The Downloaded by Robert J. Sawyer is a so-so light science fiction novel set in 2059 featuring cryogenic freezing and quantum computers.

"In 2059 two very different groups have their minds uploaded into a quantum computer in Waterloo, Ontario. One group consists of astronauts preparing for Earth’s first interstellar voyage. The other? Convicted murderers, serving their sentences in a virtual-reality prison. But when disaster strikes, the astronauts and the prisoners must download back into physical reality and find a way to work together to save Earth from destruction."

The plot and, sadly, the writing are just okay in The Downloaded, and, honestly it was disappointing. Science fiction is a genre I generally enjoy, but what I really like is hard science fiction with all the facts and details concerning the real science supporting the story line. That is absent here, perhaps because it is a very short book. What is present is another lecture wrapped around a short story. The light plot and tedious lecture series insured I would lose interest quickly.

Yet again I need to caution an author to keep their personal political/social views on contemporary topics to themselves as it diminishes and dates the novel. There were multiple examples of this lecturing on several different topics, including numerous times those who didn't mask or vaccinate for COVID were demonized. I'm reading fiction for entertainment and escapism. If I want a lecture on social topics, I'll select the nonfiction books and topics. Thanks to Shadowpaw Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/04/the-downloaded.html ( )

A disaster disrupts the cryogenic storage/mental uploads of a group of astronauts headed to a distant planet and a group of convicts serving their sentences digitally. Novella-length audiobook; Sawyer does better for me when playing with ideas in more extended form. Attempted rape and a reasonably graphic murder scene (remembered by one of the convicts). ( )

As much as I want to say I enjoyed this book, which I did through approximately half, I was deterred from fully liking it by its politically pushed finish. The story itself was really good, but I really didn't need to feel right or wrong reading it depending on which side of the political spectrum I was on. ( )

This is a short book that presents a situation and solutions. In the not too distant future a ship is launched to the stars. The crew are physically frozen with their minds uploaded into virtual reality sims so they an enjoy themselves for the 400 years of travel. Except it doesn't work out that way. The ship never left, because an EMP blast destroyed civilization after uploading but before departure. The crew awakens at a flight center near Toront0. Also housed at that facility were criminals participating in a new form of incarceration in virtual reality. How will these two groups live together? How will they interact with any people they might find?

It's a good premise but written in a lazy style of interview transcripts between the downloaded crew and ex-cons and a post-human Martian who pops in to see what's going on. The book takes no time at all to read and is not particularly satisfying.

However, when I was getting ready to upload my review onto another site, the first entry to pop-up was an audio presentation from last year. I think that the play came first and now this paperback has been added. Perhaps the interview format derives from the play, not from laziness after all.

I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley.com. ( )