The Machine's Child

Kage Baker's "The Machine's Child" plunges readers back into the intricate and perilous world of the Company, picking up directly after the events of "The Life of the World to Come." The narrative centers on the urgent quest to rescue Mendoza, a rebellious immortal who was banished long ago to a formidable prison lost in the currents of time. Her former lovers—Alec, Nicholas, and Bell-Fairfax—are united by this desperate mission, but face a unique challenge: all three now share Alec's body, forcing them to navigate their intertwined consciousness and conflicting personalities. Their journey is fraught with peril and self-discovery, but what they ultimately uncover when they finally locate Mendoza is far more disturbing than their darkest imaginings. This revelation is so profound and horrifying that it ignites a fierce determination within them to cease their passive existence and actively wage war against the enigmatic and powerful Company, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation that could reshape their immortal lives and the very fabric of history.