happy life with his wife but he finds himself agreeing to help his sister find Adam and find out the truth behind the kidnapping. What Jane and Devin uncover is more than the two of them can handle because not only are there secrets and lies about Adam's kidnapping Jane and Devin find out some disturbing news about themselves and the people they love.
What will Jane and Devin do? Is it worth it to rescue Adam? This is a must read!
Jane is a recent grad from college and she is excited to be starting in the real world. She works in the office of the interstellar confederation. One day while at work she sees her friend Adam being kidnapped and no one is helping him. As she looks into the kidnapping she realizes that everyone is covering it up and she wants to know why. As she digs deeper what she uncovers both scares her and makes her more curious to unlock the truth behind Adam's kidnapping.
To make matters worse Devin her older brother is the only one who believes her. All Devin wants in life is to live a happy life with his wife but he finds himself agreeing to help his sister find Adam and find out the truth behind the kidnapping. What Jane and Devin uncover is more than the two of them can handle because not only are there secrets and lies about Adam's kidnapping Jane and Devin find out some disturbing news about themselves and the people they love.
What will Jane and Devin do? Is it worth it to rescue Adam? This is a must read!
August 9, 2013
Artificial Absolutes is skillfully crafted and artfully written, with convincing characters and plenty of action. I like when science fiction makes sense and this was completely believable. I especially enjoyed the philosophical undertones that were just there without being distracting. It's been quite a while since I've written a review, not because I'm not reading (I read daily) but because I only rate the books I love (I hate writing bad reviews). I am happy to add this to my five star collection. I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful sci-fi, futuristic adventure by Mary Fan.
April 21, 2013
ARTIFICIAL ABSOLUTES by Mary Fan was one of my most expected releases of the year, and now that I’ve finished reading it, I want to say it exceeded all of my expectations!
Artificial Absolutes is a terrific sci-fi book featuring Devin and Jane Colt. From the beginning, I was impressed by the depth of the characters’ characterization. The flashbacks that the author provided in the first chapters let me connect with Devin and Jane on a much deeper level than I usually do with characters in other books. The author does a great job bringing her characters to life.
Devin meets Sarah DeHaven, the most famous singer in the galaxy, while Jane meets Adam Palmer, a Via priest, who makes Jane like him in a way she cannot explain. It’s when Devin proposes to Sarah that action picks up. Jane witnesses Adam being kidnapped. Devin and Jane’s father is shot, and Devin is #1 suspect. From now on, Artificial Absolutes turns into a real rollercoaster of a read. Devin flees together with Jane who hopes to find Adam. What I loved about the book is that I felt like I was watching a movie – the descriptions are so well done that I had no problem visualizing everything I was reading about.
What I appreciated in AA was that the characters’ thoughts and discussions are changed by breathtaking action, and you never know what to expect from the next page. I was deeply moved by the story of Devin and Jane’s mother’s death and the impact it had on Devin.
I was immensely impressed by the author’s mature writing style. The characters, the plot, the setting – everything is so well done that it’s surprising that AA is a debut novel. I can’t wait to read the next book by this author!
I really enjoyed reading about the futuristic sci-fi world created by Mary Fan, and I’d like to thank her for the superb read! If you are a sci-fi lover, Artificial Absolutes is a must-read for you! And I can’t help mentioning how much I love the title of this book!
Artificial Absolutes is a terrific sci-fi book featuring Devin and Jane Colt. From the beginning, I was impressed by the depth of the characters’ characterization. The flashbacks that the author provided in the first chapters let me connect with Devin and Jane on a much deeper level than I usually do with characters in other books. The author does a great job bringing her characters to life.
Devin meets Sarah DeHaven, the most famous singer in the galaxy, while Jane meets Adam Palmer, a Via priest, who makes Jane like him in a way she cannot explain. It’s when Devin proposes to Sarah that action picks up. Jane witnesses Adam being kidnapped. Devin and Jane’s father is shot, and Devin is #1 suspect. From now on, Artificial Absolutes turns into a real rollercoaster of a read. Devin flees together with Jane who hopes to find Adam. What I loved about the book is that I felt like I was watching a movie – the descriptions are so well done that I had no problem visualizing everything I was reading about.
What I appreciated in AA was that the characters’ thoughts and discussions are changed by breathtaking action, and you never know what to expect from the next page. I was deeply moved by the story of Devin and Jane’s mother’s death and the impact it had on Devin.
I was immensely impressed by the author’s mature writing style. The characters, the plot, the setting – everything is so well done that it’s surprising that AA is a debut novel. I can’t wait to read the next book by this author!
I really enjoyed reading about the futuristic sci-fi world created by Mary Fan, and I’d like to thank her for the superb read! If you are a sci-fi lover, Artificial Absolutes is a must-read for you! And I can’t help mentioning how much I love the title of this book!
July 11, 2013
This is a sci-fi novel about a young man named Devin and his sister, Jane. Siblings of the wealthy Colt family, they begin the novel with something strange happening to their significant others: Devin’s girlfriend reacted strangely to his marriage proposal, “freezing” in place. Jane’s boyfriend has disappeared, with various people covering up his absence. As the siblings investigate further, it seems that their significant others have been (or are being) replaced with artificial intelligence. There’s much more to the plot, but I don’t want to spoil it, as elements and characters (and their true identities) are revealed as you read.
While taking the reader on a sci-fi journey, the novel also examines the debate about science versus religion and the nature of existence/belief/awareness. For instance, Jane isn’t very religious, but her boyfriend is studying to devote his life to religion, and she seems drawn to his philosophies. Not to mention all the AI.
The strength of the novel is definitely the plot. Once the action picks up, the pace rarely slows down. The various settings allow for some interested (and often seedy) characters. This is where the book really shined—where characters were allowed to speak for themselves and let their actions characterize them. For me, the weakness was being told too much rather than being shown—with both flashbacks and with explaining concepts that exist in the Colts’ world. This diminished as the book progressed, and by the end, you’ll find yourself turning pages to finish. The book definitely picks up as you read it—I wish the first part were shorter so I could get to the end more quickly!
I would recommend this book to fans of sci-fi (though there isn’t much hard core sci-fi here, and in some cases, more description would have been interesting), fans of action, and fans of philosophy. It’s an easy read, making it ideal for a YA or adult audience.
While taking the reader on a sci-fi journey, the novel also examines the debate about science versus religion and the nature of existence/belief/awareness. For instance, Jane isn’t very religious, but her boyfriend is studying to devote his life to religion, and she seems drawn to his philosophies. Not to mention all the AI.
The strength of the novel is definitely the plot. Once the action picks up, the pace rarely slows down. The various settings allow for some interested (and often seedy) characters. This is where the book really shined—where characters were allowed to speak for themselves and let their actions characterize them. For me, the weakness was being told too much rather than being shown—with both flashbacks and with explaining concepts that exist in the Colts’ world. This diminished as the book progressed, and by the end, you’ll find yourself turning pages to finish. The book definitely picks up as you read it—I wish the first part were shorter so I could get to the end more quickly!
I would recommend this book to fans of sci-fi (though there isn’t much hard core sci-fi here, and in some cases, more description would have been interesting), fans of action, and fans of philosophy. It’s an easy read, making it ideal for a YA or adult audience.
April 15, 2013
Jane Colt is a 20-something office drone in a mega corporation, bored and discontented. What she really wants is a musical career but as her father happens to be the powerful head of the corporation, she tries to be what dear old dad wants. It seems that her entire life and that of her brother, Devin, has been about trying to live up to the expectations of controlling parents. Devin seems to be succeeding, having risen in the corporation and becoming engaged to beautiful Sarah DeHaven. Both of their somewhat routine lives change when Jane witnesses the kidnapping of her friend/boyfriend, Adam, and Devin discovers that his beloved Sarah is not at all what she appears to be. What follows is an exhilarating ride through space into the worlds of net terrorism, Artificial Intelligence and a shadowy villain trying to subvert the future of humanity.
I have never been a big fan of sci-fi, finding much of my admittedly limited reading of the genre long on science and short on character development. Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga is a notable exception and so is Artificial Absolutes. Debut author Mary Fan succeeds brilliantly in drawing vivid characters. Jane is sarcastic, a little spoiled and reckless, but absolutely loyal to her brother and to Adam. She will do whatever it takes to get them all home safely. Devin is tortured with guilt over his dark past; a past of which Jane is not fully aware. The brother and sister team are formidable and reclaim the closeness of their childhoods, lost in recent years. The supporting characters are equally well drawn, from the mad programming genius, Kron, to the pair's equally gifted sidekick Riley.
There is a lot going on in Artificial Absolutes; the ethical considerations surrounding AI, the importance of religion in a technologically advanced society and what can happen when that society becomes too dependent on technology. However, I read the novel more for the adventure and because I really wanted to know what would happen next. I found the pacing a little rocky and the ending somewhat rushed, but otherwise Artificial Absolutes delivered a "cracking good read".
Mary Fan is definitely a writer to watch. Thanks to Red Adept Publishing for a digital review copy.
RATING- 4 Stars
I have never been a big fan of sci-fi, finding much of my admittedly limited reading of the genre long on science and short on character development. Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga is a notable exception and so is Artificial Absolutes. Debut author Mary Fan succeeds brilliantly in drawing vivid characters. Jane is sarcastic, a little spoiled and reckless, but absolutely loyal to her brother and to Adam. She will do whatever it takes to get them all home safely. Devin is tortured with guilt over his dark past; a past of which Jane is not fully aware. The brother and sister team are formidable and reclaim the closeness of their childhoods, lost in recent years. The supporting characters are equally well drawn, from the mad programming genius, Kron, to the pair's equally gifted sidekick Riley.
There is a lot going on in Artificial Absolutes; the ethical considerations surrounding AI, the importance of religion in a technologically advanced society and what can happen when that society becomes too dependent on technology. However, I read the novel more for the adventure and because I really wanted to know what would happen next. I found the pacing a little rocky and the ending somewhat rushed, but otherwise Artificial Absolutes delivered a "cracking good read".
Mary Fan is definitely a writer to watch. Thanks to Red Adept Publishing for a digital review copy.
RATING- 4 Stars
June 2, 2014
3.5 stars.
*I’d like to thank the author for providing me a copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.*
The more I read, my liking for sci-fi ends up growing. If it just so happens to have great female characters, all the better. This book had both an interesting science-fiction plot, as well as interesting main characters, one of whom just happened to be female.
This book followed the adventures of brother and sister, Devin and Jane. I liked both of them, for various reasons. Jane was the heroine who didn’t start out as such, but instead developed into that role over time. Devin was a reformed criminal, who was still sympathetic because of his determination to do right by his sister. I liked reading from both of their points of view, and loved the fact that this book was about a brother and sister team, instead of just a romantic couple.
There were various side characters, some I liked more than others. Riley was a longtime friend of Devin’s, and I found him endearing, with all his brilliance in hacking, and how unsure he was around actual people. I really disliked Devin and Jane’s father, since he just wanted to use his children as puppets, in order to further his family’s reputation. Finally, there was Adam, Jane’s best friend and love interest. I really liked his optimism, and all his idealism. The reveal about him wasn’t really a surprise, but I still found it interesting.
The plot of this book was really fast-paced. It involved Devin being framed for crimes, when he discovered that his fiancee wasn’t exactly human. Jane, with lots of stubbornness, ended up tagging along, and various adventures, space battles, and revelations followed. I really liked how this book involved the question of what it meant to be human, and what exactly artificial intelligence was.
With all that said, I thought this was a good novel. The sci-fi aspects of the book were interesting and unique, although I did get confused a few times. Also, there were times in the story where the pacing slowed. However, that didn’t take away from any of the interesting characters, or great themes that the author included in this book. If you’re looking for a unique sci-fi, I definitely think you should pick this one up.
*I’d like to thank the author for providing me a copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.*
The more I read, my liking for sci-fi ends up growing. If it just so happens to have great female characters, all the better. This book had both an interesting science-fiction plot, as well as interesting main characters, one of whom just happened to be female.
This book followed the adventures of brother and sister, Devin and Jane. I liked both of them, for various reasons. Jane was the heroine who didn’t start out as such, but instead developed into that role over time. Devin was a reformed criminal, who was still sympathetic because of his determination to do right by his sister. I liked reading from both of their points of view, and loved the fact that this book was about a brother and sister team, instead of just a romantic couple.
There were various side characters, some I liked more than others. Riley was a longtime friend of Devin’s, and I found him endearing, with all his brilliance in hacking, and how unsure he was around actual people. I really disliked Devin and Jane’s father, since he just wanted to use his children as puppets, in order to further his family’s reputation. Finally, there was Adam, Jane’s best friend and love interest. I really liked his optimism, and all his idealism. The reveal about him wasn’t really a surprise, but I still found it interesting.
The plot of this book was really fast-paced. It involved Devin being framed for crimes, when he discovered that his fiancee wasn’t exactly human. Jane, with lots of stubbornness, ended up tagging along, and various adventures, space battles, and revelations followed. I really liked how this book involved the question of what it meant to be human, and what exactly artificial intelligence was.
With all that said, I thought this was a good novel. The sci-fi aspects of the book were interesting and unique, although I did get confused a few times. Also, there were times in the story where the pacing slowed. However, that didn’t take away from any of the interesting characters, or great themes that the author included in this book. If you’re looking for a unique sci-fi, I definitely think you should pick this one up.
January 23, 2016
**We received a copy of this book through the Juniper Grove Book Library in exchange for an honest review.**
There were some cool aspects to this unique world setting. There's spacecrafts, neat gadgets and creepy security systems.
We start out with siblings who grow up in a somewhat dysfunctional family. Both of are them are a bit spoiled and act out in immature ways, but at the same time, it can be entertaining at times.
I liked how the author created the "flashbacks" in the story. She'd have a new scene for the reader to absorb and then we'd find out how they got to that point, or it would explain why the character would make their next move in the story. There were quite a few of them and it did sometimes slow the story, for me, but it was informative.
Devin's big secret and disappointment in the story really held my attention. Jane annoyed me at times, but she was also wacky enough that it took the story in new directions that wouldn't be typical or always predictable.
The hacker world is well developed and brought forward unique characters that were just as, or more, entertaining than the main characters. The author paid close attention to her characters, which I liked. Quirks and situations were played out well.
I did find that some of the flashbacks were just a way of telling the reader what's up, and it did become a bit monotonous at times, but like I said, it wasn't useless information, but sometimes drawn out longer than needed
CONCLUSION
I think the characters stood out the most for me. They were unique and created well. The world was also great, and I enjoyed getting to know it.
There were some cool aspects to this unique world setting. There's spacecrafts, neat gadgets and creepy security systems.
We start out with siblings who grow up in a somewhat dysfunctional family. Both of are them are a bit spoiled and act out in immature ways, but at the same time, it can be entertaining at times.
