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Zak Corbin: Master of Machines
All young Zak Corbin wants is a robot -- in a time when nearly everyone has one. But there is great fear of the Corbin name. Doctor Elias Corbin was regarded as a famous builder of robots until he unleashed an attack on a military factory. Branded a madman and a traitor, Zak's uncle was sentenced to spend the rest of his days on Penitentiary Island.
When fifteen-year-old Zak tries to build a robot of his own, mostly to get the attention of pretty sophomore Lisabeth Ryan, it leads to an adventure of gigantic proportions. Zak builds one of his uncle's banned robots, which he dubs Pogo, and he quickly discovers the machine goes far beyond what ordinary robots can do. But when Zak wishes he could set his uncle free, Pogo breaks Doctor Corbin out of prison, leading to a confrontation with a secret weapon: a terrifying giant war machine.
Set in a retro-futuristic era, Zak Corbin: Master of Machines is a tale of family loyalty, pursuing the things you love, and being careful about what you wish for around a robot! A 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest semi-finalist!
When fifteen-year-old Zak tries to build a robot of his own, mostly to get the attention of pretty sophomore Lisabeth Ryan, it leads to an adventure of gigantic proportions. Zak builds one of his uncle's banned robots, which he dubs Pogo, and he quickly discovers the machine goes far beyond what ordinary robots can do. But when Zak wishes he could set his uncle free, Pogo breaks Doctor Corbin out of prison, leading to a confrontation with a secret weapon: a terrifying giant war machine.
Set in a retro-futuristic era, Zak Corbin: Master of Machines is a tale of family loyalty, pursuing the things you love, and being careful about what you wish for around a robot! A 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest semi-finalist!
277 pages, Paperback
First published August 23, 2012
6 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
Tony Russo
8 books29 followersTONY RUSSO was born in Queens, New York. First published in Aboriginal Science Fiction magazine, Mr. Russo was a contributing author for West End Games, LLC, license holder of the official STAR WARS roleplaying game system. He appears in TALES FROM THE EMPIRE, published by Bantam Books. He took 2nd prize in the 2003 New Century Writer Awards for Novels judged by Ray Bradbury. ZAK CORBIN: MASTER OF MACHINES was a semi-finalist in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards for Young Adult fiction. In March 2016, his teen historical adventure, DARKEST HOUR, will be available through Divertir Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 21, 2012
It was an entertaining read myy children and I love the adventure and comedy throughout the story line.
September 26, 2012
I finished Zak Corbin, Master of Machines this morning. This afternoon, I was tasked with taking several boxes of donations to Goodwill that my wife and I put together. Inside was a toaster oven, an old VCR, and a metal floor lamp. The first thought that came to my mind was “what is my wife thinking? We could build a perfectly good robot with this stuff!”
I really enjoyed this novel by Tony Russo. From the very beginning of the book I sensed that I was in the very capable hands of a master of the science fiction genre. The book is fast paced, full of great action, and interesting characters. There are many great themes in the book for young readers, such as the importance of human life, following your dreams despite the obstacles, the importance of family loyalty, and discovering love based on mutual respect for a person’s talents and abilities.
This is a great way to get younger readers interested in the science fiction genre. I put the book on my son’s shelf. Just don’t be surprised if metal things start going missing around the house when your kids start reading this book.
I really enjoyed this novel by Tony Russo. From the very beginning of the book I sensed that I was in the very capable hands of a master of the science fiction genre. The book is fast paced, full of great action, and interesting characters. There are many great themes in the book for young readers, such as the importance of human life, following your dreams despite the obstacles, the importance of family loyalty, and discovering love based on mutual respect for a person’s talents and abilities.
This is a great way to get younger readers interested in the science fiction genre. I put the book on my son’s shelf. Just don’t be surprised if metal things start going missing around the house when your kids start reading this book.
September 28, 2012
I love finding new books that my kids will love, and sometimes you have to sift through quite a few before you find one that really captures your child's interests. This was one of those books that my eight year old daughter just loved and my twelve year old son as well. It left me with a little bit of a wait to get my hands on it! It was great to think that she was sleeping one night only to find her flashlight on, covers over her head, and too busy reading to notice that I had walked in. But, I agree with my kids this book has a lot of different aspects that separate it from some. I loved how the story begins in futuristic 1940 with a misunderstood mad scientist, Doctor Corbin, to fifteen years later with his nephew, Zak Corbin wanting to discover everything he can about this uncle who is in prison for the robots he created. Zak's fascination with robots and his uncle's past bring him to create a banned robot, and Zak doesn't quite realize what he is getting himself into!
I received Zak Corbiin Master of Machines as part of the Goodreads' First-Reads program.
I received Zak Corbiin Master of Machines as part of the Goodreads' First-Reads program.
November 8, 2012
Zak Corbin: Master of Machines was a fun read. Settings were described perfectly and I could easily envision the world that Zak and pals inhabit. The confusion of a young man navigating his first boy-girl relationship is layed out perfectly. The characters of the children are well developed, but I found the adults a little lacking. The story was very straight forward, and while exciting, I kept waiting for twists that didn't happen. Over all a good well paced read that kept me reading and entertained. I recieved this book free through the Goodreads.com first reads program.
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October 30, 2012Ah! A boy, his robot, and flying taxis – what’s not to love? The adventures of Zak Corbin: Master of Machines, by Tony Russo, begins fast and furiously with an epic robotic battle. Russo tosses a sprinkling of mystery into the battle, just enough to get us turning the pages to know more.
Under the devious guidance of his imprisoned uncle, the feared Dr. Elias Corbin, fifteen (and three-fourths) years old Zak Corbin and two good friends build a Corbin robot. When Zak’s robot, Pogo, mistakenly follows an errant command to set Dr. Corbin free, unstoppable gears are set in motion that will steamroll the world of Zak, his friends and New Futura itself. Along the way, the trio learns about friendship, confidence, and responsibility.
Zak struggles with everything that the typical teenager goes through – frustration with his parents, self-doubt, young love. We feel his nervousness as he and friends bring their robot to school for the first time. We applaud when the robot does well and shrink in our skin right along with Zak as the robot fails. Russo manages to plush out a young teen (perhaps based on his son, “the original Zak”) that seems real and human. Albeit, Zak does appear a bit over-achieving and a bit of the over-the-top young genius to be able to construct such advanced robots, even with the help of his illustrious uncle. However, I guess we could all aspire to possess such intelligence!
The robots are oversized, elite, and scrumptious. I want one! As each robot stomps and battles through New Futura, we feel the ground shake and hear the artillery whistle and explode.
Zak Corbin: Master of the Machines is an exciting, fast-paced action/adventure tale that is perfect for a quick read. Young adults would especially love it and identify with our hero, Zak, and his friends. 8 out of 10 stars.
Under the devious guidance of his imprisoned uncle, the feared Dr. Elias Corbin, fifteen (and three-fourths) years old Zak Corbin and two good friends build a Corbin robot. When Zak’s robot, Pogo, mistakenly follows an errant command to set Dr. Corbin free, unstoppable gears are set in motion that will steamroll the world of Zak, his friends and New Futura itself. Along the way, the trio learns about friendship, confidence, and responsibility.
Zak struggles with everything that the typical teenager goes through – frustration with his parents, self-doubt, young love. We feel his nervousness as he and friends bring their robot to school for the first time. We applaud when the robot does well and shrink in our skin right along with Zak as the robot fails. Russo manages to plush out a young teen (perhaps based on his son, “the original Zak”) that seems real and human. Albeit, Zak does appear a bit over-achieving and a bit of the over-the-top young genius to be able to construct such advanced robots, even with the help of his illustrious uncle. However, I guess we could all aspire to possess such intelligence!
The robots are oversized, elite, and scrumptious. I want one! As each robot stomps and battles through New Futura, we feel the ground shake and hear the artillery whistle and explode.
Zak Corbin: Master of the Machines is an exciting, fast-paced action/adventure tale that is perfect for a quick read. Young adults would especially love it and identify with our hero, Zak, and his friends. 8 out of 10 stars.
May 27, 2013
This was a Firstreads win, got it for my kids. My oldest daughter liked this book, and my younger daughter and I read it together. Considering it is geared more towards boys, it was still enjoyable for all three of us.
October 5, 2012
My 10 year old just finished this and he loved it! Full of action and he could not put it down. He said it was better that Harry Potter, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Percy Jackson. He can't wait for the next book!
December 21, 2012
Zakary Corbin loved robots, but most teenage boys do. Zak however, is the nephew of the world-famous robot-inventor, Dr. Elias Corbin, who is in jail for a reason his parents won't tell him. Zak finds out that his uncle was put in jail because he was a traitor and used his robots to destroy a factory. Zak knows that his uncle couldn't be a traitor and wouldn't build evil robots and he decides to find out the truth. Zak finds the plans to build one of his uncles robots called a "Guardian." Zak and his friends decide to build the Guardian and prove that his uncles robots are not evil, but things do not go as planned...
First I have to say - WHAT A COOL COVER! The cover art is awesome. There was a lot good action, excitement and cool robot stuff. Mr. Russo also put in a lot of humor mixed in, which I always like in a story. The story itself was good and fun to read, but it wasn't as involved as I would have liked. I had a bit of trouble picturing the settings in my head and I wanted a bit more to the plot. The characters of Zak and his friends were good characters that were fun to read about. One thing I didn't like was that there was cursing throughout the book (by some of the adult characters). The book was written for kids older than me and cursing sometimes adds to a character's personality. It was more than I like (I don't want any), but may not be a problem for other kids. I was surprised to find out that the book takes place in the 20th century. It made a cool dystopian setting.
**NOTE I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First I have to say - WHAT A COOL COVER! The cover art is awesome. There was a lot good action, excitement and cool robot stuff. Mr. Russo also put in a lot of humor mixed in, which I always like in a story. The story itself was good and fun to read, but it wasn't as involved as I would have liked. I had a bit of trouble picturing the settings in my head and I wanted a bit more to the plot. The characters of Zak and his friends were good characters that were fun to read about. One thing I didn't like was that there was cursing throughout the book (by some of the adult characters). The book was written for kids older than me and cursing sometimes adds to a character's personality. It was more than I like (I don't want any), but may not be a problem for other kids. I was surprised to find out that the book takes place in the 20th century. It made a cool dystopian setting.
**NOTE I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2024
Enjoyed a lot of the robot (and kids interacting with robots) stuff, surprised by how some of the discussion of militarized police thinking existed even when this book was published.
Disclaimer: Received this book for free through Goodreads' First Reads giveaway program.
Pull quotes/notes
"Her face was attractive, but not overtly painted like most of the other girls at the school, and whenever he passed her in the corridor he could not help but notice that her eyes were a deep blue." (19) ah I see, a classic Not Like Other Girls
"'Um. Can I watch?'
She eyed him, a trace of suspicion in her voice. 'Why?'
'Well, I kind of ... might be .. sorta interested in watching you dance.'
'I really don't think you'll find it all that exciting.'" (61) definitely a seesawing thing here for me where I was like "as an adult, this is creepy" "but as a kid, this probably would've been an interaction my friends had"
"Lisabeth started to recognize homes and streets: there was the playground where she used to frolic with her friends when she was little and the public pool where she learned how to swim." (188) frolic
"The bulk of the robot's midsection and leg drives were covered in armor plate, all crazy right angles and perpendicular surfaces." (222) what is the difference between a right angle and a perpendicular in this context
Disclaimer: Received this book for free through Goodreads' First Reads giveaway program.
Pull quotes/notes
"Her face was attractive, but not overtly painted like most of the other girls at the school, and whenever he passed her in the corridor he could not help but notice that her eyes were a deep blue." (19) ah I see, a classic Not Like Other Girls
"'Um. Can I watch?'
She eyed him, a trace of suspicion in her voice. 'Why?'
'Well, I kind of ... might be .. sorta interested in watching you dance.'
'I really don't think you'll find it all that exciting.'" (61) definitely a seesawing thing here for me where I was like "as an adult, this is creepy" "but as a kid, this probably would've been an interaction my friends had"
"Lisabeth started to recognize homes and streets: there was the playground where she used to frolic with her friends when she was little and the public pool where she learned how to swim." (188) frolic
"The bulk of the robot's midsection and leg drives were covered in armor plate, all crazy right angles and perpendicular surfaces." (222) what is the difference between a right angle and a perpendicular in this context
January 15, 2013
My middle-school son loved this book!!! The story began in futuristic 1940 with a misunderstood mad scientist, Doctor Corbin, to fifteen years later with his nephew, Zak Corbin wanting to discover everything he can about this uncle who is in prison for the robots he created. Zak's fascination with robots and his uncle's past bring him to create a banned robot, and Zak doesn't quite realize what he is getting himself into.
*Won on Goodreads*
*Won on Goodreads*
October 5, 2013
A brilliant adventure for kids and adults alike.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews