Rubicon

by J. S. Dewes

Overview

J. S. Dewes, author of The Last Watch and The Exiled Fleet, returns with another science fiction space opera, Rubicon, that melds elements of Scalzi's Old Man's War with Edge of Tomorrow.

Sergeant Adriene Valero wants to die.

She can't.

After enduring a traumatic resurrection for the ninety-sixth time, Valero is reassigned to a special forces unit and outfitted with a cutting-edge virtual intelligence aid. They could turn the tide in the war against intelligent machines dedicated to the assimilation, or destruction, of humanity.

When her VI suddenly achieves sentience, Valero is drawn into the machinations of an enigmatic major who’s hell-bent on ending the war—by any means necessary.

The Divide series
The Last Watch
The Exiled Fleet

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250851239
Publisher:	Tor Publishing Group
Publication date:	03/28/2023
Pages:	480
Sales rank:	210,491
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

J.S. DEWES is an author, cinematographer, and video editor who has written scripts for award-winning feature films and shorts. A video game writer by day, she spends her free time drawing, scrolling ArtStation, cuddling her two sweet dogs and mercurial cat, and occasionally sleeping. She is the author of The Last Watch and The Exiled Fleet.

Editorial Reviews

11/07/2022

Dewes (the Divide series) continues to demonstrate a gift for superior hard sci-fi with a standalone outing that is simultaneously thoughtful and pulse-pounding. In the far future, humanity has found a home on the planet of Estes. But the star that enables life on Estes is dying, making the search for another survivable system essential. That mission is complicated by the Mechans, intelligent machines determined to wipe out humanity. Specialist Adriene Valero is introduced while she and her entire command are dying in a battle with the Mechans—only to be revived in the following chapter. All have been equipped with revolutionary technology that enables the dead to be restored to life in a new body, which, at the book’s opening, has already happened to Valero more than 90 times. This tech has obvious advantages in the struggle against the ultra-powerful Mechans, but Dewes cleverly thinks through all its implications: military tactics are influenced by the apparent ease with which skilled soldiers can be recycled, but what is the psychic impact of so many revivals on the surviving minds? The stakes are further raised for Valero when her AI implant, Rubicon, develops sentience, leading to further complications in the ongoing war. Fans of smart military sci-fi will be riveted. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for Rubicon

“What is grief if you can’t die? Rubicon seems like a standard space cadets versus monsters story. But while J. S. Dewes spins a fast-paced, popcorn movie tale, be prepared for a twist that will smack the popcorn out of your hand and leave it on the floor with your jaw.”—The New Scientist

“Rubicon and the trauma in it feel terrifyingly real. I couldn't look away.”—Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo-award winning author of the Lady Astronaut series

“Rubicon blew me away. Concept, characters, story, I loved it all. I can't wait to see where J.S. Dewes takes this world next!”—Nalini Singh, New York Times Bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series

“Rubicon is non-stop military SF action with plenty of twists. I couldn't put it down. J.S. Dewes has entered the military SF arena and firmly planted her flag as one of the best in the business today. ”—Michael Mammay, author of The Misfit Soldier

"A high-octane blend of fast action, fun characters, and deep questions. In Rubicon, not even death can set you free."—Megan O'Keefe, author of the Protectorate series

“Departing from her Divide series, Dewes offers a twist on the movie Edge of Tomorrow, with a strong heroine and exciting battle scenes.”—Booklist

“A fresh and forward-looking story about the costs of “forever” wars and the existential anxiety of artificial intelligence. ... Many recent novels are also grappling with the ethics of AI, and Dewes’s novel shines in the field. Witty and readable, it features an endearing cast of characters and fast-paced action and will have broad appeal to fans of sci-fi beyond its MilSF genre.”—Library Journal

“Dewes (the Divide series) continues to demonstrate a gift for superior hard sci-fi with a standalone outing that is simultaneously thoughtful and pulse-pounding. ... Fans of smart military sci-fi will be riveted.“—Publishers Weekly


Praise for The Exiled Fleet

“Well-crafted intrigue, tense battles, and a lot of heart make for a page-turning adventure on the way to a conclusion that will leave fans anxiously awaiting the next installment.”—Publishers Weekly, (starred review)

”Dewes's follow up to The Last Watch keeps the action front and center, while presenting an expansive science fiction story that is both richly complex and accessible.”—Library Journal

“Screenwriter Dewes knows how to twist her story in unexpected directions and pull her well-drawn characters out of impossible situations.” —Booklist

Praise for The Last Watch

“One of the most stunning sci-fi series debuts of recent years. Fans of the genre—and particularly those already mourning the end of The Expanse series later this year—don’t want to miss out on this nail-biting space epic.”—Vulture

“Dewes’s debut is an exciting, fast-paced ride around the edges of the universe, where those rejected by much of humanity are the only ones who can save it. Fans of K. B. Wagers’s ‘Farian Wars’ series and John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War will welcome this military science fiction thriller.” —Library Journal, starred review

“The Last Watch is a bravura debut that blends great action with compelling characters, lighting up this new series like a dark matter generator.” —Booklist

"Gripping space opera debut." —Publishers Weekly

“The Last Watch is my pick for science fiction debut of the year. Dewes has written a masterwork space opera that needs to be on bookshelves world-wide. Epic, character-driven sci-fi goodness that is the cure for your Expanse hangover.”—FanFi Addict

“A high-energy thrill ride at the edge of space featuring a crew of miscreants racing against time aboard an ancient spaceship. A great concept with an even better execution, this is a sci-fi space opera for readers looking to dial up the excitement.”—Bookpage (starred review)

From the Publisher

11/01/2022

Dewes's latest (after The Exiled Fleet) showcases humanity at war with intelligent machines. Sergeant Adriene Valero is caught in an endless cycle of battle, death, and resurrection. The compounding trauma has left her wanting an end to it all. Upon transferring to a new unit, she is given a virtual-intelligence assistant, but things become complicated when her VI achieves its own sentience, and Adriene finds herself unwittingly drawn into a web of intrigue that will test her and her team to their limits. This is a classic military science fiction novel that manages to build a fresh and forward-looking story about the costs of "forever" wars and the existential anxiety of artificial intelligence. VERDICT Many recent novels are also grappling with the ethics of AI, and Dewes's novel shines in the field. Witty and readable, it features an endearing cast of characters and fast-paced action and will have broad appeal to fans of sci-fi beyond its MilSF genre.—Lydia Fletcher

Library Journal

Eunice Wong smoothly differentiates a diverse cast in this edgy military thriller. Soldier Adriene Valero feels numbed by life but gets an unexpected second chance to feel alive. Make that a 97th chance--because she's been rebooted 96 times. Wong captures Adriene's transformation when she's given cutting-edge virtual intelligence and transferred to a Special Forces unit. Wong projects Adriene's shock when she finds herself at the forefront of a battle against intelligent machines. As Adriene finds herself caught up in a madman's conspiracy, Wong capably animates the characters who surround her. What results is a fast-paced adventure. D.E.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

July 2023 - AudioFile

Eunice Wong smoothly differentiates a diverse cast in this edgy military thriller. Soldier Adriene Valero feels numbed by life but gets an unexpected second chance to feel alive. Make that a 97th chance--because she's been rebooted 96 times. Wong captures Adriene's transformation when she's given cutting-edge virtual intelligence and transferred to a Special Forces unit. Wong projects Adriene's shock when she finds herself at the forefront of a battle against intelligent machines. As Adriene finds herself caught up in a madman's conspiracy, Wong capably animates the characters who surround her. What results is a fast-paced adventure. D.E.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

AudioFile - JULY 2023