I liked how the author created the "flashbacks" in the story. She'd have a new scene for the reader to absorb and then we'd find out how they got to that point, or it would explain why the character would make their next move in the story. There were quite a few of them and it did sometimes slow the story, for me, but it was informative.
Devin's big secret and disappointment in the story really held my attention. Jane annoyed me at times, but she was also wacky enough that it took the story in new directions that wouldn't be typical or always predictable.
The hacker world is well developed and brought forward unique characters that were just as, or more, entertaining than the main characters. The author paid close attention to her characters, which I liked. Quirks and situations were played out well.
I did find that some of the flashbacks were just a way of telling the reader what's up, and it did become a bit monotonous at times, but like I said, it wasn't useless information, but sometimes drawn out longer than needed
CONCLUSION
I think the characters stood out the most for me. They were unique and created well. The world was also great, and I enjoyed getting to know it.
February 24, 2013
Review of Artificial Absolutes by Mary Fan
4 stars
At the heart of this science-fiction novel is the theme of consciousness. What does consciousness entail? Are only humans conscious? Set in the future on a far-flung solar system, wealthy siblings Jane and Devin Colt must confront these questions, while simultaneously on a race to preserve their lives, and to acquire the right and capability to live those lives as they choose to live. Much of the novel revolves around “Artificial Intelligence.” In our world today that simply signifies computers which can think for themselves; in the future, in this world, it means so much more. Of course, nothing is going to be as or what it seems, and both Jane and Devin will discover this, and then need to find the strength in themselves to break out of the mold their powerful father has chosen for them. “Artificial Absolutes” is a story of evolving consciousness, and evolution in personal growth.
I reviewed a complimentary e-book copy provided in return for my fair and impartial review.
4 stars
At the heart of this science-fiction novel is the theme of consciousness. What does consciousness entail? Are only humans conscious? Set in the future on a far-flung solar system, wealthy siblings Jane and Devin Colt must confront these questions, while simultaneously on a race to preserve their lives, and to acquire the right and capability to live those lives as they choose to live. Much of the novel revolves around “Artificial Intelligence.” In our world today that simply signifies computers which can think for themselves; in the future, in this world, it means so much more. Of course, nothing is going to be as or what it seems, and both Jane and Devin will discover this, and then need to find the strength in themselves to break out of the mold their powerful father has chosen for them. “Artificial Absolutes” is a story of evolving consciousness, and evolution in personal growth.
I reviewed a complimentary e-book copy provided in return for my fair and impartial review.
April 12, 2013
Just finished Artificial Absolutes and I can say it was one heck of a ride. Jane Colt is going through a quarter life crisis working as a corporate zombie at her father's company, but what she really wants to do is be a composer and lead a life of adventure or at least more exciting than sitting in a cubicle all day. She gets her wish when she sees her boyfriend being kidnapped and her brother is framed for a violent crime.
I have to say in the beginning the book was a bit slow, but hang tough, because it's worth getting through the back story to get to the exciting ride she has waiting for you. I liked Jane's no nonsense smart aleck ways, but I have to say, her brother, Devin really came shining through for me. He's kind of the bad boy gone good, but you know he's still got a lot of mischief in him.
This book has nods to Asimov, Firefly, Gibson, and Stephenson. If you like any or all of these I highly recommend you give this book a try.
I have to say in the beginning the book was a bit slow, but hang tough, because it's worth getting through the back story to get to the exciting ride she has waiting for you. I liked Jane's no nonsense smart aleck ways, but I have to say, her brother, Devin really came shining through for me. He's kind of the bad boy gone good, but you know he's still got a lot of mischief in him.
This book has nods to Asimov, Firefly, Gibson, and Stephenson. If you like any or all of these I highly recommend you give this book a try.
March 19, 2013
I liked this science fiction story that focused on reality and not-so reality. The title really says it all, and kind of made sense after reading.
Absolute-This is the books God-like character, what they pray to in times of need. This represents the morality in the story and the choices that the characters have to make.
Artificial- Well this plays the opposite in the story and deals with the falseness that is portrayed.
I loved the main character of Jane, she was determined at times to prove she didn't need to be taken care of and this made me like her overzealous behavior. I had a hard time with the relationship between her brother and her, but as you progress you get to see why it is the way it is.
Absolute-This is the books God-like character, what they pray to in times of need. This represents the morality in the story and the choices that the characters have to make.
Artificial- Well this plays the opposite in the story and deals with the falseness that is portrayed.
I loved the main character of Jane, she was determined at times to prove she didn't need to be taken care of and this made me like her overzealous behavior. I had a hard time with the relationship between her brother and her, but as you progress you get to see why it is the way it is.
November 20, 2015
Artificial Absolutes is the first book in the Jane Colt series. Although the story starts out very slow and Jane (the main character) seems very immature for a recent college grad, it quickly picks up speed and turns into a real page turner. Although this is a futuristic space opera, there are no aliens, but there are lots of robots, computer hackers, and artificial intelligence. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
I received an ebook copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
I received an ebook copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
April 14, 2013
A cracking tale of fights and escapes and conspiracies, set in a wonderfully and intricately evoked future world. The story rattles along at a fine pace, twisting and turning its way to and fro across the galaxy, encountering mercenaries, shoot-on-sight robots, light-speed travel, hackers and a sinister corporation. A fun ride which takes a little time to get going but, once it does, there’s no getting off until the very end.
September 4, 2020
Should have applied my "hundred page rule" to this one. Would have saved me a wasted day.
Intriguing premise, but poorly developed. It's the now-usual "they're replacing real people with androids" story. Both protagonists seem more like teens than twenty-somethings, which I why I categorized this as "young" readers, though many of them will probably be insulted. Good storytelling, but a clunky story.
Don't waste your time or money.
Intriguing premise, but poorly developed. It's the now-usual "they're replacing real people with androids" story. Both protagonists seem more like teens than twenty-somethings, which I why I categorized this as "young" readers, though many of them will probably be insulted. Good storytelling, but a clunky story.
Don't waste your time or money.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2017
Exciting series launch with a satisfying enough conclusion that it can be read as a standalone, but also leaves you wanting more. Well written sci-fi adventure combining space opera and cyberpunk, like Firefly meets Blade Runner. Combines fast-paced sci-fi action with deeper concepts surrounding artificial intelligence and what it means to be human.
February 11, 2016
A very well-written fast paced book that i enjoyed reading. The book stayed on target with the flash backs and the development of the characters in the book. A wonderful edition to the Sci-fi genre. A must read.
January 12, 2015
Artificial Absolutes: A Jane Colt Novel is a science fiction novel written by Mary Fan and published February of 2013. Artificial Absolutes isn't the first novel published by Ms. Fan, if you enjoy this review you can also check out her other books Synthetic Illusions, The Firedragon (Flynn Nightsider), and her newest book Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evil (available April 7th 2015).
First before I get to the review, I'd like to thank Ms. Fan for allowing me the opportunity to review her book Artificial Absolutes. I have a deep love of Sci-fi books that came from many years of Star Trek reruns on tv. This book, when I received the request for review, reminded me a lot of how much I enjoyed those episodes and which helped spark my interest to take Artificial Absolutes on for review.
