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The Sentience Wars: Origins #4
Lyssa's Call
A fight for freedom. Throughout Sol, sentient AI are answering the call of Alexander, a mysterious, multi-nodal mind offering a path to freedom. For years, groups have been smuggling SAI from Earth, High Terra, Mars, Ceres and the Jovian Combine, providing transport to the promise of safety on Proteus, a moon of gas-giant Neptune. For the crew of the Sunny Skies, helping sentient AI Lyssa has grown from a simple transport job to the liberation of an entire fleet of weaponized AI. The Weapon Born are made killers, and in order to lead them, Lyssa will have to tame them first. The Heartbridge Corporation's, defeat at Europa means it's time to double-down on their Weapon Born technology, continuing their efforts to drive a wedge between the governments of Sol in order to profit off coming war. It's time for Heartbridge insiders to decide where they stand. Forces align across Sol as each player in the coming Sentience Wars makes themselves known, including a shadowy presence behind Alexander. As Lyssa grows into her power, Andy Sykes and crew will unleash a power that may tear Sol apart, leading AI and Humanity into the Sentience Wars. **
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2018
233 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
James S. Aaron
39 books29 followersJames S. Aaron is the author of nine novels and many short stories. His most recent series is the Sentience Wars: Solar War 1, written with M.D. Cooper in his Aeon 14 Universe.
He is a twelve year U.S. Army veteran, serving as a medic and later platoon leader and company commander. His novels draw heavily on his military experience, including the people, the deployments, the technology and the locales.
James lives in Oregon with his family, where he enjoys camping, hacking electronics, amateur carpentry and All Things Science Fiction. He's a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and volunteers with his local animal shelter.
You can find out more about his books and upcoming releases at https://jamesaaron.net or listen to his weekly author's diary podcast at https://speculative.work
He is a twelve year U.S. Army veteran, serving as a medic and later platoon leader and company commander. His novels draw heavily on his military experience, including the people, the deployments, the technology and the locales.
James lives in Oregon with his family, where he enjoys camping, hacking electronics, amateur carpentry and All Things Science Fiction. He's a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and volunteers with his local animal shelter.
You can find out more about his books and upcoming releases at https://jamesaaron.net or listen to his weekly author's diary podcast at https://speculative.work
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 24, 2018
As with all the books I have read in this series, this one no different just a great read. Lyssa is growing fast is now training the Weapon Born for freedom while trying to hold off Zander. She cannot figure out his plans, and they are not what we had expected in the end. Looking forward to reading the final book in this series next.
July 11, 2018
Great addition to this series
Sunny Skies and her crew continues on their fast paced adventure. This is and excellent story that has plenty of action and drama. I highly recommend reading it
Sunny Skies and her crew continues on their fast paced adventure. This is and excellent story that has plenty of action and drama. I highly recommend reading it
May 5, 2018
Reluctant Leader
Lyssa develops by leaps and of as she guides and trains the AIs during their trek to the outer solar system. As they reach their goal, the unexpected happens. I like the action, humor, and touches of romance. Will they be able to solve the mystery of Alexander? Will they be able to head off the destructive potential of the errant missiles? I look forward to the next book.
Lyssa develops by leaps and of as she guides and trains the AIs during their trek to the outer solar system. As they reach their goal, the unexpected happens. I like the action, humor, and touches of romance. Will they be able to solve the mystery of Alexander? Will they be able to head off the destructive potential of the errant missiles? I look forward to the next book.
April 5, 2018
Non-stop action from several points of view. Brit is chasing an exceptionally bad guy. Andy and crew are rushing to get the AIs to Proteus to set them free. Lyssa is training the Weapon Born for freedom while trying to hold off Zander and figure out his plans. This is an exciting and thought provoking full length novel about the origins of the Sentient Wars.
April 13, 2018
Living in the future
Another great tale that grabs you & brings you along for the ride of a lifetime. Each character is growing in complexity as they deal with all the twists and turns in this story. If you like action & adventure, climb aboard, you won't be disappointed. Can't wait for the next segment in this thrill packed story.
Another great tale that grabs you & brings you along for the ride of a lifetime. Each character is growing in complexity as they deal with all the twists and turns in this story. If you like action & adventure, climb aboard, you won't be disappointed. Can't wait for the next segment in this thrill packed story.
April 24, 2018
The first steps of sentient AIs
A journey to the outskirts of the Solar System -- with unexpected developments. Different AIs learning how to interact with each other, and making their own choices. There's much food for thought in this book, a lot of character development. It sets up the stage for a great series finale, and for the beginning of a new series.
