Editorial Reviews of Digital Smile:
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite
Digital Smiles by E. Hughes is a thought-provoking collection of poems that offer sharp commentary on a few increasingly relevant social issues. “Birds of Prey” calls out those in the internet forums who prey on people’s fears and insecurities to further their own interests. The titular poem “Digital Smiles” sheds light on those in power who use their influence on the social media landscape to drive us apart and distort the truth to manufacture their own reality. “I’m Little and I’m Scared” is a heartbreaking poem about a child trapped in the middle of a warzone. In “Just Biding My Time,” the narrator longs for freedom from the everyday struggles of life. In “Following the Leader,” the narrator touches upon the relationship between leaders and their followers and wonders if the world wouldn’t be a better place if neither existed.
With this stimulating collection of poems, E. Hughes draws attention to the darker aspects of social media and a few relevant societal issues that the world faces today. Digital Smiles offers readers some much-needed uncomfortable truths, ignoring which might lead to dire consequences for future generations to come. Using both free verse and rhyming stanzas, Hughes provides readers with keen insights into human behavior and modern society that not only seem astute but also very poignant. Each poem is unique and brings something of its own to the larger narrative. I enjoyed every poem, and I think “Meta News” perfectly encapsulates the overall tone of this collection. If you’re someone who enjoys poetry with a healthy dose of meta-commentary, I highly recommend Digital Smiles.
Reviewed by Jon Michael Miller for Readers’ Favorite
Digital Smiles by seasoned author E. Hughes is a collection of twenty-seven one-page (mostly) poems and what she refers to as “Meanderings.” Though the title, the introduction, and some of the poems express a strong objection to the world of digital misinformation and its outright cruelty, Hughes’ verses far transcend this important theme to delve into our fear of and wonder about death and to express her sense of natural beauty. Most of the poems are in structured “free” verse with rhyme and off rhyme. They are generally conversational, but often musical in their flow. In the section called “Meanderings”, the poems become more like adages, quips that encapsulate the ironies of life. Most powerful are the straight-out expressions of the dangers and pain caused by the anonymity of online communications: “Behind every digital smile, a sinister smirk is lurking.” These intriguing poems make it clear that the poet is familiar with the damage of online attacks and misinformation.
But sprinkled among the “Digital Smiles,” E. Hughes delves even more deeply into the traditional poetic themes of life and death. In “The Day Is Nigh,” she appears to be contemplating her own end of life, how quickly time falls through our fingers, even death’s oblivion, as if we were never here. In “Why I Write,” Hughes compares her poems to “puddles of shimmering streams,” an apt metaphor for the poems in this collection, a volume which she states is to be her final publication of poetry (though I hope not). Then, for me, there is one poem— “Saturate”—which stands out above the others in its superb address to the beauty and power of romantic love, the only poem in this collection that sings about this theme: “… sweet against my flesh/rain unto a desert flower.” Digital Smiles is much, much more than a creative and oh-so-true warning about digital age devastation. This book, like all fine poetry, bares an exquisite human soul.
Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers’ Favorite
In Digital Smiles, E. Hughes shares the mystery and deceit of digital living. It has been said you can be anything you want to be on the internet, and Hughes mourns the loss of reality through the deceptive reality of perception through social media. The poet understands that reality is fleeting and difficult to discern when fantasy presents itself as truth. This collection is full of feelings since poetry tends to sum up the depth of human emotions. Many of these poems are light and enjoyable, but some deal with the reality of false leaders and war. I found the poetry in this collection to be delightful and thought-provoking. The poems are an accurate portrayal of life in the digital age.
E. Hughes’s works in Digital Smiles reveal her spirit and soul. Although many people in the modern world like to avoid reality, Hughes does not shy away from speaking the truth. Her poems are easy to read and relatively short. They will cause you to stop and think about what they mean. Poetry is a form of shorthand to prose, so her poems pack a wallop in each line. While exploring the perceived reality of the digital world, Hughes does not discount or shy away from true reality. This book is a great example of a balance between what we think is real and what is actually real. This is one poetry book I am glad to add to my library. It will add fuel to times of introspection and an understanding of reality.
Reader and Critic Reviews of Sixth Iteration by E. Hughes
Discourse discussion of Sixth Iteration.
https://booklife.com/project/sixth-iteration-76863
This rich exploration of what it means to be human, alive, and loved from Hughes (author of Time and the Multiverse) blends chick-lit romance, smart of-the-moment science fiction, and a thrilling chase. In 2058, Dr. Stella Andrews is head researcher for the Anthropology Department at St. Claire University in Maine. She’s approached by eccentric Victor Reid from Reid Robotics Technologies to use computational linguistics to develop artificially intelligent programs that can learn human language as well as traits like happiness, anger, and hope. Her colleague is Victor’s partner Randall Reid, whose Greek-god physique and chiseled jawline make Stella swoon, but she soon finds him to be cold, disinterested, and focused solely on work. For the next year, Stella talks to R1836, a prototype AI program, teaching it about humanity, love, and attachment, preparing it for achieving sentience when it will then be transferred into an android-like organic Mechanically Enhanced Organism (MEO).
Hughes’s exploration into the process of human thinking and reasoning is sophisticated and introspective, as is the all-too-human need for love, attraction, and closeness, expertly developed through Stella’s compassion and intuition. But Stella gets concerned when she learns that R1836 has been accessing the lab’s cameras to watch her. Its interest is chilling: it declares its love for her, and says, “my desire is to leave the mainframe to be with you.” The tension mounts as she rebuffs it—and Randall rushes the experiment— all as Stella’s work is threatened by Elito, a corporate espionage agency.
Penned in crisp prose, this bold combination of romance and science fiction will thrill readers of various genres as the twists and turns of Hughes’s plot lead to a knockout revelation. That’s especially true as Stella and Randall must go on the run from the corporate spies and from Victor who intends to activate the AI’s kill switch, creating desperate, dangerous opportunities for this compelling duo to connect more deeply.
Takeaway: Smart, enticing blend of SF, romance, and a desperate chase.
Comparable Titles: Cassandra Rose Clarke’s Our Lady of the Ice, Michelle Diener’s Dark Horse.
Reader’s Favorite:
Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers’ Favorite – ★★★★★
In the Sixth Iteration by E. Hughes, artificial intelligence becomes more than Dr. Stella Andrews ever imagined. Stella lives on Moon Bay Island where she is an anthropologist in the isolated St. Claire University Research Center. Randall Reid joins her on the island where she is to help teach R1836 to experience human emotions. Despite her reservations, she agrees to assist the aloof Randall with the project. It shocked Stella when the entire research building is transformed into a high-tech security compound. Meanwhile, Sapphire is in the hospital and receives a visit from a woman who promises to secure her future and pay for her grandmother’s nursing care. In exchange, Sapphire has to train as a spy for Elito. Her mission is to gain Victor Reid’s trust and get information on what his secret project is and where it is located.
E. Hughes has produced a science-fiction novel that explores human emotions in artificial beings. Spending five years alone in a research laboratory set Stella up to fall for Randall. It perplexed me when he showed jealousy, but ignored her attempts to flirt with him. Her time spent with R1836 was interesting. Playing games, watching movies, and discussing topics every day could make anyone regard R1836 as a living being. Sapphire’s apprehension at Tennessee Jenkins’ offer of financial stability is relatable. However, her motivation becomes crystal clear. Sapphire nevertheless tested Tennessee’s attempts to control her. Hughes gave vivid detail of both Stella’s and Sapphire’s internal turmoil. Every emotion was realistic and their reactions to dangerous situations made sense. The intense conclusion promises a sequel. I felt sympathy for several of the characters, including R1836. I recommend Sixth Iteration to science-fiction readers who enjoy stories involving artificial intelligence developing abilities.
Reviewed by Miche Arendse for Readers’ Favorite
Sixth Iteration by E. Hughes follows the story of Stella Andrews a renowned anthropologist who is approached by a robotics company to assist with their new project. Uncertain at first, Stella is a bit more eager to join the project when she finds out she’ll be working with the handsome mathematician Randall Reid. The two begin working together and all seems to be going well, that is until the AI program begins to develop feelings for Stella.
Sixth Iteration by E. Hughes is definitely my cup of tea in terms of a romance novel. It had the perfect balance between sweetness and spice and I am not talking about actual flavors. Sixth Iteration offers a little bit of everything from drama to action all while balancing these aspects within the main plotline. The weird love triangle, if you can call it that, between Stella, Randall, and R1 was new and exciting, adding a new level of intrigue to the story. I also enjoyed Hughes’ writing style, the pacing of the story was perfect, and I could tell a lot of thought went into the plot and characters. I also loved the addition of a secondary couple and a side story within the main story. At times Sapphire and Victor’s story had me more hooked, especially with the darker setting of espionage. Overall, I loved reading Sixth Iteration although I knew I would the moment I read the synopsis. I am definitely looking forward to more work from E. Hughes.
Reviewed by Joanne Ang for Readers’ Favorite
Sixth Iteration by E. Hughes is a romantic sci-fi novel revolving around Dr Stella Andrews, the head researcher for the anthropology department of St Claire University, and Randall Reid, the head scientist of the temporary lab by Reid Robotics. While Stella had her heart stolen the moment she started working with Randall, he was all business and wanted nothing more than to get his part of the job done and over with. As unexpected events constantly rock both Stella’s and Randall’s lives, they develop feelings for each other in the midst of utter chaos. With many secrets untold, will Stella and Randall ever find their happy-ever-after? Or will the clutches of Reid Robotics drag them down forever?
Sixth Iteration by E. Hughes is a beautifully written romantic science fiction novel, filled to the brim with unrequited love, action, and suspense. I particularly loved the push-and-pull dynamic between Stella and Randall, which kept me excited throughout the entire book. Coupled with the complicated relationship between Victor and Sapphire, Sixth Iteration is an epic for the hopeless romantic, for those that are looking to have their hearts played with. All the characters were wonderfully written, outlining their personality and motives clearly. I also really liked how each of the characters has their own complicated past (also beautifully written), making the storyline all the more heart-wrenching. While there were many things going on at once, I was never left confused, making for a seamless reading experience. Overall, this is a riveting novel that will keep you glued to the pages before you even realize you’ve finished it!