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Smith eBook Sam B Miller II

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Smith eBook Sam B Miller II

As with the his debut novel, “Origin of F.O.R.C.E.”, here Miller showcases well his ability to write non-human characters and the culture clash fun than can arise from such when among humans.

Perhaps most noticeable thing about this for me was precisely that; the fact that the non-human stole the show (in this case, “Smith", the non-corporeal being associated with the ring, and self-appointed interface), and again, the generally clunky dialogue between human characters was a weak link—ironically so, given that many moments in the book depend on the idea of Smith being a terrible interface and decidedly out-of-step with modern human interactions (having been stuck alone in a cave for three thousand years).

It’s interesting to see that so many reviewers spent their time wondering whether Smith was good or evil; to me it seemed clear throughout—from start to finish—that Smith was neither, instead being “beyond good and evil”, as Nieztsche would put it.

I’m reminded of a theme that recurs occasionally in sci-fi, and often in actual AI research; what happens when an AI’s useful primary function and sensible operating parameters turn out to have some quirk that puts them at odds with otherwise valued things like “the continued existence of humanity”. Clumsily tell a powerful robot to make paperclips, and it won’t stop until the universe is all paperclips; that kind of thing.

Smith is similar in this book: a very powerful tool to make its wearer King of the world—and to Hell with anything else. Human lives, its wearer’s own wishes and preferences, all secondary to “make the wearer King of the world”. For a mostly rather light-hearted book, there were some more sombre moments here and there where it was underlined the extent to which the wearer of this ring was also enslaved by it.

All in all, while there are things I’d criticise (for example the human dialogue, not helped by Jake’s general inability to shut up resulting in a few too many intentionally cringeworthy “no, I wasn’t talking to you” scenes for my taste), the book was a fun ride, and at least as good as Miller’s earlier work, if not better.

It definitely gives more room for thought!


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Smith eBook Sam B Miller II Reviews

Right when I start to think that you can't do anything new in action-adventure-thriller genre, a book comes up and surprises me. Smith is like that.
It is about a teenager Jake who finds an ancient ring of Solomon that has its own voice called Smith. There is adventure in here, more great characters like Nava, action, romance, everything a novel like this needs. But, the highlight for me is Smith. Although he is just a voice, he is brimming with personality, the author did a really, really great job with that. Also, the interplay between Smith and Jake is fun and interesting, the clashes between their personalities and world views, back and forth… Very enjoyable and fresh, loved it.
The writing style is simple, nothing fancy or pretentious, good pacing, fast and exciting, just as it needs to be. I don't have anything bad to say about this book, really. A solid, entertaining novel with cool concept and story, likeable and original characters. That is more than enough for me.
Smith, by Sam B. Miller II, is a harsh look at life as a young man without a lot of options in life. Jake Goddard can join a street gang to get them to quit bullying him, or play video games forever. But his dad is an archeologist, and his friend Avner is interested in the field. When Avner decides to go on a treasure hunt, Jake joins him. That’s when his life changes. He finds a ring imbued with magical powers courtesy of Smith, the voice that talks to Jake when he wears the ring, which used to be King Solomon’s. With Smith’s help, Jake has limitless control of everything from the weather to demons. Smith wants Jake to be the ultimate leader, but Jake has to decide if being in control of everything is worth losing control of himself. Action packed, suspenseful, and even moralistic, this book is a page turner that will keep you guessing and leave you thinking.
Every once and a while the voice that’s in an out of our hero’s head assures, “Fear not, for I am with you.” That voice is what will be called Smith, a voice from ancient and potent times. That voice – at once droll, clever, mercurial, and deliciously brutal – is one of the many highlights of Sam B. Miller’s lively adventure novel, Smith.
When Jake, an 18-year-old American, discovers the long lost (say 3000 years) ring of power of King Solomon, Smith (an interface of the ring) comes with it. Smith gives Jake great power, but with it comes a tremendous amount of trouble. Plus, Smith is a constantly demanding (and at time commanding) voice in Jake’s head. Their interactions are part of the fun in this novel, especially given Smith’s Old Testament attitudes towards women, social protocol, and absolute power. Since Jake is constantly being attacked – the all-powerful ring being quite a magnet for villains – he must carry out internal monologues and external debates as he confronts continual crises and battles.
In those battles, Smith delivers all modes of creative ways to defeat their (I say their, since Jake and Smith seem like two more often than one) opponents from turning gunpowder into sand to twisting bodies into creative positions. The incredibly skilled and often quite hostile security agent Nava gives the novel an additional layer of spice as Jake’s partner and budding love interest. In fact, Nava’s strong personality serves as a fine foil to Smith’s as she (even more so than Jake) understands the costs of all the mayhem and death that Smith cavalierly dismisses as collateral damage toward a greater goal.
Smith is filled with many nifty twists and turns, including numerous surprises that fill the novel as much as the ubiquitous smell of sulfur. Miller continues to deliver right to the novel’s conclusion as the seer Koffka imbues the earlier action with both wit and wisdom. In fact, the last scene of Smith is extremely satisfying, worthy of this rambunctious, crafty adventure tale.
As with the his debut novel, “Origin of F.O.R.C.E.”, here Miller showcases well his ability to write non-human characters and the culture clash fun than can arise from such when among humans.

Perhaps most noticeable thing about this for me was precisely that; the fact that the non-human stole the show (in this case, “Smith", the non-corporeal being associated with the ring, and self-appointed interface), and again, the generally clunky dialogue between human characters was a weak link—ironically so, given that many moments in the book depend on the idea of Smith being a terrible interface and decidedly out-of-step with modern human interactions (having been stuck alone in a cave for three thousand years).

It’s interesting to see that so many reviewers spent their time wondering whether Smith was good or evil; to me it seemed clear throughout—from start to finish—that Smith was neither, instead being “beyond good and evil”, as Nieztsche would put it.

I’m reminded of a theme that recurs occasionally in sci-fi, and often in actual AI research; what happens when an AI’s useful primary function and sensible operating parameters turn out to have some quirk that puts them at odds with otherwise valued things like “the continued existence of humanity”. Clumsily tell a powerful robot to make paperclips, and it won’t stop until the universe is all paperclips; that kind of thing.

Smith is similar in this book a very powerful tool to make its wearer King of the world—and to Hell with anything else. Human lives, its wearer’s own wishes and preferences, all secondary to “make the wearer King of the world”. For a mostly rather light-hearted book, there were some more sombre moments here and there where it was underlined the extent to which the wearer of this ring was also enslaved by it.

All in all, while there are things I’d criticise (for example the human dialogue, not helped by Jake’s general inability to shut up resulting in a few too many intentionally cringeworthy “no, I wasn’t talking to you” scenes for my taste), the book was a fun ride, and at least as good as Miller’s earlier work, if not better.

It definitely gives more room for thought!