What if gods weren’t born but built? Zeus Legacy is a gripping sci-fi epic of AI deities, lost civilizations, and the price of control.
Imagine waking up to find you’re the last human alive, burdened with not only the fate of your species but also the power of a god. That’s the reality for Megara, a 29,000-year-old AI-enhanced scientist turned deity in Zeus Legacy. David Catuhe crafted a sweeping sci-fi epic that fuses hard science, mythology, and philosophical quandaries into a fascinating thought experiment on the nature of power, belief, and human frailty.
The novel takes us from a near-future Earth teetering on the edge of collapse to the far reaches of space, where Megara and a handful of AI overseers attempt to rebuild civilization after humanity’s self-inflicted apocalypse. But instead of simply starting over, Megara crafts a godhood-driven social experiment, engineering a new civilization where advanced technology masquerades as divine magic. The result? It is a gripping exploration of what it means to lead, control, and play god—literally.
What Zeus Legacy does incredibly well is world-building. This is far and away Catuhe’s strong suit. Zeus Legacy is brimming with detail, from nanotech-powered miracles to the inner workings of AI-controlled city-states. The book doesn’t hold your hand—expect dense, idea-driven storytelling reminiscent of The Culture Series by Iain M. Banks or Dune by Frank Herbert. If you love big, philosophical sci-fi, you’ll be hooked.
But let’s talk about Megara—because she’s the core of what makes this novel shine. Her transformation from a corporate engineer into an immortal deity is compelling, filled with moments of raw emotion and brutal pragmatism. She makes tough calls, often choosing the “greater good” over morality, and that gray area is where the book truly thrives. She’s neither hero nor villain—she’s simply what humanity needs her to be, whether they like it or not.
The sheer scale of the story can be daunting, and be prepared to dive deep into technology and philosophy along the way. That said, I found it a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable read. Oh, and have I mentioned the illustrations yet? They are vivid, eye-catching, and wonderful accompaniments to the story.
Zeus Legacy is an ambitious, thought-provoking, and immersive sci-fi saga, perfect for YA readers who enjoy sci-fi and speculative fiction and those who are curious about the future of AI, power, and control. While dense in places, it delivers a unique, godlike perspective on human civilization and its cycles of rise and fall—this one’s worth the journey.
Thanks to Reedsy for providing me with the ARC of this novel.
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