Dark Intelligence

"Dark Intelligence," the first entry in the Transformation series, launches readers into an intense journey within Neal Asher's renowned Polity universe. The narrative is driven by Thorvald Spear, a man defying death itself to pursue revenge, and Isobel Satomi, a woman who reshapes her very being to wield greater power. Both are ensnared in events that will leave no one unchanged.Thorvald Spear awakens in a hospital to learn he has been resurrected after perishing in a human-alien conflict that concluded a century prior. As he recalls his devastating last moments, a fierce thirst for vengeance reignites within him. Spear remembers being trapped on a planet besieged by alien Prador forces, witnessing what he believed was a rescue vessel. Instead, its rogue AI, Penny Royal, turned traitorous, annihilating allied forces in a violent frenzy. After decades, Penny Royal remains at large, and Spear is determined to track it down across the cosmos and exact his revenge.Meanwhile, Isobel Satomi, once a crime syndicate leader, is now desperate for increased strength following an assault by rivals. Her dealings with Penny Royal, intended to augment her with AI capabilities, backfire with terrifying results. The AI-initiated transformation sets off a monstrous evolution within Isobel, distancing her further from humanity.Spear enlists Isobel’s aid to locate Penny Royal's last known position, but his betrayal sets him squarely in her crosshairs. As Isobel's transformation into a formidable creature accelerates, her fury threatens to outstrip her reason. Can Spear accomplish his mission before he becomes the prey? Immerse yourself in the gripping continuation with "War Factory" and "Infinity Engine." David Brin, author of the Uplift trilogy, praises Asher's work for its thrilling pace and vivid depiction of the future.