A sequel to the author’s prior book, Artificial Absolutes, this book follows the continuing story of Jane Colt. The Science Fiction genre with all the high tech doodads and strange new worlds (in galaxies far, far away for you Star Wars fans) may account for the surface appeal. But, for me, the part of the story that matters most are those timeless questions and themes that can be viewed in a different way through the prism of the fictional environments where they’re taking place.

Synthetic Illusions does that, considering such things as what it really means to be human - is it really a question of flesh and bones or something different? Themes of loyalty and family relationships also figure into the story. Plus, plenty of action, adventure, and battles in space, too.

The only way to describe this book is: ‘An unbelievably amazing sequel’ as that is what it truly, truly was. I really-really enjoyed this sequel; it was just as enjoyable, as enthralling and as stunning the last... As in AA, the world building that Mary fan has done is beautiful; The worlds, space-systems, cities, back-alley-slums, the quadrants are all so well detailed and so beautifully painted that it was so simple and easy to picture this sci-fi/future setting which we may have one day, who knows?

Following Artificial Absolutes, Synthetic Illusions throws Jane Colt into another whirlwind of breathtaking action...I was literally on the edge of my seat, biting my nails and keeping my fingers crossed for the trio of characters that I’ve fallen in love with.

Holy AI, Batman, this book is good... What's not to like about a book with AI's, hackers, spaceships, and a plucky heroine?