S. B. Divya, the editor of the Escape Pod podcast and e-zine, has written a fantastic book about the future of AI and human interactions. Along the way, she created characters that were so believable that, after a week of putting the book down for the last time, I still miss them. Welga Ramirez in particular.

Divya’s strengths shine through this book in terms of character development, get the tech right, and plot development and execution. Having finished the book, I can’t think of a single plot hole. The only thing that concerned me about tech was the rapid pace of development within the context of the story, but Divya gives a good outline on how it’s all possible. And like I said, the characters are on point. I don’t see a way for there to be a sequel, but man, I wish there could be one.

The one mark against the book is that it sometimes becomes a bit preachy. Characters didn’t struggle with a particularly thorny issue as much as they seemed to make their case to the reader. This didn’t occur often, and it didn’t keep me from finishing the book, but it should be noted.

Bottom line: The characters will have you rooting for them and the plot moves along very well. You’ll like this book very much. Enjoy!

I unfortunately am DNF’ing this book at 32%. I don’t find it all that interesting, and, found myself skipping over Welga’s chapters entirely for the side-character that is Nithya. I really wanted to enjoy this and it sounded incredibly interesting, but the plot just did not at any point get interesting enough for me to continue to read. Unfortunately for me, if a book is not interesting by 25%, it’s not worth continuing.

Disclaimer: I would like to thank the author and publisher for kindly providing an electronic review copy of this book.

The Hugo and Nebula nominated author S.B. Divya hit a homerun with her debut novel "Machinehood". This book has everything that I look for in a great SF novel. The narrative focuses on an artistic performance bodyguard and her extended family members. The story takes place in about 75 years near the end of the century in a world that could be considered dystopian as current employment trends have accelerated, resulting in a "day laborer" gig economy where many workers make their living by repeating several hour contracts as often as they can get them. Even more dystopian is that the nanotechnology performance enhancing drugs that are required by workers to be competitive (or to even get hired) turn out to have deadly side-effects. Yet, the world that S.B. Divya paints is not actually as dark as this sounds. Family members and friends look out for each other, and within this gig economy, there is a surprising amount of freedom and human interaction. Nearly as soon as the reader comes to understand this world, there is an globe spanning existential threat to which which our protagonist is uniquely placed to play a vital and heroic role.

Machinehood is comfortably laced with action, caring relationships, wonderfully futuristic computational and bioengineering technology, and deep philosophical conundrums on the limits of encouraging (enforcing?) a moral way of life for humanity. While reading this novel, I was frequently reminded of the best novels by Neal Stephenson, Cory Doctorow, and Ramez Naam. S.B. Divya is absolutely an author to follow. I predict that this novel will certainly be nominated for a Hugo in 2022.

This was an interesting story set nearly 100 years in the future. The world building was pretty good, extending a lot of currently trends to something of an exaggerated evolution. For example, we now have swarms of micro camera drones everywhere that follow people like pig pen’s dust cloud, completely eliminating any expectation of privacy (unless you use more tech to sweep and secure your space). This makes nearly everything you do a public performance … so it is important to always look you best, because the ever present “tip jar” (which seems a lot like a cryptocurrency wallet) doesn’t fill itself. The more extreme the stunt or performance, the better. Sort of like the “Truman Show” but for everybody. News is “curated” by verified experts in something like a reputation economic … combined with a more prevalent “gig” economy for the rest of us. Clothing can dynamically change and Blox (smart metal) can warp into different objects as needed. Bio-Hacks are pretty much routine; although genetic [expression] based pills have replaced the more physical/cyborg modification … in fact, you can cook up most of the pills you need in your kitchen. Then you have rocket clubs, that apparently can launch stuff up into orbit just for fun … or to supply the orbital colonies. Finally, you get to the tech that in the foundation of the story … we all have access have Weak Artificial Intelligence (WAI), with the Holy Grail being a Sentient Artificial Intelligence (SAI). Enter the Machinehood; the AI/Robotic servants that do most of the work now, leaving may people struggling to compete. After the initial assassination, the story settles into a Blade Runner type story while the protagonist tries to figure out who the machined is and how to stop them from shutting down the pill pushers … which apparently leaves humans vulnerable to malicious virus hacks (yes, real viruses). While I won’t want to actually live in it, I found it a lot of fun trying to figure out how the heck we could get there (and for the most part the logic was easy to follow).

The protagonists were all very relatable for me, but nothing really special. They start off pretty jaded and never really change or grow much. The personal drama can be a little off sometimes (and does trend into political issues a bit), but for the most part, I though the drama was limited and didn’t impact the story that much. Over all, I would give the characters a 3.5 and the world building a 4.

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#JourneytotheCross #NetGalley

I was really liking this book.....but was disappointed with what appeared to be a rushed ending that contradicted much of the carefully laid plot and character development that preceded it.

I did find the premise of the book to be interesting and realistic. I could see gig workers in the future having to take drugs to compete with robots and automation. Also having it set in Chennai with references to its culture hit close to home for me.

Initially, the author does a good job of developing the primary characters along with the supporting characters and antagonists. But towards the middle and end the situations they are put in and their reactions to those situations don't seem deep enough to be thought-provoking for me.

I wanted to like this book and give it five stars but I felt like the ending was just a little too tidy in terms of plot and open-ended in terms of how we need to think about integrating machines and humans. So while other reviewers indicated that this book was really thought-provoking, I thought it was superficial at best. I may be biased because I live in Silicon Valley where there is a lot going on in terms of propositions to support gig workers and legal battles against the corporations who hire them. The reality being the race to the bottom, which this book made it feel more like middle-class problems, and who owns our bodies and minds in the future.

It felt like there were two plots in this book: Welga's and Nithya's. While the plots started out compelling, I didn't feel a strong connection to either by the end.

Definitely an entertaining and page-turning space-opera, but I didn't feel like it was an epic sci-fi novel. Still, I'm curious to read other books by this author and see how their work advances.

Suggestions for minor edits:
I noticed a few typos in the book and wanted to post them here: Chapter 23 about 5 paragraphs in "her her" is used twice. Chapter 25 towards the end of the chapter: "Luis land his hand over hers."

If you are terrified of AI, don't read this book. ;)

This is definitely a book that requires some thinking while reading, so definitely not a light read at all. While I think the whole storyline and plot was superbly interesting, I felt that it fell a bit flat in the end. I definitely loved the characters of Welga and her family, and felt that Welga was a pretty well fleshed out character.

I think my main complaint is that there is SO much information regarding the technology of the world, that it overpowered the plot and caused it to be a little unexciting.

Overall, I would read more from the author, and recommend this book for anyone that loves thought provoking, technology-packed science fiction works.

Thank you NetGalley, Saga Press, and the author for providing an ARC.

Divya's MACHINEHOOD seemed both optimistic in its post-pandemic setting, and also in the idea that somehow, despite repeated stumbles and self-created obstacles, humanity can continue to move forward and improve on multiple levels -- and maybe even do so before totally destroying Earth.

Man created machines to make their work easier. Eventually, there were so many machines that humans had to find new ways to make a living. Drug companies created enhancement pills that cured diseases and improved the performance of the human mind and body. Now society is dependent on machines and pills and they are just waiting for the machines to form their own AI intelligence. The machines are not advanced to that point, but there is a group called the Machinehood that are protesting their treatment and are killing humans to make that point. We follow a very flawed family that is working out their own problems as the mystery of the Machinehood unfolds.

I enjoyed the concept of this story with the machines taking on a mind of their own. I enjoyed reading about the technology and the advances that this world held. It was interesting and kind of scary how social media, social monitoring, and virtual money had taken over everyone's life. Instead of being focused on the machines, this book focuses on a human family. I had a hard time connecting with the main characters because they kept making decisions that I did not agree with. There was some action but the majority of the story was even paced and narrated in two main characters' minds. There was no big finale at the end, it felt like the rest of the book.

I absolutely loved this book. The author presented a situation that I can truly see becoming a reality.... life on earth as they wrote seems unfortunately more legit than the idea of space stations right now. The characters and scenes they lived in were written so well that you were almost there. The story gripped me and now that it’s over i wish I knew what happened next.

I hung in as long as I could, but despite solid, plausible world building and complex (yet decipherable) characters, it was just taking too long to get where it was going. I stopped reading at 19% finished, per the NetGalley ereader, which I have to say is a little buggy. I was just as invested (or maybe more so!) in secondary character Nithya, her family's primary breadwinner who was dealing with an unwanted pregnancy and an anti-choice husband.

Recommended for folks interested in/terrified of AI.

Machinehood contained some intriguing ideas, but unfortunately it just didn't "click" for me. I found myself most drawn in by the environment in the last quarter of the book, but the pacing on the way there was very uneven - I found myself checking in case this was the first in a series, and though I might have been tempted by a sequel to hear more about the parts which interested me, I remained disappointed overall. There was a lot of exposition, and even recreation of technical documents, which I found really dragged me out of the story. That said, the action is fast paced, and the new technology gave me a lot to think about.
2.5 rounded up to 3.

Very good stuff. Good characters, decent dialog, and engaging plot. It also is a "thinker" at times. Solid sci-fi with a touch of dystopia. Recommended.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

The heroine of this book lives in a future where human and artificial intelligence are increasingly interdependent, but pitted against one another in the name of profit. Such a scenario is all too likely, given the current state of our world. Radical Neo-Buddhists and followers of a North African caliph are pressing for changes to the balance of power while most humans, including her far-flung family members in US and India, simply want to make ends meet.

Welga has dreamed of being a bioengineer like her late mother, but circumstances led her into government service and then into work a a Shield, bodyguards to wealthy elites known as Funders of the newest technologies. She and her beloved Connor want to quit that and join a space colony for a peaceful fresh start, and Station Eko-Yi promises to be it. But Welga's got a bigger problem-- the enhancing meds she relies upon to do her job are slowly killing her. When terrorists strike at the human enhancement industry in the name of AI freedom, will this 'Machinehood' doom her future?

I really enjoyed the premise and the strong warrior ethic of Welga, as well as the dilemmas facing her brother Luis and his wife and child. The answers really do lie within.

I really enjoyed this book. Machinehood follows our main character, Welga, who is a former US marine and current muscle-for-hire, and her sister-in-law Nithya, a nanotech pill designer who cares deeply about her friends and family. This book explores what a gig economy could look like in 50 or so years, and what it would mean for humans to try to keep up with machines and computers in a competitive gig economy. It explores the idea of sentient machines in a way that is subtle and nuanced, and shows the myriad of ways humans remain human in the midst of technology encroaching on and at times being close to indistinguishable from humanity. If any of these things sound interesting- I can't recommend this book enough!

This was good, an interesting setting, the main character (although a combat badass soldier type) actually has a family who actually interact with her in the course of the book (her sister in law is a viewpoint character as well in fact), plus the resolution is unusual too. I certainly hope the setting of the book never comes to be, but it might be on its way...

Machinehood, A Futuristic Novel

If this is the future in 2095 I’m glad I won’t be here to see it. Everything is controlled by AI and people have nothing to do except take pills to enhance themselves and keep them well. Welga Ramirez is a bodyguard by profession who is called out to fight when there is a disturbance. Fighting is not all that dangerous, though, people are not supposed to kill anyone, just maim and disable them until they can get the necessary treatment and pills to heal their wounds overnight. If Welga puts on a good show, her fans fill her tip jar with funds. Tiny flying microdrone cameras and bots are everywhere, watching and recording everything everyone does, so if you miss a live event starring your favorite hero you can watch it on rerun. There is a lot of dialog to keep you reading until the next action encounter.

I like the description and the cover of this book, but the story just seemed to drag on and on. I really wanted to like it, so I would put it down for a day and read something else then go back to Machinehood. I didn't help, though. The action scenes were not exciting for me, and the endless descriptive dialog added little. The book is obviously aimed at an audience who likes to know every move of the characters, be it he, she, or they. If you like truly cerebral novels you will likely enjoy this book.

Thank you Net Galley, Gallery / Saga Press, and S.B. Divya for an advance copy of this book.

Do you enjoy reading books that challenge you to think?

It is the year 2095- and so many things have changed in the 75 years from now to then. Seriously such a good book- absolutely stunned with how loaded this book is with plot, characters, action, themes and character development. The writing is sharp- alternating views between two sisters-in-law who are also close friends- I would say best friends. Their worlds are different but their journeys parallel each other’s lives in many ways. These two women are women I would enjoy having as best friends. They have strengths and weaknesses and both of them go through some major changes during this novel- I felt like I was on the journey with them.

The future consists of robots and androids who do pretty much everything and the humans that have to compete with them for work. Competition for jobs is so fierce that people all over the world are taking pills to supplement and boost their health; their performance; their endurance and their focus. Inside these pills are not just the medicinal testament but nanobots that go to work inside the body to help the effects of the pills. Weird eh? Fascinating to think of the technology but also very interesting to think of what that tech would mean to our health and to our lives should we embrace it.

When I read Sci-Fi, particularly the good stuff that captures my attention like Machinehood, I’m always intrigued in how people live: eating, bathing, work, transportation all of these areas have changed so much because of technological advances.

The part that really stands out in Machinehood is how much social media is literally involved in every facet of life for people. People have “tip jars” they play a huge role in economic survival but are mostly geared to how much the public likes you- your performance with your job, any drama going on in your life, and how much they enjoy looking into your household:/life. Very interesting theme to explore. (How much access do we really want to give others into our lives?)

Another theme in Machinehood is the rebellion of a group of militants who are protesting all the pills that people are taking and advocating for the rights of machines. It’s these protests and acts of terrorism that the book’s plot is centered around- and I have to admit it’s given me plenty to think about. I finished the books days ago yet I still am thinking through the questions that the book’s characters deal with. That’s one way I know the book I’ve read is outstanding; it sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page and has you asking questions and thinking.

Looking forward to reading more books by author S.D. Divya. A temporary, digital advance review copy was given to me by NetGalley to read and enjoy. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

Trigger: abortion.

Review of eGalley

In the world of 2095, technology has progressed to the point that basic chores are nonexistent, furniture reforms itself into various pieces as needed, the kitchen cooks the food, and Artificial Intelligence thrives. People take a variety of pills to keep various illnesses at bay, to enhance their capabilities, to compete with artificial intelligence. They no longer have permanent jobs; they supervise the bots and the gig economy keeps them working at short-term projects and then searching for a new project.

Social media rules. Everything [yes, EVERYTHING] is live-streamed, thanks to network constellations, microdrones, and swarms of tiny cameras surrounding everyone. Tip jars help with finances; if the watchers like what they see, they drop coin into your tip jar.

Into this seemingly utopian existence comes Machinehood with its Manifesto requiring the cessation of all pill production and recognition of the sentience of Artificial Intelligence as equal with humanity. Attacks by Machinehood operatives who seem to be part human, part machine, kill several pill funders; they believe in using force to gain their objectives.

Bodyguard Welga Ramirez finds herself pulled back into intelligence work for the government. Despite her desire to dismantle the Machinehood, she finds herself caught up in an unexpected dilemma that threatens her life. Is the Machinehood hiding in the caliphate of the al-Muwahhidun empire? Is it threatening the way of life of earth from one of the orbiting space colonies?

As global panic takes hold, people destroy their bots in hopes of staving off an AI takeover. Can Welga find the answers before Machinehood destroys their world?

The complex world-building throughout this narrative is impressive, but there’s a LOT crammed into this narrative where, at times, the technology threatens to overwhelm the storytelling. Welga is sure to earn the reader’s empathy; however, despite the intimacy in the telling of the tale, the reader often feels like an observer standing on the sidelines watching the unfolding story. Nevertheless, there’s much to consider in this thought-provoking tale.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Gallery Books / Saga Press and NetGalley
#Machinehood #NetGalley

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<p>Review copy provided by the publisher.</p>
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<p>This is a classic science fiction form I'm not seeing enough of: near-future SF written from an intimate voice. The main points of view in the book are two sisters-in-law, Welga and Nithya, who are also close friends, and whose perspective gives triangulation on the future Divya has created. Most humans are constantly accompanied and assisted by their WAIs (weak AIs), machine intelligences that don't quite make the full equal personhood grade by humanity's current estimation. But they're darn good at what they <em>can</em> do, and as a result humanity has chosen to enter an arms race of source with machines, taking a variety of designer drugs to enhance intellectual focus, speed, healing ability, stamina, and more.</p>
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<p>Enter the Machinehood. The Machinehood is a combined human-AI group that is not the least bit satisfied with the status of AIs in the world--and not thrilled with the way human bodies are treated, either. They've gotten to the point where they are willing to engage in violent revolution.</p>
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<p>Welga has been aligned with the status quo for most of her life--previously as a Marine, now in her work as a shield. But her mother died of bad reactions to drugs, and she's starting to have some of those herself. Her sister-in-law Nithya has the biotech skills to help her if anyone can--if anyone human can. And they're both ready to oppose the Machinehood for the safety of their loved ones--for humanity as a whole. They think. They hope.</p>
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<p>This book has a few weaknesses. The exposition is often clunky, and the secondary characters (especially Luis, the man who ties the two protagonists together) are sometimes sketched-in ciphers. But if you like near-future hard SF that centers the lives of individuals and gives you close views of their thoughts, <em>Machinehood</em> is exactly what you're looking for.</p>
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