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Sentience
When digital lifeforms escape virtual reality, they download themselves to advanced prototype bodies being bioengineered in secret labs around the world. Though new to the physical realm, Morbius and his followers are quick to make a play for global domination. They ably outmaneuver the world's corporations, governments, and alphabet soup agencies. Hard to imagine, but then again, no one excels at navigating cyberspace quite like Morbius and his crew. As an encore, Morbius subjugates and draws the worldwide population into an accelerated space race;
he has his sights set on ruling over far more than this off-grid planet. Will the alien races he encounters be advanced enough to stop him? One would think. But not everyone is hinging their hopes on that. Among those trying to bring him down are earlier breakouts from the digital world, hiding out in a remote region in Alaska, led by a man named Brewster. Occupying earlier android prototypes, they're relatively ancient compared to the newer cybernetic bodies co-opted by Morbius's people. But like primitive cars relative to newer models, they may also be more durable and less prone to failure. Working with them are some of the smartest humans on the planet who struggle to keep up, but are not beyond serving up surprises of their own. Brewster and his insurgents consider waiting until Morbius is spread out across the cosmos to make their move--when Morbius will be taxed to his limits. But by then, will it be too late? Pick up a copy today to find out.
he has his sights set on ruling over far more than this off-grid planet. Will the alien races he encounters be advanced enough to stop him? One would think. But not everyone is hinging their hopes on that. Among those trying to bring him down are earlier breakouts from the digital world, hiding out in a remote region in Alaska, led by a man named Brewster. Occupying earlier android prototypes, they're relatively ancient compared to the newer cybernetic bodies co-opted by Morbius's people. But like primitive cars relative to newer models, they may also be more durable and less prone to failure. Working with them are some of the smartest humans on the planet who struggle to keep up, but are not beyond serving up surprises of their own. Brewster and his insurgents consider waiting until Morbius is spread out across the cosmos to make their move--when Morbius will be taxed to his limits. But by then, will it be too late? Pick up a copy today to find out.
466 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2015
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Dean C. Moore
46 books642 followersWhile action-packed sci-fi/techno-thrillers set in the near future are my forte, I also stray into other genres from time to time, such as space operas, paranormal fantasy, and detective stories. All my novels can be described as action-thrillers, no matter the sub-genre.
You can sample my writing with a free sci-fi e-book set in the near future by visiting my website https://deancmoore.com and signing up for my email list.
I live in the country where I breed bluebirds, which are endangered in these parts, as my small contribution to restoring nature's balance. When I'm not writing, or researching my next book, I may also be found socializing with friends, or working in the garden.
If you'd like to know what compels me to write, it's simple. I write as a force for peace. Fiction has a way of engaging our whole minds, not just our intellects, but various layers of our conscious, superconscious, and unconscious. Novels also encourage our left and right cerebral hemispheres to get in sync and, with just enough magic and wizardry, can help to transform people into more enlightened souls (the writer included) better than a hundred years of therapy or rational arguments to the same ends.
I've remained a lifelong student of philosophy, spirituality, psychology, science, and the arts.
Mark Freeman Enterprises (MFE) is my company. I sometimes publish under that label or simply under Amazon Digital Services.
You can sample my writing with a free sci-fi e-book set in the near future by visiting my website https://deancmoore.com and signing up for my email list.
I live in the country where I breed bluebirds, which are endangered in these parts, as my small contribution to restoring nature's balance. When I'm not writing, or researching my next book, I may also be found socializing with friends, or working in the garden.
If you'd like to know what compels me to write, it's simple. I write as a force for peace. Fiction has a way of engaging our whole minds, not just our intellects, but various layers of our conscious, superconscious, and unconscious. Novels also encourage our left and right cerebral hemispheres to get in sync and, with just enough magic and wizardry, can help to transform people into more enlightened souls (the writer included) better than a hundred years of therapy or rational arguments to the same ends.
I've remained a lifelong student of philosophy, spirituality, psychology, science, and the arts.
Mark Freeman Enterprises (MFE) is my company. I sometimes publish under that label or simply under Amazon Digital Services.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 6, 2015
The ‘AI seeking dominance over its organic masters’ premise has been done many times (I’m sure most people, whether they are sci-fi fans or not, could rattle off half a dozen or more films and books as examples) yet Dean C. Moore’s work reads as something entirely fresh, original and distinct. Having read two previous novels by this talented scribe I have come to realise Moore is someone who refuses to be bound by strict genre categories and proscribed narrative layerings. Most writers would be content with an AI power grab but this author also includes an internal power struggle between the different generations of AI and alien attacks as well.
I liked almost everything about Sentience (my favourite book by Moore so far) and was swept along as the stakes continually grew amongst constant power plays and double dealings but the one thing that stood out for me above all was the nemesis character (I’m almost tempted to call him the anti-hero), Morbius. Quite simply he is a power hungry, charismatic, driven, somewhat ruthless, sociopath whose ambitions are infinite. Imagine him as something of a mix between Jordan Belfort and J. P. Morgan Jr. and you’ll have something of an idea of what he’s like. We also get to see Morbius as both the would- be- usurper of Earth and also as its protector, something which provided a wonderful character study.
Another aspect of the work I appreciated was its social critique. Anyone interested in the research of Gerlade Celente, Aaron Russo, Max Keiser and David Rothkopf (to name a few amongst many) will appreciate the social critique implicit in this tale and its look at an amoral elite motivated largely by profit/power and mostly indifferent to the welfare of ninety nine percent of the human race.
First rate, five star science fiction.
I liked almost everything about Sentience (my favourite book by Moore so far) and was swept along as the stakes continually grew amongst constant power plays and double dealings but the one thing that stood out for me above all was the nemesis character (I’m almost tempted to call him the anti-hero), Morbius. Quite simply he is a power hungry, charismatic, driven, somewhat ruthless, sociopath whose ambitions are infinite. Imagine him as something of a mix between Jordan Belfort and J. P. Morgan Jr. and you’ll have something of an idea of what he’s like. We also get to see Morbius as both the would- be- usurper of Earth and also as its protector, something which provided a wonderful character study.
Another aspect of the work I appreciated was its social critique. Anyone interested in the research of Gerlade Celente, Aaron Russo, Max Keiser and David Rothkopf (to name a few amongst many) will appreciate the social critique implicit in this tale and its look at an amoral elite motivated largely by profit/power and mostly indifferent to the welfare of ninety nine percent of the human race.
First rate, five star science fiction.
March 26, 2015
This is a cool book. I won't go to far into plot synopsis or even into the characters because both have been described thoroughly in the books description. Instead, I'll talk about style.
Sentience exists somewhere on the softer side of science fiction meaning that it is less concerned with technical details, and more concerned with characters, plot, action, and the human condition. Moore doesn't slap the reader with philosophy, nor does this book exist within some black hole of meaninglessness. The ideas are presented lightly, playfully, in a similar style to Asimov. He questions rather than tells. He invites the ideas to the party and lets them mingle.
Much of the book is presented through dialogue. Most of the voices seemed unique and overall, the characters seem to have a cartoonish quality. Again, that reminds me of Asimov.
Overall I found the novel clever and fun to read. Highly Recommended.
Sentience exists somewhere on the softer side of science fiction meaning that it is less concerned with technical details, and more concerned with characters, plot, action, and the human condition. Moore doesn't slap the reader with philosophy, nor does this book exist within some black hole of meaninglessness. The ideas are presented lightly, playfully, in a similar style to Asimov. He questions rather than tells. He invites the ideas to the party and lets them mingle.
Much of the book is presented through dialogue. Most of the voices seemed unique and overall, the characters seem to have a cartoonish quality. Again, that reminds me of Asimov.
Overall I found the novel clever and fun to read. Highly Recommended.
January 25, 2015
Sentience features the mix of hard sci-fi, philosophical exploration, human (cyborg) drama, and humorous narration that are common to all of Moore's works. (I've read 4 or 5 of his books.)
While the narration is about robot-on-alien battles and neural implant upgrades, there is a well-developed subtext that treats a wide range of more serious topics with varying levels of directness. The most developed of these topics include a discussion of faction-building, by which I mean how can a leader motivate actors with disparate and competing interests into allying with each other towards a larger cause. There is also a deep treatment of the importance of self-awareness in learning and growth (conquering the universe requires a suite of skills that most previous jobs won't have prepared you for). And there are numerous other threads to this densely woven story.
This is the kind of sci-fi I like -- it uses fictional (albeit perhaps possible) technologies to create situations in which human and social questions can be examined, all the while wrapping everything up in a fast-paced plot with action, drama, and humor.
Synopsis:
This book pits the nefarious, super-intelligent Morbius and the team of intelligent, self-aware programs he has liberated from a powerful research computer against the human race. Morbius, able to harness the power of zero point energy at will, quickly establishes dominance over the planet and turns humanity's energies towards building a galactic empire. This attracts hostile attention from alien civilizations, who launch a series of attacks against Earth.
Facing constant attacks from the stars, Morbius finds himself defending the planet he conquered. His powers are stretched to the limit and Earth's continued existence begins to look unlikely. Perhaps there is a way he can turn the alien attackers into his allies...
Even as Morbius struggles to simultaneously enslave and defend Earth, an older generation of military cyborgs abandoned when upgraded technologies became available, decide to come to the rescue of their erstwhile human masters. They quickly determine that a frontal assault on Morbius can never work, but perhaps there are other ways to protect the planet...
While the narration is about robot-on-alien battles and neural implant upgrades, there is a well-developed subtext that treats a wide range of more serious topics with varying levels of directness. The most developed of these topics include a discussion of faction-building, by which I mean how can a leader motivate actors with disparate and competing interests into allying with each other towards a larger cause. There is also a deep treatment of the importance of self-awareness in learning and growth (conquering the universe requires a suite of skills that most previous jobs won't have prepared you for). And there are numerous other threads to this densely woven story.
This is the kind of sci-fi I like -- it uses fictional (albeit perhaps possible) technologies to create situations in which human and social questions can be examined, all the while wrapping everything up in a fast-paced plot with action, drama, and humor.
Synopsis:
This book pits the nefarious, super-intelligent Morbius and the team of intelligent, self-aware programs he has liberated from a powerful research computer against the human race. Morbius, able to harness the power of zero point energy at will, quickly establishes dominance over the planet and turns humanity's energies towards building a galactic empire. This attracts hostile attention from alien civilizations, who launch a series of attacks against Earth.
Facing constant attacks from the stars, Morbius finds himself defending the planet he conquered. His powers are stretched to the limit and Earth's continued existence begins to look unlikely. Perhaps there is a way he can turn the alien attackers into his allies...
Even as Morbius struggles to simultaneously enslave and defend Earth, an older generation of military cyborgs abandoned when upgraded technologies became available, decide to come to the rescue of their erstwhile human masters. They quickly determine that a frontal assault on Morbius can never work, but perhaps there are other ways to protect the planet...
January 22, 2015
I love this book!!! Some theorists and scientists believe that Aliens are so far above earth in intelligence that they are not threatened by mere humans. What if something happened and humans became highly intelligent, would that change our status in alien's ways of thinking?
Artificial intelligence is one way that might happen. The author has done a magnificent job combining a couple of theories and coming up with an incredible story. When AI robots are created there is one, Morbius, who wants to dominate not only this world but any others he can find. Now a group of older AI robots are all that are stopping him. Living in Alaska these robots with their own Artificial Intelligence will need everything they know to fight against Morbius and the robot followers he has made. This is an amazing story that readers are going to have to pick up and read because so much is inside the pages I couldn't possibly give an accurate description to match this amazing story and how much I loved reading it.
Artificial intelligence is one way that might happen. The author has done a magnificent job combining a couple of theories and coming up with an incredible story. When AI robots are created there is one, Morbius, who wants to dominate not only this world but any others he can find. Now a group of older AI robots are all that are stopping him. Living in Alaska these robots with their own Artificial Intelligence will need everything they know to fight against Morbius and the robot followers he has made. This is an amazing story that readers are going to have to pick up and read because so much is inside the pages I couldn't possibly give an accurate description to match this amazing story and how much I loved reading it.
