I had an Amazon gift card, but I couldn’t decide what to buy with it. I had two older novels that I’d researched well and knew I’d probably like, but I wanted to mix up what I was reading. I’d had A Star Curiously Singing by Kerry Nietz on my TBR list for a long time, and took a gamble with it.
And I’m so glad I did.
I typically read more fantasy than sci-fi, but I’ve started digging more into sci-fi recently, and I loved this one. Sandfly’s voice was great. And I really enjoyed the concept of a dystopian world under sharia law, with implants that discourage the wrong thoughts with zaps of pain.
Sandfly is a debugger. He is property, bought and paid for in an Earth under sharia law. All faiths but one have been banned. And the rule of the great Imam is supreme. As a debugger, Sandfly has an implant in his head that connects him to the world’s technology—and doles out mental shocks to keep him obedient. All he wants is to fix bots and avoid shocks Now he’s been called into Earth orbit. The masters have a new spacecraft—one capable of interstellar flight. On its maiden voyage, the only robot on board went mad and tore itself apart. Why? Better question: does it pose any risk to humans? When Sandfly reviews the bot’s final moments, he perceives something unexpected. Something impossible. As Sandfly pieces together the clues, a trap spreads beneath his feet. If he solves the mystery, he may doom himself. And if he fixes the robot, he may shatter his world. Suspenseful, unique, and awash in cyberpunk jive, A Star Curiously Singing presents a bleak future that might be closer than we think.
Amazon Blurb
It’s part of a trilogy, and I haven’t read the other two books yet, but the first is quite clean. There’s mention of wife-beating, and vague allusion to men kidnapping/raping women because Muslims do not treat women as equal in value, but no cursing, no spice, and only a very minimal crush. Robots destroy themselves and fight humans, but there’s no gore and it’s just a minor part. There are medical descriptions which might be a little gross to some people and Sandfly almost has a surgery done on him while he’s awake, so that might disturb squeamish readers.
My favorite part of the whole thing was Sandfly’s voice. It takes adjusting to, because it’s very choppy and random -we’re hearing all of his thoughts. But it’s funny and entertaining, and the world is very immersive, despite how quickly we move through it and that we only see small aspects of the gigantic world. This story is an excellent example of the writing technique of how to imply huge things by focusing in on the little sensory day-to-day details. Also, Sandfly had such a curious position in society, being viewed as a slave but also being more of a free thinker than anybody else because of the connection to the “Stream,” (a version of the internet mixed with the ability to communicate with all machines,) linked straight into his brain.
If you like sci-fi that’s focused more on the religious/philosophical side of things, and with a Star-Wars-esque science aspect, plus a Christian theme that was very subtle but strong, then A Star Curiously Singing might be right up your alley.
What’s a sci-fi novel you love and would recommend? Has anybody read any other Kerry Nietz novels? Let me know.
Have a great month, and enjoy the Christmas season.
Shine bright.
Ciao!
