Giorgos Asimomitis

If violence ended everywhere at once, what comes next? Guns that won't fire, knives that won't stab are the first signs of an impossible event that yet is happening. Humans have not found their way to peace and goodwill, rather an unexpected actor imposes nonviolence on humanity for ulterior motives.

In addition to the global economic meltdown that began in 2007 and devastated people, Greeks in particular, immigrants driven from their homes by wars and failing states in the Middle East and Africa sought unwelcomed refuge in Europe and exasperated the problems. Underlaying all economic insecurity, environmental degradation and overpopulation threaten human life on Earth. Adding even more uncertainty to the pending catastrophes are the unforeseeable consequences of Artificial Intelligence. Through this tangled web of conflicting forces, Greg evolves from a man without power to a Cymen determining the future of Earth.

Alpha Centauri is a trinary star system that supports one planet in each star's solar system harboring intelligent lifeforms. The denizens of each planet are unique as are their problems and the opportunities they encounter. Snatraps live harshly on Sna that orbits Soileth, or Centauri Proxima; Zutans, whose doomed home is Zut, must engineer an expulsion of their planet from the gravity well of their star, Zu, or Alpha Centauri B; and Harmonians who live on Harmony in perfect harmony orbiting the magnificent blue light star that is slightly larger but considerably brighter than Sol, Alpha Centauri A, are ecstatic. The situation on Earth is as desperate as on Sna and Zut but suffers the distinction of being self-inflicted through the destruction of a human friendly environment and runaway overpopulation. Two entities, introduced in 'Morning on Delos' in human form, Pallas and Zannis, are now ethereal consciousnesses belonging to the level of Shepherds. They desire to assist first the Snatraps and then the Zutans with solutions to their specific problems, and they offer as well to guide humanity through their avatars on Earth, Judith and Philip.

The awakening by cybernetic devices to their individual identity creates a vortex-like force that pulls characters from their personal pursuits to serve its aim, which is to save a human-friendly environment on Earth from the pollution of presumably intelligent mankind and preserve it for a worthier humankind. Greg has a rage against big banks, Lena fears male aggression, Sam has been poisoned by the fumes of burn pits as a soldier in Afghanistan, Jeff is forced from his exalted status as an economic 'Master of the Universe, ' Cleo loses her reality show, and others receive corresponding effects, even Martha who started it all

The story contains wonderfully complex characters that show multiple facets of personality; thought-provoking discussions and asides on the nature of life, how we're supposed to live it; almost metafictional examinations of art, writing, and filmmaking; explorations and deconstructions of sex, love, and romance; and just really funny passages, anecdotes, dialogue, and moments (a favorite being the "confrontation" between Paul and Judy's former lover). The cast of characters really brings the narrative alive. Paul is a marvel, he feels just as fully realized as an antihero in a much longer book, and he continues to surprise throughout the shortness of this novel. Jane, Paul's mother, is the character (as it should be, considering the book's focus) who really steps to the forefront as the narrative delves into her mindset and she gives her side of the story in counterpoint to Paul's dominant perspective. She has her flaws and foibles, but she does love her son and ultimately want what's best for him (though it's through the prism of her own desire to always present the right image of herself and her family to the community). Some of the best scenes in the book are the ones in which she and Paul verbally spar and joust, each trying to come out on top. The irony is that by doing so, they usually end up with an outcome that neither wanted in the first place.