Silicon Embrace

Silicon Embrace is a 1996 English language science fiction novel by John Shirley.

Set in the near future, it tells the story of a group of journalists in the course of a Second American Civil War.[1] The second civil war in the story is between "religious and ethnic" factions.[2] The main characters get involved in a plot set by obscure entities within the US government together with an alien race from Zeta Reticuli, called the Zetans, who are supposedly friendly to Earth.[3][4] A second group of aliens, called the Meta, are initially considered hostile.[3] As the novel progresses, layers are peeled away and some of the truth, but not all of it, is revealed.[3]

Kirkus Reviews writes that the story has "thrills and spills" but that Shirley's own "private theology" is too obvious in the story.[5] The Library Journal review considered the book a "marginal purchase" for libraries.[2] The Washington Post called the novel a "hybrid sf/horror novel that may satisfy neither camp."[3] Publishers Weekly was more friendly in their review, writing that readers who enjoy conspiracy theories and New Age myths, along with UFOs will enjoy the book.[4]

References

  1. ^ Ziesing, Mark V. (1997). "Silicon Embrace". SF Site. Glen Engel-Cox. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  2. ^ a b Hamburger, Susan (1996). "Book Reviews: Fiction". Library Journal. 121 (19): 92. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d Houghton, Kenneth L. (27 April 1997). "Science Fiction and Fantasy". The Washington Post. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Silicon Embrace". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Silicon Embrace". Kirkus Reviews. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2015.


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