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thenextbookdilemma's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Self harm, Violence, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, and Suicide attempt
atlastheninth's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
”I used to think that people like us would never be allowed to have dreams or go places.”
This was wonderful. I believe that this book was written specifically for my little nerd heart, I cried so much.
This book is based on the questions “What rights should AIs have? At what point are they not objects anymore but people?” And for me the answer seems obvious: If I can’t tell anymore if they are aware or not, if I can’t differentiate between them and a /normal/ living being, then they should be treated as such. But of course the world isn’t such a nice place. People already dehumanise other people, why should they care about robots?
Here the MC Eke, an AI, lives with a family that is white, rich and privileged in every way imaginable. The perfect example of people who do not give a shit about what’s going on around them and only care about themselves. And when I say he lives with them I mean he’s their slave. And even though you hate that family for their behaviour towards Eke, you still can't help but feel sorry for (at least some of) them.
And Eke is the literal sweetest. He is kind and caring and just wants to live and be happy and have a friend, but he is alone and stuck in this cruel life. And against everything, he still dreams of a better life, he doesn’t lose hope.
(I don‘t even want to know what it says about me that I‘ve related to him more than to any other character in while.)
And Kyp just wants to survive, until he meets Eke. He wants to protect Eke and I get that.
And the writing reflects these things so well. There is a dual POV: Eke’s chapters, his inner monologue, feel almost a bit childlike. They are the thoughts of someone innocent and kind and too good for this world.
And Kyp’s chapters are filled with thoughts of survival, of protecting Eke at all costs.
And I also love how the book points out that they’re not human! They feel and experience life differently but they still do feel and want. They aren’t human but they are people and they should be treated as such.
Also the chapters are really short, which I’m a fan of.
Did I mention that I cried a lot? Because I did. I cried so much, both sad and happy tears.
"You're not broken," Kyp repeats, and to my astonishment, he smiles a small smile. "You're just becoming alive."
Does it have a happy end?
Yes!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Animal death
spelledlikesleigh's review
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Murder, Animal cruelty, Eating disorder, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Self harm, Hate crime, Bullying, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Gun violence, and Confinement
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