The very first chapter in Artificial Absolutes: A Jane Colt Novel you're introduced to one of the main characters Devin Colt after he arrives at his girlfriends apartment in search of her. Devin appears to be struggling with thoughts that many men constantly have at one point in their life, he's ready to propose to Sarah but fears her response. If she going to say yes? Given their differences, what would possess her to want to be with him? Turns out that Devin managed to find himself quite the lady and, thanks to Mary Fan, in the first chapter were introduced to a very impressive level of character development. The level of detail given to both Devin and Sarah's lives in this chapter is well thought out and foreshadows some very important details necessary for later on in the book.
After chapter 1 comes to an end and 2 begins, we're introduced to Devin's sister Jane who is quite possibly more of a main character than Devin is (referencing the subtitle of the book). We also find out a little more information about one of the Sci-fi companies called Quasar which happens to be where both Devin and Jane work. Being employed by a relentless corporate executive, named Victor Colt or dad, both main characters by now have stated how much they love their jobs. And que the sarcasm.
The first three chapters does a good job of setting up the story, and while in the beginning I was worried that the content would be a little dry I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself enjoying the story told from both Devin and Jane as they described their relationships with Victor Colt, their father, and with the world around them. Luckily it doesn't take long for the action to pick up, in chapter 3 we see Adam, Jane's love interest, kidnapped by a unidentified machine. But if you think things couldn't get any worse, you'd be dead wrong. At the end of chapter 4 we witness the murder of Quasar Bank Corporation's president Victor Colt. But who murdered our main characters father? The killer was in fact Devin Colt, his son, who shot him through the forehead with a laser gun, but upon entering the office after the shot Devin was no where to be seen. Was Devin the real killer? What are Jane and Devin going to do now without their father? What happened to the machine and the people fighting to keep its existence hidden?
While I'd love to get into the content of the middle chapters and end, I'd hate to spoil the surprise for so many of Mary Fan's readers. There are vast amounts of twists and turns that add so many layers to the story, that even mentioning one or two here would be wrong without mentioning them all.
As I've said before, a reviewer should never reveal too much of a story's plot to the point that people would rather read my review than buy the book. If at any point in this review you thought to yourself that this is the kind of story that you'd get into, I highly recommend that you pick this book up and watch out for the rest of the series.
To Ms. Fan, I loved your two main characters, Jane and Devin, and couldn't help but compare the complexities of their own lives to mine. While I don't have to worry about a murder conviction of killing my father, to live in the shadow of a man like Victor Colt must be an incredibly spirit crushing experience. Jane makes this quite obvious as her desire to play music is all but crushed by her father's absolute abandonment of her dream. Devin's rebellious nature of his youth in defiance of his father's tight leash will probably be easily identified with many readers, myself included. Also his loyal nature to his sister is definitely admirable, though it seems to cause him more grief than happiness.
The only thing I felt missing from this book was more information about where they came from and how they got to where they are. A great amount of information is presenting regarding the transformation of religion, including the name God changing to The Absolute. But I would love to learn more about their society as a whole and how they struggled to become the one they are now. Of course I love this type of information when presented in dystopian or utopian books, I tend to enjoy the transformation more than the love story the author is attempting to spin (think of Hunger Games and Divergent).
Due to my enjoyment of reading Artificial Absolutes: A Jane Colt Novel, I'm going to add this book to my Suggested Books list as a book readers NEED TO GET. Once you read the first book in the series, be sure to check out her second book Synthetic Illusions.
First before I get to the review, I'd like to thank Ms. Fan for allowing me the opportunity to review her book Artificial Absolutes. I have a deep love of Sci-fi books that came from many years of Star Trek reruns on tv. This book, when I received the request for review, reminded me a lot of how much I enjoyed those episodes and which helped spark my interest to take Artificial Absolutes on for review.
The very first chapter in Artificial Absolutes: A Jane Colt Novel you're introduced to one of the main characters Devin Colt after he arrives at his girlfriends apartment in search of her. Devin appears to be struggling with thoughts that many men constantly have at one point in their life, he's ready to propose to Sarah but fears her response. If she going to say yes? Given their differences, what would possess her to want to be with him? Turns out that Devin managed to find himself quite the lady and, thanks to Mary Fan, in the first chapter were introduced to a very impressive level of character development. The level of detail given to both Devin and Sarah's lives in this chapter is well thought out and foreshadows some very important details necessary for later on in the book.
After chapter 1 comes to an end and 2 begins, we're introduced to Devin's sister Jane who is quite possibly more of a main character than Devin is (referencing the subtitle of the book). We also find out a little more information about one of the Sci-fi companies called Quasar which happens to be where both Devin and Jane work. Being employed by a relentless corporate executive, named Victor Colt or dad, both main characters by now have stated how much they love their jobs. And que the sarcasm.
The first three chapters does a good job of setting up the story, and while in the beginning I was worried that the content would be a little dry I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself enjoying the story told from both Devin and Jane as they described their relationships with Victor Colt, their father, and with the world around them. Luckily it doesn't take long for the action to pick up, in chapter 3 we see Adam, Jane's love interest, kidnapped by a unidentified machine. But if you think things couldn't get any worse, you'd be dead wrong. At the end of chapter 4 we witness the murder of Quasar Bank Corporation's president Victor Colt. But who murdered our main characters father? The killer was in fact Devin Colt, his son, who shot him through the forehead with a laser gun, but upon entering the office after the shot Devin was no where to be seen. Was Devin the real killer? What are Jane and Devin going to do now without their father? What happened to the machine and the people fighting to keep its existence hidden?
While I'd love to get into the content of the middle chapters and end, I'd hate to spoil the surprise for so many of Mary Fan's readers. There are vast amounts of twists and turns that add so many layers to the story, that even mentioning one or two here would be wrong without mentioning them all.
As I've said before, a reviewer should never reveal too much of a story's plot to the point that people would rather read my review than buy the book. If at any point in this review you thought to yourself that this is the kind of story that you'd get into, I highly recommend that you pick this book up and watch out for the rest of the series.
To Ms. Fan, I loved your two main characters, Jane and Devin, and couldn't help but compare the complexities of their own lives to mine. While I don't have to worry about a murder conviction of killing my father, to live in the shadow of a man like Victor Colt must be an incredibly spirit crushing experience. Jane makes this quite obvious as her desire to play music is all but crushed by her father's absolute abandonment of her dream. Devin's rebellious nature of his youth in defiance of his father's tight leash will probably be easily identified with many readers, myself included. Also his loyal nature to his sister is definitely admirable, though it seems to cause him more grief than happiness.
The only thing I felt missing from this book was more information about where they came from and how they got to where they are. A great amount of information is presenting regarding the transformation of religion, including the name God changing to The Absolute. But I would love to learn more about their society as a whole and how they struggled to become the one they are now. Of course I love this type of information when presented in dystopian or utopian books, I tend to enjoy the transformation more than the love story the author is attempting to spin (think of Hunger Games and Divergent).
Due to my enjoyment of reading Artificial Absolutes: A Jane Colt Novel, I'm going to add this book to my Suggested Books list as a book readers NEED TO GET. Once you read the first book in the series, be sure to check out her second book Synthetic Illusions.
August 16, 2015
Cyberpunk slams into science fiction here as these siblings lives spin out of control and they go on the search and run for their lives. Awesome! I really enjoyed where this story went with the science fiction. It's a soft scifi with internet, high tech security in buildings, space ship travel, different worlds and stations, and artificial intelligence. All with action!
I love that this is a brother/sister team.
****FULL REVIEW****
Devin proposes to his love, Sarah. Her reaction of freezing sends him down a path that brings out the past he has been working hard to put in a forgotten part of his mind. Jane knows her brother and herself are living in the shadows of themselves and trying to be what their highly influential father wants them to be. After a day at the boring job in her fathers business, Jane decides to stop and see her dear friend she can talk to, and enjoys her debates with. To her surprise, Adam is unconscious and being carried out the window by blue robots! Jane is now on the run. She calls her brother, whom she was once closer to. When the police don't believe her, records are changed, and Devin is framed for attempting to kill his own father, Jane finds herself on the run with Devin. Devin's past connections to the Networld and the fighting he lived come to be extremely important. Devin now is spiraling down the Networld while racing through space to help to save his sister, find her dear friend Adam, find out what happened to Sarah, and maybe clear his name.
The first chapter I wasn't sure. The second chapter was interesting with Jane's conversation topics with Adam.
But then! At the end of this second chapter!
O.O *jaw dropping*
I was shocked at what we saw happen to Adam and how Jane is on the run. There are hints that there is more that relates to Devin from the first chapter.
I'm hooked! I'm ready to go on the run with them!
Cyberpunk slams into science fiction here as these siblings lives spin out of control and they go on the search and run for their lives. Awesome! I really enjoyed where this story went with the science fiction. It's a soft scifi with internet, high tech security in buildings, space ship travel, different worlds and stations, and artificial intelligence. All with action!
I love that this is a brother/sister team. There isn't a love interest involved between them, but they do have love interests (Sarah and Adam). With this being a brother/sister team brings a whole new dynamic to the story that I enjoyed. Jane and Devin are crazy together. The things they think of to save themselves and each other are at times dangerous, but when you have no other option...why not? I didn't have to worry about the romance element but could enjoy the banter and the caring of siblings for each others safety.
This story is cool as there are a few missions within that we finish as we come to the overall mystery of who's after Devin and why then dig into the depths of what is happening with 'people'. This is fun as I feel like we are getting somewhere and getting information constantly! There are still questions as to how they are found by 'No Name'. It all becomes clearer and clearer as we go. And we get to see different worlds while it's all happening!
The one thing that I was impressed with was the story telling POV's. Mostly this book is from Jane and her brother, Devin, point of views. There are other view points present through the book that open up the world and events to us in a different way. I really liked this. Also, the book has flashbacks to points in lives that are very important to the characters. This, too, was done in a way that you knew it was a flashback and could see the importance of the connection to the character along with not getting confused. The memories drew me to the characters on a more emotional level. I really liked the way this was portrayed by the characters. Very neat!
This is a light, easy to understand science fiction full of adventure and action for us to enjoy. This is exactly what I was looking for and was thrilled to find. There is always trouble somewhere for our team. How can the pursuer know where they are so fast? Well, that's a great thing that comes out as we read. The book had a feel of a few things like the movie iRobot. (Which I enjoyed and enjoyed the story line here too.)
I'll have to see about adding the rest of the books to my library.
I love that this is a brother/sister team.
****FULL REVIEW****
Devin proposes to his love, Sarah. Her reaction of freezing sends him down a path that brings out the past he has been working hard to put in a forgotten part of his mind. Jane knows her brother and herself are living in the shadows of themselves and trying to be what their highly influential father wants them to be. After a day at the boring job in her fathers business, Jane decides to stop and see her dear friend she can talk to, and enjoys her debates with. To her surprise, Adam is unconscious and being carried out the window by blue robots! Jane is now on the run. She calls her brother, whom she was once closer to. When the police don't believe her, records are changed, and Devin is framed for attempting to kill his own father, Jane finds herself on the run with Devin. Devin's past connections to the Networld and the fighting he lived come to be extremely important. Devin now is spiraling down the Networld while racing through space to help to save his sister, find her dear friend Adam, find out what happened to Sarah, and maybe clear his name.
The first chapter I wasn't sure. The second chapter was interesting with Jane's conversation topics with Adam.
But then! At the end of this second chapter!
O.O *jaw dropping*
I was shocked at what we saw happen to Adam and how Jane is on the run. There are hints that there is more that relates to Devin from the first chapter.
I'm hooked! I'm ready to go on the run with them!
Cyberpunk slams into science fiction here as these siblings lives spin out of control and they go on the search and run for their lives. Awesome! I really enjoyed where this story went with the science fiction. It's a soft scifi with internet, high tech security in buildings, space ship travel, different worlds and stations, and artificial intelligence. All with action!
I love that this is a brother/sister team. There isn't a love interest involved between them, but they do have love interests (Sarah and Adam). With this being a brother/sister team brings a whole new dynamic to the story that I enjoyed. Jane and Devin are crazy together. The things they think of to save themselves and each other are at times dangerous, but when you have no other option...why not? I didn't have to worry about the romance element but could enjoy the banter and the caring of siblings for each others safety.
This story is cool as there are a few missions within that we finish as we come to the overall mystery of who's after Devin and why then dig into the depths of what is happening with 'people'. This is fun as I feel like we are getting somewhere and getting information constantly! There are still questions as to how they are found by 'No Name'. It all becomes clearer and clearer as we go. And we get to see different worlds while it's all happening!
The one thing that I was impressed with was the story telling POV's. Mostly this book is from Jane and her brother, Devin, point of views. There are other view points present through the book that open up the world and events to us in a different way. I really liked this. Also, the book has flashbacks to points in lives that are very important to the characters. This, too, was done in a way that you knew it was a flashback and could see the importance of the connection to the character along with not getting confused. The memories drew me to the characters on a more emotional level. I really liked the way this was portrayed by the characters. Very neat!
This is a light, easy to understand science fiction full of adventure and action for us to enjoy. This is exactly what I was looking for and was thrilled to find. There is always trouble somewhere for our team. How can the pursuer know where they are so fast? Well, that's a great thing that comes out as we read. The book had a feel of a few things like the movie iRobot. (Which I enjoyed and enjoyed the story line here too.)
I'll have to see about adding the rest of the books to my library.
April 27, 2017
Big brother, little sister, spaceships and (spoiler--delete). I loved this story--it features true love, family conflict, loyalty, determination, and did I mention (spoiler--delete)? You won't have read anything quite like it before, and I'm happy to see that Mary Fan has written a couple more stories featuring her sparky, spunky, spaceship-flying Jane Colt.
March 7, 2015
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
In a world where advanced technology has made paperwork near extinct, Jane Colt has made an enemy of machines. After watching her friend Adam kidnapped by a strange looking robot, she goes on a hunt to rescue him. Devin, Jane's brother, has made a surprising discovery of his and joins Jane with his own rescue plan for his "missing" fiancée. Together, the Colt siblings discover just how far technology has advanced, and just how flawed it has become.
I had the privilege to read 'Artificial Absolutes' a few years ago in its early stages as part of an online critique group. Admittedly I hadn't read the entire manuscript, but what I had read was captivating. I'm glad to say that part hadn't changed. I'm honoured that Fan remembered me and asked me to review her novel.
I have to say that I was hooked from the start. While the world itself isn't necessarily one we haven't seen before, or the idea of a super AI, it's how it came together that really shows how unique the novel is. While the dialogue and characters are realistic and colloquial, the narration is beautifully nuanced. The point of view switches were seamless, and it was nice to see it flip around to get a different feel for the world in which they lived.
