THE GANYMEDAN by R.T. Ester

4 stars

This sci-fi thriller takes us centuries into the future, where humanity has established outposts throughout our solar system and sentient technology has been created that vies with humanity for social status and power. Vernan Dotnet (who goes by V-Dot), a talented human bartender, has been hired as the personal mixologist for Archer Lenox-Pileser (goes by LP) the most powerful and richest human who has created all the sentient technology. LP also has formed the consortium that rules over the solar system, but there have been multiple wars trying to break up the consortium.

The thriller opens with V-Dot murdering LP, after recording a confession of LP recounting some of his horrific crimes.  V-Dot goes on the run with the only cache back-up of LP’s brain. He takes this halo off LP ensuring that LP’s hundreds of body back-ups cannot be used. LP needs to get the halo to someone who can effectively destroy it, keeping LP from becoming resurrected down the line.

As V-Dot’s harrowing and desperate escape adventures unfold, V-Dot relies on the help of an antiquated sentient ship, TR-8901 (goes by TR). TR is the last of the very first sentient technology, most of whom acted out a suicide pact as they found themselves bewildered with finding purpose and meaning in their newly sentient existence.

Alternating the escape are flashbacks to V-Dot’s childhood growing up on a rebel planet, seduction and recruitment by LP’s ambitious niece Cloey, and time with LP. These flashbacks lend increasing insight into both how V-Dot became a murderer as well as the precarious politics between different human factions, between different levels of sentients, and most particularly between sentients and humans.

What I found confusing and stopped me from giving a 5 star review, was the difficulty for me in sorting out from all the bits and pieces revealed in V-Dot’s flashbacks the differing cultures among humans based on the planet or outpost from which they originated, and the distinctions between sentient technology – both androids and machinery and ships – and technology that appears sentient but lacks a “god-node” to enable independent and critical thinking. Eventually you catch on, but you almost feel like you need to create a chart to keep it all straight.

What I loved most, as we ourselves find ourselves with the possibility of sentient AI looming near, centered on the complex politics of finding a way for sentients and humans to co-exist in harmony.

Thanks to Rebellion | Solaris and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.