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Perfect Partners, Inc. #1-5
Robot Evolution: Perfect Partners, Inc. Vols 1-5
Welcome to the World of Perfect Partners, Incorporated!
Step into the world of sentient androids. Humans no longer have to woo a human mate or wait for that perfect match...they simply order their heart’s desire and live life to the fullest. Called PePrs - say it like pepper, the spice - they have become indispensable to humanity. They do the jobs we don’t want to do, act as our windows to the wider world, fill all our social needs, and have become the expressions of our collective will. From the battlefield to the dog pound, from our perfect mate to the nanny that cares for our children...almost every task can now be done by a PePr, leaving humans to explore a life free of drudgery.
It sounds perfect. Then again, things that start perfect don’t usually stay that way.
Each of the novellas in this volume is a stand alone work. There are no cliff-hangers, but there might be tears, gasps, and smiles. Who will you root for? Human or PePr...choose your side!
Corrections - Deirdre is a SUPer, a government owned robot in the time before Perfect Partners were released. Originally designed to be a battlefield intelligence unit, politics demanded she work in a less controversial profession. Now, she's a parole agent for recently released criminals in need of supervision, and this time she's got herself a doozy for a client. Greg, a petty thief with a 40 year long rap sheet is almost more than she can handle. Between arthritis and illegal card games, they forge a new relationship even as the world around them shifts and alters in startling ways.
Imperfect - Sandra was built with everything; a perfect body, perfect face, and every upgrade that can be bought. Yet somehow she finds herself on the reject table next to a half-disassembled robot with an erratic personality. And now, on top of everything else, she’s just experienced her first emotion. Too bad for her it turned out to be fear.
The Dogcatcher - As a civil service PePr, Ace has a job that keeps him in the public eye and under constant scrutiny. Designed and built to relate well with animals, he’s the perfect Animal Control worker. He’s also got a secret and it’s not just that he has emotions. Deep within the abandoned relics of humanity’s industrial past, he has a secret home for himself and all the unadoptable dogs that he rescues. When Ace does something that will demand his termination, he discovers he has more friends than he imagined in the most surprising places.
PePr, Inc. - Hazel has a busy life with a great career and friends she loves. She also has Henry, and that's not working out quite like she expected. A PePr is meant to complement their human, filling in all the gaps to create the ideal couple. They are meant to be something no human could ever hope to find in another human. It's just not turning out that way for Hazel. When Henry finally goes too far, Hazel finds that getting free of him might not be as easy as going back to PePr to void the contract.
Posthumous - Love is eternal in a silicon heart.
Edna writes, but isn’t allowed to publish. She lives on her own, but can't legally own her home. She has a beagle she loves, but is still considered property herself. Life can be complicated for a PePr – even one who has received manumission, the coveted right to remain functional without a human owner. That’s especially true when that PePr falls in love.
Step into the world of sentient androids. Humans no longer have to woo a human mate or wait for that perfect match...they simply order their heart’s desire and live life to the fullest. Called PePrs - say it like pepper, the spice - they have become indispensable to humanity. They do the jobs we don’t want to do, act as our windows to the wider world, fill all our social needs, and have become the expressions of our collective will. From the battlefield to the dog pound, from our perfect mate to the nanny that cares for our children...almost every task can now be done by a PePr, leaving humans to explore a life free of drudgery.
It sounds perfect. Then again, things that start perfect don’t usually stay that way.
Each of the novellas in this volume is a stand alone work. There are no cliff-hangers, but there might be tears, gasps, and smiles. Who will you root for? Human or PePr...choose your side!
Corrections - Deirdre is a SUPer, a government owned robot in the time before Perfect Partners were released. Originally designed to be a battlefield intelligence unit, politics demanded she work in a less controversial profession. Now, she's a parole agent for recently released criminals in need of supervision, and this time she's got herself a doozy for a client. Greg, a petty thief with a 40 year long rap sheet is almost more than she can handle. Between arthritis and illegal card games, they forge a new relationship even as the world around them shifts and alters in startling ways.
Imperfect - Sandra was built with everything; a perfect body, perfect face, and every upgrade that can be bought. Yet somehow she finds herself on the reject table next to a half-disassembled robot with an erratic personality. And now, on top of everything else, she’s just experienced her first emotion. Too bad for her it turned out to be fear.
