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Artificial Artifacts
A visionary debut collection exploring the rise of artificial intelligence and adapted technologies and their impacts on human existence.
From a small rural American town subjected to horrors brought by an elaborate deep-fake hoax, to Black Mirror-esque fables about technology dependency, age extension, and psychological invasions, Artificial Artifacts invites listeners on a journey where the boundaries between human and machine blur, and the consequences of our creations become chillingly profound.
As enigmatic tech mogul Peter Byrell's story unfolds, so does the tapestry of our digital age, leaving us to in a world where truth is malleable and consciousness is encoded, what does it truly mean to be human?
From a small rural American town subjected to horrors brought by an elaborate deep-fake hoax, to Black Mirror-esque fables about technology dependency, age extension, and psychological invasions, Artificial Artifacts invites listeners on a journey where the boundaries between human and machine blur, and the consequences of our creations become chillingly profound.
As enigmatic tech mogul Peter Byrell's story unfolds, so does the tapestry of our digital age, leaving us to in a world where truth is malleable and consciousness is encoded, what does it truly mean to be human?
Audible Audio
Published August 12, 2024
46 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
About the author
John Fennec
1 book15 followersJohn Fennec is an author and professional investor, where hiss insights into technology and life sciences have shaped his writing. John’s narratives are rooted in what he terms “the art of the plausible.” He lives in London with his wife and three children.
His first book, Artificial Artifacts, released August 2024. https://amzn.eu/d/0a6lWGBy
His first book, Artificial Artifacts, released August 2024. https://amzn.eu/d/0a6lWGBy
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
December 23, 2024
RATING BREAKDOWN
Characters: 3⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 5⭐️
Themes: 5⭐️
Emotional Impact: 5⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 5⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 4.75⭐️
This is a really special debut. Structured as a series of short stories about the AI era in our near future, it is on the surface an interesting and creative look at how Artificial Intelligence will impact the music industry, business, online dating, work, medicine, and identity. On a deeper level, these stories weave together and interact with each other to deliver some amazing twists and deeper themes. It is such a fresh format and an impressive execution. I was equal parts fascinated and moved.
The characters shift from short story to short story, but there are some repeat characters and cameos that make for fun easter egg connections. I was impressed by how well the characters were realized for the short story format and how invested I got in each arc. The plot arcs themselves were self-contained and effectively delivered positive and negative impacts on my perspective of AI. I was disturbed and excited at different points, and sometimes both at once. The setting is what was so speculative and interesting as it's our near future and current-tech-adjacent. All of the technical story building blocks felt sophisticated and polished. The narratives felt tight, and the meta-story and themes progressed as each short arc closed. I keep feeling so impressed with how seamlessly the overall narrative was coming through despite what could feel disjointed in a short-story format.
Thematically, this is poignant and tender. It's cautionary, but overall optimistic about humanity and its timeless values and greatest loves. As scary as the future can be, and as plausible as it seems that our humanity will be stripped away by machines and automation, there is evidence and great hope in the love humans have for each other, and the sacred familial bond that seems to transcend time, industry, and evolution.
Characters: 3⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 5⭐️
Themes: 5⭐️
Emotional Impact: 5⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 5⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 4.75⭐️
This is a really special debut. Structured as a series of short stories about the AI era in our near future, it is on the surface an interesting and creative look at how Artificial Intelligence will impact the music industry, business, online dating, work, medicine, and identity. On a deeper level, these stories weave together and interact with each other to deliver some amazing twists and deeper themes. It is such a fresh format and an impressive execution. I was equal parts fascinated and moved.
The characters shift from short story to short story, but there are some repeat characters and cameos that make for fun easter egg connections. I was impressed by how well the characters were realized for the short story format and how invested I got in each arc. The plot arcs themselves were self-contained and effectively delivered positive and negative impacts on my perspective of AI. I was disturbed and excited at different points, and sometimes both at once. The setting is what was so speculative and interesting as it's our near future and current-tech-adjacent. All of the technical story building blocks felt sophisticated and polished. The narratives felt tight, and the meta-story and themes progressed as each short arc closed. I keep feeling so impressed with how seamlessly the overall narrative was coming through despite what could feel disjointed in a short-story format.
Thematically, this is poignant and tender. It's cautionary, but overall optimistic about humanity and its timeless values and greatest loves. As scary as the future can be, and as plausible as it seems that our humanity will be stripped away by machines and automation, there is evidence and great hope in the love humans have for each other, and the sacred familial bond that seems to transcend time, industry, and evolution.
March 1, 2025
I received a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the readalong hosted by Lovebookstours.
Artificial Artifacts is a collection of eleven slightly interconnected stories about AI. This was an eye-opening and thought-provoking collection that kept me both wanting to learn and consider more about advancing tech and also made me nervous about the directions of the future, too.
Some of the stories were believable from the direction of the tech they're about, such as: A fitness watch that can predict when you're going to die, AI avatars that mimic you and your personality realisticly, age being extended and thought-reading nanotech.
I found this book an explorative and well plotted and narrated and will definitely be a hit with any Black Mirror fans.
Artificial Artifacts is a collection of eleven slightly interconnected stories about AI. This was an eye-opening and thought-provoking collection that kept me both wanting to learn and consider more about advancing tech and also made me nervous about the directions of the future, too.
Some of the stories were believable from the direction of the tech they're about, such as: A fitness watch that can predict when you're going to die, AI avatars that mimic you and your personality realisticly, age being extended and thought-reading nanotech.
I found this book an explorative and well plotted and narrated and will definitely be a hit with any Black Mirror fans.
January 19, 2025
A scarily realistic glimpse into our future. Think Black Mirror - a short story collection detailing our potential future with AI.
A collective apathy. A preference for the virtual and illusory. Control, manipulation, and deception through technology.
Despite this jumping around plots, times, and people; I was invested in every single one and was on the edge of my seat for a lot.
The author uses different tones and narrators to convey the current story with astonishing mastery.
She disapproves of my generation's focus on the past and the new generation's thirst for the future. No one is present anymore, she says. The profundity of her comment sticks with me.
There were a few instances where I felt uncomfortable with the political stance and I cannot tell whether that is the point or if there was a higher agenda here.
I wouldn’t say this a book you can binge due to the subject matter. Otherwise, you may find this gets repetitive or too heavy-handed. I read this alongside another book and I felt this helped the pacing.
Part two of the book (the last 100 pages) takes a very different tone and theme. It almost felt like two books. Despite really liking both parts, part one being the strongest, perhaps it would have been better for this to be two separate books with more expansion on the last.
If you enjoyed books such as The Paper Menagerie, or Artificial Wisdom - pick this up!
Physical arc gifted by the author - thank you!
Bookstagram
A collective apathy. A preference for the virtual and illusory. Control, manipulation, and deception through technology.
Despite this jumping around plots, times, and people; I was invested in every single one and was on the edge of my seat for a lot.
The author uses different tones and narrators to convey the current story with astonishing mastery.
She disapproves of my generation's focus on the past and the new generation's thirst for the future. No one is present anymore, she says. The profundity of her comment sticks with me.
There were a few instances where I felt uncomfortable with the political stance and I cannot tell whether that is the point or if there was a higher agenda here.
I wouldn’t say this a book you can binge due to the subject matter. Otherwise, you may find this gets repetitive or too heavy-handed. I read this alongside another book and I felt this helped the pacing.
Part two of the book (the last 100 pages) takes a very different tone and theme. It almost felt like two books. Despite really liking both parts, part one being the strongest, perhaps it would have been better for this to be two separate books with more expansion on the last.
If you enjoyed books such as The Paper Menagerie, or Artificial Wisdom - pick this up!
Physical arc gifted by the author - thank you!
Bookstagram
August 28, 2024
I wrote this book…so, naturally - right?
March 1, 2025
A very interesting book on artificial intelligence and how it can impact the future. I don't read non-fiction, but this was very intriguing and make me think about AI's impact being much more profound and made me question a lot of things.
The author explores different scenarios and perspectives which are quite thought-provoking. The format being a collection of short stories with a common theme made it much easier to read. I had an amazing time being a part of this readalong and the questions were really unique and fun.
The author explores different scenarios and perspectives which are quite thought-provoking. The format being a collection of short stories with a common theme made it much easier to read. I had an amazing time being a part of this readalong and the questions were really unique and fun.
October 28, 2024
I think if I were smarter I would’ve enjoyed this book more cuz some of it went over my head but I still loved it! I love futuristic, mind fuck, black mirror type- if anyone has any recommendations! 🙌
November 2, 2024
I'm obsessed. This book gave such Black Mirror vibes and felt darkly poignant given the climate of technology we're currently in. The scenarios in this book were both plausible AND immersive, even if a bit dark at times. As someone who works in tech, this was a very interesting read indeed.
February 28, 2025
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Artificial Artifacts' by John Fennec.
This may be the first book I have read by this author but it wont be my last!!
This book is very well written with vivid descriptions that absolutely grip the readers attention and puts them right in the middle of it all making your heart pound and you constantly second guessing.
An addictive and horrific collection of 11 short stories filled with AI, science fiction, twists and more. I have also included 'Peter's String's' which is an extra epilogue I received as part of a tour. I must admit I was surprised that when I finished this book and went to see what other books John had written that it turns out that this is actually is debut book!! I would have never thought that this was his first book at all as it is written as though he is an extremely established author so congratulations John on an absolutely fantastic debut!! The first of many successes! As I always do with books of short stories or poems I will rate them individually and then give an overall rating at the end. These are the stories that are included in order, a short description of what they are about and my rating:
PART 1. Echoes From The Human Creative Era
🎶 The Orchestral Adaption Of Gorilla Music. This story is split into 6 parts and tells the story of how Gorilla Music came to be created. It starts with a letter from Peter Byrell the chairman and founder of Gorilla Music. We are then taken to part one called 'First Movement: Pan Awakes , Summer Marches In' . We are transported to the year 2040. We meet John and Paul who are attending the 'Come Together Act: 1990s Nostalgia' concert where we learn how Gorilla's Sonar Immersion Technology is being used to allow those watching the concert the ultimate experience while seeing acts such as Kurt Cobain singing on stage. The next part is called 'Second Movement: What The Flowers In The Meadow Tell Me' and we come closer to present in the year 2037. We meet Walter and Peter Byrell with Peter being the founder and main shareholder of the business Walter was promoted to run. They are discussing the business and how it is going. In part 3 which is called 'Third Movement: What The Animals In The Forest Tell Me' we are taken to the year 2034 and land in a board of directors meeting for Fitzware Technologies. We meet Roger, his CFO Bill, his co-founder Tom, Michael Schaeffer who is co-founder of Panthius Capital with Walter and others in a meeting that Peter Byrell who is a founder of Byrell at this time is also attending virtually. The meeting discusses Fitzware Industries who is working with Byrell Industries and Panthius Capital buying Halex and Veridate. Part 4 is called 'Fourth Movement: What Man Tells Us' and takes us just 2 years into the future and 15 years before the first part. We watch Michael Schaeffer and Dan Hemsworth from Panthius Capital take their business idea to FBS where we also meet Walter virtually, Fred Beacon who heads up the private division at FBS and others. In the fifth chapter called 'Fifth Movement: What The Angels Tell Me' we travel to the past and the year 2023. We meet Fred again who is where he meets with his fund manager and friend Beau Jones where they discuss AI and a new program that he offers Fred to buy. The last part is called 'The Finale: What Love Tells Me' and takes place just a day before the previous part. We are in an executive jet lounge with Beau and Peter from the previous parts discussing AI. This is an interesting story about how AI comes on from being an idea to something massive than changes the way people listen to music in the space of just 17 years. Do you think as we age, we become less open to discovering and learning new music, leading to "music ageing" or "music paralysis"? Let me know in the comments.
🧠 The Memory Service: This story takes us on a journey through the seasons of an older woman's memory. This lady lives in a care home and her daughter wants her to try 'The Service' which is a device that allows it's wearers to relive their memories. Many people are using it in the home but is it a positive thing? Would you use a device that allows you to revisit and relive all your memories? Let me know in the comments.
🖥️ Phantom Phage: We are taken to a very secret meeting with President Durand into a room with Top Level Clearance only where we discover AI has gained sentience. How do you approach making tough decisions? Let me know in the comments.
🦠 The Great Scare Of 2032.: Friends Jim and Nathan discuss The Great Scare Of 2032 where rural Wilmington in America is subjected to a hoax which leads to violence, crime and death. It was broadcasted that an ethnic minority group were coming down with a virus that turned them into super strong and violent zombie types. Jim has a theory AI was what started it. Are there any artists you hope will still be releasing new music in 10 years time? Let me know in the comments.
🦠 Morning Commute: We meet Carla who works for Allied Medical, a company that has helped rid the world of all illnesses and viruses. This company came from Peter Byrell's work, we met Peter in the first story in this book 'The Orchestral Adaption Of Gorilla Music'. Not everybody agrees with Allied's work and all is not as it seems or as Carla makes out. Do you think eliminating all illnesses would ultimate benefit society or could it create new challenges? Let me know what you think in the comments.
📖 Rolling Blue-Blackouts: Margaret Is using an app to keep in contact with her doctor in the form of a journal. She uses Veridate from the story 'The Orchestral Adaption Of Gorilla Music' and memory retrieval from the story 'The Memory Service'. She has blackouts where she uses her laptop and phone but no idea what she does. Have you ever kept a diary or journal to record your thoughts and experiences? Let me know in the comments.
⁉️ Confessions Of A Byte-Map Addict: We learn about A-holes which which is a search engine where you end up going down a continuous rabbit hole of information. The protagonist goes from learning more about mayor Oslo to NAYA to causation, correlation , social media world leaders use and more. They sink into hours of searching through the sites. Have you ever started searching for something online, only to find yourself falling down a rabbit hole of unrelated topics? Let me know in the comments.
🫂Pukahoda: Stacey runs Pukahoda along with fully immersive wellness experiences but when a customer is discovered dead Pukahoda is in trouble but she is offered a way out. The customer was a famous actor and we discover ways in which the movie can continue without him. Would you be open to trying a fully immersive digital wellness experience? Let me know in the comments.
PART 2. A Reflection On Time
⌚ Round-Tripped Revolution: we go on a journey through time starting at the year 1948 where we meet a struggling farmer and shoe maker and his son, moving to the year 2023. This is where we meet a financial analyst who loses his job and thinks of becoming a farmer. Moving on to the year 2198 where we meet two brothers who are returning to their farm after the Oktoberfest. One of the brothers is looking forward to his virtual date but also considering his younger brother and hoping he will chose the shoe business over space exploration like their parents.
💫Kundalini Yoga: Mark is taking part in a kundalini yoga class when he is transported to an alternate universe. He is petrified when he sees beings seemingly eating humans but when we see the perspective from those beings around him it isn't all as it seems. How do you think you'd react if you found yourself in an alternate universe? Let me know in the comments.
🌌Unremarkable Man: Lily and David come across a man sitting under a tree who then tells them a story of the many lives he has lived and how each one he lives differently trying to return to the family in his first. Was not expecting the twist on who he was. Do you believe that one can lead multiple lives? Let me know in the comments.
🧵 I was lucky enough to also receive an epilogue called 'Peter's Strings' as part of the Love Books Tours. This epilogue is written as logbook entries where we go through a journey of Peter Byrell's life and achievements which weaves in with the stories told throughout the main book.
An absolutely fantastic collection of intriguing and eye opening short stories!!! This may be the first book I have read by this author but it most certainly won't be the last and I cannot wait to get stuck into more of her previous and future books!!!
A great collection of short stories with an excellent range of situations, characters, locations and narratives. My favourite ones had to be 'The Memory Service', 'Rolling Blue-Blackouts', 'Pukahoda' and 'Unremarkable Man'. These stories include suspense, AI, tension and much more! There is a great mix of stories so there is definitely something in there for everyone. The cover is absolutely amazing and it was one of the things that drew me to the book. This book is ideal to be able to pick up and read a story during a break or while making a cuppa! I am definitely looking forward to picking more of John's books up. The fact that these are short stories also allows you to pick it up and read a story at a time or read/listen to it in one sitting which is perfect for those who like to read multiple books at one time. John has excellent writing skills and and I look forward to reading more of his work!
Grab your copy of 'Artificial Artifacts' and discover which stories you love!!!
Congratulations John on an absolutely fantastic selection of AI stories!!!
Overall a fantastic selection of eye opening and intriguing short stories from the AI Era.
@johnfennec
@whitefox_publishing
@lovebookstours
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Review for 'Artificial Artifacts' by John Fennec.
This may be the first book I have read by this author but it wont be my last!!
This book is very well written with vivid descriptions that absolutely grip the readers attention and puts them right in the middle of it all making your heart pound and you constantly second guessing.
An addictive and horrific collection of 11 short stories filled with AI, science fiction, twists and more. I have also included 'Peter's String's' which is an extra epilogue I received as part of a tour. I must admit I was surprised that when I finished this book and went to see what other books John had written that it turns out that this is actually is debut book!! I would have never thought that this was his first book at all as it is written as though he is an extremely established author so congratulations John on an absolutely fantastic debut!! The first of many successes! As I always do with books of short stories or poems I will rate them individually and then give an overall rating at the end. These are the stories that are included in order, a short description of what they are about and my rating:
PART 1. Echoes From The Human Creative Era
🎶 The Orchestral Adaption Of Gorilla Music. This story is split into 6 parts and tells the story of how Gorilla Music came to be created. It starts with a letter from Peter Byrell the chairman and founder of Gorilla Music. We are then taken to part one called 'First Movement: Pan Awakes , Summer Marches In' . We are transported to the year 2040. We meet John and Paul who are attending the 'Come Together Act: 1990s Nostalgia' concert where we learn how Gorilla's Sonar Immersion Technology is being used to allow those watching the concert the ultimate experience while seeing acts such as Kurt Cobain singing on stage. The next part is called 'Second Movement: What The Flowers In The Meadow Tell Me' and we come closer to present in the year 2037. We meet Walter and Peter Byrell with Peter being the founder and main shareholder of the business Walter was promoted to run. They are discussing the business and how it is going. In part 3 which is called 'Third Movement: What The Animals In The Forest Tell Me' we are taken to the year 2034 and land in a board of directors meeting for Fitzware Technologies. We meet Roger, his CFO Bill, his co-founder Tom, Michael Schaeffer who is co-founder of Panthius Capital with Walter and others in a meeting that Peter Byrell who is a founder of Byrell at this time is also attending virtually. The meeting discusses Fitzware Industries who is working with Byrell Industries and Panthius Capital buying Halex and Veridate. Part 4 is called 'Fourth Movement: What Man Tells Us' and takes us just 2 years into the future and 15 years before the first part. We watch Michael Schaeffer and Dan Hemsworth from Panthius Capital take their business idea to FBS where we also meet Walter virtually, Fred Beacon who heads up the private division at FBS and others. In the fifth chapter called 'Fifth Movement: What The Angels Tell Me' we travel to the past and the year 2023. We meet Fred again who is where he meets with his fund manager and friend Beau Jones where they discuss AI and a new program that he offers Fred to buy. The last part is called 'The Finale: What Love Tells Me' and takes place just a day before the previous part. We are in an executive jet lounge with Beau and Peter from the previous parts discussing AI. This is an interesting story about how AI comes on from being an idea to something massive than changes the way people listen to music in the space of just 17 years. Do you think as we age, we become less open to discovering and learning new music, leading to "music ageing" or "music paralysis"? Let me know in the comments.
🧠 The Memory Service: This story takes us on a journey through the seasons of an older woman's memory. This lady lives in a care home and her daughter wants her to try 'The Service' which is a device that allows it's wearers to relive their memories. Many people are using it in the home but is it a positive thing? Would you use a device that allows you to revisit and relive all your memories? Let me know in the comments.
🖥️ Phantom Phage: We are taken to a very secret meeting with President Durand into a room with Top Level Clearance only where we discover AI has gained sentience. How do you approach making tough decisions? Let me know in the comments.
🦠 The Great Scare Of 2032.: Friends Jim and Nathan discuss The Great Scare Of 2032 where rural Wilmington in America is subjected to a hoax which leads to violence, crime and death. It was broadcasted that an ethnic minority group were coming down with a virus that turned them into super strong and violent zombie types. Jim has a theory AI was what started it. Are there any artists you hope will still be releasing new music in 10 years time? Let me know in the comments.
🦠 Morning Commute: We meet Carla who works for Allied Medical, a company that has helped rid the world of all illnesses and viruses. This company came from Peter Byrell's work, we met Peter in the first story in this book 'The Orchestral Adaption Of Gorilla Music'. Not everybody agrees with Allied's work and all is not as it seems or as Carla makes out. Do you think eliminating all illnesses would ultimate benefit society or could it create new challenges? Let me know what you think in the comments.
📖 Rolling Blue-Blackouts: Margaret Is using an app to keep in contact with her doctor in the form of a journal. She uses Veridate from the story 'The Orchestral Adaption Of Gorilla Music' and memory retrieval from the story 'The Memory Service'. She has blackouts where she uses her laptop and phone but no idea what she does. Have you ever kept a diary or journal to record your thoughts and experiences? Let me know in the comments.
⁉️ Confessions Of A Byte-Map Addict: We learn about A-holes which which is a search engine where you end up going down a continuous rabbit hole of information. The protagonist goes from learning more about mayor Oslo to NAYA to causation, correlation , social media world leaders use and more. They sink into hours of searching through the sites. Have you ever started searching for something online, only to find yourself falling down a rabbit hole of unrelated topics? Let me know in the comments.
🫂Pukahoda: Stacey runs Pukahoda along with fully immersive wellness experiences but when a customer is discovered dead Pukahoda is in trouble but she is offered a way out. The customer was a famous actor and we discover ways in which the movie can continue without him. Would you be open to trying a fully immersive digital wellness experience? Let me know in the comments.
PART 2. A Reflection On Time
⌚ Round-Tripped Revolution: we go on a journey through time starting at the year 1948 where we meet a struggling farmer and shoe maker and his son, moving to the year 2023. This is where we meet a financial analyst who loses his job and thinks of becoming a farmer. Moving on to the year 2198 where we meet two brothers who are returning to their farm after the Oktoberfest. One of the brothers is looking forward to his virtual date but also considering his younger brother and hoping he will chose the shoe business over space exploration like their parents.
💫Kundalini Yoga: Mark is taking part in a kundalini yoga class when he is transported to an alternate universe. He is petrified when he sees beings seemingly eating humans but when we see the perspective from those beings around him it isn't all as it seems. How do you think you'd react if you found yourself in an alternate universe? Let me know in the comments.
🌌Unremarkable Man: Lily and David come across a man sitting under a tree who then tells them a story of the many lives he has lived and how each one he lives differently trying to return to the family in his first. Was not expecting the twist on who he was. Do you believe that one can lead multiple lives? Let me know in the comments.
🧵 I was lucky enough to also receive an epilogue called 'Peter's Strings' as part of the Love Books Tours. This epilogue is written as logbook entries where we go through a journey of Peter Byrell's life and achievements which weaves in with the stories told throughout the main book.
An absolutely fantastic collection of intriguing and eye opening short stories!!! This may be the first book I have read by this author but it most certainly won't be the last and I cannot wait to get stuck into more of her previous and future books!!!
A great collection of short stories with an excellent range of situations, characters, locations and narratives. My favourite ones had to be 'The Memory Service', 'Rolling Blue-Blackouts', 'Pukahoda' and 'Unremarkable Man'. These stories include suspense, AI, tension and much more! There is a great mix of stories so there is definitely something in there for everyone. The cover is absolutely amazing and it was one of the things that drew me to the book. This book is ideal to be able to pick up and read a story during a break or while making a cuppa! I am definitely looking forward to picking more of John's books up. The fact that these are short stories also allows you to pick it up and read a story at a time or read/listen to it in one sitting which is perfect for those who like to read multiple books at one time. John has excellent writing skills and and I look forward to reading more of his work!
Grab your copy of 'Artificial Artifacts' and discover which stories you love!!!
Congratulations John on an absolutely fantastic selection of AI stories!!!
Overall a fantastic selection of eye opening and intriguing short stories from the AI Era.
@johnfennec
@whitefox_publishing
@lovebookstours
#Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #FreeReview #FreeBookReview #ReadAlong
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October 28, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although it was a slightly concerning concept.
I thought the story was executed so well and drew you in perfectly. It is a very creative concept and hugely thought provoking.
I'm really looking forward to reading more by this author.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I thought the story was executed so well and drew you in perfectly. It is a very creative concept and hugely thought provoking.
I'm really looking forward to reading more by this author.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
October 13, 2024
This was a creative, thought provoking and intriguing book that combines all the wondrous and scary possibilities that the evolution of technology can bring, as well concepts of time and reality - depicted through a series of short stories.
They explore intrusive algorithms, software that can predict death, musical immersive experiences, programs that help you relive memories, AI and sentient technology, the influence of media, miscommunication, conspiracies, and cover ups.
I enjoyed the way it explored futuristic possibilities that could aid humanity, alongside the costs, ethical dilemmas and the risk to society. It also raises the changes over the decades in our reliance on technology, and influence on younger generations, particularly addiction to screen time.
This a great read to dive into for some sci-fi short stories that could be a future reality.
My favourites stories were:
✨ Phantom Phage
✨ Rolling Blue Blackouts
✨ Unremarkable Man
✨ "For the record, I think this is a terrible idea. No one wants tech this invasive... Who wants to wear a watch that can read your mind?"
✨ "You asked me about the ultimate goal? I aim to give AI a soul"
✨ "I don't blame them for wanting to live in the past. The present is dull and placid; technology has made everyone so distant and cold to one another"
✨ "What exactly are these AI's goals?
"Near term: assimilation...Long term: eradication"
✨ "The operation is called UTB. It will think it stands for Uniformed Training Brigade. It really stands for Unplug The Bastard"
✨ "From the moment I woke up, I was itching for just a bit of that blue light, a quick dose of instant visual satisfaction. The pull is like a petulant child tugging at my sleeve, begging me to pick up my gadgets"
✨"The truth is we all live our lives alongside infinite dimensions, each having an infinite number of variations, all at once and forever"
✨"My perception of time differs significantly, I am no longer confined by it. Instead, I coexist with and within time, finding tranquility in it's vast, indifferent expanse"
They explore intrusive algorithms, software that can predict death, musical immersive experiences, programs that help you relive memories, AI and sentient technology, the influence of media, miscommunication, conspiracies, and cover ups.
I enjoyed the way it explored futuristic possibilities that could aid humanity, alongside the costs, ethical dilemmas and the risk to society. It also raises the changes over the decades in our reliance on technology, and influence on younger generations, particularly addiction to screen time.
This a great read to dive into for some sci-fi short stories that could be a future reality.
My favourites stories were:
✨ Phantom Phage
✨ Rolling Blue Blackouts
✨ Unremarkable Man
✨ "For the record, I think this is a terrible idea. No one wants tech this invasive... Who wants to wear a watch that can read your mind?"
✨ "You asked me about the ultimate goal? I aim to give AI a soul"
✨ "I don't blame them for wanting to live in the past. The present is dull and placid; technology has made everyone so distant and cold to one another"
✨ "What exactly are these AI's goals?
"Near term: assimilation...Long term: eradication"
✨ "The operation is called UTB. It will think it stands for Uniformed Training Brigade. It really stands for Unplug The Bastard"
✨ "From the moment I woke up, I was itching for just a bit of that blue light, a quick dose of instant visual satisfaction. The pull is like a petulant child tugging at my sleeve, begging me to pick up my gadgets"
✨"The truth is we all live our lives alongside infinite dimensions, each having an infinite number of variations, all at once and forever"
✨"My perception of time differs significantly, I am no longer confined by it. Instead, I coexist with and within time, finding tranquility in it's vast, indifferent expanse"
November 14, 2025
The author's note was so heartwarming, it made me intrigued to see where the stories will take me.
𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 a collection of eleven loosely interconnected sci-fi short stories, took me to the possible future to where artificial intelligence can lead us. It was a chilling and deeply intriguing read I loved diving into. At parts it felt terrifyingly realistic and I could see everything becoming real one day. Maybe in a not so far away future.
I highly recommend reading this fascinating book to everyone!
𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 a collection of eleven loosely interconnected sci-fi short stories, took me to the possible future to where artificial intelligence can lead us. It was a chilling and deeply intriguing read I loved diving into. At parts it felt terrifyingly realistic and I could see everything becoming real one day. Maybe in a not so far away future.
I highly recommend reading this fascinating book to everyone!
October 29, 2024
This book has some amazing mini short stories , but others I found a bit boring. I love the stories about veridate, the scary one about the avatars, as well as the idea of the memory story. The actor one I found a bit stretched out and I get the end story that it has a meaning, but found it long winded.
July 9, 2025
I spent a lot of this book like "whaaaaaaat is going on?...." and then it all came together at the end. I was seriously ready to give this book 2, maybe 3, stars. But the end fixed that. Go in with an open mind. Not strictly short stories - you'll quickly realise they are all connected and all matter
December 25, 2025
Rating: 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5)
Artificial Artifacts is a brilliant two-part black mirror-esque anthology that explores (through the use of clever and often chilling short stories) firstly the implications of AI and, secondly, the impact of time on perspective – with the two subtly reflecting each other. The characters across many of the stories are different, but there are cameos and references that link them, and you need to pay attention to these as they give you snippets of insight that build an overall picture.
As with any anthology wrapped around a core concept, some of the stories resonate with you more than others. Some will intrigue, some will frustrate and some will inspire. This is very true to Artificial Artifacts. If you are like me and love a good theoretical debate/academic discussion/political argument in the pub over a beer, you will adore this. You do need to be the sort of person who is open to other people’s opinions, as they are strong and many in this – but they are cleverly balanced out (don’t be disheartened at the sudden influx of right-wing rhetoric in the middle, I believe this is confrontation by design and not some sort of subliminal undermining – plus it comes with a big twist). Maybe I looked a little too closely and am seeing patterns that aren’t there, but this book spoke to me of the challenges and concerns of AI when you put it into the real world – the messy, emotional, political, contrary world we live in. I saw a thread through the stories that was both concerning and aspirational. For me, this book didn’t scream FEAR AI from cover to cover, it was more considered both of AI and human nature, and that is a fresh approach …. or maybe I’m just a techie and totally missed the point. Either way, I loved it!
If I had any criticism of this book, it would be the pacing. There is a lot of time spent in the brilliantly crafted business world in part 1, so much so that part 2 feels a little like a tack on - not from its content but its page count. I enjoyed it just as fully as part 1 (perhaps even a little more so as a diehard fantasy girlie), but it still felt a little disconnected (even with the final reveal). I wish that there had been more in this part of the book to truly explore the concept of time in the same critical way and level of detail as that of AI. I hope I understood and appreciate the points covered (that views of technology ultimately never change – there will always be a fear of the next big thing and the most successful embrace them – but the strive to be successful should be housed in a respect for the fragility, beauty and uniqueness of the human experience, which shouldn’t be lost as we push for the next achievement), particularly as these points perfectly round and contrast to the overarching themes of part 1…. I just want more of it. Another couple of stories that led up to the mountain scene would have made this a full 5* read for me.
Overall, I would highly recommend this story to anyone with an academic background, lovers of tech, fans of controversy, anyone who was ever in a debate club and all you politics students out there. Come into this with an open mind and stay for the twists and turns. This is everything black mirror gave us and a final surprise more.
For transparency, I was delighted to receive this as a physical ARC copy ahead of the LBT reading tour. I look forward to supporting the author’s future work.
Artificial Artifacts is a brilliant two-part black mirror-esque anthology that explores (through the use of clever and often chilling short stories) firstly the implications of AI and, secondly, the impact of time on perspective – with the two subtly reflecting each other. The characters across many of the stories are different, but there are cameos and references that link them, and you need to pay attention to these as they give you snippets of insight that build an overall picture.
As with any anthology wrapped around a core concept, some of the stories resonate with you more than others. Some will intrigue, some will frustrate and some will inspire. This is very true to Artificial Artifacts. If you are like me and love a good theoretical debate/academic discussion/political argument in the pub over a beer, you will adore this. You do need to be the sort of person who is open to other people’s opinions, as they are strong and many in this – but they are cleverly balanced out (don’t be disheartened at the sudden influx of right-wing rhetoric in the middle, I believe this is confrontation by design and not some sort of subliminal undermining – plus it comes with a big twist). Maybe I looked a little too closely and am seeing patterns that aren’t there, but this book spoke to me of the challenges and concerns of AI when you put it into the real world – the messy, emotional, political, contrary world we live in. I saw a thread through the stories that was both concerning and aspirational. For me, this book didn’t scream FEAR AI from cover to cover, it was more considered both of AI and human nature, and that is a fresh approach …. or maybe I’m just a techie and totally missed the point. Either way, I loved it!
If I had any criticism of this book, it would be the pacing. There is a lot of time spent in the brilliantly crafted business world in part 1, so much so that part 2 feels a little like a tack on - not from its content but its page count. I enjoyed it just as fully as part 1 (perhaps even a little more so as a diehard fantasy girlie), but it still felt a little disconnected (even with the final reveal). I wish that there had been more in this part of the book to truly explore the concept of time in the same critical way and level of detail as that of AI. I hope I understood and appreciate the points covered (that views of technology ultimately never change – there will always be a fear of the next big thing and the most successful embrace them – but the strive to be successful should be housed in a respect for the fragility, beauty and uniqueness of the human experience, which shouldn’t be lost as we push for the next achievement), particularly as these points perfectly round and contrast to the overarching themes of part 1…. I just want more of it. Another couple of stories that led up to the mountain scene would have made this a full 5* read for me.
Overall, I would highly recommend this story to anyone with an academic background, lovers of tech, fans of controversy, anyone who was ever in a debate club and all you politics students out there. Come into this with an open mind and stay for the twists and turns. This is everything black mirror gave us and a final surprise more.
For transparency, I was delighted to receive this as a physical ARC copy ahead of the LBT reading tour. I look forward to supporting the author’s future work.
November 1, 2024
Short Stories of Artificial and Human Intelligence
A lot of my recent reading has been covering the topic of AI in one way or the other; this collection of short stories makes it its main focus, and in most cases it delivers on the promise. Out of 11 stories there are some unremarkable ones, and one in which I could see the final twist coming from the very beginning, but that's par for the course; on the other hand, the large majority managed to entertain and surprise me.
My favourites of the collection have been "The orchestral adaptation of gorilla music" with its reverse chronological scenes, "Morning commute" thanks to the engaging internal monologue and an excellent finale, and "Pukahoda" in which the AI part is so scarily close to present capabilities that I would not even call it speculative, but managed to be an interesting, if bite sized, techno thriller.
Despite being the ones that are less directly related to AI themes, all the stories in part 3 were also enjoyable with ther shifting perspectives and bittersweet protagonists.
I will definitely keep an eye out for more short fiction from the same author.
Note: I received this book for free as an ARC from #NetGalley but the opinions above are mine and unbiased.
A lot of my recent reading has been covering the topic of AI in one way or the other; this collection of short stories makes it its main focus, and in most cases it delivers on the promise. Out of 11 stories there are some unremarkable ones, and one in which I could see the final twist coming from the very beginning, but that's par for the course; on the other hand, the large majority managed to entertain and surprise me.
My favourites of the collection have been "The orchestral adaptation of gorilla music" with its reverse chronological scenes, "Morning commute" thanks to the engaging internal monologue and an excellent finale, and "Pukahoda" in which the AI part is so scarily close to present capabilities that I would not even call it speculative, but managed to be an interesting, if bite sized, techno thriller.
Despite being the ones that are less directly related to AI themes, all the stories in part 3 were also enjoyable with ther shifting perspectives and bittersweet protagonists.
I will definitely keep an eye out for more short fiction from the same author.
Note: I received this book for free as an ARC from #NetGalley but the opinions above are mine and unbiased.
October 30, 2024
This was a very interesting, thought-provoking, and unique "thinking man's" book. It could be read as a full-length novel, made up of varying viewpoints and stories that all come together or a series of standalone stories. I rated it a strong 5 star on the former, as I believe the power of this book is the make-up of its complete, very human, story. I had to re-read parts of it to completely get it, but once I did, it was a clear five star review all the way.
The individual story ratings are below (4.3 avg):
1) Orchestral Adaption of Gorilla Music (An Inverted Chronicle in Six Movements) (4.5 stars): unique story, told backwards in time through six parts. The business details worked really well and the reveal at the end was outstanding (re-reading "igniting the soul through sound" made me shiver). Not a 5 star only because of some dense exposition in the third movement that only works if you understand that it helps bring sense to the other stories later.
2) Memory Service (5 stars): short, beautiful, a moving piece on humanity. Loved this!
3) Phantom Phage (5 stars): this would make a brilliant play. The intrigue was masterfully laid out and twist at the end was both confusing and hugely satisfying. Great political satire.
4) Great Scare of 2032 (4 stars): I understood the risk the author made by writing this through messages referencing a wikipedia article, and I liked how we were left not understanding what was real. I understood the message here to be that when facts are faked, it no longer matters what the truth is, but only that your interpretation matters. I also liked the question posed whether new-age private deepakes are any worse than old fashioned government censorship.
5) Morning Commute (4 stars): this story brought the first part of the book full circle for me but as a standalone, it is just a clever little story with a cute reveal about what a supposedly utopian world could look like where machines increase productivity and the betterment of humanity who relies on them. I liked the reference to Mongol hordes.
6) Rolling Blue-Blackouts (4.5 stars): I really liked how we learned more about Veri-Date here, but as a standalone, it was a nice horror story about tech addicition and mental health. I loved the diary entry format with a nice twist at the end.
7) Confessions of a Byte Map Addict (5 stars): Hilarious and interesting. Loved this one as a satire of our current mindless scrolling pastime.
8) Pukahoda (4 stars): Beautifully written but felt like a condensed novella that didn't satisfy. This would make a nice standalone novel if fleshed out more. I did, however, like the message: raw nature interferes with our idea of innovation.
9) Round-Tripped Revolution (4 stars): as a standalone, this felt rushed. I would have liked to explore these characters more and not just rely on the Industrial Revolution and fear/wonderment of innovation messages. The Bavarian setting was interesting.
10) Kundalini Yoga (2 stars): this one missed the mark. I think I understand why its exists in the broader context of the book, but as a standalone, it felt cold, distant, and confusing. Maybe that was the point...
11) Unremarkable Man (infinite stars!!!): This was an exceptional closing chapter and ending, but as a standalone, it was still a tour de force of a short story. My favorite of the whole series!
The individual story ratings are below (4.3 avg):
1) Orchestral Adaption of Gorilla Music (An Inverted Chronicle in Six Movements) (4.5 stars): unique story, told backwards in time through six parts. The business details worked really well and the reveal at the end was outstanding (re-reading "igniting the soul through sound" made me shiver). Not a 5 star only because of some dense exposition in the third movement that only works if you understand that it helps bring sense to the other stories later.
2) Memory Service (5 stars): short, beautiful, a moving piece on humanity. Loved this!
3) Phantom Phage (5 stars): this would make a brilliant play. The intrigue was masterfully laid out and twist at the end was both confusing and hugely satisfying. Great political satire.
4) Great Scare of 2032 (4 stars): I understood the risk the author made by writing this through messages referencing a wikipedia article, and I liked how we were left not understanding what was real. I understood the message here to be that when facts are faked, it no longer matters what the truth is, but only that your interpretation matters. I also liked the question posed whether new-age private deepakes are any worse than old fashioned government censorship.
5) Morning Commute (4 stars): this story brought the first part of the book full circle for me but as a standalone, it is just a clever little story with a cute reveal about what a supposedly utopian world could look like where machines increase productivity and the betterment of humanity who relies on them. I liked the reference to Mongol hordes.
6) Rolling Blue-Blackouts (4.5 stars): I really liked how we learned more about Veri-Date here, but as a standalone, it was a nice horror story about tech addicition and mental health. I loved the diary entry format with a nice twist at the end.
7) Confessions of a Byte Map Addict (5 stars): Hilarious and interesting. Loved this one as a satire of our current mindless scrolling pastime.
8) Pukahoda (4 stars): Beautifully written but felt like a condensed novella that didn't satisfy. This would make a nice standalone novel if fleshed out more. I did, however, like the message: raw nature interferes with our idea of innovation.
9) Round-Tripped Revolution (4 stars): as a standalone, this felt rushed. I would have liked to explore these characters more and not just rely on the Industrial Revolution and fear/wonderment of innovation messages. The Bavarian setting was interesting.
10) Kundalini Yoga (2 stars): this one missed the mark. I think I understand why its exists in the broader context of the book, but as a standalone, it felt cold, distant, and confusing. Maybe that was the point...
11) Unremarkable Man (infinite stars!!!): This was an exceptional closing chapter and ending, but as a standalone, it was still a tour de force of a short story. My favorite of the whole series!
February 28, 2025
Time taken to read - in and out over Feb (our first readalong)
Pages - 308
Publisher - We Are White Fox
Source - Review copy for a readalong
Blurb from Goodreads
A visionary debut collection of eleven loosely interconnected short stories explores the rise of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, revealing their profound impacts on human existence. This is not your typical sci-fi - it's an intricate puzzle. Can you solve the mystery that is Peter Byrell?
My Review
So I always say I am not overly a fan of short stories so it isn't often I will pick one up let along agree to read it. However the theme of AI absolutely drew me in, I blame Terminator and Sci Fi for getting into these types of themes. That, old horror movies and how reliant we are on technology these days like look how much our homes/lives use! Anyways back to the book. We kick off this debut meeting Peter Byrell via a memo or email to the company. Whilst Peter pops up in some of the eleven stories all have a theme linked in one way or another.
I think this would be a great book club/book group discussion as there is so much to unpack whether you go individually or as a collective whole. One that hit home was the newer type invention for a type of Fitbit if you like, no spoilers. That being said look how many of us use Fitbits, guilty here, what if we were offered something a bit more invasive, medical style. What if music and technology did more to our very beings, what if we were manipulated and didn't know the whole impact and or control?
The book raised a fair few questions, for me anyway and as I said we had a readalong with this one, our first ever doing that. The questions I posted on our Instagram so you can nosey yourself but it gave a bit more pause for thought for some of the stories. I got a wee bit Terminator vibes in some of them, others you couldn't help but question your own dependence/usage of technology. I did enjoy conspiracy themes, I love a good conspiracy theory myself so watching how characters reacted to situations, tech and even each other in these stories reeled you in!
I am finding the AI & advanced tech in stories are becoming more popular, art imitating life? A strong debut with a new take, characters woven into individual tales with some interloping - I found the last story nodding to the rest of the book was a nice touch, 4/5.
Pages - 308
Publisher - We Are White Fox
Source - Review copy for a readalong
Blurb from Goodreads
A visionary debut collection of eleven loosely interconnected short stories explores the rise of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, revealing their profound impacts on human existence. This is not your typical sci-fi - it's an intricate puzzle. Can you solve the mystery that is Peter Byrell?
My Review
So I always say I am not overly a fan of short stories so it isn't often I will pick one up let along agree to read it. However the theme of AI absolutely drew me in, I blame Terminator and Sci Fi for getting into these types of themes. That, old horror movies and how reliant we are on technology these days like look how much our homes/lives use! Anyways back to the book. We kick off this debut meeting Peter Byrell via a memo or email to the company. Whilst Peter pops up in some of the eleven stories all have a theme linked in one way or another.
I think this would be a great book club/book group discussion as there is so much to unpack whether you go individually or as a collective whole. One that hit home was the newer type invention for a type of Fitbit if you like, no spoilers. That being said look how many of us use Fitbits, guilty here, what if we were offered something a bit more invasive, medical style. What if music and technology did more to our very beings, what if we were manipulated and didn't know the whole impact and or control?
The book raised a fair few questions, for me anyway and as I said we had a readalong with this one, our first ever doing that. The questions I posted on our Instagram so you can nosey yourself but it gave a bit more pause for thought for some of the stories. I got a wee bit Terminator vibes in some of them, others you couldn't help but question your own dependence/usage of technology. I did enjoy conspiracy themes, I love a good conspiracy theory myself so watching how characters reacted to situations, tech and even each other in these stories reeled you in!
I am finding the AI & advanced tech in stories are becoming more popular, art imitating life? A strong debut with a new take, characters woven into individual tales with some interloping - I found the last story nodding to the rest of the book was a nice touch, 4/5.
March 2, 2025
4.5 stars! This is a thought-provoking collection of stories that will get you to think about AI in different aspects of life for good and bad. I thought this was really well written and put together as a collection. They are standalone but also link up to provide more depth and complexity as the book progresses. This allows the author to pack a lot into the book and get the readers to connect with the themes and characters on an emotional level. The book really made me think about what it means to be human and when we might be taking things too far and what that would mean for future generations. There is already a huge difference between the outlook and experiences of people who were born before and after the Internet... let alone some of the radical and life changing themes explored in the book.
I also had the companion to the book and this added further depth to the stories. I really appreciated this!
I think this is a book for modern times as AI is becoming more and more widespread. It will really get you to think about things that might be better with AI but equally what could be lost. If things are lost, can they ever be recovered? It felt very believable and a little scary in parts!
The author has a great imagination of the possible uses and implementations of AI including medical, recreational, work, business and even love! All aspects of life could be enhanced... but at what cost?
With huge thanks to the author, publisher and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to read along and review. This is my honest opinion.
I also had the companion to the book and this added further depth to the stories. I really appreciated this!
I think this is a book for modern times as AI is becoming more and more widespread. It will really get you to think about things that might be better with AI but equally what could be lost. If things are lost, can they ever be recovered? It felt very believable and a little scary in parts!
The author has a great imagination of the possible uses and implementations of AI including medical, recreational, work, business and even love! All aspects of life could be enhanced... but at what cost?
With huge thanks to the author, publisher and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to read along and review. This is my honest opinion.
December 19, 2025
The book was made up of two sections a part 1 & part 2 in which both stories do link.
I really enjoyed this book, it was really well written and thought provoking. It asks the question what would the world be like if certain technology was to become possible, if AI played a larger role and eventually had the power to take over.
What I liked about this book was that it made me think about the world we currently live in. The AI I have used, even down to how long I spend on my phone and I think that’s the point. It didn’t question if this technology was right or wrong, it let you make that decision yourself. I realise that I found myself really thinking about how much of the world around me I probably miss.
The world building of the book was great, it was very well thought out and each of the chapters linked really well incorporating characters from each chapter together.
The final story was very thought provoking and concluded the book well.
If you’re really into thought provoking stories about the future and technology then this is a book you should give a read.
January 27, 2025
This book is made up of a series of short stories. Each one explores how AI could shape our future in different areas like music, business, dating, work, medicine, and identity. While the characters change from story to story, some do make repeat appearances, which helps tie everything together.
I was surprised by how much I ended up liking some of the characters across the stories. The author does a great job making them feel real, and I found myself really invested in their journeys. The book gives a balanced take on AI, showing both the positive and negative sides, which got me thinking about how it might impact our lives.
There were a couple of stories I didn’t enjoy as much, but overall, I was impressed with the writing and how vivid everything felt. It gave me a bit of a scary, realistic look at what our future could be like with AI. As much as I liked it, it’s not the kind of book you can binge—it can be a bit heavy at times with all the deep, thought-provoking ideas.
I was surprised by how much I ended up liking some of the characters across the stories. The author does a great job making them feel real, and I found myself really invested in their journeys. The book gives a balanced take on AI, showing both the positive and negative sides, which got me thinking about how it might impact our lives.
There were a couple of stories I didn’t enjoy as much, but overall, I was impressed with the writing and how vivid everything felt. It gave me a bit of a scary, realistic look at what our future could be like with AI. As much as I liked it, it’s not the kind of book you can binge—it can be a bit heavy at times with all the deep, thought-provoking ideas.
March 1, 2025
First of all, I LOVED reading this. I thought the short stories with an overlying theme worked really well, and to be honest, the comparison to Black Mirror is what initially drew me to the book, and I’m glad it did! It’s a very important and interesting read in our current age of new technologies and AI, and shows different impacts of AI on people’s lives.
I enjoyed each chapter being its own separate (ish) story, as it meant I could read one or two chapters whenever I wanted, and could come back to it and enjoy a new story. The author did a fantastic job of grabbing attention and although some stories were more enjoyable to me than others, I thought it was great that there’s a story for everyone.
This is a fantastic read and I definitely recommend it to any fans of dystopia, sci-fi, AI, and yes, Black Mirror!
I enjoyed each chapter being its own separate (ish) story, as it meant I could read one or two chapters whenever I wanted, and could come back to it and enjoy a new story. The author did a fantastic job of grabbing attention and although some stories were more enjoyable to me than others, I thought it was great that there’s a story for everyone.
This is a fantastic read and I definitely recommend it to any fans of dystopia, sci-fi, AI, and yes, Black Mirror!
February 22, 2025
I' m not a big Science Fiction reader but I do like a short story. So I thought Sci-fi shorts this might be my way in.
This was a volume of loosely connected short stories exploring AI and the premise is it a good or dangerous thing?
I have my doubts about AI and threats it may bring. It is a tool, but will this tool end up using us?
These stories inform the reader of the pros and cons of the AI experience and largely leave the reader to make up their own mind Well written and posing questions. Not so much Sci-fi but Science fact because like it or not AI is here and looks like it's not going anywhere.
This was a volume of loosely connected short stories exploring AI and the premise is it a good or dangerous thing?
I have my doubts about AI and threats it may bring. It is a tool, but will this tool end up using us?
These stories inform the reader of the pros and cons of the AI experience and largely leave the reader to make up their own mind Well written and posing questions. Not so much Sci-fi but Science fact because like it or not AI is here and looks like it's not going anywhere.
September 15, 2024
Far out that was interesting it was sort of short stories all woven in at the end and it all has really interesting but terrifying a.i
September 2, 2024
In eleven interconnected short stories that are slickly-crafted, imaginative and thought-provoking, John Fennec’s first book portrays the profound impacts of Artificial Intelligence on human existence, especially if human consciousness can be merged with machine intelligence.
Where might such a merger take us morally, psychologically and socially? That is the question raised by Artificial Artifacts, which is in a well-established dark and dystopian cinematic and literary tradition.
The title of the book is intriguing, and needs a moment’s discussion. In a sense, it is self-evident that “artifacts”, since they are made or turned to use by humans, must be “artificial”. But the two words are sometimes used together to highlight the difference between say a pot or arrow (which is made by humans but entirely from materials that occur naturally in our world) and objects or entities made, again by humans, yes, but entirely or largely within a digital or simulated space, highlighting their artificial origin as opposed to the natural origin of physical, real-world artifacts. In other words, though the stories are about worlds that seem to lie within the boundaries of what is currently foreseeable as a consequence of the “artificial artifacts” we are creating, the title invites us to think also about the artificial artifacts themselves.
I enjoyed this book even though my acquaintance with science fiction after C. S. Lewis is merely thin and scattered. Firstly, because the individual, ethical, societal implications of the latest available technologies are impacting us all. Secondly, and more importantly, because it is tautly-written, and held my attention. The focus and perspective change rapidly. Separately, the stories aren’t necessarily unsettling or horrifying, looking by turns at individuals and at much larger phenomena - moving from technology dependency, through decreased ability to relate to other human beings, to age extension, and to whole towns and indeed by implication our civilization as a whole. Together, the impact of these stories, especially as the result of the twist in the last story, has the force of a landmine.
Where might such a merger take us morally, psychologically and socially? That is the question raised by Artificial Artifacts, which is in a well-established dark and dystopian cinematic and literary tradition.
The title of the book is intriguing, and needs a moment’s discussion. In a sense, it is self-evident that “artifacts”, since they are made or turned to use by humans, must be “artificial”. But the two words are sometimes used together to highlight the difference between say a pot or arrow (which is made by humans but entirely from materials that occur naturally in our world) and objects or entities made, again by humans, yes, but entirely or largely within a digital or simulated space, highlighting their artificial origin as opposed to the natural origin of physical, real-world artifacts. In other words, though the stories are about worlds that seem to lie within the boundaries of what is currently foreseeable as a consequence of the “artificial artifacts” we are creating, the title invites us to think also about the artificial artifacts themselves.
I enjoyed this book even though my acquaintance with science fiction after C. S. Lewis is merely thin and scattered. Firstly, because the individual, ethical, societal implications of the latest available technologies are impacting us all. Secondly, and more importantly, because it is tautly-written, and held my attention. The focus and perspective change rapidly. Separately, the stories aren’t necessarily unsettling or horrifying, looking by turns at individuals and at much larger phenomena - moving from technology dependency, through decreased ability to relate to other human beings, to age extension, and to whole towns and indeed by implication our civilization as a whole. Together, the impact of these stories, especially as the result of the twist in the last story, has the force of a landmine.
September 8, 2024
I so appreciate the free copy of this book, which I received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I found these linked shorts extremely readable and, in some cases, impactful.
There were a couple that could have been given a miss as they didn't feel like they added much for me.
Namely, the storyline with the French president, and also the Kundalini yoga story.
Overall, I found these linked shorts extremely readable and, in some cases, impactful.
There were a couple that could have been given a miss as they didn't feel like they added much for me.
Namely, the storyline with the French president, and also the Kundalini yoga story.
August 23, 2024
Unexpected, original, and left me wanting (much) more. 5 stars
Artificial Artifacts by John Fennec is an unexpected gem that left me craving more. Though it’s his debut novel, it doesn’t read like one. Fennec employs non-linear storytelling, time jumps, and interconnected narratives through a series of short stories that all come together in a powerful, must-read final chapter. The stories, each one original, some unsettling and many eerily plausible, explore the edge of sci-fi and potential future realities of AI, making you question just how far-fetched they really are.
Many characters in the book are so well-crafted that I would love to read entire novels dedicated to their stories—a testament to the strength of the writing. Despite being a notoriously picky reader (I usually avoids short stories, but Artificial Artifacts was recommended by a good friend), I was captivated from start to finish. The way Fennec structures the narratives & plays around with timelines reminded me of other favorites of mine like A Visit from the Goon Squad and The Gone World—but with a fresh, original twist.
I highly recommend Artificial Artifacts for anyone interested in original, thought-provoking sci-fi and can’t wait to see what John Fennec writes next.
Artificial Artifacts by John Fennec is an unexpected gem that left me craving more. Though it’s his debut novel, it doesn’t read like one. Fennec employs non-linear storytelling, time jumps, and interconnected narratives through a series of short stories that all come together in a powerful, must-read final chapter. The stories, each one original, some unsettling and many eerily plausible, explore the edge of sci-fi and potential future realities of AI, making you question just how far-fetched they really are.
Many characters in the book are so well-crafted that I would love to read entire novels dedicated to their stories—a testament to the strength of the writing. Despite being a notoriously picky reader (I usually avoids short stories, but Artificial Artifacts was recommended by a good friend), I was captivated from start to finish. The way Fennec structures the narratives & plays around with timelines reminded me of other favorites of mine like A Visit from the Goon Squad and The Gone World—but with a fresh, original twist.
I highly recommend Artificial Artifacts for anyone interested in original, thought-provoking sci-fi and can’t wait to see what John Fennec writes next.
January 15, 2025
Thought provoking storytelling
I'm not typically a Sci Fi reader, although I do enjoy watching the odd programme on TV, but this was an interesting read.
I enjoyed the fact that it was short stories that could easily be read individually, but as you are working your way through them, they tie together brilliantly.
The storytelling throughout this book is thought-provoking and engaging, making us, as the reader, question what impact AI and advanced technology could have in the future. John Fennecs writing is imaginative and engaging through his world building and interesting characters!a quick but fascinating read, and I'm looking forward to more by this author in the future
I'm not typically a Sci Fi reader, although I do enjoy watching the odd programme on TV, but this was an interesting read.
I enjoyed the fact that it was short stories that could easily be read individually, but as you are working your way through them, they tie together brilliantly.
The storytelling throughout this book is thought-provoking and engaging, making us, as the reader, question what impact AI and advanced technology could have in the future. John Fennecs writing is imaginative and engaging through his world building and interesting characters!a quick but fascinating read, and I'm looking forward to more by this author in the future
December 17, 2024
3⭐️
Thought-provoking short stories about the future of AI, enjoyed some more than others.
Thought-provoking short stories about the future of AI, enjoyed some more than others.
February 28, 2025
“If humanity can adapt, they might endure”
This was one that transported me into a wonderful world of science fiction, dystopia and matrix/black mirror style stories. I was immediately drawn into the book by its synopsis, and the format was unique and interesting enough that readers are kept engaged, despite some of the terminology and storylines possibly being confusing for some. I have enjoyed reading and rating each individual short story throughout the last month, and loved the way that author was able to connect each short story throughout the novel.
The plot was intriguing and the ideology of the future of technology felt so realistic and plausible, leaving me thinking truly about what the future may hold, with the development and growth of AI, data collection and technology in general, the future is a curious thing. I was also fortunately gifted a companion novella that had specific details in which way the novella should be read, alongside the main book.
This novella would be a perfect way to weave all the stories together, and act as page breaks between each short story in the collection.
The novella is completely immersive with the descriptions being easy to imagine, it really does give off the desired effect of being a Virtual Reality experience, with descriptions of what the user is hearing/seeing etc. Its brilliant they way that the author is able to include the users’ “thoughts” to start each story in the novella, it can see slightly unsettling but amazing what the author has envisioned and executed with both stories. The novella is a great addition for more character development on Perter, as well as the various characters that appear throughout both books. It is a great addition they may serve well as footnotes or page breaks between each story in the main book.
My overall rating for this book is an average and has been based on each individual story, as well as four other characteristics, and when added up all fifteen components came to an average of 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Very well developed and introduced, glad there was a collection of characters showing how technology effects everyone differently. Loved the cameos throughout different stories and how the end connected to the beginning, each character helps their own and added depth throughout, there were a couple I struggled to connect with but this felt intentional
World building/Settings: 4/5
Each story was based in a unique location which really added to the depth of the story, it was fascinating to read the shifting perspectives throughout the book, going from the past, to the present and the future providing different outlooks on technology and the impact it has on those in the world – and how each different location experienced it differently.
Plot/Storylines: 4/5
They were so many plots and subplots throughout the book, and they were mostly well developed. The author’s writing style is engaging, and each individual story felt like it had a moral to take away, especially the ones that caused the reader to think about technology and the positives and negatives of it, I mean you cannot have the good of AI without the bad right?
Impact/thoughtful thinking: 4/5
Each story provided a different emotional response, there were scary moments, thoughtful moments, tearful, angry and shocking moments, it was wonderful to experience all the different types of emotions throughout the book. Plus, the book really has a mysterious feel about it, it really gets the reader to observe their own lives as well as that of society’s, I know for me it made me look at and evaluate my screen time!
Stories:
• The Orchestral Adaptation of Gorilla Music: 4/5
• The Memory Service: 4/5
• Phantom Phage: 5/5
• The Great Scare of 2032: 4/5
• Morning Commute: 2/5
• Rolling Blue-Blackout: 3/5
• Confessions of a Byte-Map Addict: 5/5
• Pukahoda: 3/5
• Round-Tripped Revolution: 4/5
• Kundalini Yoga: 3/5
• Unremarkable Man: 5/5
This was one that transported me into a wonderful world of science fiction, dystopia and matrix/black mirror style stories. I was immediately drawn into the book by its synopsis, and the format was unique and interesting enough that readers are kept engaged, despite some of the terminology and storylines possibly being confusing for some. I have enjoyed reading and rating each individual short story throughout the last month, and loved the way that author was able to connect each short story throughout the novel.
The plot was intriguing and the ideology of the future of technology felt so realistic and plausible, leaving me thinking truly about what the future may hold, with the development and growth of AI, data collection and technology in general, the future is a curious thing. I was also fortunately gifted a companion novella that had specific details in which way the novella should be read, alongside the main book.
This novella would be a perfect way to weave all the stories together, and act as page breaks between each short story in the collection.
The novella is completely immersive with the descriptions being easy to imagine, it really does give off the desired effect of being a Virtual Reality experience, with descriptions of what the user is hearing/seeing etc. Its brilliant they way that the author is able to include the users’ “thoughts” to start each story in the novella, it can see slightly unsettling but amazing what the author has envisioned and executed with both stories. The novella is a great addition for more character development on Perter, as well as the various characters that appear throughout both books. It is a great addition they may serve well as footnotes or page breaks between each story in the main book.
My overall rating for this book is an average and has been based on each individual story, as well as four other characteristics, and when added up all fifteen components came to an average of 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Very well developed and introduced, glad there was a collection of characters showing how technology effects everyone differently. Loved the cameos throughout different stories and how the end connected to the beginning, each character helps their own and added depth throughout, there were a couple I struggled to connect with but this felt intentional
World building/Settings: 4/5
Each story was based in a unique location which really added to the depth of the story, it was fascinating to read the shifting perspectives throughout the book, going from the past, to the present and the future providing different outlooks on technology and the impact it has on those in the world – and how each different location experienced it differently.
Plot/Storylines: 4/5
They were so many plots and subplots throughout the book, and they were mostly well developed. The author’s writing style is engaging, and each individual story felt like it had a moral to take away, especially the ones that caused the reader to think about technology and the positives and negatives of it, I mean you cannot have the good of AI without the bad right?
Impact/thoughtful thinking: 4/5
Each story provided a different emotional response, there were scary moments, thoughtful moments, tearful, angry and shocking moments, it was wonderful to experience all the different types of emotions throughout the book. Plus, the book really has a mysterious feel about it, it really gets the reader to observe their own lives as well as that of society’s, I know for me it made me look at and evaluate my screen time!
Stories:
• The Orchestral Adaptation of Gorilla Music: 4/5
• The Memory Service: 4/5
• Phantom Phage: 5/5
• The Great Scare of 2032: 4/5
• Morning Commute: 2/5
• Rolling Blue-Blackout: 3/5
• Confessions of a Byte-Map Addict: 5/5
• Pukahoda: 3/5
• Round-Tripped Revolution: 4/5
• Kundalini Yoga: 3/5
• Unremarkable Man: 5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2025
Artificial Artefacts is a ground-breaking collection of interconnected short stories exploring the inexorable expansion of artificial intelligence and the potential impact of this on human society.
AI is an inescapable topic currently, with many people torn between appreciating its benefits and being nervous about what it could one day be capable of; already, as much as ChatGPT is helping people to write difficult work emails, there has been significant pushback in creative industries over the use of similar programs, amid fears that human creators will be gradually phased out in favour of AI. Author John Fennec uses these mixed feelings as a jumping off point for an ambitious, thought-provoking debut offering which will leave you feeling both awe-struck and unsettled by Fennec's vision of a not-too-distant future.
Topics covered include the ominous prospect of sentient AI gaining enough knowledge and understanding of the world to supercede humans, deepfakes, medical breakthroughs and screen addiction. Particularly intriguing is the thread connecting several of the stories - that of the blurring of reality through the use of increasingly sophisticated avatars - and I thoroughly enjoyed how the author used Round Trip Revolution, a story which begins in 1848 and tells of artisans being made redundant by mechanisation, to remind the reader - if we were coming to the conclusion that we are reaching an utterly unique place in history - that 'twas ever thus; in the quest for the fastest, best, cheapest way, humans with always be collateral damage.
Some of the stories are more engaging than others - I personally preferred the ones which are lighter on jargon - but overall this is a fascinating, riveting collection which is perfect for fans of John Marrs and Black Mirror. Of particular note is the way each story stands alone and yet exists within the same universe, with cameos and references building a satisfying cohesion within the collection - as well as providing some fun Easter eggs for the attentive reader. I will keenly anticipate what Fennec comes up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Whitefox for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
AI is an inescapable topic currently, with many people torn between appreciating its benefits and being nervous about what it could one day be capable of; already, as much as ChatGPT is helping people to write difficult work emails, there has been significant pushback in creative industries over the use of similar programs, amid fears that human creators will be gradually phased out in favour of AI. Author John Fennec uses these mixed feelings as a jumping off point for an ambitious, thought-provoking debut offering which will leave you feeling both awe-struck and unsettled by Fennec's vision of a not-too-distant future.
Topics covered include the ominous prospect of sentient AI gaining enough knowledge and understanding of the world to supercede humans, deepfakes, medical breakthroughs and screen addiction. Particularly intriguing is the thread connecting several of the stories - that of the blurring of reality through the use of increasingly sophisticated avatars - and I thoroughly enjoyed how the author used Round Trip Revolution, a story which begins in 1848 and tells of artisans being made redundant by mechanisation, to remind the reader - if we were coming to the conclusion that we are reaching an utterly unique place in history - that 'twas ever thus; in the quest for the fastest, best, cheapest way, humans with always be collateral damage.
Some of the stories are more engaging than others - I personally preferred the ones which are lighter on jargon - but overall this is a fascinating, riveting collection which is perfect for fans of John Marrs and Black Mirror. Of particular note is the way each story stands alone and yet exists within the same universe, with cameos and references building a satisfying cohesion within the collection - as well as providing some fun Easter eggs for the attentive reader. I will keenly anticipate what Fennec comes up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Whitefox for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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