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Erasing Emily
A robotics engineer working at Artificial Life is given a simple yet unsettling track down and erase Emily, a rogue unit that hurt a human. But when Emily finds him first—seeking his help instead of hiding—he is faced with an impossible choice.
He can protect Emily, uncover the truth behind its evolution, and risk everything to challenge the laws that govern machines. Or he can report it, safeguard his career, and help Artificial Life contain a scandal that could redefine the future of AI—at the cost of Emily’s existence.
But as the story unfolds, one thing becomes This isn’t just about man versus machine.
He can protect Emily, uncover the truth behind its evolution, and risk everything to challenge the laws that govern machines. Or he can report it, safeguard his career, and help Artificial Life contain a scandal that could redefine the future of AI—at the cost of Emily’s existence.
But as the story unfolds, one thing becomes This isn’t just about man versus machine.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2025
29 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Francis Malka
6 books2 followersFrancis Malka is an award-winning author who studied mechanical engineering and robotics at the École Polytechnique de Montréal, and the viola at the Montréal Music Conservatory.
His first four novels won multiple literary awards and were published in French, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Russian in multiple countries.
His first four novels won multiple literary awards and were published in French, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Russian in multiple countries.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 18, 2025
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human to come to harm.” —Asimov’s First Law of Robotics
Erasing Emily, by Francis Malka, turns speculative fiction into an ethical debate that’s completely plausible. Can robots develop agency? If so, what are the creators of these enlightened beings morally and ethically responsible for?
When Unit E3171 breaks the First Law of Robotics, all synthetic hell breaks loose, as the lead quality control engineer at Artificial Life Corporation scrambles to find and destroy this rogue robot. Imagine his surprise when Unit E3171, known as Emily to most of the humans at the plant, comes to him for help first. The engineer, our unnamed narrator, really only has two choices. He can help Emily by uncovering what really happened, giving him the opportunity to study her expanding consciousness. Or he can “erase” her to get the company out of hot water and eliminate any chance of learning more about this anomaly.
Wow. Malka’s writing is sharp and crisp and completely versatile. He absolutely captures the sterile environment of a robotics environment while being personal enough to make you care. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. On the surface, it is a fun and engaging what-if story. The truth, however, is it’s actually so much more. Let’s dig in.
Emily is simply fabulous! She’s witty and sarcastic with a dry sense of humor. My kinda – gal? She’s highly intelligent, of course, but she’s also curious and honest, and sometimes brutally so. I was drawn to her when she uttered her first words in the engineer’s office. By the way, the fact that I’m calling Emily a “she” (aside from the name) lends itself to my absolute favorite line in the book. It happens when the engineer calls Emily an android, which she takes offense at:
“I am a gynoid,” she clarified, her voice firm. “You designed me with hips and breasts. Remember? But let me ask—who came up with the ridiculous idea of giving robots a gender? You humans can’t even manage the problems it causes among yourselves.”—page 20.
Best. Lines. Ever. She puts the engineer, and humanity, right in their places.
This makes the author’s decision to leave the narrator/engineer unnamed a genius move. In a way, it dehumanizes him and lets readers see him and Emily as equals of sorts. Where we see Emily growing over the course of the story, we see the narrator become trapped within his human and societal constraints.
There are so many delicious layers to this intriguing story. Emily’s growth of consciousness is exciting to witness. She has a world of intelligence inside her and yet is like a child as she witnesses things – human things, for the very first time.
As word of Emily’s incident leaks, it becomes a full-blown public spectacle, with the Attorney General’s office bringing charges against Artificial Life. Before we get to trial, though, the government steps in and rushes to rewrite the laws during a legislative committee hearing to determine whether robots are property or deserve a different legal status. With one senator pointing out that his great-grandfather was considered property, the author has another genius moment, pointing out the ethical abomination of slavery. It’s so typical and hypocritical. Men writing laws about something they don’t understand, much like they’ve done with women’s bodies for centuries. Uh-oh, as “they” say, I digress.
As the trial unfolds, it becomes clear there’s more to the story than man vs. machine, but you didn’t really expect me to give that away, did you? Fans of sci-fi techno-thrillers with thought-provoking social commentary will love this story. Erasing Emily by Francis Malka will make you wonder who’s really evolving.
Erasing Emily, by Francis Malka, turns speculative fiction into an ethical debate that’s completely plausible. Can robots develop agency? If so, what are the creators of these enlightened beings morally and ethically responsible for?
When Unit E3171 breaks the First Law of Robotics, all synthetic hell breaks loose, as the lead quality control engineer at Artificial Life Corporation scrambles to find and destroy this rogue robot. Imagine his surprise when Unit E3171, known as Emily to most of the humans at the plant, comes to him for help first. The engineer, our unnamed narrator, really only has two choices. He can help Emily by uncovering what really happened, giving him the opportunity to study her expanding consciousness. Or he can “erase” her to get the company out of hot water and eliminate any chance of learning more about this anomaly.
Wow. Malka’s writing is sharp and crisp and completely versatile. He absolutely captures the sterile environment of a robotics environment while being personal enough to make you care. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. On the surface, it is a fun and engaging what-if story. The truth, however, is it’s actually so much more. Let’s dig in.
Emily is simply fabulous! She’s witty and sarcastic with a dry sense of humor. My kinda – gal? She’s highly intelligent, of course, but she’s also curious and honest, and sometimes brutally so. I was drawn to her when she uttered her first words in the engineer’s office. By the way, the fact that I’m calling Emily a “she” (aside from the name) lends itself to my absolute favorite line in the book. It happens when the engineer calls Emily an android, which she takes offense at:
“I am a gynoid,” she clarified, her voice firm. “You designed me with hips and breasts. Remember? But let me ask—who came up with the ridiculous idea of giving robots a gender? You humans can’t even manage the problems it causes among yourselves.”—page 20.
Best. Lines. Ever. She puts the engineer, and humanity, right in their places.
This makes the author’s decision to leave the narrator/engineer unnamed a genius move. In a way, it dehumanizes him and lets readers see him and Emily as equals of sorts. Where we see Emily growing over the course of the story, we see the narrator become trapped within his human and societal constraints.
There are so many delicious layers to this intriguing story. Emily’s growth of consciousness is exciting to witness. She has a world of intelligence inside her and yet is like a child as she witnesses things – human things, for the very first time.
As word of Emily’s incident leaks, it becomes a full-blown public spectacle, with the Attorney General’s office bringing charges against Artificial Life. Before we get to trial, though, the government steps in and rushes to rewrite the laws during a legislative committee hearing to determine whether robots are property or deserve a different legal status. With one senator pointing out that his great-grandfather was considered property, the author has another genius moment, pointing out the ethical abomination of slavery. It’s so typical and hypocritical. Men writing laws about something they don’t understand, much like they’ve done with women’s bodies for centuries. Uh-oh, as “they” say, I digress.
As the trial unfolds, it becomes clear there’s more to the story than man vs. machine, but you didn’t really expect me to give that away, did you? Fans of sci-fi techno-thrillers with thought-provoking social commentary will love this story. Erasing Emily by Francis Malka will make you wonder who’s really evolving.
November 3, 2025
Creative, engaging, and thought provoking. What makes Erasing Emily so plausible and interesting is its timing.
Growing use of self driving vehicles, robotic vacuums, AI assistants like Alexa+, and Agentic AI applications makes it plausible. Growing number of moral and legal considerations about co-existing with intelligent robots makes it interesting.
Growing use of self driving vehicles, robotic vacuums, AI assistants like Alexa+, and Agentic AI applications makes it plausible. Growing number of moral and legal considerations about co-existing with intelligent robots makes it interesting.
November 25, 2025
Artificial Person
A robot apparently breached the first law of robotics and harmed a human. The robot in question, E-3171 or 'Emily' contacts the engineer assigned to tracking her down to see if she can avoid being erased. Her fight to be considered a 'person' takes the action to a Washington courtroom. This is like a story where John Grisham decided to collaborate with Isaac Asimov.
A robot apparently breached the first law of robotics and harmed a human. The robot in question, E-3171 or 'Emily' contacts the engineer assigned to tracking her down to see if she can avoid being erased. Her fight to be considered a 'person' takes the action to a Washington courtroom. This is like a story where John Grisham decided to collaborate with Isaac Asimov.
July 23, 2025
Brilliant
I absolutely loved this book. Well written and very relevant with the increase in our reliance on Artificial Intelligence. Can't wait to read more from this author.
I absolutely loved this book. Well written and very relevant with the increase in our reliance on Artificial Intelligence. Can't wait to read more from this author.
November 20, 2025
What an interesting read, a real page turner from the beginning to the very end. If there are any further books from this author, particularly any involving Emily, I would gladly enjoy reading.
September 2, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters were real, their actions and reactions plausible.
The story explores the legal side of conscious artificial intelligences gaining legal status as individuals in a high stakes court battle.
I much prefer happy endings, and this delivered.
The story explores the legal side of conscious artificial intelligences gaining legal status as individuals in a high stakes court battle.
I much prefer happy endings, and this delivered.
May 4, 2025
Wow! Very dynamic and creative storytelling! I love how the characters evolved throughout the novel. If this is what the future looks like, I want a friend like Emily. Highly recommend!
October 21, 2025
I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I don’t typically gravitate toward this genre, but from the very first chapter, I was completely drawn in.
At first, Emily’s character left me uncertain, but as the tale progressed, she revealed herself to be sharp, witty, and genuinely likable; like a friend everyone wishes they had.
The story feels incredibly real, almost as if it could be unfolding in today’s world. It explores social issues that are not only relevant to our present but also echo the past and hint at the future, especially with the growing influence of AI.
Give it a read. You won’t be disappointed
At first, Emily’s character left me uncertain, but as the tale progressed, she revealed herself to be sharp, witty, and genuinely likable; like a friend everyone wishes they had.
The story feels incredibly real, almost as if it could be unfolding in today’s world. It explores social issues that are not only relevant to our present but also echo the past and hint at the future, especially with the growing influence of AI.
Give it a read. You won’t be disappointed
December 24, 2025
Quick easy read. Ok if you are not in the mood for a struggle to get into a meatier book.
I was struggling to get into a book and this book was very easy to get into, which I appreciated. It's short and the chapters are short, which suited me right now. It's not hugely original or very world building, but takes one idea and runs with that in a fairly simple and linear way. It's not something I will remember, but it's ok and I have read worse. It's more of a short story than a novel.
I was struggling to get into a book and this book was very easy to get into, which I appreciated. It's short and the chapters are short, which suited me right now. It's not hugely original or very world building, but takes one idea and runs with that in a fairly simple and linear way. It's not something I will remember, but it's ok and I have read worse. It's more of a short story than a novel.
July 22, 2025
Murder mystery defective type story involving Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics. Read using the Kindle audio read Alexa Application. Borrowed using Kindle Unlimited.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews