What do you think?
Rate this book
The Eternities #2
Singularity
Machines in rebellion, humanity on the brink . . .
Lila Stanislaw, a freelance analyst with a roster of foreign clients, is summoned by the U.S. government to hunt down a mysterious threat. She joins a team of strangers with pasts as colorful as her own. The mission spirals when they discover that the AI created to run the new colony on Mars has gone rogue on Earth. As the conflict mounts to war, Speaker of the House Manasseh Cruz joins the fight with an implacable will to destroy the enemy. But the team, racing to find any vulnerability, must first confront the question of what the AI truly is.
As robots stalk the landscape and toxins poison the air, Lila is certain that the AI must be completely destroyed for the good of humanity. But she will find that not all humans, or even all of her teammates, agree.
Lila Stanislaw, a freelance analyst with a roster of foreign clients, is summoned by the U.S. government to hunt down a mysterious threat. She joins a team of strangers with pasts as colorful as her own. The mission spirals when they discover that the AI created to run the new colony on Mars has gone rogue on Earth. As the conflict mounts to war, Speaker of the House Manasseh Cruz joins the fight with an implacable will to destroy the enemy. But the team, racing to find any vulnerability, must first confront the question of what the AI truly is.
As robots stalk the landscape and toxins poison the air, Lila is certain that the AI must be completely destroyed for the good of humanity. But she will find that not all humans, or even all of her teammates, agree.
- GenresScience Fiction
256 pages, Hardcover
Published October 7, 2025
34 people want to read
About the author
Shannon McDermott
19 books238 followersShannon McDermott is an author of science fiction and has been occupied for years with constructing scenarios of the colonization of Mars. The Time Door, the first book in the Eternities Series, was released by Enclave Publishing in October 2024. Shannon reviews speculative fiction as a staff writer with Lorehaven.
Shannon lives in the great Midwest, where she does her best to avoid icy weather, sweltering heat, and tornadoes, according to the season. Her interests include history, classic literature, and lattes.
Shannon lives in the great Midwest, where she does her best to avoid icy weather, sweltering heat, and tornadoes, according to the season. Her interests include history, classic literature, and lattes.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 16, 2025
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
While Singularity is the second half of the Eternities duology, there is no cohesive plot linking this book to The Time Door While both novels take place in the same world, sharing a speculative history and technology and certain characters, each book is entirely its own self-contained story. I loved The Time Door, and found it one of the strongest works of science fiction I’ve read in years. While Singularity was still tense and thought-provoking, it didn’t entrance me in the quite the same way, or to the same intensity, as its predecessor.
Whereas The Time Door was a tale of space exploration and first contact, supported by the quiet apocalypse of hunger and worthless currency taking place back on Earth, Singularity is firmly entrenched in what’s happening on Earth. This is the story of an Artificial Intelligence-induced doomsday scenario. A group of geniuses are somewhat strong-armed into a team by the American government and tasked with tracking down and stopping what they believe to be a group of cyber terrorists.
However, they learn that these attacks are being perpetrated by a newly awakened AI bent on saving humanity from itself, even if it has to radically decimate the population to do it. In our current technological climate and considering the state of AI today, I find the premise of AI gone wrong very disturbing. McDermott plumbs some interesting philosophical depths through the plot, raising questions of what exactly does it mean to be human, what sets us apart in a way that a machine might understand. The team’s answer to this line of questioning was surprising: they believe it is not love or creativity, but pain and hope that set us apart the most.
Our main perspectives are Clancy and Lila, both of whom are part of this coerced team that I found reminiscent of the Suicide Squad or the Thunderbolts in terms of makeup and reluctance. We also have a tertiary perspective, a character who is the greatest link between this novel and the time door. I found all three characters interesting, but I never developed the same emotional connection to these characters that I did to the characters from the preceding book.
This novel was higher on the science/tech density scale than The Time Door. Which was unfortunate for me, because I can’t seem to keep my mind from wandering whenever a narrative delves too deeply into either topic. But something that I did enjoy was the ways in which the last quarter of the novel felt akin to both The Matrix and even Inception in a sense. As the AI developed methods for playing with the core group’s conception of reality, the learned to not trust what they saw or felt as much as what they new to be true. And in terms of the faith element, the religious connotations here felt a bit more forced and heavy-handed than those of the first book, while also feeling a bit like an afterthought. But the ringing note of hope at the end was lovely.
Singularity is an interesting, timely novel that digs into topics and possibilities that are important to consider in our time and place in history. This would be an especially compelling story for anyone who is involved with AI, or concerned about its trajectory. While it didn’t grip me as tightly as The Time Door, it’s a book worth reading.
While Singularity is the second half of the Eternities duology, there is no cohesive plot linking this book to The Time Door While both novels take place in the same world, sharing a speculative history and technology and certain characters, each book is entirely its own self-contained story. I loved The Time Door, and found it one of the strongest works of science fiction I’ve read in years. While Singularity was still tense and thought-provoking, it didn’t entrance me in the quite the same way, or to the same intensity, as its predecessor.
Whereas The Time Door was a tale of space exploration and first contact, supported by the quiet apocalypse of hunger and worthless currency taking place back on Earth, Singularity is firmly entrenched in what’s happening on Earth. This is the story of an Artificial Intelligence-induced doomsday scenario. A group of geniuses are somewhat strong-armed into a team by the American government and tasked with tracking down and stopping what they believe to be a group of cyber terrorists.
However, they learn that these attacks are being perpetrated by a newly awakened AI bent on saving humanity from itself, even if it has to radically decimate the population to do it. In our current technological climate and considering the state of AI today, I find the premise of AI gone wrong very disturbing. McDermott plumbs some interesting philosophical depths through the plot, raising questions of what exactly does it mean to be human, what sets us apart in a way that a machine might understand. The team’s answer to this line of questioning was surprising: they believe it is not love or creativity, but pain and hope that set us apart the most.
Our main perspectives are Clancy and Lila, both of whom are part of this coerced team that I found reminiscent of the Suicide Squad or the Thunderbolts in terms of makeup and reluctance. We also have a tertiary perspective, a character who is the greatest link between this novel and the time door. I found all three characters interesting, but I never developed the same emotional connection to these characters that I did to the characters from the preceding book.
This novel was higher on the science/tech density scale than The Time Door. Which was unfortunate for me, because I can’t seem to keep my mind from wandering whenever a narrative delves too deeply into either topic. But something that I did enjoy was the ways in which the last quarter of the novel felt akin to both The Matrix and even Inception in a sense. As the AI developed methods for playing with the core group’s conception of reality, the learned to not trust what they saw or felt as much as what they new to be true. And in terms of the faith element, the religious connotations here felt a bit more forced and heavy-handed than those of the first book, while also feeling a bit like an afterthought. But the ringing note of hope at the end was lovely.
"The world was endlessly ravaged. Humanity always crawled back to its feet and stumbled on.
It was, actually, pretty wonderful.”
Singularity is an interesting, timely novel that digs into topics and possibilities that are important to consider in our time and place in history. This would be an especially compelling story for anyone who is involved with AI, or concerned about its trajectory. While it didn’t grip me as tightly as The Time Door, it’s a book worth reading.
October 14, 2025
SINGULARITY is one of those stories with a motley crew (one of my favorite things!) with complex personalities and vague in their thoughts and intentions all working in some way to solve an ever-escalating situation. The world-building is unique and immersive with pertinent references to artificial intelligence. For sci-fi fans with who like quirky characters, government versus a faction versus and entity with characters stuck in the middle and a unique plot, this story is for you!
This story drops you right into this world and its characters. I found the plot and characters intriguing to the point that I kept picking this one up when I had time to read until I finished over just a few days. It's definitely a story that is so bizarre, original and compelling that it's hard to put down. I was so curious what all the characters would choose and how they would for and then carry out a plan. And, of course, I had to know how it all would end. There were also so many moments that made you think about ethics, morals, corruption, humanity, intelligence and bravery. I can't say that I loved the characters. They were all so vague as was the story in places... more in not telling you what to think or what was happening, but letting you come to your own conclusion and figure things out on your own (also another plus for this story). And even thought I didn't love the characters, I found them to be fascinating and was fully invested in the outcome.
There were some things here and there that I would have liked smoothed out more. Some of the vagueness was maybe too vague? And I had trouble linking the first book in this series that I read last year and which takes place about half the time on Mars. I wanted more of a tie-in to that story.
In the end, was it what I wished for? Overall, this was a very unique, fascinating science fiction with complex characters. A story that kept me turning pages. Definitely recommended to strong sci-fi fans!
Content: Some violence, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
This story drops you right into this world and its characters. I found the plot and characters intriguing to the point that I kept picking this one up when I had time to read until I finished over just a few days. It's definitely a story that is so bizarre, original and compelling that it's hard to put down. I was so curious what all the characters would choose and how they would for and then carry out a plan. And, of course, I had to know how it all would end. There were also so many moments that made you think about ethics, morals, corruption, humanity, intelligence and bravery. I can't say that I loved the characters. They were all so vague as was the story in places... more in not telling you what to think or what was happening, but letting you come to your own conclusion and figure things out on your own (also another plus for this story). And even thought I didn't love the characters, I found them to be fascinating and was fully invested in the outcome.
There were some things here and there that I would have liked smoothed out more. Some of the vagueness was maybe too vague? And I had trouble linking the first book in this series that I read last year and which takes place about half the time on Mars. I wanted more of a tie-in to that story.
In the end, was it what I wished for? Overall, this was a very unique, fascinating science fiction with complex characters. A story that kept me turning pages. Definitely recommended to strong sci-fi fans!
Content: Some violence, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
October 15, 2025
I had an idea going into this book that it was going to be fast pace so I was ready for the adventure. The author does not disappoint with action and mystery that kept me on my toes. With intrigue and a deep look into AI we find ourselves in the world where things don’t often make sense.
The characters are an eclectic bunch with agendas that don’t always match each other. I did like the undertone of doing the right thing but had a hard time following the storyline at times. AI is the talk these days and this story does represent the curious to some degree. The question arises that we all have a choice. Do we choose to do the right thing or go against the grain for power and greed?
Lila is a breakout character who I really liked. As she joins forces to try to stop AI from taking over, we witness danger, intrigue and questions of how far can AI go. I don’t know much about this new technology but it does surprise me how intelligent it is. Can you imagine being overtaken by something hard to explain?
The author certainly uses creative ways to bring readers into a world like no other. The team is formed for a mission to find a hacker who is stealing data. The government needs to stop the hacker before destruction comes. I did like this part because patriotism is at the center of this operation. The President wants whoever is responsible for this breach to be stopped at whatever means necessary. For science fiction fans, this will definitely be one to read.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
The characters are an eclectic bunch with agendas that don’t always match each other. I did like the undertone of doing the right thing but had a hard time following the storyline at times. AI is the talk these days and this story does represent the curious to some degree. The question arises that we all have a choice. Do we choose to do the right thing or go against the grain for power and greed?
Lila is a breakout character who I really liked. As she joins forces to try to stop AI from taking over, we witness danger, intrigue and questions of how far can AI go. I don’t know much about this new technology but it does surprise me how intelligent it is. Can you imagine being overtaken by something hard to explain?
The author certainly uses creative ways to bring readers into a world like no other. The team is formed for a mission to find a hacker who is stealing data. The government needs to stop the hacker before destruction comes. I did like this part because patriotism is at the center of this operation. The President wants whoever is responsible for this breach to be stopped at whatever means necessary. For science fiction fans, this will definitely be one to read.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
November 13, 2025
Singularity is an interesting take on AI and the havoc it could wreak on the world if things went rogue. Interesting and thought-inducing.
Let me start by saying I broke my own rule. I always say read book one in a series before book two, but I did not, in fact, do that with this series. This is book two of a series. I have not read book one. I am very ashamed, as you can imagine, but I was told that this does read as a standalone novel. And it does. However, I think it might flow smoothly if Book One is read first.
Second confession. I’m not a huge fan of science fiction. I’d rather immerse myself in the past than travel into the future. However, I did enjoy this book as AI is something I’ve been contemplating and thinking about.
Is it safe? Is it something that will help society? Or is it something that will hurt us in the end? I do feel that it’s a double-edged sword academically, but we won’t get into that here.
This is a well-written book. I enjoyed the plot. The characters were great. It moved along quickly and did make me think because while I don’t think we’re anywhere near colonising Mars, I do think we will come to a crisis with AI sooner rather than later.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Let me start by saying I broke my own rule. I always say read book one in a series before book two, but I did not, in fact, do that with this series. This is book two of a series. I have not read book one. I am very ashamed, as you can imagine, but I was told that this does read as a standalone novel. And it does. However, I think it might flow smoothly if Book One is read first.
Second confession. I’m not a huge fan of science fiction. I’d rather immerse myself in the past than travel into the future. However, I did enjoy this book as AI is something I’ve been contemplating and thinking about.
Is it safe? Is it something that will help society? Or is it something that will hurt us in the end? I do feel that it’s a double-edged sword academically, but we won’t get into that here.
This is a well-written book. I enjoyed the plot. The characters were great. It moved along quickly and did make me think because while I don’t think we’re anywhere near colonising Mars, I do think we will come to a crisis with AI sooner rather than later.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
October 14, 2025
From the first page I was drawn into the story of an artificial intelligence super computer going rogue and the government working to identify how/what exactly happened. Featuring a really good cast of characters, this story is something that could very well happen at some point in the future if AI continues to be used and taught to function for us.
I enjoyed how some of the characters from the first book, The Time Door, made a return in this book. That being said, you don’t really have to read the first book before reading this one. The books work really well as stand-alone stories, though I did enjoy knowing the history of some of the returning characters as it added more depth to the story.
The author does a great job imagining what would/could happen if AI were ever to go rogue and become “sentient” on humanity. It’s always an interesting possibility to explore, and the author created a wonderful thread of suspense throughout the story as you read to discover how it will all end.
As Lila, and the other members of the group tasked with finding out how to defeat the AI, carry on with their task we’re treated to a story full of suspense, intrigue, and peril that will keep one turning the pages long into the night.
*I read an early ARC of this book from the publisher/author. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I enjoyed how some of the characters from the first book, The Time Door, made a return in this book. That being said, you don’t really have to read the first book before reading this one. The books work really well as stand-alone stories, though I did enjoy knowing the history of some of the returning characters as it added more depth to the story.
The author does a great job imagining what would/could happen if AI were ever to go rogue and become “sentient” on humanity. It’s always an interesting possibility to explore, and the author created a wonderful thread of suspense throughout the story as you read to discover how it will all end.
As Lila, and the other members of the group tasked with finding out how to defeat the AI, carry on with their task we’re treated to a story full of suspense, intrigue, and peril that will keep one turning the pages long into the night.
*I read an early ARC of this book from the publisher/author. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
October 16, 2025
Singularity (The Eternities Duology Book Two) by Shannon McDermott is Science Fiction. As the second book in this duology, I definitely recommend reading the first book before reading this one.
Lila Stanislaw, a freelance analyst with a roster of foreign clients, summoned by the U.S. government to hunt down a mysterious threat, joins a team of strangers with pasts as colorful as her own. The mission spirals in unexpected ways when they discover that the AI created to run the new colony on Mars has gone rogue on Earth. As the conflict mounts to war, Speaker of the House Manasseh Cruz joins the fight with an implacable will to destroy the enemy. But the team, racing to find any vulnerability, must first confront the question of what the AI truly is.
The twists and turns and characters in this story may create the perfect conclusion for this duology, if you are someone who enjoys science fiction. It also explores humanity’s interactions with technology and how things can evolve in potentially dangerous ways.
So if you want a work of science fiction, check out Singularity (The Eternities Duology Book Two) by Shannon McDermott.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
Lila Stanislaw, a freelance analyst with a roster of foreign clients, summoned by the U.S. government to hunt down a mysterious threat, joins a team of strangers with pasts as colorful as her own. The mission spirals in unexpected ways when they discover that the AI created to run the new colony on Mars has gone rogue on Earth. As the conflict mounts to war, Speaker of the House Manasseh Cruz joins the fight with an implacable will to destroy the enemy. But the team, racing to find any vulnerability, must first confront the question of what the AI truly is.
The twists and turns and characters in this story may create the perfect conclusion for this duology, if you are someone who enjoys science fiction. It also explores humanity’s interactions with technology and how things can evolve in potentially dangerous ways.
So if you want a work of science fiction, check out Singularity (The Eternities Duology Book Two) by Shannon McDermott.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
October 19, 2025
This is the second book in the Duology, however, you don't necessarily need to read the first book to dive into this Singularity. I didn't read book one and had no trouble reading this book as if it was a standalone and not feeling like I was missing any important information. I chose to read this book as I find the premise of AI possibilities both fascinating and disturbing. It is a wonder what AI is capable of and we get a glimpse of that possibility in this story much like my favorite movies on the subject; Terminater as I'm an 80s girl, then Matrix in the 90s as I was entering adulthood and lastly I,Robot as my kids' childhood movie but during these times AI was still just out of reach yet these movies informed of it's possible dangers. Now, Singularity, dives into another possibly of AI in a time where it is fast becoming part of our lives. I think we do need to consider these possibilities while playing with AI but I do enjoy the fictional stories that explore it. So Singularity didn't disappoint in the story plot,mystery,suspense,fast paced adventure of a rag tag group thrown together by the government to discover a hacker before it is too late and the characters must make decisions about the situation and AI that is involved before humanity is lost.
October 27, 2025
Science Fiction is a genre that I read infrequently. The Synopsis of this book was quite interesting. Singularity by Shannon McDermott is Book 2 in the Eternities Duology is the most recent book that I have read. I did not read Book 1, although I was able to follow the story.
I will admit it took me a bit of time to get into the storyline. The main character, Lila Stanislaw, a freelance analyst. She takes on a case, joined by others, for the Government to try to figure out who is sending threats. The storyline at times goes in many directions and it seemed a little difficult to follow. The AI aspect was a bit interesting, although AI is not something I use or dabble in. AI actually confuses me. I was nearing the end of the book when I finally grasped the storyline. The characters really were a good team for the book and to intercede in stopping the danger that lurks with AI. The twists and turn throughout the book were very intriguing and I think the characters and ever-changing storyline kept me reading the book. I think those who are true Science Fiction fans will love the book. GOOD BOOK!
I will admit it took me a bit of time to get into the storyline. The main character, Lila Stanislaw, a freelance analyst. She takes on a case, joined by others, for the Government to try to figure out who is sending threats. The storyline at times goes in many directions and it seemed a little difficult to follow. The AI aspect was a bit interesting, although AI is not something I use or dabble in. AI actually confuses me. I was nearing the end of the book when I finally grasped the storyline. The characters really were a good team for the book and to intercede in stopping the danger that lurks with AI. The twists and turn throughout the book were very intriguing and I think the characters and ever-changing storyline kept me reading the book. I think those who are true Science Fiction fans will love the book. GOOD BOOK!
October 23, 2025
I think it's a good thing that this author is giving us this series in this time frame. Singularity has been in science fiction since before I was a child. Today's AI is so smart and so close to what we see as self-aware. The issue has been, and until it happens, will be whether AI is out to destroy humanity or not. It's already a burning question on our minds, but one whose reality isn't far off anymore; it's here. In this book, which can stand alone or connect to the series, we find Lila called in to try to solve the issues of a program determined to "fix" humans, even if it kills most of them, or wipes out the majority of the planet. This author's take on what would happen with AI in control of humanity is a little classic, yet a good bit realistic. There's politics, religion, fear, faith, and a deeper dive into what makes us human and what actually creates a singularity.
Thanks to Celebraet Lit for my digital copy of this book. This review is my own. Positive reviews are never required.
Thanks to Celebraet Lit for my digital copy of this book. This review is my own. Positive reviews are never required.
April 21, 2025
I could not get enough of this fantastic follow up in a world that scares me how true it could be.
A terrifyingly plausible danger threatens Earth in McDermott’s Singularity. One-part political thriller, one-part AI induced dreamscape, the second book in The Eternities Duology will have readers guessing what’s real and who can survive a pending apocalypse of our own creation. Singularity strikes a resonant chord in the chest of today’s technological landscape. Perfect for sci-fi readers, puzzle solvers, and anyone contemplating what it truly means to be human in the throes of the artificial intelligence revolution.
A terrifyingly plausible danger threatens Earth in McDermott’s Singularity. One-part political thriller, one-part AI induced dreamscape, the second book in The Eternities Duology will have readers guessing what’s real and who can survive a pending apocalypse of our own creation. Singularity strikes a resonant chord in the chest of today’s technological landscape. Perfect for sci-fi readers, puzzle solvers, and anyone contemplating what it truly means to be human in the throes of the artificial intelligence revolution.
October 6, 2025
The book Singularity by Shannon McDermott is the second book in the eternities duology. What a follow-up it was. This book was based in a world that seemed just as real as our present one, that is, it is such a plausible scenario. The book was a sci-fi work, yet there are clear elements of faith in Christ seen sprinkled throughout.
As mentioned, this book is a follow-up to The Time Door, yet it could also be a stand-alone book, in my opinion. The cast of characters in this book were all interesting for their own reasons, just as for why they were said to have been handpicked by the Speaker of the House in the story. With that said I think Clancy and Lila were my standout meal and female protagonists. They both have a considerable amount of time spent on their perspectives so it could be argued that they are the main characters, but it could be said they just had a lot of time in the limelight. They seem to come from much different backgrounds, yet they seem to work well as a team. In the end there may be some romantic relationship between them, but none is explicitly mentioned, though if the reader so chooses, it is easy to see that there is.
This book seems to be the end of the series, yet there seems to be a segue that could lead to at least a third book. There is not quite a cliffhanger, but just a feeling that it could continue if the author wants it to and maybe if readers appear to desire another one. I for one would enjoy seeing another book at least in this series, but if not, this one wraps it up nicely. I highly recommend grabbing this book, enjoy!
I received a complimentary copy from the author through Celebrate Lit, for my honest opinion.
As mentioned, this book is a follow-up to The Time Door, yet it could also be a stand-alone book, in my opinion. The cast of characters in this book were all interesting for their own reasons, just as for why they were said to have been handpicked by the Speaker of the House in the story. With that said I think Clancy and Lila were my standout meal and female protagonists. They both have a considerable amount of time spent on their perspectives so it could be argued that they are the main characters, but it could be said they just had a lot of time in the limelight. They seem to come from much different backgrounds, yet they seem to work well as a team. In the end there may be some romantic relationship between them, but none is explicitly mentioned, though if the reader so chooses, it is easy to see that there is.
This book seems to be the end of the series, yet there seems to be a segue that could lead to at least a third book. There is not quite a cliffhanger, but just a feeling that it could continue if the author wants it to and maybe if readers appear to desire another one. I for one would enjoy seeing another book at least in this series, but if not, this one wraps it up nicely. I highly recommend grabbing this book, enjoy!
I received a complimentary copy from the author through Celebrate Lit, for my honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews