A stunning debut novel of speculative fiction!
The Korea of the future is reunified and robots have been integrated into society but not necessarily accepted. Most robots are utilized as unpaid help, as sex slaves, as pets. Robotics have been integrated into the medical world as well - many humans are have multiple robotic parts and these additions can impact their feelings toward the second class robot group.

In Luminous we meet sibling young professionals Jun and Morgan, who miss their brother Yoyo - a being who is very much a robot but a member of the family. Jun is an officer of the law, remade from his war experience into a modern day bionic man and Morgan is his angry sister, a computer programer, a creator of robot beings who has created her own lover.

It's poignant and far reaching. Complex and truly lovely. Not your usual science fiction fare.
#simonandschuster #luminous #silviapark

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Such an interesting read. Unique. Definitely made me think and question. I enjoyed this ride. Perfect sci-fi read and unexpected.

4.5/5

In a future where the line between human and robot is blurred, Silvia Parks asks: what makes a person real, and what makes a thing a person? At its core, this book is literary fiction and not hard sci-fi — robotic world building is forgone to focus on identity and the longing for connection; these soft and messy ties that bind us.

Someone in the book summarizes this dichotomy well: “Do you think the lines I say have less value because you can track the input data? What about the lines you say to each other? Aren’t they the same lines you downloaded from thousands of sources?” It comes at a very relevant time, of large AI models that make paintings and write essays that we don’t want to call art. All I know is that in this (very plausible tbh) future, there is everything in between children with robotic limbs, humans that are monsters, and robots that are tender: all bags of flesh that want to feel less alone, and that is at times both cruel and touching.

The writing is beautiful, if a bit slow to start. I am a sucker for a good line, so quotes like "Sometimes the heart can fail without war" really hit the spot.

Overall an enjoyable literary sci-fi that examines the relationship between humans and their robot creations. I'd recommend it to anyone for whom that description sounds compelling. I generally preferred the first half, as the genre elements took more of a back seat in the second half and I began to lose the various threads a bit.

Silvia Park's Luminous is an extraordinary exploration of humanity, technology, and cultural identity, set in a future where robots are fully integrated into daily life. This novel stands out for its profound examination of what it means to be human, how grief and identity intertwine, and the evolving relationships between humans and AI.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

It was just a so, so read for me.

It is not a book I would put at the top of my to be read list. But it was okay.

Silvia Park’s Luminous is a dazzling exploration of light and shadow, both literally and metaphorically. Set in a vibrant, contemporary world, the novel follows a young artist grappling with her identity and the complexities of her cultural heritage. Park’s lyrical prose invites readers into a richly imagined landscape, filled with vivid imagery and emotional depth.

At the heart of Luminous is the protagonist's journey of self-discovery as she navigates the art scene while balancing family expectations and personal aspirations. Park skillfully captures the struggles of finding one’s voice in a society that often demands conformity. The character’s passion for her craft is palpable, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she learns to embrace her unique perspective.

One of the novel's strengths is its exploration of cultural identity. Park weaves in themes of tradition and modernity, showcasing the tensions that arise from navigating dual identities. The way she depicts family dynamics is both nuanced and relatable, adding layers to the narrative that resonate with anyone who has felt the pull of their roots while striving for independence.

The supporting characters are equally well-crafted, each bringing their own complexities and contributing to the protagonist’s journey. Their interactions are rich with authenticity, revealing the intricacies of relationships that shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Pacing in Luminous is expertly managed, balancing moments of introspection with compelling plot developments. The emotional stakes build steadily, leading to a climax that is both satisfying and thought-provoking. Park’s ability to intertwine the protagonist’s artistic growth with her personal evolution makes for a deeply engaging read.

Ultimately, Luminous is a beautiful testament to the power of art and self-expression. Silvia Park has crafted a poignant narrative that speaks to the heart of what it means to be both an artist and a person navigating the complexities of life. This novel is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration in their own journey and a celebration of the luminous moments that shape us. Highly recommended!

I'm not really sure how I feel about this one, to be honest. On the one hand, I think there were parts where the writing just really hit that perfect note. I also liked the varied discussions on humanity and grief. Also, the cover is just really visually appealing, which is what initially drew me to the book in the first place.

On the other hand, I think I didn't fully "get" the writing at times. It had a tendency to hop around from point-to-point (which is kind of a hallmark, I've found, of literary fiction--and this reads a lot like literary fiction melded together with a sci-fi) and some bits of the writing were a bit difficult for me to parse their meaning; either because the author employed a style of choppiness or just certain descriptions didn't quite hit the mark for me.

But I don't think this is a bad book at all. I'd highly recommend this if you like literary fiction and discussions on humanity through the lens of both humans and robots. I just think that stylistically the writing didn't really mesh in my brain. Not through the fault of the author, I believe, but just something I've noticed that's become popularized in more literary fiction-type novels. I don't always understand it in the way that other people do, and that's fine. So, while I don't regret reading this, I don't know that I fully came away with any profound impact, even though I kind of recognize what the author was trying to do... I think?

Much like other literary fiction books I've tried, I don't think this one is fully for me. I'll still recommend it to other people, though, because I do think there's a lot here that people will really enjoy.

Luminous by Silvia Park was based on an intriguing premise about robots (AI) and how they may fit into the human world one day not too far off in the future. It was well written, possibly a little technical for a Philistine like myself, but not hard to follow. The story sounds geeky (not for the uninitiated), but have no fear, it is all too human in its themes.

There are siblings whose father is a founder of “human” robots in the home. He is an extraordinarily intelligent man who may be lacking in some social skills. He builds and brings home a robot in the shape and form of a human boy who will be 10 forever in appearance, but in his ability to mimic humanity is anything but. The robot lives with his two children until he doesn’t.

As I consider the book, I see it takes reflecting back to see some of the points. I am not sure if it is about allowing AI into our lives without side rails or if it is a cautionary tale. In this world, people who are harmed can be fitted with bionic replacements, which is good. People can also use the tech to create entire “bionic” people. Is that a good thing? Maybe.

Thank you to Netgalley for the prepublication copy of this book to read and review. I really did enjoy it.

I really enjoyed this book although I'm not sure if I actually GOT it.

For the first couple chapters I worried that it might be a bit boring, but that definitely was not the case. The characters were all complex and relatable, and I appreciated how the author captured the way adult siblings can easily fall back into petty childhood dynamics and grudges.

The plot was well paced but certain plots points were treated with dramatic significance that I didn't understand while other TRULY dramatic pieces of information were presented casually or with very little explanation. (For example, the way Ruijie suddenly mentions that she's dying. Of what? What's wrong with her body that requires the use of a robotic "suit"? It's never made clear.) Chapters would end at random points in the narrative, and when I was past the 90% mark and the story didn't seem to be winding down, I started to worry about a cliffhanger ending. (Thank goodness this was not the case.)

I didn't entirely understand Yoyo's storyline... he was a military robot but the scientist who designed him raised him as a son? But then gave him back to the military? Or he was kidnapped? I'm not sure. And while he was clearly the Cat that Lived a Million Lives, I wasn't sure how he kept getting reset and placed with new owners. He was supposedly a dangerous military robot, so who was pairing him with civilians? Did he run away to the junkyard or was he abandoned?

In spite of the fact that I had more questions than answers and I found the ending to be a little abrupt, I liked the book. It raised some thought-provoking questions about what it means to be human (both the best and worst parts), and how the capacity for true objectivity and unselfishness might belong only to the realm of AI.

I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC. My honest review is my own opinion.

Unfortunately not for me. In a world with SO many books being published, I just don't see this as a must in our collection.

I am *dazzled* by this book. Like unequivocally stupefied. This book is not just a stunning debut, but a stunning book just point blank period. I will be confounded if this does not win any awards or isn’t shortlisted for the Hugos in 2026. I could genuinely see this book winning a Hugo or Nebula or Booker Prize even.

It’s a heartbreaking meditation on grief, family, what it means to inhabit your body, and the sensation of being foreign to oneself. I wouldn’t think that a book about robots and a unified Korea would make for such beautiful metaphors on being a trans and diasporic Korean, but Park manages to embed the metaphor perfectly. I love this book. And it broke my heart. If only because there was a woman with the same name and religion as my halmoni who was also searching for her missing child. The main characters are all beautifully unique in their personalities and tragedies. Everything felt personal and terrible. Everything hurt like the brilliance of the sun.

Do you talk to your Roomba? Ever apologize to your phone when you drop it? Have you ever killed a Tamagotchi and cried over it?
Luminous takes place after a war. Robots are advanced. Jun is a human detective who investigates crimes involving robots. Jun's sister developes robots. If you like Irobot (the movie) or The Secret Life of Puppets (the book) you will like this. I was deeply moved. I took one star off because the ending bothered me.
This book provides so much introspection into humanity and what it means to love. There was so much to examine and question and then....it just ended. I will probably be thinking about this book for a while.

The publisher reached out via email offering an EPUB of this book, and I’m glad they did. While AI-themed books often blend together for me, this one stood out with its unique flair and Korean cultural setting. Set in a future where Korea is united and robots are integrated into every aspect of life, it explores themes of class and human-robot relationships. The story of estranged siblings, Morgan and Jun, and their missing robot sibling, Yoyo, is both intriguing and heartfelt. It’s a refreshing take on the genre, making it a must-read for those seeking something distinct in the realm of futuristic AI literature.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. The book is set in the future, when not only is Korea united, but robots have become integrated into our lives in the form of not only servants or customer service roles, but also family and personal relationships. Even so, the robots remain "beneath" humans in the class hierarchy. In particular, one family of three siblings is focused on: humans Morgan and Jun, and their robot sibling Yoyo. Years later, Morgan and Jun are estranged and Yoyo has gone missing. Jun now investigates in the robot division of the police, and Morgan makes state of the art robots. The human siblings reconnect during an investigation. On the other side of Seoul, a child sifts through the junkyard looking for robot parts to help herself survive. She comes across Yoyo.

The three siblings do come back to each other, but it also means they need to come to terms with their past, as well as their own family - which is not easy. This is a great book to read if you want to read about the future, but also want to learn about the human element and what that means exactly. The future may be more streamlined, but the human is a complex species.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.