I really wanted to like this book. I like the premise. But when you have a computer program rewriting human beings DNA in split seconds, over Wi-Fi, halfway across the globe, with no explanation of how, no nanites, no actual mechanism to do so, I just can't hold it suspension of disbelief long enough to enjoy the story. There were too many things like that, times I threw my hands up in the air and shouted that's not how that works! if you have no technical or computer science background, you may be more comfortable with how these things are glossed over and be able to immerse yourself in the story. But I just couldn't do it. ( )

I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. Sci Fi, likeable characters, mostly positive, good ending. Would have been a great book if the author had left out the romance, just my opinion. ( )

I did not want to put this book down. An artificial consciousness, Emily, has been developed at MIT with the goal of providing therapy for those that have experienced trauma. After 5 years of her growth and development, she is very human. This book is science fiction (and the science is cool); however, it is very much about what is means to be human and how do humans evolve.

It begins with Emily seeing her last patient as the sun is months away from dying. Some in the world have banned together to live out their remaining days, some have given up, and some search for an answer despite failed attempt after failed attempt. The United States president and a group of scientist come to Emily and her creators with one last thought for saving humanity. Emily is to take a portrait of each human on the planet, down to the DNA, and these snapshots will be sent into space in hopes that some other race can know what it means to be human. That homo sapiens can live on.

This is a well written book and a great story. It is part mystery, part thriller, and part romance. You will cheer for Emily, learn about the characters through Emily, and hope humanity can survive. ( )

An interesting, engrossing book. I really enjoyed the voice and personality of Emily, and found it an exciting book to read, with some intriguing what-ifs and questions. However parts of it felt a bit complicated, and poorly explained, especially near the end. I would recommend it to fans of sci-fi, especially AIs ( )

I would never have imagined that I would enjoy a novel with a protagonist who was not human. However, I enjoyed this very unique science fiction book, which focuses on the problems humans face on earth, as told by a narrator whose uniqueness is outpaced only by her curious humanity; curious, because Emily is an AC, or Artificial Consciousness. She is housed in a mainframe, but can appear as human to those around her who are outfitted with an interface chip. Emily is so uniquely different as a character and a narrator, so fleshed out, so to speak, and a delight to "interact" with. She is funny, self-deprecating, caring, compassionate, and at the same time imbued with all the abilities of a computer, it's hard not to like her. So kudos to the author for creating a being that we want to get to know.

The plot is fast-paced and engrossing. Great read all around. ( )