At times it felt a bit corny with all the computer hacking, but I'm not techy so for all I know it could have been pretty accurate. What I found beautiful was the theme of humanity, grace/faith, and forgiveness all intertwined throughout the novel. Every single character battled some issue of faith - in a higher being, themselves, or each other - at some point. Many people overlook religion in sci-fi novels, but whether people like it or not it has been part of civilization since the agricultural revolution. This addition helped make the story even more realistic and relatable. It also gave an interesting point of view, especially with Adam as the seminary student.
I could go on and on and describe every single aspect that I loved about the novel, but instead I'll say that 'Artificial Absolutes' is a well-rounded, unique, and clever novel. The character development works well, and nothing seems forced which is a pet peeve of mine. Everything feels planned, and we're given enough details to keep us going. Near the end I felt a bit of a shift, whether it was in my reading or how it was written. Either way, I couldn't stop. It's one of those novels that as soon as I finish I want to read all over again. Although this is the first in the Jane Colt series, 'Artificial Absolutes' works well as a stand alone novel. The characters have gone where they needed to go, learned what they needed to learn. And I'm quite content with that. I look forward to reading more of Fan's work.
In a world where advanced technology has made paperwork near extinct, Jane Colt has made an enemy of machines. After watching her friend Adam kidnapped by a strange looking robot, she goes on a hunt to rescue him. Devin, Jane's brother, has made a surprising discovery of his and joins Jane with his own rescue plan for his "missing" fiancée. Together, the Colt siblings discover just how far technology has advanced, and just how flawed it has become.
I had the privilege to read 'Artificial Absolutes' a few years ago in its early stages as part of an online critique group. Admittedly I hadn't read the entire manuscript, but what I had read was captivating. I'm glad to say that part hadn't changed. I'm honoured that Fan remembered me and asked me to review her novel.
I have to say that I was hooked from the start. While the world itself isn't necessarily one we haven't seen before, or the idea of a super AI, it's how it came together that really shows how unique the novel is. While the dialogue and characters are realistic and colloquial, the narration is beautifully nuanced. The point of view switches were seamless, and it was nice to see it flip around to get a different feel for the world in which they lived.
At times it felt a bit corny with all the computer hacking, but I'm not techy so for all I know it could have been pretty accurate. What I found beautiful was the theme of humanity, grace/faith, and forgiveness all intertwined throughout the novel. Every single character battled some issue of faith - in a higher being, themselves, or each other - at some point. Many people overlook religion in sci-fi novels, but whether people like it or not it has been part of civilization since the agricultural revolution. This addition helped make the story even more realistic and relatable. It also gave an interesting point of view, especially with Adam as the seminary student.
I could go on and on and describe every single aspect that I loved about the novel, but instead I'll say that 'Artificial Absolutes' is a well-rounded, unique, and clever novel. The character development works well, and nothing seems forced which is a pet peeve of mine. Everything feels planned, and we're given enough details to keep us going. Near the end I felt a bit of a shift, whether it was in my reading or how it was written. Either way, I couldn't stop. It's one of those novels that as soon as I finish I want to read all over again. Although this is the first in the Jane Colt series, 'Artificial Absolutes' works well as a stand alone novel. The characters have gone where they needed to go, learned what they needed to learn. And I'm quite content with that. I look forward to reading more of Fan's work.
March 11, 2013
Original review here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2013/03/red-adept-publishing-presents-indie.html
Artificial Absolutes follows a guy named Devin. He is in love with his rising star of a girlfriend Sarah. He is about to ask her to marry him even though they have been together for only 6 months. He is nervous and freaking out naturally. But he gets a red flag when he actually proposes to her. She doesn't seem like herself and he feels that something is terribly wrong. Devin's sister, Jane, is also going through some trouble. After having a lunch date with her best friend/boyfriend, she stumbles on a scene that leaves her speechless. She finds him being kidnapped by the robots that are suppose to help them. She is then being chased by them. She goes to the police for help and finds that everyone thinks she is crazy. All the evidence that could easily prove her case has been magically erased. Jane and Devin soon realize that something huge is going on and are on the run after being framed for an awful crime. They are in a fight for their lives and trying to find out who is behind the massive cover up.
Now this is one hell of a sci-fi ride. I loved this read. Our main characters were great. Devin and Jane were a great team. I love their backstory. Devin has a pretty dark past and some of which Jane doesn't know. If she did, she probably wouldn't talk to him again. I love how much they stick up for each other. I loved their connection in this story.
The story is fast paced and full of action. It gets right into it pretty early. I love the idea of the Artificial Intelligence and cybergangs. Someone, named No One, who has the ability to mess with technology and make people believe whatever they want them to believe. It was quite creepy, but a lot of fun to watch. I love Fan's take on the Artificial Intelligence as well, it is quite different from what we are use to. Fan really has created quite a memorable world here. I love her take on the future. It is scary thinking that years from now Earth would be a myth and people wouldn't believe that is where humans originated. That is the most depressing thought ever. But it really make you wonder.
This is a book that can be easily spoiled, so I will stop here. Fan really delved into the idea of consciousness. I love the philosophies brought up in this book. I love the characters and the dialogues between them. The mystery in this story was incredible and really kept me at the edge of my seat. This is a wonderful New Adult read. If you love science fiction, I recommend this read to you. It really goes beyond the some other sci-fi reads.
Artificial Absolutes follows a guy named Devin. He is in love with his rising star of a girlfriend Sarah. He is about to ask her to marry him even though they have been together for only 6 months. He is nervous and freaking out naturally. But he gets a red flag when he actually proposes to her. She doesn't seem like herself and he feels that something is terribly wrong. Devin's sister, Jane, is also going through some trouble. After having a lunch date with her best friend/boyfriend, she stumbles on a scene that leaves her speechless. She finds him being kidnapped by the robots that are suppose to help them. She is then being chased by them. She goes to the police for help and finds that everyone thinks she is crazy. All the evidence that could easily prove her case has been magically erased. Jane and Devin soon realize that something huge is going on and are on the run after being framed for an awful crime. They are in a fight for their lives and trying to find out who is behind the massive cover up.
Now this is one hell of a sci-fi ride. I loved this read. Our main characters were great. Devin and Jane were a great team. I love their backstory. Devin has a pretty dark past and some of which Jane doesn't know. If she did, she probably wouldn't talk to him again. I love how much they stick up for each other. I loved their connection in this story.
The story is fast paced and full of action. It gets right into it pretty early. I love the idea of the Artificial Intelligence and cybergangs. Someone, named No One, who has the ability to mess with technology and make people believe whatever they want them to believe. It was quite creepy, but a lot of fun to watch. I love Fan's take on the Artificial Intelligence as well, it is quite different from what we are use to. Fan really has created quite a memorable world here. I love her take on the future. It is scary thinking that years from now Earth would be a myth and people wouldn't believe that is where humans originated. That is the most depressing thought ever. But it really make you wonder.
This is a book that can be easily spoiled, so I will stop here. Fan really delved into the idea of consciousness. I love the philosophies brought up in this book. I love the characters and the dialogues between them. The mystery in this story was incredible and really kept me at the edge of my seat. This is a wonderful New Adult read. If you love science fiction, I recommend this read to you. It really goes beyond the some other sci-fi reads.
March 9, 2017
Artificial Absolutes Review 5 Stars
Artificial Absolutes is an exciting sci-fi space adventure. Set in a high tech future and on fictional planets in outer space. The story centers around brother and sister Devin and Jane Colt. Devin is trying to forget his past and make his father proud by working at his father’s company. Jane gave up on her dream of composing music and works at a job she hates and spends time hanging out with her friend Adam, a religious student. The story begins with Devin surprising his girlfriend, Sarah, with a marriage proposal. Sarah just completely freezes up and that causes Devin to investigate her strange behavior. A couple weeks later, Jane decides to make a surprise visit to Adam’s dorm and finds robots kidnaping him. She escapes the robots, but when she goes to report the incident nobody believes her and that everyone thinks that she is crazy, even her father. The only person who believes her is Devin and he thinks that what happened to Sarah and Adam is connected. Before Devin can find out more, his father is shot and Devin is framed for the shooting. Devin is forced on the run and Jane makes him take her with him. While out running the authorities and escaping attacks, they continue to look for answers about what happened to Sarah and Adam. Jane also learns about some secrets about Devin’s past that were kept from her. With the help of a hacker, Riley, their search uncovers information that would shock their world and that someone is willing to kill to keep hidden.
The story has a fast pace, great characters, and a unique setting. The story has a lot of action and twists keeping you entertained to the end. The story is told in third person with alternating perspectives mostly following Jane, Devin, Riley, and Adam. Sometimes a perspective follows a side character giving you a different point of view. Jane is tough, brave, and cares a lot about her brother and Adam. Devin is also tough, very protective of sister, and dealing with his past actions. Adam is kind, loyal, and in love with Jane. Riley was cocky and funny. The side characters are very well written. The setting is a fictional solar system and the author does a wonderful job building the interstellar Confederation and Fringe planets. The story does not have any really violent scenes, lots of action, shooting, and things blowing up, but nothing gory. The story also does not have any racy scenes. The ending wraps up the story, but leaves some parts open for the sequel. I enjoyed this book and would check out the others in the series. Fans of action, science fiction, and space dramas would like this book. I received a copy from a giveaway (a thank you to the sender), which did not affect my opinion.
Artificial Absolutes is an exciting sci-fi space adventure. Set in a high tech future and on fictional planets in outer space. The story centers around brother and sister Devin and Jane Colt. Devin is trying to forget his past and make his father proud by working at his father’s company. Jane gave up on her dream of composing music and works at a job she hates and spends time hanging out with her friend Adam, a religious student. The story begins with Devin surprising his girlfriend, Sarah, with a marriage proposal. Sarah just completely freezes up and that causes Devin to investigate her strange behavior. A couple weeks later, Jane decides to make a surprise visit to Adam’s dorm and finds robots kidnaping him. She escapes the robots, but when she goes to report the incident nobody believes her and that everyone thinks that she is crazy, even her father. The only person who believes her is Devin and he thinks that what happened to Sarah and Adam is connected. Before Devin can find out more, his father is shot and Devin is framed for the shooting. Devin is forced on the run and Jane makes him take her with him. While out running the authorities and escaping attacks, they continue to look for answers about what happened to Sarah and Adam. Jane also learns about some secrets about Devin’s past that were kept from her. With the help of a hacker, Riley, their search uncovers information that would shock their world and that someone is willing to kill to keep hidden.
The story has a fast pace, great characters, and a unique setting. The story has a lot of action and twists keeping you entertained to the end. The story is told in third person with alternating perspectives mostly following Jane, Devin, Riley, and Adam. Sometimes a perspective follows a side character giving you a different point of view. Jane is tough, brave, and cares a lot about her brother and Adam. Devin is also tough, very protective of sister, and dealing with his past actions. Adam is kind, loyal, and in love with Jane. Riley was cocky and funny. The side characters are very well written. The setting is a fictional solar system and the author does a wonderful job building the interstellar Confederation and Fringe planets. The story does not have any really violent scenes, lots of action, shooting, and things blowing up, but nothing gory. The story also does not have any racy scenes. The ending wraps up the story, but leaves some parts open for the sequel. I enjoyed this book and would check out the others in the series. Fans of action, science fiction, and space dramas would like this book. I received a copy from a giveaway (a thank you to the sender), which did not affect my opinion.
March 5, 2013
Artificial Absolutes is a roller coaster ride. There are slow paced moments interspersed with action, action and more action, so that the words seem to fly off the page and hit you in the face. The characters are well developed: some of them thrill you, others annoy you, still others make you think ‘why are they there?’ much like real life.
The plot revolves around Artificial Intelligence, that holy grail some tech geeks think will set them free. Many people have postulated what a truly thinking machine would do to humanity, and most of it isn’t pretty. So what makes this book different from the rest?
The mother AI seems to have a different mindset from most fictional portrayals of sentient, man made creations. Without spoilers, I’d have to say this book combines some of the best robotic AI, like Asimov, yet without the complete destructiveness readers have grown to know and love/hate about their evil artificial intelligence.
Artificial Absolutes has some standout plotting and narrative. The author must have taken her time and delved deeply into spiritual and philosophical issues in order to do some of the themes justice. There’s monotheism to atheism in this book, all represented with respect and knowledge.
The main crux of the book, of course, the rogue AI is quite interesting once you meet it, late in the book. It’s reasoning is valid and logical. What it wants to do to humanity is frightening, but also compassionate and understandable. It is unlike anything I’ve read before on this subject.
Devin and Jane Colt start off on an adventure that is sure to change their lives, when their father is nearly killed by... someone. The authorities have it all wrong, even though the evidence is strong. Fugitives, they flee into the darker recesses of this galaxy/solar system, looking for answers. What they find, along with Jane’s and Devin’s friends, is both shocking and impossible to believe. The story leads to a logical and successful conclusion when the killer is at last revealed and its plot exposed. Without giving away spoilers, that’s about as detailed as I can get, lol.
A fantastic read, fully worth it by the time you finish. At times, the pages fly by so fast you don’t eve realize it, at others, the pace creeps along, almost begging you to put it away, then the action slaps you across the face. I would give it 4 ½ stars if I could, rather than 4.
The plot revolves around Artificial Intelligence, that holy grail some tech geeks think will set them free. Many people have postulated what a truly thinking machine would do to humanity, and most of it isn’t pretty. So what makes this book different from the rest?
The mother AI seems to have a different mindset from most fictional portrayals of sentient, man made creations. Without spoilers, I’d have to say this book combines some of the best robotic AI, like Asimov, yet without the complete destructiveness readers have grown to know and love/hate about their evil artificial intelligence.
Artificial Absolutes has some standout plotting and narrative. The author must have taken her time and delved deeply into spiritual and philosophical issues in order to do some of the themes justice. There’s monotheism to atheism in this book, all represented with respect and knowledge.
The main crux of the book, of course, the rogue AI is quite interesting once you meet it, late in the book. It’s reasoning is valid and logical. What it wants to do to humanity is frightening, but also compassionate and understandable. It is unlike anything I’ve read before on this subject.
Devin and Jane Colt start off on an adventure that is sure to change their lives, when their father is nearly killed by... someone. The authorities have it all wrong, even though the evidence is strong. Fugitives, they flee into the darker recesses of this galaxy/solar system, looking for answers. What they find, along with Jane’s and Devin’s friends, is both shocking and impossible to believe. The story leads to a logical and successful conclusion when the killer is at last revealed and its plot exposed. Without giving away spoilers, that’s about as detailed as I can get, lol.
A fantastic read, fully worth it by the time you finish. At times, the pages fly by so fast you don’t eve realize it, at others, the pace creeps along, almost begging you to put it away, then the action slaps you across the face. I would give it 4 ½ stars if I could, rather than 4.
February 14, 2015
Artificial Absolutes follows Jane and Devin Colt, children of mogul, Victor Colt. Jane is working in an office and Devin is hoping to bury his dark past when he finally marries the woman he loves. Their lives are changed dramatically when Devin discovers a secret and Jane witnesses an abduction of her best friend. Disbelieved and with Devin falsely accused of murder, Jane sides with him to chase around the galaxy, looking for her friend and hoping to find the proof of Devin's innocence.
This book is great.... it really is great. The world is so well realised that the story flows beautifully. There is nothing here that requires willful suspension of disbelief because the author has a great grasp of society and how it may evolve. I loved the fact that we weren't on Earth and that Earth was barely mentioned.
Jane is a great female character, feisty, independent, cynical yet whimsical. Her desire to help her brother and her friend are genuine and she leaps off the page.
Devin is also a great character. He is someone who has failed and tripped badly in the past but is trying to put it far from him.
I haven't read a science fiction book that I've enjoyed this much in a long time. It's well written with excellent characters and I thoroughly, wholeheartedly recommend it.
This book is great.... it really is great. The world is so well realised that the story flows beautifully. There is nothing here that requires willful suspension of disbelief because the author has a great grasp of society and how it may evolve. I loved the fact that we weren't on Earth and that Earth was barely mentioned.
Jane is a great female character, feisty, independent, cynical yet whimsical. Her desire to help her brother and her friend are genuine and she leaps off the page.
Devin is also a great character. He is someone who has failed and tripped badly in the past but is trying to put it far from him.
I haven't read a science fiction book that I've enjoyed this much in a long time. It's well written with excellent characters and I thoroughly, wholeheartedly recommend it.
May 13, 2014
What is artificial and what is real?
Devin and Jane have it all, a rich family, a cushy life, and everything their hearts desire. Then why are they bored and unhappy? When Jane witnesses the kidnapping of her best friend, Adam, she gets swept into a tornado of danger, intrigue, and terror. Why does her brother Devin know how to elude assassins and the law? Did he really shoot their father point blank?
This novel is an action-packed science-fiction set in a distant future. The story takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions, delving into secrets and lies of a "perfect" society. Jane is determined to rescue Adam but she must learn the truth about her family during the process. Her loyalty is stretched to the breaking point. Devin navigates the seedy underworld of criminals with too much ease, but Jane believes in him even when he refuses to believe in himself.
If you enjoy heart pounding excitement and futuristic technology, you'll love this book. Jane grabs your heart with her sassy attitude and Adam makes you rethink the meaning of love. Read and enjoy!
Devin and Jane have it all, a rich family, a cushy life, and everything their hearts desire. Then why are they bored and unhappy? When Jane witnesses the kidnapping of her best friend, Adam, she gets swept into a tornado of danger, intrigue, and terror. Why does her brother Devin know how to elude assassins and the law? Did he really shoot their father point blank?
This novel is an action-packed science-fiction set in a distant future. The story takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions, delving into secrets and lies of a "perfect" society. Jane is determined to rescue Adam but she must learn the truth about her family during the process. Her loyalty is stretched to the breaking point. Devin navigates the seedy underworld of criminals with too much ease, but Jane believes in him even when he refuses to believe in himself.
If you enjoy heart pounding excitement and futuristic technology, you'll love this book. Jane grabs your heart with her sassy attitude and Adam makes you rethink the meaning of love. Read and enjoy!
October 21, 2014
Jane and Devin Colt are on a galactic quest to not only save themselves, but their future. They travel throughout the galaxy to prove Devin’s innocence and to find Adam, Jane’s best friend. Devin doesn’t have a clean past and that comes back to haunt him, making him prime suspect. Jane and Devin both know he is innocent. The No Name network is hard at work turning all the information on the Colt’s against them in every possible way that they can. But with their friends, they manage to escape capture more times than not! The action in this book is non-stop. You think you are getting a breather and then BOOM right on you go! Beware not everyone is as they seem. Can Adam be saved? Can Devin prove his innocence?
This is a fast pace space opera thriller! Hang on for a rough ride that will have your emotions all over the place. Jane and Devin also find themselves in this book. They come out stronger and understand who they are. I will admit I didn’t like Jane at first, she was a little childish, because she hadn’t accepted who she was at that point. She was acting like she figured sister’s act.
This is a fast pace space opera thriller! Hang on for a rough ride that will have your emotions all over the place. Jane and Devin also find themselves in this book. They come out stronger and understand who they are. I will admit I didn’t like Jane at first, she was a little childish, because she hadn’t accepted who she was at that point. She was acting like she figured sister’s act.
July 10, 2015
I reviewed this book here: http://katieroseguestpryal.com/2015/0...
Here's the beginning of the review:
Jane and Devin Colt are the adult children of the CEO of Quasar Bank Corp., one of the most powerful companies in the galaxy. If their planet had a prince and princess, it would be them.
Devin, a few years the elder, went through a wild phase that Jane knows little about, a phase that ended when their mother, a former politician, was assassinated. Devin and Jane now work dutifully for Quasar. Devin’s work is a little more interesting than Jane’s, though. Jane believes that it’s only the Interstellar Confederation’s ban on artificial intelligence that keeps her employed at all. The only interesting thing in her life is her friend Adam, a seminary student with whom Jane spends her free time debating religion.
The book opens when Devin proposes to his girlfriend, Sarah DeHaven, a rising popular music star. Then everything changes. Jane goes to visit Adam in his apartment—when she enters, an unconscious Adam is being kidnapped from his room by strange robots, who take him out the window and onto a ship—and try to kill her...
Here's the beginning of the review:
Jane and Devin Colt are the adult children of the CEO of Quasar Bank Corp., one of the most powerful companies in the galaxy. If their planet had a prince and princess, it would be them.
Devin, a few years the elder, went through a wild phase that Jane knows little about, a phase that ended when their mother, a former politician, was assassinated. Devin and Jane now work dutifully for Quasar. Devin’s work is a little more interesting than Jane’s, though. Jane believes that it’s only the Interstellar Confederation’s ban on artificial intelligence that keeps her employed at all. The only interesting thing in her life is her friend Adam, a seminary student with whom Jane spends her free time debating religion.
The book opens when Devin proposes to his girlfriend, Sarah DeHaven, a rising popular music star. Then everything changes. Jane goes to visit Adam in his apartment—when she enters, an unconscious Adam is being kidnapped from his room by strange robots, who take him out the window and onto a ship—and try to kill her...
February 13, 2017
Devin is one of the most interesting characters that I have read in recent memory. He appears to be living the good life as the son of rich and well-connected parents, plus he is about to marry the most famous singer in the galaxy. However, from the beginning there are hints he has a darker past. At first it sounds like he got into the standard teenage rebellion but then it went way beyond anything he could handle. You will be reading to the end to find out just what really happened with him then and how it could have been a way to haunt him but instead he uses it to his advantage. I appreciate that his reveals and our discoveries about him were well-paced throughout the story.
Jane was a little slower to get going for me though there was a lot to establish with her. Yet when I expected a decision she made to turn into a damsel in distress situation later, thankfully that didn't happen.
There are lots of twists and turns throughout but they feel natural and it does keep you engaged, plus no character feels unnecessary here. Of course, with what has been revealed, there is a lot of places where it can go for the next book.
Jane was a little slower to get going for me though there was a lot to establish with her. Yet when I expected a decision she made to turn into a damsel in distress situation later, thankfully that didn't happen.
There are lots of twists and turns throughout but they feel natural and it does keep you engaged, plus no character feels unnecessary here. Of course, with what has been revealed, there is a lot of places where it can go for the next book.
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