A trans woman, the last human, discovers a sentient weapon AI and embarks on a dangerous journey through a stargate network to find its home, facing off against alien pursuers. The novella explores themes of sentience, choice, personhood, and the consequences of war in a fast-paced, action-packed narrative with intriguing world-building and diverse representation.

Reader Review Summary

"Unexploded Remnants" is a captivating science fiction novella that packs an astonishing amount of worldbuilding and imagination into its relatively short length. The story follows Alice, the last surviving human, on a thrilling interstellar adventure after she discovers an ancient AI weapon containing the consciousness of a long-dormant soldier named Gunn.

One of the novella's greatest strengths is the richly realized setting and world that Gallagher has constructed. From the vibrant alien bazaars to the vast network of wormhole gates connecting myriad planets, the cosmopolitan galactic milieu feels lived-in and brimming with potential for further exploration. The author deftly weaves in intriguing hints of the Archive, a powerful repository of knowledge and custodian of interplanetary order. Despite its brevity, the story leaves you craving to learn more about this immense universe.

Alice herself is a wonderfully compelling protagonist - street-smart yet compassionate, with a fascinating backstory glimpsed in tantalizing fragments. As the last of humanity, she represents both our extinction and our potential for empathy and growth. Her gentle yet determined efforts to rehabilitate the war-torn AI Gunn and facilitate his healing add considerable emotional depth. Their relationship and Alice's conviction that Gunn can transcend his bloody origins forms the poignant heart of the tale.

On a technical level, the prose is taut and engaging, effortlessly propelling the reader through the fast-paced plot. Action sequences are vividly rendered while still allowing room for profound thematic exploration of weighty topics like the moral culpability of soldiers, the legacy of war, and what it means to be sentient. Gallagher's deft touch imbues even minor characters like Alice's wisecracking agent Bugs with memorable personalities.

Particularly noteworthy are the progressive representation of LGBTQ identities and the matter-of-fact depiction of Alice as a transgender woman integrated seamlessly into the fabric of this cosmopolitan future. Her journey of self-actualization is both empowering and fitting for a story about the capacity for rebirth and revised perspectives on one's nature and purpose.

While die-hard fans of harder science fiction may lament the lack of extensive technical details, "Unexploded Remnants" succeeds in telling a gripping, imaginative tale with deeply resonant emotional and philosophical underpinnings. Elaine Gallagher is a fresh voice in speculative fiction worth celebrating. This galactic quest packs plenty of action, heart, and food for thought into a highly entertaining and inclusive package that should delight sci-fi readers looking for a fun mind-bending adventure across the stars.