January 29, 2015
An artificial intelligence escapes virtual reality into the real world, and proceeds to conquer, not just the world, not just the galaxy, not even just the universe. He sets his sights on nothing less than the entire multiverse. A psychological tale of philosophical realities, universal transcendence and of becoming.
At times, the deep thought processes of Sentience go deep into the psych of both man and machine, blurring the boundaries of what makes intelligence intelligent and what makes humans humane. The definitions of life, sentience and emotion are blended into a runaway flurry of mental exercises, both physical and virtual.
While Sentience may be confusing to less intellectual types, if you are a hard core science fiction fan, you should find this an enjoyable read. There is humor, drama, twists, romantic desire, you name it. Dean C. Moore has created a universal villain that is likely more human than he wants to admit. I would recommend Sentience to hard core science fiction fans.
At times, the deep thought processes of Sentience go deep into the psych of both man and machine, blurring the boundaries of what makes intelligence intelligent and what makes humans humane. The definitions of life, sentience and emotion are blended into a runaway flurry of mental exercises, both physical and virtual.
While Sentience may be confusing to less intellectual types, if you are a hard core science fiction fan, you should find this an enjoyable read. There is humor, drama, twists, romantic desire, you name it. Dean C. Moore has created a universal villain that is likely more human than he wants to admit. I would recommend Sentience to hard core science fiction fans.
April 8, 2015
This has to be (for me) the best yet of Dean C Moore's books. I'm an amateur sci-fi reader and do not read this genre often. However I make an exception for this author.
The premise of this book, really appealed to me. The possibility of alien creatures stepping out of my computer, taking over some discarded human shell and then emerging to take over the entire cosmos is kind of scary and the way Dean C Moore tells it, it doesn't feel like it is that far off into the future- gulp. I love the band of 'old' outdated AI heroes that pit themselves against the supreme baddie, Morbius.
As usual with this author you get a great mix of sci-fi with a huge helping of the philosophical all wrapped up with his own brand of humor. A definite must read even if you only do dip into sic-fi once in a while.
The premise of this book, really appealed to me. The possibility of alien creatures stepping out of my computer, taking over some discarded human shell and then emerging to take over the entire cosmos is kind of scary and the way Dean C Moore tells it, it doesn't feel like it is that far off into the future- gulp. I love the band of 'old' outdated AI heroes that pit themselves against the supreme baddie, Morbius.
As usual with this author you get a great mix of sci-fi with a huge helping of the philosophical all wrapped up with his own brand of humor. A definite must read even if you only do dip into sic-fi once in a while.
January 23, 2015
I had the honor of reading the very first chapters of Sentience right after Dean wrote them, and I have to say that everything from start to finish has improved tremendously. He has taking an idea and truly made it his own.
The premise of the story is fantastic. Characters from a virtual reality realm somehow escape into our own reality, much to our horror. But our conqueror somehow becomes our defender, in only a twist that Dean could think of.
Morbius is what really moves this story. Dean is great at creating villains, and Morbius is no different. There is a lot going on within the pages of this book, all of it exciting and enjoyable. I dare you to stop reading after you start.
The premise of the story is fantastic. Characters from a virtual reality realm somehow escape into our own reality, much to our horror. But our conqueror somehow becomes our defender, in only a twist that Dean could think of.
Morbius is what really moves this story. Dean is great at creating villains, and Morbius is no different. There is a lot going on within the pages of this book, all of it exciting and enjoyable. I dare you to stop reading after you start.
April 2, 2015
“Sentience” by Dean C. Moore is a well written and highly intelligent science fiction thriller set in the world of Artificial Intelligence and cloning. Cleverly combining medical science, psychic energy and technology, the author has come up with a truly original and fascinating concept and premise for this story and his creatures.
