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Shan Takhu Legacy #3
Redemption of Sisyphus
Trapped between war and redemption.
Six months ago Jephora Cochrane was Commander of an ice prospecting mission, now he’s governor of the newest colony in the solar system. A colony that’s become the front line in a war for the future of the Human Union.
Struggling to understand the technology left behind by the ancient Shan Takhu, Cochrane and the residents of Gateway Colony must first defeat the warships of a merciless cybernetic entity known as Odysseus. It will stop at nothing to control the power of the alien structure they’ve discovered, including destroying it.
With no choices left, they have to keep Odysseus from burying the key to the future of humanity back into the ice from which it came.
When all of civilization hangs in the balance, only a handful have the strength to protect it.
Six months ago Jephora Cochrane was Commander of an ice prospecting mission, now he’s governor of the newest colony in the solar system. A colony that’s become the front line in a war for the future of the Human Union.
Struggling to understand the technology left behind by the ancient Shan Takhu, Cochrane and the residents of Gateway Colony must first defeat the warships of a merciless cybernetic entity known as Odysseus. It will stop at nothing to control the power of the alien structure they’ve discovered, including destroying it.
With no choices left, they have to keep Odysseus from burying the key to the future of humanity back into the ice from which it came.
When all of civilization hangs in the balance, only a handful have the strength to protect it.
Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2019
About the author
Eric Michael Craig
26 books120 followersEric Michael Craig is a "harder-edged" Science Fiction writer living in the Manzano Mountains of New Mexico. He is the former Director of Research for a private consulting laboratory in Phoenix, where he experimented with inertial propulsion and power generation technologies.
Eric is a founding member of the SciFi Roundtable. The SFRT is an active online group dedicated to supporting indie and traditional authors by networking them with other writers and professional resources.
When not writing, Eric is active in Intentional Community Design, plays guitar and bass, occasionally dabbles in art of various forms. He also owns way too many dogs.
Eric is a founding member of the SciFi Roundtable. The SFRT is an active online group dedicated to supporting indie and traditional authors by networking them with other writers and professional resources.
When not writing, Eric is active in Intentional Community Design, plays guitar and bass, occasionally dabbles in art of various forms. He also owns way too many dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 23, 2019
The third and final book in the Shan Takhu Legacy series, Redemption of Sisyphus, picks up immediately after the events in the first two books. Eric Michael Craig sets a fast pace as the looming war between Derek Tomlinson, the human face of the artificial awareness program known as Odysseus, and FleetCom, the cartel leading the resistance, finally crashes down with a vengeance. Edison Wentworth is coming to terms about his exile on Mars with Tana Drake and Saffia when an unexpected visitor miraculously walks out of the Martian desert. Meanwhile, ex-chancellor Katryna Roja and Governor Jeph Cochrane must overcome their own stubbornness and distrust of each other to try to understand the alien artifact Tacra Un. The multiple threads and story arcs from the first two books all come together in a final, explosive ending.
After I have gushed about the previous two books in the series (you can go read my previous reviews for Legacy of Pandora and Fulcrum of Odysseus – I’ll wait) I am going to continue to gush about Redemption of Sisyphus. While Eric strays a lot more from his hard science fiction roots in this final novel, the story and characters are so well-developed that you don’t care. The new “magical” technology that Eric brings to the story fits in perfectly and adds a nice twist, one that I have been anticipating since the first book. While the new technology allows for a couple of Deus Ex Machina moments, I can overlook them because Eric has done a good job of setting up the potential for these events. At the same time, the characters continue to be compelling. Between Katryna Roja and Jeph Cochrane butting heads as they explore Tacra Un, to the prison of his mind that Derek Tomlinson finds himself in, the characters continue to be compelling. As with Eric’s previous Atlas in the Winds books nobody is “evil” or “bad”. They are people, trying to do what they think is right and best for themselves and the people around them. Even the AA program Odysseus’ actions are governed by its own perceptions and interpretations of its protocols to do what it thinks is right to save humanity from itself, even if it may cost lives to do it.
Redemption of Sisyphus is a glorious ending for a fantastic trilogy. Eric brings all of the story arcs together in a masterful conclusion and possibly sets the stage for further adventures in this universe he has created. The entire series is a powerful mix of the best elements from Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, The Expanse, and 2001 A Space Odyssey. My hat's off to Eric and I look forward to his next adventures.
After I have gushed about the previous two books in the series (you can go read my previous reviews for Legacy of Pandora and Fulcrum of Odysseus – I’ll wait) I am going to continue to gush about Redemption of Sisyphus. While Eric strays a lot more from his hard science fiction roots in this final novel, the story and characters are so well-developed that you don’t care. The new “magical” technology that Eric brings to the story fits in perfectly and adds a nice twist, one that I have been anticipating since the first book. While the new technology allows for a couple of Deus Ex Machina moments, I can overlook them because Eric has done a good job of setting up the potential for these events. At the same time, the characters continue to be compelling. Between Katryna Roja and Jeph Cochrane butting heads as they explore Tacra Un, to the prison of his mind that Derek Tomlinson finds himself in, the characters continue to be compelling. As with Eric’s previous Atlas in the Winds books nobody is “evil” or “bad”. They are people, trying to do what they think is right and best for themselves and the people around them. Even the AA program Odysseus’ actions are governed by its own perceptions and interpretations of its protocols to do what it thinks is right to save humanity from itself, even if it may cost lives to do it.
Redemption of Sisyphus is a glorious ending for a fantastic trilogy. Eric brings all of the story arcs together in a masterful conclusion and possibly sets the stage for further adventures in this universe he has created. The entire series is a powerful mix of the best elements from Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, The Expanse, and 2001 A Space Odyssey. My hat's off to Eric and I look forward to his next adventures.
January 26, 2019
Redemption of Sisyphus is the last novel of the Shan Thaku Legacy. The inevitable war begins, led by an incontrollable Odysseus without the need of the puppet used to rule so far. In the meantime, at L-4 Prime Chancellor Roja unites with the crew of the Jakob Walts, who by now consider themselves the founders of a new colony. The mystery of the Tacra Un is uncovered piece by piece by the colonists and shared with Roja only when there’s no other choice. The collaboration is tense from the start. Things get creepier and creepier as time goes by and new secrets are uncovered. But time is running out: Odysseus controls the rest of the fleet and it’s ready to destroy the Tacra Un. Will it succeed and put back humanity in a condition of slavery, this time with a machine as master?
The Shan Thaku Legacy poses an ethical question to scientists and to the society at large: is it wise to put so much power in the hands of a scientific creation with the intent to save humanity from its own destruction at the risk to enslave it?
Eric Michael Craig concludes this trilogy masterfully, in a breathtaking final battle where every side has everything to lose and fights for survival. What I appreciated the most in the whole trilogy is the fact that all characters are explored in all their shades of colour. Like in life, there’s no black and white, no good and bad. People do what they think is right, even when they act in their own interests. I enjoyed the whole trilogy and I recommend it to all readers who like first contact stories and bumpy rides.
The Shan Thaku Legacy poses an ethical question to scientists and to the society at large: is it wise to put so much power in the hands of a scientific creation with the intent to save humanity from its own destruction at the risk to enslave it?
Eric Michael Craig concludes this trilogy masterfully, in a breathtaking final battle where every side has everything to lose and fights for survival. What I appreciated the most in the whole trilogy is the fact that all characters are explored in all their shades of colour. Like in life, there’s no black and white, no good and bad. People do what they think is right, even when they act in their own interests. I enjoyed the whole trilogy and I recommend it to all readers who like first contact stories and bumpy rides.
April 20, 2019
One of the highlights of my reading year so far has been the Shan Takhu Legacy series, by Eric Michael Craig. The first two books earned their five-star reviews, with the first book, particularly, already looking a likely contender for my top books of the year list - and it's only April.
So does the finale live up to its predecessors? It absolutely does, bringing a slam dunk of a finale to the series yet still offering the tantalising promise of something more in future.
When we left off, the pieces were all in place for an almighty space conflict. While one group of humans tries to unravel the mystery of an alien presence, a manmade AI assumes control of political and military structures in an attempt to destroy that alien being, all to save mankind no matter what the price.
Even at this late hour in the series, there are twists galore, as the conflict widens to new horizons. Sacrifices are made, heroes are made... and die.
Very much in the mould of Niven and Pournelle's classic blockbusters - or one for the fans of the Expanse series - this is a real page-turner. The end, when it comes, is as grand as all that went before it. A smashing sci-fi series, I heartily recommend it.
So does the finale live up to its predecessors? It absolutely does, bringing a slam dunk of a finale to the series yet still offering the tantalising promise of something more in future.
When we left off, the pieces were all in place for an almighty space conflict. While one group of humans tries to unravel the mystery of an alien presence, a manmade AI assumes control of political and military structures in an attempt to destroy that alien being, all to save mankind no matter what the price.
Even at this late hour in the series, there are twists galore, as the conflict widens to new horizons. Sacrifices are made, heroes are made... and die.
Very much in the mould of Niven and Pournelle's classic blockbusters - or one for the fans of the Expanse series - this is a real page-turner. The end, when it comes, is as grand as all that went before it. A smashing sci-fi series, I heartily recommend it.
May 4, 2019
In the thrilling conclusion to Eric Michael Craig’s solar system-spanning Shan Takhu Legacy series, the fearless crew of the ice-harvesting research vessel Jakob Waltz, the remnants of the Human Union, and the rebels of Fleet Cartel battle an AI bent on saving the human race from itself by any means necessary.
The AI Odysseus proves to be a Pandora’s box of nasty tricks, and it possesses nothing that could even remotely be called a conscience. Powered by a “you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet” style of damage control –where the eggs are human lives– Odysseus works to extend its control to the edges of the solar system and eliminate anyone that could possibly be considered a threat to its power.
After all, it’s hard to protect humanity with all these pesky humans standing in the way.
Fortunately, in addition to the motley group of heroes and leaders we’ve come to know and love over the course of this series, there’s also a couple of pro-human AIs, a crew of upgraded humans, and a treasure-trove of mysterious alien technology on the heroes’ side.
Put all of these elements together, and the result is a grimly prophetic thrill ride peppered with seat-of-your-pants zero-G skirmishes and dark discoveries. Redemption of Sisyphus is a multi-fronted three-dimensional chess match against a malignant artificial intelligence able to infect almost any automated system, and capable of some deeply chilling meatspace tricks as well. The final chapter of this series kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
The AI Odysseus proves to be a Pandora’s box of nasty tricks, and it possesses nothing that could even remotely be called a conscience. Powered by a “you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet” style of damage control –where the eggs are human lives– Odysseus works to extend its control to the edges of the solar system and eliminate anyone that could possibly be considered a threat to its power.
After all, it’s hard to protect humanity with all these pesky humans standing in the way.
Fortunately, in addition to the motley group of heroes and leaders we’ve come to know and love over the course of this series, there’s also a couple of pro-human AIs, a crew of upgraded humans, and a treasure-trove of mysterious alien technology on the heroes’ side.
Put all of these elements together, and the result is a grimly prophetic thrill ride peppered with seat-of-your-pants zero-G skirmishes and dark discoveries. Redemption of Sisyphus is a multi-fronted three-dimensional chess match against a malignant artificial intelligence able to infect almost any automated system, and capable of some deeply chilling meatspace tricks as well. The final chapter of this series kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
September 8, 2020
The Shan Takhu Legacy series
I give the series a 5 star rating because for me it is a very intense page turning scifi adventure series. I couldn't put it down until I finished it and now I have to move on to the next series. I enjoyed all the characters and All the different plot twists.
I give the series a 5 star rating because for me it is a very intense page turning scifi adventure series. I couldn't put it down until I finished it and now I have to move on to the next series. I enjoyed all the characters and All the different plot twists.
May 20, 2019
Redemption of Sisyphus is the third book of the Shan Takhu Legacy, a hard science fiction series by Eric Michael Craig. My previous reviews of Legacy of Pandora (book one) and Fulcrum of Odysseus (book two) dove into Craig’s writing style and storytelling skills. But now that the series has reached its epic finale, I think it’s time to speak solely as a fan.
But first, a brief setup. We return to the Jakob Waltz, the ice harvester vessel at the center of a mounting conflict over the Tacra Un discovery. Odysseus is in full control of opposition forces through its Derek Tomlinson meat puppet and has begun to employ its strategy to “protect” humanity (the quotes in this case being a very deliberate choice). Unfortunately, that’s about all I can say about the plot without revealing some major spoilers. However, that should be enough of a foundation to ground my thoughts on the story.
When I finished this book, the first thing that popped into my mind was Thanos. Yes, the mad Titan himself. I remember that odd feeling after watching Avengers: Infinity War where I knew that Thanos was the “bad” guy, but I found myself sympathizing with his plight. He wasn’t a mustache-twirling evil doer. He was a sympathetic character, despite the swaths of heroes trying to stop him. This is the exact emotional resonance that Redemption of Sisyphus brings to the table. There are so many layers of character motivations to unpack and your empathy gets tugged in strange directions along the way.
Specifically, let’s talk about AI. (Or AA in this case, i.e. Artificial Awareness). All too often in science-fiction, AI is presented as an all-powerful assistant. This is also true in the Shan Takhu Legacy, but Craig takes a much deeper approach, giving the systems full character arcs of their own. Much like Asimov’s robots, you find yourself investing emotional currency into something that’s essentially computer code. The scenes with Dutch in particular carry the same weighted gut punches as with any flesh-and-blood protagonist.
Speaking of tension, I must point out that Craig has a certain talent for twisting your stomach into knots. I would love to speak more on this, but my spoiler-free hands are tied. Let’s just say that the race to unlock the mystery in order to employ the mystery while also protecting the mystery kept me in a perpetual state of nausea. (In a good way.)
In the end, the Shan Takhu Legacy coalesces in a very satisfying and jaw-dropping conclusion. I can think of no better way to cap off this book review than with a quote from Arthur C. Clarke: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” And if you’ve read the book, I imagine you just smiled and nodded.
But first, a brief setup. We return to the Jakob Waltz, the ice harvester vessel at the center of a mounting conflict over the Tacra Un discovery. Odysseus is in full control of opposition forces through its Derek Tomlinson meat puppet and has begun to employ its strategy to “protect” humanity (the quotes in this case being a very deliberate choice). Unfortunately, that’s about all I can say about the plot without revealing some major spoilers. However, that should be enough of a foundation to ground my thoughts on the story.
When I finished this book, the first thing that popped into my mind was Thanos. Yes, the mad Titan himself. I remember that odd feeling after watching Avengers: Infinity War where I knew that Thanos was the “bad” guy, but I found myself sympathizing with his plight. He wasn’t a mustache-twirling evil doer. He was a sympathetic character, despite the swaths of heroes trying to stop him. This is the exact emotional resonance that Redemption of Sisyphus brings to the table. There are so many layers of character motivations to unpack and your empathy gets tugged in strange directions along the way.
Specifically, let’s talk about AI. (Or AA in this case, i.e. Artificial Awareness). All too often in science-fiction, AI is presented as an all-powerful assistant. This is also true in the Shan Takhu Legacy, but Craig takes a much deeper approach, giving the systems full character arcs of their own. Much like Asimov’s robots, you find yourself investing emotional currency into something that’s essentially computer code. The scenes with Dutch in particular carry the same weighted gut punches as with any flesh-and-blood protagonist.
Speaking of tension, I must point out that Craig has a certain talent for twisting your stomach into knots. I would love to speak more on this, but my spoiler-free hands are tied. Let’s just say that the race to unlock the mystery in order to employ the mystery while also protecting the mystery kept me in a perpetual state of nausea. (In a good way.)
In the end, the Shan Takhu Legacy coalesces in a very satisfying and jaw-dropping conclusion. I can think of no better way to cap off this book review than with a quote from Arthur C. Clarke: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” And if you’ve read the book, I imagine you just smiled and nodded.
April 6, 2019
Really good story
This is a very intense book and the characters are worth watching as they deal with some crazy challenges. You'll have to read this book to see whether humanity survived and whatever happens to Odysseus. Personally I hope no one ever comes up with the great idea of an independent artificial intelligence tasked with dominating humanity for It's own good. Who thought that was a good idea?
The characters stay steady, as does the writing. The action and the interaction between factions is really good. The book has me anticipating the next volume.
This is a very intense book and the characters are worth watching as they deal with some crazy challenges. You'll have to read this book to see whether humanity survived and whatever happens to Odysseus. Personally I hope no one ever comes up with the great idea of an independent artificial intelligence tasked with dominating humanity for It's own good. Who thought that was a good idea?
The characters stay steady, as does the writing. The action and the interaction between factions is really good. The book has me anticipating the next volume.
July 15, 2020
Jephora Cochrane finds himself the Governor of the brand new Gateway Colony working to master the technology the Shan Takhu left to be discovered. Katryna Roja and her crew are working along side Jeph and his people as the two groups learn working together may be the only way to beat Odysseus. This cybernetic power is waging war on both sides of the solar system and is determined to take control of this new tech at any cost. This story wraps up Craig's Shan Takhu Legacy series with action and excitement to the very end.
July 28, 2022
A nicely constructed story that Arthur C. Clarke would have appreciated.
Arthur C. Clarke has been credited with three “laws” related to technology. The third one is that “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” (Actually, Clarke did not set out to posit exactly three ideas and pronounce them “laws”. To his credit, he stepped back from the lawmaking process and stated, “As three laws were good enough for Newton, I have modestly decided to stop there.”)
My point here is that the attempt by a small number of humans (and Artificial Awarenesses – known as AIs in the writings of most other authors) to grasp/understand and actually employ the Shan Takhu artifact comes up short, and that many of the unknowns that they fail to master are left in the “magic” category in spite of the first-rate scientists they have among themselves. There are not many authors of science fiction who can pull this off as convincingly as Eric Michael Craig.
Redemption of Sisyphus continues the epic ride begun in Legacy of Pandora. It is set in a kind-of-near-future that has an edgy take on human “upgrades”. Well-developed characters, and the majority of them are female. Space battles that take place in settings that conform to the rules of physics… and not a single missile launch throughout. A three-novel story arc that concludes on its own terms, but has the promise of more to come.
Mr. Craig’s vision does not end here. I have already noted (and purchased) Atlas and the Winds Box Set (two lengthy, and recently undated novels) and Wings of Earth (a five-novel set referred to as Season One plus three more that must be part of “Season Two”)
Get on his email list, and find out much, much more…
Arthur C. Clarke has been credited with three “laws” related to technology. The third one is that “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” (Actually, Clarke did not set out to posit exactly three ideas and pronounce them “laws”. To his credit, he stepped back from the lawmaking process and stated, “As three laws were good enough for Newton, I have modestly decided to stop there.”)
My point here is that the attempt by a small number of humans (and Artificial Awarenesses – known as AIs in the writings of most other authors) to grasp/understand and actually employ the Shan Takhu artifact comes up short, and that many of the unknowns that they fail to master are left in the “magic” category in spite of the first-rate scientists they have among themselves. There are not many authors of science fiction who can pull this off as convincingly as Eric Michael Craig.
Redemption of Sisyphus continues the epic ride begun in Legacy of Pandora. It is set in a kind-of-near-future that has an edgy take on human “upgrades”. Well-developed characters, and the majority of them are female. Space battles that take place in settings that conform to the rules of physics… and not a single missile launch throughout. A three-novel story arc that concludes on its own terms, but has the promise of more to come.
Mr. Craig’s vision does not end here. I have already noted (and purchased) Atlas and the Winds Box Set (two lengthy, and recently undated novels) and Wings of Earth (a five-novel set referred to as Season One plus three more that must be part of “Season Two”)
Get on his email list, and find out much, much more…
April 5, 2021
I enjoyed these books very much. The writer made you feel like you were there.
February 2, 2022
Gifted alien technology wins
Alien Technology 1 million years advanced falls into human hands. It is used to fight off 'the bad guys' then human Politicians are restored.
Alien Technology 1 million years advanced falls into human hands. It is used to fight off 'the bad guys' then human Politicians are restored.
August 4, 2024
Gast paced. I enjoyed it a lot. Learned spme new words too
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews