In a sprawling multiverse where consciousness travels between bodies across worlds, rival societies become entangled in political intrigue, assassination plots, and power struggles that threaten the fragile balance of countless realities. Themes of identity, belonging, and the nature of self are explored as characters navigate shifting allegiances and the profound consequences of their actions across the Many Worlds.

Reader Review Summary

"Transmentation | Transience" is an ambitious and mind-bending science fiction epic that immerses the reader in a richly imagined multiverse of staggering scope and creativity. From the very first pages, it's clear that the consortium of authors behind the Darkly Lem pseudonym have crafted something truly special - a sweeping, idea-filled narrative that boldly explores concepts of identity, society, interdimensional travel, and what it means to be human across the vast canvas of infinite parallel universes.

World-building is where this novel shines brightest. The myriad strange and wondrous worlds that make up the cosmology of the story are vividly rendered with astounding imagination and intricate detail. From aquatic realms with flying whale-like creatures to worlds seemingly composed of living coral, the landscapes are wildly original and breathtakingly alien, yet grounded in enough plausible speculative science to make them feel startlingly real. The sheer boundless creativity on display is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Just as impressive is how deftly Darkly Lem juggles numerous interweaving plotlines and a sizeable ensemble of characters as they traverse this multiverse via interdimensional travel and "transmentation" into different bodies and realities. The manner in which one's consciousness transcends the physical form and is transmitted into a new "proxy" host raises fascinating philosophical quandaries about the nature of identity, selfhood, and perception of reality. The authors use this premise to explore profound existential questions in ways that provoke deep thought in the reader.

Crucially, at the core of this maelstrom of high-concept science fiction ideas lies an engrossing, high-stakes narrative of societal power struggles, political machinations, betrayals, and personal turmoil. The personal arcs of characters like Malculm, Tala, Shara and the other "transmentational" operatives give the story an emotional anchor amid the grandly cerebral concepts. We become invested in their hopes, fears, and very real sacrifices in service of their respective societies' causes.

While some readers noted confusion early on due to the sheer density of world-building and number of characters/factions, the vast majority praised how compellingly Darkly Lem was able to weave all the threads together into a cohesive whole by the climax. The consistent quality of the prose and pacing across all sections is a particular strength, especially impressive for a novel co-written by five separate authors. Their styles coalesce remarkably into a unified voice and vision.

In laying the intricate groundwork for an planned epic saga spanning the multiverse, "Transmentation | Transience" absolutely succeeds as an enthralling, one-of-a-kind piece of imaginative speculative fiction that will leave readers clamoring for the next chapter. With its heady concepts, endless sense of wonder, emotionally resonant characters, and masterful world-building, this is a novel that exemplifies all the untapped potential of science fiction as a genre to speculate about humanity's place in the cosmos. An unforgettable and mind-expanding journey awaits those who dive into Darkly Lem's universe(s).