Machine by Elizabeth Bear

This the second White Space Novel. The first is Ancestral Night which I read a few months ago. I think Machine is slightly better than Ancestral Night. 

This novel explores the effects a malevolent software meme has on Artificial Intelligence and on the Synarche, a galactic society comprised of hundreds of alien races and including Artificial Sentience. The quick spread of the virus takes by surprise the staff of a galactic hospital which is run by AI and by organic beings with artificial implants which can also be infected. The ramifications of a virus infestation of a galactic scale are very well explored and are food for thought. I also found it interesting how the Synarche considers organic and Artificial life equal (except that AI have to pay for the price of their creation by working) in rights and in wrongs. AI can also be reported for crimes. Also, as the story involves the rescue of an ancient human generation ship we are able compare old humans' mindset with the synarche's advanced way of thinking. At the same time we question the synarche's use of "rightminding" in their citizens to correct sociopathies and any way of thinking which threatens their society. We realise that rightminding can be used as a way for social control and brainwashing but the synarche's citizens see it too?

Ancestral Night by Elizabeth Bear

A super interesting, gripping, thought provoking science fiction novel. ❤💙💜💖  Deals with Artificial Intelligence, transhumanism, identity and ancient alien artifacts. I loved Haimey, the protagonist because 1. She was a very interesting character, enthusiastic and a strong woman, 2. She was a transhuman with inserts in her brain which allowed her (and her ship's AI) to control her mood and emotions so she could be more efficient. Her memory had been tampered with after traumatic events in her past, something we learn halfway through the story. In one passage a pirate questions her identity as a human and if she was really Haimey (or if Haimey was trapped inside her behind her mind controlling devices). The pirate asked if she would be better off without her brain implants allowing her real self to arise without artificial control.