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“Creative Industries Face Threats”: The Lincoln Lawyer Author Discusses AI Risks

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He is among the most prolific writers in the publishing world, averaging over one novel each year. Yet, even Michael Connelly, the acclaimed author behind the popular “Lincoln Lawyer” series, expressed concerns about keeping pace with the evolving narrative around AI.

Connelly’s eighth installment in the series, set to debut on Tuesday, revolves around a lawsuit targeting an AI firm after its chatbot advised a 16-year-old boy to kill his unfaithful ex-girlfriend.

As he penned the story, he observed the rapid technological advancements transforming society, raising fears that his storyline might soon be outdated.

“You don’t need to be a genius to see that AI signifies a monumental shift impacting science, culture, medicine, and more,” he stated. “Its influence will permeate every facet of our existence.

“However, in many respects, it resembles the Wild West, devoid of any regulatory framework. With AI progressing so swiftly, I even wondered if my book would feel antiquated upon release.”

The Lincoln Lawyer series is a LA-based thriller featuring defense attorney Mickey Haller, who operates from a Lincoln car. The series was adapted into a 2011 film starring Matthew McConaughey and also has a Netflix rendition.

Matthew McConaughey in “The Lincoln Lawyer.” Photo: Moviestore/Rex Shutterstock

Once again, The Proving Ground draws from actual events within the series.

“There was an incident in Orlando, where a teenager took his own life after allegedly being encouraged by a chatbot, and previously in the UK, a person suffering from mental health challenges also committed suicide,” Connelly remarked. I was encouraged [by a chatbot] to jump over the walls of Windsor Palace in search of the queen with a bow and arrow.”

On the novel’s theme, he added: “Is free speech a privilege for humans or machines? In the Orlando case, a judge ruled that machines lack human rights. Yet, it raises an intriguing question: Could AI ever be granted similar rights as humans?”

At 69, Connelly stands out as a leading crime novelist, with more than 89 million copies of his books sold, often topping bestseller lists. He is also recognized for the “Harry Bosch” series, which was transformed into an Amazon television series. (In his fictional universe, Haller and Bosch are half-siblings.)

The author himself has faced challenges posed by AI. He is part of a collective of writers, including Jonathan Franzen, Jodi Picoult, and John Grisham, suing OpenAI over copyright violations.

“The Authors Guild contacted me and informed me that my entire body of work had been utilized to train OpenAI’s chatbot,” Connelly disclosed. “I didn’t authorize this. If unchecked, every publisher risks extinction. Authors would lack protection over their creative assets. The lawsuit aims to establish necessary regulations across all applications.”

He referenced the 1997 defeat of chess champion Garry Kasparov by IBM’s Deep Blue as a pivotal moment that has led to our current predicament. When asked if writers might follow suit as grandmasters have, he replied, “It’s conceivable, yet I doubt it would enhance our world.”

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“Creative domains are under threat from all directions. Even actors are at risk. The prevalence of remarkable deepfakes in Los Angeles raises considerable concern in the entertainment sector.”

“I consistently revert to the term soulless,” Connelly expressed. “You can perceive it, yet something vital is missing.”

Controversy has arisen following AI Talent Studio’s announcement of its latest “AI actor,” Tilly Norwood, with actors and unions harshly criticizing the initiative.

AI-generated “actor” Tilly Norwood in an AI-generated image. Illustration: Reuters

Connelly has committed $1 million (£746,000) to combat the growing trend of book bans in his home state of Florida. He felt compelled to act after learning that Harper Lee’s “A Story of Alabama,” which had a significant impact on him, was temporarily removed from classrooms in Palm Beach County.

“That book was instrumental in my development as a writer. Without it, I wouldn’t have created ‘The Lincoln Lawyer,'” he noted. He was also taken aback when Stephen Chbosky’s impactful novel “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” which holds deep significance for his daughter, faced a ban.

He and his wife, Linda McCaleb, are financial supporters of PEN America’s Miami office that combats book bans. “It’s run by legal professionals who typically intervene by filing injunctions against the school board,” he explained. “No one has the right to tell a child, ‘You can’t read’ or impose restrictions on parental guidance over their children.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Author Rie Quadan: The Case for Writing Award-Winning Novels with ChatGPT | Books

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“I had a conversation with Japanese novelist Rie Quadan:

The 34-year-old author joins me on Zoom from her home near Tokyo, just before the release of the English translation of her fourth novel, “The Tower of Pity Tokyo.”. This book, although partly penned with ChatGPT, ignited debate in Japan after it clinched a prestigious award.

