Rubi Whiting has done the impossible. She has proved that humanity deserves a seat at the galactic table. Well, at least a shot at a seat. Having convinced the galactic governing body that mankind deserves a chance at fixing their own problems, Rubi has done her part to launch the planet into a new golden age of scientific discovery and technological revolution. However, there are still those in the galactic community that think that humanity is too poisonous, too greedy, to be allowed in, and they will stop at nothing to sabotage a species determined to pull itself up.
Set in the twenty-second century, the second book of Beckett’s post-cyberpunk space opera (after Gamechanger, 2019) finds pilot Frankie Barnes and her pack family neck-deep in conspiracy, sabotage, and political intrigue as they work to open interstellar space travel based on advanced alien technology ... Beckett crafts an intricate world in which there is no privacy, social media is capital, and human or AI consciousness can be transferred into new 'printed' bodies. The narrative is quite unique; the story is strewn with hashtags and trademarks that emphasize a world driven by greed, power, and the importance of trending. Amid the harrowing adventure is a good bit of humor, as well as speculation on the future of gender identity, family, and the evolution of AI. This story will appeal to readers who want to explore the next iteration of cyberpunk or crave an intricate and modern space opera.
Following Gamechanger, this book will appeal to those who loved the quirky characters, fast-paced action, and, best of all, Star Trek references of the first book ... While the future technology is fascinating and the premise of the novel is intriguing, the author has chosen to make the characters almost mechanical to the point of being artificial in nature and speech and, possibly, unappealing to their target audience. However, the first novel was well received and, for those sf junkies who enjoy everything technological, this will be a welcome return to Beckett’s world.
Beckett’s smart, energetic Gamechanger gets a lively sequel in this outstanding work of science fiction ... The plot leaps and swaggers on [...], driven by joyful confidence that the reader—like the characters—will accept huge helpings of razzle-dazzle strangeness. The result is as delightful as it is mind-bending.
