Body Electric [Mass Market Paperback]

Vic loses her job, but is not done with Jodie, nor he with her. He contacts her, asking for a body; he has even selected one. It happens to belong to John Reston, a thorn in Vic's former bosses' collective sides, and someone she has secretly desired. Through incredible means, they are able to download the majority of Jodie into the brain dead man's mind. Now on the run, the two must fight to preserve not only their newly awakened love, but their existence.

***** A combination of two groundbreaking movies, TRON and STARMAN, this novel is itself taking on new frontiers. Ms. Squires, who improves with each book, has created a frightening possible, fascinating world that gives the reader much to think upon. Vic is a dynamic, realistic heroine, with troubles and who lives the cutting edge, stressed life of a modern career woman. Jodie combines innocence with masculinity in a most charming fashion. You have never read a romance like this one, but hopefully, there are more to come. *****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

Using Visimorph resources, Vic creates program, a form of Artificial Intelligence, that she calls Jodie. Vic dreams of imbuing the program with the gifts of femininity without the cultural hassles. Vic feels uncomfortable with her own femininity, disguising her looks with asexual attire so that she might be taken seriously in the computer world. Only late at night in a dangerous world of anonymous sex does Vic indulge her feminine needs, and then only with a mask of leather and control.

Then late one night, a miracle occurs. The breath of life transforms Vic's code to a sentient being. As Jodie grows, the AI takes space on the latest Visimorph's server Neuromancer. Soon Jodie expands across other servers as well, including libraries, AT&T, even the IRS. But fragmentation brings about corruption in Jodie's programs. In addition, Jodie declares himself to be male. When McIntire comes to realize that Vic has been working on an AI, he makes plans to use the code for his own purpose.

Author Susan Squires plays marvelous word games in BODY ELECTRIC, drawing from classical literature and contemporary science fiction to create a dazzling world of possibility. The dangers suggested by Hal in 2001 A SPACE ODYESSY, echoes from Ray Bradbury or William Gibson remind readers of the dangers inherent in a highly technological society. But beyond the fight between the controllers of the world like Bob McIntire and everyman, Squires strikes at the heart of the challenges to women, from issues of femininity to the need to connect to someone. Vic, a woman of intelligence and beauty who denies her femininity, learns to treasure it when the mask is suddenly ripped away by events beyond her control. Jodie's struggle with emotion and a desire to become something "more" adds dynamic tension as well.

Rich in nuance, BODY ELECTRIC is one of those rare novels that readers may read for simple entertainment, or for much, much more as it explores questions of sentience, humanity, and self-identity. I confess to wishing BODY ELECTRIC had been on my graduate reading list rather than William Gibson, although Squires gives me a new appreciation for his novels! An electrifying novel that belongs on everyone's keeper shelf, BODY ELECTRIC earns the WordWeaving Award for Excellence.

Vic thought that she'd given her program, Jodie, everything it would need to be a successful female AI. Only Jodie has other ideas. After soaking up tons of info, Jodie has come to the conclusion that HE is male. Vic is devastated at first-how does it know? And how could it be male? Vic has struggled her whole life, in a male dominated world, in a world where her father thought less of her because she was female. Her opinion of males is low, to say the least. She struggles with a darker side of herself, a side that wants to exploit and use males for her needs, and then discard them. How could her huge success turn out to be a MALE?

When Jodie tells Vic that he needs a human body, Vic is stunned once again. While thrilled with her invention, she's almost scared of what she's created, for Jodie is a life force all his own. When a brain dead body is located, it just happens to be that of a male that Vic had found quite attractive. How can she resist Jodie's incredible mind and this wonderful body?

Breaking WAY out of the box with Body Electric, Susan Squires pulls off an incredible feat. She creates a heroine whom we feel incredible empathy for, but at times almost don't like, she's so tough. Vic is a product of her world, gritty and smart, and capable. I admire this character tremendously, and applaud Ms. Squires for the depth and characterization she put into Vic. Incredible. She made me want Jodie to be human, and understand Vic's emotional struggle with herself over Jodie. This is sure to be another hit under Susan Squires belt, for she's once again proven what inceredibly vast talent she has. Paranormal and Sci Fi readers alike-Don't miss this! You'll be stunned and thrilled with this wonderful read.