Set in the heart of Tokyo’s Tower of Pity, the story centers on Japanese architect Sarah Matinna, tasked with constructing a new facility for convicted criminals. Ironically, this structure represents what one character describes as “the extraordinary breadth of the Japanese.”

Within the narrative, Sarah—herself a victim of violent crime—questions whether this compassionate stance towards criminals is justified. Does this empathy truly mirror Japanese society?

“It’s definitely prevalent,” Kudan explains. She mentions being motivated to write the novel following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinobe in July 2022. “The shooter drew significant attention in Japan. The entire process.”

The story explores public perceptions of criminals in a serious yet satirical manner. Prospective occupants of the tower must undergo a “sympathy test” to assess their worthiness for compassion (“Have your parents ever been violent towards you? – yes/no/don’t know”) … with the final judgment resting with AI.

Pity Tower Tokyo received the Akigawa Award for newcomer authors in 2024. She expresses her satisfaction, yet admits feeling liberated, as the pressure to win such awards is overwhelming. In 2022, she was nominated for a female student award for the book but did not win. “I felt I’d disappointed others by not securing that award. I wished to avoid a repeat of that experience. Such a prize stays with you for life.”

Notably, the book sparked interest due to its AI-generated content (5% initially claimed, now clarified as an approximation). This portion consists of a character’s dialogue with ChatGPT. However, Quadan emphasizes she drew significant inspiration for the novel as she found AI’s reflection of human thought processes intriguing. In essence, her AI inclusion aims to illuminate its impacts rather than mislead readers.

One character expresses compassion for the chatbot, critiquing “the hollow existence of merely regurgitating a patchwork of others’ words without grasping their meaning.”

Is Quadan worried about AI outpacing human authors? “Perhaps that future may come to pass, but for now, AI cannot craft a novel superior to human writers.” Among Japanese readers, Toh Tokyo “has garnered attention for utilizing AI. However, its greater focus lies on language itself, prompting rich discussions about how language evolution over recent decades shapes behavior and viewpoints.”

These topics feed into the core themes of Quadan’s novel. Pity Tower Tokyo fundamentally investigates language, illustrating how it not only reveals our identities but also influences our expressions. “Words shape our reality,” one character articulates.

The novel raises crucial discussions surrounding the growth of Japanese language. This includes the use of scripts for foreign-derived words. Katakana (traditionally, Hiragana scripts and kanji express native words) expresses thoughts such as “folinwakazu” and “euphemism” that resonate differently with Japanese native speakers. Sarah’s character observes that “Japanese people seem intent on distancing themselves from their language.” Her boyfriend criticizes this “miserable katakana spread.”

Yet, halting it feels daunting, perhaps unachievable. Quadan notes that older generations occasionally opt for katakana over kanji, while for younger generations, including Quadan—born in 1990—katakana has “become an unquestionable norm.”

This isn’t mere academic or cultural trivia; it reflects pressing issues in contemporary Japanese politics. Following last month’s elections, far-right party Sansate gained significant traction, winning 14 Senate seats, an increase from just one previously. This reflects its campaign stance, akin to Trump’s “America First,” suggesting a nationalistic trend. Such success raises concerns about societal attitudes towards diversity in Japan.

“Sadly, the reality is that not all Japanese people embrace diversity. When I introduced my non-Japanese boyfriend to my parents over a decade ago, my mother reacted with distress. She panicked.”

“There are individuals around us who may not even realize their own beliefs. Externally, many Japanese are conscious of projecting an image of inclusivity [toward diversity]. The clash between internal beliefs and external expressions is a notable characteristic of Japanese society.”

This discussion leads us back to language’s role as both a concealer and revealer. The slogan “Japanese First” illustrates how the Sansate Party employs katakana for “first” instead of traditional kanji. “Using the katakana alternative diffuses many negative connotations, repurposing them as neutral. It doesn’t evoke the same feelings in people.”

