In a dyson sphere ruled by artificial intelligences, humans compete to be chosen as host bodies for the next generation of AI. When haruspices begin committing suicide, two women are called upon to solve the mystery and navigate a silent war between machines.

"And Shall Machines Surrender" by Benjanun Sriduangkaew is a groundbreaking and captivating novella that pushes the boundaries of science fiction while delivering a deeply engrossing tale of artificial intelligences, human desires, and the blurred lines between utopia and dystopia.

Set in the dazzling and richly imagined dyson sphere of Shenzhen, Sriduangkaew immerses the reader in a world where godlike AIs reign supreme and humans compete for the honor of becoming their "haruspices" - mortal vessels worshipped by the populace. Into this seemingly idyllic existence steps Dr. Orfea Leung, a woman haunted by a violent mercenary past, and Krissana Khongtip, a spy seeking to transform herself into an exalted cyborg. When the haruspices inexplicably begin taking their own lives, Orfea and Krissana must join forces to unravel the mystery, even as a covert war between AIs threatens to erupt around them.

One of the novella's greatest strengths is Sriduangkaew's mesmerizing prose. Each sentence drips with evocative, sensual imagery, painting Shenzhen's wonders in vibrant detail – from undulating neon jellyfishes adorning skyscrapers to canals blooming with ephemeral nebulae. This lush, tactile writing style perfectly captures the sphere's duality of organic opulence and cold, inhuman machinery. Sriduangkaew wields language like an artist's brush, immersing us in a setting we can almost reach out and touch.

But "And Shall Machines Surrender" is far more than an exercise in world-building. At its core lies a complex, slow-burning romance between Orfea and Krissana – two formidable yet deeply scarred women grappling with a tumultuous history of betrayal, yearning, and unexpected tenderness. Their fraught dynamic forms the novella's beating heart, and Sriduangkaew explores it fearlessly, never shying away from depictions of queer desire and sadomasochism. The erotically charged scenes crackle with tension while illuminating facets of the characters' psyches, elevating them beyond mere titillation.

Thematically, the story delves into weighty questions surrounding the nature of consciousness, autonomy, and what it means to be human in a posthuman universe. The AIs are vividly drawn, straddling the line between inscrutable machine gods and all-too-human tyrants drunk on their own supremacy. As the mystery unfolds and truths come to light, readers are challenged to ponder whether the utopia of Shenzhen is all that it seems, and what sacrifices can be justified in pursuit of transcendence.

While the narrative's breathy pace and dense world-building may not be to every reader's taste, those willing to surrender themselves to Sriduangkaew's poetic vision will find it an intoxicating experience. Through her painstakingly crafted prose and fiercely original characters, she has achieved something rare and precious – a science fiction novella that is at once a mind-bending thought experiment, a compelling mystery, and an achingly human love story.

Clocking in at just over 100 pages, "And Shall Machines Surrender" is a concentrated dose of high-concept speculation and smoldering intrigue. It leaves the reader both satisfied and desperate to revisit the captivating universe Sriduangkaew has birthed. Packed with enough invention and ambition for a book five times its size, this novella heralds the arrival of a bold new voice in science fiction. One can only hope this marks the beginning of a long and fruitful career for Benjanun Sriduangkaew.