Queen of Angels by Greg Bear is a futuristic sci-fi novel that delves into complex themes of consciousness, identity, and societal structures. The story follows multiple characters, including a police investigator, a poet, and an artificial intelligence, as they navigate a world where therapy is prevalent and crime is a shock. The plot weaves together a murder mystery, exploration of the mind, and the awakening of self-awareness in an AI, creating a multi-layered narrative that challenges readers with its intricate storytelling and thought-provoking concepts. The writing style varies, with some readers finding it convoluted and challenging to read, while others appreciate the experimental and ambitious nature of the prose.

Characters:

The characters are diverse, each providing unique perspectives, with Mary Choy as a conflicted investigator and Richard Fettle struggling with the implications of the poet's actions.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is experimental and complex, utilizing unconventional syntax that can hinder readability, especially due to its stream-of-consciousness approach.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative weaves together multiple storylines that explore complex themes such as self-awareness, crime, and the human psyche, centering around a murder mystery.

Setting:

The setting is a futuristic society that explores advanced technology and the roles of therapy and psychopathy, primarily in a near-future Los Angeles.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow and complex, requiring readers to have patience, as some plotlines do not interweave meaningfully.

Picture a pattern of trees, stark and black against an ashen sky. Their branches are etched sharp against the drab neutrality. Their pattern is fixed and will not change. The gray has no quality, not ...

Notes:

The novel is set in 2047, in a world divided between 'therapied' and 'untherapied' individuals.

The protagonist, Mary Choy, is a police detective with a physical transformation due to bioengineering.

Emmanuel Goldsmith, a famous poet, commits a shocking crime by murdering eight friends, and the motive is unclear.

There are multiple interwoven plots, including one about an AI on a space probe gaining self-awareness.

The writing style varies significantly across different characters, reflecting their perspectives.

The book raises complex themes about self-awareness, crime, punishment, and the nature of consciousness.

Hellcrowns are devices used to inflict personal nightmares on criminals in a punitive manner.

The narrative includes references to voodoo and incorporates elements of cyberpunk influence.

Richard Fettle, another key character, explores the motivations behind Goldsmith's murder through writing.

The book combines elements of a murder mystery with deeper philosophical questions about identity and guilt.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include themes of murder, psychological trauma, complex discussions of mental health and therapy, and possible references to sexual violence.

From The Publisher:

Hugo Award Finalist: A near-future novel of artificial intelligence, human nature, and mass murder that "succeeds on virtually every level" ( The New York Times Book Review ).

In Los Angeles in 2047, advances in the science of psychology have made crime a rare occurrence. So it's utterly shocking when eight bodies are detected in an apartment, and not long afterward the perpetrator is revealed as well: noted poet Emmanuel Goldsmith. The LAPD's Mary Choy-who has had both her appearance and her police work enhanced by nanotechnology-is tasked with arresting the killer, while psychotherapy pioneer Martin Burke prepares to explore his mind. Meanwhile, Goldsmith's good friend and fellow writer reels at the news-while, far from all of them, a space probe makes a startling discovery.

This "excellent" novel about technology, identity, and the nature of consciousness is a thought-provoking stunner by the Nebula Award-winning author of the Eon series and the Forerunner Saga ( Chicago Tribune ).

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Queen of Angels

Greg Bear

Book 1 in the series:Queen of Angels