|
The early raves: "I was royally entertained. For the duration of the book, I was convinced I understood nanotechnology. "Buy this book quick. It'll be obsolete, or will have come true, in 2016." — Larry Niven, Hugo and Nebula award-winning author of Ringworld " 'Miracle: an event or act that breaks a law of nature -- especially one attributed to a deity.' Well the miracles in Edward M. Lerner's new book may be small ones but they fit the definition in that they definitely aren't natural -- which could be a problem. When God makes a miracle it is a wonder; but a man-made miracle can as easily be a blunder. We are only human after all ..." — Brian Lumley, Grand Master of horror and author of Necroscope "Edward M. Lerner's Small Miracles is a splendid combination of hard SF and a technothriller about nanotechnology gone really, really wrong." — Eric Flint, New York Times bestselling author of the Ring of Fire series "Lerner shows what it might be like to live in times of artificial intelligence. An entrancing and frightening novel." — Jerry Pournelle, NY Times bestselling co-author of Escape from Hell |
Garner Nanotechnology is developing nanotech-enhanced protective suits and first-aid nanobots. It's cutting-edge stuff, and when it saves Brent Cleary from a pipeline explosion that killed hundreds, the Army takes notice. A near-death experience changes a person, so no one is entirely surprised when easy-going Brent turns somber and cold. Not at first. But Kim O'Donnell, Brent's best friend, can't make sense of the changes. This just isn't her friend, and she knows something has gotten into him. Something has indeed gotten into him: lots and lots of medical nanobots. The experts scoff. The microscopic robots implement foolproof safeguards: they do their jobs and then self-destruct. If any 'bots did stay behind, they couldn't do any harm. And every test on Brent comes up negative. With an Army field trial imminent and the company's future at stake, no one will confront possible nanotech side effects. The bad news is, Kim is right. Nanobots have changed Brent -- and while he is the first of his kind, a human/nanotech hybrid, he has already seen to it that he won't be the last. If Kim can't stop Brent and his cadre, humanity may be doomed.... SCI FI Essential From the SciFi.com program (affiliated with the SyFy Channel): SCI FI has teamed up with Tor Books, the largest publisher of science fiction and fantasy in the world, to spotlight some of the best new science-fiction novels, from both new and established authors.... Each month we select a new book as a SCI FI Essential. That means it deserves to be counted among the finest works of the genre. I am delighted that SMALL MIRACLES, my near-future medical-nanotech thriller, has been selected the SCI FI Essentials title for October 2009. |
