When Exin Ex Machina was announced, I immediately assumed it would be a continuation of GS Jennsen’s Aurora Rhapsody (AR) series. I was surprised and excited when I learned that we would be meeting a new cast far away yet still connected to Alex & friends. This novel, the first in Asterion Noir (AN), contains many delightful references and parallel themes to AR but still stands on its own as the start of a series.
Whereas AR showed society going through contact with other alien races and rapid technological evolution, AN starts far after factions of humanity have merged with Sentient Artificial Intelligences (SAIs) and built relationships with different races. AR is heavier on Space Opera than Exin Ex Machina is, the latter being much more Cyberpunk. However I expect that AN as a while will be more of a balance of the two subgenres. I appreciate how Jennsen eases reders into her series. With AR, we started the story with very recognizable technology levels and then the technology evolved quickly over the series. In AN, the technology is already very advanced but Jennsen starts us of with a smaller scope, geographically centralized story. This makes taking in all of the technology much easier. I am excited to see more of the universe as the scope expands!
As always, Jennsen creates a large number of complex characters to root for and against. Individuals on all sides of the conflicts have understandable logic and motivation. The society depicted in AN, the Asterion Dominion, is a race of humans that have completely merged with SAIs. Every aspect of their society has been altered over time due to everyone basically having powerful computers as part of their brain. Individuals are able to swap out body parts and thought routines at will. Some individuals even have their larynx altered in order to better communicate with other races, showing how technology might help overcome xenophobia. Their lifespans seem unended barring the complete deletion or altering of a person and their backups. Jennsen shows how this constant evolution combined with complete “up-gen’s” being required at least every 300 years keeps individuals from becoming either stagnant or unbelievably omnipresent.
Nika is a great character to explore how merging with SAIs might change the way we function. She shows us how we may gain the ability to pick and choose routines and traits like we have access to our own Create a Sim. Her mathematical brain is able to assess situations and find the most logical and beneficial path to take in an instant. She is adept at managing interpersonal relations. It really shows when she is talking to her seconds-in-command when they have conflict. Nika is able to effectively explain the mistakes each of them made and how the consequences would impact group morale and authority.
I have really been enjoying the similarities and differences between Nika and Alex of AR. There was a point in AR where Alex was at a precipice with her merging with an AI. In a lot of ways, Nika is what I imagined Alex would have become if she had pursued fully merging her consciousness with AI.
Dashiel shows us what a society merged with SAI might look like in terms of economy. It was fun to read how he efficiently he was able to deal with an issue. When product is stolen from his company while in transport, he is able to issue a command to place trackers inside all shipments crates in all of his production lines by the end of the day. He has the ability to have such an undertaking done with ease because of how efficient the brains of the population and therefore the society itself is.
There are so many great aspects to this novel so I am just going to have to cut myself off before this gets much longer. I shall eagerly await the next installment! If it is not clear by now, I highly recommend this book (and the Aurora Rhapsody series)!
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More like Exin Ex Machina: Asterion Noir Book 1 (Amaranthe 11)
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From the Publisher
SERIES IN THE AMARANTHE UNIVERSE
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Epic, Galaxy-Spanning Space Opera AdventureAurora Rising is an epic tale of galaxy-spanning adventure, of the thrill of discovery and the unquenchable desire to reach ever farther into the unknown. It's a tale of humanity at its best and worst, of love and loss, of fear and heroism. It's the story of a woman who sought the stars and found more than anyone imagined possible. |
Cyberpunk Meets Space Opera - a New Entry Point for the Amaranthe UniverseWhen man and machine are one and the same, death is no longer an inevitability. But in the darkest reaches of space, neither is life. Enter a world of technological wonders, exotic alien life, enthralling characters, captivating worlds—and a terrifying evil lurking in the void that will shatter it all. |
The Worlds of Aurora Rhapsody & Asterion Noir CollideIn Amaranthe, where exotic alien life, AIs, wormholes, indestructible starships and the promise of immortality rule the day, no feat seems out of reach for humanity. But when the Rasu horde arrives, more will be asked of heroes past and future. More will be given and more taken, and when the dust settles the very fabric of Amaranthe will be changed forever. |
Short Stories Set in the Amaranthe UniverseSee the characters of Amaranthe as you've never seen them before in a series of short stories exploring the characters and history of the Amaranthe universe. |
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Top reviews from other countries
Adam
... of me went into this book expecting to be disappointed. The Aurora Rhapsody series just kept getting bigger ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2018
Dylan Tomorrow
A story about identity, memory loss and principles.
Reviewed in Germany on June 20, 2018
BadMonkeyEllie
G S Jennsen’s latest story doesn’t disappoint
Reviewed in Canada on June 19, 2018