My Reviews

This is science fiction for those who do not usually read it. A wonderfully fast moving human and humane story informed by ideas from science fiction (for example, Isaac Asimov's laws of robotics) and science fact (notably Masahiro Mori's 'uncanny valley' hypothesis which suggests that humanising the behaviour and appearance of robots and their like will be regarded positively by human beings up to a point but beyond this will be seen in increasingly negative terms). On this some recent studies suggest that women are, as does Stella, the book's central and most beguiling character, more likely to respond in … See more

Addressing the AI issue in a perspicacious and entertaining way.
This book is a page turner! Balancing the psychological reactions we have to existing AI with those in the pipeline.
A must read.

I have been reading science fiction for more than 60 years and it is always a special delight to discover a compelling new voice. In developing this thought I should stress I have long believed the best of science fiction, indeed its most significant test, should be as much for those who do not usually read it as for those who do. This is such a book. Rooted in, but not trapped by, a knowledge of the relevant history of the field, notably Isaac Asimov’s seminal three laws of robotics, it is also informed by contemporary ideas drawn from science … See more

Though not naturally inclined to pick up a book about AI, I was initially intrigued by the cover and the title of this one, and I was not disappointed! It was a fantastic read! I soon became engrossed in the evolving powers of AI - aspects that perhaps we should all be thinking about! This plus many other ideas give lots to think about, and make it a 'must read'.

This is a thought provoking, spine tingling book about a world not too far in the future. More please.