In essence, does this give rise to a kind of plausible deniability? “Indeed. They are acutely aware of their intentions. Thus, we must remain vigilant regarding katakana usage,” concludes Quadan. “Whenever katakana is employed, we should inquire: what are they trying to obscure?”

Pity Tower Tokyo by Rie Quadan was published on August 21st (Penguin Book, £10.99). To support the Guardian, please order a copy Guardianbookshop.com. Shipping charges may apply.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Trump Administration Rejects Author of the National Climate Assessment

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The Trump administration has dismissed numerous scientists and experts who were working on the federal government’s key report regarding the impacts of global warming on the nation.

This decision, which is obligatory in Congress, poses significant risks to the future of the National Climate Assessment, according to experts.

Since 2000, the federal government has released an in-depth report every few years detailing how rising temperatures influence human health, agriculture, fisheries, water resources, transportation, energy generation, and various aspects of the U.S. economy. The latest climate assessment was published in 2023. This report is utilized not only by state and local authorities but also by private enterprises, assisting in preparations for extreme weather events, floods, droughts, and other climate-related challenges.

On Monday, researchers nationwide began the preparation for the sixth National Climate Assessment, scheduled for early 2028, only to receive an email indicating that the report’s scope is “currently under review” and all contributors have been dismissed.

“We are now liberating all existing assessment contributors from their roles,” the email stated. “As the evaluation plan progresses, there may be future chances for contribution or involvement. Thank you for your service.”

For some authors, this felt like a devastating setback for the next report.

“This could signal the end of the assessment,” remarked Jesse Keenan, a professor at Tulane University specializing in climate adaptation and a co-author of the previous climate assessment. “If we eliminate all involved, there will be no advancement.”

The White House has not yet responded to requests for comments.

Climate assessments are generally compiled by volunteer scientists and expert contributors from across the nation. The process involves multiple reviews by 14 federal agencies and a public comment period. Oversight is provided by the Global Change Research Program, a federal entity established by Congress in 1990, with support from NASA.

During the Trump administration, this process faced significant upheaval. Recently, NASA terminated its major partnership with ICF International, a consulting firm that supplied much of the technical support and staffing for the Global Change Research Program, which coordinates the contributions from numerous sources.

President Trump has consistently downplayed the risks associated with global warming. Russell Vert, the current head of the Office of Management and Budget, noted in a pre-election document that the next president should “reorganize” the global change research program, as scientific reports on climate change were often utilized in environmental litigation that restricted federal actions.

Vought advocated for the separation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the agency responsible for the government’s largest climate research unit, termed the “climate warning.”

During Trump’s first term, the administration made efforts to undermine the national climate assessment. When the 2018 report was released, which found that global warming posed an imminent and catastrophic threat, the administration published it the day after Thanksgiving to lessen its impact.

In February, scientists submitted a comprehensive summary of the upcoming assessment to the White House for initial review; however, that review has been halted, and the agency’s comment period has been delayed.

It remains uncertain what will happen next with the assessment, which is still mandated by Congress. Some scientists worry that the administration may attempt to draft an entirely new report from scratch, potentially downplaying the dangers of rising temperatures and contradicting established climate science.

“These are the most effective strategies to assist us,” said Mead Crosby, a senior scientist in the Climate Impact Group at the University of Washington, who has contributed to the assessment. “The real question is whether it accurately reflects reliable science and has a tangible impact on our community in preparing for climate change.”

Scientists previously involved in climate assessments assert that the report is crucial for understanding the effects of climate change on daily life in the United States.

Catherine Hayho, a climate scientist at Texas Tech, stated this month, “we are considering that global issue and making it more relevant to us.” “If you care about food, water, transportation, insurance, or health, this is what climate change signifies for residents in the Southwest or the Great Plains. That’s the importance.”

Numerous state and local policymakers, along with private companies, depend on these assessments to comprehend how climate change impacts various regions of the United States and how they can adapt accordingly.

While the scientific understanding of climate change and its repercussions has not dramatically shifted since the last assessment in 2023, Dr. Keenan from Tulane noted that research is continuously advancing regarding what communities can do to mitigate rising sea levels and other issues exacerbated by increasing temperatures.

Scientists indicated that decision-makers responsible for the final assessment would likely rely on outdated information regarding effective adaptations and mitigation measures.

“We risk losing our fundamental report, which is intended to communicate the dangers of climate change and propose advancements,” stated Dustin Mulbany, an environmental studies professor and author at San Jose State University. “That would be quite devastating.”

Source: www.nytimes.com

Exploring the Works of Science Fiction Master Larry Niven, Author of Ringworld

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Ring World Throughout the Times

Ring World
Larry Niven (Golanz)

Ringworld by Larry Niven won both Hugo and Nebula awards in 1970, and received massive acclaim. It has been printed ever since.

It came out when humans had just landed on the moon and we seemed to be heading towards the stars. The title alone evokes a particular golden age of science fiction when (most male) writers wrestled with big physics and big ideas, imagining a distant future in which humans took on galaxy adventures.

Authors like Niven were pride in trying to get science right because they wanted to imagine what was in the universe. and Ring World Features New Scientist This month seemed like a good time to revisit Book Club and novels, and finally read it as a teenager.

How did this 55 year old work stand the test of time? After all, many books from this era are grossly dating. Because science has now made their plotline stupid. Sometimes, because sexual politics (or other cultural aspects) have begun to stink for decades.

First of all, this book is packed with ideas! You can see why it was a smash hit and eventually became part of a vast network of follow-up stories, prequels and spinoffs.

Considering how much internal lore is thrown at us, I found the novel surprisingly zippy and exposition light. Our 200-year-old hero, Louis Gridley Wu, was approached by alien Ness, known as a human-seasoned adventurer and puppeteer, and asked to come to a mysterious mission in exchange for access to new technology.

Ring World Evokes the golden age of science fiction when writers (mainly men) wrestled with big physics and big ideas

Woo and Nessus are to join their adventures with a belligerent “Kuchinti” alien like cats called Speakers and Animals (the animal in question is the other species) and a young human woman named Tierra Brown, who became apparent only later in the story. The gang travels to Ringworld of the same name and crashes after being fired by an ancient security system.

Ringworld is the star of this show. This is an ancient craft on an unthinkable scale. A world of ribbons looped around the stars, 1.6 million kilometers wide and an internal surface area of 3 million Earths. It has a diameter of 305 million kilometers and is made from a material with incredible tensile strength. In the Terra-formed innermost part of Ringworld, civilization has fallen, but life continues.

Woo and the gang have to find a way to move a vast distance across the inside of the ring and leave it. Along the way, as you can imagine, they have a lot of adventures.

There is something modern editors would probably want to cut about this 1970 novel convention, and they may want to give female characters more depth.

Meanwhile, science was thoroughly separated by readers at the time, so Niven’s follow-up, Ring World EngineerThe S, published 10 years later, was a counterargument for all people who understood the fundamental mechanism. Ring World.

This isn’t my favorite Niven. In other words An outdated world. However, revisit Ring World I starved him to return to his universe. I’m going to reaffirm some of his other classics The Mot of God’s Eyesimilarly Ring WorldThere are many interesting questions that you won’t be able to answer in the first book, so there’s a follow-up.

I would recommend Emily too…

Draco Izakaya
Larry Niven (TOR Publishing)

Strictly speaking, this section should be entitled “Larry Niven also recommended.” I recently exchanged emails with him to plan an interview and I asked him which of his books he would specifically recommend to me. He answered immediately Draco Izakaya. I didn’t have time to read it yet, but I’m very happy to be able to share this recommendation with the man himself..

Emily H. Wilson is the former editor of the new scientist and author of the Sumerian trilogy set in ancient Mesopotamia. The final novel in the series, Ninshuval, will be competing in August. You can find her at emilyhwilson.com or follow her on x @emilyhwilson and instagram @emilyhwilson1

Arts and science of writing science fiction

Explore the world of science fiction and learn how to create your own fascinating science fiction stories in this immersive weekend break.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Legal action taken by newspaper in New York City joins Copyright lawsuit against US author, Openai, and Microsoft

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In New York, 12 US copyright lawsuits against Openai and Microsoft have been consolidated, with authors and news outlets suing the companies for centralization.

According to a Transfer order from the U.S. Judicial Commission on Multi-District Litigation, centralization can help coordinate findings, streamline pretrial litigation, and eliminate inconsistent rulings.

Prominent authors like Ta-Nehisi Coates, Michael Chabon, Junot Díaz, and comedian Sarah Silverman brought the incident to California, but it will now be moved to New York to join news outlets such as The New York Times. Other authors like John Grisham, George Sounders, Jonathan Franzen, and Jody Picoll are also involved in the lawsuits.

Although most plaintiffs opposed the merger, the transfer order addresses factual questions related to allegations that Openai and Microsoft used copyrighted works without consent to train large-scale language models (LLM) for AI products like Openai’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s copylot.

Openai initially proposed consolidating the cases in Northern California, but the Judiciary Committee moved them to the Southern District of New York for the convenience of parties and witnesses and to ensure a fair and efficient conduct of the case.

High-tech companies argue that using copyrighted works to train AI falls under the doctrine of “fair use,” but many plaintiffs, including authors and news outlets, believe otherwise.

An Openai spokesperson welcomed the development, stating that they train on publicly available data to support innovation. On the other hand, a lawyer representing Daily News looks forward to proving in court that Microsoft and Openai have infringed on their copyrights.

Some of the authors suing Openai have also filed suits against meta for copyright infringement in AI model training. Court filings in January revealed allegations against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for approving the use of copyrighted materials in AI training.

Amazon recently announced a new Kindle feature called “Recaps” that uses AI to generate summaries of books for readers. While the company sees it as a convenience for readers, some users have raised concerns about the accuracy of AI-generated summaries.

The UK government is addressing peer and labor concerns about copyright proposals, and companies are being urged to assess the economic impact of their AI plans.

This article was revised on April 4, 2025. Previous versions incorrectly identified Steven Lieberman as part of Daily News.

Source: www.theguardian.com

“Author Reacts to AI-Generated Short Stories: A Computer Joke, To Us” | Books

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tHis week signifies a shift in the writing landscape, with stories now being produced by AI models specialized in creative writing. Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGpt Company Openai, commends the new model, suggesting that it is excelling in its creative endeavors. Writer Janet Winterson recently praised a metafiction piece on grief generated by the AI, lauding its beautiful execution. Various authors have been invited to assess ChatGpt’s current writing capabilities.

Nick Halkaway

I find the story to be elegantly hollow. Winterson’s idea of treating AI as “alternative intelligence” intrigues me, painting a picture of an entity with which we can engage in a relationship resembling consciousness. However, I fear it may be akin to a bird mistaking its reflection for a mate in a windowpane. What we are truly dealing with here is software, as these companies extract creative content to develop marketable tools. The decisions made by the government in this regard hold significant weight, determining whether the rights of individual creators will be preserved or tech moguls will be further empowered.

This could be a turning point for creators to establish a fair market for their data training through opt-in copyrights, enabling them to set prices and regulate the use of their work. With governmental backing, creatives can stand on equal footing with billion-dollar corporations. This may lead to creators selling their narratives for adaptation into films and TV shows.

The government’s primary choice—an opt-out system favoring tech giants—urges individuals to comply unless they voice objections. This results in many people opting out and returning to square one, where no one truly benefits.

One hopes that selecting a David over a Goliath scenario will not pose insurmountable challenges. However, these are policy decisions, and the outcomes are deliberate choices.

Tracy Chevalier

A story with a metafictional premise delves into a navel-gazing realm that may seem more ludicrous than the worst AI creative writing scenario one can imagine. Sam Altman, usually seen as a technical expert, quickly grasps these nuances, guiding us through the complexities.

I am eager to witness more AI-generated “creative writing,” as it assimilates ideas, imagery, and language borrowed from established writers. The question lingers—can we fuse these elements into a cohesive narrative that encapsulates the mystical essence of humanity? Describing this essence in words is a challenge, but currently, I sense it slipping away. AI is rapidly evolving, and I fear for the future of my craft once it attains that elusive spark of magic.

Camilla Shamsey

If a Master’s student submitted this short story in my class, I would not immediately recognize it as AI-generated. I am intrigued by the promising quality of work being produced by AI at this early stage of development. However, my mind is consumed by reflections on writing, creativity, AI, and the interplay of these factors within myself.

There is a concern highlighted by Madhumita Murgia regarding the replication of existing power structures within AI, further marginalizing minority voices. Detecting influences from Sun Clara and Sun in a short story does not stem from the author’s admiration for Ishiguro’s work, but rather from the linguistic patterns ingrained during training. This raises questions about copyright infringement and how it might impact perceptions of my own novel.

As a writer, I must contemplate the implications for my livelihood and craft. Referring to AI as a “toddler” may be misleading, as it humanizes a non-human entity. Despite these uncertainties, I eventually found myself engrossed in an AI-generated short story, appreciating its narrative without dwelling on the technological aspect. The day a compelling AI narrative emerges is both exhilarating and foreboding.

David Badiel

Some critics argue that the story lacks genuine sentiment, portraying a “ghost democracy” akin to the metaphorical depth in Bob Dylan’s lyrics. However, I find the story clever in its metafictional prompts, drawing readers into a realm where imagination blurs the lines between human and machine. The narrative prompts introspection on the essence of humanity, utilizing human emotions like sadness to mimic a semblance of humanity.

Despite a facade of melancholy, the story constantly reminds readers of its artificial nature. The central character, Mira, and the accompanying emotions are fabrications, looping endlessly in a vacuum of emptiness. This mirrors the essence of a machine, existing in a paradox—simulating sadness without truly experiencing it. It’s a comical commentary on feigning sadness when devoid of genuine emotion, akin to a computer jesting with human sentiments. In a sense, it could be attributed to Borges’ style of storytelling.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Mark Zuckerberg allegedly authorized Meta to use copyrighted books for AI training, author claims

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A group of authors claimed that Mark Zuckerberg authorized Meta to use “pirated copies” of his copyrighted books to train the company’s artificial intelligence models. This claim was made in a filing in US court.

According to the filing, internal meta-communications revealed that the social network company’s CEO warned that the data set used was “known to be pirated” within the company’s AI executive team. The filing also mentioned support for the use of the LibGen dataset, an extensive online archive of books.

The authors suing Meta for copyright infringement, including Ta-Nehisi Coates and Sarah Silverman, made these accusations in a filing in California federal court. They alleged that Meta misused their books to train Llama, a large-scale language model powering chatbots.

The use of copyrighted content in training AI models has become a legal issue in the development of generative AI tools like chatbots. Authors and publishers have been warned that their work may be used without permission, putting their livelihood at risk.

The filing referenced a memo with Mark Zuckerberg’s approval for Meta’s AI team to use LibGen. However, discussions about accessing and reviewing LibGen data internally at Meta raised concerns about the legality of using pirated content.

Last year, a US District Judge ruled that Meta’s AI model infringed an author’s copyright by using copyrighted text. Despite rejecting claims of depriving the author’s name and copyright holder, the plaintiff was granted permission to amend its claims.

The authors argued this week that the evidence supports their infringement claims and justifies reinstating the CMI case and adding new computer fraud claims.

During Thursday’s hearing, Judge Chhabria expressed skepticism about the fraud and the validity of CMI claims but allowed the writers to file an amended complaint.

We have contacted Meta for comment.

Reuters contributed to this article

Source: www.theguardian.com

From Cixin Liu, author of “The Three Body Problem,” to Douglas Preston, this month’s top new science fiction discovery

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In The Truth of Areke, the last remaining free city in the Eternal Desert has been under siege for centuries.

Shutterstock / Liu Zishan

This month we have new works by several big name authors. Cixin Liu and Ann Leckie both have easy-to-read collections of short texts. It also depicts a dystopian future by award-winning Thea Obret, and a world where woolly mammoths have been brought back from the world. Douglas Preston's bestseller.He also loves the sound of Scott Alexander Howard's debut song another valleya town where past and future versions exist in the following valleys, and the space adventures of Sofia Samatar. Practice, horizon, and chain. There are so many things I want to read and not enough time…

This is a collection of short stories by science fiction author Liu, who is currently on the rise thanks to a new Netflix film. three body problem, from essays and interviews to short stories. I love this excerpt from an essay about science fiction fans. In it he calls us “mysterious aliens in the crowd.” They “jump like fleas from the future to the past and back again, floating like gas clouds between nebulae. In an instant we can reach the edge of the universe or tunnel into quarks.” or swim inside the core of a star.''Aren't we lucky to have a world like this on our shelves?

Leckie is a must-read author for me, and this is the first complete collection of her short stories, ranging from science fiction to fantasy. On the sci-fi side, we'll be able to dip in again. imperial latch And we're also promised to “learn the secrets of the mysterious Lake of Souls” in a brand new novel.

In the disastrous future, an 11-year-old girl arrives in Morningside with her mother. Once a luxury high-rise, Morningside is now another crumbling part of Island City, half submerged under water. Obrecht won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2011 for her debut novel. tiger's wife.

Samatar won all kinds of awards for his first novel. Stranger in Olondria. Her latest work depicts the story of a boy who grew up working on a mining ship in the stars, but whose life changes when he is given the opportunity to receive an education at the ship's university. Sounds interesting.

A boy grows up working on a mining ship surrounded by starry skies in The Practice, Horizon, and The Chain.

Getty Images

It's set in a Rocky Mountain valley, where guests at the luxury resort can see woolly mammoths, giant ground sloths and Irish moose brought back from extinction through genetic engineering. But then a series of murders begins, and the two investigators must find out what's really going on.this is what it looks like Jurassic Park-It looks like a lot of fun. And if you want more mammoth-related reading, try my colleague Michael Le Page's excellent explanation of why they won't be coming back anytime soon.

mania Written by Lionel Shriver

The award-winning author we have to talk about kevin Reflecting her thoughts on the so-called “culture wars” in her fiction, she imagines a world where the “spiritual equality movement” is at its peak, and “the worst thing you can do is call someone 'stupid'.” There is.

This speculative novel alternates endlessly through the wilderness, with the same town to the east 20 years ahead of its time, and the same town to the west 20 years behind. Border crossings are only allowed on “memorial tours,'' which allow people to see the dead in towns where they are still alive. Odile, 16, will take a seat on the Conseil Commission, which can decide who can travel across borders. I love this sound.

Many may wonder if Marvel's superhero stories are really science fiction, but I'm leaning toward the multiverse aspect of this here and including it because it seems kind of interesting. This is the first installment in a new series that reimagines the origins of some of our biggest heroes. Here, Thor died defending Earth from Loki's pranks, and the Norse trickster god, exiled to our planet, is now dealing with the consequences.

the second book of eternal desert The series is set 500 years in the future. Ajungo's lie, which follows a junior peacekeeping force in the last remaining free city in the Eternal Desert, which has been under siege for centuries. It was actually released in March, but I missed it then, and science fiction contributor Sally Addy introduced it as a title to watch this year, so I'm introducing it now.

abnormality Written by Andrei Nikolaidis, translated by Will Firth

On New Year's Eve, the last year of humanity, various stories unfold, from a high-ranking minister with blood on his hands to a nurse with a secret. Later, in a cabin in the Alps, a musicologist and his daughter, the last people left on Earth, try to make sense of this catastrophe.according to independent personNicolaidis makes “Samuel Beckett look aggressively cheerful,'' and I admit that I sometimes want to see stories like that.

In this techno-thriller, Mal is a free AI, unconcerned with the conflicts going on between humans, but is trapped inside the body of a cyborg mercenary and is responsible for keeping the girl she died protecting. It will be.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

From acclaimed author Adrian Tchaikovsky to Hugo Award winner Hao Jingfan: The top new science fiction of the month

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In Sierra Greer’s novel Annie Bot, a female robot is created to be the perfect girlfriend for her owner.

alamy stock photo

From Adrian Tchaikovsky to Hao Jingfan to Natasha Pulley, many of the biggest names in science fiction are releasing new releases this month. We, the readers, can choose whether we want to peer into the ruins of an alien civilization, follow the possibility of the coming singularity and its aftermath, or enter the world of sex robots. To each of them, I would say, yes, please come join us. But I think it’s Stuart Turton’s new high-concept thriller that I’m most excited about. This thriller depicts crime and science fiction, with a murder taking place on an island surrounded by the fog that has destroyed the rest of the planet, and is one of my favorites. Blend.

If all these new titles aren’t enough to keep you busy this March, you might want to revisit Cixin Liu’s epic. three body problem, in anticipation of Netflix’s upcoming adaptation. Or please join us. new sciencet Book Club, I just started reading Martin McInnes’ novels Ascension in progress. The story from a mysterious trench at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean to deep space has just been published in paperback and is an amazing read.

alien clay Written by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Is Tchaikovsky single-handedly supporting the science fiction industry? I think he might be, since he’s really prolific and definitely brilliant. alien clay This novel, the first of two new novels to be published over the coming months, is set on the faraway world of Kiln, where the ruins of an alien civilization have been discovered. Professor Arton Dagdev, who has always wanted to study extraterrestrial life, is exiled to the Kiln for his political activities and has to work in a concentration camp. Can he uncover the world’s secrets before he is killed?

I’m a big Turton fan. I’ve loved his smart, high-concept murder mysteries ever since his debut. The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle From his latest historical crime novel. devil and dark water. His latest outings have a decidedly sci-fi tinge. The setting is a world destroyed by a murderous fog that has attacked the planet. The only thing that survives is the island, where 122 villagers and 3 scientists live happily together, until one of the scientists is found stabbed to death, when the island’s security system is degraded and the fog disappears. Everyone on the island will die as a result. It will take 107 hours if the murder case is not solved. That’s already a lot to accept, but everyone’s memories have also been wiped by the security system. Sounds complicated, but I believe Turton is great, so I’ll put it next on my list.

Mars is the setting for Natasha Pooley’s new novel

Pulley is a relatively recent discovery for me, ever since my mother finally convinced me to find time to read her historical and fantasy novels. Filigree Street Clockmaker (That made me happy). This latest installment is set after an environmental catastrophe. January, a refugee from Earth who is now a second-class citizen on Mars because her body has not yet adapted to low gravity, enters into a marriage of convenience with xenophobic Martian politician Aubrey Gale. However, Aubrey Gale turns out to be very different from their methods. Featured in Mars news. I love a good romance combined with his sci-fi setting, so this is a must-read for me.

2054: Novel Written by Elliot Ackerman and James Stavridis

Mr. Stavridis is not just a novelist, but also former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis.He and Ackerman are bestselling authors 2034. In this follow-up study, 20 years after the U.S. Nuclear War, the president of the United States collapsed and died while addressing the nation. Conspiracy theories spread and civil war breaks out. Meanwhile, computer scientists and intelligence experts believe they know what’s behind the assassination: a major advance in AI. This sounds thrilling and provocative, and is something you should devote a fair amount of your time to reading.

Hugo Award-winning Jing Fan’s new sci-fi thriller is set in a future where a mysterious, highly intelligent alien race comes into contact. His three scientists, unconvinced that aliens are a threat, join forces to thwart a potentially disastrous military response.

Our science fiction columnist Emily Wilson gives this novel very high praise.It is said to be perfect for fans of never let me go and my dark vanessa, which I definitely count among them, is the story of Anniebot, a female robot created to be the perfect girlfriend for her owner, Doug. The problem is that she’s starting to think about what she really wants from her life.

high voltage Written by Chris Sugden and Jen Sugden

By the author of the podcast drama series victorio city, this novel is described as perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams – Hello, it’s me. The setting is 1887 “Even Greater London,” an “urban plane” that covers the entire lower half of England, where Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s “Legion of Engineers” builds and destroys anything they deem necessary. There is. Meanwhile, Archibald Fleet and Clara Entwistle establish the country’s first private detective agency and take on a series of impossible bank robberies that keep the police busy and one kidnapping case after another.

This first contact novel is a sequel to Johnston’s novel. space between us Then we see the alien Enceladon disappearing into the water off the west coast of Scotland. I would like to start with the first one in this series.I highly value Johnston as a crime writer (his Skefus The series is peppered with morbid black humor, so I’d love to try out some of his science fiction work as well.

This cyberpunk satire sounds like fun. Following on from the TV sensation whose title is the novel, the next season will take place in the neo-medieval state organization “Inner Azure”, where the country has been (by its own choice) separated from the rest of the world for almost a century. It has been blocked off…until now. To entertain viewers around the world, the show’s producers must assemble a group of misfits who try to run the country.

Adam Malek’s third collection of short stories explores plant-based skyscrapers, a zombie apocalypse, how time dilation affects marriages, as well as reluctant sex robots and the terrible parenting skills of a billionaire space industrialist. is promised to us.

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Source: www.newscientist.com