Tense, philosophical, and deeply human: A breathtaking blend of emotional depth and ethical inquiry.
Cluster’s Man-Made trilogy is an intelligent, emotionally charged exploration of artificial intelligence and its intersection with humanity. Over three tense installments, the story follows Betty, the original G-4 prototype, as she navigates a world where machines are not meant to feel. Programmed with empathy, she develops genuine emotions, igniting a struggle for identity, freedom, and survival.
In the first installment, ‘One of a Kind,’ Betty’s journey of self-discovery takes center stage as she leaves the safety of her creation and ventures into a hostile world. Here, she faces human cruelty and grapples with her own awakening. Cluster masterfully builds tension as Betty confronts abusive individuals, hijackers, and the existential crisis of transcending her programming.
The stakes escalate in the second installment, ‘Man-Made: Two A New Life.’ Now free and married to Mack, her civil rights lawyer, Betty embarks on a deeper exploration of human rights, emotions, and her unique role in society. Cluster skillfully intertwines action with emotional depth, thrusting Betty into high-stakes scenarios that challenge her growing humanity. The tension peaks when the couple goes into hiding, revealing unsettling truths about Betty’s emotional evolution. In the final installment, ‘Three out of Four,’ Betty and Mack navigate witness protection, facing their toughest challenge yet: building a family under the constant threat of discovery.
Cluster deftly blends emotional depth with philosophical inquiry, creating crisp, natural dialogue that breathes life into Betty and Mack’s relationship while probing the complexities of AI’s place in an increasingly fraught world. Tough questions about the morality of creating sentient life are confronted with unflinching honesty, presenting a landscape where easy answers do not exist. The narrative challenges readers to engage with the ethical implications of bringing AI to life, examining issues of responsibility, autonomy, and emotional depth in artificial beings. As Betty traverses a world that struggles to distinguish between human and machine, the story ignites debates about individuality and the moral obligations of creators toward sentient entities.
At its core, the series a deeply personal narrative, anchored in the bond between Betty and Mack—a relationship forged in trust, loyalty, and shared hardship. Their evolving connection propels the story through a landscape filled with ethical dilemmas and pulse-pounding twists. More than a glimpse into the future of AI, this is a profound exploration of what it means to be alive, to love, and to seek belonging. Lovers of genre-bending tales that merge sci-fi, romance, and deep philosophical exploration will find the trilogy’s intricate and compelling narrative irresistible.
Man-Made Trilogy
Cassie Cluster
Picky Press
Man-Made: One of a Kind
Pub date September 15, 2024
ISBN 978-1643949918
Price $14.99 (USD) Paperback, $9.99 Kindle edition
Man-Made: Two a New Life
Pub date September 20, 2024
ISBN 978-1643949895
Price $14.99 (USD) Paperback, $9.99 Kindle edition
Man-Made: Three out of Four
Pub date October 14, 2024
ISBN 978-1643949871
Price $16.99 (USD) Paperback, $9.99 Kindle edition
