Softlife

by James R. Hardin

Human or not, Jason1 may be just the right software to save the world. He’s about to find out.

Everyone thought the terrorist had completely destroyed the space station where the first faster-than-light spaceship was built. Actually, the survivors were implemented as softlife in the computers, and years later they and their virtual descendants live in a thriving but isolated community. Jason1, one of the few who used to be flesh and blood, doubts that this incorporeal existence really qualifies as life. But Iooi, a young native softlife, considers her kind an evolutionary step beyond biology, and three-dimensional space an annoying abstraction.

A spaceship arrives, and the two of them stow away in its computer, intending to establish ties with the rest of humanity. But the ship’s crew is evasive about why they came and what their plans are. And the experimental spacecraft, lost since the attack on the space station, has returned, carrying an unexpected threat the softlife may be uniquely qualified to fight. Working with other softlife, an old friend, and the intimidating Space Force general Heather Lacey, Jason1 must take on terrorists, truly malicious software, and his own self-doubts.

1490539336 (ISBN13: 9781490539331) alternate (newer) cover. (Novel is identical to previous edition.)

268 pages, Paperback

First published June 23, 2013

About the author

James R. Hardin received his first rejection from a major publisher when he was 11 years old and has been writing fiction intermittently ever since. After a long break earning a living and dealing with real life, he has returned to writing with renewed passion (although he still has to work around all that earning a living and real life stuff).

James retired from being an engineer in the R&D department of a major turbomachinery manufacturer, where he engaged in aerodynamic design, computational fluid dynamics analyses, and battle with temperamental computers. When not writing or engineering, he often plays or composes music, usually on a piano or synthesizer.

James lives in western Pennsylvania with his wife and a varying number of sons depending on who's home.

You can find out more about James and his writing, as well as download a few of his musical compositions, at his website www.jamesrhardin.com.

Reviews

[Mark Venturini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science fiction stories are all about ideas . . . and there's a lot of ideas in Softlife. Let's see, where do I start? Human consciousness replicated in software framework, a thriving society housed on computer networks, where the inhabitants interact, have “sex” and reproduce children, children who then grow up to become adult beings with distinct personalities and names like Jason1 and 1001101110. What else? Oh, yes. There’s a faster-than-light jumpship, “Christian” terrorists, Hal, rogue Trojan Bear viruses running amok through Earth’s computer network, and bumbling military brass.

Softlife is a well-written, fast-paced story. I was most intrigued by the Softlife beings, their ability to interact and argue with each other (and with humans), “sleep”, travel from network cluster to network cluster, and replicate themselves with backups. There is one question still lingering in my mind: with Softlife, is there life after deletion?

[Ally Swanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

---3.5 Stars---

Wow! There is a lot going on in this book! The author has fascinating ideas and this book concept was very intriguing!

The author did an impressive job on world-building as his attention to detail was immaculate.

Jason1, the main character, who was once flesh and blood, is somewhat of a hero in this book. Jason1 became softlife when his space station was attacked by terrorists. As Jason1 and the spaceship crew knew time was running out and they had no other way out they decided to take a risk and download themselves into a computer system. Jason1 and the other survivors created a unique community as softlife while they waited for the next step. Now, trying to establish a connection with the rest of humanity, Jason1 must team up with Space Force General Heather Lacey to battle the terrorists once again.

There is an interesting dynamic between the softlife that used to be flesh and blood and those born in captivity. Oh yes – regardless that they’re now computer programs they can still have sex and create offspring!

I found this book to be interesting for the most part. However, there were times I was bored and got lost or confused. I definitely had to put this book down multiple times and it took me over a week to finish it. I kept coming back because I wanted to know how it ended, but it wasn’t a book I was glued to.

Even though I enjoyed reading this book, but didn’t love it, I would still recommend it to sci-fi readers as this book truly was an interesting read.

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**

[Read Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a GoodReads giveaway.

A well presented new look at life based within computer software. I enjoyed the premise and there was plenty of action. I am not sure how I felt about the villain in this book. Just a little too mysterious for me, but that just sets up a sequel where we find out about the villain's backstory. It opens all sorts of possibilities.

I most appreciated that this was written as a stand alone book. There is no cliff hanger. It is a complete tale all on its own. If you don't have a good story for book one, don't stretch it out into more books than you have to. Win over your readers with a good first work, then build your universe from there. You readers will come to you.

Have a GoodReads.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humanity is about to reach to the stars - using a robotic FTL ship docked at a far space station in earth orbit. But as the ship warms up, a terrorist attack almost totally destroys the station. The few survivors wait patiently for rescue - that never comes. As a last ditch effort, they upload themselves into the computer as "softlife".

The book was a good read - the action was constant/the ideas were fresh. The dialogue was a little bland at time, but overall the book was good.

*I got this book through GoodRead's Giveaways - an excellent source of interesting books!

[Reader4Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m only part-way through this novel, and I already know that it’s getting a very high rating from me. I often listen to audiobooks so I can multitask, but I’m reading this one with my eyes, and I’m savoring every word. There’s no shortage of innovative, unique concepts! I’m looking forward to posting an actual review when I’ve finished this inventive novel.

[Clipinchick]

I this book for free from the author/publisher in response for an honest review of the book. I have not had the opportunity to read this book at this time. I will add my
review of this book once I have read the book. Thank k you for allowing me the optometrist review your work. I look forward to reading this book.