Reviews

Expiration Day by William Campbell Powell

alyssaindira's review against another edition

2.0

Hey guys, so I just finished Expiration Day by William Campbell Powell, and it was....interesting I guess. First and foremost, this book was told in diary format, which I was a bit puzzled about, since it's been a long long while since I have read a book in that format. To tell the truth, I might have preferred to read a script format novel than this when I first started. However, as I continued reading, it wasnt thee format that just got me not really invested in this book: it was the ideal the author built it on. Initially, when I first read the bookjacket, I thought it would be a cool story, like oh, the humans are dying, there are robot children, and Tania suddenly realizes how f up the world is and stuff. But it so wasnt like that. I think I was about as shocked and betrayed as Tania felt when she discovered what truly lurked around her and in her. (yes, I am being vague on purpose, since it definitely is a spoiler). Nevertheless, she goes on this....journey to....hmmm...how should I put this without giving anything away. Well, let's just say she gets a hard reality check and is faced with many, many ethically and legal inquires. Therefore, during the novel, my brain was whirling so much it was hard to concentrate on the story and not all the underlying details. But I just couldnt wrap my brain around the fact that in this society, there are robot children whom are raised to be human, but they arent, but they are, but they arent. They say they have emotions, but are they programmed or genuine? They appear to have their "own" thoughts, but are those just elaborate programming as well? If they are told to be human to the fullest extent during there early years, does that mean they are bound by the same rights as normal humans? Are they human because they truly believe that, or because society told them, up to a point, until that illusion was shattered? SO yeah, all these questions were mulling about my mind during this novel, making it hard for me to really sink into the storyline. There are also a few other aspects that got me swirling, but I cannot say for sake of spoilers. Nevertheless, if you guys want to see for yourself and form you own opinion in regards to this book, by all means, go for it!

jennireads_'s review against another edition

challenging emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

beastreader's review against another edition

5.0

Tania lived a normal life with her parents. She knew that she was a rarity being a human. There are not many humans left. They are being taken over by teknoids. Human parents that can not have children can adopt a teknoid child. The only loophole is that by the child's eighteenth birthday, the parents have to give the child back to the government.

After a string of stinker of books it was refreshing to find and read this book. Mr. Powell really brought to life Tania. I almost could forget that the teknoids were not human. I have read several books like this but none that really made me feel that close to the teknoid in the story. I could picture this really being the future with all the evolving technology that we currently have in the world. Mr. Powell helped bring to life the teknoids with all of Tania's questions and exploration of what the teknoids feel, are they like humans, can they have relationships, can humans and teknoids really coexist, and what does the future hold for them? All of these questions are answered in this book. I did not see the ending coming and it was a great one. I was sad however that the book did end. Expiration Day is a must, must read! It is one of the best books of 2014!

alyssaht's review against another edition

4.0

I loved this book. Great summer read. Interesting new take on the age old question of the humanity of robots...with a few well placed Asimov connections.

novelly_hooked_on_books's review against another edition

4.0

Expiration Date is one of those that steps away from action to create a more subtle yet more profound story. This novel focussed more on a realistic look at society in the future and what it means to be a human. If you are looking for a fast passed science fiction story full of action this book isn't for you. If you want a slower passed book that keeps you interested and makes you think then this is the book for you.

clairereviews's review against another edition

5.0

Review: Expiration Day by William Campbell Powell Wow! What an exhilarating debut! Thanks to the author, William Campbell Powell, for sending me an advance reading copy of this fabulous novel in return for an honest review.The year is 2049. Tania Deeley, our young female protagonist, is aware that she's one of a very small elite group of human children that remain in existence. Sophisticated robots, known as teknoids, are leased to couples in place of the children they cannot have. These teknoids look human and, for the most part, display human behaviours. As the book follows Tania's journey from child to teenager, certain events happen that result in Tania questioning her very existence, let alone her future.At the beginning of the book, I thought I knew who was a teknoid and who human, but once the revelations started, they came thick and fast. This fast paced story made me question exactly what it means to be human. We accompany Tania on her emotional rollercoaster as she hurtles at breakneck speed towards the brilliant and unforseen conclusion.I found it so hard to put this book down, it kept me awake half the night! Such a compelling read, it doesn't seem possible that this is Powell's first novel!

bookaholic307's review against another edition

3.0

I'm going to say first and foremost, this was a good book. It was a bit slow to start and sometimes I may have had a little difficulty staying into it ( there were times when I just wanted to skip to the end so I could get it over with) but I stuck it out. It was a good story, and interesting the way it was written, like journal entries. Sure it didn't make my favorite books shelf but it's not something I wouldn't recommend either.

i_love_read_ing's review against another edition

3.0

Normally, Scifi is not my favorite genre, but I found that I liked this book. It was by no means my favorite, but I found myself liking the main character Tania. The book takes place in a futuristic society that is finding it harder and harder to reproduce. In order to keep the people happy, they are able to buy an android child that will satisfy their needs or parenthood. When the child becomes 18, or the parents become unsatisfied, it is taken back. But, these robot children have feeling of their own and don't want to be taken, and sometimes their families don't either. What happens to them afterwards, and how are the families effected? The book follows the story of one of these Android children. I found myself accepting her as human, as was one of the big issues in the book, and was rooting for her the whole way. By the end, I enjoyed the book more than I originally thought I would, and would recommend it to sci fi lovers.

ettegoom's review against another edition

5.0

This is an incredible book. I love books that explore humanity and the things that make us human told through the voice of artificial intelligence. I love the struggles that Tania's parents have when she approaches the Uncanny Valley, and the way that Tania deals with her own nature. This is a beautiful book that made me cry so much at the end. Wow!

chllybrd's review against another edition

This title made my DNF list. The diary format was not for me and I just kept waiting for something to happen so had to set it down.