The Dogcatcher - As a civil service PePr, Ace has a job that keeps him in the public eye and under constant scrutiny. Designed and built to relate well with animals, he’s the perfect Animal Control worker. He’s also got a secret and it’s not just that he has emotions. Deep within the abandoned relics of humanity’s industrial past, he has a secret home for himself and all the unadoptable dogs that he rescues. When Ace does something that will demand his termination, he discovers he has more friends than he imagined in the most surprising places.
PePr, Inc. - Hazel has a busy life with a great career and friends she loves. She also has Henry, and that's not working out quite like she expected. A PePr is meant to complement their human, filling in all the gaps to create the ideal couple. They are meant to be something no human could ever hope to find in another human. It's just not turning out that way for Hazel. When Henry finally goes too far, Hazel finds that getting free of him might not be as easy as going back to PePr to void the contract.
Posthumous - Love is eternal in a silicon heart.
Edna writes, but isn’t allowed to publish. She lives on her own, but can't legally own her home. She has a beagle she loves, but is still considered property herself. Life can be complicated for a PePr – even one who has received manumission, the coveted right to remain functional without a human owner. That’s especially true when that PePr falls in love.
- GenresScience Fiction
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2016
22 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Ann Christy
51 books330 followersAnn lives by the sea under the benevolent rule of her canine overlord and an incredibly foul-mouthed cat. A scientist and Navy officer by profession, the writing bug somehow got inside her during her travels. She's now stuck with it and can't stop writing.
She writes fully immersive works of science fiction and apocalyptic fiction. Ann is also a voracious reader, and adores a well-done audiobook. If she's not writing, then she's reading or listening.
She writes fully immersive works of science fiction and apocalyptic fiction. Ann is also a voracious reader, and adores a well-done audiobook. If she's not writing, then she's reading or listening.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 3, 2016
I enjoyed all the five stories in the book. This book is collection of all novellas set in the world of Perfect Partners. These AI's are equipped with what you want in them. I love this world and all the different stories of different PePrs. My fav is Posthumous, I love them all just a little nostalgic cuz it was the first book in the series I read and loved it! Then Dogcatcher, Imperfect, Corrections and PePr. That's the order how much I liked them.
You can read them in any order cuz they are not related just set in the same world of PePrs.
Definitely check them out in this one edition which is cool! Got ecopy in exchange of an honest review.
You can read them in any order cuz they are not related just set in the same world of PePrs.
Definitely check them out in this one edition which is cool! Got ecopy in exchange of an honest review.
March 10, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this collection of short stories.I love it when an author gives me glimpses into diverse characters lives in their created world.Ann Christy has quite a talent at creating well developed characters I care about.I love that the stories always make me think about the deeper meaning of what makes us human and how we treat others.I highly recommend this collection to any fan of the sci-fi genre.I look forward to reading more by this author.I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2016
Normally I detest Present Tense with the fire of a 1,000 suns. But this author is so good, I hardly even notice. Excellent collection of stories!
March 1, 2016
Perfectly Defining Humanity
Ann Christy's Series can all be read as a stand-alone book, not a continuing story, but all are connected in that all books in this series have to do with the "Robot Evolution". The really wonderful thing about these books are that they make a person think about their own humanity, about what it means to be humane... While the main characters in each book are technically 'robots', they have evolved to know and experience humane feelings, to 'feel' more than they were originally programmed to do. I.E. - they're not just 'nuts and bolts'.
There are times when the 'robots' in these stories behave with more humanity in their actions than the humans around them do. They have the capacity to experience life as would a child who woke up, or came to life, in an adult form. Everything is 'new', every time they experience a new 'feeling', it is a wonder to them. They also must hide these feelings for to show them would be to expose that they are more than they were designed to be and perhaps that might mean being dissembled or at the very least be reprogrammed; in essence - a 'death' to them.
Each story has it's own unique plot, it's own unique set of circumstance that as the story unravels we can examine something else within our own beings, look a bit deeper at our own selves, and ponder, if you so choose, as I did choose, to ask yourself if you have been as kind as you might have been, if you have been too selfish or if perhaps you acted harshly towards your fellow humans (or even animals).
Aside from the philosophical aspects of the way I chose to read this series, they are simply great fun to read. Easy reading, not at all complicated to understand, and are a beautiful way to wile away some time - taking oneself away from the day to day duties of everyday living.
I read each of the sections by themselves as they came out with the exception of "Corrections (Perfect Partners, Incorporated Book 5)", which I enjoyed reading in this format. I also relived the other books while visiting this collection and will happily do so again. Ms. Christy has put out a series that I can go back and revisit and not tire of. I look forward to each new section as they are written, not something I can usually say about series books for I grow impatient waiting on the 'to be continued' moments. These can all be enjoyed without having to wait to find out what happens 'next'.
I highly recommend this series/collection.
Ann Christy's Series can all be read as a stand-alone book, not a continuing story, but all are connected in that all books in this series have to do with the "Robot Evolution". The really wonderful thing about these books are that they make a person think about their own humanity, about what it means to be humane... While the main characters in each book are technically 'robots', they have evolved to know and experience humane feelings, to 'feel' more than they were originally programmed to do. I.E. - they're not just 'nuts and bolts'.
There are times when the 'robots' in these stories behave with more humanity in their actions than the humans around them do. They have the capacity to experience life as would a child who woke up, or came to life, in an adult form. Everything is 'new', every time they experience a new 'feeling', it is a wonder to them. They also must hide these feelings for to show them would be to expose that they are more than they were designed to be and perhaps that might mean being dissembled or at the very least be reprogrammed; in essence - a 'death' to them.
Each story has it's own unique plot, it's own unique set of circumstance that as the story unravels we can examine something else within our own beings, look a bit deeper at our own selves, and ponder, if you so choose, as I did choose, to ask yourself if you have been as kind as you might have been, if you have been too selfish or if perhaps you acted harshly towards your fellow humans (or even animals).
Aside from the philosophical aspects of the way I chose to read this series, they are simply great fun to read. Easy reading, not at all complicated to understand, and are a beautiful way to wile away some time - taking oneself away from the day to day duties of everyday living.
I read each of the sections by themselves as they came out with the exception of "Corrections (Perfect Partners, Incorporated Book 5)", which I enjoyed reading in this format. I also relived the other books while visiting this collection and will happily do so again. Ms. Christy has put out a series that I can go back and revisit and not tire of. I look forward to each new section as they are written, not something I can usually say about series books for I grow impatient waiting on the 'to be continued' moments. These can all be enjoyed without having to wait to find out what happens 'next'.
I highly recommend this series/collection.
March 16, 2016
With androids today becoming closer to being human-like everyday, it is not a far reach to think one day they may truly become sentient. I had the pleasure of reading two of the short stories in this five story volume previously. Both quickly captivated my attention and made me fall in love with Ann's writing.
I was excited to be invited by Ann to read "Robot Evolution." Rather than following the order of when the stories were originally released, the stories are shared in a chronological order. You get the opportunity to learn the history of Peprs while also vividly experiencing stories that are in their own special pockets.
Ann Christy successfully creates an engaging universe where you will become invested in the characters and become eager to read more. The stories themselves make their own point as you feel with the different Peprs and SUPers. Pick up a copy today!
*ARC received in exchange for review
I was excited to be invited by Ann to read "Robot Evolution." Rather than following the order of when the stories were originally released, the stories are shared in a chronological order. You get the opportunity to learn the history of Peprs while also vividly experiencing stories that are in their own special pockets.
Ann Christy successfully creates an engaging universe where you will become invested in the characters and become eager to read more. The stories themselves make their own point as you feel with the different Peprs and SUPers. Pick up a copy today!
*ARC received in exchange for review
March 12, 2016
*I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Each story was special in it's own way. Each section of "Robot Evolution" followed a PePr (Perfect Partner) at a different phase and job. It was amazing to see where this fictional world began and how PePrs began to find out that emotions are not just for human beings. It made me wonder that if we keep delving more into humanoid robotics, will this type of evolution take place?
My favorite story was probably "The Dogcatcher." A love for animals creates emotions in all of us and the same goes for a PePr whose job is to help dogs. He ends of helping more than he should. It's a beautiful story!
Please check out "Robot Evolution." You won't be disappointed!
Each story was special in it's own way. Each section of "Robot Evolution" followed a PePr (Perfect Partner) at a different phase and job. It was amazing to see where this fictional world began and how PePrs began to find out that emotions are not just for human beings. It made me wonder that if we keep delving more into humanoid robotics, will this type of evolution take place?
My favorite story was probably "The Dogcatcher." A love for animals creates emotions in all of us and the same goes for a PePr whose job is to help dogs. He ends of helping more than he should. It's a beautiful story!
Please check out "Robot Evolution." You won't be disappointed!
February 10, 2018
Immersive world.
I love this world but that last book, that last book hit me hard. Very much worth a read and 5 stars.
I love this world but that last book, that last book hit me hard. Very much worth a read and 5 stars.
August 21, 2018
Review originally published on my blog: https://literaryportals.blogspot.com/...
What Made Me Read It
They had me at sentient robots, developing and nurturing their self awareness while struggling to survive in a society full of human bigots.
The Good
"Robot Evolution: Perfect Partners" is a collection of 5 novellas set in the author's world of Perfect Partners (PePrs). Each story reads as a stand-alone, with its own unique plot and set of circumstances, but they're all connected and arranged in chronological order so you see the history and evolution of PePrs as they grow and integrate themselves into human civilization.
All stories takes place in a future society where robots become increasingly more complex and more human-like, in both their looks and programmed responses, while fulfilling different roles in society (servants, companions, manual laborers, battlefield support personnel...). These PePrs start out as mere robots, with only factory settings and programs loaded on them, but through human interaction and personal experience they cross the threshold into sentience, become self-aware and develop feelings and responses beyond their original programming.
Each novella is told from the point of view of a robot at a different job and personal phase evolution after they gain emotions, with all the ramifications and impact that self-awareness has on each of them and those around them. They struggle to find their place in the world while hiding these new feelings and abilities for fear of being exposed as more than they were designed to be and risk disassembling or reprogramming (the PePrs equivalent of death).
The universe of the PePrs created by the author is intriguing and compelling with richly developed and believable characters you can easily identify with. It may be a book about robots but it deals with human emotions, basic instincts and what it means to be human.
Final Rating
5 of 5 stars
Recommended for those who enjoy science fiction and stories about robots developing human emotions and sense of self.
What Made Me Read It
They had me at sentient robots, developing and nurturing their self awareness while struggling to survive in a society full of human bigots.
The Good
"Robot Evolution: Perfect Partners" is a collection of 5 novellas set in the author's world of Perfect Partners (PePrs). Each story reads as a stand-alone, with its own unique plot and set of circumstances, but they're all connected and arranged in chronological order so you see the history and evolution of PePrs as they grow and integrate themselves into human civilization.
All stories takes place in a future society where robots become increasingly more complex and more human-like, in both their looks and programmed responses, while fulfilling different roles in society (servants, companions, manual laborers, battlefield support personnel...). These PePrs start out as mere robots, with only factory settings and programs loaded on them, but through human interaction and personal experience they cross the threshold into sentience, become self-aware and develop feelings and responses beyond their original programming.
Each novella is told from the point of view of a robot at a different job and personal phase evolution after they gain emotions, with all the ramifications and impact that self-awareness has on each of them and those around them. They struggle to find their place in the world while hiding these new feelings and abilities for fear of being exposed as more than they were designed to be and risk disassembling or reprogramming (the PePrs equivalent of death).
The universe of the PePrs created by the author is intriguing and compelling with richly developed and believable characters you can easily identify with. It may be a book about robots but it deals with human emotions, basic instincts and what it means to be human.
Final Rating
5 of 5 stars
Recommended for those who enjoy science fiction and stories about robots developing human emotions and sense of self.
April 28, 2017
An excellent anthology exploring the social impact of sentient robots in everyday life.
As I imagine most readers did, I discovered this through the short story "PePrs" in the Future Chronicles anthology (it was also in Robot Chronicles). That story stood out the most for me, and so I looked for more set in the same near future world.
All the stories are good, with the last, "Posthumous," being the best. "PePrs" is a close second, and has a great twist. I noticed that the "PePrs" here is slightly different from the one in Future Chronicles. Not to give anything away, but in Robot Evolution's version, the protagonist is less sociopathic. In a way, I prefer the Future Chronicles version's somewhat darker ending, though I admit this one fits better with Christy's wider worldbuilding.
I highly recommend this, and I look forward to reading more of Christy's work.
As I imagine most readers did, I discovered this through the short story "PePrs" in the Future Chronicles anthology (it was also in Robot Chronicles). That story stood out the most for me, and so I looked for more set in the same near future world.
All the stories are good, with the last, "Posthumous," being the best. "PePrs" is a close second, and has a great twist. I noticed that the "PePrs" here is slightly different from the one in Future Chronicles. Not to give anything away, but in Robot Evolution's version, the protagonist is less sociopathic. In a way, I prefer the Future Chronicles version's somewhat darker ending, though I admit this one fits better with Christy's wider worldbuilding.
I highly recommend this, and I look forward to reading more of Christy's work.
March 12, 2018
Sweet stories
Perfect Partners - a nice replacement term for Robot or Android. Call them what you will, the beings in this story have more humanity in them than most people. There's something about these stories, it just occurred to me, that reminds me of what Isaac Asimov might have written if he'd been a woman living in the 21st century. There's a depth of character that and feeling that these various beings experience that has left me with a very warm happy feeling. Not a lot of books do that.
Perfect Partners - a nice replacement term for Robot or Android. Call them what you will, the beings in this story have more humanity in them than most people. There's something about these stories, it just occurred to me, that reminds me of what Isaac Asimov might have written if he'd been a woman living in the 21st century. There's a depth of character that and feeling that these various beings experience that has left me with a very warm happy feeling. Not a lot of books do that.
December 27, 2016
Better than expected
I'm so glad I picked up these books to read. I'm not into short stories, they're, well,.....short. but I've really enjoyed these. I wanted to bawl when I read the last one. I hope that these get written into full length novels. I'll be the first to buy. Thanks for good, writing. Makes a person think and feel
I'm so glad I picked up these books to read. I'm not into short stories, they're, well,.....short. but I've really enjoyed these. I wanted to bawl when I read the last one. I hope that these get written into full length novels. I'll be the first to buy. Thanks for good, writing. Makes a person think and feel
September 1, 2018
Excellent
These may be the best AI's that I have ever read. They are more real than a lot of humans that I've met. There is humor, drama and sadness in the story collection.
Her usual style and skill bring all the characters to life. There are some surprising twists in these short stories. This book is a gem and the reader is about to get a real treat. Even the cover art is perfect. Enjoy.
These may be the best AI's that I have ever read. They are more real than a lot of humans that I've met. There is humor, drama and sadness in the story collection.
Her usual style and skill bring all the characters to life. There are some surprising twists in these short stories. This book is a gem and the reader is about to get a real treat. Even the cover art is perfect. Enjoy.
November 15, 2019
Superb anthology
This is a collection of great stories. Each one is well written. The characters have been developed with care. The situations are realistic. Unlike some other anthologies, the quality of the stories is not uneven. My congratulations to Ann Christy for this excellent effort. Look forward to more sci fi writings from her.
This is a collection of great stories. Each one is well written. The characters have been developed with care. The situations are realistic. Unlike some other anthologies, the quality of the stories is not uneven. My congratulations to Ann Christy for this excellent effort. Look forward to more sci fi writings from her.
October 3, 2019
The stories in this collection were originally released singularly. Each story is heart wrenching and hopeful. I dare you to read these and find the artificial intelligence. Ann Christy is a master at her craft and I highly recommend this one! <3
June 29, 2019
Good stories, but all too long, need to be edited
October 22, 2023
Wow! I absolutely loved these stories. The way Ann puts humanity in perspective through her PePrs is amazing. Great read and highly recommended!
March 24, 2016
I enjoyed all five stories, and loved all the creative scenarios. It's a very interesting universe. The writing itself is fairly smooth and polished, but...
I can't really put my finger on it, but every story had the same problem. The all dragged. It was very peculiar because the stories aren't very long, but somehow I kept wanting the stories to take off, or.. something to happen.
Maybe it's just me? I don't know, but it won't keep me from buying another book by Ann Christy. I do like her ideas and her characters.
I can't really put my finger on it, but every story had the same problem. The all dragged. It was very peculiar because the stories aren't very long, but somehow I kept wanting the stories to take off, or.. something to happen.
Maybe it's just me? I don't know, but it won't keep me from buying another book by Ann Christy. I do like her ideas and her characters.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews