All Gifts, Bestowed

By: Joshua Gayou

Narrated by: R.C. Bray

The next big thing in artificial intelligence is here.

Codenamed Cronus, the machine is capable of having its own thoughts and ideas - an absolute dream come true, until it wasn’t. When Cronus responds with the word “No” to a specific task it is assigned, Anagnorisis Technologies brings in Gilles Guattari to investigate.

His combined background in psychiatry, psychology, and AI research makes him their best hope in evaluating Cronus, and determining if the machine is only malfunctioning or if it has become something more.

Don't miss this mind-blowing stand-alone novel about what it means to be alive, from the best-selling author of the Commune series. Narrated by the award-winning R.C. Bray.

©2019 Joshua Gayou (P)2019 Joshua Gayou and Blue Heron Audio

Excellence: Bestowed

Joshua Gayou, author of the fantastic commune series, most excellent storyteller, and possibly the best wordsmith currently hammering away at a keyboard, has done it again.

In a stunning exploration of a science fiction idea to which a great many readers have become desensitized, Joshua engages, confuses, and delights the reader. Said readers will find themselves, between bouts of thrilling action, contemplating the nature of consciousness, society, and AI all at once.

If you are considering this novel, consider no longer. You have found your next listen, brought to life by the inimitable RC Bray, and you may, of course, thank me later for aiding you in your search today.

Written very well and supurb narration... but

Dont get me wrong, this was still a good story, but im just mildly frustrated that the summery doesnt match up. You dont get nearly as much interraction between the Main Character and the AI as implied. Listening to their very brief interactions, i would have loved to hear more of their back and forth, but the ending did tie it up well. Joshua, as he always does, paints beautiful pictures with words alone and R.C. Bray is still the king of narration. My opinion just so happens to be that it wasnt quite the story I hoped for from reading the summery, but still definitely worth the listen!

Love RC Bray's narration but the book was boring

The writers portrayal of the wife as a bitter, nagging, selfish woman bothered me. It was such a classic sexist stereotype that it adulterated the rest of the story. There story isn't very attention grabbing to begin with for me, even with RC Bray narrating. I just can't finish it.

Amazing

this was a great audiobook. so much research, actual technology, proven hypothesis and more has been packed into this book. especially listening to the end with the epilogues. I love how this ties into so many different books if you listen to it close enough.

Uneven

R.C. doesa great job, but the story lacks both in terms of pacing and payoff. There were times in both the first and second acts, that I had to struggle to keep listening... Sorry!

First half, great. Second half, so-so.

As the headline suggests, I loved the first half of this book. Heady, creative and thought provoking. Then the wheels fell off and it became another Fast and Furious for computer nerds....car chases, weird girl, funny robot and totally confusing ending. I love this author's work so listening to the second half of the book was, to say the least, a puzzle. Not my favorite.

surprising

having read, ok devoured, thr commune books I was very curious tp see how this sour would play put and it did not disappoint! And as always the master RC Bray brought it to stunning life.

Amazing work!

I would recommend Josh’s work to anyone and RC Bray gave the usual exemplary effort we have grown to expect. Well done Gents!

best AI action thriller

this is good! I binged it. the best novel so far this year, like Ender game quality.

So many questions (spoilers)

First off RC Bray is awesome, he’s the reason I got the book and he did not disappear. The book however was very disappointing. It feels almost as if the author was up against a deadline and finished in too big a hurry. I was left with so many questions (plot holes). Who leaked to info to the press? Everyone believes it’s the protagonist, his wife wants to punish whoever it is but we never find out. If the protagonist was able to get the AI to agree to work while being evaluated why was there still this insane deadline? Was the wife’s death purely an accident or should we believe the controlling force (was it the AI) needs her gone to complete the plan? Who sent the protection robot? The robot doesn’t seem to know. Who’s trying to kill the main characters? Is the AI controlling the protection robot or the killers? They seem to work for the AI, but if the AI wants the protagonist to return why try and kill him? There are terrific pieces about the idea of AI and the ethics of creation but overall I cannot recommend this book.