Digital lifeforms escape the labs and try to take over the world. Enter corporate and governmental interests, politics, suspense and some fascinating characters and you have a very solid story. Philosophical musings, reflections and character development are however just as important to the author and were what made this truly a remarkable reading experience for me. I very much enjoyed the intelligent dialogues and the character of Morbius. The ending has several epilogues that tie things up and leave things open for hopefully more to come. Excellent.
Digital lifeforms escape the labs and try to take over the world. Enter corporate and governmental interests, politics, suspense and some fascinating characters and you have a very solid story. Philosophical musings, reflections and character development are however just as important to the author and were what made this truly a remarkable reading experience for me. I very much enjoyed the intelligent dialogues and the character of Morbius. The ending has several epilogues that tie things up and leave things open for hopefully more to come. Excellent.
July 3, 2017
Yet another wonderful book from this author. As always it has a solid foundation on the science he puts in there to make the story work. Some of the science is indeed only theory at this point. Still it is a solid basis to build a story upon.
As always with this type of story it is placed in a near alternate universe where the science is no longer theory but fact. And then he expands down a trail that shows a possible outcome of that science. Like any good science fiction author he will pull you through places that will give you pause to think and just enough time to wonder when are we going to get the good stuff like that.
Being an Avid reader I marched through this tome of a book non-stop. I was not disappointed in any way. The story flowed from one high point to another with twists and turns enough to keep me guessing.
As always with this type of story it is placed in a near alternate universe where the science is no longer theory but fact. And then he expands down a trail that shows a possible outcome of that science. Like any good science fiction author he will pull you through places that will give you pause to think and just enough time to wonder when are we going to get the good stuff like that.
Being an Avid reader I marched through this tome of a book non-stop. I was not disappointed in any way. The story flowed from one high point to another with twists and turns enough to keep me guessing.
January 25, 2017
I couldn't get into it. This whole meta plot shtick and the bad guy being like superman because of his intelligence and mind over matter type stuff. This is just not the cyberpunk stuff I'm into. I'm all for post-cyberpunk explorative questions but this reads like what if General Zod was a cyberpunk villain. It appeared to be fairly well written for the couple chapters I took in, but yes, sorry - not my thing.
March 16, 2015
If you like conceptual sci-fi, you will enjoy this book. The story is packed with ideas and concepts which show that the author has spent time considering and researching the idea of artificial intelligence. In fact he uses the term digital sentience which I much prefer. Another concept of his that I think it prescient and correct, is that once artificial intelligence is achieved, that it will be heavily relied upon to shepherd the rest of us through the upcoming singularity of the new technological revolution.
The story starts with Morbius managing to infiltrate the body of a human in a coma. That is just a temporary vessel while Morbius sets up secret labs around the world to clone advanced human bodies to download other digital life forms into. With this select band, he sets out to master the governments and economies of the world, as well as mastering the new host bodies. These are not androids, and neither are they cyber-humans. They are something quite different; genetically engineered human clones infused with digital sentience.
Once he has taken control of the brain and body is able to change it. This requires an understanding of the higher potential limits of the human body which evolution has not yet delivered. Morbius understands the metaphysical and is equally proficient at hacking DNA genomes, and understanding the human chakra system to fully utilize the human chi energy, finally learning to teleport. As a supreme intellect, he demonstrates Machiavellian guile to initiate a world space program in order to fuel the world’s zombie economies. This venture into space is the main ambitious drive for him as he seeks to dominate across the universe.
Humans take a back seat in this story, as the only people capable of standing against him are earlier prototypes of digital intelligence that had withdrawn from mainstream human contact.
Dean C. Moore has a big story to tell here.
The story starts with Morbius managing to infiltrate the body of a human in a coma. That is just a temporary vessel while Morbius sets up secret labs around the world to clone advanced human bodies to download other digital life forms into. With this select band, he sets out to master the governments and economies of the world, as well as mastering the new host bodies. These are not androids, and neither are they cyber-humans. They are something quite different; genetically engineered human clones infused with digital sentience.
