I was fortunate to receive an ARC of Greg Hickey’s latest book, and having read quite a few of his books, I have to say this may be my favorite yet. There is something about the way Hickey blends a compelling story with bigger questions that always makes me stop and think. His background and education in philosophy are especially evident here, adding a depth that reaches far beyond the story itself.
There is so much to consider in this book—politics, human nature, truth, and the way we so often see things from only one side. Are we really as open-minded as we think we are? Do we listen to understand, or simply to defend what we already believe? Hickey doesn't necessarily give easy answers, but he certainly gives plenty to think about.
I found myself enjoying many of the futuristic details woven throughout the story. I appreciated the mentions of airtrans and fire against a hovertank. The talk of encryption and signs of alteration was also a lure, but I especially loved the idea of a carbocrete public library. Maybe that detail stood out to me because, as someone who loves books and libraries, I couldn't help but notice it. Even in a world filled with advanced technology, Hickey makes the point that reading remains a fundamental part of communication. And more importantly, he reminds us that there is still something deeply important about communication between people, and with all our technology, perhaps there are some things we should never lose sight of.
Even the title, Terminal Veracity, took on a deeper meaning for me as the story unfolded. Without giving anything away, truth and perception become especially interesting when we begin to question who—or what—is capable of understanding, reasoning, and perhaps even knowing more than we give them credit for.
And that was probably the part that stayed with me the most.
We tend to think of ourselves as the most intelligent creatures in the room. But how do we really know? What if intelligence doesn't always look the way we expect it to? What if something we have always considered less capable is simply capable of thinking in a way we haven't taken the time to understand? And perhaps the bigger question is—what does that say about us?
I love when a book leaves me with questions I wasn't expecting to ask. This one did that for me.
Greg Hickey doesn't just tell a story. He makes you pause, look at something from another angle, and maybe even question a few things you thought you knew. And when a book can stay with me after I've turned the last page, making me think about it after the story is over, I consider that a very special kind of read.
