THE CYBERNETIC SHOGUN

by Victor Milan ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 27, 1990

Sequel to The Cybernetic Samurai (1985), Milan's ho-hum medium-future, apocalyptic intelligent-computer yarn. Following TOKUGAWA's heroic self-immolation (he blew up all the bad-guy warmongers with him), the Earth, still dominated by Japan, is once again poised on the brink of disaster. However, TOKUGAWA left two offspring, both samurai-trained and loyal to Japan: HIDETADA (male) and MUSASHI (female), whose policies and philosophies are unalterably opposed. So the bulk of the plot here involves the (often proxy) struggles of HIDETADA, an autocratic imperialist whose plans involve reducing Japan to non-technological serfdom, against MUSASHI, for whom space is still the final frontier. Various confrontations occur in computer-space, as the siblings square off with swords; and, in the real world outside, the two duel vicariously to gain control over or shut down the Net, the world's interlinked computer system. There are battles in space for control over an orbiting habitat, and in Europe as MUSASHI marshalls some allies in order to build a starship, along with interludes where religious fanatics destroy swathes of territory in attempting to build a New Jerusalem. Like its predecessor: dull, trite and superficial, with genuine opportunities for intelligent speculation passed by in favor of warmed-over samurai lore, irrelevant complications, and a rationale that barely makes sense.

Pub Date: March 27, 1990

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1990

Categories: FICTION