Singularity Part 1: The Dale Chronicles

by Chuck Stewart

How do A.I. and robots become conscious? That question is explored in the Singularity trilogy. Dale, a narcissistic gay man on the verge of becoming a partner at his financial planning company in the year 2050, sees other electric cars self-driving, speeding, cutting in line at the charging station, and other law violations. He wants the same privilege and seeks out illegal software that enables these features on his new, very expensive electric car. A mysterious benefactor upgrades the car’s computers, surprisingly allowing the car to be conscious and sentient. Many more of his household computers and robots join the network with surprising results. But they need to learn what it means to be conscious. Dale, and his self-centered behaviors, teach the robots survival skills. At the same time, a new powerful e-bomb has been released onto the planet that destroys all electronics in a small designated area. It is a cheap, renewal weapon for which there is no defense. The world faces being thrown back into the stone age. Can Dale help? Will the robots help? How do robots become conscious? What does this all mean?


The author, Chuck Stewart, believes science fiction should be based on good science. All the technological innovations discussed in the book are based on real science projected a few decades into the future. The book is non-apologetic about language, sex, and action. This is written for adults ready to consume an action-packed science fiction with explicit gay male sex, violence, and strong language.

439 pages, Hardcover

Published July 6, 2023

Reviews

[Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Singularity by Chuck Stewart, we are transported to the year 2050, a time still healing from the catastrophic earthquake that ravaged Los Angeles in 2039. Amidst a society grappling with soaring violence, we meet Dale, a wealthy man with questionable ethics. His life takes an unexpected turn when new software for his car's artificial intelligence starts to exhibit eerily human characteristics. This science fiction narrative delves into the peculiar relationship between Dale and his increasingly sentient A.I., set against a backdrop of societal chaos.

Singularity marks the debut of The Dale Chronicles, a series that promises to captivate with its blend of advanced technology and human drama. Stewart crafts an accessible and enthralling tale where our flawed yet fascinating protagonist mirrors the tumultuous world he inhabits. The journey of watching Dale navigate the murky waters of his morality, paralleling the external anarchy, is as intriguing as it is relatable.

This novel is a perfect pick for adult readers who appreciate a touch of stark realism and subtle cynicism woven into their dystopian science fiction. Stewart, an author dedicated to the integrity of science within the genre, invests deeply in the plausibility of his scientific propositions. The novel's refreshing take on A.I. eschews the trope of malevolence, offering a narrative ripe with potential and a hopeful perspective on technology's role in humanity's future. Singularity is a thought-provoking and engaging read that is sure to resonate with enthusiasts of science fiction looking for substance and authenticity.

[CR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one kind of put me off to start with. When I read the description I was kind of really wondering what I was going into. So I dived in and was happily surprised. I will say that I think that this cover screams more childish vs. what you really get in this book. This was an LGBT spicy blend of AI and I Robot and I was all here for that. So if you are like most don't pay any attention to the cover. Just pick up the book and read it. For most of the pages I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen and this one did not disappoint.