Starred review from July 15, 2016
A girl, remade, might just remake the world. Princess Greta Stuart of the Pan Polar Confederacy was tortured and killed, then remade through politics and science into the first new AI in over a century (The Scorpion Rules, 2015). Now it's time for Talis, the godlike, peace-dictating AI (who blows up cities to ensure compliance), to bring her home to the Red Mountains. But he's currently in a vulnerable human body, subject to attacks both emotional and physical. Bow's second volume starts slow, almost bogging down in minutiae, then accelerates to an extraordinary conclusion. This is not a fault: the slowness is an exquisite example of showing. Greta is AI, and AI tend to focus on minutiae. As Greta loses her humanity the narrative slows, swallowed in detail and exposition--only to switch pace and subtly alter in voice as she regains the qualities that make her human. All of this plays out against small human dramas and intense political plotting, all focused on an exploration of power, corruption, and compassion. Are there a few references that seem too now? Sure. Does it matter? Not at all; this is a treatise on humanity and love and the importance of caring--and also a sharp science-fiction novel of a weirdly plausible future. Brilliant and compelling: don't miss this. (Science fiction. 13 & up)
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Starred review from August 1, 2016
Gr 10 Up-This sequel picks up shortly after the conclusion of The Scorpion Rules. Greta Gustafson Stuart, former princess of the Pan Polar Confederation, is a newly minted Artificial Intelligence. In agreeing to become an AI, Greta has saved herself and fellow hostage Elian Palnik while avoiding the wrath of Talis-the all-powerful AI who rules the world with the judicious use of satellite weaponry, carefully chosen hostages, and his Swan Riders, who act as part army and part cult. Greta is the first new AI in more than a century. Haunted by memories of her time as a hostage growing up at Precepture Four-including torture, friendship, and Xie, the future queen and the lover Greta had to leave behind-the protagonist struggles to cling to what is left of her humanity while learning about her capabilities as an AI. With the future of the world hanging in the balance, Greta will have to use everything she knows about being AI and human to bring her two dramatically different worlds together. Quick recaps and Greta's own memories bring readers up to speed in this fast-paced sci-fi novel, although having knowledge of the first book is ideal. Bow dramatically expands the world here by introducing more of the landscape as Talis, Greta, and two Swan Riders travel across Saskatchewan toward the AI home base near Montana. Interludes from Talis's point of view-in his present form as an all-powerful AI and in flashbacks to his time as the idealistic Michael Talis, who wanted to save the world-add another dimension to this disturbingly likable character. Weighty subject matter and heavy questions about what is best vs. what is right are tempered with humor and Greta's wry first-person narration. Like its predecessor, this installment has a thoughtfully diverse cast of characters with familiar faces and newer additions, including Francis Xavier, a stoic, dark-skinned Swan Rider born with one hand. VERDICT A fascinating follow-up and stunning story that is a must-read for fans of the first volume.-Emma Carbone, Brooklyn Public Library
Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 1, 2016
Picking up shortly after The Scorpion Rules (rev. 9/15) left off, Bow's sequel expands the world of the previous book, starting slowly (and building a false sense of security) before rapidly escalating to a compelling conclusion. Greta, former Crown Princess of the Pan Polar Confederacy, is a newly minted AIthe first in over a hundred years. Struggling to adjust to the mental, physical, and emotional (or lack thereof) differences between her formerly human self and her new self, Greta is terrified of losing memories of everything she holds dear: The who of me. The why of me. She finds surprising solace in her relationship with Talis, the all-seeing AI dictator for peace, and the Swan Riders, members of Talis's army who function somewhere between UN blue helmets and a high-tech military. While the first book focused on relationships between humans, this one explores the relationship between humanity and technology, particularly in what happens when individuals span those seemingly opposite categories. Readers eager to see more of Greta and Xie's relationship will be sorely disappointed, but those invested in other characters, standout world-building, and the exploration of the big questions that science fiction so readily facilitates (What makes us human? Can machines ever be human? Can peace maintained through violence and fear ever truly be peace?) will most definitely be satisfied. kazia berkley-cramer
(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
January 1, 2017
A newly minted AI, Greta (The Scorpion Rules) is struggling with the differences between her formerly human self and her new self. She finds surprising solace in her relationship with Talis, the AI dictator for peace, and the Swan Riders, members of Talis's army. Standout world-building and the exploration of big questions that science fiction so readily facilitates (e.g., what makes us human?) will satisfy readers.
(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)