Chrysalis

by BeaverFur

Genres: Space Opera, Science Fiction, Aliens, Artificial Intelligence

200 pages, ebook

Published October 4, 2016

Reviews

[Elexis Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It was a really interesting take on cosmic horror where humanity (or an AI that was once human) becomes the unknown monster in the cosmos. The characters were great, as was the psychology that went into them and their arcs.

I really only had one issue with it. This interplanetary, multi-sentient-species, galactic warfare story that spans so many cultures all of whom are in a federation that prides itself on being a paragon of equality and civil liberty... only has four women in it. And they're all in super stereotypical or extremely minor roles.

The one with the most impact on the story dies as a catalyst for one of the MMCs. (And of course, so he can be promoted to her job.)

One nearly dies, strictly to be saved by both MMCs in a moment where they learn to work together, and then she's never seen again.

One is a sentient drone that isn't even referred to as a female but has a feminine voice in the audiobook, and her entire existence is simply to do whatever one of the MMCs wants and show him losing some humanity.

And one doesn't actually have a speaking part. She exists only to comfort one of the MMCs, and is only seen from a distance.

Entire planets, a galactic federation council, whole armies, many different alien races who apparently have male/female genders and pride themselves on equality (and therefore would have women in some of the roles of power shown in the book, or at least somewhere in their societies)... and there are only four women.

The story was great.

But since women do in fact exist, this just stuck out as completely unrealistic to me.

[Андрей · Rating 4 out of 5]

Сюжет построен вокруг вопроса мега-мести за всё человечество ИИ с оцифрованными частями людей — останется ли такой ИИ человеком? Особенно, если устроит симметричный геноцид и начнёт галактическую войну на истребление.

Автор ни разу не морочился над инопланетянами, никаких единиц типа «ротации» или «по стандартному времени». Посол в галактический совет оперирует днями и неделями. А на фразе «планета такая-то прекрасна в это время года» я подвис: контекст фразы ироничный, но что-то мне подсказывает, что зря я обольщался первой главой.

И у противника мораторий на ядерные бомбы. Мораторий на сильный ИИ и репликаторы — каковым главный герой и является, да ещё и не гнушается ядерным оружием. Вот автор через героя расписывает радиоперехват и пеленг, вот тут же сам раздаёт команды и управляет тысячами ботов. На расстоянии. По радиоканалу. Про задержку ни слова, про защиту передачи тоже. И вот в финальной мега-битве противник наконец-то сообразил включить РЭБ.

Мягкая научная фантастика, книжку читать приятно, автор действительно постарался, хоть инопланетяне и выглядят, и ведут себя совсем как люди.

[Thor Aegir · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificent novel about a grief driven AI that go on a rampage of vengeance, retaliation, death, birth and self discovery.

I loved it. Another take on the same subject is the Bobiverse book series for those that want more.

The psychological aspect of the AI that come at the middle of the book is an eye opener and a master stroke of the author.

Bravo.

[Jarosław · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best SF story I've read in a very long time

[Cory Lytle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one really gripped me and got me thinking. I loved it

[Panagiotis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One the best books I have read and one of the few I had read multiple times. The grief and the anger as much as the strategic thoughts and acts of the First Terran are displayed beautifully in this novel. I had recommend it to many friends and not because it's a scifi novel but because it arises inner thoughts and values. Truly an amazing work and I would love to see more from this author.

[Nick Sakkas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting such a high quality tale from a web serial published in reddit. I was pleasantly surprised.

This web serial is freely available from this link: https://www.reddit.com/r/HFY/comments...