This is a good third and final book in the Semosis trilogy. This is perhaps my favourite entry because I enjoyed the futuristic setting.

With the time jumps throughout the series, I never get a chance to get attached to character perspectives. I recognize this is fairly common in the science fiction genre that is more about ideas than people.

I appreciated this series and this book, but it's not a personal favourite series of mine. I would still recommend it to readers looking for a modern science fiction book with a more classic narrative.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Sue Burke's exploration of sentient life, community, and collaboration returns with Usurpation, a story that firmly shifts the focus of the series from the world of Pax to the soil of our very own Earth. Earth has taken a beating over the years, and is now home to far fewer people but several more cults (Cetacean and Coral, to name two), a vast array of robots (wild and otherwise), some rainbow bamboo groves from Pax that haven't let anyone else know that they are sentient beings, and the seeds of conflict. When war threatens to break out across the globe, the different groves of rainbow bamboo are split on how to feel about what is going on, but when a greater threat emerges that could threaten humans and bamboo, the secret of the plant's sentience might have to be sacrificed for the greater good.

Usurpation is an excellent book that tells a gripping story of survival and cooperation, and manages to be a hopeful look at a future that doesn't shy away from depicting consequences. Readers of the previous entries in the series will want to add this to their shelves immediately.

I am grateful to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

‘Usurpation’ is a new Science Fiction novel from the author Sue Burke. It is the third book in a series that began with ‘Semiosis’ and was followed by ‘Interference’. Whilst each book could be read in isolation, I would recommend reading them in order for a more rewarding and richer experience.

This book is based some time in the future, indeed centuries after the events of Semiosis and Interference. The second book ended with seeds from a sentient plant life-form being transported from the distant planet Pax to Earth. This life-form, and I don’t think I’m revealing any spoilers, is the powerful yet benevolent Stevland, a Rainbow Bamboo, which cultivates (excuse the pun) relationships with other sentient flora and fauna on Pax, including humans. Indeed, the fate of the humans on Pax was largely due to the actions and character of Stevland. Naturally I was intrigued as to what might happen in this new book, largely situated on Earth should such a powerful, yet benevolent non-human entity thrive.

The early chapters describe the unrest on Earth between the major political and cultural entities. A modern world but with various levels of technology and interconnectivity. Although the European area is largely peaceful and stable, parts of the world are in turmoil and conflict. Communities also exit in Earth’s orbit and at sea, where a community of humans revere and commune with whales, now recognised as sentient and somewhat intelligent beings. Adding to these communities and conflicts are numerous robots performing a range of activities from basic household duties to high-end and powerful military models. To make life even more uncertain, some of the robots have gone ‘wild’ and are no longer under human control. WIid robot affinities and alliances seem uncertain, fluid or undefined.

In these troubled times, we find the seeds from Stevland, have been disseminated worldwide, providing beauty, decoration and sustenance through multiple Rainbow Bamboo groves. To those living in close proximity to these offspring Rainbow Bamboo, or to those who study them closely, a low-level of sentience is suspected. Some Rainbow Bamboo groves have been ‘chipped’ in order to further understanding and possibly enable communications. On Pax, Stevland was thoughtful, powerful and benevolent. On Earth, her offspring, growing in interconnected but distinct groves, has more diverse personalities. From mild mannered and well-balanced to excitable, obnoxious, ambitious and even psychotic ! They consciously maintain a low-profile and passive presence, concerned that if their level of intelligence was to become known, they might be considered a threat to humans and eradicated. The Rainbow Bamboo groves nevertheless are very sociable, at least within their own communities and local fauna and flora. They tolerate the presence of humans but do not seek to dominate or even influence the world in any great way. That is until earth-wide human conflicts threaten to damage or destroy many of the lifeforms currently inhabiting Earth.

Thankfully at least one of the groves of Rainbow Bamboo, situated in a Bamboo Research institute, seems to have a caring, nurturing and thoughtful personality. This entity and other Rainbow Bamboo groves are unsure about what to do, if anything, to alleviate the growing crisis on Earth. They seek advice from Stevland, but communications are slow, uncertain and infrequent.

The author takes this third book in unexpected directions due to the multi-faceted nature of the Rainbow Bamboos and its lack of hegemony on Earth. Human characters are well-developed, sometime exotic or unusual but always compelling. While some behaviours and relationships are usual, from todays perspective, others are fascinating and thought-provoking adding layers of interest to the plot.

Vivid descriptions allow the reader to build an empathy with or at least an opinion of the participants in this story. Sometimes joyous, due to the developing relationships and events, at other times, a profound sadness. The plot is well thought-out and developed, with interesting side excursions. Early chapters build an ominous tension foretelling the dramatic and global events that may eventuate. The momentum build slowly as alliances shift or become stronger as circumstances and events evolve.

In addition to these events, the author occasionally adds an aside, such as a thought or comment from a Rainbow Bamboo grove, exposing their personality. These may provoke a chuckle or smile from the reader, and are a nice touch. Even if they do not drive the plot forward, they add depth to the characters. Tulips, considered pretty but with a low-intelligence, do not appear to have evolved much and still suffer from old stereotypes ! Other plants, perhaps not living up to expectations might be considered “a waste of soil” !

The concluding chapters are ultimately rewarding and satisfying. Events and outcomes are sometimes sad or bittersweet but ultimately uplifting and life-affirming. Despite the futuristic setting, this is a story of bravery, love, sacrifice and optimism. A moving story with unexpected emotions and relationships displayed within and between species.

The events and characters from this book will remain with me for some time.
I certainly hope so as I continue to better appreciate the world of plants, what they mean to each other, their neighbours, communities and to the wider animal and human world. An excellent and satisfying book. A wonderful addition to Ms Burke’s body of work. I wish her all the very best with the publication.

Usurpation by Sue Burke
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 2 October 2024

Steveland, the ruling intellect of Pax, has covertly dispatched its offspring to Earth with a mission: to investigate, proliferate, and relay information. Since their inception on Earth, turmoil has engulfed the planet. Human insurgencies, robot revolts, and worldwide pandemics have sown disorder, suspicion, and loss of life.

As Earth descends further into chaos with escalating conflicts, Steveland's progeny operate behind the scenes, striving to influence human conduct and, perchance, establish tranquility. Having asserted dominance over Pax, Steveland views Earth as a manageable conquest.

The author takes this third book into unforeseen territories. Human characters are intricately developed, at times exotic or unconventional, yet consistently captivating. While some behaviours and relationships may seem ordinary from today's perspective, others are captivating and thought-provoking, adding layers of intrigue to the narrative.

Detailed descriptions immerse readers in the lives of the characters in this narrative, fostering empathy or at least prompting opinions about their actions and personalities. The storyline is intricately woven, with intriguing diversions adding depth. As the story progresses, momentum steadily increases, driven by shifting alliances and evolving circumstances.

The concluding chapters deliver a satisfying resolution. While some events and outcomes are somber or bittersweet, they ultimately convey optimism and reaffirm the value of life. Despite the futuristic setting, this story celebrates bravery, love, sacrifice, and hope. It is a poignant narrative, highlighting unexpected emotions and interspecies relationships.

Overall, “Usurpation” is an exceptional and fulfilling read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and the author, Sue Burke, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

In the latest (final?) of Sue Burke's Semiosis series, the narrative settles on Earth, following the history of the planet throughout the years after the finale of Interference, as opposed to bouncing between Earth and Pax, as Interference had, or purely on Pax, as was the case in Semiosis.

Once again, the perspective shifts between characters in order to tell a more rounded story, this one taking place over the course of two decades, as opposed to being measured in centuries, and following new characters, with our only familiar narrator being Levanter, the rainbow bamboo from the previous book.

Usurpation focuses mainly on war through the lens of those most affected by it, people with little control over the outcome, primarily people on the outside of it. It explores the nature of sentience, and how human psychology pushes against that which is seen as encroaching on (usurping) how Homo sapiens view themselves in relation to the rest of the world. The human characters in the book interact mainly with three intelligent species other than their own (robots, whales, plants), and the ways in which they think about even the idea of intelligence in something other, being forced to confront internal prejudices and personifications of things that simply aren't human, and as such, don't think the way that humans do.

Usurpation uses Levanter as a touchstone for understanding, as she is able to communicate across most of the boundaries encountered in the book. The connection to those with whom she speaks shows the growth, pun intended, of how we think about not only relationships with other human beings, but with everything around us.