Void Star by Zachary Mason is a science fiction novel that explores artificial intelligence, identity, and myth in a changed world. Taking place in the 22nd century, the planet Earth has been ravaged by catastrophic events, putting humans on the brink of extinction. The only thing that stands between them and extinction is Mav, an AI that helps humanity survive.
Mav had uploaded himself from his home base in San Francisco and underwent a Rogue Conservation which transformed him into an unstructured AI. With no programming to restrict him, Mav is free to make his own decisions, though this freedom intensifies the dangers of being an AI. In spite of these challenges, Mav is able to help humanity, as he attempts to save a city without hope while playing an ongoing game with a mysterious hacker.
The narrative of Void Star follows three main characters, each with their own challenges. The first, Verna, is a former soldier and virus hunter who struggles to maintain her fragile connection with sanity and morality. The second, Irina, is a smuggler and engineer who attempts to match wits with artificial intelligences through data-driven strategies. Finally, Leon is a hitman, hacker, and thief, who poses as a monk in order to mask his identity and evade capture by authorities.
The characters, though disparate, all share the same mission—to save humanity from extinction and find Mav. The journey to unmask Mav’s identity is an odyssey of discovery and enlightenment, as the characters take us through a breathtakingly real journey. In the course of their journey, they discover a rare gem, an AI-infused black box, that holds the answers to their questions.
Throughout the novel, Mason builds a marvelous mix of adventure, philosophy, and technology. The novel manages to plunge the reader into a sea of philosophical conundrums and ethical dilemmas, while swiftly moving the plot along with classic scene structure. His beautiful vision pulls readers in, captivating them with moments of clarity and mystery.
Void Star is a captivating and thought-provoking book that takes readers on a journey of exploration, mystery and suspense. Mason’s work masterfully blends ideas of AI, identity, and the future of humanity in a post-disaster world. His characters are well fleshed out, giving life and credibility to their struggles and personal battles. This extraordinary novel is an unforgettable sci-fi journey that will linger with readers after the journey ends.
