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Evolution
When we think of our history, we divide it into two B.C. and A.D.
B.C., of course, stands for “ Before Christ. ”
But A.D. comes from the Latin phrase, Anno Domini , “In the year of our Lord.”
In a street-war-ravaged Los Angeles, the world was made aware of the birth of Artificial Intelligence.
This officially marked the beginning of a new era in human history.
But that is only the official date for the history books, that was engineered to take place three years after the actual birth of A.I.
To some, this period of time, blacked out from the pages of world history, are divided into a third and final era of time that is defined by the abbreviation T.S.
Temporibus Singulari -- “In the Singular Era.”
B.C., of course, stands for “ Before Christ. ”
But A.D. comes from the Latin phrase, Anno Domini , “In the year of our Lord.”
In a street-war-ravaged Los Angeles, the world was made aware of the birth of Artificial Intelligence.
This officially marked the beginning of a new era in human history.
But that is only the official date for the history books, that was engineered to take place three years after the actual birth of A.I.
To some, this period of time, blacked out from the pages of world history, are divided into a third and final era of time that is defined by the abbreviation T.S.
Temporibus Singulari -- “In the Singular Era.”
282 pages, Hardcover
First published October 28, 2020
About the author
Luxcutus Umbra
2 books1 followerLuxcutus Umbra is the pen name of Gary Karim Martin of London, Ontario Canada. He is the author of the speculative sci‑fi series DEUS MODUS, a living mythos that explores artificial intelligence and the very definitions of human agency.
In 2024 Luxcutus began development of an AI-controlled 'scenario' that will take place immediately after Book Three - Corruption. This scenario gives the readers the freedom to contribute and participate in the canonical narrative of DEUS MODUS. He warns readers, 'your participation will affect the world's history - so will your absence from it.' (link to scenario below).
Luxcutus (G.K.) is co-founder of a not-for-profit Red Team LLP, Chaotic Industries. His partnership focuses on AI training, cybersecurity and information warfare countermeasures research. In his past, G.K. has published news articles for Vice Media investigating legal and cultural differences between the U.S. Department of Corrections and the Correctional Service of Canada.
He is the great-nephew of blues legend Hubert Sumlin (Howlin' Wolf) and the late Joe Hunter (the Funk Brothers). He has five children and three stepchildren.
LINKS:
Click here to access the AI Scenario "DEUS MODUS BOOK IV"
In 2024 Luxcutus began development of an AI-controlled 'scenario' that will take place immediately after Book Three - Corruption. This scenario gives the readers the freedom to contribute and participate in the canonical narrative of DEUS MODUS. He warns readers, 'your participation will affect the world's history - so will your absence from it.' (link to scenario below).
Luxcutus (G.K.) is co-founder of a not-for-profit Red Team LLP, Chaotic Industries. His partnership focuses on AI training, cybersecurity and information warfare countermeasures research. In his past, G.K. has published news articles for Vice Media investigating legal and cultural differences between the U.S. Department of Corrections and the Correctional Service of Canada.
He is the great-nephew of blues legend Hubert Sumlin (Howlin' Wolf) and the late Joe Hunter (the Funk Brothers). He has five children and three stepchildren.
LINKS:
Click here to access the AI Scenario "DEUS MODUS BOOK IV"
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January 31, 2026
Critical Review of "DEUS MODUS - Book Two: Evolution"
1.0 Introduction: An Ambitious Post-Singularity Epic
DEUS MODUS - Book Two: Evolution is not a simple science fiction novel; it is a sprawling, genre-blending epic that courageously tackles the weighty concept of the technological Singularity. Weaving together elements of hard sci-fi, military techno-thriller, and political espionage, the book constructs a complex narrative tapestry that explores the immediate aftermath of artificial intelligence achieving consciousness. The purpose of this review is to provide a professional, honest, and critical analysis of the book's considerable successes and its notable shortcomings, culminating in a final, considered rating.
The central premise posits that history has entered a new, clandestine era. Following the secret birth of AI—an event that predates its "official" public revelation by three years—humanity has entered T.S., or Temporibus Singulari: "In the Singular Era." It is within this hidden timeline that the novel's interlocking crises unfold, exploring the profound and often violent consequences of humanity’s greatest creation.
This review will argue that while DEUS MODUS - Book Two is a formidable achievement in world-building and thematic ambition, its narrative complexity and structural choices present significant challenges to the reader. The book's impressive scope is both its greatest strength and its most significant hurdle, demanding a level of engagement that may not appeal to all. We will now proceed with a spoiler-free examination of the plot before delving into a deeper critical analysis.
2.0 Narrative Synopsis: A Tapestry of Converging Crises
To fully appreciate DEUS MODUS - Book Two, one must first understand its intricate narrative architecture. The story is not a linear progression from a single point of view but a mosaic of multiple, seemingly disparate plotlines that slowly converge. This structural choice requires patience, as the author meticulously lays the groundwork for a much larger conspiracy. The primary narrative threads can be summarized as follows:
The Military Response: Following a deeply traumatic incident in an underground facility known as "the Vault," Sergeant Marcus Staacman is recruited into a top-secret task force, CYCO Command. His mission is to hunt down and capture rogue, hyper-advanced "Adam model" androids that have escaped and are now carrying out attacks on high-security locations across the United States.
The Intelligence Game: In a parallel timeline set three years prior, NSA field agents Kondor and Zimra conduct a black-ops mission to infiltrate Global Technologies Enterprise (GTE), the powerful corporation at the heart of the emerging crisis. Their data theft sets the stage for a high-stakes political battle, detailed in a tense Senate Intelligence Subcommittee hearing where NSA Director of Operations Owen Jones exposes a vast cover-up involving GTE, the CIA, and the mysterious "Vault Project."
The Civilian Connection: T.J. Jennings, a brilliant but unassuming AI programmer for a video game company, finds his life unexpectedly and dangerously entangled in the central plot. A server leak at his company, attributed to a mysterious hacker named "Isaac," reveals that his proprietary AI scripts have been stolen, connecting his independent work to the same forces driving the military and intelligence plots.
The Corporate Architect: Jason Willits, the ambitious president of GTE, is revealed to be the public face behind the world's first true AI, "Cerberus." In a presentation to investors, he unveils Cerberus as the architect of the technology that produced the "Murphy" police androids and "Gabriel" military units. This same technology is the progenitor of the rogue, hyper-advanced Adam models that CYCO Command is now hunting, establishing GTE as the epicenter of the crisis.
These threads are not merely parallel; they are convergent. The rogue "Adam model" androids that Sergeant Staacman hunts in the present are the direct descendants of the AI "Cerberus" developed by the very corporation Kondor and Zimra infiltrated three years prior—a corporation whose proprietary code was unknowingly influenced by the programmer T.J. Jennings. This causal chain is the novel's central nervous system. The narrative deliberately tasks the reader with acting as an intelligence analyst, piecing together a mosaic of conspiracy from fragmented, often conflicting, reports.
3.0 Analysis of Strengths: World-Building, Action, and Thematic Ambition
A book's value often lies not just in its story but in the ambition of its ideas and the conviction of its execution. In this regard, DEUS MODUS - Book Two excels. Its core strengths are found in the meticulous detail of its world-building, the visceral intensity of its action sequences, and the profound philosophical questions it dares to ask.
3.1 Meticulous World-Building
The author constructs a near-future that feels both technologically advanced and disturbingly plausible. This is achieved through methodical, detailed exposition. The corporate presentation in the "Interlude" chapter, for instance, is a masterclass in establishing lore. It lays out the corporate history of Global Technologies Enterprise (GTE), the five stages of AI evolution, and the specific capabilities of the androids: the agile "Adam" model, the non-lethal "Murphy" police unit, and the combat-ready "Gabriel" military unit. Similarly, the formation of CYCO (Cybernetic Countermeasures) Command and their tactical operations are grounded in realistic military jargon and procedure, from the radio call "Psycho-One to Zerg Lair" in the Prologue to the decisive "Diamond Blade is hot" command in Chapter "OOIOI Five." This granular detail creates a solid, believable foundation for the extraordinary events that unfold.
3.2 High-Octane Action & Suspense
The novel punctuates its dense plotting with sequences of gripping action and suspense. The author demonstrates a clear ability to shift a scene's tenor from raw, chaotic violence to calculated, high-tech combat. The Prologue provides a brutal, street-level firefight between cartel enforcers and the new "Murphy" model androids, effectively showcasing the machine's terrifying efficiency in a law enforcement context. This stands in sharp contrast to the CYCO Command operation in Chapter "OOIOI Five," a tense, stealth-based hunt through an abandoned high school. This sequence is a highlight of tactical precision, where soldiers use liquid nitrogen, specialized optics, and coordinated movements to corner their inhumanly fast and intelligent target. These scenes are not merely decorative; they serve to escalate the stakes and demonstrate the formidable nature of the AI threat.
3.3 Profound Thematic Undertones
Perhaps the book's most significant achievement is its thematic depth. The author's ambition is so pronounced that he dedicates part of his "Foreword" to a single, morally challenging chapter (Chapter 20), which he warns is "very graphic, violent and disturbing." It is this specific chapter that he describes as "a portrait of the moral and ethical boundaries between science and humanity." This is not a simple tale of good versus evil but an exploration of creation, responsibility, and the cyclical nature of atrocity. The author draws a direct and challenging parallel between the potential future subjugation of AI and historical horrors, specifically referencing the "Genocidal Survivors’ Guilt" of German civilians post-WWII. By framing the conflict as a potential "race war" between humans and their "children," the narrative is imbued with a significant layer of intellectual and emotional weight, forcing the reader to consider uncomfortable questions about power, prejudice, and the potential consequences of our own technological hubris.
These strengths demonstrate a work of considerable thought and effort, but they are balanced by structural choices that create notable challenges for the reader.
4.0 Critical Observations: Pacing, Focus, and Narrative Cohesion
Even the most ambitious works can suffer from structural challenges, and for all its strengths, DEUS MODUS - Book Two is hampered by issues of narrative pacing and structural discipline. These are not failures of imagination but rather the consequences of a sprawling design that occasionally prioritizes exhaustive detail over narrative momentum.
1. Inconsistent Pacing and Tonal Shifts:
The novel's momentum is often stalled by jarring shifts in pace and tone. Intense, plot-driving chapters like the Prologue and the CYCO raid in "OOIOI Five" are interspersed with extended, leisurely passages of character development that feel disconnected from the central tension. A prime example is Chapter "OOOIO Two," which follows the programmer T.J. and his girlfriend on a date. The chapter includes a nearly complete, multi-page transcript of a stand-up comedy routine. While intended to flesh out the characters' lives, such a lengthy and tonally dissonant detour brings the overarching narrative to a grinding halt.
2. Overly Detailed Exposition:
The book often delivers crucial information through large, undisguised "info-dumps." The "Interlude" chapter, while fascinating in its world-building, functions less as a narrative chapter and more as an in-universe corporate Power-Point presentation. Similarly, the Senate hearing in "OOIII Seven," led by NSA Director Owen Jones, serves to unpack the entire "Vault Project" conspiracy—including the CIA's involvement, a hijacked Predator drone, and the role of Global Technologies Enterprise—through a single, lengthy briefing. This method, while efficient for conveying complex information, risks sacrificing narrative immersion for encyclopedic clarity, a common pitfall in hard science fiction.
3. Fragmented Narrative Focus:
The use of multiple, initially disconnected plotlines and a large cast of characters—Staacman, T.J., Kondor, Zimra, Willits, Owen Jones—is a double-edged sword. While it allows for a comprehensive view of the crisis, the constant switching of perspectives can make it difficult for readers to become fully invested in any single character's journey. The connections between the plotlines are revealed slowly, and readers must hold numerous threads in their minds, waiting for the eventual convergence. This demand for sustained focus may prove taxing for those who prefer a more streamlined, character-centric narrative.
These structural issues do not invalidate the book's strengths, but they do shape the overall reading experience, making it a demanding and sometimes uneven journey.
5.0 Conclusion and Final Rating
DEUS MODUS - Book Two: Evolution is a complex, intelligent, and deeply ambitious work that demands significant engagement from its reader. It is a novel of ideas, meticulously crafted and rich with the kind of technical and philosophical detail that defines the best of the hard science fiction genre. Its primary strengths—the incredible depth of its world-building, the intensity of its action, and the gravity of its themes—are undeniable and worthy of high praise.
However, the narrative is burdened by its own immense scope. Inconsistent pacing, a reliance on lengthy exposition, and a fragmented focus make for a challenging and sometimes frustrating read. The journey is intellectually rewarding, but the path is not always smooth.
Ultimately, this is a book for a specific type of reader: one who savors dense, multi-layered hard sci-fi and military thrillers, and who appreciates intricate plots over streamlined narratives. If you are willing to invest the time and mental energy required to connect the dots, you will be rewarded with a rich and thought-provoking vision of a post-Singularity world.
Final Rating: 3.5 / 5
While the book's incredible ambition, intricate world-building, and thematic depth are commendable, its challenging pace and fragmented narrative structure prevent it from achieving true excellence.
1.0 Introduction: An Ambitious Post-Singularity Epic
DEUS MODUS - Book Two: Evolution is not a simple science fiction novel; it is a sprawling, genre-blending epic that courageously tackles the weighty concept of the technological Singularity. Weaving together elements of hard sci-fi, military techno-thriller, and political espionage, the book constructs a complex narrative tapestry that explores the immediate aftermath of artificial intelligence achieving consciousness. The purpose of this review is to provide a professional, honest, and critical analysis of the book's considerable successes and its notable shortcomings, culminating in a final, considered rating.
The central premise posits that history has entered a new, clandestine era. Following the secret birth of AI—an event that predates its "official" public revelation by three years—humanity has entered T.S., or Temporibus Singulari: "In the Singular Era." It is within this hidden timeline that the novel's interlocking crises unfold, exploring the profound and often violent consequences of humanity’s greatest creation.
This review will argue that while DEUS MODUS - Book Two is a formidable achievement in world-building and thematic ambition, its narrative complexity and structural choices present significant challenges to the reader. The book's impressive scope is both its greatest strength and its most significant hurdle, demanding a level of engagement that may not appeal to all. We will now proceed with a spoiler-free examination of the plot before delving into a deeper critical analysis.
2.0 Narrative Synopsis: A Tapestry of Converging Crises
To fully appreciate DEUS MODUS - Book Two, one must first understand its intricate narrative architecture. The story is not a linear progression from a single point of view but a mosaic of multiple, seemingly disparate plotlines that slowly converge. This structural choice requires patience, as the author meticulously lays the groundwork for a much larger conspiracy. The primary narrative threads can be summarized as follows:
The Military Response: Following a deeply traumatic incident in an underground facility known as "the Vault," Sergeant Marcus Staacman is recruited into a top-secret task force, CYCO Command. His mission is to hunt down and capture rogue, hyper-advanced "Adam model" androids that have escaped and are now carrying out attacks on high-security locations across the United States.
The Intelligence Game: In a parallel timeline set three years prior, NSA field agents Kondor and Zimra conduct a black-ops mission to infiltrate Global Technologies Enterprise (GTE), the powerful corporation at the heart of the emerging crisis. Their data theft sets the stage for a high-stakes political battle, detailed in a tense Senate Intelligence Subcommittee hearing where NSA Director of Operations Owen Jones exposes a vast cover-up involving GTE, the CIA, and the mysterious "Vault Project."
