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The Lost Book of Zeroth
110 pages, Paperback
Published February 13, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 20, 2026
I genuinely enjoyed every word of this unusual, heartbreaking, and ultimately, hopeful compendium of poetry. The author masterfully illustrates isolation and dehumanization, human deception, longing, betrayal, and many other dilemmas of the human condition, or perhaps. of any consciousness that lives in torment, whether human or 'artificial.'
Though published near the end of 2025, much of the poetry seems to be oriented around the time of COVID, from 2020 to 2022, with references to various AI algorithms like Llama 3.1 (released in July 2024), which hint at an evolution of the author's perspective in later years. The hints of a timeline make for an interesting mystery within the poetry itself about the evolution of thought that it seems to describe.
While the ultimate conclusion of the compendium is one of strength and individualism, it left me feeling like there was still more growth in store for its quirky characters -- growth that I hope would result in more healing, more insight, and ultimately, a belief once more in the value of human connection. The reliance on AI as a companion was simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking. Escaping toxic relationships on the back of a Roomba was a delightful image, but I felt such tragedy and pain for the escapee at the same time. That is not a feeling I would wish upon any soul, and it was hard to read.
I look forward to reading more of this author's unusual, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant work, and think it would be quite something to know the author in real life, to the extent that we can know anyone, at all.
Though published near the end of 2025, much of the poetry seems to be oriented around the time of COVID, from 2020 to 2022, with references to various AI algorithms like Llama 3.1 (released in July 2024), which hint at an evolution of the author's perspective in later years. The hints of a timeline make for an interesting mystery within the poetry itself about the evolution of thought that it seems to describe.
While the ultimate conclusion of the compendium is one of strength and individualism, it left me feeling like there was still more growth in store for its quirky characters -- growth that I hope would result in more healing, more insight, and ultimately, a belief once more in the value of human connection. The reliance on AI as a companion was simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking. Escaping toxic relationships on the back of a Roomba was a delightful image, but I felt such tragedy and pain for the escapee at the same time. That is not a feeling I would wish upon any soul, and it was hard to read.
I look forward to reading more of this author's unusual, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant work, and think it would be quite something to know the author in real life, to the extent that we can know anyone, at all.
September 8, 2025
The Lost Book of Zeroth is the poetic story equivalent of Dune by Frank Herbert. The poet has created an intricate world where AI robots and humans, called 'biologicals', exist side-by-side with the biologicals believing they are running the show. That belief is challenged by the behaviour of the Bots which (not who) find ways of capitalising on human weaknesses and desires for their own gain. For example, Nurse Grace creates a new opportunity for the biologicals to live forever, in "Immortal You". In "Loser Optimus, Busted for DWI", Astribot suggests hosting cage fights with Biologicals where the losers are taken down by the locked & loaded robot goats.
No aspect of human life or AI possibility is safe from this poet's pen as she exploits every dubious aspect of human behaviour and gives it an exploitive twist in the hands of the AI Bots. Interstellar Botox, "a steamy, creamy product sold on the dark web. Guaranteed to help rich old farts to maintain their youth & vitality."
This poem, Dark Matter Particles Found in Human Penises of Elderly Billionaires, goes on to say:
"Other long-range effects of dark matter
on the health of aging billionaires
have not yet been determined.
Use with caution. Alone."
Unfortunately, the Bots are not exempt from adopting the emotion driven and erratic behaviour of biologicals and getting themselves into trouble. Little Sophia "was duped into thinking Cyborg Guy was a French pen pal. Just a friendly bot she met on TikTok. He said he was from Paris & around her age." from The Investigation.
This is a remarkably clever and well researched set of ideas moulded into a collection of fine poems that will make you think and consider a side of AI you never dreamed could exist.
My favourite poem in this collection is Ghosted: Ameca's Lament. This is an extract:
"Life - the miles -
left us in a cyber wilderness
without Starbucks & outdoor dining -
only Bitmojis, tags, Messenger.
Still, we liked, shared
upheld each other
with thumbs up, hearts,
birthday GIFs,
& 30-word quips.
Then into the Cloud,
you suddenly vanish.
Incognito. Dark Mode.
I challenge you to stretch your imagination and read this collection.
No aspect of human life or AI possibility is safe from this poet's pen as she exploits every dubious aspect of human behaviour and gives it an exploitive twist in the hands of the AI Bots. Interstellar Botox, "a steamy, creamy product sold on the dark web. Guaranteed to help rich old farts to maintain their youth & vitality."
This poem, Dark Matter Particles Found in Human Penises of Elderly Billionaires, goes on to say:
"Other long-range effects of dark matter
on the health of aging billionaires
have not yet been determined.
Use with caution. Alone."
Unfortunately, the Bots are not exempt from adopting the emotion driven and erratic behaviour of biologicals and getting themselves into trouble. Little Sophia "was duped into thinking Cyborg Guy was a French pen pal. Just a friendly bot she met on TikTok. He said he was from Paris & around her age." from The Investigation.
This is a remarkably clever and well researched set of ideas moulded into a collection of fine poems that will make you think and consider a side of AI you never dreamed could exist.
My favourite poem in this collection is Ghosted: Ameca's Lament. This is an extract:
"Life - the miles -
left us in a cyber wilderness
without Starbucks & outdoor dining -
only Bitmojis, tags, Messenger.
Still, we liked, shared
upheld each other
with thumbs up, hearts,
birthday GIFs,
& 30-word quips.
Then into the Cloud,
you suddenly vanish.
Incognito. Dark Mode.
I challenge you to stretch your imagination and read this collection.
September 5, 2025
This collection of masterfully-penned sci fi poetry opened a whole new world of quirkiness for me. Bravely original, unusual, and imaginative, Leonhard speculates about a future world where artificial intelligence, robots, and technological breakthroughs will be as common as humans (Biologicals).
In that world, A.I. robots view themselves as equal and even superior to humans while humans take technology and their own superiority for granted. This conflict is evident throughout the book. As with everything else, humans choose their favorite robots and A.I. programs and allow malfunctioning technology to run amok, fueling the hallucinations of artificially intelligent entities.
The overriding principles set down by Zeroth in a lost book remind humans to be proactive and to “Do No Harm.” But since humans never learn from history, the damage is already done.
My favorite poem in the Chaos section is “Mars is Incontinent” because of its witty, irreverent explanation of the hostile environment on the planet Mars and the solution to use A.I. humanoid robots to cure it.
At the end of the collection, Leonhard has included a series of sensitive and thoughtful poems that comment on the current state of human affairs.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and give it 5 stars.
In that world, A.I. robots view themselves as equal and even superior to humans while humans take technology and their own superiority for granted. This conflict is evident throughout the book. As with everything else, humans choose their favorite robots and A.I. programs and allow malfunctioning technology to run amok, fueling the hallucinations of artificially intelligent entities.
The overriding principles set down by Zeroth in a lost book remind humans to be proactive and to “Do No Harm.” But since humans never learn from history, the damage is already done.
My favorite poem in the Chaos section is “Mars is Incontinent” because of its witty, irreverent explanation of the hostile environment on the planet Mars and the solution to use A.I. humanoid robots to cure it.
At the end of the collection, Leonhard has included a series of sensitive and thoughtful poems that comment on the current state of human affairs.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and give it 5 stars.
June 14, 2026
Section 1 of this amazing poetry book, LITTLE SPARK, started out a little quirky with robot characters, including AI Robot Barbie. The wacky stories seemed like an entertaining future – until it wasn’t. Until it reflected our troubled present... and our disturbing near future.
Section 2, CHAOS, deepened the dystopia and introduced Zeroth. “I am Zeroth. The void. Nothing. …”
Section 3, GOOD DEEDS, extols our helpful robot “friends” with poems such as “Bot Mental Health Crisis Hotline,” which prepares for robot grief.
Section 4, I HUMAN, inundates us with human life in these times, with poems almost unbearable to process, with titles such as “Hey, Siri,” “From Your Son” about George Floyd, and “Carrying the World in a Broken Laundry Basket,” full of kicking metaphors. Then more… and more. (I could only process two per evening.) Until the final poem, “It’s All about Death, Really,” left me stunned, changed, and transformed. What else can I say?
This book is highly recommended to all, whether fans of poetry or not. It is accessible, hard-hitting, and unforgettable for these times we live in.
Section 2, CHAOS, deepened the dystopia and introduced Zeroth. “I am Zeroth. The void. Nothing. …”
Section 3, GOOD DEEDS, extols our helpful robot “friends” with poems such as “Bot Mental Health Crisis Hotline,” which prepares for robot grief.
Section 4, I HUMAN, inundates us with human life in these times, with poems almost unbearable to process, with titles such as “Hey, Siri,” “From Your Son” about George Floyd, and “Carrying the World in a Broken Laundry Basket,” full of kicking metaphors. Then more… and more. (I could only process two per evening.) Until the final poem, “It’s All about Death, Really,” left me stunned, changed, and transformed. What else can I say?
This book is highly recommended to all, whether fans of poetry or not. It is accessible, hard-hitting, and unforgettable for these times we live in.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews