With the Earth teetering on recovery from humanity's 21st century mistakes, two highly advanced aliens observing from the Moon are suddenly on opposite sides of an ethical battle over a dire cosmic threat.
As governments seek to destroy them, the aliens wrestle and scheme, entangling all of humanity as they influence and empower specific humans to achieve their contrary objectives.
Among them are a brilliant AI expert who has channeled her autism in the service of science, and a violent, anti-secular zealot who hates everything she stands for.
Drawn into the conflict, Laurence and Matt must reach minimum safe distance from human nature itself - their own, the rest of humanity's, and of the former-human, techno-demon 'monstas'.
Chased into the ruins of the US, they struggle to distill the meaning of personhood, discover the value of their own lives, and in so doing decide the fate of the solar system.
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"Our Verdict: GET IT" -- Kirkus Reviews
8.75/10 -- Booklife Prize
4/5 -- Foreword/Clarion
5/5 -- Readers' Favorite
5/5 -- The Wishing Shelf
"There is a lot to like here" -- blueInk Review
"When's the sequel coming out?!"
- Derek O., rocket scientist and soccer player extraordinaire
"I really enjoyed MSD. Amazing for a first novel."
- Ruper G., technology director, international traveler
"A thought-provoking novel packed with complex, compelling characters, valuable philosophical insights, and remarkable attention to detail."
- Dan. C., attorney
"Brilliant! Intriguingly inventive and acutely astute. Well done!"
- "Fuj", international NGO assessment info sys mgr, blogger
"An engrossing read with unusual characters. If I had purchased the book, I would be happy that I did."
- Brad H., PhD, Applied Mathematics/Astrophysics, special guest reader