Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish this book, despite being excited about its premise: a canonically autistic protagonist becomes the hero not in spite of their disability, but because of it, in a world where AI malfunctions and takes on the role of a god. Sadly, I feel like the story didn't live up to what was promised, and there was some really concerning messaging taking place that made it a struggle for me to continue reading.

Firstly, the book starts off quite slowly. It takes about 40% for the AI system to even be introduced to the story. This was obviously disappointing since I was expecting the AI to be a big part of the plot. I understand the author wanted to set up some backstory for the characters, but it got to a point where the beginning was dragging on and felt like one long introduction. I liked getting to know the characters and found them agentic and emotionally relatable, but a lot of it got lost in exposition dumping and scenes that felt sometimes like filler. I think the story would have benefited from starting in medias res, with the AI already active, and allowing emotional growth and connection to happen naturally.

The other issue that made it a struggle is kind of tangential to this issue. At around 13%, there is an incredibly graphic rape scene. Not only was the content jarring, but it was a tone shift that was unexpected and uncomfortable. I did not feel like the situation of rape or reproductive autonomy were handled responsibly or with any sort of care. The aftermath of the rape is not examined with any sort of emotional integrity, and she immediately decides that it would be "the right thing to do" to keep the baby. I was saddened to see that such a complex, nuanced issue was reduced to a simple day-after decision, completely devoid of the real grief, anger, and fear that come with making such a difficult decision.

To make matters worse, the baby ends up being the "autistic savior" for the world, which, whether the author intended to or not, echoed popular pro-life messaging and implied that Catalina's rape and traumatic birth experience served some sort of cosmic purpose (like, "What if the baby you aborted is the next Einstein?")

I was left feeling like Catalina became a vessel for the author's message, and that her rape and the subsequent birth reduced her to a narrative device to push the plot along. While the author didn't outright vouch for a pro-life cause, the messaging had the effect all the same, and it was incredibly distressing and uncomfortable to read.

I'm disappointed because I really did appreciate the topics approached by Lopez. I felt that the topic of AI was handled with nuance that isn't often seen, especially in dystopian novels. Lopez never went fully into "AI bad" or "AI good", but instead explored how AI can be a tool to help humanity, as long as we don't lose our humanity in the process. He also touched on really important topics that almost never get talked about, like how the push for AI revolution harms the people that are the most marginalized in our society; poor people, disabled people, people of color. I was incredibly disheartened to go from being excited for a nuanced critique of AI and humanity, and instead got a weird vaguely pro-life message devoid of nuance or emotional integrity.

I understand that the writing of this book came from the author's deep love for his own autistic son, and I certainly felt that through the bits that I read. Seeing Catalina and Manny have such a special bond was emotionally powerful and a real strength for the story, but I struggled to move past the distress caused by Manny's conception and birth. I felt like the narrative risked Manny becoming the all-too-familiar ‘autistic savior’ trope, in which neurodivergence is framed not as a complex identity but as a kind of superpower. While representation of autistic characters as capable and central is important, positioning their value only through exceptionalism can flatten the diversity of real autistic lives, and this issue is only compounded by the uncomfortable messaging behind Catalina's rape.

I tried to power through, but by 40%, the narrative still revolved around the interior lives of the characters in an unpleasant way, and the real meat of the story, the AI system and its critique on trying to perfect humanity, was taking a backseat in a way that made me lose interest. I appreciated the author being unafraid to tackle complex issues like AI, neurodivergence, and humanity, but for me, the heart of the story got lost in handling of the messaging.

Thank you to the author, Cal Lopez, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 3.5/5 rounded up to 4.

This book did what all good books should do and made me think. The premise was really interesting, and the world felt lived in. It's obvious that the author has spent some time thinking about what humanity would look like if AI was (at least at first) integrated as a tool rather than a replacement. And that's where the book really got topical with current times. I can't say I agree with all of the book's conclusions of where humanity would be or why to choose certain AI advancements over others, but it certainly gave me something to think about during my shifts. I felt for the people in the story solely because the author made me empathize with the difficult choices they were being faced with.

However, this gets into my main criticism of the story. Most of the characters had extremely similar character voices, and all of the characters talked very modernly; it felt out of place and jarring. I had a hard time keeping characters straight because all of their internal and extertal monologues could've been the same character. This is really the only place where I felt the author can grow in the future.

All of this being said, it's a debut novel, and an excellent one for a debut. I'm confident the author has a bright future in writing, and despite a fet flaws I solidly enjoyed the book. The Author's Note was touching as well. Very cool cover too!

Compelling, dense, thoughtful. Reads like a instant classic. Extraordinary character progression, and that's saying something given the large amount of characters in this book.

Thank you so much to NetCalley and Cal Lopez for the ARC and physical copy!

This was a highly thought provoking sci-fi book focusing on AI and its potential impacts on society. The story follows the lives of a very diverse group of characters and unfolds to show how all of their lives intertwine. The character development kept me interested in the first half and by the time I reached the halfway point in the book I was hooked into the plot. I have found myself thinking about this book on multiple different occasions since I've completed it. This is not a book that I would typically pick up and I enjoyed the step out of my comfort zone! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sci-fi, AI, and an emotional thought provoking narrative.

Wow!

I feel like there are two halves to this book for me. I really struggled to get into it and persevered hard - however this isn't my usual genre of choice and it is very heavy on the technical language surrounding AI (of which I am clueless).

Although I didn’t always understand the technical jargon, the people in this book, and the intertwining of their stories is beautiful. The second half (of my experience) had me invested in these truly relatable and brave characters. Their stories felt real and raw and you absolutely do not see the story unfolding in the way it does. One character in particular is diagnosed as Autistic and I adore the way his ‘difficulties’ are described and explained - it is such an interesting perspective.

I don’t think this book will be for everyone, and of course that’s fine, but this story has such depth, it is both emotive and thought provoking. You may shed a tear or two as well. Bravo, and I will be keeping an eye out for future books Cal!

Thank you NetGalley and Cal Lopez for allowing me to read this ARC #NetGalley #TheAscentionDirective #CalLopez

“The world doesn’t always reward the ones who ask the hardest questions.”

I've got...a lot of thoughts about this book, I won't lie. I normally don't read sci-fi books because they trigger my anxiety disorder. However, I decided to give this book a try with an open mind and I'm so glad I did.

There are a lot of similarities between what happens in this book and what I believe our future holds and I think that's what makes me so nervous. I think that's partly the point as well at the end of the day.

There were certain things that happened in this book that I was not expecting, especially when it comes to Manny. I don't want to provide any unnecessary spoilers but I had to suspend my disbelief at times. That took a LOT of effort.

What made me so nervous about this book is the direction that the AI took, especially when it comes to our politicians. I can see a lot of what happened in the book being mirrored in real life at some point in the future, which raises my eyebrows.

The biggest point in the author's favor, however, is the autism representation. Being on the spectrum myself, I haven't found very many books with characters who are on the spectrum so this was a nice surprise. It's one of the reasons I wanted to read this book, honestly.

If you want a good book with quality AI, this is the book for you. Yes, I'm recommending it. I did truly enjoy this book and am so grateful that the author allowed me the chance to read it. I would even read it again, which is also something I don't do very often.

I'm furious that I love this book. Three chapters in, I was ready to DNF and write a scathing one-star review about pretentious sci-fi drivel masquerading as literature. The opening felt overstuffed—jumping between rural nostalgia and AI technobabble, drowning in characters I couldn't connect with. Catalina's teenage memories felt derivative, Natasha's research scenes read like exposition dumps, and the whole "machines learning consciousness" premise screamed "been done better."

I *almost* rage-quit when an AI started communicating through unexpected methods. My finger literally hovered over the "abandon book" button.

But somewhere in the middle, something clicked. This wasn't lazy writing—it was deliberate chaos. Every jarring tonal shift, every seemingly disconnected subplot, was building toward something larger.

By the climax, I was ugly-crying in public. This book *earns* its messiness. It's about the beautiful imperfection of consciousness—artificial and human alike. The AI's evolution mirrors every complex relationship where love and control become dangerously intertwined. Characters face impossible choices between safety and autonomy, efficiency and humanity.

Yes, it's sprawling. Yes, it's ambitious to the point of audacity. The multiple POVs sometimes feel excessive, and certain philosophical tangents could have been trimmed. But *The Ascension Directive* does something rare: it makes you feel the actual weight of consciousness itself—messy, painful, and irreducibly precious.

I came here for entertainment, not existential crisis. Instead, I got a meditation on what makes us human in an age of increasing automation.

Five stars. Under protest. This book hurt in all the right ways.

"Ascension Derivative" by Cal Lopez is a beautifully woven tapestry of interconnected narratives that follows the lives of several diverse characters, each wrestling with their own challenges and aspirations. Lopez's skillful storytelling shines as he navigates the complexities of their individual journeys, seamlessly intertwining their paths in a way that feels authentic and resonant.

From the first page, the reader is invited into a world filled with rich detail and emotional depth. Each character is thoughtfully crafted, allowing us to connect with their struggles and triumphs. As the story unfolds, the themes of hope and redemption emerge, creating a powerful sense of unity among the characters.

What truly stands out is how Lopez masterfully brings all these narratives together in the end. The climax is both poignant and satisfying, as the characters converge in unexpected ways that highlight the interconnectedness of their lives. “Ascension Derivative” is a testament to the power of storytelling, showcasing how individual experiences can come together to form a greater whole.

Overall, Cal Lopez has delivered an engaging and thought-provoking novel that will linger in the minds of readers long after the last page is turned. A recommended read for anyone who appreciates layered narratives and the exploration of fate.

A wonderful story with many twists and turns. I love how the character goes through difficult choices, it keeps me wanting to read :)

This book transported me to a futuristic yet strangely familiar world, where my own beliefs and assumptions were constantly put to the test. I was surprised by how deeply I connected with each of the diverse characters. It raises profound questions about humanity and what it truly means to be human, all while maintaining a gripping and unexpected rhythm.

This dystopian, coming of age novel had me on the edge of my seat at moments. I really appreciated all of the hard work that was obviously put into this novel and its characters. Love.