We Are Satellites

Val and Sophie lead a stable life with their teenage son David and adopted daughter Sophie. Their world shifts when a new brain-enhancing technology called the Pilot becomes available, promising increased focus and productivity. The family faces mounting pressure as Pilots become standard in schools and workplaces. David wants one desperately, while Sophie remains firmly opposed, creating tension that ripples through their household and forces them to confront their values. Val and Sophie navigate an increasingly divided society where Pilot users and non-users occupy separate spheres. Their personal struggles mirror larger questions about technology, conformity, and what parents owe their children. The novel examines the impact of enhancement technology on family bonds, individual identity, and social structures. Through one family's story, it raises questions about progress, choice, and the price of keeping up with societal change.

Readers describe this as a thoughtful family drama that uses near-future technology to explore inequality, parenting choices, and neurodiversity. The character development and relationship dynamics drive the story more than the sci-fi elements. Readers appreciated: - Realistic portrayal of family conflicts and compromises - Exploration of medical ethics and corporate influence - Multiple viewpoint characters offering different perspectives - Representation of neurodivergent characters - Measured pacing that builds tension gradually Common criticisms: - Plot moves slowly, especially in middle sections - Some found the technology aspects underdeveloped - Ending felt rushed to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (380+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.8/5 "Perfect blend of intimate family story and societal implications" - Goodreads reviewer "Characters feel like real people making difficult choices" - Amazon reviewer "Wanted more exploration of the broader social impact" - StoryGraph reviewer

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🌟 Sarah Pinsker is also an accomplished musician who has released multiple albums and toured nationally, bringing a unique rhythm to her prose writing 🧠 The brain-enhancing technology in the book, called "Pilots," bears similarities to real-world neural implants being developed for medical and cognitive enhancement purposes 📚 The novel was nominated for the 2022 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel, alongside works by Andy Weir and Becky Chambers 🎯 The book explores neurodiverse perspectives through multiple family members' reactions to the Pilot technology, including a character with epilepsy 💫 Pinsker won both the Nebula and Hugo awards for her novelette "Two Truths and a Lie" in the same year she published "We Are Satellites"