Tor, Feb 2002, 25.95, 432 pp.
ISBN: 0765303698
In 2004, Lebanese born Judge Mohammed Abdel-Malek is murdered. Seven decades later, Abdel is brought back to life. The world he died in is not the same as the world he is reborn in as the artificial intelligence Aleph now controls mankind's destiny. Not long after his reanimation, Abdel serves as a judge again.
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Amanda Kolby-McAllister and her boyfriend are caught breaking into a mag-lev freighter terminal while hoping to hobo a ride on these super speed underground trains. Mohammed confines her to her home while taking away her communication privileges. However, the brilliant Amanda manages to hack through her confines. Mathewmark Fisher learns of Amanda through her hacking and decides to help Amanda sneak into a mag-lev compound, but he nearly dies in the attempt. Mohammed assigns Amanda to care for Mathewmark, whose brain now consists of computer circuitry. His new “brain” enables him to learn of Aleph's apoplectic plan to attain the next evolutionary level in relatively moments rather than millenniums. With no hope for the future, they must stop the all-powerful Aleph.
TRANSCENSION is an exciting futuristic science fiction novel that is based on machines intelligently growing in brain power without human support. The story line is engaging as Damien Broderick adds several layers of depth to the typical super AI tale. Though the numerous major subplots at times overwhelms the more casual follower, Mr. Broderick has created a powerful science fiction entry that fans will fully enjoy and want more AI tales from this free thinker.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner
