“What if the greatest threat to humanity wasn’t artificial intelligence… but humanity’s willingness to surrender itself?”

MAYA: Seed Takes Root is one of the most ambitious science fiction novels I’ve read in quite some time. Blending futuristic technology, philosophy, mythology, and social commentary, Anand Gandhi and Zain Memon have created a world that feels both breathtakingly imaginative and unsettlingly plausible. The concept of a living planetary network where every thought, memory, and decision can be harvested is fascinating and terrifying. Rather than relying solely on action, this story asks profound questions about identity, free will, surveillance, power, and what it truly means to be human. Those ideas stayed with me long after I finished reading. What impressed me most was how seamlessly the authors weave South Asian mythology into hard science fiction, creating something that feels fresh and unlike anything else on my shelf. The world-building is rich, immersive, and rewards readers who enjoy stories with depth and layers to unpack. If you’re a fan of Dune, Children of Time, The Three Body Problem, or philosophical science fiction that challenges the way you think, this is absolutely worth adding to your TBR.