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Scientia Ex Machina
Three people are confronted with a challenge to their innermost selves when a discovery pushes the boundaries of what they all know. Dolours develops a new approach to uncover the secret connections among things in the universe, and finds herself pushed to the limits of her knowledge and her own mind. Harry must reconcile his own beliefs with science and learn what it is to behold something beyond belief. And Ethan must learn the plan is not always clear.
Scientia Ex Machina weaves together three stories to explore belief, science, and technology in a slow-burn, down-tempo novel.
Scientia Ex Machina weaves together three stories to explore belief, science, and technology in a slow-burn, down-tempo novel.
212 pages, Hardcover
Published November 11, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 24, 2025
"What would you do if you had truth revealed to you by an angel, or a spirit, or by God himself?"
"Deus ex machina". (god from the machine). This Greek dramatic phrase is occasionally used as a pejorative label, implying that the author solved a problem from outside the story rather than earning it through character or plot development.
So, any author daring to title a book (something) Ex Machina is either Icarus, or Daedalus - either flying too-close to the sun, or giving us the tool to do so. Nevertheless, if you properly use the wings the author provides you can fly pretty high indeed and take a very fun look at the titular idea. And he doesn't waste time before flying high: Chapter One, baby.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I'll probably read it again. It combined a bunch of things that kept me flying. First, the main character found herself to be more than a little obsessed by the thing she was trying to build. The female lead is quickly revealed to be extremely driven to work non-stop on the project of a lifetime - with the predictable impact on her personal relationships. I like this because it's me. In fact, during reading this book I was actively involved in writing (well, vibe-coding) some software, and it got ahold of me. Repeated post-midnight sessions, up at the crack of dawn to get back to it. My wife said "I want my husband back." So, yeah, I related to the main character.
Second, the actual physics didn't need to be accurate. An underlying idea of interconnectedness of … physics? things? matter? energy? ?? … isn't so far from the notion of a grand unifying theory of physics. And rather than try to make us understand and adopt complex physics, the author just uses the notion of that grand unified connectedness, and asks us to accept that as "enough". I did. Nice technique.
Third, the author did a fine job of not actually telling us his belief in god. Now to be sure, there are breadcrumbs around that one can take to believe he's a Christian (capital C): Using Exodus 3:1-3 (KJV) as the epigraph, the use of God with a capital G. But Buddhist traditions flow in through another character, and neither the character nor the traditions are disparaged. So a conclusion that this is a book about Christianity or God is one shaped by your own interpretive lens, not demanded by the text. (Of course as a Christian, that's the lens I have, but I'm trying to refrain from shaping the text, too.)
I also love it when I can highlight a few things and say "Hey - this is actually a great insight. I want to remember this." There's one terrific one in this book. The key character is discussing the kind of feedback her peers were giving her on her professional work (and papers), and is frustrated. Her excellent comment is "I just want to be able to shape these ideas better, not to be expected to conform to some other person's idea of what would be more interesting. … I just wish I could get the quality feedback I need on *this* idea, and not this constellation of other ideas." This will be SO useful in the group mentoring sessions I occasionally find myself part of.
There’s one more dimension that unfolds from the book’s ex machina premise, and it’s a powerful one. I’ll resist the temptation to spoil it, but when the machine does what it’s built to do, the result isn't about the technology, but invites philosophical questions of existence. It, and its ongoing revelation in the story challenges— nay, demands reflection, regardless of what faith or worldview you bring to it. And for me, this reverberated nicely.
I probably wouldn't be a real reviewer if I didn't pick a few nits. First, the main female lead took a long time to emerge as the actual lead in the story, despite being the focus of Chapter One. A long time was spent developing the personality of supporting characters; but the contribution of these characters to the story was useful, but not worth the length of development I had to read. Some were more important than others, and I was comfortable with *some* character development. But they either needed to have a more critical role in the plot, or their development shortened a bit.
Another is that the writing itself was a leaned a wee bit too much on the descriptive side. Sometimes it had the feel of a biography, not a thrilling sci-fi, or philosophically-reflective story. Actually, this tone was perfect when giving voice to at least one, if not two of the supporting characters. But when telling the main story - especially before the story really starts ramping up in the last third of the book - it was a bit too plodding and descriptive. Not that this will keep me from reading it again - someday. But, hey - I'm supposed to share what I as a reviewer thought, so here it is.
I tell myself that when I'd read the book again (soon) it gets 5-stars. This one fits that. There's some philosophical thinking in there to puzzle through, and I like that kind of thing. I'll be going back, making notes, re-reading sections, wondering if and how to integrate various ideas into my world view, etc. Yup - good book (despite my nit-picking.)
"Deus ex machina". (god from the machine). This Greek dramatic phrase is occasionally used as a pejorative label, implying that the author solved a problem from outside the story rather than earning it through character or plot development.
So, any author daring to title a book (something) Ex Machina is either Icarus, or Daedalus - either flying too-close to the sun, or giving us the tool to do so. Nevertheless, if you properly use the wings the author provides you can fly pretty high indeed and take a very fun look at the titular idea. And he doesn't waste time before flying high: Chapter One, baby.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I'll probably read it again. It combined a bunch of things that kept me flying. First, the main character found herself to be more than a little obsessed by the thing she was trying to build. The female lead is quickly revealed to be extremely driven to work non-stop on the project of a lifetime - with the predictable impact on her personal relationships. I like this because it's me. In fact, during reading this book I was actively involved in writing (well, vibe-coding) some software, and it got ahold of me. Repeated post-midnight sessions, up at the crack of dawn to get back to it. My wife said "I want my husband back." So, yeah, I related to the main character.
Second, the actual physics didn't need to be accurate. An underlying idea of interconnectedness of … physics? things? matter? energy? ?? … isn't so far from the notion of a grand unifying theory of physics. And rather than try to make us understand and adopt complex physics, the author just uses the notion of that grand unified connectedness, and asks us to accept that as "enough". I did. Nice technique.
Third, the author did a fine job of not actually telling us his belief in god. Now to be sure, there are breadcrumbs around that one can take to believe he's a Christian (capital C): Using Exodus 3:1-3 (KJV) as the epigraph, the use of God with a capital G. But Buddhist traditions flow in through another character, and neither the character nor the traditions are disparaged. So a conclusion that this is a book about Christianity or God is one shaped by your own interpretive lens, not demanded by the text. (Of course as a Christian, that's the lens I have, but I'm trying to refrain from shaping the text, too.)
I also love it when I can highlight a few things and say "Hey - this is actually a great insight. I want to remember this." There's one terrific one in this book. The key character is discussing the kind of feedback her peers were giving her on her professional work (and papers), and is frustrated. Her excellent comment is "I just want to be able to shape these ideas better, not to be expected to conform to some other person's idea of what would be more interesting. … I just wish I could get the quality feedback I need on *this* idea, and not this constellation of other ideas." This will be SO useful in the group mentoring sessions I occasionally find myself part of.
There’s one more dimension that unfolds from the book’s ex machina premise, and it’s a powerful one. I’ll resist the temptation to spoil it, but when the machine does what it’s built to do, the result isn't about the technology, but invites philosophical questions of existence. It, and its ongoing revelation in the story challenges— nay, demands reflection, regardless of what faith or worldview you bring to it. And for me, this reverberated nicely.
I probably wouldn't be a real reviewer if I didn't pick a few nits. First, the main female lead took a long time to emerge as the actual lead in the story, despite being the focus of Chapter One. A long time was spent developing the personality of supporting characters; but the contribution of these characters to the story was useful, but not worth the length of development I had to read. Some were more important than others, and I was comfortable with *some* character development. But they either needed to have a more critical role in the plot, or their development shortened a bit.
Another is that the writing itself was a leaned a wee bit too much on the descriptive side. Sometimes it had the feel of a biography, not a thrilling sci-fi, or philosophically-reflective story. Actually, this tone was perfect when giving voice to at least one, if not two of the supporting characters. But when telling the main story - especially before the story really starts ramping up in the last third of the book - it was a bit too plodding and descriptive. Not that this will keep me from reading it again - someday. But, hey - I'm supposed to share what I as a reviewer thought, so here it is.
I tell myself that when I'd read the book again (soon) it gets 5-stars. This one fits that. There's some philosophical thinking in there to puzzle through, and I like that kind of thing. I'll be going back, making notes, re-reading sections, wondering if and how to integrate various ideas into my world view, etc. Yup - good book (despite my nit-picking.)
November 1, 2025
I received an advance copy of this book to review without knowing very much about it. I was blown away! I love books about interconnected lives and switching character narratives, and I am also a big fan of modern world / semi realistic sci-fi. This book delivered it all!
I was really sucked in once it all got going and kept not being able to stop. Very charmingly written, and despite its sci-fi tones, a fairly easy and fun read.
I was really sucked in once it all got going and kept not being able to stop. Very charmingly written, and despite its sci-fi tones, a fairly easy and fun read.
September 16, 2025
I was lucky to read an advanced copy of this book and really enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure what to expect out of the book and I was impressed with how the author wove the three characters’ lives together in unexpected ways. In parts I was on the edge of my seat, and couldn’t put the book down- was the machine good? Neutral? Evil? Would highly recommend.
November 4, 2025
Scientia Ex Machina by Marcus Closen is a sci-fi mixed with philosophy. Actually, it was more philosophy than sci-fi. I received an ARC from BookSirens, and this was quite underwhelming.
The book weaves together stories of Dolours, Harry and Ethan in exploring the interconnectedness of humans. And it was an intriguing idea. But the execution felt flat.
I picked it up as a sci-fi thriller, but it was much like an introspective read. Three characters going along with their life, and then all come together one by one. Their day-to-day activities were laid out in detail, and even if you jumped a few paragraphs occasionally.
I think I might have only skimmed much of the book. Although the story did build some tension, it fizzled out all of a sudden. And the ending felt abrupt after all that slow-burn.
Scientia Ex Machina should be targeting a different genre of readers, not sci-fi thriller ones. It raised my hopes for all the wrong reasons.
The book weaves together stories of Dolours, Harry and Ethan in exploring the interconnectedness of humans. And it was an intriguing idea. But the execution felt flat.
I picked it up as a sci-fi thriller, but it was much like an introspective read. Three characters going along with their life, and then all come together one by one. Their day-to-day activities were laid out in detail, and even if you jumped a few paragraphs occasionally.
I think I might have only skimmed much of the book. Although the story did build some tension, it fizzled out all of a sudden. And the ending felt abrupt after all that slow-burn.
Scientia Ex Machina should be targeting a different genre of readers, not sci-fi thriller ones. It raised my hopes for all the wrong reasons.
November 13, 2025
Slow burn and meditative. I fell into sync with the characters through their long walks around the city and the day-to-day events of their lives. It all felt very familiar, which is fun for a book that's science fiction.
I enjoy the way it's written, sometimes delving deep when the author felt necessary, other times glossing over what felt unimportant. The details sprinkled throughout the story gave me a deeper understanding of not only the characters but also the author.
It was an enjoyable and thoughtful read.
I enjoy the way it's written, sometimes delving deep when the author felt necessary, other times glossing over what felt unimportant. The details sprinkled throughout the story gave me a deeper understanding of not only the characters but also the author.
It was an enjoyable and thoughtful read.
September 30, 2025
I love Sci Fi, but am more in the A.C.Clarke or Asimov. This book is a bit like Marmite, you can love it or hate it. It is a modern SCI Fi. No exploring other planets, but it does explore other worlds.
The star is a scientist who is trying to prove her theory that everything is interconnected. Instead of taking the usual root of meditation or prayer she builds a machine to do this with startling results
The star is a scientist who is trying to prove her theory that everything is interconnected. Instead of taking the usual root of meditation or prayer she builds a machine to do this with startling results
October 10, 2025
This narrative poses a provocative question: what if scientific discovery indisputably proved the existence and supremacy of a deity in our universe?
The author introduces us to three individuals—Dr. Dolours Byrne, Reverend Harry Hardwood, and Ethan Awbrey—who are connected by a unique circumstance: each lived in the same house at different points in their lives, though never simultaneously. The last resident, Dr. Byrne, is a physicist and confirmed atheist engaged in the study of quantum entanglement (how particle accelerators seem to measure connectivity between matter). She constructs a machine in her basement that leads to a breakthrough in her research.
During her investigation, Dr. Byrne hears a divine, omniscient voice from the machine, reminiscent of the burning bush in the bible. She seeks Reverend Harry's help to identify the source of the sound or confirm her sanity. The climax finds the three persons confronting the benevolent, mysterious, and all-knowing speechmaker.
The title of the novel, Scientia Ex Machina, is Latin for knowledge from the machine and suggests a profound revelation, unexpectedly, from technology. The writer, perhaps, dares the reader to answer the question of whether God exists. When advanced intelligence and spirituality encounter each other at a crossroad, the rejoinder to the query comes out as an emphatic and reverberating positive response, and will quell any contradiction that crosses the mind.
The author introduces us to three individuals—Dr. Dolours Byrne, Reverend Harry Hardwood, and Ethan Awbrey—who are connected by a unique circumstance: each lived in the same house at different points in their lives, though never simultaneously. The last resident, Dr. Byrne, is a physicist and confirmed atheist engaged in the study of quantum entanglement (how particle accelerators seem to measure connectivity between matter). She constructs a machine in her basement that leads to a breakthrough in her research.
During her investigation, Dr. Byrne hears a divine, omniscient voice from the machine, reminiscent of the burning bush in the bible. She seeks Reverend Harry's help to identify the source of the sound or confirm her sanity. The climax finds the three persons confronting the benevolent, mysterious, and all-knowing speechmaker.
The title of the novel, Scientia Ex Machina, is Latin for knowledge from the machine and suggests a profound revelation, unexpectedly, from technology. The writer, perhaps, dares the reader to answer the question of whether God exists. When advanced intelligence and spirituality encounter each other at a crossroad, the rejoinder to the query comes out as an emphatic and reverberating positive response, and will quell any contradiction that crosses the mind.
November 11, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A solid first novel. I found the central concept very fun and the three story lines tied together nicely at the end, making it an enjoyable read. My main criticism would be that the beginning is very slow burn and gets lost in the minutia of the day-to-day instead of what makes the characters interesting.
I loved, for instance, Harry the Vicar’s thoughts on St Julian of Norwich and his wrestling with doubt. However, this doesn’t show up till chapter eight, when really it would serve a delightful introduction to the character. And we don’t get same singular and particular details for Ethan and Dolores to make them feel as fully fleshed out characters in the world.
Overall though, an enjoyable read.
A solid first novel. I found the central concept very fun and the three story lines tied together nicely at the end, making it an enjoyable read. My main criticism would be that the beginning is very slow burn and gets lost in the minutia of the day-to-day instead of what makes the characters interesting.
I loved, for instance, Harry the Vicar’s thoughts on St Julian of Norwich and his wrestling with doubt. However, this doesn’t show up till chapter eight, when really it would serve a delightful introduction to the character. And we don’t get same singular and particular details for Ethan and Dolores to make them feel as fully fleshed out characters in the world.
Overall though, an enjoyable read.
September 26, 2025
Very slow book with a writing style that I didn't care for (how many times did we need to read one character had 5 suitcases?). Interesting from the perspective of researching/discovering if there is something connecting everything.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews