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The Cyberpunk Uploads #3
Android State
Blake is android and in love with a human. But in Lundun, the capital of the world’s first android state, the punishment for being human is death… Cardinal’s offer to allow humans a peaceful way out of the country is not all it seems. Forced to run from Fr.e.dom’s totalitarian regime, Blake and Lola search for an escape. But when they discover that humans are being killed on sight, they are pulled into a world of rebellion and defiance. Blake, faced with one hard decision after another, struggles to control the spectrum. But he needs to learn quickly, or he and the woman he loves will pay the ultimate price. Join Blake on another cyberpunked journey that will take you from Lundun, to the Scottish Highlands, to mainland Europe – in this universe and beyond.
276 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2021
3 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Seth Rain
27 books33 followersSeth Rain lives in the Black Country, in the UK, waking far too early in the morning to write dystopian science fiction novels. Having studied English and Philosophy at University, he went on to attain a Master of Arts in English Literature. He has been a fan of dystopian and science fiction stories for some time and is now embarking on writing a series of novels of his own.
When he's not writing, Seth teaches English to 11-18 year olds. And when he's not writing, or teaching children, he spends time with his own two teenage children, his girlfriend, films, music and above all, books.
When he's not writing, Seth teaches English to 11-18 year olds. And when he's not writing, or teaching children, he spends time with his own two teenage children, his girlfriend, films, music and above all, books.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 5, 2021
“Android State” is the third installment in “The Cyberpunk Upload Series” by Seth Rain, a sci-fi/dystopia set in Lundun, a futuristic version on contemporary London, whose main character (Blake) is an android in love with a woman (Lola) in a world where Android and humans don’t mix, moreover, don’t cohabitate. Lundun’s androids have won the battle, humans will have to leave the city altogether or face punishment, and in Cardinal’s brand-new ‘androids-only’ regime, being human equals a death sentence. Nevertheless, Cardinal has publicly assured safe passage to all humans that leave the country, and thus Blake and Lola are forced to seek exile to escape Fr.e.dom’s & Cardinal dictatorship.
However, they will soon discover that exile is not the solution, humans are being killed on sight, just for being who they are, namely humans. Once again Blake comes at crossroads and have to decide between saving himself (and the woman he loves) or saving the world, by join the rebellion. To have any chance at success Blake would have to reach control over the spectrum, but when failing to do so implies certain death for the love of your life, the task seems unattainable. With the android-only movement spreading throughout the world, Blake embarks in a journey that brings him (and Lola) from Lundun through Scotland, to mainland Europe and beyond.
Empathy for androids, an almost inhuman task 😉. It took Data a couple of seasons to gain our confidence, a trial to begin to see his point, for him to die to really shows us his true ‘humanity’, and we never really embraced B4. However, we related to Blake at first read, back when he was still only known as “The Postman”, whose only wish was to finally retire. Three books have passed since that initial encounter and Blake has shown us, as no other, the android world, with its deficiencies and advantages, but make no mistake, Blake’s talent is not his own, but very much Seth Rain’s unreachable skill to dissect and present social interaction, as well as the real meaning of being ‘human’ with uncanny precision, converting everyone of his stories into a study on human existence. The wondrous part, however, is that you don’t consciously experience it that way, you – as reader – are immediately thrust into the action, fevering upon between the lines, ducking the punches, battles and bombs, at Blake’s side until the very last page. There is not until after a couple of days later, than you realize the fully depth of the narrative, and this is also good so, as these are the books that never end to amaze.
However, they will soon discover that exile is not the solution, humans are being killed on sight, just for being who they are, namely humans. Once again Blake comes at crossroads and have to decide between saving himself (and the woman he loves) or saving the world, by join the rebellion. To have any chance at success Blake would have to reach control over the spectrum, but when failing to do so implies certain death for the love of your life, the task seems unattainable. With the android-only movement spreading throughout the world, Blake embarks in a journey that brings him (and Lola) from Lundun through Scotland, to mainland Europe and beyond.
Empathy for androids, an almost inhuman task 😉. It took Data a couple of seasons to gain our confidence, a trial to begin to see his point, for him to die to really shows us his true ‘humanity’, and we never really embraced B4. However, we related to Blake at first read, back when he was still only known as “The Postman”, whose only wish was to finally retire. Three books have passed since that initial encounter and Blake has shown us, as no other, the android world, with its deficiencies and advantages, but make no mistake, Blake’s talent is not his own, but very much Seth Rain’s unreachable skill to dissect and present social interaction, as well as the real meaning of being ‘human’ with uncanny precision, converting everyone of his stories into a study on human existence. The wondrous part, however, is that you don’t consciously experience it that way, you – as reader – are immediately thrust into the action, fevering upon between the lines, ducking the punches, battles and bombs, at Blake’s side until the very last page. There is not until after a couple of days later, than you realize the fully depth of the narrative, and this is also good so, as these are the books that never end to amaze.
February 21, 2021
Received as an ARC copy, this is an honest review. While Blake and Lola search for Malachi, whom could Blake's hope of mastering the pain of using the Spectrum; at the same time dealing with the revelation from Cardinal that the Britain they live is now an android state... any humans must leave and will be given assistance to go peacefully. Even with Malachi's help, Blake finds himself at a crossroad: Cardinal has mastered the Spectrum and will be a threat to Lola; determined to keep her safe, he and Lola discover the dark truth behind Cardinals 'peaceful' removal of humanity... and finding that humans are recklessly brave willing to take on Cardinal and Fr.e.dom even if die in the effort. Caught in a web of conflicting agendas and personal desires, Blake finds himself with his friends on a collision course against Cardinal that with change everything for both humans and androids. Haunting and beautiful, highly recommended.
February 10, 2021
Required Reading in AI Development
“You see, consciousness is both a gift and a curse. It is consciousness that sets humans and androids apart from every other living thing on the planet – maybe in the universe. Whereas human consciousness derives from neurological activity, an android’s consciousness derives from ones and zeros … from the digital nature of our being. Consciousness, in both humans and androids, has always been understood to be an emergent property. Simplicity piles upon simplicity until we’re left with a lot of complexity – and consciousness is born.“
This is the quality and sophistication of Seth’s writing. As we progress toward the development of AI in our future, we need to know how we deal with this emergent property. This book should be a textbook in the development of AI and human coexistence.
“You see, consciousness is both a gift and a curse. It is consciousness that sets humans and androids apart from every other living thing on the planet – maybe in the universe. Whereas human consciousness derives from neurological activity, an android’s consciousness derives from ones and zeros … from the digital nature of our being. Consciousness, in both humans and androids, has always been understood to be an emergent property. Simplicity piles upon simplicity until we’re left with a lot of complexity – and consciousness is born.“
This is the quality and sophistication of Seth’s writing. As we progress toward the development of AI in our future, we need to know how we deal with this emergent property. This book should be a textbook in the development of AI and human coexistence.
October 2, 2021
I was given a review copy of this book and I really enjoyed it because it's well-written, fast-paced with great characters and plot and the idea is brilliant.
What makes a living, sentient being? Is it only humans or can androids be equal to that? This story examines this question and to me, they behave the same - strengths and weaknesses and so many flaws. Blake has definitely grown as a character - very well done.
There is also the intriguing idea of the spectrum - I love that! But that power should only be in the 'right' hands, so as not to abuse such power.
The story has numerous themes such as power, betrayal, loyalty, love, sacrifice and corruption, with each character providing a different point of view. There's certainly a great sense of place and the entire book denotes authenticity despite it being fiction.
Enjoyable and highly recommended.
What makes a living, sentient being? Is it only humans or can androids be equal to that? This story examines this question and to me, they behave the same - strengths and weaknesses and so many flaws. Blake has definitely grown as a character - very well done.
There is also the intriguing idea of the spectrum - I love that! But that power should only be in the 'right' hands, so as not to abuse such power.
The story has numerous themes such as power, betrayal, loyalty, love, sacrifice and corruption, with each character providing a different point of view. There's certainly a great sense of place and the entire book denotes authenticity despite it being fiction.
Enjoyable and highly recommended.
March 29, 2021
'Starting from the first day of the new year, 2119, any human found in the UK will be killed.'
With an Android State in full effect. The remaining humans in the UK are forced to leave. They have mere days to get out or be executed.
But the Cardinal has other plans. Blake has seen the spectrum and he must leave to save Lola.
Can Blake leave a life with Lola to protect her and save uk's humans. Can he finally beat the Cardinal?
Another fantastic page turner! We learn more about the spectrum (as does the Cardinal) with more loss, more twists and a hell of a lot more action.
I'm excited for the final chapter 😁
With an Android State in full effect. The remaining humans in the UK are forced to leave. They have mere days to get out or be executed.
But the Cardinal has other plans. Blake has seen the spectrum and he must leave to save Lola.
Can Blake leave a life with Lola to protect her and save uk's humans. Can he finally beat the Cardinal?
Another fantastic page turner! We learn more about the spectrum (as does the Cardinal) with more loss, more twists and a hell of a lot more action.
I'm excited for the final chapter 😁
September 8, 2021
We begin immediately after the events of
Messiah Online
with Cardinal, having declared the UK an android state, telling all humans to leave the country or die.
Our protagonists, Blake (The Postman) and Lola, are determined to stop him, but how? Has Cardinal become too powerful?
Once again, super good stuff and it'll keep you reading until the end and, like me, you'll go jumping straight into the last book in the tetralogy, Private Universe .
Our protagonists, Blake (The Postman) and Lola, are determined to stop him, but how? Has Cardinal become too powerful?
Once again, super good stuff and it'll keep you reading until the end and, like me, you'll go jumping straight into the last book in the tetralogy, Private Universe .
February 21, 2021
Just how different are humans and androids? As Blake struggles with his feelings towards Lola, they and their allies, both human and android battle to save Lundun and indeed the country from The Cardinal and his plan to destroy all humans and create the worlds first Android State.
With an abundance of action on every page and twists you don’t see coming, Seth Rain has yet again produced a brilliant book in this third instalment of The Cyberpunk Uploads series.
With an abundance of action on every page and twists you don’t see coming, Seth Rain has yet again produced a brilliant book in this third instalment of The Cyberpunk Uploads series.
February 13, 2022
I love how these books just pick up where the last left off. While it each has a resolution, there is still much more story to tell. I love how Blake and we as readers learned more about the spectrum, and what can be done with it. High action crazy scenes as well as good character growth and learning. Pick up the whole series to enjoy this android cyberpunk story. I received this book as an ARC copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.
February 5, 2021
Blake is android and in love with a human.
But in Lundun, the capital of the world’s first android state, the punishment for being human is death…
Great characters ,lots of action in different places.
Wow what a rush fantastic story.
Just gets better all the time.
Definitely a must read.
But in Lundun, the capital of the world’s first android state, the punishment for being human is death…
Great characters ,lots of action in different places.
Wow what a rush fantastic story.
Just gets better all the time.
Definitely a must read.
February 6, 2021
Clever and imaginative! Great, multi-faceted characters. Very interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. Kept me intrigued from the first page to the last.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
February 6, 2021
A brilliant british beautifully crafted sci fi story! The third in this excellent series! Great characters, excellent ideas & a really good read! I do recommend this book & this series!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews