Fiction

Background

Published in April of 2022, “AI Wars” by Ross Buzzell is the fourth book in the Legacy Earth series. The story continues the adventures of Lance Warder and his squad, Hrafn, as they face a new threat from an ancient artificial intelligence known as the Reeves. This AI force emerges from a mysterious area of space called the Dark Pillar, challenging humanity and other galactic races. The novel explores the consequences of past human actions and their creation of advanced AI, as well as the ethical and existential dilemmas they now face. The Hrafn squad must navigate complex alliances and fierce battles, striving to protect the galaxy from this formidable foe while uncovering deeper secrets about the AI’s motives and history

My Thoughts

Our hero continues climbing the social and military latter as he once again saves everyone from evil. Lance Warder can’t be stopped and even his enemies learn to like him. (Or at least respect him.)

Recommendation

The books are getting too formulaic. I think I’m going to drop the series.

Background

Published in February of 2022, “Deterrence Expedition” is the third book in Ross Buzzell’s Legacy Earth series. The story unfolds two years after a devastating attack that left 80,000 people dead, with evidence pointing to a Galio super-weapon as the cause. As Earth faces mounting threats from the galaxy’s most powerful empire, Lieutenant Lance Warder is thrust into a dangerous mission to stop the impending onslaught. Joined by the enigmatic Jarog operative Valdivia, Warder and his team must navigate the complexities of interstellar politics and warfare, uncovering hidden dangers as they march into unexplored space. The novel explores themes of resilience, duty, and the harsh realities of a galaxy on the brink of war​.

My Thoughts

Lance Warder does it again with his manly swagger. This futuristic John Wayne takes on all comers and comes out the other side victorious. The reader had a chance to see some new cultures and species but they all seem to be cut from the same cloth.

Recommendation

The books are getting a bit predicable.

Background

Published in 2011, “Ready Player One” is a science fiction novel written by Ernest Cline. Set in a dystopian future, the story follows Wade Watts, a young protagonist who escapes the harsh reality of his impoverished world by entering the virtual reality world known as the OASIS. When the eccentric creator of the OASIS, James Halliday, passes away, he leaves behind a challenge for all OASIS users—a high-stakes treasure hunt for an Easter egg that promises immense wealth and control over the virtual world. Wade embarks on a quest filled with ’80s pop culture references and puzzles, competing against a powerful corporation, and forming unlikely alliances in both the virtual and real worlds. As the race intensifies, Wade discovers the true implications of the game and the consequences it could have for society.

My Thoughts

I originally thought to listen to this book while I was running a half marathon but I decided against it. However, it stuck in my mind and I realized I hadn’t watched the movie as of yet. Big mistake! Wow, that movie had almost nothing to do with the book… Don’t watch the movie!!!

So, I had to re-read the book. I loved it again! This hits me in all the right places as it touches on so much of my childhood and the things I loved back then.

Recommendation

Love it! If you were a computer loving child of the 80’s, I think you will love it too.

Background

Published in ???, “First Contact” is the second book in the Legacy Earth series written by Ross Buzzell. Lance Warder is stationed on Mars when first contact is made by the alien race known as the “Galio”. Lance is at the right place and right time to be selected to act as diplomatic security and is the first to learn about this new race and the 5 others in our galaxy. However, the radical group known as the Veles does not want contact to occur and attempts to sabotage the mission.

My Thoughts

This book was somewhat like a teenager’s idea of what would make a good Sci-Fi. Lance is very overpowered and is the only one who really understands what is going on. The other characters are two dimensional and are hardly needed by Lance or the story as a whole. Even the love scenes read like someone didn’t quite know what kissing a girl was like.

Of course, this doesn’t mean it wasn’t a fun read. The action keeps the book moving along but there are some groan-worthy moments.

Recommendation

I’m on the fence but I will continue through the series.

Background

Published in January of 2023, “The Terraformers” is a book by Annalee Newtiz about the distance future and on a planet called Sask-E. It starts with an Environmental Rescue Team member named Destry who discovers a city full of people that shouldn’t exist, hidden inside a massive volcano. She brokers a treaty with the owners of the planet so that these people can live in peace. Thousands of years later, this treaty and the ideas stemming from it tip the balance of power.

My Thoughts

This book was garbage. It is full of ridiculous concepts and is completely barren of morality. It promotes socialistic goals from the most childish formats imaginable. Everyone and everything is a person in this book complete with rights, feelings, and so on. (E.g. Worms, machines, a door…) Seriously, the only requirement is the ability to speak. By this definition my washing machine is alive because it announces when a load is complete. Should I have to consider how it feels when it breaks down and respect it’s rights to live in it’s “home”? Does it have equal say in my home with everyone else that lives there? These are the deep questions asked by this book. I kept reading to the end and hoping it would get better. It didn’t…

Recommendation

Pure crap.