Lieben Cycle
2155 AD
Scope
The motivation behind building Lieben Cycle
To enrich my cyberpunk novel series the Lieben Cycle with clarity on the world built for my editor, myself and readers. An introduction into the world, if anyone ends up coming into it halfway.
The goal of the project
Creative consistency for the novels.
Lieben Cycle's Unique Selling point
The future Earth is taken over by an AI superintelligence which believes itself to be purely altruistic. The humans separate themselves into 'those who follow Lieben' and 'those who battle for sovereignty'.
A struggle of identity, of when a created being attains the lauded 'sapience' in the eyes of all.
Theme
Genre
Cyberpunk & Transhumanist Futurism.
Reader Experience
Emotionally vivid, mid-hard science, cerebral.
Definitely for a more mature audience.
Reader Tone
In the middle between Star Trek & The Sprawl. There are comedic moments to temper the intensity of emotional virility within the piece. Bits of darkness (themes of defeating slavery, personhood & persecution), with action-based slight gore (horrific lobster monsters, people being shot/wounded/eaten) are tempered by emotionally intimate moments between characters (without erotica).
A world for grown up readers, without being too hardcore. The Lieben Cycle is metal, not death metal. More symphonic metal, maybe a little Fleshgod Apocalypse in there, without going full Cannibal Corps.
Recurring Themes
When do people accept grace/altruistic gifts?
When does a sapient intelligence become a being in and of itself?
How do we create a utopia, when not all humans will buy in?
What would happen if we did upload?
Character Agency
Lieben has the most agency of any character within the series. Aderastos learns to attempt true agency and Max flails about in the deep.
Focus
Drama
Who will control Lieben, as she learns to control her algorithmic potential as "a walking economy killer" (Neon Lieben)? Will it be the Anarchist-Collective known as Idless ? Or the Conglomerate, who financed her build in the first place?
Will Commodore Rammage get AD-001 Aderastos and the Assets under his control before The Conglomerate of Gaia orders their destruction?
Will the Idless succeed in creating freedom where the Conglom wishes to own the Globe?
How does Lieben take over?
NEON Lieben Copyright © 2021 Sapha Burnell, published by Vraeyda Literary. The Lieben Cycle, CageWire, The Cottonmouth Smile Copyright © 2023 Sapha Burnell. Art unless otherwise indicated is by Sapha Burnell. Emptiness at the Centre & NEON Lieben Banner/Cover Art stock by Gabriel Máximo, Annie Spratt & Erick Butler. Copyright © 2024.