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A.S.H.E.R.
Dear Author,
Tell me about a day in the life of this sexbot. Maybe it’s the day he’s first been unpacked and settled into his new home! Maybe it’s sometime after he’s settled into a routine. And what IS that routine, anyway? Is he privately owned? Is he on staff at a sexy high-tech brothel? Has he become self-aware enough to run away from the sexy high-tech brothel and follow his heart circuits in search of a better life and someone who can love a synthetic man?
Photo Description:
A human-like robot, apparently naked, lies on a bed of packing peanuts. He has just been unboxed, and waits for his new owner’s first orders.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Tell me about a day in the life of this sexbot. Maybe it’s the day he’s first been unpacked and settled into his new home! Maybe it’s sometime after he’s settled into a routine. And what IS that routine, anyway? Is he privately owned? Is he on staff at a sexy high-tech brothel? Has he become self-aware enough to run away from the sexy high-tech brothel and follow his heart circuits in search of a better life and someone who can love a synthetic man?
Photo Description:
A human-like robot, apparently naked, lies on a bed of packing peanuts. He has just been unboxed, and waits for his new owner’s first orders.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
53 pages, ebook
First published July 18, 2013
About the author
Kallysten
134 books432 followersKallysten is a writer of romance novels and short stories, most of them with paranormal elements.
Her first eBooks were published by Linden Bay Romance in 2005. The defunct Venus Press subsequently published a few of her short stories. Because so many of her stories are linked as series and part of the same universe, she decided it would make sense to have them all in the same place, which is why she self-published, first with the co-op Alinar Publishing and now on her own. When she sees calls for submissions that speak to her muse, she sometimes tries for them, and was published this way by Samhain and Torquere.
Her first eBooks were published by Linden Bay Romance in 2005. The defunct Venus Press subsequently published a few of her short stories. Because so many of her stories are linked as series and part of the same universe, she decided it would make sense to have them all in the same place, which is why she self-published, first with the co-op Alinar Publishing and now on her own. When she sees calls for submissions that speak to her muse, she sometimes tries for them, and was published this way by Samhain and Torquere.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
July 21, 2013
When Wyatt's mortal husband died, he arranged an ArtLife SynSkin Humanoid Erotic Replacement (or Asher) to help Wyatt go through the days. Asher's purpose is to provide Wyatt with human needs, including sexual pleasure...
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Oh, I LOVED this story!! I always enjoy reading an AI robot learning human ways and feelings. At first Wyatt didn't want to do anything with Asher, but Asher learned day by day about what he could do to please his vampire owner, like the easy thing of warming the blood for Wyatt's consumption.
This story was so good; Asher came alive in these (virtual) pages and I really felt for him. From the way he questioned Wyatt about what Wyatt wanted, the way he analyzed data to understand better. There was one scene that a bit heartbreaking, when Wyatt was so upset with Asher's accessing his past and he told Asher to take himself offline ... and for the first time Asher felt fear.
There was sex here but it happened off-screen. It fit with the story, with the hopeful ending. Since Asher couldn't grow old, I thought these unlikely pairing could live such long life together and Asher could learn more about being, well, 'human' ... maybe help Wyatt with his books here and there.
Another easy favorite from this event.
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Oh, I LOVED this story!! I always enjoy reading an AI robot learning human ways and feelings. At first Wyatt didn't want to do anything with Asher, but Asher learned day by day about what he could do to please his vampire owner, like the easy thing of warming the blood for Wyatt's consumption.
This story was so good; Asher came alive in these (virtual) pages and I really felt for him. From the way he questioned Wyatt about what Wyatt wanted, the way he analyzed data to understand better. There was one scene that a bit heartbreaking, when Wyatt was so upset with Asher's accessing his past and he told Asher to take himself offline ... and for the first time Asher felt fear.
There was sex here but it happened off-screen. It fit with the story, with the hopeful ending. Since Asher couldn't grow old, I thought these unlikely pairing could live such long life together and Asher could learn more about being, well, 'human' ... maybe help Wyatt with his books here and there.
