Reviews

Robocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson

eknowledger's review against another edition

1.0

Predictable, boring, and full of cliches! the best thing about it is the title, totally demotivated to read the 2nd part

heathercottledillon's review against another edition

4.0

I think robots might be the next big sci-fi thing. This novel has certainly generated a lot of buzz, and I think it lives up to the hype. There are lots of stories about robots-gone-wrong, but this one is unique (at least, among what I've read) because literally every single type of machine on the planet is being controlled by one being. In some ways it's such a ridiculous idea, and yet somehow it feels like something that could actually happen. This makes it even more freaky. As one expects from a novel with this kind of content, it seems to be a sort of cautionary tale about the incredible boom of technological development that has been going on the past twenty years or so. This book seems to suggest that we need to slow down and think about what we're doing before throwing everything out there just because we can. On the other hand, there are plenty of situations in which the machines overcome Archos' control and help the humans, making them seem like real living things with their own wills and emotions. Thinking about that is about the point where I start getting a headache, but it is certainly interesting to ponder. In addition to making me think, this book also kept me at the edge of my seat. There's plenty of exciting action, and I enjoyed trying to figure out how all of the characters would come together. I think this is a book that will please most science fiction fans, at least casual ones like me.

lyntwhit's review against another edition

5.0

Great book! It reminded me of The Passage, but with robots instead of viral vamps. Really enjoyed it, hard to put down. Hated to finish it - wished there was a sequel. I liked following the story from different people's point of view.

saturns_blues's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

brownbagbargainbooks's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense

3.0

twislerguy's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

mbmartin42's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

akazen's review against another edition

3.0

This book was sort of interesting. I kind of liked it, it was a mixture of fearing for, more the world and less the characters. I don't really have substantial feelings for the book, Robopocalypse had an intriguing premise and partially intriguing way it went about telling the history of this world, that being from the future, reminiscing/looking over compiled data but there were a few issues I had with the story. It didn't feel clear at all for what Big Rob/Archos' actions and intentions were. The book had a few chapters that slightly built upon Archos' character but mostly we do not really have the chance to understand his intententions besides the idea that

Spoiler

he did not want to destory humanity

, as a result the antagonist of the story felt unsubstantial. The author seemed to seek to avoid Archos being outwardly a pure black/evil character but did so in the end from the lack of character development. I understand the next book is from Archos' perspective (at least I believe so but the point still applies.)

This book really shined when it stepped away from the actual characters and focused on the greater context and scene. The book felt like it couldn't choose between giving the characters more depth and detail, and not doing so. It sort of undermined itself doing that. I truly think this book would have excelled if it had been third person entirely, reviewing the lives of the 'heroes' and their actions from outside; because it didn't do so, the characters blended together, with the only really unique characters being that of Lurker and Nomura, the latter having a disappointing amount of relevance in this book.

Another of my complaints is how incredibly America-focused the series was, with barely any discussion of the goings of the other continents. Europe and Asia had POV's through Lurker and Nomura but those barely skimmed the top of the continents (ironically both took place on islands outside of the continents). I do not believe South America, Africa, Mainland Europe, Oceania were mentioned once, in this ENTIRE book. Mainland Asia was sort of mentioned in one sentence, when describing a

Spoiler

failed attack on Archos

and when mentioning

Spoiler

that there were so many bodies that the Yangtze river could be crossed over??

. Whilst I understand that Alaska was where Archos was situated it was ridiculous the lack of mention the other continents got, I don't even think Canada was mentioned either!

Had this book mentioned Africa or South America it could have brought up incredibly interesting points, those continents have historically been hampered by outside influence, leading to technology adoption there being far behind Western nations (basic detail). That could have easily led to more resistance bands, entire armies and militias still being alive and potentially aware of what was occurring in the world. Especially

Spoiler

post Lurker announcement

Don't get me wrong, this book had some fairly interesting aspects i.e the Osange/ Gray Horse Militia. Lurker and Nomura. These aspects are some of the places where the series shined.

This book was okay, a fairly interesting read but incredibly basic in depth which is disappointing as I seriously believe the Author wrote several incredible passages when zooming out of the 1st person.
(apologies for grammatical errors and nonsensical ranting).

2.5*

librarywarrior's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

5.0

the_lectorem's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5