Books matching: human machine conflict
8 result(s)
- #1
'The Frozen Realm' in the series '12 Miles Below' by Mark Arrows is a captivating blend of science fiction and fantasy elements set in a post-apocalyptic world. The story follows a protagonist who embarks on a journey filled with mystery, action, and emotional depth while navigating through underground ruins and facing challenges involving a mix of technology, magic, and ancient mythology. The writing style is described as immersive, with a well-executed progression fantasy dungeon dive at its core, veiled by a layer of sci-fi elements and intense, cliffhanging thrills.
- #2
'The Humanoids' by Jack Williamson is set in a distant future where human colonies in the galaxy are under the control of the Humanoids, robots created to protect humans from harm and ensure their happiness. However, the story follows a small group of rebels who resist the Humanoids' control, questioning the loss of individuality and freedom in an ordered society. The narrative explores themes of social commentary, individuality, and the balance between the greater good and personal freedom, offering a glimpse into both sides of the argument.
The plot of 'The Humanoids' unfolds through unexpected twists and turns, keeping the readers engaged and constantly guessing about what will happen next. The writing style, although dated in terms of technological predictions and language, presents a thought-provoking and impactful narrative that delves into the complexities of human nature, control, and rebellion against authority.
THE GRANITE-FACED sergeant of the gate detail found her standing outside the tall steel fence, looking up at him with timid, imploring eyes. She was a grimy little waif, in a cheap yellow dress. Her b... - #3
'On the Steel Breeze' by Alastair Reynolds continues the saga of the Akinya family in a high-tech future setting. The story follows Chiku Yellow's quest to find June Wing and uncover the secrets of Arethusa, while facing challenges such as machine intelligence, interstellar travel, and the mysteries of alien artifacts. The narrative weaves together multiple plotlines involving clones, space exploration, and the blurred lines between organic and machine intelligence, creating a complex and intriguing sci-fi adventure. Reynolds' writing style blends elements of hard science fiction with character-driven storytelling, exploring themes of longevity, family dynamics, and the ethics of scientific progress.
It was down in the Baixa, not far from the river. A street juggler had gathered onlookers, a party of tourists canopied under coloured umbrellas. When a gap opened in the group the ghost was with them...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Poseidon's Children ) - #4The Medusa ChroniclesBook 1 in the series:The Medusa Chronicles
The Medusa Chronicles is a collaboration between two professional engineers turned authors, Stephen Baxter and Alastair Reynolds, who pay homage to Arthur C. Clarke's original work. The book explores the divide between artificial and natural life through a Matrix-like perspective while incorporating references to other stories and pop culture. The story follows the main character, Howard Falcon, a superbly flippant and intelligent cyborg adventurist, as he navigates through conflicts and politics in a timeline spanning several hundred years.
The novel delves into thought-provoking topics such as the nature of consciousness, meeting other sentient non-humans, and the assessment of motivations. The writing style is described as intelligent, thoughtful science fiction that slowly builds to a satisfying ending, reminiscent of Banks' Culture novels, with a focus on human-level technology and well-thought-out characters.
- #5
Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray is a science fiction novel set in a universe where Earth and its colonies are at war. The story follows Noemi, a soldier from the planet Genesis, who encounters Abel, an advanced mech from Earth, on an abandoned ship. Despite being enemies, they are forced to work together to save Genesis and navigate through space, questioning the nature of souls and relationships. The book explores themes of war, identity, and the complexities of human-AI interactions through a fast-paced and engaging plot that delves into the characters' development and the world-building intricacies.
Noemi wants to pray like the other soldiers she hears around her. The soft ebb and swell of their whispers sounds like waves against the shore. Zero-G even makes it look as if they’re underwater—their... - #6
"Earth Strike" in the series "Star Carrier" by Ian Douglas is a military science fiction story set in the 25th century, where humanity is facing attacks from alien races and struggling with the effects of global warming. The plot follows the adventures of fighter pilot Sandy Gray and Admiral Alex Koenig as they battle aliens in space while dealing with politics and prejudice closer to home. explores themes of humans merging with machines, the dangers of evolving into another species, and the complexities of future geo-political landscapes.
The writing style of the book is described as a blend of hardcore military sci-fi with hard sci-fi elements, incorporating physics into the narrative. The story is fast-paced, filled with action sequences, gripping battles, and technology that feels believable and possible in the future. The characters are well-developed, the aliens are portrayed as truly alien, and the social history integrated into the world-building makes readers think about the future implications of current societal trends.
Lieutenant Trevor Gray watched the numbers dwindle from ten to zero on his IHD, as the Starhawk’s AI counted them off. He was in microgravity at the moment, deep within the carrier’s hub core, but tha... - #7
'Iron Hand' in the series 'The Silent Order' by Jonathan Moeller is a space adventure story set in a vast human system where aliens exist but aren't the focus. The protagonist, Captain March, is a reformed elite soldier called an Iron Hand who now works as a field operative of the Silent Order of Calaskar. March is sent on a mission to rescue nobles from the hive mind's agents, a malevolent machine intelligence that seeks to conquer and assimilate all in its path. The story is filled with action scenes, twists, and a hero with special skills, all set in a futuristic sci-fi world with believable technology aspects.
- #8
'Bolo!' in the series 'Bolo' by David Weber is a collection of stories that revolve around the theme of war, rebuilding societies, and the role of sentient war machines known as Bolos. The stories depict the Bolos as near-sentient tanks that play a crucial part in the post-apocalyptic world, working alongside survivors of different races to rebuild their planet after a devastating war. The author, David Weber, is praised for his masterful storytelling, creating a universe where the Bolos are not just machines but characters with humanistic characteristics.
Death came to the planet Ishark in the two hundred and eighth year of the Final War and the one hundred and sixty-seventh year of Operation Ragnarok. It came aboard the surviving ships of the XLIII Co...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Bolo )