Gods of the Machines [Paperback]

Gary Starta (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 26, 2010

Detective Sam Benson, a native New Yorker, is brash, opinionated and candid. Transplanted to work on Earth's first colonized planet, he envisions a relatively peaceful job. But Benson's ruthless nature might bring it to the brink of annihilation when a series of murders begins. He suspects a non-human is responsible-an android who once shared engrams with a psychopathic human. However, the detective doesn't know other non-humans once called his new world-theirs. And as Benson obsesses with making a case against the android, he is oblivious to their return and the reason why they consider machines to be their gods.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Redemption is a theme which runs through Gods of the Machines, a new sci fi/mystery which takes place on the recently colonized planet, Ceres.

Det. Sam Benson needs to redeem himself in the eyes of his lover and colleague, Sandra. When Sandra finds Benson is eager to pin a spree of murders on an android - without obtaining concrete evidence - she postpones their wedding. Benson then seeks solace in his new CSI partner.

And while Benson is distracted by his personal business, the murders continue. No trace evidence is left behind and the murders are brutal, still leaving Benson to believe - despite protests from Sandra - that only a super strengthened being would be capable of the crimes.

Yet something connected to the origin of the planet may be the answer when unexplained disturbances affect the computer controlled weather net system.

Now Benson must consider other suspects - ones that may not currently reside on Ceres.

About the Author

Gary Starta is a former journalist who studied English and Journalism at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
His love for science fiction compelled him to write his first novel ' What Are You Made Of? ' published in 2006. Inspired by Isaac Asimov, the science fiction novel focuses on intelligent artificial life and whether sentient androids should possess the same rights as humans. The androids in Starta's novel are created as hybrids - part machine, part human - further blurring the line between human and machine. Starta foresees a near future where humans will be forced to decide if intelligent machinery is indeed a life form. Possibly, in this near future, some humans will possess computer enhancements to overcome disabilities becoming hybrids themselves. The line between biological life form and mechanical life form will continue to be examined in a follow up novel now being written.
Starta cites Stephen King and Dean Koontz as inspirations for his 2007 novel ' Blood Web ' which is also reminiscent of the The X-files television/movie series. Contemporary authors Laurell K. Hamilton, Rachel Caine, Jim Butcher and Kelly Armstrong also fuel his aspiration to create paranormal suspense. The follow up novel to ' Blood Web ' - ' Extreme Liquidation ' explores Caitlin Diggs' supernatural gifts including the ability to see the future in dreams and to read a person's character through emotions. Updates on the publication date for ' Extreme Liquidation ' will follow.
Starta's crime novella ' Murder By Association' blends mystery with forensic investigation. It is a departure from previous books because it contains no science fiction or paranormal elements. Additionally, Starta foresees his 2008 novella ' Alzabreah's Garden ' - a fantasy romance - as another out-of-the-box effort.

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Gypsy Shadow Publishing Company (August 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 098445215X
• ISBN-13: 978-0984452156
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,850,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary Starta is a former journalist who studied English and Journalism at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

His love for science fiction compelled him to write his first novel What Are You Made Of? published in 2006. Inspired by Isaac Asimov, the science fiction novel focuses on intelligent artificial life and whether sentient androids should possess the same rights as humans. The androids in Starta's novel are created as hybrids - part machine, part human - further blurring the line between human and machine. Starta foresees a near future where humans will be forced to decide if intelligent machinery is indeed a life form. Possibly, in this near future, some humans will possess computer enhancements to overcome disabilities becoming hybrids themselves. The line between biological life form and mechanical life form continues to be examined in 2010's Gods of the Machines.

Demon Inhibitions along with its preceding Caitlin Diggs (series) novels, Extreme Liquidation and Blood Web are reminiscent of the The X-files television/movie series. Contemporary authors Laurell K. Hamilton, Rachel Caine, Jim Butcher and Kelly Armstrong also fuel his aspiration to create paranormal suspense.

Starta's crime novella ' Murder By Association' blends mystery with forensic investigation. It is a departure from previous books because it contains no science fiction or paranormal elements. Its follow up is 2012's Kindred Killers. Additionally, Starta foresees his 2008 novella ' Alzabreah's Garden ' - a fantasy romance - as another out-of-the-box effort.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "THE HORROR THE CREATURES UNLEASH IS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE INTELLECTUAL THRILLS!" November 17, 2010

By Geraldine Ahearn TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Former journalist Gary Starta has a love for science fiction, which shines through his writing. Inspied by Issac Asimov, Starta's fascinating imagination explodes page-after-page in this incredible bone-chilling thriller that makes this author a Master storyteller as he gives terror a new name. Prepare yourself for the fright of your life as dread and evil blossom through nail-biting suspense! Detective Sam Benson has no love for androids, becomes obsessed with investigating them, and cannot comprehend why they exist, or the reasons why machines are their gods. The relentless detective in his ruthless behavior, desperately attempts to solve a series of brutal murders, but the pieces to the puzzle are not fitting as Ceres becomes a nightmare that only Gary Starta could create. This novel explores the relationship betwen man and machine as it sends chills up your spine, while introducing sizzling romance. The CSI is working on the puzzle in unsolved murders as the killers are still on the loose, while new homicides continue to be added to the list as fast as you can blink your eye. Why did Starkman become a suspect, and what did Benson accuse the android of doing? Was Ms. Lopez struck by lightning, and was she guilty of any crimes? Who did Sam trust, why was he so overprotective, and what did he witness during his childhood? Suspects continue to multiply as fast as new investigations, while creatures play a grueling game in the dark of night. What kind of government ruling was mandated for Ceres couples, and did most obey? The reader is introduced to forensic examinations, homicidal puzzles, and fright night on an unforgettable flight. What happened to Chen, and Payne? Will a wedding take place as Benson deals with politics, greed, and conspiracy? What happened to Carol Walker, and was Dean a witness, or a suspect? I highly recommend this novel to all thriller and science fiction lovers, who enjoy mystery, with a blend of romance. The story is intelligent, and the suspense is electrifying. Did Sam and Sandra find much more than peace and tranquility on this new planet, and what does it do to their relationship? "GODS OF THE MACHINES" is as haunting as THE AMITYVILLE HORROR and as gripping as DON'T SAY A WORD, with Michael Douglas.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It February 1, 2011

By n larry

Format:Kindle Edition

Gods of the Machines by Gary Starta is a science fiction thrill ride with just enough murder, suspense and steamy love action to satisfy any reader of romance or science fiction.

I'll be honest, when I first started, it could have gone either way. In the beginning I was reading about people studying plants, and then....the author hit me with a scandalous sex scene-that quite frankly-I was surprised came from a male author. No offense to my male writing pals. Then the writer gives you a little murder to follow up that sex with, and for me, that's a winning combination. What impressed me most about this is that he managed to pull all of this off while remaining elegant and using vivid imagery.

The novel is about Earth's first colonization effort in the Andromeda Galaxy. Why is this colonization happening you ask? Why, to create a Paradise, of course. But, everyone knows that Paradise is boring and eventually the serpent will turn up with an apple and all hell will break loose...

Or, in this case, a psychopathic android shows up and starts killing people, which is where Sam Benson, a ruthless detective who threatens to replace this experiment in utopia and replace it with a justice system more Earth like by racial profiling-I'm sorry...I mean android profiling. We all know what happens with you invade another world and refuse to leave ideals from your old world behind.

The Natives get restless and show you that there is a lot to be learned.

Starta's writing style is fluid and precise. He very effectively creates another world for the reader to climb into, and paints emotional scenes that are hard to let go off. After the first few pages, the pacing is perfect, the characters are compelling and the author steps out of the sometimes stiff genre of science fiction, and gives readers a heart pounding romance with a sense of "what the hell is going to happen next?"

I look forward to reading many more works by this author.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun and hard to put down science fiction thriller, recommended November 8, 2010

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Paperback

Occam's razor should never be accepted so quickly. "Gods of the Machines" tells the story of humanity's expansion onto a new planet. Sam Benson, a New Yorker working on the new colony, is faced with murders popping up throughout. Fingering an android responsible, Sam may soon realize that humanity wasn't on this new planet first. "Gods of the Machines" is a fun and hard to put down science fiction thriller, recommended.