A short story centered around a writer contemplating the ending to his novel and an alien mirroring artificial intelligence that is shaped like a silver sphere both work together to stop the destruction of Earth. Given its length, the story jumps straight in without providing extensive world-building but still delivers the details needed for a reader to be engrossed with this spellbinding science fiction story. It is a perfect mixture to provide a potent sci-fi novella, which can be difficult to do successfully. In a short span, we are given insight into a world where a multidimensional Earth has a “superhuman” race after it. Arcon, the silver sphere that Jacob encounters on the beach begins as this AI with a mission but as the story goes on it gains more emotion and even picks up on the slang. The banter between Arcon and Jacob is enjoyable to read but the plot of whether or not they will make it to the World Trade Center takes the spotlight.

Given that this is a short story, I’m left with a desire for more detail and explanation but only in the best way. David Gittlin is able to present a provocative science fiction version of our world that gives us a glimpse of what an interesting story this could truly be if only the story was longer. That being said, the story being short and ending on a cliffhanger works in Gittlin’s favor as I can’t help but want to know more about Arcon, its mothership, and the superhuman race still after Earth’s destruction. This short story is also accompanied by photos that go along with where the story is set. We see a glimpse of what Arcon looks like, its mothership, and the second Earth within Earth. They really tie the story together well.

The Silver Sphere is a captivating science fiction novella that does a lot in only a few pages.

Pages: 48 | ASIN: B098BK3ZW6