DEVIL IN THE DEVICE

This duology closer following 2020’s Goddess in the Machine quickly establishes where Andra and Zhade left off.

Zhade has taken on his brother’s face and Crown to rule their city, while Andra’s working with the Schism on the cryogenically frozen colonists’ rocket. Although readers are dropped back into the rhythm and flavor of the world through heavy use of futuristic dialogue, the intricacies of the worldbuilding are more sparse; disoriented readers would be well served by refreshing themselves on the first installment. In Zhade’s storyline, he struggles to enact his visions for the city and has difficulty working the Crown while angels are going rogue and attacking people. Desperate situations drive him to accept help from people he wouldn’t usually trust. Meanwhile, Andra grapples with her existence as an AI, searching out Dr. Griffin’s secrets and her own purpose as a tool for humanity. Once the story gets moving, layered parallels—between characters, themes, and plotlines—provide a thoughtful, highly rewarding read. Some of the many twists are heavily foreshadowed, but the most impactful are delightfully obvious only in retrospect. The romance between Andra and Zhade is usually backgrounded but serves nicely in keeping the story halves emotionally connected. Incidental diversity—of race (Zhade’s White), sexuality, and ability—is representatively present among the large cast, though the differences and similarities dwelt upon are those between humans and AI. The previous book establishes Andra as biracial (Chinese/White).

A strong ending.