Level Seven

Killday #3

by William Ledbetter, MacLeod Andrews (Narrator)

Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins

A year after the radical Kilburnites thought they destroyed all AIs and reclaimed Earth for humanity, something malignant is growing in the ruins of the once great cities and no human has been able to get close enough to find out what it is.

On the other side of the solar system, Abby Gibson, daughter of the hero who saved Earth on Killday, is nearly killed in the cold vacuum of the asteroid belt by something she doesn't understand. Now, the stealthy object is on course to destroy the space habitat she calls home.

In Level Seven, the exciting culmination of the Killday series, AIs strive to evolve into a super intelligence and might destroy humanity in that pursuit. But could their hopes of achieving godhood actually lie with the nearly extinct humans they intend to eradicate?

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook

10 pages, Audible Audio

First published December 1, 2023

About the author

William Ledbetter is a Nebula Award winning author with three novels and more than seventy speculative fiction short stories and non-fiction articles published in five languages, in publications such as Asimov's, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Analog, Escape Pod and the SFWA blog.

"Level Five," "Level Six" and, "Level Seven" novels of his Killday Series are available from Audible Originals and soon in paper and e-book from Interstellar Flight Press.

Reviews

[Saravanan Mani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid conclusion to an epic trilogy. The main character relationships slip into cliches but mortimer shines as the benevolent AI. engaging as an imagination of how we transcend physical limits. Very enjoyable even if it isn't at the same level as the first book.

[Carol Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story continues on after the previous one. I don’t think one would be lost without having read them, but since I immediately went on to this book, I’m not sure. But I know book 2 did a wonderful job of bringing the reader up to speed if you hadn’t read book one. The book continues as a struggle between the AIs for domination, and the humans, who want to survive. But it gets interesting when the AIs sit down with humans to discuss the fate of humanity. What does it mean to be free? To be human? Would checks and balances similar to the Cold War nuclear deterrents, work? I did not expect the final solution. Great narration. note that there is some swearing, and references to a lesbian couple.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down as ending was a little vague for what I thought was end of trilogy. Was also playing with ChatGPT, OpenAI and Brave browser search/answer with AI while reading this series and they were not kind in summarizing the books. Hope that browsing with private and over VPN was enough as do not want these guys coming after me.

Also, the song https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fin... played three times while I reading these. Hope the universe is not telling me something.

[Clayton Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that if I remembered more from the previous books, I would have enjoyed this more. AS it stood, it was okay. Just passing the time.

[Garrett Lemons · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, really.

[Daniel Martins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takes inspiration from some of the biggest sifi authors. I found it interesting and enjoyable.

[M.E. Garber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly satisfying conclusion to this 3-book Hard SF series.

It turns out the AI "Aggregate" weren't as exterminated as humanity thought. And the Aggregate have new plans...

Lots of conundrums for all the participating characters--the humans, the bi-ad human/AI pairs, and the AIs--and so many twisty turns in the plot. Despite this being hard SF, the author really kept it character-driven, which I loved. My favorite part, though, is that ending. Totally unexpected, and man I just loved it! Would love to hop over all the "messy middle bits" and live in that space :-) . Some of the humans being fans of "classic" SF shows was lots of fun, and greatly appreciated. Finally, I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator did a simply fantastic job.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent conclusion to a series with an excellent premise.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Killday series has been speculative hard sf at its best. Ledbetter does not disappoint in this thrilling final volume in the trilogy.

Something new is happening on Earth. Level 5 AI Samson and his AI followers are back and still seeking to evolve to the next level. His group is called the Aggregate (and it, like the Borg, intends to assimilate all humans and all other AIs). And new space elevators are appearing on Earth, built by the Aggregate, out of the ruins of Earth's major cities.

Our protagonists Abby (who has her AI ally Mortimer resident in her head) in her space schooner and Julio (on Earth) soon find themselves fighting not only for their lives but for the survival of both humans and free (non-Aggregate) AIs. And it is not looking good for either side.