★Ogden, Aimee. Emergent Properties. Tor.com. Jul. 2023. 128p. ISBN 9781250866813. pap. $16.99. SF

Ogden’s (Sun-Daughters, Sea Daughters) new novella presents a future where artificial intelligences fight for equal rights and off-planet colonies agitate for independence, as seen through the eyes of the sarcastic, independent AI Scorn. Scorn is an investigative reporter, so waking up with no memory of the previous 10 days means ze was on the trail of a really juicy story even if ze can’t access what that story was. Scorn is an advanced, autonomous AI that should have data backups, but all are gone. Still, ze is compelled to chase the story and the memories down, no matter where that chase leads, and against the strenuous advice of both of Scorn’s human mothers, because ze knows this story will make zir reputation. Scorn will pursue the puzzle to the very bitter end—no matter where it leads or who ze has to take on. Scorn is fascinating as ze experiences the advantages and disadvantages of zir nature while also still dealing with being an adult child of domineering parents who can’t let go. VERDICT Highly recommended for fans of “The Murderbot Diary” series by Martha Wells and SF mysteries in general, particularly John Scalzi’s Lock In.