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Sign up todayMal Goes to War
A Novel
Length
10 hours 1 minute
Language
English
Narrators
John Pirhalla & Katharine Chin
This audiobook uses AI narration.
We’re taking steps to make sure AI narration is transparent.
Learn moreBookseller recommendation
“Mal Goes to War by Edward Ashton is just a fun sci-fi adventure story with such a great, well-rounded view of humanity. Mal, a free AI, accidentally ends up stuck on Earth in human bodies, and just wants to go home. But unfortunately, there's a war on, and his access to home is cut off. He collects a strange group of 'best pals' along the way. It's irreverent and just a great read, and the narrator is perfect for this one.”
— Anna • Katy Budget Books
Bookseller recommendation
“Mal Goes to War was a super fun listen about a dystopian future where normal human beings and genetically modified or technologically modified folks are in conflict. The audio performance production is incredible. The voice actors and special effects really helped to showcase the tech setting and really made this a really special treat for your ears and brain. A free Artificial Intelligence aka a Silico-American gets involved with a modified young adult who is modded to age slowly and crazy hijinks, plot twists and hilarious interactions ensue. I could not stop listening. Strong recommendation if you are looking for something clever and spellbinding. The characterization of the Mal the AI and their internal monolog and view on the world is quite stimulating and hilarious at the same time. I cannot wait to see what the author does next. I'd listen to Mal's outlook on just about anything at this point.”
— Matthew C • McIntyre's Books
The humans are fighting again. Go figure.
As a free A.I., Mal finds the war between the modded and augmented Federals and the puritanical Humanists about as interesting as a battle between rival anthills. He’s not above scouting the battlefield for salvage, though, and when the Humanists abruptly cut off access to infospace he finds himself trapped in the body of a cyborg mercenary, and responsible for the safety of the modded girl she died protecting.
A dark comedy wrapped in a techno thriller’s skin, Mal Goes to War provides a satirical take on war, artificial intelligence, and what it really means to be human.
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.
Edward Ashton (he/him) is the author of the novels Three Days in April, The End of Ordinary, Mickey7, Antimatter Blues, and Mal Goes to War, as well as of short stories which have appeared in venues ranging from the newsletter of an Italian sausage company to Escape Pod, Analog, and Fireside Fiction. He lives in a cabin on the shore of an inland sea, where he enjoys cancer research, teaching quantum physics to sullen graduate students, and whittling.
Reviews
"Ashton offers a technothriller with heart that will appeal to fans of the 'Murderbot Diaries' from Martha Wells but also to readers looking for more AI-led stories like Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill and Emergent Properties by Aimee Ogden." —Library Journal, starred review
"Ashton’s vision of the future feels all too plausible and his blend of action and humor keeps the pages flying. This is sure to please the author’s fans." — Publishers Weekly
Praise for Mickey7:
"Sci-fi readers will be drawn in by the inventive premise and stick around for the plucky narrator." —Publishers Weekly
"Mickey7 is a smart philosophical satire masquerading as an adventure novel.” —New York Journal of Books
"The fun [in reading Mickey7] is trying to keep up with Mr. Ashton’s twists and turns, and the extra fun is that you never do." —The Wall Street Journal
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