Another easy favorite from this event.
January 12, 2020
The most dominant impression I got from this story was: It's uneventful.
Asher is a sexbot who is unpacked by a guy named Wyatt. Asher tries to understand the world around him. He knows that he was gifted by another man to Wyatt. Apparently the other man isn't there anymore, though.
Wyatt refuses to deal with Asher, but he also doesn't send him back to the factory. Wyatt turns out to be a , which felt a bit like overkill in a short story like this.
Anyway, as Asher is programmed to like reading, he and Wyatt get along in the long run. And it's gonna be a looong run.
Yeah.
3 stars
Asher is a sexbot who is unpacked by a guy named Wyatt. Asher tries to understand the world around him. He knows that he was gifted by another man to Wyatt. Apparently the other man isn't there anymore, though.
Wyatt refuses to deal with Asher, but he also doesn't send him back to the factory. Wyatt turns out to be a , which felt a bit like overkill in a short story like this.
Anyway, as Asher is programmed to like reading, he and Wyatt get along in the long run. And it's gonna be a looong run.
Yeah.
3 stars
July 18, 2013
I have a thing for robot stories and they are hard to find! This one is cute. It's well-written and the internal thoughts of the robot are very believable. I would have liked a little more heat on the page I think, and it sort of ended just as things were getting interesting. But it's a fun short story.
September 29, 2013
fun, but undercooked.
Nice idea, but the pacing effectively built tension towards a satisfying resolution that never arrived.
It felt like a piece casting about to find its footing, before settling on the first halfway-reasonable conclusion possible.
I'd have liked a clearer sense of forethought in the plotting, in other words. A sense that everything I'd read could only conclude the way it did, and that it was worth it.
I didn't feel that way at all. I felt let-down, despite the clean prose and overall air of competence.
Nice idea, but the pacing effectively built tension towards a satisfying resolution that never arrived.
It felt like a piece casting about to find its footing, before settling on the first halfway-reasonable conclusion possible.
I'd have liked a clearer sense of forethought in the plotting, in other words. A sense that everything I'd read could only conclude the way it did, and that it was worth it.
I didn't feel that way at all. I felt let-down, despite the clean prose and overall air of competence.
July 20, 2013
This was a delightful surprise contribution to the LHNB event.
I loved ASHER's processing as he analyzed the situation with Wyatt. The premise for his existence was quite touching and sweet for a sexbot. BUT, what I loved most is the questioning of what constitutes "humanity" in this story, for neither ASHER nor Wyatt are.
ASHER's journey reminds me a bit of Data from Star Trek Next Generation, probably my favorite character from the series since he asked all the interesting questions in my mind.
I loved ASHER's processing as he analyzed the situation with Wyatt. The premise for his existence was quite touching and sweet for a sexbot. BUT, what I loved most is the questioning of what constitutes "humanity" in this story, for neither ASHER nor Wyatt are.
ASHER's journey reminds me a bit of Data from Star Trek Next Generation, probably my favorite character from the series since he asked all the interesting questions in my mind.
July 18, 2013
I very much enjoyed this sweet story,. The methodical and reflective style beautifully reflected the mindset of the sexbot narrator.
Trying to come to an understanding of Wyatt at the same time as Asher is a lovely highlight. The ending is most satisfying.
Trying to come to an understanding of Wyatt at the same time as Asher is a lovely highlight. The ending is most satisfying.
June 1, 2014
Not my cup of tea. Don't get me wrong it is well written and all that.
However the idea of sex robots that are able to think and experience emotions are very disturbing.
His [Asher's] last thought was that this was what fear must be like.
What makes us humans? Not so much as our body as our brains, and Asher's program could mimic our brain work enough to make me uneasy.
However the idea of sex robots that are able to think and experience emotions are very disturbing.
His [Asher's] last thought was that this was what fear must be like.
What makes us humans? Not so much as our body as our brains, and Asher's program could mimic our brain work enough to make me uneasy.
September 10, 2013
Wait. Did it just end?
Seriously? After all that build up? Oh. Good. Gravy.
Asher is a robot who is programmed for Wyatt by his late husband.
I we spend the whole book watching Asher chip away at Wyatt. After all all Asher wants is to please his owner. So the tug and pull of these two goes on and on.
Then when Wyatt finally defrosted some it ends.
Without pleasure??
Ugh. Cyborg is not my thing on the best of days. But, I feel like this was working. There was just enough human element. So here I am waiting. Right. Sex robot... Check, vampire needs... Check, hot clashing of wills in sex. Not so much.
It was easy to read and I liked the writing style. But, I feel let down. Yes the emotional aspect was there. ::sigh::
Seriously? After all that build up? Oh. Good. Gravy.
Asher is a robot who is programmed for Wyatt by his late husband.
I we spend the whole book watching Asher chip away at Wyatt. After all all Asher wants is to please his owner. So the tug and pull of these two goes on and on.
Then when Wyatt finally defrosted some it ends.
Without pleasure??
Ugh. Cyborg is not my thing on the best of days. But, I feel like this was working. There was just enough human element. So here I am waiting. Right. Sex robot... Check, vampire needs... Check, hot clashing of wills in sex. Not so much.
It was easy to read and I liked the writing style. But, I feel let down. Yes the emotional aspect was there. ::sigh::
June 16, 2015
What?! No! It can't end!! This was a gem but far too short. I loved seeing Asher evolve and learn. I felt for Wyatt in his grief, struggling to accept his loss and move on. Wonderfully told with a tentative HFN - would love to read the rest of the story.
July 18, 2013
How weird that I identified with the robot, Asher, in this! But I guess the author did a great job making him (it?) believable and sympathetic. This was sweet and a bit sad too, yes, but well done.
August 25, 2016
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love Has No Boundaries Anthology: Volume 6. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
3.5 stars Awesome pic! This was a really wonderful short, and I'm always a fan of these robot-becomes-sentient/human plots. However, most of the story is Asher beginning to evolve and Wyatt in various stages of grumpy. This was a great beginning, and the ending was OK, but I really think it could have been great if we'd gotten to follow the guys a little longer after they got together.
July 18, 2013
I really enjoyed this story. I think you captured the essence of A.S.H.E.R. aka Asher. I like how the longer he 'gathered' data, the more A.S.H.E.R became Asher. He started to become an individual and not one of mass production. I like reading how Asher was starting to figure out he didn't have all the answers in his data; he was starting to figure out his own version of emotion.
Also like how Lance's last action helped Wyatt. Lance knew Wyatt very well and didn't want him to be alone. He had allowed Asher's learning function on max. Wyatt would probably been wallowing in sorrow far much longer if Asher wasn't there. Wyatt little by little started to let himself back open because of Asher. I was pleased with the ending.
Also like how Lance's last action helped Wyatt. Lance knew Wyatt very well and didn't want him to be alone. He had allowed Asher's learning function on max. Wyatt would probably been wallowing in sorrow far much longer if Asher wasn't there. Wyatt little by little started to let himself back open because of Asher. I was pleased with the ending.
July 22, 2013
I absolutely loved this story. I was amazed at the author's use of the prompt as a springboard to craft an extremely unique plot that bridged the gap between sci-fi and paranormal and still managed to fit perfectly within the romance genre. The story took me back to the days when I used to read Isaac Asimov's robot novels and watched Bladerunner and I'm wondering why I ever stopped? Kallysten made A.S.H.E.R.'s grappling with his sort-of-human owner's habits and needs extremely endearing, and also created a context where a never ending love between two individuals, one of whom is a machine, makes absolutely perfect sense and is thoroughly romantic. I'm very enthusiastically adding this to my m/m favorites bookshelf!
May 3, 2017
A very well crafted story! I loved watching (along with Wyatt) Asher's journey from "blank slate" to self-realization! I loved the "use of overly precise numbers"...it added a kibibit of humour! ;) My only niggle would be that I wished the final connection between Wyatt and Asher had been more fully explored.
October 20, 2018
I wish this book was longer.
I have gone down the rabbit hole of robots and I can't escape.
I have gone down the rabbit hole of robots and I can't escape.
September 4, 2021
2.5 stars
September 1, 2016
rating: 3.5/5
I loved so much about this short story. First, I really loved the concept, an AI sexbot is delivered in some future time to the doorstep of a vampire courtesy of his deceased human partner. The relationship is beautifully developed, the changed in Asher subtle, the though processes fascinating.
But (and not the good kind of butt :P), it just ended too abruptly. Its like we get this amazing set up and then it just ends unexpectedly, with a short summary happy ending. I feel like they still had a way to go in relationship development and was greatly disappointed. Additionally, despite there being a sexbot there is no sex. I was actually not disappointed about not having graphic sex but I think in this case such a scene could have been very powerful in making Asher's development more complete, to see and feel through his thought processes.
What I hope (but know I'm not going to get) is that the author takes this story and reworks it into a full length novel. This is a story that can't be told in a measly 53 pages, at least not well, and I see the potential for an amazing full length novel here... but it isn't quite there yet.
I loved so much about this short story. First, I really loved the concept, an AI sexbot is delivered in some future time to the doorstep of a vampire courtesy of his deceased human partner. The relationship is beautifully developed, the changed in Asher subtle, the though processes fascinating.
But (and not the good kind of butt :P), it just ended too abruptly. Its like we get this amazing set up and then it just ends unexpectedly, with a short summary happy ending. I feel like they still had a way to go in relationship development and was greatly disappointed. Additionally, despite there being a sexbot there is no sex. I was actually not disappointed about not having graphic sex but I think in this case such a scene could have been very powerful in making Asher's development more complete, to see and feel through his thought processes.
What I hope (but know I'm not going to get) is that the author takes this story and reworks it into a full length novel. This is a story that can't be told in a measly 53 pages, at least not well, and I see the potential for an amazing full length novel here... but it isn't quite there yet.
August 30, 2013
Wow. This was an awesome story.
If you like M/M romance, artificial intelligence, sci-fi or vampires, you should definitely check out this story. It's not super angsty like a lot of vamp fiction is, but it does an amazing job of evoking emotion and sympathy, and it is almost impossible not to love the characters.
Asher is so unbelievably believable. Definitely one of the best portrayals of an artificial intelligence learning what it means to have emotions I have EVER read. He was so delightfully not human, and yet was still sooo adorable. Watching him grow was a true pleasure. The writing is also amazing, perhaps even more admirable for being a free short story. Zero errors in grammar or continuity that I noticed, and from what I've seen, that is definitely not always the case in LHNB stories. I'm not sure whether I'm more impressed by the characters or the writing. Either way, this short story is absolutely worth your time.
If you like M/M romance, artificial intelligence, sci-fi or vampires, you should definitely check out this story. It's not super angsty like a lot of vamp fiction is, but it does an amazing job of evoking emotion and sympathy, and it is almost impossible not to love the characters.
Asher is so unbelievably believable. Definitely one of the best portrayals of an artificial intelligence learning what it means to have emotions I have EVER read. He was so delightfully not human, and yet was still sooo adorable. Watching him grow was a true pleasure. The writing is also amazing, perhaps even more admirable for being a free short story. Zero errors in grammar or continuity that I noticed, and from what I've seen, that is definitely not always the case in LHNB stories. I'm not sure whether I'm more impressed by the characters or the writing. Either way, this short story is absolutely worth your time.
May 11, 2014
The author did a fantastic job of portraying the cool and aloof personality of a vampire and the more mechanical personality of a sexbot; however, both had just enough hint of vulnerability to make them very appealing. In fact, I really fell in love with Asher. His quirky number usage, the way he kept trying to learn and please his owner, and the way he somehow grew to have some feelings just made him loveable to me. I’d have thoroughly enjoyed more of this story, but I was more than satisfied with how this one turned out. A great take on an interesting picture prompt – awesome!
August 1, 2013
Yes - I have one complaint about the story....why did it end? I mean, it ended a a point where I really wanted to know more, how these so different "entities" are going to arrange themselves with each other...
It was cute, funny, sweet and the numbers added a really nice touch to it. The built up from robot to learning intelligence with "emotions" was well done and really cute.
More, please...
It was cute, funny, sweet and the numbers added a really nice touch to it. The built up from robot to learning intelligence with "emotions" was well done and really cute.
More, please...
August 15, 2013
I loved this short story about Wyatt a vampire who's human lover has recently died and Asher the robot sent to keep him company.
At first Wyatt doesn't want anything to do with Asher, and Asher struggles to understand what's expected of him when Wyatt doesn't follow any of the patterns in his programming. Gradually, however Asher works out how to win Wyatt over and become a companion for him.
It's sweet rather than hot, but that fits the story and the tone of the writing perfectly.
At first Wyatt doesn't want anything to do with Asher, and Asher struggles to understand what's expected of him when Wyatt doesn't follow any of the patterns in his programming. Gradually, however Asher works out how to win Wyatt over and become a companion for him.
It's sweet rather than hot, but that fits the story and the tone of the writing perfectly.
November 10, 2013
"A.S.H.E.R. unit— an ArtLife SynSkin Humanoid Erotic Replacement." <---say that 3 times real fast
Meh… something just didn't quite come together for me with this one. Maybe it was the computer speak, exact timing, distance & measurements of everything. Maybe it was the pacing. Something just didn't work. I didn't care about either MC or invest in their story. The writing's pretty good, just needs some pizazz.
Meh… something just didn't quite come together for me with this one. Maybe it was the computer speak, exact timing, distance & measurements of everything. Maybe it was the pacing. Something just didn't work. I didn't care about either MC or invest in their story. The writing's pretty good, just needs some pizazz.
January 15, 2017
4.1 Stars
Oh wow, this was much better than I thought it was going to be.
I have real issues with the ability for a sex-bot to consent and the evolution in this book where he proves his programming is not the basis for affection before any intimacy was just what I needed. I love stories exploring the ramifications of AIs gaining consciousness (Blade Runner, Humans, Almost Human) and I could have read an entire book on Asher's character growth.
Oh wow, this was much better than I thought it was going to be.
I have real issues with the ability for a sex-bot to consent and the evolution in this book where he proves his programming is not the basis for affection before any intimacy was just what I needed. I love stories exploring the ramifications of AIs gaining consciousness (Blade Runner, Humans, Almost Human) and I could have read an entire book on Asher's character growth.
July 18, 2013
I truly like the entire concept of this story. It just felt to me that the build up took so long and it was so in depth and the ending just fell flat for me. It was like I was engrossed up until the end and then that was just cut off. I wish it had been longer and told more about them making love and caring for one another.
July 18, 2013
I loved everything about this story except the end. All that build up, and then a too quick wrap up without the goods?!
I want to experience that last scene, and have more time with these great characters.
I want to experience that last scene, and have more time with these great characters.
May 5, 2017
This was a nice little story. I liked how it focused on just the two protagonists and watching Asher's changes over the weeks was really interesting. The length was perfect for the plot that was told.
September 10, 2016
Fabulous story. Very believable. A.S.H.E.R. was absolutely the best robot.
July 18, 2013
Here's my review, Kallysten. Thanks for sharing!
Enjoyment of storyline - 100%
Story Pace - 100% right on
Characters like-ability - 100%
TOTAL 100% = 5 SWEET STARS
Enjoyment of storyline - 100%
Story Pace - 100% right on
Characters like-ability - 100%
TOTAL 100% = 5 SWEET STARS
March 23, 2014
I wasn't expecting to love this story but I do! Not at all what I imagined it would be - it was so much more! The writing is perfection, the story so original - a must read!
January 2, 2017
Amazingly sweet romance from the eyes of innocence. Learning to love from a sexbots point of view. Beautifully written.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews