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Two Democracies: Revolution #3
Equality
Harry Robinson lives an idyllic lifestyle. A brilliant computer engineer, he made his fortune pushing the limits of android design. When a neighbouring planet is hit by a global nuclear strike, he feels compelled to help. A chance encounter with a group of offworld soldiers launches him on the trail of the perpetrators.
Prefect Olivia Johnson leads a Legion of disillusioned soldiers from both sides of the civil war. She blames herself for failing to prevent the attack. Now her mission is to hunt for its architect. But first, she must reclaim their adopted home from a different enemy. An enemy who won’t even talk.
The Indescribable Joy of Destruction is Johnson’s best friend and closest ally. Despite the lives they have saved, artificial intelligences are still the victims of fear and prejudice. The shadowy warship fights to defend the first place it felt accepted, and for equal rights for its kind.
Prefect Olivia Johnson leads a Legion of disillusioned soldiers from both sides of the civil war. She blames herself for failing to prevent the attack. Now her mission is to hunt for its architect. But first, she must reclaim their adopted home from a different enemy. An enemy who won’t even talk.
The Indescribable Joy of Destruction is Johnson’s best friend and closest ally. Despite the lives they have saved, artificial intelligences are still the victims of fear and prejudice. The shadowy warship fights to defend the first place it felt accepted, and for equal rights for its kind.
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Published April 23, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 3, 2017
I bought this on pre-order - so if you have a perception of prejudice on my part, you'd be right. I love it!
This is going to be one of those series that culminates in the kind of military SF blockbuster (if you put all the books together) that becomes a landmark in SF. There's a decent amount of excellent action, and no, the good guys don't always win. While the indescribable joy of destruction breaks into a new world of experience, there is a serendipity of meeting between Olivia Johnson and a new character, one Harry Robinson, and the profound philosophical questions which are encountered (about the nature of AI beings and their rights in a human-dominated universe) continue to lift this story well above the average.
There is plenty of political tension, plenty of revelations, and the Legion and their allies continue the complex struggle against enemies and strangers.
Having now read, I guess, just over half of what the complete series will comprise, I can promise that Shaw does not settle for any less than the stellar writing standard of his opening works. And I, for one, will be pre-ordering everything else in the Revolution series as soon as it becomes available.
This is going to be one of those series that culminates in the kind of military SF blockbuster (if you put all the books together) that becomes a landmark in SF. There's a decent amount of excellent action, and no, the good guys don't always win. While the indescribable joy of destruction breaks into a new world of experience, there is a serendipity of meeting between Olivia Johnson and a new character, one Harry Robinson, and the profound philosophical questions which are encountered (about the nature of AI beings and their rights in a human-dominated universe) continue to lift this story well above the average.
There is plenty of political tension, plenty of revelations, and the Legion and their allies continue the complex struggle against enemies and strangers.
Having now read, I guess, just over half of what the complete series will comprise, I can promise that Shaw does not settle for any less than the stellar writing standard of his opening works. And I, for one, will be pre-ordering everything else in the Revolution series as soon as it becomes available.
February 4, 2019
Kind of disappointing
Once the Namericans showed up the story became less space opera fantasy and more moralistic future history. Couple that with the fact that the emergent sentiment AI are exactly like humans but with better internet and any big ideas evaporated. Lots of battles and heroic exploits if you like that stuff.
Once the Namericans showed up the story became less space opera fantasy and more moralistic future history. Couple that with the fact that the emergent sentiment AI are exactly like humans but with better internet and any big ideas evaporated. Lots of battles and heroic exploits if you like that stuff.
August 15, 2017
Once Decent Story Suffocated By Condescending and Erratic Writing
"Equality (Two Democracies: Revolution Book 3)," authored by Mr. Alasdair Shaw, has an interesting storyline, that has some merit, some points of interest, draws a reader in. Unfortunately, the author fails repeatedly to execute. Instead, he preens, condescends, and is apparently more concerned with showing how smart, how clever he is, rather than delivering a worthwhile product.
The pomposity and pretentious nature of the writing, ruins what otherwise would have been an above average, solid book. The MC, "Johnson," commander, "Legate" of the free forces, is turned into manic depressive, who is barely capable of coming out of her cabin. The "genius" tech giant, "Harry," is a low testosterone, emotionally stunted, insecure, self obsessed, nervous Nellie. Perhaps the most engaging character throughout the series, the sentient AI "Indie," is drawn by the author, as a foppish reject from a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. Mr. Shaw, in order to show how much he knows, has dipped not only into Latin to name different ranks, but has added Homeric Greek, and even some Scandinavian mythology terms. Whole sections of the narrative are spent on the training range, going through simulations by characters. This is apparently a "default setting," for the author, due to his personal history on training ranges, as evidenced by his own "bio." Another parallel plot line appears awkwardly, forcibly interjected into the story narrative, crudely stapled to the main story, in order to rudely create a conclusion to the book.
This reviewer enjoyed the preceding books of the series and looked forward to the story's continuation. "Equality," proved to be a bitter disappointment, difficult to read fully, and does not bode well for any future follow-ons.
"Equality (Two Democracies: Revolution Book 3)," is not recommended (prior books in the series are with caveats). The book was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
"Equality (Two Democracies: Revolution Book 3)," authored by Mr. Alasdair Shaw, has an interesting storyline, that has some merit, some points of interest, draws a reader in. Unfortunately, the author fails repeatedly to execute. Instead, he preens, condescends, and is apparently more concerned with showing how smart, how clever he is, rather than delivering a worthwhile product.
The pomposity and pretentious nature of the writing, ruins what otherwise would have been an above average, solid book. The MC, "Johnson," commander, "Legate" of the free forces, is turned into manic depressive, who is barely capable of coming out of her cabin. The "genius" tech giant, "Harry," is a low testosterone, emotionally stunted, insecure, self obsessed, nervous Nellie. Perhaps the most engaging character throughout the series, the sentient AI "Indie," is drawn by the author, as a foppish reject from a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. Mr. Shaw, in order to show how much he knows, has dipped not only into Latin to name different ranks, but has added Homeric Greek, and even some Scandinavian mythology terms. Whole sections of the narrative are spent on the training range, going through simulations by characters. This is apparently a "default setting," for the author, due to his personal history on training ranges, as evidenced by his own "bio." Another parallel plot line appears awkwardly, forcibly interjected into the story narrative, crudely stapled to the main story, in order to rudely create a conclusion to the book.
This reviewer enjoyed the preceding books of the series and looked forward to the story's continuation. "Equality," proved to be a bitter disappointment, difficult to read fully, and does not bode well for any future follow-ons.
"Equality (Two Democracies: Revolution Book 3)," is not recommended (prior books in the series are with caveats). The book was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
July 23, 2017
Intriguing story that draws you in and keeps you turning the pages. This third installment of the Revolution series is full of action and adventure that sci-fi fans will appreciate. The universe is populated by inventive characters. Each is well-developed and brought to life with their own personal struggles in addition to the larger conflict at hand in this confluence of worlds.
July 30, 2018
I really like how the story is developing overall, with the world building and character development. There were one or two places where I had to re-read in order to figure out what was going on as the transition from one setting or scene of the story to another was not clear (at least to me). On the whole, however, I'm enjoying the story and I look forward to reading the next book.
August 13, 2017
Series worth reading!
Alastair Shaw Two Democracies is a series worth reading. I have found both entertaining and thought provoking. Recommended by me!
Alastair Shaw Two Democracies is a series worth reading. I have found both entertaining and thought provoking. Recommended by me!
June 7, 2018
Beautifully written
Some of the very best characterizations I have read in a long time. The plot moves slowly, but be patient, the wait is well worth it.
Some of the very best characterizations I have read in a long time. The plot moves slowly, but be patient, the wait is well worth it.
December 24, 2019
A very good book I would recommend to Sifi lovers.
December 28, 2019
I am not normally interested in military science fiction, but Shaw's books are fascinating and even delightful. I appreciate his way of dealing with the emergence of artificial sentiences.
January 28, 2021
9/10: Fantastic, left me wanting more.
^Well, I’m going to say it,^ sent the Caretaker. ^Either he’s warming to us or he’s gone to round up a posse.^
^Well, I’m going to say it,^ sent the Caretaker. ^Either he’s warming to us or he’s gone to round up a posse.^
March 28, 2022
Wow, the quality of these books went downhill really fast.
I'm so shocked... and can't in good conscience recommend this book.
I'm so shocked... and can't in good conscience recommend this book.
June 4, 2017
Hello. Author here. Just checking in to let everyone know that I'm hard at work on what should be the final edits for Equality. I'm going to take a break from it to concentrate on Duty, a short story in the same universe, before coming back to do the last proofread.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews