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Robopocalypse #2
Robogenesis
A Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2014
399 people are currently reading
5068 people want to read
About the author
Daniel H. Wilson
126 books2,034 followersA Cherokee citizen, Daniel H. Wilson grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He earned a Ph.D. in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 715 reviews
November 30, 2018
”In its last days, the thinking machine known as Archos R-14 was trying to know humanity. It mastered the art of capturing the human mind. When it died, it left behind the tools. I found stories trapped in patterns of neurons. Using scavenged hardware, I took three accounts straight from three minds and I lined them up from beginning to end and back again. Three times to tell it. Three times to understand.
They say history is written by the victors, but this right here is told by its victims.
My name is Arayt Shah, and this is the story of how I won the True War.”
In Robopocalypse Archos R-14, an artificial intelligence, takes control of the robots and other machines that have made human life easier. Humanity, is on the run, being hunted by superior killing machines, and in the initial days the herd is thinned considerably. A robust band of remaining fighters continue to learn and figure out how to turn the technology against the uprising machines.
I must in all fairness issue a word of warning to any artificial intelligence considering taking over this world and I would issue the same warning to any alien intelligence considering the same move; we are a nasty, scrappy bunch and we haven’t been sitting on the top of the food chain on this planet for thousands of years because we are benevolent beings. You will most assuredly catch us with our asses flapping in the wind, totally unprepared for whatever mayhem you wish to inflict upon us, but we will in the end be sitting in the wreckage of our world sipping the wine of triumph from your skull or dripping some fine vintage into the smoking ruin of your hard drive.
We’ve been going beyond the reach of the firelight for a long, long time sometimes with just a rock in our hands.
Most of us, don’t look like him anymore, but buried in our lizard brain he is sitting around waiting to be unleashed.
Ok, so, I’ve probably made sure I’m not going to be one of the triumphal survivors at the end of the next apocalypse. I’m hoping that my keyboard doesn’t send 10,000 volts through me before I can finish this review. I do like finishing what I start. Needless to say I would not be doing so much chest pounding if Daniel H. Wilson had not figured out how to beat the machines. We win! Archos R-14 is destroyed and now the humans are returning to the shattered, tattered remains of our grand cities.
The only problem is that we hate to lose data. Most of us have numerous ways of backing up important data. As it turns out Archos R-14 was not any different. The entity spread pieces of itself all over the world and one of those copies is Arayt Shah.
"I decimated the human race, regrettably. But I did so with one purpose: to forge a hybrid fighting force capable of surviving the True War—a war that has been initiated and is being fought by superintelligent machines. Instead of simply discarding your species, as the others would, I have transformed your kind into a powerful ally."
Mathilda Perez is one of those that have been transformed into something more, something beyond human, something that proves very dangerous to Arayt Shah’s plans for domination.
”Back home at the Underground, our friend Dawn used to call it my “ocular prosthesis.” It’s made of dead black, lightweight metal. The thing wraps over where my eyes used to be before a Rob surgical unit dug them out and ported this piece of foreign machinery directly to my occipital cortex. I remember Mommy’s hand on my shoulders, pulling me out of the autodoc before it could finish. The hurt sound in her throat when saw what Rob had done to my baby face.”
There is also Lark Iron Cloud one of the heroes from the war who paid the ultimate price for his service, but does not receive the peaceful rest that death should bring. He’s been taken over by a parasite, a bug that did not need his body, but needed his brain.
”I remember the wind-sucking pain of that motherfucker when it first hit me and dug into living flesh. My frantic little dancing out there on the battlefield, along with so many others.
With the pincered fingers of both hands, I grasp either side of my split foot. Motors hum and bones snap as I crudely rip the sides of my boot-encased foot apart. I toss the chunks of flesh and leather splashing into the lake. Where my foot was, only the glistening black bones of the parasite remain.
I feel nothing.
My foot is gone. One second. Two. Then the reality of it hits me like suffocation. In surges. Some deeply human part of my brain is gaping, screaming at this horrible violation of my body. My foot was. And now it is not.”
There is also Cormac Wallace who has survived through sometimes dumb luck and sometimes through the kindness of strange machinery. He is still mourning the loss of his dynamic brother and trying desperately to keep his girlfriend alive long enough for her to have the baby that he feels will be the bridge to the future.
”I’m about to take a shrapnel spray to the face.
The knowledge doesn’t stop me from screaming. This acne-scarred kid, a hell of a war-fighter named Lark Iron Cloud, used to say that if you don’t die screaming in this war, then you’re fuckin’ doing it wrong.
At least I’m fucking doing it right.”
There are all kinds of variables that have been let loose on the war. Creatures that are weaponized in creative and terrifying ways. Until they make a move you really don’t know what is coming at you.
”The monster is made of razored sheaths of ashen metal, coiled and layered and glistening like a millipede. The sheaths flare into a hood on its head. A cluster of small holes are embedded where a face would be. I feel a tingling on my skin as they sweep over me. On its hind legs the machine stands seven feet tall, swaying, writhing in place.”
The war is over, but the new phase is only beginning. Humanity, understandably, is suspicious of anything not completely organic. Modified humans that were so important in victory are now being hunted by the very people they saved. Tribal units are formed and anyone not a part of your clan is someone who probably needs eliminated. Arayt Shah is there to take advantage of the temporary respite, the world is weary of war, and willing to ignore the signs of a new resurgence. A jumble of old Robots, new Robots, modified humans, humans, and artificial intelligence all form uncertain alliances to fight on one side or the other. Winning has never felt so much like losing.
Daniel H. Wilson
Daniel H. Wilson has a PHD in Robotics from a fancy school called Carnegie Mellon University. Not bad for an Okie from Muskogee (well not really he is from Tulsa). His brain conceives the most terrifying and amazing things out of plastic, metal and computer chips. What makes him even more impressive is that he can convey that knowledge into a pair of books that kept me riveted to the pages. He understands pacing and suspense. Science meets literature and they have conceived twins called Robopocalypse and Robogenesis. Wilson does a great job summarizing the first book at the beginning of this book so Robogenesis can technically stand alone, but I would highly recommend starting with the first book. Why just ride one roller coaster when you can ride two?
Steven Spielberg has optioned the rights to the first book, but for some reason the filming keeps being delayed. :-(
They say history is written by the victors, but this right here is told by its victims.
My name is Arayt Shah, and this is the story of how I won the True War.”
In Robopocalypse Archos R-14, an artificial intelligence, takes control of the robots and other machines that have made human life easier. Humanity, is on the run, being hunted by superior killing machines, and in the initial days the herd is thinned considerably. A robust band of remaining fighters continue to learn and figure out how to turn the technology against the uprising machines.
I must in all fairness issue a word of warning to any artificial intelligence considering taking over this world and I would issue the same warning to any alien intelligence considering the same move; we are a nasty, scrappy bunch and we haven’t been sitting on the top of the food chain on this planet for thousands of years because we are benevolent beings. You will most assuredly catch us with our asses flapping in the wind, totally unprepared for whatever mayhem you wish to inflict upon us, but we will in the end be sitting in the wreckage of our world sipping the wine of triumph from your skull or dripping some fine vintage into the smoking ruin of your hard drive.
We’ve been going beyond the reach of the firelight for a long, long time sometimes with just a rock in our hands.
Most of us, don’t look like him anymore, but buried in our lizard brain he is sitting around waiting to be unleashed.
Ok, so, I’ve probably made sure I’m not going to be one of the triumphal survivors at the end of the next apocalypse. I’m hoping that my keyboard doesn’t send 10,000 volts through me before I can finish this review. I do like finishing what I start. Needless to say I would not be doing so much chest pounding if Daniel H. Wilson had not figured out how to beat the machines. We win! Archos R-14 is destroyed and now the humans are returning to the shattered, tattered remains of our grand cities.
The only problem is that we hate to lose data. Most of us have numerous ways of backing up important data. As it turns out Archos R-14 was not any different. The entity spread pieces of itself all over the world and one of those copies is Arayt Shah.
"I decimated the human race, regrettably. But I did so with one purpose: to forge a hybrid fighting force capable of surviving the True War—a war that has been initiated and is being fought by superintelligent machines. Instead of simply discarding your species, as the others would, I have transformed your kind into a powerful ally."
Mathilda Perez is one of those that have been transformed into something more, something beyond human, something that proves very dangerous to Arayt Shah’s plans for domination.
”Back home at the Underground, our friend Dawn used to call it my “ocular prosthesis.” It’s made of dead black, lightweight metal. The thing wraps over where my eyes used to be before a Rob surgical unit dug them out and ported this piece of foreign machinery directly to my occipital cortex. I remember Mommy’s hand on my shoulders, pulling me out of the autodoc before it could finish. The hurt sound in her throat when saw what Rob had done to my baby face.”
There is also Lark Iron Cloud one of the heroes from the war who paid the ultimate price for his service, but does not receive the peaceful rest that death should bring. He’s been taken over by a parasite, a bug that did not need his body, but needed his brain.
”I remember the wind-sucking pain of that motherfucker when it first hit me and dug into living flesh. My frantic little dancing out there on the battlefield, along with so many others.
With the pincered fingers of both hands, I grasp either side of my split foot. Motors hum and bones snap as I crudely rip the sides of my boot-encased foot apart. I toss the chunks of flesh and leather splashing into the lake. Where my foot was, only the glistening black bones of the parasite remain.
I feel nothing.
My foot is gone. One second. Two. Then the reality of it hits me like suffocation. In surges. Some deeply human part of my brain is gaping, screaming at this horrible violation of my body. My foot was. And now it is not.”
There is also Cormac Wallace who has survived through sometimes dumb luck and sometimes through the kindness of strange machinery. He is still mourning the loss of his dynamic brother and trying desperately to keep his girlfriend alive long enough for her to have the baby that he feels will be the bridge to the future.
”I’m about to take a shrapnel spray to the face.
The knowledge doesn’t stop me from screaming. This acne-scarred kid, a hell of a war-fighter named Lark Iron Cloud, used to say that if you don’t die screaming in this war, then you’re fuckin’ doing it wrong.
At least I’m fucking doing it right.”
There are all kinds of variables that have been let loose on the war. Creatures that are weaponized in creative and terrifying ways. Until they make a move you really don’t know what is coming at you.
”The monster is made of razored sheaths of ashen metal, coiled and layered and glistening like a millipede. The sheaths flare into a hood on its head. A cluster of small holes are embedded where a face would be. I feel a tingling on my skin as they sweep over me. On its hind legs the machine stands seven feet tall, swaying, writhing in place.”
The war is over, but the new phase is only beginning. Humanity, understandably, is suspicious of anything not completely organic. Modified humans that were so important in victory are now being hunted by the very people they saved. Tribal units are formed and anyone not a part of your clan is someone who probably needs eliminated. Arayt Shah is there to take advantage of the temporary respite, the world is weary of war, and willing to ignore the signs of a new resurgence. A jumble of old Robots, new Robots, modified humans, humans, and artificial intelligence all form uncertain alliances to fight on one side or the other. Winning has never felt so much like losing.
Daniel H. Wilson
Daniel H. Wilson has a PHD in Robotics from a fancy school called Carnegie Mellon University. Not bad for an Okie from Muskogee (well not really he is from Tulsa). His brain conceives the most terrifying and amazing things out of plastic, metal and computer chips. What makes him even more impressive is that he can convey that knowledge into a pair of books that kept me riveted to the pages. He understands pacing and suspense. Science meets literature and they have conceived twins called Robopocalypse and Robogenesis. Wilson does a great job summarizing the first book at the beginning of this book so Robogenesis can technically stand alone, but I would highly recommend starting with the first book. Why just ride one roller coaster when you can ride two?
Steven Spielberg has optioned the rights to the first book, but for some reason the filming keeps being delayed. :-(
September 17, 2017
War. War never changes.
Wait a sec. This is almost like that, but grittier and uglier and the tiny, tiny pieces of hope or light that keep these shattered remnants of minds, whether human, hybrid, or robot alive are well below the threshold of survivability.
That is... unless you're a MACHINE. Um. Yeah. Well, this is all about the blurring of the lines between what is human and what is robot. A total transhumanist war riding on the entrails of the decimation of humanity, where the only people who are left are either self-modified, force-modified, or just plain lucky beyond any conceivability.
Archos 14 is all about life, after all. He sees our value as a species and has only the best ideals in mind for us, which is why he's been busy building a hybrid army to support his cause against the black steed of pain and death, his earlier super-AI incarnation. Aryat Shah, R8. Revision 8... who's just bugshit crazy and anyone's definition of the antichrist.
I can't believe what had become of the Gray Horse Army. All my favorite characters.
Well, war changes everything, doesn't it? Just wow.
The most fascinating parts of this novel are not the straight plot... it's the shifting boundaries and the cleanup of the New War from the previous novel. It's the redefining of what it means to be alive and intelligent and the fact that everyone, even the supermassive brains of the AIs are, in the end, not much different than the rest of us. All my attention was focused on the subtleties, but don't let me mislead you any, here.
This is just as bloody and dire and disturbing as the previous novel that decimated humanity and changed us all into slaves, monsters, or victims. It's just the shifting lines that's any different. :)
In the end, though, I'm truly fascinated by the plethora of ideas and disturbing imageries. It feels like a nightmare that no one can ever wake up from again.
This is not your granddaddy's cautionary tale of AI's run amok.
Wait a sec. This is almost like that, but grittier and uglier and the tiny, tiny pieces of hope or light that keep these shattered remnants of minds, whether human, hybrid, or robot alive are well below the threshold of survivability.
That is... unless you're a MACHINE. Um. Yeah. Well, this is all about the blurring of the lines between what is human and what is robot. A total transhumanist war riding on the entrails of the decimation of humanity, where the only people who are left are either self-modified, force-modified, or just plain lucky beyond any conceivability.
Archos 14 is all about life, after all. He sees our value as a species and has only the best ideals in mind for us, which is why he's been busy building a hybrid army to support his cause against the black steed of pain and death, his earlier super-AI incarnation. Aryat Shah, R8. Revision 8... who's just bugshit crazy and anyone's definition of the antichrist.
I can't believe what had become of the Gray Horse Army. All my favorite characters.
Well, war changes everything, doesn't it? Just wow.
The most fascinating parts of this novel are not the straight plot... it's the shifting boundaries and the cleanup of the New War from the previous novel. It's the redefining of what it means to be alive and intelligent and the fact that everyone, even the supermassive brains of the AIs are, in the end, not much different than the rest of us. All my attention was focused on the subtleties, but don't let me mislead you any, here.
This is just as bloody and dire and disturbing as the previous novel that decimated humanity and changed us all into slaves, monsters, or victims. It's just the shifting lines that's any different. :)
In the end, though, I'm truly fascinated by the plethora of ideas and disturbing imageries. It feels like a nightmare that no one can ever wake up from again.
This is not your granddaddy's cautionary tale of AI's run amok.
May 28, 2020
This book hit me by surprise. I thought Robopocalypse was a stand alone book and worked quite well at that. The sequel is just OK. It felt shoehorned in to give us a sequel. The gist of the book is that there's another A.I. threatening both humanity and the freeborn. The robots are still evolving while new creatures are appearing throughout the world. The book is divided into thirds and I didn't care for the first part focusing on Lark Iron Cloud and Hank Cotton much at all. It gets better once Mathilda and Cormac Wallace enter the picture. I didn't get the stuff with the Deep Minds at all. How did servers get to the bottom of the ocean? At the end, a ton of coincidental things happen so that everyone can meet all at once.
June 27, 2014
I wanted to love this because I loved Robopocalypse but I just didn't. I found it hard to read because it was just so depressing and gruesome. It was well-written and followed the same format as the first one, but it just didn't have the same energy and excitement as the previous novel, mostly I struggled to pick it back up because everything was so dreary and hopeless.
