Machinations by Hayley Stone

Machinations by Hayley StoneRise of the machines is a popular premise that is easy to do badly, in my opinion, too often influenced by the Terminator movies. Machinations does have one thing in common with those movies in that much of the book occurs at a dead run. However, just when I thought it would stay that way, the book segues into a multilayered people story that asks questions of personhood and personality as well as looking at what it takes to step forward and become a hero despite the risks. Not only that, but the explanation behind the machine uprising is one of the rare premises in this trend that make sense.

The story centers on a great war against the results of human lack of foresight. The enemies (machines built to end human war) are alien and unknowable, except when they are not because of observation or knowledge of their original code. These are not humanoid robots who act like people but rather thinking machines adapted and designed with one task in mind. It’s how they have interpreted the task of ending war that brings us to a place where humanity clings to a few safe havens, and even there, they know the safety is half-illusion.

The book starts in the middle of a life and death struggle, one that “our heroes” are losing badly. Still, even in the beginning, it took me from observing complete strangers to making a connection with two of the main characters, Rhona and Camus. It also sets up the rest of the story in the best way.

Yes, the book most definitely has nail-biting moments with striving for something bigger, and heroic efforts in the face of overwhelming odds. These are well written, inspiring, and stressful in the right ways.

However, what made this into a book where I searched for another moment to read is the people and their interactions. This is no simple story with one-dimensional characters. Even secondary characters have motivations and flaws.

There is politics, leadership, belief in one’s own purpose, and the strength in quiet moments. There’s desperation, loss, and out-of-the-box thinking that balances high risks against the greater good. I enjoyed the rousing speeches, but the characters’ analysis of motivation and goals among the different bases was excellent. Heck, there’s even a love triangle to shake things up.

There were one, maybe two, small continuity issues that bugged me about the world building. Ultimately, the story carried me along well enough that I let them go, preferring to focus on a complex human drama presented in such a way as to ask the big questions and make me care about the answers.

I connected with the characters, was put in positions where I had to ask myself what I would have done, and worried about the characters who got themselves in dangerous situations. There are funny moments and sweet ones, as well. Just enough to think humanity could still recover if they win rather than be so destroyed by the war they are no longer human. Well worth the read.

P.S. I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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