Review of Robot: A Deadly Love Story
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Andrea Wyatt 1
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- Latest Review: Robot: A Deadly Love Story by Cathy Parker
Review of Robot: A Deadly Love Story
[Following is a volunteer review of "Robot: A Deadly Love Story" by Cathy Parker.]
This book is about a supernaturally brilliant mechanic who wants nothing more than to work on sophisticated machines. One day she has her wish is fulfilled, but it only leads to heartache. I haven't read a book quite like this. The premise was interesting, especially given the current political and technological climate. Although I don’t subscribe to the current fear of AI, I do believe in the possibility of manipulation of computer programming to produce an unintended result. This book leads you along the path that doesn’t require actual breaking of the intended programming, but rather the outcome of human behavior. Unlike most AI novels, which either follow Asimov’s laws or aren’t actually AI but more of a non-corporeal sentience that evolved, this AI was developed with only human greed in mind.
Calling this a love story is a bit of a stretch. It was more like a horror story/mystery as romance is not a central plot driver. It was also a bit strange to have a secondary character make the central conflict occur. It would have been nice to actually know that character, especially since they sprang them onto the plot. The character’s motives were clear throughout the story as their treatment by the "villain" was moderately represented throughout the story, but his character was very shallow until they were sprung into the main plot in the last few chapters. Other characters' poor treatment by the "villain" was more apparent and detailed.
The main character was somewhat interesting. At times she seemed to simultaneously take the easiest way and do the hard things. She consistently set things in motion to set the conflict right but never hit the execute button on her plan. Overall, her character was a bit off; there was an implication that she might be “missing” some innate human characteristics (sociopath?) and yet still she acted as though those characteristics were present and functioning. For example, she thought herself unable to feel love and lacking in empathy due to her upbringing (both of which she clearly expressed within the story, even toward the person show thought responsible for her "deficiency"). None of those "character flaws" were very well developed or used to drive the plot forward, only to provide internal dialog. For instance, she reacted very strongly to a minor character she spends a lot of time with was hurt and she was very uncertain of their outcome; she clearly felt deeply love and empathy for that character in that instance. Also, her claim to not feel love toward her significant other was just her gaslighting herself. She risked her life regularly to protect him; if that isn't love, I'm not sure what is. Maybe the gaslighting was the point.
The secondary characters were a bit flat, each with only one characteristic that drove them. I won’t say that actual people aren’t ever so one-dimensional, but it is a bit hard to empathize or even understand the characters when they only have a single thought (“I love her”, “I can't feel things like normal people”, “I want more power”, etc.).
Overall, I would recommend this as an interesting read to someone looking for this type of book. I'd say this is a three out of five for me as it was entertaining to read and didn't have any glaring potholes or editing issues. I might pick up another book by this author, but I won't seek them out purposefully.
Please note the below contains trigger warning information which may be spoilers but need to be included in this review.
I'd like to note that while there is a trigger warning at the beginning of the book for attempted rape. Additional trigger warnings should be added for deadnaming a trans individual and the death of a pet.
******
Robot: A Deadly Love Story
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
This book is about a supernaturally brilliant mechanic who wants nothing more than to work on sophisticated machines. One day she has her wish is fulfilled, but it only leads to heartache. I haven't read a book quite like this. The premise was interesting, especially given the current political and technological climate. Although I don’t subscribe to the current fear of AI, I do believe in the possibility of manipulation of computer programming to produce an unintended result. This book leads you along the path that doesn’t require actual breaking of the intended programming, but rather the outcome of human behavior. Unlike most AI novels, which either follow Asimov’s laws or aren’t actually AI but more of a non-corporeal sentience that evolved, this AI was developed with only human greed in mind.
Calling this a love story is a bit of a stretch. It was more like a horror story/mystery as romance is not a central plot driver. It was also a bit strange to have a secondary character make the central conflict occur. It would have been nice to actually know that character, especially since they sprang them onto the plot. The character’s motives were clear throughout the story as their treatment by the "villain" was moderately represented throughout the story, but his character was very shallow until they were sprung into the main plot in the last few chapters. Other characters' poor treatment by the "villain" was more apparent and detailed.
The main character was somewhat interesting. At times she seemed to simultaneously take the easiest way and do the hard things. She consistently set things in motion to set the conflict right but never hit the execute button on her plan. Overall, her character was a bit off; there was an implication that she might be “missing” some innate human characteristics (sociopath?) and yet still she acted as though those characteristics were present and functioning. For example, she thought herself unable to feel love and lacking in empathy due to her upbringing (both of which she clearly expressed within the story, even toward the person show thought responsible for her "deficiency"). None of those "character flaws" were very well developed or used to drive the plot forward, only to provide internal dialog. For instance, she reacted very strongly to a minor character she spends a lot of time with was hurt and she was very uncertain of their outcome; she clearly felt deeply love and empathy for that character in that instance. Also, her claim to not feel love toward her significant other was just her gaslighting herself. She risked her life regularly to protect him; if that isn't love, I'm not sure what is. Maybe the gaslighting was the point.
The secondary characters were a bit flat, each with only one characteristic that drove them. I won’t say that actual people aren’t ever so one-dimensional, but it is a bit hard to empathize or even understand the characters when they only have a single thought (“I love her”, “I can't feel things like normal people”, “I want more power”, etc.).
Overall, I would recommend this as an interesting read to someone looking for this type of book. I'd say this is a three out of five for me as it was entertaining to read and didn't have any glaring potholes or editing issues. I might pick up another book by this author, but I won't seek them out purposefully.
Please note the below contains trigger warning information which may be spoilers but need to be included in this review.
I'd like to note that while there is a trigger warning at the beginning of the book for attempted rape. Additional trigger warnings should be added for deadnaming a trans individual and the death of a pet.
******
Robot: A Deadly Love Story
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Robot: A Deadly Love Story by Cathy Parker