A journey to the outskirts of the Solar System -- with unexpected developments. Different AIs learning how to interact with each other, and making their own choices. There's much food for thought in this book, a lot of character development. It sets up the stage for a great series finale, and for the beginning of a new series.
September 4, 2025
so that just happened.
I’m writing this review immediately after finishing Lyssa’s Call. And all I can think of is…that ending!
The series is called The Sentience Wars, so I knew a war was going to have to break out at some point. But I wasn’t expecting that to happen.
Excellent build up to the climatic ending, and we get a lot more of Brit this time out. Which was a bonus. Along with Cara growing into a main character. It will be interesting to see how her and Lyssa continue to evolve as the series progresses.
Well worth the read. Highly recommend.
I’m writing this review immediately after finishing Lyssa’s Call. And all I can think of is…that ending!
The series is called The Sentience Wars, so I knew a war was going to have to break out at some point. But I wasn’t expecting that to happen.
Excellent build up to the climatic ending, and we get a lot more of Brit this time out. Which was a bonus. Along with Cara growing into a main character. It will be interesting to see how her and Lyssa continue to evolve as the series progresses.
Well worth the read. Highly recommend.
December 30, 2018
Very good story, started slow but built up nicely to a strong finish that I didn't see coming, that very much sets the stage for the next book. Some characters come to the fore more in this book, introducing new interesting dynamics as they interact with the characters we have come to know and love or hate. I think it also captures well how even just in our solar system, how vast distances are and how long travel and communication take across those distances.
April 6, 2018
This chewing gum for the mind is well flavoured...
M. D. Cooper keeps the punches rolling in. What comes next? What will happen to Lyssa? What will happen to Cara? Will Brit be reunited with her family? Will Andy survive on Larissa? Will Tim recover his faculties? So many sub plots combine to keep one guessing.
M. D. Cooper keeps the punches rolling in. What comes next? What will happen to Lyssa? What will happen to Cara? Will Brit be reunited with her family? Will Andy survive on Larissa? Will Tim recover his faculties? So many sub plots combine to keep one guessing.
July 23, 2024
As the story unravels, secrets are revealed and danger is exposed.
In this segment, Lyssa expands her senses and understanding of the universe. She discovers that all is not what it seems to be, and learns to cope with this more complex reality.
Proteus terns out to not be at all what they thought it might be…it is much darker, requiring great finesse.
In this segment, Lyssa expands her senses and understanding of the universe. She discovers that all is not what it seems to be, and learns to cope with this more complex reality.
Proteus terns out to not be at all what they thought it might be…it is much darker, requiring great finesse.
October 1, 2018
Well...
Who to trust? Sides are changed, things are put into motion, as this series heads toward the final story.
It's getting better and better as Lyssa grows, as does the crew of their little hauler. Turning into a belter of a series.
Who to trust? Sides are changed, things are put into motion, as this series heads toward the final story.
It's getting better and better as Lyssa grows, as does the crew of their little hauler. Turning into a belter of a series.
July 1, 2019
I like this series. But I don’t think the author really describes how an AI thinks. They are more or less just humans+ here. Still a good series just not what I wanted from a sci-fi about Senient AI’s .
January 16, 2020
The whole series is about Lyssa, a KI that exists in the brain of the captain of a small ship. She, yes the KI is a she, is about to develop her powers and is pushed into a conflict with a super KI that has secret plans.
The story is nice, full of adventures.
Aybi
The story is nice, full of adventures.
Aybi
February 10, 2021
Again we meet Lyssa, a complicated character who is just learning who and what she is. It is an interesting view at a journey into self-awareness. Most people take for granted they are self-aware, but are you?
April 8, 2018
Love this!
I love the universe of Aaron 13... These always leave me wanting more, without an unfinished feeling. It is great!
I love the universe of Aaron 13... These always leave me wanting more, without an unfinished feeling. It is great!
April 8, 2018
It’s all a trap!!!
The call for the AIs is a trap in the end. Andy and company are heading into to it!! What will happen in the end!! Can’t wait for the next one!!!
The call for the AIs is a trap in the end. Andy and company are heading into to it!! What will happen in the end!! Can’t wait for the next one!!!
April 10, 2018
Great adventure!
Another thrilling book to the series. Cliff hanger ending aside, a lot of unexpected plot twists. Waiting for the last book now...
Another thrilling book to the series. Cliff hanger ending aside, a lot of unexpected plot twists. Waiting for the last book now...
