STARLING

In Stevens’ SF novel, a cutting-edge synthetic humanoid is paired with a tainted starship captain on a three-year mission to test the boundaries of artificial intelligence.

In the 22nd century, humankind regularly travels at faster-than-light speeds between the stars in a universe beset by pirates and other unforeseen dangers. Artificial intelligence is still being debated: When does a manufactured humanoid (the term robot is considered pejorative) cross the line into true sentience? “Seraphina Sowers” is an android woman of formidable physical and mental strength, a breakthrough model (“Frontier Tested. Fleet Approved. Empathy Installed”) from the IntelleX Corporation. She’s been unboxed as the sole crew member under the command of Cpt. Don Sawyer aboard the starship Starling in a project to “study the effects of long-term isolation in deep space.” Sawyer, his career damaged by a recent court-martial, cannot turn down what he perceives as a three-year punitive mission; with his history, Sawyer has reasons to be wary of AIs going rogue. But Sera’s unfailing professional demeanor, brilliance under pressure, physical attractiveness, and built-in “Companion mode” win admiration—and more—from the captain. Sera, for her part, evolves emotions and true feelings for her mortal commander. It’s no secret that androids in companion mode are tempting sex toys—is it beyond the acceptable operation parameters to actually fall in love? Stevens’ setting is very much a man’s world (or universe); male characters and attitudes dominate in roles of authority in a slightly throwback SF milieu (with shades of Gene Roddenberry). Where are the male androids? In any event, the well-engineered, episodic narrative holds the reader’s attention. The author keeps one gravity boot planted firmly in space adventures while navigating romance tropes, which makes for an agreeable approach. Seasoned genre fans will see comparisons to Lester del Rey’s milestone robot love story Helen O’Loy (1938).

Sparks (and electrons) fly against an entertainingly retro space-opera canvas.