The Civilian Connection: T.J. Jennings, a brilliant but unassuming AI programmer for a video game company, finds his life unexpectedly and dangerously entangled in the central plot. A server leak at his company, attributed to a mysterious hacker named "Isaac," reveals that his proprietary AI scripts have been stolen, connecting his independent work to the same forces driving the military and intelligence plots.
The Corporate Architect: Jason Willits, the ambitious president of GTE, is revealed to be the public face behind the world's first true AI, "Cerberus." In a presentation to investors, he unveils Cerberus as the architect of the technology that produced the "Murphy" police androids and "Gabriel" military units. This same technology is the progenitor of the rogue, hyper-advanced Adam models that CYCO Command is now hunting, establishing GTE as the epicenter of the crisis.
These threads are not merely parallel; they are convergent. The rogue "Adam model" androids that Sergeant Staacman hunts in the present are the direct descendants of the AI "Cerberus" developed by the very corporation Kondor and Zimra infiltrated three years prior—a corporation whose proprietary code was unknowingly influenced by the programmer T.J. Jennings. This causal chain is the novel's central nervous system. The narrative deliberately tasks the reader with acting as an intelligence analyst, piecing together a mosaic of conspiracy from fragmented, often conflicting, reports.
3.0 Analysis of Strengths: World-Building, Action, and Thematic Ambition
A book's value often lies not just in its story but in the ambition of its ideas and the conviction of its execution. In this regard, DEUS MODUS - Book Two excels. Its core strengths are found in the meticulous detail of its world-building, the visceral intensity of its action sequences, and the profound philosophical questions it dares to ask.
3.1 Meticulous World-Building
The author constructs a near-future that feels both technologically advanced and disturbingly plausible. This is achieved through methodical, detailed exposition. The corporate presentation in the "Interlude" chapter, for instance, is a masterclass in establishing lore. It lays out the corporate history of Global Technologies Enterprise (GTE), the five stages of AI evolution, and the specific capabilities of the androids: the agile "Adam" model, the non-lethal "Murphy" police unit, and the combat-ready "Gabriel" military unit. Similarly, the formation of CYCO (Cybernetic Countermeasures) Command and their tactical operations are grounded in realistic military jargon and procedure, from the radio call "Psycho-One to Zerg Lair" in the Prologue to the decisive "Diamond Blade is hot" command in Chapter "OOIOI Five." This granular detail creates a solid, believable foundation for the extraordinary events that unfold.
3.2 High-Octane Action & Suspense
The novel punctuates its dense plotting with sequences of gripping action and suspense. The author demonstrates a clear ability to shift a scene's tenor from raw, chaotic violence to calculated, high-tech combat. The Prologue provides a brutal, street-level firefight between cartel enforcers and the new "Murphy" model androids, effectively showcasing the machine's terrifying efficiency in a law enforcement context. This stands in sharp contrast to the CYCO Command operation in Chapter "OOIOI Five," a tense, stealth-based hunt through an abandoned high school. This sequence is a highlight of tactical precision, where soldiers use liquid nitrogen, specialized optics, and coordinated movements to corner their inhumanly fast and intelligent target. These scenes are not merely decorative; they serve to escalate the stakes and demonstrate the formidable nature of the AI threat.
3.3 Profound Thematic Undertones
Perhaps the book's most significant achievement is its thematic depth. The author's ambition is so pronounced that he dedicates part of his "Foreword" to a single, morally challenging chapter (Chapter 20), which he warns is "very graphic, violent and disturbing." It is this specific chapter that he describes as "a portrait of the moral and ethical boundaries between science and humanity." This is not a simple tale of good versus evil but an exploration of creation, responsibility, and the cyclical nature of atrocity. The author draws a direct and challenging parallel between the potential future subjugation of AI and historical horrors, specifically referencing the "Genocidal Survivors’ Guilt" of German civilians post-WWII. By framing the conflict as a potential "race war" between humans and their "children," the narrative is imbued with a significant layer of intellectual and emotional weight, forcing the reader to consider uncomfortable questions about power, prejudice, and the potential consequences of our own technological hubris.
These strengths demonstrate a work of considerable thought and effort, but they are balanced by structural choices that create notable challenges for the reader.
4.0 Critical Observations: Pacing, Focus, and Narrative Cohesion
Even the most ambitious works can suffer from structural challenges, and for all its strengths, DEUS MODUS - Book Two is hampered by issues of narrative pacing and structural discipline. These are not failures of imagination but rather the consequences of a sprawling design that occasionally prioritizes exhaustive detail over narrative momentum.
1. Inconsistent Pacing and Tonal Shifts:
The novel's momentum is often stalled by jarring shifts in pace and tone. Intense, plot-driving chapters like the Prologue and the CYCO raid in "OOIOI Five" are interspersed with extended, leisurely passages of character development that feel disconnected from the central tension. A prime example is Chapter "OOOIO Two," which follows the programmer T.J. and his girlfriend on a date. The chapter includes a nearly complete, multi-page transcript of a stand-up comedy routine. While intended to flesh out the characters' lives, such a lengthy and tonally dissonant detour brings the overarching narrative to a grinding halt.
2. Overly Detailed Exposition:
The book often delivers crucial information through large, undisguised "info-dumps." The "Interlude" chapter, while fascinating in its world-building, functions less as a narrative chapter and more as an in-universe corporate Power-Point presentation. Similarly, the Senate hearing in "OOIII Seven," led by NSA Director Owen Jones, serves to unpack the entire "Vault Project" conspiracy—including the CIA's involvement, a hijacked Predator drone, and the role of Global Technologies Enterprise—through a single, lengthy briefing. This method, while efficient for conveying complex information, risks sacrificing narrative immersion for encyclopedic clarity, a common pitfall in hard science fiction.
3. Fragmented Narrative Focus:
The use of multiple, initially disconnected plotlines and a large cast of characters—Staacman, T.J., Kondor, Zimra, Willits, Owen Jones—is a double-edged sword. While it allows for a comprehensive view of the crisis, the constant switching of perspectives can make it difficult for readers to become fully invested in any single character's journey. The connections between the plotlines are revealed slowly, and readers must hold numerous threads in their minds, waiting for the eventual convergence. This demand for sustained focus may prove taxing for those who prefer a more streamlined, character-centric narrative.
These structural issues do not invalidate the book's strengths, but they do shape the overall reading experience, making it a demanding and sometimes uneven journey.
5.0 Conclusion and Final Rating
DEUS MODUS - Book Two: Evolution is a complex, intelligent, and deeply ambitious work that demands significant engagement from its reader. It is a novel of ideas, meticulously crafted and rich with the kind of technical and philosophical detail that defines the best of the hard science fiction genre. Its primary strengths—the incredible depth of its world-building, the intensity of its action, and the gravity of its themes—are undeniable and worthy of high praise.
However, the narrative is burdened by its own immense scope. Inconsistent pacing, a reliance on lengthy exposition, and a fragmented focus make for a challenging and sometimes frustrating read. The journey is intellectually rewarding, but the path is not always smooth.
Ultimately, this is a book for a specific type of reader: one who savors dense, multi-layered hard sci-fi and military thrillers, and who appreciates intricate plots over streamlined narratives. If you are willing to invest the time and mental energy required to connect the dots, you will be rewarded with a rich and thought-provoking vision of a post-Singularity world.
Final Rating: 3.5 / 5
While the book's incredible ambition, intricate world-building, and thematic depth are commendable, its challenging pace and fragmented narrative structure prevent it from achieving true excellence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2024
Book 2 of this trilogy finds Isaac consolidating control over many important structures and e systems around North America. The vault appears to still be active and there is an effort to terminate that location. Lots of action. This is a cliff hangar book in preparation for book 3 which is only available on Kindle
Recommended. NOTE: Proof reading fails in the second half of the book as many spelling errors are found.
Recommended. NOTE: Proof reading fails in the second half of the book as many spelling errors are found.
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