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Phoenix Horizon #3
(CON)science: A Novel
PJ Manney concludes her visionary Philip K. Dick Award-nominated series of a world at war, a virtual search for identity, and the future of humanity.
Five years ago, bioengineer Peter Bernhardt spearheaded an innovation in nanotechnology that changed the course of evolution. Until everything was taken from him - his research, the people he loved, and finally his life. Uploaded as an artificial intelligence, Peter is alive again thanks to a critical reactivation by fellow AI Carter Potsdam.
But a third sentient computer program, Major Tom, is tearing the United States apart, destroying its leaders and its cities. Major Tom’s rebuild a new America from the ruins and reign as uncontested monarch. Carter knows that only a revolutionary like Peter can reverse the damage to a country set on fire.
Caught in a virtual world between an alleged ally and an enemy, pieces of Peter’s former self the need for vengeance, empathy for the subjugated people of a derelict world, and doubt in everything he’s been led to believe. To rescue what’s left, he’ll need to once again advance the notion of evolution and to expand the meaning of being human - by saving humanity.
Five years ago, bioengineer Peter Bernhardt spearheaded an innovation in nanotechnology that changed the course of evolution. Until everything was taken from him - his research, the people he loved, and finally his life. Uploaded as an artificial intelligence, Peter is alive again thanks to a critical reactivation by fellow AI Carter Potsdam.
But a third sentient computer program, Major Tom, is tearing the United States apart, destroying its leaders and its cities. Major Tom’s rebuild a new America from the ruins and reign as uncontested monarch. Carter knows that only a revolutionary like Peter can reverse the damage to a country set on fire.
Caught in a virtual world between an alleged ally and an enemy, pieces of Peter’s former self the need for vengeance, empathy for the subjugated people of a derelict world, and doubt in everything he’s been led to believe. To rescue what’s left, he’ll need to once again advance the notion of evolution and to expand the meaning of being human - by saving humanity.
- GenresScience Fiction
Audible Audio
First published April 27, 2021
53 people are currently reading
724 people want to read
About the author
P.J. Manney
4 books74 followersPJ Manney is a former chairperson of Humanity+, the author of "Empathy in the Time of Technology: How Storytelling is the Key to Empathy," and a frequent guest host and guest on podcasts including FastForward Radio. She has worked in motion-picture PR at Walt Disney/Touchstone Pictures, story development and production for independent film production companies (Hook, Universal Soldier, It Could Happen to You), and writing for television (Hercules--The Legendary Journeys, Xena: Warrior Princess). She also cofounded Uncharted Entertainment, writing and creating pilot scripts for television. Manney is a culture vulture and SF geek, and the daughter and mother of them, too. When not contemplating the future of humanity, she is a mother, wife, PTA volunteer and education activist in California.~ Amazon Publishing
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 23, 2021
This was weird. I did enjoy it and I think others will as well. The characters are there and the story keeps you on your toes. I will read more by this author for sure! When I was submitting this review I realized that this was a book three. I wonder if I would have read the first two books that this would have gone over a little better. Don't get me wrong this was an amazing story but I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I would have read the first two books.
April 27, 2021
I received an advance copy of this book from Goodreads. I assure you the free book doesn't affect my review.
This is a well-written book you must read if you've read the prior ones in the trilogy.
First, let's just say that there was a fair bit of time between when I read the 2nd book, and this one (3rd). Because there are likely a fair number of us in the same boat, the author thankfully wove lots of the info / characters / history from prior books into the narrative in a very skillful way. It didn't feel like there was a "recap dump" for the first three chapters. Kudos for this.
Second, it was nice to see the "end of the story". Because book 2 definitely left many things unresolved. This closed all the loops.
Third, the author says this is the last one in the series. Good. The idea has run it's course.
In fact, I had a few notions that this is how I felt about the about the book overall. I kinda was happy to read it because I wanted to see the end of the story, but the compelling ideas from the first book(s) were all played out. So this one feels like it's kind of obligatory. The wrap-up.
THAT SAID, there are some VERY culture-current bits of writing in there about how political governance is done well (or not).
One in particular REALLY showed up for me:
There are other quoted too:
These things definitely show a great author. It's just that she's having to make a mountain out of ... the kinda predictable end of the story.
Still, worth your time if you read the first two.
This is a well-written book you must read if you've read the prior ones in the trilogy.
First, let's just say that there was a fair bit of time between when I read the 2nd book, and this one (3rd). Because there are likely a fair number of us in the same boat, the author thankfully wove lots of the info / characters / history from prior books into the narrative in a very skillful way. It didn't feel like there was a "recap dump" for the first three chapters. Kudos for this.
Second, it was nice to see the "end of the story". Because book 2 definitely left many things unresolved. This closed all the loops.
Third, the author says this is the last one in the series. Good. The idea has run it's course.
In fact, I had a few notions that this is how I felt about the about the book overall. I kinda was happy to read it because I wanted to see the end of the story, but the compelling ideas from the first book(s) were all played out. So this one feels like it's kind of obligatory. The wrap-up.
THAT SAID, there are some VERY culture-current bits of writing in there about how political governance is done well (or not).
One in particular REALLY showed up for me:
The move fit within China's three-prong policy of global dominance. The first - the acquisition of intellectual property through monopoly and outright theft - was called "Made in China 2025." The second involved building infrastructure and providing loans to create vassal states and was called the "Belt and Road Initiative." The last was a mandate that all Chines companies acquire intelligence by surveillance, of both their fellow Chinese and the rest of the world, and was called "Military-Civil Fusion".Though the last of this isn't openly described as such in 2021, it strikes home as fundamentally true. And given what's happening on Earth today, this is another moment that should make citizens of other countries sit up and take notice.
There are other quoted too:
When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon. (The real Thomas Paine said that.)And More.
These things definitely show a great author. It's just that she's having to make a mountain out of ... the kinda predictable end of the story.
Still, worth your time if you read the first two.
Read
April 30, 2021I’m back (finally) with another review! I took a little bit off from all things bookish because, well, I’m beat. I feel like I say it every semester, but this was the worst semester. But I’m just marginally refreshed and here to talk about this interesting book! As you can see it’s not my typical read, BUT I’m trying to carry over my goal from last year of reading more books like this.
Now, just because this book isn’t my typical genre doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the book! Because I actually really did. It has such a rich story within and there was also enough description and background for me to easily fall into the story, which I think is what I usually struggle the most with any sci-fi type of book. And while this one is clearly an ending to the series I actually kind of prefer the slower more introspective pace of this one.
Overall this is a great series and I look forward to what Manney comes up with in the future! There were so many unique and interesting elements to these that I was really hooked throughout.
You can view my full review & giveaway on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
Now, just because this book isn’t my typical genre doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the book! Because I actually really did. It has such a rich story within and there was also enough description and background for me to easily fall into the story, which I think is what I usually struggle the most with any sci-fi type of book. And while this one is clearly an ending to the series I actually kind of prefer the slower more introspective pace of this one.
Overall this is a great series and I look forward to what Manney comes up with in the future! There were so many unique and interesting elements to these that I was really hooked throughout.
You can view my full review & giveaway on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
April 29, 2021
This finale rocks and rolls
The third book in the the trilogy has a bit less action but a lot of introspection and humanity no matter how that humanity might express as AHI or Peterphants.
Imagining right now a Trumpian AHI as a messiah figure now. Shudder.
This tale focuses more on emotional maturity and intelligence compared to Genius Boy in the previous books. Sometimes it takes suffering to catapult some insights to the fore especially if you have a hard enough head or processor.
As a dad the parts with Petey were powerful.
Highly recommend if you like cyperpunk near future conspiracy tech stories full of larger than life themes.
The third book in the the trilogy has a bit less action but a lot of introspection and humanity no matter how that humanity might express as AHI or Peterphants.
Imagining right now a Trumpian AHI as a messiah figure now. Shudder.
This tale focuses more on emotional maturity and intelligence compared to Genius Boy in the previous books. Sometimes it takes suffering to catapult some insights to the fore especially if you have a hard enough head or processor.
As a dad the parts with Petey were powerful.
Highly recommend if you like cyperpunk near future conspiracy tech stories full of larger than life themes.
May 9, 2021
Wow! What a ride
I love this series. There are powerful, flawed, characters who interact in highly complex ways. I was surprised at the resolution of Peter, the digital entity.
I love this series. There are powerful, flawed, characters who interact in highly complex ways. I was surprised at the resolution of Peter, the digital entity.
May 24, 2021
Better than book #2 of the series but not as impactful as book #1.
May 11, 2021
Finally done with this series
The books in this series were released several years apart. I should have kept a reading journal as a way to avoid reading beyond the initial book in this series. The cover art and Amazon’s suggestion of the second and third books in the series were enough to make me forget how much I disliked the first book, and with the lack of the aforementioned book journal, I ended up completing the series. The second and third books are possibly worse than the first, with the third and final book being the worst.
Question: What did I not like about this book and the entire series?
Answer: Everything. The writing style, the plot, the complete lack of depth in the science fiction, the characters, and everything past the cover art.
The books in this series were released several years apart. I should have kept a reading journal as a way to avoid reading beyond the initial book in this series. The cover art and Amazon’s suggestion of the second and third books in the series were enough to make me forget how much I disliked the first book, and with the lack of the aforementioned book journal, I ended up completing the series. The second and third books are possibly worse than the first, with the third and final book being the worst.
Question: What did I not like about this book and the entire series?
Answer: Everything. The writing style, the plot, the complete lack of depth in the science fiction, the characters, and everything past the cover art.
June 16, 2021
The Story Concludes or Begins
This continuation and conclusion covers much of the same ground as the previous two volumes in terms of AI implementation. The inclusion of emotion as an AI component offers AI as a human replacement, with enhancements. What it doesn’t do is provide a promising implementation of AI for advancing intelligence beyond the emotionally charged limitations and missteps of human intelligence. While the story is upbeat in its conclusion, the undertone is that AI will be subject to the dark aspects of human behavior that limits humanity. Makes the promise of the conclusion sound hollow - nothing has really changed for the better if AI succumbs to the petty limitations of humans.
This continuation and conclusion covers much of the same ground as the previous two volumes in terms of AI implementation. The inclusion of emotion as an AI component offers AI as a human replacement, with enhancements. What it doesn’t do is provide a promising implementation of AI for advancing intelligence beyond the emotionally charged limitations and missteps of human intelligence. While the story is upbeat in its conclusion, the undertone is that AI will be subject to the dark aspects of human behavior that limits humanity. Makes the promise of the conclusion sound hollow - nothing has really changed for the better if AI succumbs to the petty limitations of humans.
June 16, 2022
Quite the series ending!
It took me a long time to finish this book. I got distracted by other things. Finally for back to it and everything just fell into place. What a concept! I'm glad this is fiction and not likely to happen ever, or at least not anytime soon. It does get a bit tricky keeping track of all the characters, especially since so many of them are variations of the same character but ultimately it works.
It took me a long time to finish this book. I got distracted by other things. Finally for back to it and everything just fell into place. What a concept! I'm glad this is fiction and not likely to happen ever, or at least not anytime soon. It does get a bit tricky keeping track of all the characters, especially since so many of them are variations of the same character but ultimately it works.
December 14, 2023
Great ending!
Though Book 2 was a disappointment, this final book in the series more than made up for it. Seeing the Tom/Major Tom/Peter interfaces actually work well together without losing the thread of who was who, what each was doing and why, and knowing exactly who they were all fighting against? Definitely will be coming back to the series in the future!
Though Book 2 was a disappointment, this final book in the series more than made up for it. Seeing the Tom/Major Tom/Peter interfaces actually work well together without losing the thread of who was who, what each was doing and why, and knowing exactly who they were all fighting against? Definitely will be coming back to the series in the future!
September 19, 2023
Good book but...
Transgender agenda. Totally unnecessary. Story would have been incredible without it. the whole idea of it is ridiculous on the most basic level.
Transgender agenda. Totally unnecessary. Story would have been incredible without it. the whole idea of it is ridiculous on the most basic level.
July 23, 2021
Lastly we get to (CON)SCIENCE, the final installment in the Phoenix Horizon Trilogy. Carter is still at large and wreaking havoc, seemingly obsessed with ensuring Peter’s downfall. He strategically uses Peter’s own mind to turn the world against him, using the people most important to him at one time or another. Seriously, if you’re a parent, some moments are very powerful and heart wrenching.
Read my full review of the entire Phoenix Horizon Trilogy - (R)EVOLUTION, (ID)ENTITY, and (CON)SCIENCE on The Nerd Cantina website.
Listen to my interview with the author P.J. Manney on Episode 153 of The Nerd Cantina Show podcast.
Read my full review of the entire Phoenix Horizon Trilogy - (R)EVOLUTION, (ID)ENTITY, and (CON)SCIENCE on The Nerd Cantina website.
Listen to my interview with the author P.J. Manney on Episode 153 of The Nerd Cantina Show podcast.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews