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This is a little slow moving, but a beautiful concept-a series of interconnected stories that examine the humanity of AI. While some of the tales were more compelling than others (and some questions are unanswered), there is a solid through-line that made for a lovely story.

This is the softest sci-fi ever. For the majority of the book we follow humans as they grapple with loss. But we also learn how loss might effect an AI. Since we humans must process our pain against the inundation of thousands of stimuli (necessitating that it be compartmentalized) an AI would have no such filters and might be more traumatized. As the book eloquently notes, "a mind was eternal, unforgiving; a brain was a soft, plump cushion. Loss needed a brain." Without one, loss to an AI is pure suffering.

Fundamentally, this was an intriguing premise for me personally to explore, I loved watching this careful study of how one act reverberates throughout different states of consciousness, different types of people. If you're looking for closer examination of how this AI came to be and the specifics of how it works--keep looking. This is a book about emotions, not about wiring. And I was A-Ok with that.

Trigger warning. This was written by an author who has lost a child and deals with the loss a child. It shows in the writing, which captures grief immaculately in all its many forms. It's gut wrenching to read as a parent. If you're a parent who has lost a child it might be too much.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.