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A review by lackyducks
The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A gentle love story alternating perspectives between Clara - an AI specialist who never stays in the same place for long - and Sal, one of the last robots that has manned a coffee shop for nearly three hundred years. The stories intertwine as they discover they both have something to teach each other.
The worldbuilding is beautifully detailed, exploring issues surrounding AI and ownership and what that could mean. The differences between different kinds of AI were interesting and the legal ramifications that were explored in the story. Similar to the prejudice a robot could experience.
I also greatly enjoyed Sal's POV for the exploration into how robots work and develop their identity! The world of this book holds a lot of charm and creativity in it.
I felt some of the plot beats were predictable, but set up well to move things forward. Some aspects I might have preferred developing in other ways. This didn't detract from my overall experience of the book, though. I found the ending wrapped things up well!
The love story also feels realistic, if a little fast-paced between the characters. But it makes for a fun, short read between two very vibrant characters that are a joy to experience.
The worldbuilding is beautifully detailed, exploring issues surrounding AI and ownership and what that could mean. The differences between different kinds of AI were interesting and the legal ramifications that were explored in the story. Similar to the prejudice a robot could experience.
I also greatly enjoyed Sal's POV for the exploration into how robots work and develop their identity! The world of this book holds a lot of charm and creativity in it.
I felt some of the plot beats were predictable, but set up well to move things forward. Some aspects I might have preferred developing in other ways. This didn't detract from my overall experience of the book, though. I found the ending wrapped things up well!
The love story also feels realistic, if a little fast-paced between the characters. But it makes for a fun, short read between two very vibrant characters that are a joy to experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Hate crime