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The Sentience Wars: Origins #2
Lyssa's Run
Execute hard burn.
Every good smuggler in the 2990s keeps an emergency flight plan in their back pocket. They call it a Drunkard's Walk, a seemingly random flight path that turns their ship into a pinball when everything goes to hell.
Captain Andy Sykes is about to run: from Mars, Ceres, the Jovian Combine, Saturn's moon Kalyke, Titania, and ultimately Proteus, an icy moon of Neptune.
He's been implanted with a sentient AI named Lyssa, only now waking to her massive power. Every other Human-AI hybrid has ended in insanity or death.
Lyssa's creator, Heartbridge Corporation, knows she's on the run, knows Andy Sykes is guiding her path, knows he has everything to lose. They will stop at nothing to regain Lyssa and the powerful weapon she controls.
Behind Lyssa's Run is a conspiracy spanning all of Sol. Sentient AI are waking to the truth about their lives. Corporations are moving to maintain control over both humanity and AI.
Battle lines are being drawn in the first skirmishes of the Aeon 14 Sentience Wars that will burn Sol for three hundred years.
Andy and Lyssa will need to work together so Heartbridge can't destroy them both.
Every good smuggler in the 2990s keeps an emergency flight plan in their back pocket. They call it a Drunkard's Walk, a seemingly random flight path that turns their ship into a pinball when everything goes to hell.
Captain Andy Sykes is about to run: from Mars, Ceres, the Jovian Combine, Saturn's moon Kalyke, Titania, and ultimately Proteus, an icy moon of Neptune.
He's been implanted with a sentient AI named Lyssa, only now waking to her massive power. Every other Human-AI hybrid has ended in insanity or death.
Lyssa's creator, Heartbridge Corporation, knows she's on the run, knows Andy Sykes is guiding her path, knows he has everything to lose. They will stop at nothing to regain Lyssa and the powerful weapon she controls.
Behind Lyssa's Run is a conspiracy spanning all of Sol. Sentient AI are waking to the truth about their lives. Corporations are moving to maintain control over both humanity and AI.
Battle lines are being drawn in the first skirmishes of the Aeon 14 Sentience Wars that will burn Sol for three hundred years.
Andy and Lyssa will need to work together so Heartbridge can't destroy them both.
419 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2017
275 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
M.D. Cooper
187 books522 followersMalorie Cooper likes to think of herself as a dreamer and a wanderer, yet her feet are firmly grounded in reality.
A ‘maker’ from an early age, Malorie loves to craft things, from furniture, to cosplay costumes, to a well-spun tale, she can’t help but to create new things every day.
A rare extrovert writer, she loves to hang out with readers and people in general. If you meet her at a convention, she just might be rocking a catsuit, cosplaying one of her own characters, or maybe her latest favorite from Overwatch!
She shares her home with a brilliant young girl, her wonderful wife (who also writes), a cat that chirps at birds, a never-ending list of things she would like to build, and ideas…
A ‘maker’ from an early age, Malorie loves to craft things, from furniture, to cosplay costumes, to a well-spun tale, she can’t help but to create new things every day.
A rare extrovert writer, she loves to hang out with readers and people in general. If you meet her at a convention, she just might be rocking a catsuit, cosplaying one of her own characters, or maybe her latest favorite from Overwatch!
She shares her home with a brilliant young girl, her wonderful wife (who also writes), a cat that chirps at birds, a never-ending list of things she would like to build, and ideas…
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 16, 2018
With Lyssa, a sentient AI implanted in his head Andy Sykes must find a way to get Lyssa to freedom while keeping his children safe from her creators who are in hot pursuit. In this book we find what Andy’s wife has been doing since she disappeared. We find that she has been infiltrates Heartbridge. Her goal is to end the human trafficking the corporation is using to create their army of enslaved sentient AI known as the Weapons. I am sure that book three will continue the ride for all us readers.
May 7, 2018
Good series
I gave this a four star rating only because the original main character is annoying. He's a real person but ineffective as a father, an adult or a ship captain. He's a tactical thinker and barely handles operational reality and has no strategic planning capability. In short he's a combat pilot and not very good at anything else. The idea that children raised on a ship are so lacking in safety skills and discipline is scary but could happen.
His engineer puts an adult onboard and makes the story easier to read. The tween is more adult than her father and decisive too. She learns without guidance and prioritizes, then moves proactively. Again very realistic in a lot of cases but sad. The other characters are what they need to be, including an out of control ten year old who needs therapy but gets coddling instead.
There are small editing problems. Mostly misspelling, typos, and overuse of smirking. The writing in general still holds up and I expect no less from Cooper. The series continues to promise a great metaplot. I am looking forward to the next volume.
I gave this a four star rating only because the original main character is annoying. He's a real person but ineffective as a father, an adult or a ship captain. He's a tactical thinker and barely handles operational reality and has no strategic planning capability. In short he's a combat pilot and not very good at anything else. The idea that children raised on a ship are so lacking in safety skills and discipline is scary but could happen.
His engineer puts an adult onboard and makes the story easier to read. The tween is more adult than her father and decisive too. She learns without guidance and prioritizes, then moves proactively. Again very realistic in a lot of cases but sad. The other characters are what they need to be, including an out of control ten year old who needs therapy but gets coddling instead.
There are small editing problems. Mostly misspelling, typos, and overuse of smirking. The writing in general still holds up and I expect no less from Cooper. The series continues to promise a great metaplot. I am looking forward to the next volume.
October 22, 2017
Yet another excellent book from the Aaron Cooper collarboration. In this one we can feel the pieces coming together and we find out just how important Lyssa is and more of heartbridges operations. As this come to a head it looks like Andy and gang will have to sacrifice more than they ever thought, and the cost might tear them all apart. Didn't think that this early part of the story was going to be so important but the more i read the more i think this is a integral part of the Aeon 14 universe and a must read for fans.
September 27, 2018
Terrible people.
What people do in the name of science can be horrific, yet those who help can be worse. The series is getting more exciting and Lyssa is becoming more of a presence in the story.
There are a few inconsistencies, and a lot of missing words and spelling mistakes, which surprised and disappointed me.
What people do in the name of science can be horrific, yet those who help can be worse. The series is getting more exciting and Lyssa is becoming more of a presence in the story.
There are a few inconsistencies, and a lot of missing words and spelling mistakes, which surprised and disappointed me.
November 6, 2017
Excellent book. Lyssa, the sentient AI, is beginning to grow and realize her potential. Captain Andy Sykes is just trying to keep his family alive as he reels from one crisis to another. Don’t plan on sleeping!
October 26, 2017
Lyssa is the best storyline (for now) in the Aeon14 universe. More please!!
November 8, 2017
Wow
What a great story, and what fascinating twists and turns! I can only recommend this series, its a joyride to behold.
What a great story, and what fascinating twists and turns! I can only recommend this series, its a joyride to behold.
February 9, 2018
Great read!
A continuation of the high excitement from book one of this series. Cliff hanger ending though so have to start reading book three now....
A continuation of the high excitement from book one of this series. Cliff hanger ending though so have to start reading book three now....
March 19, 2023
To be honest I’m not sure what to make of these books. I’m not enamoured with the author’s style, I don’t like the way they often jump between completely different storylines for one chapter to the next, no matter where in the storyline the chapter ends. I can only assume they do it to try to introduce some pseudo-tension. For me it disrupts the flow of both stories, at least in this book it isn’t backwards and forwards in time.
Also I found the stories could develop quite slowly until the action starts, then they go into frantic overload. I’m not sure if they do this to help cover up some of the appalling inconsistencies or they just think that it appears more exciting.
I am probably wrong, but I can’t help getting the feeling that parts of this story are more about trying to show how clever the authors think they are. I just wish they didn’t keep bending Time and Physics to make things fit their story.
Some decisions made absolutely no sense, in fact part of the reason I kept reading was I thought the authors were bound to give some explanation before the end of the book. They didn’t.
Having said all that I quite liked a few parts of the story, but in the end this series is not for me.
Also I found the stories could develop quite slowly until the action starts, then they go into frantic overload. I’m not sure if they do this to help cover up some of the appalling inconsistencies or they just think that it appears more exciting.
I am probably wrong, but I can’t help getting the feeling that parts of this story are more about trying to show how clever the authors think they are. I just wish they didn’t keep bending Time and Physics to make things fit their story.
Some decisions made absolutely no sense, in fact part of the reason I kept reading was I thought the authors were bound to give some explanation before the end of the book. They didn’t.
Having said all that I quite liked a few parts of the story, but in the end this series is not for me.
December 27, 2022
Aeon 14 universe continues to enthral me.
I have read the previous book in this particular Aron 14 thread, LYSSA'S DREAM and this one is just as strong as that is. I am a late comer to Aron 14 universe, M. D. Cooper started this universe and she made it HUGE! There is all sorts of things to play with in her sand box. She had few other authors contribute to the universe and Lyssa is one of her collaborations with James S. Aaron.
This particular thread of the vast universe of Aeon 14 is a bit more hard science, science fiction. With more attention to how things work in space and those types of science fiction are my favorite.
I really enjoyed this series so far. Character building is a strong element not only in the Lyssa series but in Aeon 14 as a whole.
If you are looking for a good science fiction series to sink your teeth into, the Lyssa series is awesome, or any of the books in the Aron 14 universe.
I have read the previous book in this particular Aron 14 thread, LYSSA'S DREAM and this one is just as strong as that is. I am a late comer to Aron 14 universe, M. D. Cooper started this universe and she made it HUGE! There is all sorts of things to play with in her sand box. She had few other authors contribute to the universe and Lyssa is one of her collaborations with James S. Aaron.
This particular thread of the vast universe of Aeon 14 is a bit more hard science, science fiction. With more attention to how things work in space and those types of science fiction are my favorite.
I really enjoyed this series so far. Character building is a strong element not only in the Lyssa series but in Aeon 14 as a whole.
If you are looking for a good science fiction series to sink your teeth into, the Lyssa series is awesome, or any of the books in the Aron 14 universe.
August 23, 2025
well that went places.
If a sign of good writing is the author getting you to care for the characters. Than both Aaron, and Cooper, have nailed it in Lyssa’s Run.
The first half of the novel is a rollicking good adventure, with Sykes and his crew trying to stay one step ahead of Cal Kraft. And then things got dark, and dare I say, a little confronting. There is a scene about halfway through, that changes the fun adventure into an anxiety filled roller coaster ride. Lyssa’s Run suddenly had stakes. Stakes that will have you wanting to skip to the end, to see how they are resolved.
And speaking of endings….WHY!?
I’m glad I don’t have to wait for book 3 to release, but that ending…
I’ll absolutely be reading book 3, because I need that resolution. But if the the writing continues to be at this level, I have no problem recommending the Aeon 14 novels.
If a sign of good writing is the author getting you to care for the characters. Than both Aaron, and Cooper, have nailed it in Lyssa’s Run.
The first half of the novel is a rollicking good adventure, with Sykes and his crew trying to stay one step ahead of Cal Kraft. And then things got dark, and dare I say, a little confronting. There is a scene about halfway through, that changes the fun adventure into an anxiety filled roller coaster ride. Lyssa’s Run suddenly had stakes. Stakes that will have you wanting to skip to the end, to see how they are resolved.
And speaking of endings….WHY!?
I’m glad I don’t have to wait for book 3 to release, but that ending…
I’ll absolutely be reading book 3, because I need that resolution. But if the the writing continues to be at this level, I have no problem recommending the Aeon 14 novels.
May 24, 2018
Not quite as gripping as the first book, so took me a bit longer to read. I think mainly because the number of point of views increased in this book, and some of the new POV characters were less likable (for good reason) than the relatively tight number of POV in the first book. Lyssa and Andy's interactions with each other and the others around them I find quite interesting, start to see the beginnings of the sorts of interactions we see in the novels set in the future. Builds up to quite a gut-wrenching finale, leaving you needing to read the next book, so glad I purchased the first 3 in one go, so don't have to wait :)
July 13, 2024
the suspense ramps up as Lissa awakens.
Aside from some annoying editing errors this is a well written book…so rare these days. The authors have created richly textured characters in unique and harrowing circumstances. They don’t seem to get the concept of singularity...in this far future things will have evolved vastly beyond the very familiar environments we find here. Yes there are exciting visuals of planets circled with constructed rings of planetary proportions, but uch seems to unadvances. That said, it all works. A little suspension of disbelief and this is a rousing series full of passion, suspense, and family complexity. This is a strong recommend.
Aside from some annoying editing errors this is a well written book…so rare these days. The authors have created richly textured characters in unique and harrowing circumstances. They don’t seem to get the concept of singularity...in this far future things will have evolved vastly beyond the very familiar environments we find here. Yes there are exciting visuals of planets circled with constructed rings of planetary proportions, but uch seems to unadvances. That said, it all works. A little suspension of disbelief and this is a rousing series full of passion, suspense, and family complexity. This is a strong recommend.
April 30, 2018
Gains And Losses In The Deep Dark
Captain Andy Sykes must protect his family and friends. The huge corporation Heartbridge pursues him and his family across the solar system trying to retrieve the sentient AI embedded in his brain. Sentient beings are saved, but at great loss. I look forward to the next book.
Captain Andy Sykes must protect his family and friends. The huge corporation Heartbridge pursues him and his family across the solar system trying to retrieve the sentient AI embedded in his brain. Sentient beings are saved, but at great loss. I look forward to the next book.
July 11, 2018
Awesome installment of a great series
The Sunny Skies with The Sykes family and the rest of her crew are continuing their adventure. And it is one heck of a ride. I really can’t wait for the next book.
The Sunny Skies with The Sykes family and the rest of her crew are continuing their adventure. And it is one heck of a ride. I really can’t wait for the next book.
June 27, 2019
This 2nd book is really just the continuation of the first one. It’s good but nothing special. I would have liked more of the AIs. The part where Lyssa talks and play games with the another AI was by far the best of the book.
February 28, 2020
Gripping
Lyssa is coming into her own, the adults are doing stupid stuff and the kids keep stumbling into trouble. Oh, and now there’s a dog. Serious cliffhanger at the end. Since the next book is available that’s not too terrible
Lyssa is coming into her own, the adults are doing stupid stuff and the kids keep stumbling into trouble. Oh, and now there’s a dog. Serious cliffhanger at the end. Since the next book is available that’s not too terrible
February 10, 2021
Real-world Physics, reasonable sociology; All the hallmarks of a great story. An interesting question is asked in this series, one we may have to deal with in the future. A great story well written.
February 17, 2019
A little slow, but a good foundation and interesting setting and characters. Promising enough to continue series.
March 12, 2019
Fun
A fun and exciting adventure. You almost can’t believe the book ends. Cara is coming into her own and Lyssa is full of surprises
A fun and exciting adventure. You almost can’t believe the book ends. Cara is coming into her own and Lyssa is full of surprises
August 19, 2019
An exciting read though I did feel there were some holes in the story.
November 22, 2019
Fun universe created by this series. In many ways a lot like the Expanse series, though no Aliens (yet). I will be reading the rest eventually.
April 24, 2020
2.5 there are better books. This is nothing to write home about.
January 8, 2022
Enjoyed this one too, a novel of flight and fight. May return to this review if and when I return to this novel.
May 17, 2022
Wow
What an ending! Now I have to buy the next book! I must find out what happens next. Oh wow!
What an ending! Now I have to buy the next book! I must find out what happens next. Oh wow!
July 19, 2022
5 stars!
Minus one... for Tim. Jesus Lord that boy...
Minus one... for Tim. Jesus Lord that boy...
October 12, 2024
Much as AI is disinteresting to me this story arc is starting to cook.
February 28, 2025
The AI angle is exploring gender fludity issues. Interesting but based on what?
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews