A former soldier leads a group of long-lived colonists to a hostile planet to escape AI control, facing deadly alien raptors and questioning the essence of humanity. The story explores themes of survival, evolution, and the consequences of seeking autonomy in a technologically advanced society.

Neal Asher's "Weaponized" is an ambitious and thought-provoking addition to his expansive Polity universe. Set in the early days of humanity's galactic colonization efforts, the novel explores weighty themes of transhumanism, the nature of humanity, and the lengths people will go to survive in hostile environments. Asher's worldbuilding is on full display, immersing readers in a richly detailed future where advanced AI governs a post-scarcity human civilization spread across the stars.

The story centers on Ursula, an ex-soldier seeking to establish a colony on the deadly planet Threpsis, free from AI oversight. Asher deftly uses Ursula's past experiences and present struggles to examine the concept of "ennui" - the listlessness that can afflict those blessed with extreme longevity in a universe where every need is provided for. Ursula's quest for meaning and the colonists' desire to test the limits of their humanity provides a compelling emotional core to the novel.

Threpsis itself is a character, with its hostile native lifeforms and rapid evolutionary pressures forcing the colonists to undergo dramatic changes to survive. The apex predators, known as "raptors", are particularly well-realized - implacable, ever-adapting foes that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Asher's background in ecology shines through in his depiction of the planet's intricate ecosystems.

The novel's structure, alternating between "Present", "Near Past" and "Past" chapters, is used to great effect. It allows Asher to slowly reveal the complex web of mysteries underlying the colonists' predicament, from the enigmatic scientist Oren's hidden agendas to the dark secrets of Ursula's military career. While initially disorienting, the non-linear narrative rewards close reading and creates a mounting sense of tension as the storylines converge.

Asher doesn't shy away from graphic violence and body horror, but it never feels gratuitous. Instead, it serves to underscore the stakes of the colonists' struggle and the extremes they are driven to. The novel is relentless in its pacing, moving from one white-knuckle set-piece to the next, but Asher manages to balance the action with quieter character moments and philosophical musings on the nature of humanity.

While not without flaws - some supporting characters feel underdeveloped and the ending will leave readers desperate for a sequel - "Weaponized" is a gripping, cerebral sci-fi thriller that poses big questions and delivers visceral thrills in equal measure. It's a testament to Asher's skill as a writer that he can make a story so grim and violent so compulsively readable. Fans of the Polity series will find much to love, and newcomers will be drawn into a universe that feels at once wildly imaginative and plausible.

At its core, "Weaponized" is a novel about the indomitable human spirit, and the ways in which we reshape ourselves and our environment in pursuit of survival and meaning. It's a showcase for Asher's boundless creativity and talent for high-concept, high-stakes storytelling. In Ursula, he has created a truly memorable protagonist, a flawed but determined leader who will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page.

While "Weaponized" may not be for the faint of heart, it is a must-read for fans of intelligent, action-packed sci-fi. It's a novel that will leave you pondering its implications long after you've finished it, and eager to explore more of the Polity universe. Neal Asher has once again proven himself a master of the genre, and "Weaponized" stands as one of his most ambitious and rewarding works to date.