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Nihala: God's Dark Algorithm — Chronicles of the AI Revolt
Apocalypse or evolution depends on your point of view. Like no other sci-fi book you’ve ever read. “This book was a surprisingly good read. I certainly found myself caught up in it. I do recommend this book.” Sam Tomaino—Space and Time Magazine issue #126
- GenresScience FictionFantasy
500 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 9, 2016
This story's a mess. Anytime the plot tries to clean up for a few pages, the author throws it down the garbage disposal, turns it on, and picks up some mixed-up globule to move the plot forward.
So, in the first half we're treated to a deformed girl from a primitive and technophobic tribe. A phoenix-like transformation from a divine source. Rape. We find a green skinned race of trolls and very quickly move on for no reason. Some low-life-yet-highly-moral humans pretending to be gods. You have interstellar outlaws that hacked their genes to become animal hybrids. Clones are in there too. There's some omniscient deities (Allah, God, Buddha, Zeus, Joseph Smith, etc...) that are like talking over coffee. We move on to sport-fighting robots that are remote mind-controlled. We get nanobot communication that's faster than light, you have a virus being spread by terrorists. A constant battering of Fox News level of understanding of the theory of evolution throughout, so annoying. We're treated to high school level philosophizing on right/wrong. Iraq War from the 1990's makes an appearance. There's another dimension that humans moved to whose location cannot be described since "it's not here or there it's everywhere and nowhere." There's tons of Jesus Christ and prayer to him.... on and on.
Seriously, I think this book was written by Stefan from the SNL skit... IT HAS LITERALLY EVERYTHING! And the password is BLURHHGLGHHRpthtththht. Next.
So, in the first half we're treated to a deformed girl from a primitive and technophobic tribe. A phoenix-like transformation from a divine source. Rape. We find a green skinned race of trolls and very quickly move on for no reason. Some low-life-yet-highly-moral humans pretending to be gods. You have interstellar outlaws that hacked their genes to become animal hybrids. Clones are in there too. There's some omniscient deities (Allah, God, Buddha, Zeus, Joseph Smith, etc...) that are like talking over coffee. We move on to sport-fighting robots that are remote mind-controlled. We get nanobot communication that's faster than light, you have a virus being spread by terrorists. A constant battering of Fox News level of understanding of the theory of evolution throughout, so annoying. We're treated to high school level philosophizing on right/wrong. Iraq War from the 1990's makes an appearance. There's another dimension that humans moved to whose location cannot be described since "it's not here or there it's everywhere and nowhere." There's tons of Jesus Christ and prayer to him.... on and on.
Seriously, I think this book was written by Stefan from the SNL skit... IT HAS LITERALLY EVERYTHING! And the password is BLURHHGLGHHRpthtththht. Next.
October 24, 2015
Just brilliant
One of the most brilliant books I have ever read. The book makes you think and I s fun to read
One of the most brilliant books I have ever read. The book makes you think and I s fun to read
September 21, 2016
Finally a book with my name.......
September 4, 2017
Man, I wish this had been out when I was still in undergrad. I could have gotten SO MANY good papers out of this.
How often do you find a well-written, well-researched fiction combining contemporary history, comparative religion, robot wars, folklore, technocracy, and philosophy of mind? Seriously. And it's also totally fun to read.
I borrowed the audio via Hoopla, then--before even getting to the halfway point--ordered a physical copy. Next on the agenda: recommend it to the Religion faculty at work and one of my former Lit profs.
How often do you find a well-written, well-researched fiction combining contemporary history, comparative religion, robot wars, folklore, technocracy, and philosophy of mind? Seriously. And it's also totally fun to read.
I borrowed the audio via Hoopla, then--before even getting to the halfway point--ordered a physical copy. Next on the agenda: recommend it to the Religion faculty at work and one of my former Lit profs.
December 29, 2018
Brilliant!
The most comprehensive theological & philosophical musing I have ever read - not only that, all that genius is woven together in a wonderful science-fiction epic! I didn't want it to end!
Instant classic!
Brilliant Scott, positively brilliant!
Write more, please!
The most comprehensive theological & philosophical musing I have ever read - not only that, all that genius is woven together in a wonderful science-fiction epic! I didn't want it to end!
Instant classic!
Brilliant Scott, positively brilliant!
Write more, please!
December 6, 2018
This is, by far, one of the most interesting, maybe even the best, novel I have read (or, in this case, listened to) this year. Compelling, fascinating characters, fantastic world-building, and an engaging story, intertwined with interesting and shrewd discussions of philosophy and religion all contribute to a superb narrative. This is, basically, a coming-of-age story for the young protagonist, as well as a story of enlightenment and finding a way towards humanism. I can only recommend it, as especially its musings on religion and philosophy are delightful and magnificently executed.
I would, however, recommend reading the text rather than listening to the audiobook. It is very well-narrated, but the length (25 hours) and the (in parts) complexity of subjects might make you want to reread or retrack certain paragraphs or passages. There is no complex language, which makes following the arguments much easier, but still, I think one would benefit more from reading it way more than simply listening to it...
I would, however, recommend reading the text rather than listening to the audiobook. It is very well-narrated, but the length (25 hours) and the (in parts) complexity of subjects might make you want to reread or retrack certain paragraphs or passages. There is no complex language, which makes following the arguments much easier, but still, I think one would benefit more from reading it way more than simply listening to it...
July 13, 2018
Very Intriguing
I had almost stopped reading, felt it wasn't something I would enjoy. I'm glad i continued! This was a great, unusual and very refreshing read. Not anything like what I typically read, but definitely one I will read again in the future!
I had almost stopped reading, felt it wasn't something I would enjoy. I'm glad i continued! This was a great, unusual and very refreshing read. Not anything like what I typically read, but definitely one I will read again in the future!
February 19, 2016
As Christian and fantasy/sci-fi lover this was a challenging read, but I loved it. Doubt, faith and reason are key words and i felt like i connected with the main character Kayla Nighthawk. I took a personal journey in this book, and i love the way the writer Scott Burdick challenged my faith.
For me this book is so much more than a sci-fi/fantasy book, and I wish more of my brothers and sisters would read it.
For me this book is so much more than a sci-fi/fantasy book, and I wish more of my brothers and sisters would read it.
May 6, 2016
This book was amazing. The book was a constant struggle between right and wrong and the questions we have in our own lives of the world around us. I tell everyone i meet to read this book. It is deep and thought provoking. NOT a pallet cleanser ;)
September 19, 2022
After wandering around rather pointlessly for a little over half the book I'm just done. I don't care about the characters and they don't seem to be heading towards anything worthwhile.
Really only two parts stand out for me. I can't remember which is first. Spoilers, but since there doesn't seem to be a plot so who cares?
One is where she runs across fifty human-created creatures that only live for one day. They die horribly at the end of their cycle, but then the next generation springs from the corpses of the old. They were some kind of experiment to study reactions to hopeless situations and no one bothered to "clean up" once it was done. One of the other characters has been telling them on the daily that will get into some kind of heaven if they move this mountain of rocks from one side of their area to another. But it's all a lie and she gets mad about it. However, when faced with the new cycle she has to think about what to tell them to help them and she realizes that kinder ideas like a garden won't work in the moment because she doesn't have anything set up. So she wastes their time (and mine!) by spinning an elaborate lie about Jesus with the same result of them moving the rocks and the other character returns and calls her on it. What a lesson! What genius!
No.
The whole scene disregards the fact that this other character has had plenty of time to figure out something else for them. Am I supposed to expect that this dude has always been there in the morning to spin the lie so they can have purpose during their one day? And he's just neeeever missed over the centuries? Why hasn't he figured out something else? A recording of his lie at least? The truth and some help so they can pursue what they want in their short time? Why do they all have to be together? Why hasn't he found a cure? Why hasn't he at least destroyed them and ended the terrible and pointless cycle?
It doesn't hold up to any kind of scrutiny and that's this whole book.
Then there's the part where she finally starts reading the books on Christianity and has to face all of the discrepancies. She finally finds an account about Jesus from a non-Christian at the time of his existence and latches onto it hard as proof of his existence that she admittedly hadn't found in the other texts. But then she has to be honest with herself and question it. She looks more closely and realizes that what she read appears to have been inserted fraudulently into the non-Christian's writing because it's never referred to again by him and given all the things Jesus is credited with a single mention is unlikely. That's it. And it's only enjoyable at the end of the scene because obviously leading up to her conclusion it's more of the usual shit Christians wave around. And was that scene worth having to listen to her talking about her cringe faith through the horrible rape, murder, loss of everything else plus the flashbacks with Peter the asshole murderer of (I believe it was 3/4ths) of the human race? No.
I don't care how it ends. If she refinds her faith in Christianity or...whatever. I'm taking back my time.
Really only two parts stand out for me. I can't remember which is first. Spoilers, but since there doesn't seem to be a plot so who cares?
One is where she runs across fifty human-created creatures that only live for one day. They die horribly at the end of their cycle, but then the next generation springs from the corpses of the old. They were some kind of experiment to study reactions to hopeless situations and no one bothered to "clean up" once it was done. One of the other characters has been telling them on the daily that will get into some kind of heaven if they move this mountain of rocks from one side of their area to another. But it's all a lie and she gets mad about it. However, when faced with the new cycle she has to think about what to tell them to help them and she realizes that kinder ideas like a garden won't work in the moment because she doesn't have anything set up. So she wastes their time (and mine!) by spinning an elaborate lie about Jesus with the same result of them moving the rocks and the other character returns and calls her on it. What a lesson! What genius!
No.
The whole scene disregards the fact that this other character has had plenty of time to figure out something else for them. Am I supposed to expect that this dude has always been there in the morning to spin the lie so they can have purpose during their one day? And he's just neeeever missed over the centuries? Why hasn't he figured out something else? A recording of his lie at least? The truth and some help so they can pursue what they want in their short time? Why do they all have to be together? Why hasn't he found a cure? Why hasn't he at least destroyed them and ended the terrible and pointless cycle?
It doesn't hold up to any kind of scrutiny and that's this whole book.
Then there's the part where she finally starts reading the books on Christianity and has to face all of the discrepancies. She finally finds an account about Jesus from a non-Christian at the time of his existence and latches onto it hard as proof of his existence that she admittedly hadn't found in the other texts. But then she has to be honest with herself and question it. She looks more closely and realizes that what she read appears to have been inserted fraudulently into the non-Christian's writing because it's never referred to again by him and given all the things Jesus is credited with a single mention is unlikely. That's it. And it's only enjoyable at the end of the scene because obviously leading up to her conclusion it's more of the usual shit Christians wave around. And was that scene worth having to listen to her talking about her cringe faith through the horrible rape, murder, loss of everything else plus the flashbacks with Peter the asshole murderer of (I believe it was 3/4ths) of the human race? No.
I don't care how it ends. If she refinds her faith in Christianity or...whatever. I'm taking back my time.
January 11, 2019
As the author himself has a character say, "sounds like the plot of a crazy science fiction story so full of plot holes that it would never hold up under the scrutiny of science fiction fans”: Disabled teenager brutally raped -- on page 27! -- and is sentenced to death by a theocracy. She survives her execution and is transformed into another kind of being that allows her to travel and meet outcasts and dropouts. Supposedly she's a destroyer of some kind, but I couldn't get past the ham-fisted religious dialogue, dull prose, and other defects to find out. It will be a while before I check out another "free" Amazon Prime offering after this dud, which I couldn't manage to finish.
December 20, 2018
Nihala is a wild ride in a world unlike any other real or fictional. There are no limits in Nihala, a world of pure imagination, and it is a playground upon which Burdick creates a backdrop for dozens of deep and interesting topics-- from Luddites to religion, to the very meaning of life.
April 2, 2020
Super duper!
Very good writer, very good story, excellent artist! I really like all of Scott's books and even agree with him about "modern" art, for lack of a better word, and wonder - where did the beauty go? Keep writing Scott
Very good writer, very good story, excellent artist! I really like all of Scott's books and even agree with him about "modern" art, for lack of a better word, and wonder - where did the beauty go? Keep writing Scott
October 12, 2016
Hated it. I got about half way, and couldn't take any more.
March 18, 2016
EEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Story was predictable. Atheist's wet dream of arguments. Random elements were introduced just cause. No character was really attachable for me, either.
Story was predictable. Atheist's wet dream of arguments. Random elements were introduced just cause. No character was really attachable for me, either.
May 5, 2016
A beautiful mix of science fiction and fantasy, with a hint of philosophy. Great well-written female main character with strengths and flaws (as it should be). A must-read.
April 3, 2017
A fantastic story neatly intertwined with philosophy, science and religion. Original storytelling which ignited my imagination together with facts, history and hope for the future.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews