Archive for the 'Media' Category
Nina’s book got some very nice reviews from fellow Canadian authors, Lynda Williams (author of Righteous Anger and others of the Okal Rel Universe series) and Jennifer Rahn (The Longevity Thesis). Nina recently reviewed Lynda’s book, Righteous Anger on Lynda’s blog, Reality Skimming. Here’s what these authors had to say about Darwin’s Paradox:
“Lively action with a people plot”
By Lynda Williams (The Okal Rel Series)
Darwin’s Paradox is rich with real science and people who care about each other, whether in a good way or a bad one. Lovers of techno-thrillers will enjoy the blend of super AIs and biological AIs bent on meddling with mankind. At the same time, Darwin’s Paradox injects hope into a post holocaust type of setting threatened with a typically SF scenario of doom. Munteanu writes with energy and a lively sense of joy in her work. Her main character, Julie, possesses the superpowers of an info-age homo superior: she can communicate pseudo-telepathically with others like herself and with AIs. In addition to her mental gifts she is also physically superior. What’s unusual about her as a homo superior heroine is her role as the unwitting vector of the plague that decimated her people. While Julie contends with the twists and turns of the plot, she is simultaneously threatened by the risk of losing her husband and daughter, both literally and emotionally. The challenges she navigates are personal, throughout, in parallel with the fast-paced action.
|
|
|
“Nina gives more than a story”
|
By Jennifer Rahn (The Longevity Thesis) |
|
Imagine a mysterious virus that devastates half a population, while giving certain individuals enhanced mental abilities, allowing them to “psychically” link to a server containing an artificial intelligence that seems to be developing autonomy. What if that virus turned out to be deliberately engineered? What would be the motivations of the designer? What if the virus turned out to be more than it seemed, and had ideas of its own?In “Darwin’s Paradox”, Nina Munteanu (author of “Collision with Paradise”, and “The Cypol”) serves up a dually plotted story that’s part novel, part philosophical treatise on the nature of mankind and its inexorable evolution, driven by both natural and man-made pressures. Julie Crane, the central character, is a woman with a complicated and violent past, who must deal with the life she left behind to protect the peaceful existence she enjoys with her family now. As the novel opens, the back story and contemporary plot line are unfolded concurrently, until they eventually collide, and Julie is faced with the struggle of her life against unknown political forces in Icaria-5, her previous home, from which she had to flee as an unfairly labeled murderer and deliberate spreader of Darwin’s Disease. She’s never sure of who her allies or enemies are as she struggles to free herself from old accusations . . . and neither is her innocent, 12 year old daughter, who naively stumbles into her mother’s past.Looking for a thinking person’s novel? Give “Darwin’s Paradox” a try.
Press Release
Darwin’s Paradox: Runaway Bestseller from Acclaimed Author Nina Munteanu
A World on the Brink of Violent Change… When an intelligent virus and an intelligent machine community conspire to threaten the world with destruction and chaos, the only person who can save humanity is the woman who caused the cataclysm in the first place.
Chicago, IL (Bluehost/PRWEB ) November 16, 2007 — Darwin’s Paradox–a book that explores humanity’s evolution through our relationship with nature and machine … What would happen if they came together?
In today’s multiplex world of rapid planetary change, the lines between biology and technology are swiftly blurring in wondrous and equally terrifying ways. We are witnessing an increase in studies that link a growing infertility in humans to industrial activities and urban lifestyles. Yet, those of us who are born today can expect to live with enhanced intelligence, longevity, and health thanks to technological advances such as neuromorphic engineered implants, nano-A.I. medicine and other biotechnological advances.
Co-evolving with our exploitation of the world’s ecology is the spread of emergent and resistant diseases. Futurist Michio Kaku suggests that because of the rampant use of anti-biotics “our own bodies have become a Darwinian battleground where only the nastiest mutant strains of bacteria thrive.” Yet, Doctor Lynn Margulis proved the notion that cellular evolution of virus and host cell may evolve through cooperation, often into a single symbiotic entity (e.g., evolution of eukaryotic cell). Virologist Frank Ryan states that “every monkey, baboon, chimpanzee and gorilla is carrying at least ten different species of symbiotic virus.” And, while Lynn Margulis argues that a virus is intelligent, Transhumanist Ray Kurzweil predicts the inevitability of self-aware sentient robots.
In her book, Darwin’s Paradox (Dragon Moon Press) ecologist, educator and acclaimed author Nina Munteanu explores the frightening prospect of an intelligent self-organized virus joined with a self-aware A.I. in a world preoccupied with issues of infertility and the residual effects of an industrial plague.
Driven by an ambitious virus stirring inside her, Julie Crane sets out on a quest to save her family from the clutches of a terrified government. Instead she’s abruptly caught in a web of intrigue…one that will betray her identity as Darwin’s Paradox and define the evolution of humankind.
Says Doctor Rhonda Low, host of “Your Health”–CTV News, and Clinical Associate Professor in the Dept. of Family & Community Medicine, University of British Columbia: “Loved Darwin’s Paradox! … A good neurology refresher for me! … The story is intricate … imaginative, and intelligent … The medical and scientific (premise is … completely plausible and perhaps our fate … Sign me up for ‘neurgery’.”
“Munteanu [has created an inventive and exciting future … a mystery virus … unsettling artificial intelligences … and an indomitable hero,” says Kay Kenyon, SF author of Bright of the Sky.
Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of Rollback, calls Darwin’s Paradox “a thrill ride that makes you think and tugs the heart.”
Darwin’s Paradox is Nina’s third novel. Her previous fiction was nominated for the Gaylactic Spectrum Award, Ecataromance Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Aurora Prix, and the Foundation of Speculative Literature’s Fountain Award. Praise for her previous fiction has been generous.
Tangent Online calls Angel’s Promises “A stunning example of good storytelling with an excellent setting and cast of characters.” Of her first novel, Collision with Paradise, Romantic Times says, “Munteanu presents a very intelligent story, with fantastic world-building…an intriguing tale.” Another Book Review Site said, “Munteanu asserts her mastery of the sensual SF romantic thriller. An unforgettable read that’s immensely alluring, surprising, and heart throbbing. The vivid intimate details, colorful descriptions, and wonderfully drawn characters leave one breathless and asking, when and where is the next book coming out?”
Nina holds a Masters Degree in Ecology from Concordia University (Montreal) and has taught university courses at Simon Fraser University, Douglas College and the University of Victoria. She has published over fifty scientific papers, technical reports and guides, including a controversial paper on “creative destruction”, which uses chaos theory to explore nature’s intelligence. Nina conducts research in risk analysis, pollution abatement and environmental protection as senior scientist with an environmental consulting firm in Vancouver, B.C.
A Book Tour is planned for Darwin’s Paradox, starting with a launch in Vancouver November 15 through 24. The tour will move to the Toronto area between November 28 and December 3. Nina’s New Year Tour kicks off in Seattle, WA in January, 2008; with stops in 12 major U.S. cities.
Darwin’s Paradox audiobook will be available Spring 2008, featuring Heather Dugan: The Voice of Darwin’s Paradox.
Nina’s award-winning blog, The Alien Next Door provides lively discussion on elements of science and science fiction, philosophy, and futurism, as well as spiritual and metaphysical issues.
Press Contacts:
Karen Mason
Darwin’s Paradox
502-428-7667
armonelyon@yahoo.com
Publicist:
Justyn Perry, Marketing Manager
Hades Publications, Inc.
403-254-0160
justyn@hadespublications.com
Executive Producer:
Karen Mason
Starfire World Syndicate
502-428-7667
armonelyon@yahoo.com
