book review

Books reviews of the best science fiction stories, texts, educational texts, and journals.

AI as a Reflective Surface
Much of the confusion surrounding artificial intelligence comes from treating it as an agent rather than a surface. When people speak about AI “doing the thinking,” “creating the ideas,” or “speaking for someone,” they are often projecting agency onto a system that does not possess intention, belief, or understanding. This projection obscures what is actually happening in many real-world uses. In those cases, AI is not acting as a source of meaning, but as a surface that reflects, redirects, and reshapes what is already present.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcastabout 5 hours ago in Futurism
Secrets Between Walls. AI-Generated.
Secrets Between Walls The old mansion at the end of Willow Street had always been a source of whispered rumors in the neighborhood. Children dared each other to peek through its wrought iron gates, adults steered clear, and even the bravest teens swore they heard strange sounds echoing from within. To anyone looking from outside, it was a decaying relic of a bygone era—its paint peeling, windows clouded with dust, and shutters hanging at odd angles. But to Mara, who had just inherited the mansion from her late great-uncle, it was home.
By Samaan Ahmad3 days ago in Futurism
Why Time Freedom Matters More Than Money in the Modern World
On a quiet Tuesday morning, Adam found himself sitting in his car, engine off, staring at the entrance of a glass building he had entered thousands of times before. His phone buzzed with a notification: “Meeting rescheduled to 7:00 PM.” He sighed, not because he disliked his job, but because he had promised his daughter he would help her ride her bike that evening. Again, time had slipped through his fingers. Adam was not poor. In fact, by most modern standards, he was successful. A steady income, a respectable title, a comfortable apartment, and a calendar so full it barely had room to breathe. Yet in that moment, he realized something unsettling: despite having money, he had very little control over his own life. This quiet realization is becoming increasingly common in the modern world. While society continues to glorify wealth, luxury, and financial milestones, a deeper truth is emerging beneath the surface. Time freedom — the ability to control how you spend your time — has become more valuable than money itself.
By olxia10 22 days ago in Futurism
Another New Hope, Nope
Abstract In the Star Wars saga the Old Republic maintained peace without strong centralised rule for thousands of years, yet ultimately collapsed not because of a lack of ideals but because of corruption, inflation and financial capture. Over the long arc of galactic history, whoever controls money controls the galaxy. A New Jedi Order that ignores the power of the Banking Clan is structurally doomed, regardless of its moral aspirations. This article argues that Rey’s project, as imagined in the 2026 narrative horizon, cannot survive as a purely compassionate, decentralised pedagogical movement. If the new Jedi are to build a durable peace, they will be forced into alliances that lead them towards the ‘grey’ side of the Force. Rey’s realistic options narrow to two archaic yet resilient traditions: the Mandalorian creed, embodied by Grogu, and the matriarchal religion of the Witches of Dathomir. In a parallel to the Bene Gesserit in Dune, the text explores the provocative thesis that Rey’s only viable solution is not the restoration of monastic celibacy, but the creation of a hereditary aristocracy of Force users. Blood, not intentions, has always structured power in the galaxy. Luke was the son of a queen; Rey is the heir of Palpatine. ‘New Hope’ thus ceases to mean moral rebirth and comes to signify newborns, bloodlines and dynasties. The ultimate irony is that the House of Palpatine–Skywalker may be the only institution capable of surviving a millennium. Palpatine may have lost the war, but his principle – that blood outlives ideals – may yet rule for eternity.
By Peter Ayolov26 days ago in Futurism
"Poor Beth": A Modern Mystery Reimagines a Literary Fate. AI-Generated.
A Classic's Quietest Ending Becomes a Modern Starting Point For over 150 years, Beth March’s death in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women has been framed as a tender, tragic, and inevitable event. She is the "good" sister, whose quiet decline serves as a moral lesson and a catalyst for the others’ growth. In Beth Is Dead, author Katie Bernet seizes on this narrative fixture and turns it into an open question. What if Beth’s death in a modern setting wasn’t a gentle fading away, but a sudden, unexplained event? By shifting Beth’s fate from a consumptive nineteenth-century passing to a mysterious death on New Year’s Eve, Bernet does more than update the setting. She actively challenges the original narrative’s acceptance of Beth’s passive role, transforming a closed ending into an open case.
By Saad about a month ago in Futurism
How Online Searches Redefine a Book's Lifespan. AI-Generated.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros continues to rank just behind Regretting You on Google’s “most searched” lists, helped by the popularity of her fantasy universe and ongoing buzz around the series. Evergreen titles like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and It Ends With Us also maintain strong, consistent search traffic year-round due to their persistent presence in online reader communities.
By Saad about a month ago in Futurism
The Era of Agentic AI
For the past three years, we’ve been smitten with "prompt engineering." We’ve interacted with AI as we would an oracle in an "answer cave": we came before its text box, articulated a question thoughtfully, and then waited for an answer. However, as we find ourselves in 2026, so is the passing of the era of "static prompts." We are now in the "Age of Agentic AI."
By Artical Mediaabout a month ago in Futurism
Saudi Arabia Stearic Acid Market: Downstream Industries & Opportunities. AI-Generated.
According to IMARC Group's latest research publication, Saudi Arabia stearic acid market size reached 0.09 Million Tons in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach 0.14 Million Tons by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.15% during 2025-2033.
By Abhay Rajputabout a month ago in Futurism
Why Not Everyone Can Succeed with Side Businesses (And Why That's Alright)
Why Not Everyone Can Succeed with Side Businesses (And Why That's Alright) Introduction: We're All Sold on the Side Hustle Dream
By Farida Kabirabout a month ago in Futurism
Gold Rate in India: Latest Trends and Market Insights. AI-Generated.
Gold has always held a special place in Indian culture, not only as a symbol of wealth and tradition but also as a preferred investment option. Recently, gold rates in India have been experiencing fluctuations due to global economic trends, currency movements, and domestic demand patterns. Investors, jewelers, and consumers are closely monitoring these changes to make informed purchasing decisions.
By Asad Aliabout a month ago in Futurism
4 Signs You Have a Cosmic Connection With Someone — According to Horary Astrology
A Story About Fate, Timing, and the Questions We Ask the Sky When Mira first walked into the café, brushing rain from her shoulders and shaking out a notebook filled with half-finished poetry, Leo felt something shift.
By SATPOWER2 months ago in Futurism
AGARTHA: And the Legend of a Hidden Civilization Beneath Our Feet
For more than a century, the idea of a hidden world beneath our feet has hovered at the edge of historical curiosity. The name Agartha appears like an old memory across cultures, resurfacing in Tibetan texts, resurfacing in European esoteric traditions, resurfacing in twentieth-century military archives, and resurfacing again in modern testimonies from explorers who claim encounters far beyond what conventional archaeology allows.
By The Secret History Of The World3 months ago in Futurism