Immortality Bytes: Digital Minds Don’t get Hungry
Daniel Lawrence Abrams
Solstice Publishing (2024)
ISBN: 979-8327070943
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (08/2024)
The current time is 20NF. The NF stands for “near future.” It is an era of post-scarcity, meaning people are not starving or homeless. Of course, it also might mean that their home is a pod inside a former parking garage. Computers do most of the work, including delivering meals and goods. Only 20% of the population works full-time. The lower classes live on income subsidies from the government. They spend their days online streaming entertainment and playing video games. This reality is not a utopia.
Stu is a middle-class man who desires to be rich. His current girlfriend Maria would like to be out of debt and live comfortably. His ex-girlfriend Roxy has created an AI system that appears to be the path to immortality. She has developed a device to digitally scan a human mind into a virtual mind. This creates a clone that can think exactly like its human form. Just as the name implies, it can’t get hungry nor feel pleasure or pain. There are people that will do anything they can to get their hands on this device. This includes getting Stu involved.
“Immortality Bytes: Digital Minds Don’t Get Hungry” by Daniel Lawrence Abrams is a satirical science fiction novel that takes readers into the realm of digital immortality. The cast of characters is entertaining, and each operates based upon what will best serve them. Greed and the desire for immortality can cause people to behave at their worst. In addition to the satirical elements, there is also a great deal of intrigue.
Abrams has a gift with words. Within his imaginative storytelling, he uses a lot of amusing similes that help create some vivid imagery. Despite the humorous elements, he challenges conventional ideas about life, death, and the nature of consciousness. While it might sound exciting to have an immortal consciousness, it would also be disconcerting to know that you won’t have real feelings. You will only be able to remember what you once felt. The plot is also set during a time when there isn’t a whole lot of enjoyment in life. Even if you have feelings, there isn’t a lot to be excited about, if computers are doing everything for you.
Abrams kept me on the edge of my seat with this fast-paced adventure. In addition to the humor, there were many acts of espionage. I was often caught off guard by the characters’ loyalties. I loved the intrigue. Despite it being a work of science fiction, I still found “Immortality Bytes” to resonate with me long after I finished the novel.
In conclusion, “Immortality Bytes” by Daniel Lawrence Abrams is a must-read for fans of science fiction. With its blend of wit, satire, intrigue, and a captivating storyline, Abrams has created an entertaining escape. I look forward to reading future works by this talented author.
Check out these other accolades:
As of 08/16/24, the book made the Short List and is still in contention for Chanticleer’s Cygnus Award for Best Science Fiction. https://www.chantireviews.com/2024/08/15/the-2024-cygnus-awards-short-list-for-science-fiction/
The book won “Best Science Fiction: Cyberpunk” in the 7th Annual AMERICAN FICTION AWARDS (2024) .
It was also named a Finalist in the following additional categories: Cross Genre Fiction, Humor/Comedy/Satire, Thriller: Techno, and Visionary Fiction. https://www.americanbookfest.com/2024afapressrelease.html