Ahoy there me mateys! I received this sci-fi eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .
the freeze frame revolution (Peter Watts)
Title: the freeze frame revolution
Author: Peter Watts
Publisher: Tachyon Publications
Publication Date: TODAY!!! (paperback/e-book)
ISBN: 978-1616962524
Source: NetGalley
This book was a bit of a stretch for me given that it is more hard sci-fi and physics is not me friend. At all. But I have always heard wonderful things about this author and the premise was too awesome not to give it a shot. And I be very glad I did.
So basically this story is told from the perspective of Sunday Ahzmundin. She is a human crew member aboard a ship named the Eriophora which is on the mission to create wormhole gates across the universe. The crew expected their task to end and to be called back to rejoin the rest of humanity. Except they are still onboard over 60 million years later. So what is really going on?
AI runs this ship and at the heart of the story is the relationship between Sunday and the AI who they call Chimp. Ye see the crew is only taken out of stasis when the AI thinks they are necessary to the mission. This usually is a handful of days at a time every 10,000 years or so. And of course there is a rotation so only a small handful of anywhere from 1 to 15 get thawed out at a time. Some of the humans want to revolt against the AI and the mission given the circumstances. Should Sunday join them? And if so how can a hostile takeover succeed under the conditions imposed by Chimp?
I absolutely adored this (longer) novella. I thought the premise, writing, characters, and ship were awesome. Sunday’s inner conflict was fascinating as was her reasons behind the choices she makes. I gobbled this up and was completely engrossed. The only flaw was that the ending happened and I just don’t get it. Despite multiple readings. Those couple pages confused the heck out of me. But I thought that perhaps I just missed some crucial point. Well perhaps I did.
Side note: Claudia @ goodreads’ review (which is excellent) did explain just a wee bit. As she says:
First of all, this novella is not meant to be read on its own. Could be regarded as a standalone, but you’ll feel like something is missing. And that’s because it’s part of a series of stories, entitled the Sunflowercycle, which includes three more short ones (so far).*
Publication order is: The Island (2009) – Winner of Hugo Award for Best Novelette in 2010, Hotshot (2014), Giants (2014) and The Freeze-Frame Revolution (June 2018).
Now, after reading all, my advice is they are to be read in this order: Hotshot, The Freeze-Frame Revolution, The Island, Giants. It will not answer all your questions, but it will bring some light into this universe and its perpetual travelers . . .
* all three available on the author’[s] site: http://www.rifters.com/real/shorts.htm
So while the crazy ending hurt me brain and made me feel like I was missing something, I loved the story and circumstances enough to go back and read the other stories. I even think I will follow Claudia’s readin’ order. So seriously even if physics intimidates yer noggin’, do give this story a chance. I certainly don’t regret a thing!
So lastly . . .
Thank you Tachyon Publications!
Goodreads’ website has this to say about the novella:
She believed in the mission with all her heart.
But that was sixty million years ago.How do you stage a mutiny when you’re only awake one day in a million? How do you conspire when your tiny handful of potential allies changes with each shift? How do you engage an enemy that never sleeps, that sees through your eyes and hears through your ears and relentlessly, honestly, only wants what best for you?
Sunday Ahzmundin is about to find out.
To visit the author’s website go to:
To buy the novel go to:
the freeze frame revolution – Book
To add to Goodreads go to:
I had no idea this was part of a larger series! I’ve read The Island (it’s fantastic!), and it makes sense that FreezeFrame Revolution is connected to The Island. I’ll need to track down the other stories. I don’t do good with reading fiction off a screen, I’m sure I can find them in collections and anthologies.
Freezeframe is a great introduction to Watts style. His novels are pretty heavy and brain frying, so if you liked Freezeframe, but weren’t super keen on the hard scifi elements, give some of Watts’ short stories a try.
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I just read hotshot. It was only 23 pages. That review will be up on Tuesday but I already looking forward to reading another. Goodreads does list where ye can find some of the stories in paper form. I actually realized that I bought blindsight at some point. But I will finish this series first. Thanks for the comment matey!
x The Captain
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Fab review! Good to hear you enjoyed this one.
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Thanks matey!
x The Captain
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Awesome! I haven’t read Peter Watts before, but I’ll be looking up Hotshot now!
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I will be looking up Hotshot too! Mehaps this weekend. I haven’t really stopped thinking about it since I read it. Well except when I am readin’ me other things!
x The Captain
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I love the idea, I’m afraid I’ve never read Peter Watts, he’s always seemed intimidating to me. But now I’m curious to read these, as I love the idea of AIs and humans in conflict😁
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“AI and humans in conflict” is a great way to put it. There have been quite a few good AI books recently. Have ye read any Becky Chambers books? They has some fantastic AI.
x The Captain
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Oh, I admit I do like the sound of this. I may look up the Island, which seems to be the starting point if I am reading correctly. Thanks Captain!
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The good thing about these too is that they are short. So ye get a glimpse of writing style without an entire novel. I will likely read another tale by him this weekend.
x The Captain
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Short is great! And refreshing. Maybe what I need right now 😉
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Short and well-written so ye can’t go wrong! I think I be readin’ two novellas this weekend. One in this series and another eArc that isn’t quite due but I be in the mood for.
x The Captain
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