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timinbc's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 because it was a good read.
As someone else here said, the ideas outshine the characters. That's true of a LOT of books, and is more a description than a criticism.
The idea of Big Pharma going deeper into profit-at-all-costs is OK, and I am OK with the leap to indentures, but we needed a bit more on how we got to that. The plot key re Zacuity was quite credible.
The AI and fabbing and all that was well handled, and the indenture system provided a strong framework for examining autonomy at several levels. That, and the idea that bots could exist at all levels of capability and freedom.
I am OK with the concept of Eliasz and robot sex, but Newitz may have given it a larger share of the story than it deserved. The gender issues were admirable for a book that was probably written in 2016; we've come a long way since then.
There's a lot of Canada in this, and some accurate detail re No. 3 Road in Richmond, so I will excuse the little slip re Vancouver Island (where Vancouver isn't). I'll blame the mapmakers for that one.
I'll look for more by this author.
As someone else here said, the ideas outshine the characters. That's true of a LOT of books, and is more a description than a criticism.
The idea of Big Pharma going deeper into profit-at-all-costs is OK, and I am OK with the leap to indentures, but we needed a bit more on how we got to that. The plot key re Zacuity was quite credible.
The AI and fabbing and all that was well handled, and the indenture system provided a strong framework for examining autonomy at several levels. That, and the idea that bots could exist at all levels of capability and freedom.
I am OK with the concept of Eliasz and robot sex, but Newitz may have given it a larger share of the story than it deserved. The gender issues were admirable for a book that was probably written in 2016; we've come a long way since then.
There's a lot of Canada in this, and some accurate detail re No. 3 Road in Richmond, so I will excuse the little slip re Vancouver Island (where Vancouver isn't). I'll blame the mapmakers for that one.
I'll look for more by this author.
diddy_shovel's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Absolutely loved this. Right off the bat, the setting is incredible and I loved that the geopolitics of 2144 was explored (but not in a details-laden way). It was really refreshing that it was set in Canada too,with major events taking place in Saskatoon, Halifax and Iqaluit (as opposed to [insert US city here]).
I found the focus on academia through Jack's storyline to be so well done, and it was so engaging (and relatable) for me that major plot point centred around publishing papers, getting tenure, doing research, etc. It really did such a great job in making academia exciting, which made me connect with the novel instantly.
Plus, the relationships and characters were so well-developed. Watching Eliasz and Paladin grow together was such a treat,although the s*xual content was a bit heavy for me;Paladin's exploration of gender identity through a robot lens was also so fascinating, and it was wonderful to see her become "herself" over the course of the book. To that end, though there was a very clear distinction between the two sets of characters (as well as divisions within society) there never felt like any of the characters were "evil" or "bad". Instead, I loved and empathised with all of them which was such an interesting change from the flawed characters I'm used to reading.
The only struggle for me was that it's hard to call this a lgbtqia+ novel. Yes there were queer relationships, and yes there's exploration of gender and sexuality, but that's outweighed by the heavy-handedness of the sexual content and how Eliasz's homophobia (internalised or not) dominates a good chunk of his relationship with Paladin. I'm a bit torn too about Paladin's exploration of gender and a trans identity: although it was really interesting, it often felt like she was doing it for the benefit of Eliasz. Plus, it all coming through the lens of a robot meant things felt very clinical and sterilised, rather than being a human experience that the reader could connect with. All this was uncomfortablein parts, but for me didn't overshadow my overall enjoyment of the novel.
I found the focus on academia through Jack's storyline to be so well done, and it was so engaging (and relatable) for me that major plot point centred around publishing papers, getting tenure, doing research, etc. It really did such a great job in making academia exciting, which made me connect with the novel instantly.
Plus, the relationships and characters were so well-developed. Watching Eliasz and Paladin grow together was such a treat,although the s*xual content was a bit heavy for me;
trin's review against another edition
2.0
Mystery box book #21!
This book contains so many things that I love -- robots discovering personhood, explorations of gender, a badass pirate lady battling evil pharmaceutical companies -- yet it mostly fell so flat for me. Part of this was Newitz's style, which is understated to the point of dullness -- a record, almost, more than a novel.
The other part was the romances, which as many other reviewers have pointed out, suck. In ways that feel horribly under-explored, and that I don't think Newitz realizes they suck. They're both problematic and boring, which is the deadliest possible combo.
I had originally rated this 2.5 rounded up, but in writing this review I have talked myself back down. Oops.
This book contains so many things that I love -- robots discovering personhood, explorations of gender, a badass pirate lady battling evil pharmaceutical companies -- yet it mostly fell so flat for me. Part of this was Newitz's style, which is understated to the point of dullness -- a record, almost, more than a novel.
The other part was the romances, which as many other reviewers have pointed out, suck. In ways that feel horribly under-explored, and that I don't think Newitz realizes they suck. They're both problematic and boring, which is the deadliest possible combo.
I had originally rated this 2.5 rounded up, but in writing this review I have talked myself back down. Oops.
mrchrn's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
The pharma stuff and the weird concept about people wanting to have a slavery system so they can be equal to robots ends up feeling like window dressing for a story about wanting to have sex with a robot. Bit of a mess overall. But lots of cool stuff.
groovyjenni's review against another edition
2.0
Why is science fiction taking weird liberties with political issues? The way this book ended truly infuriated me. The premise of the book was not half bad, but the execution of the ideas was not well thought out. 1.5 stars rounded up to 2 because I’m feeling generous.
mebius's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ektambo's review against another edition
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? Yes
1.25
This should have been a story about how healthcare and pharmaceutical companies put profit over people, and the way that breaking the law doesn’t always (or indeed, doesn’t OFTEN) equate to being immoral.
Instead I got homophobia, transphobia, something close to bio-essentialism, being beaten over the head with the f-slur, and some of the most vomitous sex scenes I have ever had the displeasure to suffer through.
I would be interested in trying one of this author’s more recent works, because I feel that they genuinely have something to say and are probably better equipped to say it now that years have passed and they’ve grown as an artist. Autonomous, however, has aged like milk sitting in the sun.
For similar themes done better, I would recommend the Murderbot Diaries instead.
booksandteatime's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Slavery, Death, Drug use, Addiction, Colonisation, Homophobia, and Pedophilia
maggiebook's review against another edition
4.0
Good book which explores what it means to be human and where AI/robots may go in the future. The synopsis on the book was almost a sub-plot. The story seemed to be more about the exploration of how the relationships between humans and AIs may evolve.