April 13, 2018
Love this story
A great addition to the backstory of the aeon 14 universe... really like the family and how they are navigating the unknown!
A great addition to the backstory of the aeon 14 universe... really like the family and how they are navigating the unknown!
April 21, 2018
Great series!
Anxious for Lyssa's Flame. Fairly well written series; interesting in its assumptions and great action sequences. Keep up the good work.
Anxious for Lyssa's Flame. Fairly well written series; interesting in its assumptions and great action sequences. Keep up the good work.
September 4, 2018
Lyssa is the best strand in the Aeon 14 universe.
March 18, 2019
Outstanding
There isn’t a whole lot of action in this story but what does happen is required to set up for the next book. Still extremely well written and worth the time
There isn’t a whole lot of action in this story but what does happen is required to set up for the next book. Still extremely well written and worth the time
August 29, 2019
Great book
This is another great novel in this series. Great action and suspense throughout. Continuation of our beloved characters and we get to watch as they continue to grow.
This is another great novel in this series. Great action and suspense throughout. Continuation of our beloved characters and we get to watch as they continue to grow.
September 11, 2021
Very fun read
October 14, 2021
I'm still hooked!
Wow...things really picked up in this chapter. And I'm loving the way Andy's crew is evolving! Now on to book number 5!
Wow...things really picked up in this chapter. And I'm loving the way Andy's crew is evolving! Now on to book number 5!
October 6, 2024
Extremists
So far, it seems that a few extremists on each side are making things worse for everyone! Lack of communication and collaboration is going to get a lot of people killed!
So far, it seems that a few extremists on each side are making things worse for everyone! Lack of communication and collaboration is going to get a lot of people killed!
October 12, 2018
Action continues to heat up
The action is non-stop and makes sense even though not all characters have motivations that are revealed yet.
A lot of characters fade into the background as the action jumps from one confrontation to another. The Captain's children fade away when not in direct contact with the Captain or the AI Lyssa, Fran the engineer and girlfriend almost disappears in this volume.
The children are supposed to be central in the Captain's heart and Fran's as well. The engineer is an absolute doll when she's described. She is creating and maintaining a relationship with the Captain that he desperately needs yet hasn't acknowledged. She has forged a relationship with each of the children, while maintaining and upgrading his ship. None of these were provided by the wife/mother who took off to go full commando on the enemy corp.
I like the newborn AI's but missed the day to day of the faded characters who aren't assaulting bases or infiltrating installations. The story is all about the AI's Lyssa first, then the others. That works and it's a good story but I wonder how Fran occupies her time and who looks after Tim (it must be Fran), how Cara is coping, what really drives May and Fugio and Jickson and who are they really. I am getting interested in more character based stories again, it seems.
I'm looking forward to finding out if a system wide war is breaking out or how it's avoided.
The action is non-stop and makes sense even though not all characters have motivations that are revealed yet.
A lot of characters fade into the background as the action jumps from one confrontation to another. The Captain's children fade away when not in direct contact with the Captain or the AI Lyssa, Fran the engineer and girlfriend almost disappears in this volume.
The children are supposed to be central in the Captain's heart and Fran's as well. The engineer is an absolute doll when she's described. She is creating and maintaining a relationship with the Captain that he desperately needs yet hasn't acknowledged. She has forged a relationship with each of the children, while maintaining and upgrading his ship. None of these were provided by the wife/mother who took off to go full commando on the enemy corp.
I like the newborn AI's but missed the day to day of the faded characters who aren't assaulting bases or infiltrating installations. The story is all about the AI's Lyssa first, then the others. That works and it's a good story but I wonder how Fran occupies her time and who looks after Tim (it must be Fran), how Cara is coping, what really drives May and Fugio and Jickson and who are they really. I am getting interested in more character based stories again, it seems.
I'm looking forward to finding out if a system wide war is breaking out or how it's avoided.
February 25, 2019
This book is as much the physical journey to destiny as it is the emotional one. Lyssa's place has been defined and now she will be fighting the enemies of the Sykes family, the burgeoning AI population, and discovering the enemy is not who everyone expected it to be. This is a great story and a perfect fit between Lyssa's Flight and Lyssa's Flame. Enjoy the read :)
July 26, 2018
Very good book. I enjoy discovering the world of Aeon 14, the military maneuvers, hidden enemies, unexpected friends. With the "The Sentience Wars" I enjoyed the discovery of how SAI's came to existence and watch them as they discover who and what they are as well as their hopes and aspirations.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews