Review of I, Robot Soldier
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[Following is a volunteer review of "I, Robot Soldier" by Joel R. Dennstedt.]
A damaged combat robot, self-named One Shot, awakens to a world seemingly devoid of life other than rats and cockroaches. There is no sign of his comrades, enemy robots, or humans. There are no dogs or cats, no birds, and no vegetation. The city is in ruins, silent but for occasional falling rubble. One Shot emerges into the street and barely avoids shooting a small girl standing there. He asks the child if she needs his help and then asks her to repeat precisely, “I require your assistance.” With those words, One Shot’s primary directive changes from combat to protection. Author Joel Dennstedt’s I, Robot Soldier is predicated on Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics. The first states that a robot, through action or inaction, may not harm a human. Amy, her family destroyed, now has the best guardian possible. After a few years, Amy decides it is time to “see the world” and search for humans, robots – and cats. Unfortunately, a new stealth robot without compunction against killing humans discovers them first, forcing them away from the main road and into the wilds.
One Shot teaches Amy to read utilizing a damaged library, but he has little experience interacting with adult humans, much less a child. He is unable to understand Amy’s psychological trauma or her needs as she grows, increasing the necessity of finding other people. The journey becomes a coming-of-age story for both of them. The robot mimics human behavior, pretending to eat and drink but unable to understand jokes or emotions. Amy only knows what she has read in books and experienced with One Shot; he recognizes that this is insufficient for a healthy childhood.
As the story progresses, trust becomes an issue for Amy. She has been in command following the third robotics law: a robot must obey a human’s orders unless they conflict with the first law or require the robot to “kill” itself. One Shot must determine whether an order complies with his primary directive; Amy does not always agree with his assessment. She certainly does not wish to relinquish control when human survivors enter the picture.
Amy’s acceptance of the mechanicals as living things, even while acknowledging that they are not, gives the story momentum. I, Robot Soldier demonstrates the power and limitations of artificial intelligence, the power of emotion, and what really constitutes love. I like that it covers the changes Amy experiences as she grows under the care and tutelage of a robot unsure of its parenting skills, making One Shot particularly relatable. This exceptionally well-edited book is compelling, and I wouldn't change a thing. I recommend it with five out of five stars
******
I, Robot Soldier
View: on Bookshelves |
A damaged combat robot, self-named One Shot, awakens to a world seemingly devoid of life other than rats and cockroaches. There is no sign of his comrades, enemy robots, or humans. There are no dogs or cats, no birds, and no vegetation. The city is in ruins, silent but for occasional falling rubble. One Shot emerges into the street and barely avoids shooting a small girl standing there. He asks the child if she needs his help and then asks her to repeat precisely, “I require your assistance.” With those words, One Shot’s primary directive changes from combat to protection. Author Joel Dennstedt’s I, Robot Soldier is predicated on Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics. The first states that a robot, through action or inaction, may not harm a human. Amy, her family destroyed, now has the best guardian possible. After a few years, Amy decides it is time to “see the world” and search for humans, robots – and cats. Unfortunately, a new stealth robot without compunction against killing humans discovers them first, forcing them away from the main road and into the wilds.
One Shot teaches Amy to read utilizing a damaged library, but he has little experience interacting with adult humans, much less a child. He is unable to understand Amy’s psychological trauma or her needs as she grows, increasing the necessity of finding other people. The journey becomes a coming-of-age story for both of them. The robot mimics human behavior, pretending to eat and drink but unable to understand jokes or emotions. Amy only knows what she has read in books and experienced with One Shot; he recognizes that this is insufficient for a healthy childhood.
As the story progresses, trust becomes an issue for Amy. She has been in command following the third robotics law: a robot must obey a human’s orders unless they conflict with the first law or require the robot to “kill” itself. One Shot must determine whether an order complies with his primary directive; Amy does not always agree with his assessment. She certainly does not wish to relinquish control when human survivors enter the picture.
Amy’s acceptance of the mechanicals as living things, even while acknowledging that they are not, gives the story momentum. I, Robot Soldier demonstrates the power and limitations of artificial intelligence, the power of emotion, and what really constitutes love. I like that it covers the changes Amy experiences as she grows under the care and tutelage of a robot unsure of its parenting skills, making One Shot particularly relatable. This exceptionally well-edited book is compelling, and I wouldn't change a thing. I recommend it with five out of five stars
******
I, Robot Soldier
View: on Bookshelves |
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