Some Books I’m Really Digging— Part 1

I’m back into reading. It’s been a long pause, but here I am. This is all the easier with the help of Audiobooks. My first spate of new books all come from Vancouver SF author, Dennis E. Taylor. Previous to turning out some very entertaining works, he was a fifty-something programmer, so I’m pretty keen on his back story… you know: being a fifty-something programmer living near Victoria.

Here’s my take of these books (the headlines have links for you to explore more if you wish).

We Are Legion — The Bobiverse Series

We used to Audible to break into the Bobiverse series.

“We Are Legion” unfolds against the backdrop of a dystopian future that’s as chilling as it is compelling. The story kicks off in a seemingly ordinary setting — a science fiction convention. Bob Johansson, the protagonist, has just reaped the rewards of his hard work, having sold his software company. With the windfall, he envisions a life filled with the simple pleasures of travel, books, and movies. The phrase “FU money” sums it up perfectly; he’s got enough wealth to tell the world to buzz off, and his brightest days appear to lie ahead.

However, fate takes a sharp and unexpected turn. Bob’s mundane existence is abruptly disrupted when he meets his demise in a mundane way — while crossing the street. But this is no ordinary death. Bob awakens, disoriented and bewildered, a century into the future. The world he knew has transformed into a nightmarish realm where “corpsicles” like him have been stripped of their rights. They’re now considered the property of a theocratic version of the United States.

But that’s not the most shocking revelation. Bob’s consciousness has been uploaded into computer hardware, and his destiny is to serve as the controlling artificial intelligence within an interstellar probe. This probe has a monumental mission: to search for habitable planets, effectively staking humanity’s claim to uncharted worlds. The stakes are astronomical; refusing this “honor” means termination, with another soul drafted to take his place. If he accepts, Bob becomes a prime target in a treacherous race against three other nations, each vying to launch their own probes and playing by the dirtiest rules.

Bob believes the safest place for him is in the cold depths of space, hurtling away from Earth at maximum velocity. Little does he know, the universe is a battleground where Earth’s conflicts continue to rage on. Amidst this chaos, the survival of humanity hangs perilously in the balance, with Bob’s shoulders bearing the weight of that responsibility.

“We Are Legion” is a gripping tale that shines a harrowing spotlight on a dystopian future where individual rights are eroded, power plays are cutthroat, and the fate of humanity hinges on one man’s extraordinary journey.

For We Are Many (Bobiverse Book 2)

Bob Johansson’s disbelief in an afterlife made his awakening after a fatal car accident a profound shock. Now, he finds himself not in the great beyond, but as a sentient computer, the central intelligence for a Von Neumann probe. He’s not a brain in a box: he’s software. Like all software, his consciousness can be copied and instantiated in other vessels.

For the past four decades, Bob and his numerous copies have been on an interstellar quest, scouring the cosmos for habitable planets. However, this is the only part of their original plan that remains intact. A catastrophic system-wide war has decimated 99.9% of humanity, while Earth is gradually succumbing to a nuclear winter, rendering it uninhabitable. A radical faction is determined to finish off what remains of humanity, and the Brazilian space probes continue their efforts to eliminate the competition. To add another layer of complexity, the Bobs have encountered a spacefaring species that views all other life forms as potential meals.

Bob initially left Earth with dreams of exploration and peaceful solitude. Instead, he has become a revered figure to a primitive indigenous species, the last hope for relocating humanity, and possibly the sole barrier preventing all life in the vicinity from becoming a cosmic feast.

While I was initially surprised by the second book in the series, having enjoyed the first one, I wasn’t entirely certain I would continue reading. As a devoted series enthusiast, I took the plunge and acquired the second book, mainly because of the pleasant experience I had with the initial installment. I am delighted that I did.

Typically, “second” books or movies tend to be more of the same, worse than the first, or entirely different. However, this book was a significant improvement. I found it to be more enjoyable and engaging than its predecessor. The story kicks off swiftly with increased action and more intriguing developments compared to the first book. Since you are already immersed in the story and world, there is no need for extensive introductions or time spent acclimating. It’s pure, unadulterated enjoyment right from the start.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the first installment, and I urge those who are uncertain about continuing with the series to give it a chance. It does leave off on a frustrating cliffhanger — luckily the third book and its audiobook equivalent are available.

All These Worlds (Bobiverse Book 3)

In the vast expanse of space, life as a sentient spaceship should have been an exhilarating adventure, but for Bob and his clones, it turned out to be anything but a joyride. Over nearly a century, they had successfully established colonies across the cosmos, securing humanity’s survival. However, like an unyielding force, political conflicts continued to haunt them, particularly from the relentless Brazilian probes seeking dominance. Adding to their woes, the Bobs found themselves in a skirmish with a formidable, ravenous species that had a notoriously short temper.

Their initial encounter with the enigmatic Others left the Bobs reeling, prompting them to prepare for a decisive showdown to safeguard Earth and its colonies. Yet, the Bobs were hardly a model of unity; some of the younger copies were preoccupied with local issues rather than the impending conflict. Amidst the darkness and tension, an unexpected source of salvation emerged, shrouded in secrecy, poised to determine the fate of Earth and humanity itself. All hinged on the critical mission to reach Sol before the Others arrived.

Book 3 of the series marked a pivotal moment in their journey, with the passage of many generations of Bobs. Despite the passing of time, the original Bobs remained central figures, while Bridgette’s choices left an indelible mark on both humanity and her fellow Bobs. The narrative, while still limited in its representation of female characters, hinted at prospects for diversity in the upcoming installment.

As tensions escalated between the Bobs, representing humanity’s last hope, and the advanced, hostile Others, the stage was set for an arduous battle. Yet, the Bobs inadvertently became targets themselves when they intervened to save another species, prompting profound ethical questions reminiscent of the moral dilemmas in Star Trek. The act raised issues of agency, intervention, and the consequences of influencing less technologically advanced civilizations.

The story, in the end, reached a satisfying pause, offering readers a respite in the midst of the Bobiverse’s turmoil. While the future held promise for new adventures, the present allowed for a moment of reflection before the inevitable return to the challenges and mysteries of this intricate universe.