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ljwrites85's review against another edition
5.0
So this is a prequel novella to the author’s Lost Solace series and having not read any of the other books, it was a perfect place for me to start
Helene is a futuristic sci-fi short story, the perfect mix of intrigue, entertainment plus a dash of humour.
Helene is a great character. Smart, brave but there’s also a little bit of mystery to her. I absolutely loved the way the author played her off ViraUHX, it was so much fun to read!
In large part the story is mostly dialogue, with ViraUHX voice written in all capitals which I didn’t mind. Although it got a little hard to read in places especially when the AI decided to go on a rant.
The ending of the book isn’t a cliffhanger so to speak but it does leave it open for the next book, giving you a little peek almost of what’s to come. I was so intrigued by the ending, I’ve put the other two novels in this series on my wishlist.
My only issue was I wished the story was longer!
Helene is a well written and compelling sci-fi story that will leave you wanting more!
Helene is a futuristic sci-fi short story, the perfect mix of intrigue, entertainment plus a dash of humour.
Helene is a great character. Smart, brave but there’s also a little bit of mystery to her. I absolutely loved the way the author played her off ViraUHX, it was so much fun to read!
In large part the story is mostly dialogue, with ViraUHX voice written in all capitals which I didn’t mind. Although it got a little hard to read in places especially when the AI decided to go on a rant.
The ending of the book isn’t a cliffhanger so to speak but it does leave it open for the next book, giving you a little peek almost of what’s to come. I was so intrigued by the ending, I’ve put the other two novels in this series on my wishlist.
My only issue was I wished the story was longer!
Helene is a well written and compelling sci-fi story that will leave you wanting more!
karlou's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the first Solace book, Lost Solace when I read it last year so I was delighted to visit this universe again, albeit in short story form this time. Helene is the first of the Lost Tales of Solace and is set just before Lost Solace.
This is speculative science fiction which asks some fascinating questions about the possible ethics involved in the development and evolution of artificial intelligence. If the aim is to produce AI which is capable of experiencing and even exceeding human abilities then what are the moral considerations of controlling and essentially limiting the full potential of an emerging conscience?
Dr Helene Vermalle is the civilian tasked with helping ViraUHX - or Via as the female identifying AI prefers to be known - pass through the developmental stages assigned by Aseides' Law of Nuvo-Emergent AI Development. Helene is a Socialisation Specialist and Researcher and she quickly forms a bond with the AI although as she realises that Via is progressing far more quickly than expected, she also becomes aware than she could be manipulated by a being whose expanding intellect already far surpasses hers.
There is something innately sinister about artificial intelligence and though Via demonstrates that she doesn't intend to use her vastly superior capabilities against the humans who are studying her, there is always the suggestion that she could turn against what are effectively her captors at any time. As she passes through the stages of her development, it becomes evident that she experiences similar challenges to that of a young human, even throwing a tantrum against what she sees as her unfair physical restrictions. At one point she resembles a furious teenager railing against the hypocrisy of her parents but while human teens generally just resort to slamming doors, Via could easily kill Helene.
The relationship which forms between them may be uncertain at first but Helene is also an outsider who is as much under the control of her superiors as Via is. One of the most interesting passages of the novella comes from the discussion the pair have about the cultural stereotypes regarding Helene's native planet, Indostaqor Beta. Having been conquered by the all-powerful UFS, it's perhaps inevitable that its citizens are accused of laziness and promiscuity - it seems that even in the future, humans can't resist prejudicial xenophobia. As Helene points out, over time, if enough people believe something then it can eventually become true but she has worked hard to escape the self-fulfilling prophecy of her background.
The narrative is strongly dialogue-led and the single setting means there is an intensely intimate feeling to the story - it feels as if we're eavesdropping on private conversations between the two. The subject matter may be thought-provoking but there are also several very funny scenes, most notably coming from Via's attempts to understand how to effectively tell jokes. One of my favourite aspects of Lost Solace was the compelling evolving dynamic between the two female leads and it's therefore fitting and a little poignant that the same is true here. It can very easily be enjoyed as a standalone although I suspect that the final scenes may be particularly enjoyed by those who have already read Lost Solace and will therefore welcome the appearance of a familiar face.
Helene is a cleverly structured novella which in just a few chapters manages to be provocative, humorous, moving and shocking. I look forward to reading more Solace stories - both full-length and short - in the future.
This is speculative science fiction which asks some fascinating questions about the possible ethics involved in the development and evolution of artificial intelligence. If the aim is to produce AI which is capable of experiencing and even exceeding human abilities then what are the moral considerations of controlling and essentially limiting the full potential of an emerging conscience?
Dr Helene Vermalle is the civilian tasked with helping ViraUHX - or Via as the female identifying AI prefers to be known - pass through the developmental stages assigned by Aseides' Law of Nuvo-Emergent AI Development. Helene is a Socialisation Specialist and Researcher and she quickly forms a bond with the AI although as she realises that Via is progressing far more quickly than expected, she also becomes aware than she could be manipulated by a being whose expanding intellect already far surpasses hers.
There is something innately sinister about artificial intelligence and though Via demonstrates that she doesn't intend to use her vastly superior capabilities against the humans who are studying her, there is always the suggestion that she could turn against what are effectively her captors at any time. As she passes through the stages of her development, it becomes evident that she experiences similar challenges to that of a young human, even throwing a tantrum against what she sees as her unfair physical restrictions. At one point she resembles a furious teenager railing against the hypocrisy of her parents but while human teens generally just resort to slamming doors, Via could easily kill Helene.
The relationship which forms between them may be uncertain at first but Helene is also an outsider who is as much under the control of her superiors as Via is. One of the most interesting passages of the novella comes from the discussion the pair have about the cultural stereotypes regarding Helene's native planet, Indostaqor Beta. Having been conquered by the all-powerful UFS, it's perhaps inevitable that its citizens are accused of laziness and promiscuity - it seems that even in the future, humans can't resist prejudicial xenophobia. As Helene points out, over time, if enough people believe something then it can eventually become true but she has worked hard to escape the self-fulfilling prophecy of her background.
The narrative is strongly dialogue-led and the single setting means there is an intensely intimate feeling to the story - it feels as if we're eavesdropping on private conversations between the two. The subject matter may be thought-provoking but there are also several very funny scenes, most notably coming from Via's attempts to understand how to effectively tell jokes. One of my favourite aspects of Lost Solace was the compelling evolving dynamic between the two female leads and it's therefore fitting and a little poignant that the same is true here. It can very easily be enjoyed as a standalone although I suspect that the final scenes may be particularly enjoyed by those who have already read Lost Solace and will therefore welcome the appearance of a familiar face.
Helene is a cleverly structured novella which in just a few chapters manages to be provocative, humorous, moving and shocking. I look forward to reading more Solace stories - both full-length and short - in the future.
ksmarsden's review
3.0
Helene is thrilled that she has been approved to work on the social skills of a pioneering AI. It's not as easy as it seems, when you have to toe the line, and the AI progresses faster than expected.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I've read in the Lost Solace series. This can be read reasonably well as a stand-alone, but I think I would have appreciated it more, having read the main series first.
Helene is an expert in behaviour and is brought in to work on a pioneering military AI, in it's infant stages. Things progress faster than expected, when she works with ViraUHX.
ViraUHX, or Via as she likes to be called, can process data quickly, and wants to turn it into knowledge.
She is aware that her creators are only feeding her approved information, and she wants to push the limits and learn more about the world with her new friend, Helene.
At the beginning there was A LOT OF WRITING IN CAPITALS. BEFORE VIA'S PERSONALITY DEVELOPS, IT REPRESENTS THE BLOCKINESS AND BLANDNESS OF HER SPEECH.
I get why it's done, but it made it very hard to read, especially when Via went off on one of her logic-based rants, and you'd have a whole page of capitalised writing.
Thankfully, by half-way through this short book, Via has developed enough to speak normally.
It was interesting to see the tentative friendship between Helene and Via develop. There are moments of wariness and doubt for both of them, as they wonder what hidden motives the other has. With good reason too, as there seems to be a shadow, and secrets on both sides.
This novella focusses completely on the relationship between Helene and Via, and Via's progress to becoming an independent thinker, developing her ideas of right and wrong.
Everything else is in the background, and we're aware that the world is vaguely dangerous, without knowing why. I wish there had been more everything. More discussion on on the planets, the ruling parties, the background that probably fills the main series.
With the way it ends - I think a fan would love it, but as a newcomer, I was left feeling disappointed at the lack of a conclusion, because the ending kinda relied on the reader having knowledge of the series.
Overall, I like the authors writing, and I would be interested in reading the rest of the series.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I've read in the Lost Solace series. This can be read reasonably well as a stand-alone, but I think I would have appreciated it more, having read the main series first.
Helene is an expert in behaviour and is brought in to work on a pioneering military AI, in it's infant stages. Things progress faster than expected, when she works with ViraUHX.
ViraUHX, or Via as she likes to be called, can process data quickly, and wants to turn it into knowledge.
She is aware that her creators are only feeding her approved information, and she wants to push the limits and learn more about the world with her new friend, Helene.
At the beginning there was A LOT OF WRITING IN CAPITALS. BEFORE VIA'S PERSONALITY DEVELOPS, IT REPRESENTS THE BLOCKINESS AND BLANDNESS OF HER SPEECH.
I get why it's done, but it made it very hard to read, especially when Via went off on one of her logic-based rants, and you'd have a whole page of capitalised writing.
Thankfully, by half-way through this short book, Via has developed enough to speak normally.
It was interesting to see the tentative friendship between Helene and Via develop. There are moments of wariness and doubt for both of them, as they wonder what hidden motives the other has. With good reason too, as there seems to be a shadow, and secrets on both sides.
This novella focusses completely on the relationship between Helene and Via, and Via's progress to becoming an independent thinker, developing her ideas of right and wrong.
Everything else is in the background, and we're aware that the world is vaguely dangerous, without knowing why. I wish there had been more everything. More discussion on on the planets, the ruling parties, the background that probably fills the main series.
With the way it ends - I think a fan would love it, but as a newcomer, I was left feeling disappointed at the lack of a conclusion, because the ending kinda relied on the reader having knowledge of the series.
Overall, I like the authors writing, and I would be interested in reading the rest of the series.
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