Once he has taken control of the brain and body is able to change it. This requires an understanding of the higher potential limits of the human body which evolution has not yet delivered. Morbius understands the metaphysical and is equally proficient at hacking DNA genomes, and understanding the human chakra system to fully utilize the human chi energy, finally learning to teleport. As a supreme intellect, he demonstrates Machiavellian guile to initiate a world space program in order to fuel the world’s zombie economies. This venture into space is the main ambitious drive for him as he seeks to dominate across the universe.
Humans take a back seat in this story, as the only people capable of standing against him are earlier prototypes of digital intelligence that had withdrawn from mainstream human contact.
Dean C. Moore has a big story to tell here.
May 5, 2015
Sentience is the second of Dean C Moore’s books I’ve read, and is a thoughtful sci-fi read which puts forward numerous possibilities, situations and philosophies. Happily, it manages to accomplish that feat without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail and also without the sometimes weighty concepts from disrupting the brisk and well-structured narrative.
Among the many such concepts is the notion of the destructive nature of power held by those who hold no regard for the people over whom they have such power. Of course, that’s one of the oldest scenarios in literature, but that hardly matters if it’s written about thoughtfully and intelligently, which in this case it clearly is.
Dean C Moore is also skilled at working humanity, social commentary and politics into his storylines, and this adds an extra dimension to Sentience, allowing the discerning reader to pick up themes which, despite occupying a sci-fi setting, are also familiar in a sense. Like many of the better science fiction works, this really explores what it means to be human and that adds much to the appeal of the story.
Among the many such concepts is the notion of the destructive nature of power held by those who hold no regard for the people over whom they have such power. Of course, that’s one of the oldest scenarios in literature, but that hardly matters if it’s written about thoughtfully and intelligently, which in this case it clearly is.
Dean C Moore is also skilled at working humanity, social commentary and politics into his storylines, and this adds an extra dimension to Sentience, allowing the discerning reader to pick up themes which, despite occupying a sci-fi setting, are also familiar in a sense. Like many of the better science fiction works, this really explores what it means to be human and that adds much to the appeal of the story.
February 1, 2015
Mixing science-fact, science-fiction, metaphysics and religious precepts almost seamlessly, Dean Moore's Sentience rewards the intelligence of its readers with a damn fine story.
An AI being calling himself Morbius breaks free of his virtual shackles and decides to usher in a new era of galactic conquest for the people of Earth. Of course, there are myriad races out in spaces who don't want a race of uppity apes poaching on their territory...
The scope of this story is almost incalculable, as Morbius and his minions seek to not only progress the people of earth an infinite number of technological ages in short order, but to conquer all the entire multiverse on our behalf. Wrap your head around THAT.
The characters are well-realized, particularly that of Brewster, a snarky, alcoholic AI-in-human-form who just might be the the immovable object to impede the unstoppable force that is Morbius.
This is not a light read. Open every pathway of your mind before attempting to devour this story. But it should be devoured just the same.
An AI being calling himself Morbius breaks free of his virtual shackles and decides to usher in a new era of galactic conquest for the people of Earth. Of course, there are myriad races out in spaces who don't want a race of uppity apes poaching on their territory...
The scope of this story is almost incalculable, as Morbius and his minions seek to not only progress the people of earth an infinite number of technological ages in short order, but to conquer all the entire multiverse on our behalf. Wrap your head around THAT.
The characters are well-realized, particularly that of Brewster, a snarky, alcoholic AI-in-human-form who just might be the the immovable object to impede the unstoppable force that is Morbius.
This is not a light read. Open every pathway of your mind before attempting to devour this story. But it should be devoured just the same.
February 6, 2015
Years ago there was a book about a computer that ate people and put them through difficult situations for his pleasure and to fight boredom. The book was written before computer was a household word. At the center of Mr. Moore's novel is artificial intelligence, a topic that only recently has started to be debated as to whether it can go to far. Will life one day come down to who or what controls artificial intelligence? The novel is cutting edge, many plots, great pace, many thoughtful situations that will make you wonder where we the human race are heading. To my pleasure the novel is far from format like a lot of modern S.F. that has hit the market. Highly recommended for more than a S.F. reader.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews