A review by jaelynx
World Running Down by Al Hess

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

In post-apocalyptic Utah, Valentine takes the hard scavenger jobs while dodging salt pirates. If he can earn enough, he can buy citizenship in Salt Lake City where HRT and gender-affirming surgery is free. When he is offered a job that will solve all his problems, it proves a moral dilemma as he falls for an AI illegally forced into an android body against his will.

I adore the sweetness of this book and the tempered apocalyptic world rather than going full-on crazy mad max. Its approach to AI sentience may not have a great deal of originality but is instead focused on the characters and their love. I certainly fell for Valentine, Osric and Cinnamon.

I did find the referenced world a fair bit larger than the places we actually reach with the protagonists which felt a little claustrophobic. But unusually for this setting there is plenty for the queer community that Valentine is most connected to, and the fun Mormon pirates. 

> "I'm not sure how I feel about you making out in full view of my gran."
 > An old woman sat on a step in front of a nearby roundhouse smoking a pipe. The wrinkles traversing her face gave her a permanently jovial expression. She waved.
 > "She looks like she's been around the block once or twice," Valentine said. "I'm sure seeing two men kiss isn't a novelty for her."
 > "It is when one of them is a machine-man."
 > "Well then, I'm enriching her life further."