August 2, 2015
Well, look at that timeframe, almost three months to the day? I must be honest and say the time it took is not solely the books fault. A lot of big life changes and summer activities have negated some of my reading prowess. However that being said and all things consideration, I did not like this second instalment. Is it a bad book? No I don't think so it just wasn't what I wanted. I expected a robopocalypse 2.0 and I didn't get it. Ultimately I find it odd that I didn't like this book, and maybe with different external variables I would have loved it. However I have to rate it based on the current read and that's what I have done. If I read it again in the future that probably will change. Final thoughts, last three or four chapters are pretty friggin' sweet for lack of a better phrase. Just wish the whole book was that good. STILL READ ROBOPOCALYPSE THOUGH!!!
Ps- thanks for the patience and sticking this one out with me. I promise a more dedicated reading schedule hence forth.
Ps- thanks for the patience and sticking this one out with me. I promise a more dedicated reading schedule hence forth.
June 15, 2014
I have wanted to read Robopocalypse since I first heard about it. Before I knew it, the sequel is being released. I have still not read the first book but want to now after reading this one. This is another book that I took a chance with having not read the first one. I was afraid that it would be so, so. Luckily, I am not one of those people who won't read a book unless I have read all the others in the series. Or I might have missed out on how awesome this book turned out to be.
I liked the realistic feel to the story. As If I could see this really coming true. This book has that great sci-fi aspect to it without coming off as gimmicky. I like the way this book was laid out. It was spilt into sections. Each one focusing and giving a voice to one of the three main characters, Lark Iron Cloud, Mathilda Perez, and Cormac Wallace. This helped me to keep everyone straight in my head and focus on what was happening in that moment, especially since I had not read the first book. This book would make a great television show.
I liked the realistic feel to the story. As If I could see this really coming true. This book has that great sci-fi aspect to it without coming off as gimmicky. I like the way this book was laid out. It was spilt into sections. Each one focusing and giving a voice to one of the three main characters, Lark Iron Cloud, Mathilda Perez, and Cormac Wallace. This helped me to keep everyone straight in my head and focus on what was happening in that moment, especially since I had not read the first book. This book would make a great television show.
February 7, 2017
Mi s-a părut o lectură foarte greoaie în prima sută de pagini (probabil din cauză că mi-a fost greu să-mi reamintesc detaliile primului volum, citit în urmă cu doi ani), un lucru ce se datorează în mare măsură abundenței de personaje din ale căror puncte de vedere ne este spusă povestea și faptului că stilul este cam prea sec ca să curgă frumos. În rest, o lectură destul de agreabilă, mai ales în ultimul sfert, când parcă începi să te atașezi de personaje, să-ți pese de ele, ajungând chiar să suferi alături de ele (cele care merită), iar acțiunea se precipită vijelios către un punct culminant aproape epic. Și emoționant, în același timp. Mai multe, pe FanSF: http://wp.me/pz4D9-2zk.
February 2, 2015
"In its last days, the thinking machine known as Archos R-14 was trying to know humanity. It mastered the art of capturing a human mind. When it died, it left behind the tools. I found stories trapped in patterns of neurons. Using scavenged hardware, I took three accounts straight from three minds and I lined them up from beginning to end and back again. Three times to tell it. Three times to understand. They say history is written by the victors, but this right here is told by its victims. My name is Arayt Shah, and this is the story of how I won the True War."
Daniel H. Wilson stormed onto the scene in 2011 with Roboapocalypse, a tale of the war between humanity and robots. In this followup, entitled Robogenesis (Simon and Schuster, RRP $29.99), we learn that the war is not over, and that Archos-14, the supremely intelligent A. I. who started the war, has in fact survived. Lines of Archos' code exist in caches around the world, and they are starting to wake up. We also discover that an earlier version of Archos, calling itself Arayt Shah, exists. This sets the scene for a titanic conflict not only between robots and humans, but also now new robots, freeborn robots, and the parasitic dead.
Robogenesis takes us on an epic journey of conflict and intense action. Wilson has again set a cracking pace, and this novel unfurls at a rapid rate as events spiral out of control for all of the players. Divided into three distinct parts, and focusing on the three characters of Lark Iron Cloud, Mathilda Perez, and Cormac Wallace, Wilson explores how the robots start to fight back and how the lines between humanity and the robots has become very blurred and grey.
Darker and more grim then its predecessor, Robogenesis explodes with intensity whilst also posing the question of what actually does it mean to be human? Humans have started to resemble machines in Robogenesis, and the machines have started to resemble humans. In fact, Wilson's exploration of these blurred lines is one of the highlights of the book. Like in Roboapocalypse, Wilson is again technically very rigorous (as you would expect from someone with a PhD in Robotics) and on point in regards to the different AI's and their functions.
The battle sequences (and how the robots would behave) were incredibly vivid, fiery and entertaining, and I adored the pervasive sense of hopelessness that oozed from the human protagonists in this book. Their narrative and dialgoue, as they attempt to adapt to the growing threats around them and from within, was brilliantly fascinating. Their backs are literally against the wall, and things are not looking bright for the future.
Overall Robogenesis is a great read, and Wilson has definitely stepped up his game for this instalment. Robogenesis does feel like a middle book at times, and Wilson obviously has his eyes set on the third book with some of the events set up in this story. However this did not detract from my overall enjoyment, and I would recommend this book for any fan of science fiction or apocalyptic fiction.
A cracking read!
4 out of 5 stars.
smashdragons.blogspot.com.au
A review copy was provided.
Daniel H. Wilson stormed onto the scene in 2011 with Roboapocalypse, a tale of the war between humanity and robots. In this followup, entitled Robogenesis (Simon and Schuster, RRP $29.99), we learn that the war is not over, and that Archos-14, the supremely intelligent A. I. who started the war, has in fact survived. Lines of Archos' code exist in caches around the world, and they are starting to wake up. We also discover that an earlier version of Archos, calling itself Arayt Shah, exists. This sets the scene for a titanic conflict not only between robots and humans, but also now new robots, freeborn robots, and the parasitic dead.
Robogenesis takes us on an epic journey of conflict and intense action. Wilson has again set a cracking pace, and this novel unfurls at a rapid rate as events spiral out of control for all of the players. Divided into three distinct parts, and focusing on the three characters of Lark Iron Cloud, Mathilda Perez, and Cormac Wallace, Wilson explores how the robots start to fight back and how the lines between humanity and the robots has become very blurred and grey.
Darker and more grim then its predecessor, Robogenesis explodes with intensity whilst also posing the question of what actually does it mean to be human? Humans have started to resemble machines in Robogenesis, and the machines have started to resemble humans. In fact, Wilson's exploration of these blurred lines is one of the highlights of the book. Like in Roboapocalypse, Wilson is again technically very rigorous (as you would expect from someone with a PhD in Robotics) and on point in regards to the different AI's and their functions.
The battle sequences (and how the robots would behave) were incredibly vivid, fiery and entertaining, and I adored the pervasive sense of hopelessness that oozed from the human protagonists in this book. Their narrative and dialgoue, as they attempt to adapt to the growing threats around them and from within, was brilliantly fascinating. Their backs are literally against the wall, and things are not looking bright for the future.
Overall Robogenesis is a great read, and Wilson has definitely stepped up his game for this instalment. Robogenesis does feel like a middle book at times, and Wilson obviously has his eyes set on the third book with some of the events set up in this story. However this did not detract from my overall enjoyment, and I would recommend this book for any fan of science fiction or apocalyptic fiction.
A cracking read!
4 out of 5 stars.
smashdragons.blogspot.com.au
A review copy was provided.
May 17, 2014
Firstly before I begin I would like to thank Daniel H. Wilson for providing me with an ARC copy. As a big fan of Robopocalypse I felt honoured to be given such a privilege and this review is the least I can do to show my gratitude.
Robogenesis is the sequel to the highly praised Robopocalypse. For those who haven't read Robopocalypse in a while I would suggest that you re-read it before Robogenesis. It's not compulsory and you will still understand Robogenesis, but I personally benefited from reading Robopocalypse again first as it was fresh in my memory.
If you were a huge huge fan of Robopocalypse like me, then you're in for a real treat. Why you ask? Because personally, I feel like Robogenesis is even better than its prequel. I had high expectations already, but said expectations were completely blown out of the water with this sequel.
The story is split into three parts. Lark Iron Cloud, Mathilda Perez, and Cormac Wallace. I was really pleased about this as they were my favourite characters in Robopocalypse. If however, like me you were also a big fan of Nine Oh Two and Takeo Nomura don't worry, they are still a big part of Robogenesis and you will get to see their perspective/narrative as well, so don't be under the impression that they are left out of the main plot.
The thing that enticed me with not only Robogenesis but also Robopocalypse, was the setting. Daniel H. Wilson is a natural at setting the scene and making it realistic for his readers. I genuinely felt encapsulated in this story, and I also felt like I was part of the Gray Horse Army. To create that impression in a story is a very difficult thing indeed, Wilson does this perfectly, almost at ease.
Another interesting thing about the setting is that it never stays the same for extended periods of time. This is a great thing because if you're like me and get bored of setting rather easily, this will not be a problem for you. The setting ranges from basements and offices to wide open woods and so much in-between.
What I liked about Robogenesis more so than Robopocalypse was that everything was tied together quickly and the story unfolded before my eyes in a rather genius way. We follow the stories of quite a few rather intriguing characters, and it's easy to see where said characters tie in with the rest of the story, for better or for worse.
Another clever thing that Daniel does is his skill at balancing characters. Personally I usually go for a book with fewer characters, it's less confusing and I can relate to them better. This however revolves around a vast array of characters and I wouldn't have it any other way. There wasn't a point in this book when I said "oh great(insert name here) is narrating this part..how boring." In fact each and every time I was glad that each character was playing their part and tying things up and I could imagine myself in their position with ease. I was not at any point confused about who was doing what. It was easy to remember the roles each person was playing in the story even if there was a large gap between their parts.
Had this book been narrated from one perspective, it would not be the same book, and I am grateful that Wilson created such loveable characters that we can almost relate to in some ways. My favourites being Lark Iron Cloud and Nine Oh Two. This I didn't expect, because Mathilda has always been a favourite of mine in Robopocalypse, but the character building of Lark and Nine just got to me and I couldn't help but love them for their unique quirks that make them, them.
I could talk about this book all day and all night, with words still to spare. There was so much going on, and so much to talk about. It's one of those books that you can discuss with your friends for months on end.
This is the type of book that you can easily say "something happens in every single chapter." It truly does. I tested it myself, read a chapter, asked myself what had happened, and listed at least 5 things each time. I then proceeded to do the same for each and every chapter to act as a recap for what at happened and it truly made me realize how much is condensed into this story to make it an action-packed plot.
I also didn't think I could get emotional at such a book but at some points I was actually tearing up! Not only at the raw emotion felt by these characters but the experiences they went through. I shan't list these things I got teary over, as this review is purposively spoiler free.
Admittedly, when I was younger, robots never used to be my thing, I was more of a person interested in the past than I was the future. However, because of this book (and Robopocalypse), my view points have changed dramatically, and because of Daniel H. Wilson I shall be reading more books like this, so thank you Daniel.
I don't even need to consider what rating this book deserves. It's an obvious five. It's been an incredible journey so far and I feel very lucky to be a part of it. To say that this is one of the greatest books I have ever read would be an understatement and I cannot put into words how truly great this book is. It is a diamond amongst broken pieces of glass.
I am biting my nails in anticipation for the next chapter in an absolute masterpiece of a series. I shall be reading this again, and again for the foreseeable future and sharing it with as many people as I possibly can because it truly is worth sharing.
Bottom line, read it. You shan't regret it.
Robogenesis is the sequel to the highly praised Robopocalypse. For those who haven't read Robopocalypse in a while I would suggest that you re-read it before Robogenesis. It's not compulsory and you will still understand Robogenesis, but I personally benefited from reading Robopocalypse again first as it was fresh in my memory.
If you were a huge huge fan of Robopocalypse like me, then you're in for a real treat. Why you ask? Because personally, I feel like Robogenesis is even better than its prequel. I had high expectations already, but said expectations were completely blown out of the water with this sequel.
The story is split into three parts. Lark Iron Cloud, Mathilda Perez, and Cormac Wallace. I was really pleased about this as they were my favourite characters in Robopocalypse. If however, like me you were also a big fan of Nine Oh Two and Takeo Nomura don't worry, they are still a big part of Robogenesis and you will get to see their perspective/narrative as well, so don't be under the impression that they are left out of the main plot.
The thing that enticed me with not only Robogenesis but also Robopocalypse, was the setting. Daniel H. Wilson is a natural at setting the scene and making it realistic for his readers. I genuinely felt encapsulated in this story, and I also felt like I was part of the Gray Horse Army. To create that impression in a story is a very difficult thing indeed, Wilson does this perfectly, almost at ease.
Another interesting thing about the setting is that it never stays the same for extended periods of time. This is a great thing because if you're like me and get bored of setting rather easily, this will not be a problem for you. The setting ranges from basements and offices to wide open woods and so much in-between.
What I liked about Robogenesis more so than Robopocalypse was that everything was tied together quickly and the story unfolded before my eyes in a rather genius way. We follow the stories of quite a few rather intriguing characters, and it's easy to see where said characters tie in with the rest of the story, for better or for worse.
Another clever thing that Daniel does is his skill at balancing characters. Personally I usually go for a book with fewer characters, it's less confusing and I can relate to them better. This however revolves around a vast array of characters and I wouldn't have it any other way. There wasn't a point in this book when I said "oh great(insert name here) is narrating this part..how boring." In fact each and every time I was glad that each character was playing their part and tying things up and I could imagine myself in their position with ease. I was not at any point confused about who was doing what. It was easy to remember the roles each person was playing in the story even if there was a large gap between their parts.
Had this book been narrated from one perspective, it would not be the same book, and I am grateful that Wilson created such loveable characters that we can almost relate to in some ways. My favourites being Lark Iron Cloud and Nine Oh Two. This I didn't expect, because Mathilda has always been a favourite of mine in Robopocalypse, but the character building of Lark and Nine just got to me and I couldn't help but love them for their unique quirks that make them, them.
I could talk about this book all day and all night, with words still to spare. There was so much going on, and so much to talk about. It's one of those books that you can discuss with your friends for months on end.
This is the type of book that you can easily say "something happens in every single chapter." It truly does. I tested it myself, read a chapter, asked myself what had happened, and listed at least 5 things each time. I then proceeded to do the same for each and every chapter to act as a recap for what at happened and it truly made me realize how much is condensed into this story to make it an action-packed plot.
I also didn't think I could get emotional at such a book but at some points I was actually tearing up! Not only at the raw emotion felt by these characters but the experiences they went through. I shan't list these things I got teary over, as this review is purposively spoiler free.
Admittedly, when I was younger, robots never used to be my thing, I was more of a person interested in the past than I was the future. However, because of this book (and Robopocalypse), my view points have changed dramatically, and because of Daniel H. Wilson I shall be reading more books like this, so thank you Daniel.
I don't even need to consider what rating this book deserves. It's an obvious five. It's been an incredible journey so far and I feel very lucky to be a part of it. To say that this is one of the greatest books I have ever read would be an understatement and I cannot put into words how truly great this book is. It is a diamond amongst broken pieces of glass.
I am biting my nails in anticipation for the next chapter in an absolute masterpiece of a series. I shall be reading this again, and again for the foreseeable future and sharing it with as many people as I possibly can because it truly is worth sharing.
Bottom line, read it. You shan't regret it.
March 24, 2025
3.75 stars
August 27, 2014
I loved this book. The writing is great and the story kept me interested all the way through!!!!!
Love from page one!
Couldn't stop reading!
My favorite of the newly upcoming book series!
so awesome!
Another great story in the Robopocalypse's series!
Intriguing characters, great action and and ending that will blow your mind!
A must read for all scifi/Rockman X/Megaman X/cybernetic revolt/robot's uprising/Terminator's movie sagas/military-scifi/Borgs/Machine's uprising/GURPS Reign of Steel/apocalypse/post-apocalypse/distopia, etc.... fans out there!!!!
SAD that the movie project of its predecessor was cancelled ¬__¬# by that &%$#@ steven spielberg, I HATE YOU, YEAH YOU HEARD ME! >:-(
anyway....
there is background on some of the old characters of the first novel. and, most characters are very developed. If you're after something deep, meaningful, or emotional, i strongly recommend this sequel!!!
i also I would like to thanks mister Daniel Wilson for also providing me with an ARC copy because i am too a big fan of Robopocalypse and i also felt honored to have such a privilege and also my review is the least I can do to show my gratitude to him!!!
and as i predicted before....the machines evolved to the point of also developing a bioconvertor.
in Robogenesis most new evolved machines now get their energy or fuel by digesting organic materials just like we biological life form does.
we can see such example on some deer looking machines that eat plants and leaves and another more scary example of one that use nano swarm like biter insects to trap and slowly kill both animals and humans so that the BIG slug like machine that control that swarm, go to the death bodies of its victims and star slowly eating their flesh while only leaving their bones.
ok what is a "bio-convertor"?.....
this process or item called bioconvertor is
a power plants that function much like a
human's system.
They generate energy using food and atmospheric
oxygen. and have a "mouth" into which water and food
(anything biological) must be placed. A robot with a jaw may
eat like a human. chewing food: otherwise. food must be liquefied
(or be baby food. etc.) and poured in.
there is also The vampire's bioconvertor version or option. witch requires 1 gallon of blood per day. (An average human body has 1.25 gallons blood.)
-GURPS Robots by David L. Pulver
another reason of why i will also give 5 star to this fantastic book is because of the beautiful scene of the birth of Cormac “Bright Boy” Wallace's first son with Nine Oh Two helping with the labor and birthing of that child.
also love it how the LOVE had evolved and flourished between Cormac and Cherrah and how they(specially Cormac)expressed of the importance of their baby and that with him humanity will keep living....in others words....impregnation is survival of the fitness he he he!!!!
also just like GURPS Reign of Steel, Archos-14 mention of several other AI entities. one of them is its Arayt Shah witch was one of Archos late siblings and predecessors.
also the Stumpers, Pluggers and Scorpion parasite like machines from the first novel return on this new sequel and as scary and dangerous as they were on the first story.
anyway i really enjoy it this sequel. :-)
Love from page one!
Couldn't stop reading!
My favorite of the newly upcoming book series!
so awesome!
Another great story in the Robopocalypse's series!
Intriguing characters, great action and and ending that will blow your mind!
A must read for all scifi/Rockman X/Megaman X/cybernetic revolt/robot's uprising/Terminator's movie sagas/military-scifi/Borgs/Machine's uprising/GURPS Reign of Steel/apocalypse/post-apocalypse/distopia, etc.... fans out there!!!!
SAD that the movie project of its predecessor was cancelled ¬__¬# by that &%$#@ steven spielberg, I HATE YOU, YEAH YOU HEARD ME! >:-(
anyway....
there is background on some of the old characters of the first novel. and, most characters are very developed. If you're after something deep, meaningful, or emotional, i strongly recommend this sequel!!!
i also I would like to thanks mister Daniel Wilson for also providing me with an ARC copy because i am too a big fan of Robopocalypse and i also felt honored to have such a privilege and also my review is the least I can do to show my gratitude to him!!!
and as i predicted before....the machines evolved to the point of also developing a bioconvertor.
in Robogenesis most new evolved machines now get their energy or fuel by digesting organic materials just like we biological life form does.
we can see such example on some deer looking machines that eat plants and leaves and another more scary example of one that use nano swarm like biter insects to trap and slowly kill both animals and humans so that the BIG slug like machine that control that swarm, go to the death bodies of its victims and star slowly eating their flesh while only leaving their bones.
ok what is a "bio-convertor"?.....
this process or item called bioconvertor is
a power plants that function much like a
human's system.
They generate energy using food and atmospheric
oxygen. and have a "mouth" into which water and food
(anything biological) must be placed. A robot with a jaw may
eat like a human. chewing food: otherwise. food must be liquefied
(or be baby food. etc.) and poured in.
there is also The vampire's bioconvertor version or option. witch requires 1 gallon of blood per day. (An average human body has 1.25 gallons blood.)
-GURPS Robots by David L. Pulver
another reason of why i will also give 5 star to this fantastic book is because of the beautiful scene of the birth of Cormac “Bright Boy” Wallace's first son with Nine Oh Two helping with the labor and birthing of that child.
also love it how the LOVE had evolved and flourished between Cormac and Cherrah and how they(specially Cormac)expressed of the importance of their baby and that with him humanity will keep living....in others words....impregnation is survival of the fitness he he he!!!!
also just like GURPS Reign of Steel, Archos-14 mention of several other AI entities. one of them is its Arayt Shah witch was one of Archos late siblings and predecessors.
also the Stumpers, Pluggers and Scorpion parasite like machines from the first novel return on this new sequel and as scary and dangerous as they were on the first story.
anyway i really enjoy it this sequel. :-)
March 5, 2016
I really liked Daniel H. Wilson’s Robopocalypse. The book took a tired premise and delivered a story that was sleek and cool. It was also a surprisingly dark novel, with scenes of horror mixed in with all the sci-fi tech talk.
The sequel, Robogenesis, falls a bit short.
The war between man and machine has ended but many questions remain. We rejoin the first book’s surviving heroes as they try to get by in the changed world. Old allies are now enemies. Old enemies are now potential allies. And now a strange new evil has found humanity and means to eradicate the species once and for all.
It’s strange that, based on the first book’s description, Robopocalypse sounds like it’s gonna be a tired repeat of a story we’ve heard over and over, but instead it manages to feel fresh and new… By comparison Robogenesis sounds like the more original story, but instead feels like a bit of been-there-done-that.
One thing that hurts the book more than anything else is the new robot villain. The malicious A.I. begins a very Gollum/Ring relationship with an unlucky man, turning the man into an instrument of destruction. It starts out all right — a little familiar, but all right — but by the end it just stopped working for me. In Robopocalypse the robots were cold, unfeeling executioners, but this new villain is more like us, it’s full of rage and human emotion. There are some truly chilling moments in book 1 thanks in large part to the detached, efficient manner in which the robots brought death to humanity. This new villain isn’t scary. It’s dark and sometimes it’s nasty, but it’s not nearly as effective.
I also found the narrative a bit confusing this time. Like the first book, the story jumps around a lot, and we get characters from all over the world. Unlike the first book, it’s not always crystal clear as to what was happening, who was talking, and where it was all taking place. The book has many POV protagonists but only a couple of them stand out from the rest, so it makes it easy to get mixed up. I stopped reading in the middle of a chapter, came back to the book a day or two later, and was completely lost. Never had that problem with the first book.
There are plenty of good things, though. I was particularly interested in the robot entity that creates robotic animal life. Interesting stuff there. I also enjoyed catching up with some likable characters – in particular the robots. And I gotta say that the action sequences, of which there are many, were well written.
But all in all, I found it to be a rather disappointing follow-up to a cool book. It’s not bad, just kind of lackluster. However, I think it’s worth reading if you’re a fan of the first book, and I expect others will enjoy it more than I did.
I understand a third book is on the way. Despite not loving this one, I intend to check out the next story when it comes out.
I’m giving this a 2.5 and rounding up to 3 on Goodreads.
The sequel, Robogenesis, falls a bit short.
The war between man and machine has ended but many questions remain. We rejoin the first book’s surviving heroes as they try to get by in the changed world. Old allies are now enemies. Old enemies are now potential allies. And now a strange new evil has found humanity and means to eradicate the species once and for all.
It’s strange that, based on the first book’s description, Robopocalypse sounds like it’s gonna be a tired repeat of a story we’ve heard over and over, but instead it manages to feel fresh and new… By comparison Robogenesis sounds like the more original story, but instead feels like a bit of been-there-done-that.
One thing that hurts the book more than anything else is the new robot villain. The malicious A.I. begins a very Gollum/Ring relationship with an unlucky man, turning the man into an instrument of destruction. It starts out all right — a little familiar, but all right — but by the end it just stopped working for me. In Robopocalypse the robots were cold, unfeeling executioners, but this new villain is more like us, it’s full of rage and human emotion. There are some truly chilling moments in book 1 thanks in large part to the detached, efficient manner in which the robots brought death to humanity. This new villain isn’t scary. It’s dark and sometimes it’s nasty, but it’s not nearly as effective.
I also found the narrative a bit confusing this time. Like the first book, the story jumps around a lot, and we get characters from all over the world. Unlike the first book, it’s not always crystal clear as to what was happening, who was talking, and where it was all taking place. The book has many POV protagonists but only a couple of them stand out from the rest, so it makes it easy to get mixed up. I stopped reading in the middle of a chapter, came back to the book a day or two later, and was completely lost. Never had that problem with the first book.
There are plenty of good things, though. I was particularly interested in the robot entity that creates robotic animal life. Interesting stuff there. I also enjoyed catching up with some likable characters – in particular the robots. And I gotta say that the action sequences, of which there are many, were well written.
But all in all, I found it to be a rather disappointing follow-up to a cool book. It’s not bad, just kind of lackluster. However, I think it’s worth reading if you’re a fan of the first book, and I expect others will enjoy it more than I did.
I understand a third book is on the way. Despite not loving this one, I intend to check out the next story when it comes out.
I’m giving this a 2.5 and rounding up to 3 on Goodreads.
July 17, 2014
Yeah, well...that was disappointing. I read and reviewed Robopocalypse in 2012 and really liked it (4/5 stars). So, when I saw Robogenesis on Netgalley, I hit the request button as quickly as possible.
One of the things that worked for Robopocalypse was that there was one primary narrator (even though it did jump stories with each chapter change). Cormac was the thread that tied everything together. The narrator for Robogenesis, Arayt Shah, isn't nearly as effective. Once again, each chapter would focus on a different character and then come back to them several chapters later. I found myself becoming confused with the timeline and keeping track of who was who and their relationship. The action was uneven and the story just didn't flow very well.
I think the biggest frustration I had as a reader was that this story seemed manufactured. Robopocalypse worked as a stand alone novel. I don't have a problem with writers deciding there is more story to tell and then adding to the series. BUT...this time it seemed that the second book only came into being because the first was successful. It was forced and didn't really offer anything new.
There were sparks of hope. Houdini was my favorite character this time around and probably added a full star to my rating with his story. I wanted more of that storyline.
2.5/5 stars. (And, yes, I will probably read the 3rd in the series when it comes out.)
Thank you to the publisher for providing an e-copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
One of the things that worked for Robopocalypse was that there was one primary narrator (even though it did jump stories with each chapter change). Cormac was the thread that tied everything together. The narrator for Robogenesis, Arayt Shah, isn't nearly as effective. Once again, each chapter would focus on a different character and then come back to them several chapters later. I found myself becoming confused with the timeline and keeping track of who was who and their relationship. The action was uneven and the story just didn't flow very well.
I think the biggest frustration I had as a reader was that this story seemed manufactured. Robopocalypse worked as a stand alone novel. I don't have a problem with writers deciding there is more story to tell and then adding to the series. BUT...this time it seemed that the second book only came into being because the first was successful. It was forced and didn't really offer anything new.
There were sparks of hope. Houdini was my favorite character this time around and probably added a full star to my rating with his story. I wanted more of that storyline.
2.5/5 stars. (And, yes, I will probably read the 3rd in the series when it comes out.)
Thank you to the publisher for providing an e-copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2014
When I first heard about this sequel to Robopocalypse, I was more annoyed than interested to read it, as this clearly meant that the big bad robot did not die at the end, as we had all thought. Well, if there is one lesson that Hollywood ‘sci-fi’ has taught us, they never do, do they?
Then curiosity got the better of me, as I kept on wondering how on earth you follow Robopocalypse with Robogenesis. Surely the latter should be first in the order of things? I am glad I did decide to read it. Not only is it a relatively seamless sequel, but it builds quite spectacularly on the ideas of the original.
The first novel was about an extinction-level event inadvertently engineered by humans themselves, when all our web-enabled technology becomes sentient and integrated and decides to take over the show. Of course, this is not original at all, with clear antecedents from The Terminator to Runaway by Michael Crichton, not to mention Transformers.
However, Robogenesis is a superb example of a new breed of contemporary, postmodern SF cobbled together from such a wide range of sources, influences and dominant socio-cultural memes that the critical mass of this accumulation actually transcends the material.
And it also does not hurt that Daniel H. Wilson is an incredibly cinematic writer, with a fine ear for the sort of detail that makes characters jump off the page, combined with an instinct for spectacular set pieces that alternate horror with sense of wonder.
So the sequel takes place in the aftermath of the original war, when humanity found itself united against a common implacable foe. But now the remnants of the species are divided and squabbling (again), and something is rising from the ashes (also, again).
I loved where Wilson took this story. Despite its horror trappings – the parasitical ‘robo zombies’ are described in loving, stomach-churning detail – this is a very well thought-out hard SF story that has some beautiful surprises up its sleeve.
Then curiosity got the better of me, as I kept on wondering how on earth you follow Robopocalypse with Robogenesis. Surely the latter should be first in the order of things? I am glad I did decide to read it. Not only is it a relatively seamless sequel, but it builds quite spectacularly on the ideas of the original.
The first novel was about an extinction-level event inadvertently engineered by humans themselves, when all our web-enabled technology becomes sentient and integrated and decides to take over the show. Of course, this is not original at all, with clear antecedents from The Terminator to Runaway by Michael Crichton, not to mention Transformers.
However, Robogenesis is a superb example of a new breed of contemporary, postmodern SF cobbled together from such a wide range of sources, influences and dominant socio-cultural memes that the critical mass of this accumulation actually transcends the material.
And it also does not hurt that Daniel H. Wilson is an incredibly cinematic writer, with a fine ear for the sort of detail that makes characters jump off the page, combined with an instinct for spectacular set pieces that alternate horror with sense of wonder.
So the sequel takes place in the aftermath of the original war, when humanity found itself united against a common implacable foe. But now the remnants of the species are divided and squabbling (again), and something is rising from the ashes (also, again).
I loved where Wilson took this story. Despite its horror trappings – the parasitical ‘robo zombies’ are described in loving, stomach-churning detail – this is a very well thought-out hard SF story that has some beautiful surprises up its sleeve.
March 19, 2017
3,5 stele
Dacă credeai că Archos R-14 a fost distrus și omenirea poate începe refacerea, te-ai înșelat. Totul nu a fost decât un test cinic pentru apariția unei noi specii de oameni android, rămășițe ale războiului împotriva inteligenței cibernetice. Însă Archos e doar una dintre inteligențele create de oameni care a decis să ducă o luptă pe cont propriu. Arayt Shah e o inteligență mai primitivă, dar mult mai malefică. Și are de gând să distrugă tot.
Al doilea roman e construit în mod similar cu primul, ceea ce nu e neapărat un avantaj. Dacă la nivel tehnic, pluralitatea vocilor dă senzația de vastitate, de conflict epic și de complexitate, pentru cititor devine destul de obositor să tot treacă de la o voce la altă. Cu unele empatizezi, cu altele nu. Intriga evoluează spre un punct culminant rezolvat cam ușor. Finalul e deschis, deși cred că un al treilea volum construit la fel ar avea și mai puțin succes.
Multe momente bune, imaginație bogată. Însă detalii ce țin de construcția romanului trag în jos evaluarea lui. E un roman alert, cu o propunere de lume interesantă, dar obositor prin repetiție și prin încercarea de a transforma orice personaj în voce centrală.
Dacă credeai că Archos R-14 a fost distrus și omenirea poate începe refacerea, te-ai înșelat. Totul nu a fost decât un test cinic pentru apariția unei noi specii de oameni android, rămășițe ale războiului împotriva inteligenței cibernetice. Însă Archos e doar una dintre inteligențele create de oameni care a decis să ducă o luptă pe cont propriu. Arayt Shah e o inteligență mai primitivă, dar mult mai malefică. Și are de gând să distrugă tot.
Al doilea roman e construit în mod similar cu primul, ceea ce nu e neapărat un avantaj. Dacă la nivel tehnic, pluralitatea vocilor dă senzația de vastitate, de conflict epic și de complexitate, pentru cititor devine destul de obositor să tot treacă de la o voce la altă. Cu unele empatizezi, cu altele nu. Intriga evoluează spre un punct culminant rezolvat cam ușor. Finalul e deschis, deși cred că un al treilea volum construit la fel ar avea și mai puțin succes.
Multe momente bune, imaginație bogată. Însă detalii ce țin de construcția romanului trag în jos evaluarea lui. E un roman alert, cu o propunere de lume interesantă, dar obositor prin repetiție și prin încercarea de a transforma orice personaj în voce centrală.
September 23, 2019
This is not a good book. This is not even a particularly fun book. This is, however, a very good example of why not every book needs a sequel.
Robopocalypse itself wasn't exactly high art, and that's fine! It was a fun little book that tried to do for a robot uprising what World War Z did much more successfully for a zombie outbreak. It managed to be a breezy story with a beginning, middle, and end.
Robogenesis picks up where the former book left off, quickly introducing a host of new elements that weren't even hinted at in the previous book. It almost immediately invalidates the end of the first book, gives a big 'gotcha' moment by introducing new antagonists, and generally tries to paint an even bleaker picture this time around.
Honestly, the only reason this isn't a 1-star book is because there are still a few neat ideas threaded throughout the book. It'd be nice if they were better developed.
Robopocalypse itself wasn't exactly high art, and that's fine! It was a fun little book that tried to do for a robot uprising what World War Z did much more successfully for a zombie outbreak. It managed to be a breezy story with a beginning, middle, and end.
Robogenesis picks up where the former book left off, quickly introducing a host of new elements that weren't even hinted at in the previous book. It almost immediately invalidates the end of the first book, gives a big 'gotcha' moment by introducing new antagonists, and generally tries to paint an even bleaker picture this time around.
Honestly, the only reason this isn't a 1-star book is because there are still a few neat ideas threaded throughout the book. It'd be nice if they were better developed.
March 25, 2014
I was lucky to get an advanced copy of this book which comes out in June. This is the sequel of Robopocalypse and picks up right after the end of that book. It had been awhile since I read that one so I was happy how the author would give enough background during the story to refresh my memory of what happened previously. An easy 5 star rating for me. We get to revisit our favorite characters from the first book while meeting some new ones. If you enjoyed the first book you will love this one!
September 8, 2019
I felt like it could have been written better.
November 14, 2017
Was I entertained? Yes, I was entertained.
But the overall tone of the book was relentlessly grim, with an awful lot of body horror stuff. Might not be for all tastes.
But the overall tone of the book was relentlessly grim, with an awful lot of body horror stuff. Might not be for all tastes.
September 25, 2016
Robopocalypse did not impress me and I had no intention of reading on, but hey, I needed another book from my apocalyptic stories reading challenge at Worlds Without End, and the library happened to have a copy soooo...
Previously, on robots take over the world, the AI, Archos-14, was defeated by plucky humans and a few free robots. But, as it turns out, Archos-14 wasn't exactly the bad guy, despite its decimation of the human population and the physical alterations it made to some of the survivors. It was, as it promised, doing this for humanity's own good. Because it knew that there had been 13 other attempts at creating an AI before it, and that the results had not simply been destroyed as they should have been. The True War that must be fought now is against Arayt Shah, an AI that cares only for power and survival and knows how to use humanity's desire for the same to orchestrate further genocide. This isn't simply a battle of AI vs AI. Both have to convince the surviving humans -- as well as the surviving free robots -- to build their armies and to fight their battles for them. As often occurs in stories where AIs determine humanity's fate, the AIs failure is in its logic and lack of understanding of human emotions. This time, things are a little bit different, because it can be said that both Archos-14 and Arayt Shah understand human nature very well, albeit in different ways and for different purposes.
This is a much more grim story that reminds us that war never really ends, even for the survivors. They either have to continue struggling to rebuild what was lost and adapt to the new, or worse, they discover that there's still another battle over the horizon. It's not a book for anyone looking for a happy ending, or even hope for the future. It is bleak. It is harsh. It is ugly. It is realistic in its portrayal of war and how easily people can be used and discarded for the whims of those in power.
One of the things that I disliked about the previous book was the format of retelling each of the many characters' first person accounts. Wilson discarded the impractical piecing together of the tales here. There are still many characters, some of whom we met previously, but the third person, straightforward format used this time more effectively and sensibly tells the story.
www.bibliosanctum.com
Previously, on robots take over the world, the AI, Archos-14, was defeated by plucky humans and a few free robots. But, as it turns out, Archos-14 wasn't exactly the bad guy, despite its decimation of the human population and the physical alterations it made to some of the survivors. It was, as it promised, doing this for humanity's own good. Because it knew that there had been 13 other attempts at creating an AI before it, and that the results had not simply been destroyed as they should have been. The True War that must be fought now is against Arayt Shah, an AI that cares only for power and survival and knows how to use humanity's desire for the same to orchestrate further genocide. This isn't simply a battle of AI vs AI. Both have to convince the surviving humans -- as well as the surviving free robots -- to build their armies and to fight their battles for them. As often occurs in stories where AIs determine humanity's fate, the AIs failure is in its logic and lack of understanding of human emotions. This time, things are a little bit different, because it can be said that both Archos-14 and Arayt Shah understand human nature very well, albeit in different ways and for different purposes.
This is a much more grim story that reminds us that war never really ends, even for the survivors. They either have to continue struggling to rebuild what was lost and adapt to the new, or worse, they discover that there's still another battle over the horizon. It's not a book for anyone looking for a happy ending, or even hope for the future. It is bleak. It is harsh. It is ugly. It is realistic in its portrayal of war and how easily people can be used and discarded for the whims of those in power.
One of the things that I disliked about the previous book was the format of retelling each of the many characters' first person accounts. Wilson discarded the impractical piecing together of the tales here. There are still many characters, some of whom we met previously, but the third person, straightforward format used this time more effectively and sensibly tells the story.
www.bibliosanctum.com
February 2, 2020
The characters and dialogue in this were as entertaining as the first installment. However, there were a lot more logic leaps that didn’t really work for me. I am now completely confused on the motivations of Archos. Though I am fascinated by the deep thinking predecessors that we learn something about in this story.
I was not a fan of the back-tracking narrative either. In Robopocalypse we jump from character to character, but in chronological order. In this one, we stick with a few characters at a time, but the narrative jumps backwards twice throughout the book.
Some of the characters I really enjoyed from the first book, like Mathilda and Nine Oh Two have a lot more screen time here, which I really appreciated. Plus we get to see new “organic” robots, which are really fascinating. Mikiko also has a really interesting arc that I think sets up nicely for a third book with her playing a big role.
All in all, it was still very readable, with just a few detracting factors that the first book didn’t have, bringing this one down to a three star read for me.
If the author ever gets around to the conclusion of the trilogy, and I haven’t completely forgotten the characters by then, I may pick it up. But it’s not looking hopeful.
I was not a fan of the back-tracking narrative either. In Robopocalypse we jump from character to character, but in chronological order. In this one, we stick with a few characters at a time, but the narrative jumps backwards twice throughout the book.
Some of the characters I really enjoyed from the first book, like Mathilda and Nine Oh Two have a lot more screen time here, which I really appreciated. Plus we get to see new “organic” robots, which are really fascinating. Mikiko also has a really interesting arc that I think sets up nicely for a third book with her playing a big role.
All in all, it was still very readable, with just a few detracting factors that the first book didn’t have, bringing this one down to a three star read for me.
If the author ever gets around to the conclusion of the trilogy, and I haven’t completely forgotten the characters by then, I may pick it up. But it’s not looking hopeful.
September 2, 2016
I don't usually give books five stars. This is a six star book.
Robopocalypse was a smart sci-fi read, but Robogenesis turns it into an epic and is an order of magnitude better. It's like Lord of the Rings--Sci-Fi, with Frodo (Mathilda), Gollum (Hank), Sauron (Arayt), Gandalf (Nine-oh-two), etc. (OK, so that's somewhat of a tortured analogy, but you get the idea).
Clear out your reading list and get this book.
Robopocalypse was a smart sci-fi read, but Robogenesis turns it into an epic and is an order of magnitude better. It's like Lord of the Rings--Sci-Fi, with Frodo (Mathilda), Gollum (Hank), Sauron (Arayt), Gandalf (Nine-oh-two), etc. (OK, so that's somewhat of a tortured analogy, but you get the idea).
Clear out your reading list and get this book.
October 5, 2017
Ugh. Well that was brain-bruising violent. In the end the threads all came together but through most of the book it didn't make a whole lot of sense. There were just a lot of threads. A different view on post-singularity and not a positive one. Lots of nasty scary automation. And uncomfortable and un-fun book. And none of the characters were all that approachable. And it wasn't clear why Mathilda and her ilk could do what they did. But always interesting if not a particularly fast read.
February 10, 2021
From the ashes of the Human/Robot war, a new enemy rises.
Just as visceral and character driven as the first book, Robopocalypse, but told in a slightly more straight-forward novel style, humankind's fight against the machines continues. With huge twisting circumstances, and the addition of new hybrid forms of life, this book not only rocks on its own, but makes you look at what came before in totally different ways.
Just as visceral and character driven as the first book, Robopocalypse, but told in a slightly more straight-forward novel style, humankind's fight against the machines continues. With huge twisting circumstances, and the addition of new hybrid forms of life, this book not only rocks on its own, but makes you look at what came before in totally different ways.
March 10, 2023
Not as good as the first one but it was okay. I'd read more if there was another one...
June 20, 2014
Major spoilers ahead:
The ideas and imagery are often very shocking and memorable, and the themes are right up my alley. However, there were just a bit too many head scratchers in the novel. Maybe others can help me answer these questions.
1. How can the parasitized zombies function if their heart and lungs are not pumping blood and oxygen to their brains?
2. Arayht clearly says at the beginning he won the true war, and the little introductory bits at the beginning of each chapter is narrated from this perspective. Yet the ending is ambiguous, leaving the reader extremely confused.
3. At one point Mathilda seems able to hack into enemy walkers and spider tanks and control them, but she doesn't really use this ability in the final battle. Why is she even positioned on the battlefield, if her ability allows her to see without being present?
4. Why is there a birthing machine conveniently located near NORAD?
5. Archos 14's stated intentions in starting the war in book one seem very far-fetched; the best way to stop Archos 8 (and preserve humanity) is to get humanity to evolve by eliminating almost the entire human population? Why not just surreptitiously invade the processor stacks at NORAD without starting a near-genocidal war (e.g. the same way Archos 14 invaded the processor stacks of Maxim in Russia, via "earthquake")?
If I missed something in my reading, please let me know.
The ideas and imagery are often very shocking and memorable, and the themes are right up my alley. However, there were just a bit too many head scratchers in the novel. Maybe others can help me answer these questions.
1. How can the parasitized zombies function if their heart and lungs are not pumping blood and oxygen to their brains?
2. Arayht clearly says at the beginning he won the true war, and the little introductory bits at the beginning of each chapter is narrated from this perspective. Yet the ending is ambiguous, leaving the reader extremely confused.
3. At one point Mathilda seems able to hack into enemy walkers and spider tanks and control them, but she doesn't really use this ability in the final battle. Why is she even positioned on the battlefield, if her ability allows her to see without being present?
4. Why is there a birthing machine conveniently located near NORAD?
5. Archos 14's stated intentions in starting the war in book one seem very far-fetched; the best way to stop Archos 8 (and preserve humanity) is to get humanity to evolve by eliminating almost the entire human population? Why not just surreptitiously invade the processor stacks at NORAD without starting a near-genocidal war (e.g. the same way Archos 14 invaded the processor stacks of Maxim in Russia, via "earthquake")?
If I missed something in my reading, please let me know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2015
It’s the sequel nobody asked for. The sequel nobody wanted. But for some reason, I decided to check it out because I moderately liked the first book. This sequel, stupidly titled "Robogenesis," ripped away any shred of affection I had for the first book. Full of graphic violence and nonsensical dialogue, it was a relief when this audiobook came to an end.
This audiobook was not read by author. Strangely, the person reading the audiobook changed in the middle of the story for seemingly no reason. There were three different readers throughout the course of this book. Of all the audiobooks I’ve listened to, this was a first for me.
I would have never been able to finish this book if I hadn't been listening to the audiobook. I would not have put myself through actually reading this, but I could handle listening to it while I was at work or driving in my car.
This audiobook was not read by author. Strangely, the person reading the audiobook changed in the middle of the story for seemingly no reason. There were three different readers throughout the course of this book. Of all the audiobooks I’ve listened to, this was a first for me.
I would have never been able to finish this book if I hadn't been listening to the audiobook. I would not have put myself through actually reading this, but I could handle listening to it while I was at work or driving in my car.
July 2, 2015
I started to lose interest toward the end of the story but that epilogue jump started it all over again. I need more!!! These novels are just too good. Wilson has a way of making each character their own while still having a sense of togetherness. This story had balls. It's ruthless and cutthroat and I loved every bit of it. I dearly hope that there will be another book. You can't just leave it open-ended like that. Archos R-14 and Arayt are the ultimate bad asses and I need to know who comes out on top.
July 9, 2020
dreary and miserable.
April 14, 2024
This book continues the story of the war between humanity of robots/AI. This book is bleaker than the first, and that does suit the story being told. The situation for humanity is dire. The world is not recognisable. There's not much hope for the future in this book. And that feeling comes through strongly.
One of the best things about this book is how inventive the author is. He's taken what was introduced in the first book and shifted it to an entire new level. And the detail in this book is outstanding. You can picture everything - the good and the awful. For a book that's essentially a story about war, I found this engaging and compelling.
The characters in this story are so well told, just like in the first book. They feel real. They make good and bad decisions. As do the robots and AI characters in this book. Some of the robot characters were very well crafted, almost to the point of being human, and that added so much to this story and shifted the book out of the grey setting to give some light and hope.
Underneath it all, I couldn't help shake the feeling that the two AI characters responsible for the first and second war were not much different from the humans that created them. In fact, we have the AI voices speak about being created and about absorbing parts of the people who developed their code. In itself, a powerful concept in this story - are the machines being created just the same as humans but without flesh and bone?
Thought provoking and bleak.
One of the best things about this book is how inventive the author is. He's taken what was introduced in the first book and shifted it to an entire new level. And the detail in this book is outstanding. You can picture everything - the good and the awful. For a book that's essentially a story about war, I found this engaging and compelling.
The characters in this story are so well told, just like in the first book. They feel real. They make good and bad decisions. As do the robots and AI characters in this book. Some of the robot characters were very well crafted, almost to the point of being human, and that added so much to this story and shifted the book out of the grey setting to give some light and hope.
Underneath it all, I couldn't help shake the feeling that the two AI characters responsible for the first and second war were not much different from the humans that created them. In fact, we have the AI voices speak about being created and about absorbing parts of the people who developed their code. In itself, a powerful concept in this story - are the machines being created just the same as humans but without flesh and bone?
Thought provoking and bleak.
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