Ashby’s third in the “Machine Dynasty” series (after iD) begins as a satirical mashup of horror, romance, and sf, and evolves into a complicated story about ethics, compassion, and the possibility of starting over after generations of violence and abuse. A thoughtful choice for those who enjoy genre-bending, boundary-pushing sf.
The plotting is slightly uneven, with a few too many narrative threadsthrown out but not woven in (or pulled at too abruptly). Still, fans of futuristic mysteries will find plenty to enjoy here.