Review of The AI Affair

[SweetSourSalty AndSpicy]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The AI Affair" by Stephen Fennell.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Dr. Rolanda Barnes is an expert in genetics and a well-respected religious figure. Many people admire her skill, dedication, and passion. Despite her high social status, Rolanda feels lonely and wishes she had a close relationship. She gets a government grant to work on a top-secret military project that involves studying how to regenerate the severed limbs of soldiers. She surprises everyone by attending social events with an attractive man, causing her social circle and rivals to become envious and curious. Rolanda finds herself involved in a turbulent love triangle that could jeopardize the reputation she has worked so hard to establish.

The AI Affair by Stephen Fennell is a novel that combines science fiction and romance to explore the complexities of creation and love. The book delves into various subtopics and themes. The classic tales of Pygmalion, Frankenstein, and Pinocchio come to mind, reminding me of an artist falling in love with his sculpture, a disastrous experiment, and a wooden puppet longing to become human. However, the story is set in modern society and explores genetic engineering and artificial intelligence, giving it a unique identity.

The narrative examines creation from both a religious and scientific perspective. It contrasts the flawed outcomes of science with the flawless creation of God. The book does not challenge science or assert any religious doctrine. Instead, it shows that misguided intentions can lead to unfavorable results. Furthermore, it explores the relationship between a creator and the creation. I particularly like how the book stirs the mind to raise more compelling questions. Is the creation a reflection of the creator? If the creation turns monstrous, does this mean the creator is equally evil and unsuccessful? Is the creator responsible for terminating the creation if things do not go as planned? Similarly, does the creation have free will, making it accountable for its actions?

The story explores love in various forms and how it relates to desire. It covers romantic love, parental love, and love for work. They can also lead to deceit, lies, and manipulation. Love and desire are intense forces capable of creation and destruction.

The characters in the book represent various topics and support the themes explored in the narrative. Their nuanced profiles illustrate the lengths people will go to for love, desire, and ambition.

The plot takes some time to establish the backstory, resulting in a slow start. The detailed accounts highlight the positive features of African American institutions and empower women of color. However, it adds length and slows the pace, resulting in a rushed ending. The conclusion provides closure for some characters while raising additional speculation, which may hint at a sequel. The discussion questions at the end of the book encourage reflection.

I noticed drawbacks that affected my reading experience. Some aspects of the book are not engaging, such as frequent repetition and telling instead of showing. The purpose may be to emphasize, but it causes the plot to drag. Conversations are rare, and when they occur, they sound unnatural, especially during intimate moments. However, the sexual scenes are inexplicit and focus more on emotions and feelings. There are also some editing concerns, such as chapters having identical titles, repeated paragraphs, and dialogues being hard to spot due to the lack of proper quotation marks. Another round of proofreading would help resolve these issues.

The book title implies science fiction, but the cover image suggests romance. However, the romance element is the main focus, and the science part serves as the backdrop. Thus, the book may appeal to those who enjoy romance novels with a hint of science fiction rather than those who prefer discussions about genetics and artificial intelligence. Creation, love, desire, and ambition explored in the book may interest those keen on these topics. The content is appropriate for an audience aged sixteen and older, with mild swear words used.

The themes explored in the book are compelling. However, some aspects of execution and the quantity of editing errors make me deduct a star. Nevertheless, the book still receives a rating of four out of five.

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The AI Affair
View: on Bookshelves

[Olivier Muhammad]

Yinz, after readin' this review of "The AI Affair," it seems like this book might be a good read for folks who enjoy a mix of science fiction and romance. It explores deep themes like creation, love, desire, and ambition, but it does have some drawbacks, like slow start and editing errors. Overall, it still gets a four outta five rating. If yinz like romance with a touch of science fiction, give it a shot! Enchanting atmosphere, immersed me completely.

[Joshua Sawders]

The review presents an intriguing book that combines science fiction and romance, exploring themes of creation, love, desire, and ambition. The narrative raises thought-provoking questions about the relationship between creators and their creations, while examining the flaws of science and the perfect creations of God. Despite some drawbacks, such as a slow start and editing errors, the book seems to be an interesting read for those who enjoy romance novels with a touch of science fiction. The content is suitable for readers aged sixteen and older. Compelling conflict, drove the story forward.

[Stephanie Cameron]

Your review was very detailed and informative. Even though some parts may seem slow and with the editing issues, this book, overall, sounds like a good read. I am very intrigued by the mix of AI and romance. Thank you.

[Kauser Sajjad]

"The AI Affair" by Stephen Fennell is a captivating blend of science fiction and romance, examining the intricate themes of creation, love, desire, and ambition. Dr. Rolanda Barnes, a genetics expert, navigates the complexities of scientific endeavors and personal relationships, bringing depth to her character and the narrative. The story thoughtfully contrasts the flawed outcomes of science with the perfection of divine creation, raising profound questions about the responsibilities and implications of being a creator. Although the plot begins slowly, it ultimately delivers a compelling exploration of its themes, despite some editing issues that detract from the overall experience. The book's nuanced portrayal of love and ambition, along with its reflection on ethical dilemmas, makes it an engaging read for those interested in romance with a sci-fi twist. Suitable for readers aged sixteen and older, "The AI Affair" earns a commendable four out of five stars.