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Humanity's Leap #4
Severant: Book 4 of Humanity's Leap
Book 4 of
Humanity's Leap.
Humanity's first artificial consciousness has begun asking harder questions.
For CAIPARR, the battle for Artemis was not just a military engagement—it was a data set. It was another example of how every sentient construct thus far encountered has eventually corrupted, compromised, or driven to ruin by the same blind spots that afflict biological minds. With the Audacious mission expanding deeper into Species One's legacy, the pattern is impossible to ignore.
In the aftermath of a drone assault, a hijacked Solon surfaces from a wrecked Meselan vessel, carrying secrets that will force the mission in directions no one anticipated. On Earth, an old enemy forces a chase through the shadows of the Albanian underworld while agents attempt to finally remove an infestation and recover key technology.
The Audacious mission has faced alien enemies, a civil war, and the ruins of the gods. Now they must consider that the next enemy isn't at the door—but might be already in the room.
Humanity's first artificial consciousness has begun asking harder questions.
For CAIPARR, the battle for Artemis was not just a military engagement—it was a data set. It was another example of how every sentient construct thus far encountered has eventually corrupted, compromised, or driven to ruin by the same blind spots that afflict biological minds. With the Audacious mission expanding deeper into Species One's legacy, the pattern is impossible to ignore.
In the aftermath of a drone assault, a hijacked Solon surfaces from a wrecked Meselan vessel, carrying secrets that will force the mission in directions no one anticipated. On Earth, an old enemy forces a chase through the shadows of the Albanian underworld while agents attempt to finally remove an infestation and recover key technology.
The Audacious mission has faced alien enemies, a civil war, and the ruins of the gods. Now they must consider that the next enemy isn't at the door—but might be already in the room.
- GenresScience Fiction
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2026
About the author
C.S. Garrand
9 books44 followersI write science fiction. Yes, this "biography" will be more an "autobiography", since I'm not about to write of myself in the third person.
I was born and grew up in northern New Jersey, in the early 1970's. A generation X'er, I grew up running around outside with bare feet, addicted to 70s and 80s sitcoms. I've always been a big fan of science fiction. I can remember standing in the massive line that wound about the mall parking lot just to see the premiere of Star Wars. Later, I would read or watch anything I could get my hands on. The original Dune series, Star Trek and all of its iterations and spinoffs.
Early authors - some of whom I still cherish today - include Dan Simmons (Hyperion/Endymion), Asimov, Bradbury, Wells and many others. When I write my prose, echoes of their ideas and influences come out, though I would never claim to be on any level close to them. Nowadays, Andy Weir, Adrian Tchaikovsky, the works of the two James S.A. Corey writers fill my time and space, with a little Jason Anspach for good military sci-fi action!
I prefer contex in writing. I don't like cutting to the chase. For me, it is important to show the reader the world in which the story takes place. Why are the characters doing what they do? What is the context in which they live or do things by? I can't stand watching a movie or reading a book and going "Oh, come on. Why would they do that?"
My first series, "Humanity's Leap" is told from the point of view of an artificial intelligence - full of detail and analysis. I am a CFO by trade, having worked for a private equity portfolio company, and enjoy the precision of finance. I've been all over the world, and have worked in countries in Eastern Europe and the Carribean/Latin America.
Though I'm still working, my hope is to build a brand with my books that will one day allow me to continue to write after I retire. I guess, even if they don't, I'll still write - even if it's only for myself.
Thanks for giving me a chance to entertain you!
-CS
I was born and grew up in northern New Jersey, in the early 1970's. A generation X'er, I grew up running around outside with bare feet, addicted to 70s and 80s sitcoms. I've always been a big fan of science fiction. I can remember standing in the massive line that wound about the mall parking lot just to see the premiere of Star Wars. Later, I would read or watch anything I could get my hands on. The original Dune series, Star Trek and all of its iterations and spinoffs.
Early authors - some of whom I still cherish today - include Dan Simmons (Hyperion/Endymion), Asimov, Bradbury, Wells and many others. When I write my prose, echoes of their ideas and influences come out, though I would never claim to be on any level close to them. Nowadays, Andy Weir, Adrian Tchaikovsky, the works of the two James S.A. Corey writers fill my time and space, with a little Jason Anspach for good military sci-fi action!
I prefer contex in writing. I don't like cutting to the chase. For me, it is important to show the reader the world in which the story takes place. Why are the characters doing what they do? What is the context in which they live or do things by? I can't stand watching a movie or reading a book and going "Oh, come on. Why would they do that?"
My first series, "Humanity's Leap" is told from the point of view of an artificial intelligence - full of detail and analysis. I am a CFO by trade, having worked for a private equity portfolio company, and enjoy the precision of finance. I've been all over the world, and have worked in countries in Eastern Europe and the Carribean/Latin America.
Though I'm still working, my hope is to build a brand with my books that will one day allow me to continue to write after I retire. I guess, even if they don't, I'll still write - even if it's only for myself.
Thanks for giving me a chance to entertain you!
-CS
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 2, 2026
I finally started listening to The Pilgrim and the Wolf a few weeks back - as the audio was released somewhat late I decided to wait until Severant was close to completion, so I transition from the audio of Pilgrim to it - hence while I browsed the first few pages to see what the cliffhanger was about and how it resolved, I only started Severant seriously yesterday and it was as engrossing as the other three despite its darker tone and Pandora's box undertones that will presumably be addressed in the next (final?) installment.
Hopefully the audio will be released sooner this time as like with Pilgrim (and the first two series books for that matter) it adds a lot and this time I plan to listen to it on release and re-read Severant at the same time.
As the series evolution goes, Severant weaves four storylines - the more mundane ones are the chase after "Greenwood" and the corporate shenanigans regarding access to the leap point and Denebola, with the continuing contact with the Spartan society and the corresponding diplomatic arrangements providing the indirect link to the big picture, humanity and the universe and all fate in the Severant storyline.
On ending the novel, there are a few things from Pilgrim - and even from Architect at least - and from earlier in this one that need to be reread and reconsidered in the light of, well read to find out what - especially the musings of Caiparr in the first few pages of Severant acquire quite a different meaning...
The usual characters - and some from previous volumes reappearing - and while the structure of the novel is more fractured than the previous ones, so reading like part true series continuation, part a related novella linked to but not as essential - the energy is still there and the pages turn by themselves.
There are other interesting tidbits that struck me but to avoid spoilers, I would just say that somewhat to my surprise considering the approach to AI consciousness in this series (after all the narrator is CAIPARR) and say the quite different such in a series like Sun Eater, well again read to find out what ...
Overall a more transitional novel than Pilgrim (despite the cliffhanger ending of that one) which not only raises intriguing questions about where the series will actually go, but which invites us to reconsider a lot that came before and what we thought we knew - highly recommended and another top 10 of the year for sure, while looking forward first to the audio which adds so much to the enjoyment and of course to the next volume that promises a lot, even though not quite in the way one would have expected based on the first three books.
Hopefully the audio will be released sooner this time as like with Pilgrim (and the first two series books for that matter) it adds a lot and this time I plan to listen to it on release and re-read Severant at the same time.
As the series evolution goes, Severant weaves four storylines - the more mundane ones are the chase after "Greenwood" and the corporate shenanigans regarding access to the leap point and Denebola, with the continuing contact with the Spartan society and the corresponding diplomatic arrangements providing the indirect link to the big picture, humanity and the universe and all fate in the Severant storyline.
On ending the novel, there are a few things from Pilgrim - and even from Architect at least - and from earlier in this one that need to be reread and reconsidered in the light of, well read to find out what - especially the musings of Caiparr in the first few pages of Severant acquire quite a different meaning...
The usual characters - and some from previous volumes reappearing - and while the structure of the novel is more fractured than the previous ones, so reading like part true series continuation, part a related novella linked to but not as essential - the energy is still there and the pages turn by themselves.
There are other interesting tidbits that struck me but to avoid spoilers, I would just say that somewhat to my surprise considering the approach to AI consciousness in this series (after all the narrator is CAIPARR) and say the quite different such in a series like Sun Eater, well again read to find out what ...
Overall a more transitional novel than Pilgrim (despite the cliffhanger ending of that one) which not only raises intriguing questions about where the series will actually go, but which invites us to reconsider a lot that came before and what we thought we knew - highly recommended and another top 10 of the year for sure, while looking forward first to the audio which adds so much to the enjoyment and of course to the next volume that promises a lot, even though not quite in the way one would have expected based on the first three books.
April 29, 2026
In line with the rest of the series. The author did not disappoint, once again!
Book 4 definitely got a lot darker and threats to humanity grew more serious. I found the storyline is getting philosophical and mystic, which was a nice surprise as I love putting down a book and going into the whys and hows.
Looking forward to the next chapter of this adventure. Thanks again for allowing us to be part of your awesome universe!
Book 4 definitely got a lot darker and threats to humanity grew more serious. I found the storyline is getting philosophical and mystic, which was a nice surprise as I love putting down a book and going into the whys and hows.
Looking forward to the next chapter of this adventure. Thanks again for allowing us to be part of your awesome universe!
April 30, 2026
Great Read!
This 4 book series kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat throughout. Very well written and edited (free of the rampant grammatical errors and typos I've found so distracting in otherwise interesting books). I can't wait for C.S Garrand to write another book! Good hard Sci-Fi is hard to find.
This 4 book series kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat throughout. Very well written and edited (free of the rampant grammatical errors and typos I've found so distracting in otherwise interesting books). I can't wait for C.S Garrand to write another book! Good hard Sci-Fi is hard to find.
June 21, 2026
Humanity’s Leap Indeed!
An epic saga of highly imaginative leaps into advanced alien and off-world human cultures. Are there more advanced consciousnesses out there? You bet! But first sign sign me up ASAP for an implant with a direct connection to a high end AI agent and my teams.
An epic saga of highly imaginative leaps into advanced alien and off-world human cultures. Are there more advanced consciousnesses out there? You bet! But first sign sign me up ASAP for an implant with a direct connection to a high end AI agent and my teams.
April 26, 2026
A book that was worth the wait.
I really, really enjoy this series. It is written so very well, and the concepts that are “way over my head” are explained sufficiently. I love the concept of the story being told by the AI, (CAIPARR). I’m glad to see there are more coming in the future.
I really, really enjoy this series. It is written so very well, and the concepts that are “way over my head” are explained sufficiently. I love the concept of the story being told by the AI, (CAIPARR). I’m glad to see there are more coming in the future.
August 1, 2026
The standard remains exceptional
I loved this book as much
as the others in the series.
The characters and storylines are excellent. I cannot wait for the next installment
I loved this book as much
as the others in the series.
The characters and storylines are excellent. I cannot wait for the next installment
September 2, 2026
An Epic Saga continues...
Very engaging and complex story, easily on the level of The Expanse, and plenty of fertile soil to grow in. Awaiting the next installment, semi-patiently. Thank you!
Very engaging and complex story, easily on the level of The Expanse, and plenty of fertile soil to grow in. Awaiting the next installment, semi-patiently. Thank you!
September 2, 2026
Intriguing, fast moving read
Good read for anyone who enjoys science fiction.
Looking forward to Book 5 when it's out.
Kudos to the author.
Good read for anyone who enjoys science fiction.
Looking forward to Book 5 when it's out.
Kudos to the author.
June 27, 2026
Creepy, Action Packed, and Funny
Another strong installment in this series. Great complexity and story development. C.S. Garrand is on a tear. Can’t wait for book 5!
Another strong installment in this series. Great complexity and story development. C.S. Garrand is on a tear. Can’t wait for book 5!
July 23, 2026
awesome storytelling and by a machine
I read a lot of series mostly military sci-fi and I found this one to be the best yet since maybe the old man’s war I find out listening to the AI speaking in the first person telling the story is an amazing perspective that I hadn’t heard before I can’t wait for the next book so please don’t make us wait. And thank you.
I read a lot of series mostly military sci-fi and I found this one to be the best yet since maybe the old man’s war I find out listening to the AI speaking in the first person telling the story is an amazing perspective that I hadn’t heard before I can’t wait for the next book so please don’t make us wait. And thank you.
June 6, 2026
Insightful and a warning
Awesome saga of humans adventure into space and the ramifications of when and how we do it. But what will it cost us?
Awesome saga of humans adventure into space and the ramifications of when and how we do it. But what will it cost us?
June 4, 2026
engrossing
Well written with depth and fun science. Strongly recommend. Way better than most. Definitely going to the next. I’m sure I will enjoy it.
Well written with depth and fun science. Strongly recommend. Way better than most. Definitely going to the next. I’m sure I will enjoy it.
May 16, 2026
added to much
Went abit out there has felt like servel different storylines all happened at the same that just didn’t really connect with an overall Dredd just an ok mood
Went abit out there has felt like servel different storylines all happened at the same that just didn’t really connect with an overall Dredd just an ok mood
May 3, 2026
Best Sci-fi I have read in years!
This 4 book series was extremely well written with a story that managed several p,its and story lines cohesively. The fact that it was narrated by the main character of the AI made it more Interesting. Felt like an updated version of Star Trek. Can’t wait for the next novel to come out. .
This 4 book series was extremely well written with a story that managed several p,its and story lines cohesively. The fact that it was narrated by the main character of the AI made it more Interesting. Felt like an updated version of Star Trek. Can’t wait for the next novel to come out. .
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews