C. A. Higgins (1)

A supernova is the total destruction of a star. It is an ultimate triumph of chaos over order. This is the main theme of Supernova. In Lightness this theme began when rogue computer virus infected the A.I. that was soul of the spaceship Ananke and with the act of terrorism done by revolutionaries that resulted in the destruction of Earth. In Supernova this theme is continued. We see the cruel order of the System subverted by the chaos of the Constance and her manical focus to destroy every last vestige of System. Her revolution in turn succumbs to factionalism and chaos . This chaos touches every major and minor character in this book. The book becomes a study in entropy. Higgins has written a great story.Unlike like Lightness I enjoyed reading this book. It is unhesitating in its study in despair, futility and the dangers of unanticipated consequences.… (meer)

I felt frustrated by this book. It was at times confusing with 3 separate plot lines. Ananke wants to meet her creators and make a mate while destroying every ship she meets. Ivan and Mattie get separated and want reunited while on a quest stop Ananke from destroying all life in the solar system and want reunite. In the mean time the revolution to up end the System begins to degenerate into factions which attack each other. Anyone of these plots would have been sufficient for one novel. Doing all two plot lines while flipping back and forth between the past and the present for the third makes the book a confusing unholy mess. I think Higgins was trying to make profound comment on the dangers of Artificial Intelligence. What she succeeds in doing is describing a Frankenstien monster. Plus the book leaves plenty of sub plots unaddressed and unresolved.… (meer)