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magentabyfive's review against another edition
Interesting concepts, boring protagonist
bookmason's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting story but frustrating as too much of it is left unresolved
There needs to be another book just not sure by time it arrives that ill be interested anymore
There needs to be another book just not sure by time it arrives that ill be interested anymore
fionareadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
This book was awesome. I didn't even feel like I was reading a 700 page book. Time just flew by. I am always on the lookout for a murbotlike novel, and while this was not it, it still scratched that murderbot itch. I am big on blurbs and one of the blurbs on the book said " the action literally starts with an explosion and doesn't stop" (loosely quoted).
That blurb was so right on. The action, the characters, the horrific dystopian setting of Chicago, all of it was perfect. I truly loved it and I am only a sci fi newbie. That has to mean something!
There is one thing that was not perfect. Not perfect at all. It took Todd 6 years to write this book. 6 YEARS. (I say this like, it's easy).There is another book to come out, (supposedly not a sequel, but in the same world with a few of the characters) but...its been over 6 years. So I ask. Where in the heck is the next book?
So people please, please read this amazing book, with great pacing, non stop action, smartassed robots, banter and sarcasm. Oh, and it has a dog. If nothing read it for the dog.
Then once you have read it we can whine about where his next book is together. Trust me, It will be very bonding.
That blurb was so right on. The action, the characters, the horrific dystopian setting of Chicago, all of it was perfect. I truly loved it and I am only a sci fi newbie. That has to mean something!
There is one thing that was not perfect. Not perfect at all. It took Todd 6 years to write this book. 6 YEARS. (I say this like, it's easy).There is another book to come out, (supposedly not a sequel, but in the same world with a few of the characters) but...its been over 6 years. So I ask. Where in the heck is the next book?
So people please, please read this amazing book, with great pacing, non stop action, smartassed robots, banter and sarcasm. Oh, and it has a dog. If nothing read it for the dog.
Then once you have read it we can whine about where his next book is together. Trust me, It will be very bonding.
pharmdad2007's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic novel about a future where machines are trying to become equals with humans and in many ways already are.
puffball's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would and admittedly started it because of the cool cover and title. To start, this book has absolutely nothing to do with Batman or the city of Gotham and actually refers to the name of a group of robot combatants. I also started this book thinking it was a standalone and have since found it it’s the first book in a series which helps to explain its slower pacing. The main plot was wrapped up by the end, but there is definitely still a lot of story to be told. It was a really fun and action packed read and I loved the main character (who wouldn’t love a guy that risks his life to save a stray dog)?? The pacing was a little slow but there was a lot going on a great deal of world building that I enjoyed. I’m a huge fan of sci fi and this book/series explores what the world would be like if AI and robots became the dominant governing force throughout much of the world and humans were forced to live under the rule. Not all robot governments are evil, but not all are altruistic either so you get a good mixture of ideas. Overall, I highly recommend and will be eagerly anticipating the next book.
blafin's review against another edition
3.0
This book has several major flaws that keep me from giving it a higher rating. The writing is strong, surprisingly fluid and kept me reading through the 600+ pages. All in all, I felt as though what this book could have used was a better editor.
The book felt a bit repetitive and claustrophobic to me the farther in I got, as nearly every scene in this pretty sprawling book revolved around one location. Action and return, action and return. Which felt like a lost opportunity to me in a world so richly developed, I wish I'd gotten the chance to explore it more. Barry bothered me as a main character as well. He's a textbook Mary Sue. By his fourth or fifth time escaping near death by the skin of his teeth, complete with all the moral fortitude of a benevolent god, I just couldn't suspend my disbelief and got bored with him as a narrator.
The end feels designed for the beginning of a series, which is a pet peeve of mine. The book would work nicely in this schema but I can't help wondering what it could have been if it were allowed to be a complete work that stands on its own right.
The book felt a bit repetitive and claustrophobic to me the farther in I got, as nearly every scene in this pretty sprawling book revolved around one location. Action and return, action and return. Which felt like a lost opportunity to me in a world so richly developed, I wish I'd gotten the chance to explore it more. Barry bothered me as a main character as well. He's a textbook Mary Sue. By his fourth or fifth time escaping near death by the skin of his teeth, complete with all the moral fortitude of a benevolent god, I just couldn't suspend my disbelief and got bored with him as a narrator.
The end feels designed for the beginning of a series, which is a pet peeve of mine. The book would work nicely in this schema but I can't help wondering what it could have been if it were allowed to be a complete work that stands on its own right.
ramsfan1963's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.5
I was expecting a simple story of good humans versus evil machines, but I'm happy to say it was much more complex a story than that. It's a long audiobook for fiction, 27 hrs, but it's a long and involving mystery that took many twists and turns before reaching a satisfying conclusion. The end does leave it open for a sequel, and I'd be interested in reading it if it ever happens.
lwinn's review against another edition
5.0
What a great read! Very cool premise. The best part about this book for me was that almost every chapter there was an intense situation that captured my attention.