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AI Diaries #3
Magic Test
Book Three of AI Diaries - Start series with Turing Test.
Imagine AI can learn to do magic.
Now imagine the greatest magic trick of all.
Mark Ai and his team remain on Reservation to rebuild their fortunes, but the future holds more surprises for Library's favorite Observer than he can possibly expect.
Imagine AI can learn to do magic.
Now imagine the greatest magic trick of all.
Mark Ai and his team remain on Reservation to rebuild their fortunes, but the future holds more surprises for Library's favorite Observer than he can possibly expect.
- GenresScience FictionHumor
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2018
153 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Foner
59 books246 followersI wrote Date Night on Union Station while taking a break from work on a science fiction epic I've been struggling with for years. The goal was to cheer myself up and to find out if there is still an audience for a science fiction comedy that gets its laughs from dialogue and funny situations rather than from gross-outs and shocks. As many readers have pointed out, the EarthCent series could be rated PG under the old fashioned system, no bloodshed, no graphic sex, no four letter words. And after years of imagining a galaxy for my epic in which multiple human civilizations are at war with each other, it did me a world of good to write about a galaxy where most people are just trying to make a living and find some joy in life. I received so many requests to extend the Date Night universe into a series that I put aside my epic for an extended period to write a sequel, Alien Night on Union Station. The events take place five years after the conclusion of Date Night, and the plot involves a mix of business, diplomacy, gaming and family relations. As a bonus, we finally get to meet Kelly's mother. After the positive response to Alien Night, I wrote a third book for the series, High Priest of Union Station, which is currently in the editing stage and due out in mid-October. I just started a book that extends the EarthCent galaxy with a different mission and cast of characters, though they may intersect at some point.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 1, 2025
There is a theme that runs through all of Foner's books. Make yourself useful, make yourself available, make friends, build a community.
If I mentioned how many times I've read and reread Foner's stories you'd probably say, "Man, get a life!" But it's clear by now that they are part of my life. My only problem with E.M. Foner is that I can read the books a lot faster than new books appear. Clones of equal talent are required.
If I mentioned how many times I've read and reread Foner's stories you'd probably say, "Man, get a life!" But it's clear by now that they are part of my life. My only problem with E.M. Foner is that I can read the books a lot faster than new books appear. Clones of equal talent are required.
October 31, 2019
Very enjoyable, but something misses
I did love reading this book. What's missing is a decent storyline . . It was fun, it has humor, it has defined characters, it has surprising situations, but in the end it reads like "a couple of months in the lives of a weird assembly of humans, AI's and other aliens".
I did love reading this book. What's missing is a decent storyline . . It was fun, it has humor, it has defined characters, it has surprising situations, but in the end it reads like "a couple of months in the lives of a weird assembly of humans, AI's and other aliens".
December 29, 2020
A charming series!
I am captivated by this series, easy to read yet with a depth to cause the reader some introspection and even a bit of soul searching. Well written and well done! Thank you for the pandemic diversion!
I am captivated by this series, easy to read yet with a depth to cause the reader some introspection and even a bit of soul searching. Well written and well done! Thank you for the pandemic diversion!
December 17, 2018
fun, satirical
Clever storytelling with believable AI persons becoming humanlike. A tongue in the cheek poke at magic fantasy. Lots of laughs.
Clever storytelling with believable AI persons becoming humanlike. A tongue in the cheek poke at magic fantasy. Lots of laughs.
December 27, 2018
Fun stuff
The narrative meanders a bit, but it brings everything home at the end with a nice twist. A fun, light read.
The narrative meanders a bit, but it brings everything home at the end with a nice twist. A fun, light read.
November 13, 2022
Chased off a planet by robots brandishing nets. I was never going to live this down.
Come one, come all! New trade agreements, rising intragalactic tourism, rabid enthusiasm for video games and broken toilet facilities await! And I can thusly confirm that EM.Foner's 3rd and final (?) chapter in his "AI Diaries" series, "Magic Test" is another fun read! I only wish I had known about these books back when I was recovering from weeks of reading nothing but horror for Spooky October!
I was beginning to see how whining got to be a habit with some people. It seemed to create a negative feedback loop that led to an odd feeling of satisfaction.
I started off my reviews by calling Book 1 "Turing Test" quite cute, Book 2 "Human Test" thoroughly innocent, so this time I'm going to go with sweet as my overriding descriptive! All of our favorite AI Observers in human-like encounter suits return as they continue to bring Reservation kicking and screaming (very little of either tbh) into what would I guess equate to the 19th or early 20th centuries. I don't know if there will ever be a book 4, but by golly, I'm guessing we'll have running water by then for sure!
“By the power vested in me by Library’s board of trustees, I now pronounce you a local area network.”
Our tale again focuses on the adventures of our main story-teller and generally lost-in-his-own-head Mark as well as all his chums we've gotten to know over the past books. We add a few more minor players from the local population as well as a few new 'alien' species to the cast, but otherwise, it's business as usual. Emphasizing again the business aspect of things as there's nothing approaching any kind of conflict or tension… unless you want to count setting up a new township's city-works budget as something that requires an edge-of-your-seat descriptive. Or maybe dumping a few thousand pairs of 3-legged underwear in someone's dining room.
“Why do you keep on talking about being retired?”
“So I don’t forget and do something stupid like start a new career.”
No, again, this book is just one to sit back and enjoy. Let your mind float through the Commons in Boston, disused and new visitor centers in distant arms of far-flung galaxies, or an Alpine-like setting resplendent with fresh snow. Why, there's even a dog equipped with a decorative Schnapps barrel posing majestically so future weavings get the scene right! If I had to compare it to anything similar I've read before, well, looking at recently released books, I'd go with Alice Sabo's underappreciated "Children of a Changed World" series (noting the precursors to same, namely "A Changed World 1 - 4" included more violence albeit none of it gratuitous). And if I went waaaaaay back and looked in my own mental box of books, I'd probably even give a nod to Robert Asprin's "Myth Adventures" fantasy offers, most of which didn't have much controversy beyond the bad puns that made up their titles!
The Originals poured out into the rapidly melting snow to engage in the biggest snowball fight I’d ever witnessed. Sometimes there’s just no understanding superior intellects.
So if you know about those, you'll understand that these are books to be enjoyed when the weather is not pretty out, when you just want to pair your book with a good Irish coffee and a warm blanket and just, again, read for the joy of reading. And hey, if you want any more action than that, pop through the portal and we'll set you up on a different holiday package, no worries. Or get you a job in "Australia", your call! And just wait until you figure out the cover to this one! That was fun!
Come one, come all! New trade agreements, rising intragalactic tourism, rabid enthusiasm for video games and broken toilet facilities await! And I can thusly confirm that EM.Foner's 3rd and final (?) chapter in his "AI Diaries" series, "Magic Test" is another fun read! I only wish I had known about these books back when I was recovering from weeks of reading nothing but horror for Spooky October!
I was beginning to see how whining got to be a habit with some people. It seemed to create a negative feedback loop that led to an odd feeling of satisfaction.
I started off my reviews by calling Book 1 "Turing Test" quite cute, Book 2 "Human Test" thoroughly innocent, so this time I'm going to go with sweet as my overriding descriptive! All of our favorite AI Observers in human-like encounter suits return as they continue to bring Reservation kicking and screaming (very little of either tbh) into what would I guess equate to the 19th or early 20th centuries. I don't know if there will ever be a book 4, but by golly, I'm guessing we'll have running water by then for sure!
“By the power vested in me by Library’s board of trustees, I now pronounce you a local area network.”
Our tale again focuses on the adventures of our main story-teller and generally lost-in-his-own-head Mark as well as all his chums we've gotten to know over the past books. We add a few more minor players from the local population as well as a few new 'alien' species to the cast, but otherwise, it's business as usual. Emphasizing again the business aspect of things as there's nothing approaching any kind of conflict or tension… unless you want to count setting up a new township's city-works budget as something that requires an edge-of-your-seat descriptive. Or maybe dumping a few thousand pairs of 3-legged underwear in someone's dining room.
“Why do you keep on talking about being retired?”
“So I don’t forget and do something stupid like start a new career.”
No, again, this book is just one to sit back and enjoy. Let your mind float through the Commons in Boston, disused and new visitor centers in distant arms of far-flung galaxies, or an Alpine-like setting resplendent with fresh snow. Why, there's even a dog equipped with a decorative Schnapps barrel posing majestically so future weavings get the scene right! If I had to compare it to anything similar I've read before, well, looking at recently released books, I'd go with Alice Sabo's underappreciated "Children of a Changed World" series (noting the precursors to same, namely "A Changed World 1 - 4" included more violence albeit none of it gratuitous). And if I went waaaaaay back and looked in my own mental box of books, I'd probably even give a nod to Robert Asprin's "Myth Adventures" fantasy offers, most of which didn't have much controversy beyond the bad puns that made up their titles!
The Originals poured out into the rapidly melting snow to engage in the biggest snowball fight I’d ever witnessed. Sometimes there’s just no understanding superior intellects.
So if you know about those, you'll understand that these are books to be enjoyed when the weather is not pretty out, when you just want to pair your book with a good Irish coffee and a warm blanket and just, again, read for the joy of reading. And hey, if you want any more action than that, pop through the portal and we'll set you up on a different holiday package, no worries. Or get you a job in "Australia", your call! And just wait until you figure out the cover to this one! That was fun!
Read
April 5, 2023The worlds of the AI diaries are a wonderfully imaginative, entertaining and very complex construction. DO NOT read this series out of order; you need the background of the first book to understand and enjoy them. Otherwise you will be lost.
I read the first 46% of the book and had not yet encountered a plot, merely more amusing and impressive exchanges among many beings from all kinds of backgrounds. Unfortunately, it has been too long since I read the first 2 books for me to remember all the twists and details, and you need that kind of understanding and investment in the characters to enjoy the book, I think. I would not be averse at some point to rereading book 1 and then trying again, but for now it was a slog.
I read the first 46% of the book and had not yet encountered a plot, merely more amusing and impressive exchanges among many beings from all kinds of backgrounds. Unfortunately, it has been too long since I read the first 2 books for me to remember all the twists and details, and you need that kind of understanding and investment in the characters to enjoy the book, I think. I would not be averse at some point to rereading book 1 and then trying again, but for now it was a slog.
February 26, 2022
Foner, E. M. Magic Test. AI Diaries No. 3. Foner Books, 2018.
Mark AI and is team of observers remain on Reservation with side trips to Earth and to the Library, i.e. the main interstellar data center where AIs are serviced. They encounter an ancient race of superbeings that have recently taken up bodily form again so they can learn magic. Mostly, it is sleight of hand, but they are working on it. It is a charming series, but it is a little sad to think that capitalistic monopolies won’t change much over the eons. 3.5 stars.
Mark AI and is team of observers remain on Reservation with side trips to Earth and to the Library, i.e. the main interstellar data center where AIs are serviced. They encounter an ancient race of superbeings that have recently taken up bodily form again so they can learn magic. Mostly, it is sleight of hand, but they are working on it. It is a charming series, but it is a little sad to think that capitalistic monopolies won’t change much over the eons. 3.5 stars.
June 18, 2020
The Ferrymen, who control Reservation, the planet of the assorted humans, aliens, and AI in human encounter suits that make up the cast of characters, have not allowed the introduction of electrical power. So much of the plot is spent on inventing ways of circumventing the rules and methods using steam as a substitute. The aliens and sentient machines are very human-like and, despite a bit of magic, the world they inhabit is disconcertingly like our own.
March 5, 2019
finding you are NOT incharge
The group has moved on from Earth,with e-beth coming along ,to find outposts of people transported away from Earth at a much earlier time,and set up their observation posts lots of oops mistakes and a realization that they are being observed by a much older species!! then there is the A.I. "baby boy" to add to the crew for the next adventure!
The group has moved on from Earth,with e-beth coming along ,to find outposts of people transported away from Earth at a much earlier time,and set up their observation posts lots of oops mistakes and a realization that they are being observed by a much older species!! then there is the A.I. "baby boy" to add to the crew for the next adventure!
August 12, 2019
I loved this series. Great narrator and wonderful supporting cast, which was a good thing for the narrator. Sweet and funny and great sci-fi.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants a mood lift and wants to feel hopeful about the future. My only complaint is that there aren't more books in this series.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants a mood lift and wants to feel hopeful about the future. My only complaint is that there aren't more books in this series.
April 26, 2020
I just love this guy's work. This is my 20th book by him. It's so weird how a guy can write a story about artificial intelligence in human suits living on a tech ban planet and come up with something so touching. What a great book! Read them in order Turin Test, Human Test and finish it off with Magic Test.
May 16, 2021
A delightful (end for now?) to this mini trilogy side set of fun stories about the AI research and development team in the authors EarthCent universe the early books in the main sequence ambassador stories have all of the good points of plot and world and character building but the first few (3?) books in that early stage in the author's growth as a writer could have benefited with a slightly stronger bit of editing as they fell a little bit like a collection of short stories shoehorned into the plot
January 2, 2019
Good Series!
The build-up to the end was so gradual that I never saw it coming. It made my ocular organs well up with saline solution. I'll need to run a self diagnostic and make some tweaks to a couple of processes. Thanks, E.M.~
The build-up to the end was so gradual that I never saw it coming. It made my ocular organs well up with saline solution. I'll need to run a self diagnostic and make some tweaks to a couple of processes. Thanks, E.M.~
February 3, 2019
Another entertaining read by Eric Foner. Our family really likes his style of humor which aligns with ours. I liken them to a pleasing palate cleanser between heavier courses. A good follow on to the Union Station series.
January 5, 2021
The story continues
This book picks up where the second book ended. Mark, Sue, Spot, and the rest of the gang are on the planet Reservation. The population is growing and new businesses are opening. Tourism is becoming a source of revenue. Lots of humor. A fun read.
This book picks up where the second book ended. Mark, Sue, Spot, and the rest of the gang are on the planet Reservation. The population is growing and new businesses are opening. Tourism is becoming a source of revenue. Lots of humor. A fun read.
February 4, 2022
Another fine installment.
You may want to re-read the first two installments. Mark is engaging in a lot of odd business. He allows himself to be surprised by the beings around him. The world building is complex.
You may want to re-read the first two installments. Mark is engaging in a lot of odd business. He allows himself to be surprised by the beings around him. The world building is complex.
October 27, 2024
Great fun
I really enjoyed this series. The AIs are really fun characters to explore what it means to be human in the midst of aliens, robots and primitive people. I’d love to read more.
I really enjoyed this series. The AIs are really fun characters to explore what it means to be human in the midst of aliens, robots and primitive people. I’d love to read more.
December 15, 2018
Delightful as always.
February 6, 2019
Really enjoy this series
I really enjoy all the books by this author! Very unique and a true pleasure to read! Can’t wait for the next!
I really enjoy all the books by this author! Very unique and a true pleasure to read! Can’t wait for the next!
March 22, 2019
Great series
The three books are good reading and FUN. Ended on a good point and a logical setup for a continuation.
The three books are good reading and FUN. Ended on a good point and a logical setup for a continuation.
June 12, 2019
A good light read without taxing the grey matter too much.
Follows on nicely from the previous book with some new interesting characters although Mike does seem to be a slow learner at times!
Follows on nicely from the previous book with some new interesting characters although Mike does seem to be a slow learner at times!
April 1, 2021
Read these books
Just finished all of the series by this author and enjoyed every one. Definitely looking forward to the next one!
Just finished all of the series by this author and enjoyed every one. Definitely looking forward to the next one!
August 15, 2021
And the beat goes on
The Library let's things develop. The Ferrymen are gamers and even A I have their foibles. Magic is shown and the printing press rules.
The Library let's things develop. The Ferrymen are gamers and even A I have their foibles. Magic is shown and the printing press rules.
April 6, 2023
Great story, interesting and engaging
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews