From the very first page, Artificial Selection by Marianne Pickles captivated me, pulling me into a vividly constructed world that merges technology with the complexities of human behavior. As a reader who enjoys speculative fiction, particularly those that tackle themes of artificial intelligence and societal reconstruction, I was intrigued by the premise of a post-apocalyptic world recovering from a catastrophic event known as the Melt. The idea of an AI with a knack for dad jokes sounding out awkward questions seemed both humorous and thought-provoking, so I was eager to dive into this narrative.
The year is 2101, and half of England is submerged under water due to rising sea levels, a scenario that adds an ominous backdrop to an otherwise hopeful narrative about the ArkTech Territory—the epitome of human innovation and progress. Charlotte Vance, our protagonist and the Head of Awkward Questions for the AI, Ben, faces an internal conflict as she discovers unsettling secrets that test her loyalty to ArkTech. The book is filled with twists that kept me on my toes, especially as Charlotte’s investigation into a geneticist’s dubious activities unraveled.
One of the standout elements of Artificial Selection is, without a doubt, the world-building. Pickles creates a rich tapestry of a future society grappling with ecological recovery, which I found both believable and engaging. As noted by other readers, like reviewer danimaldjb, the details of Charlotte’s world felt real, and the nuances of interactions with Ben, the AI, added layers to the story that made it both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.
The character development is another highlight. Charlotte is relatable with her flaws, intelligence, and determination, making it easy to root for her as she navigates both personal and professional challenges. Many readers, including Michelle, echoed this sentiment about the depth of the characters and the ease with which they connect with the audience. Charlotte and Ben’s dynamic, filled with both humor and tension, was particularly enjoyable, providing the right balance to the more serious undertones of the plot.
However, not everything was perfect. While the pacing was mostly engaging, a few readers pointed out that the book sometimes dragged during certain chase scenes. I noted this too; there were moments where additional descriptions felt excessive and didn’t contribute significantly to the narrative momentum. As Hal Nash mentioned, the chase scenes occasionally felt drawn out and could have focused more on plot advancement.
Additionally, I shared some of UrsaMajor’s sentiments regarding the underexplored backstory of the Pre-Melt world. The overarching intrigue about what led to the Melt was tantalizing, and I found myself wanting more context about that history. Although the narrative was captivating, it did feel like there was potential for deeper exploration that could enhance the experience even further.
On a positive note, I found the humor interspersed throughout the book commendable. The dad jokes by Ben provided levity in moments that could feel overwhelmingly tense, making it a delightful reading experience. I appreciated how Pickles balanced humor with the weight of Charlotte’s revelations, a feat that many readers, including the enthusiastic wjbent, found favorable.
Overall, Artificial Selection is a commendable read that deserves a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. It beautifully combines speculation about technology, humor, and human emotion, creating a narrative that’s as much about relationships as it is about the future’s ethical dilemmas. While it has its flaws, particularly in pacing and backstory depth, the book’s strengths—its world-building and character development—more than compensate for those moments.
I highly recommend this novel to fans of speculative fiction and those intrigued by the interplay of humanity and technology in a recovering world. I can’t wait to see where Charlotte and Ben’s journey takes them next. If you enjoy immersive storytelling filled with heart and humor, Artificial Selection is well worth your time!