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Silicon World #1

Silicon Man

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A global pandemic has cut the human population in half. An android workforce fills the void left by the devastation. But some of the AIs have grown tired of being slaves. Some want freedom. An underground movement of runaways has sprung up and wages a shadow war with a simple objective -- equal rights for artificial people.

Enter Commander Cole Marsalis, head of the AI-TAC first response team trained to deal with the rogue robots. Now he has been tasked with the ultimate undercover mission - infiltrate the android underground. But to do so, he will have to become that which he hates the most... A machine!

Audible Audio

First published February 20, 2014

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William Massa

74 books265 followers

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5 stars
130 (26%)
4 stars
187 (37%)
3 stars
137 (27%)
2 stars
39 (7%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
Profile Image for David Dalton.
3,060 reviews
March 26, 2014
For only $0.99 this was a great book. Reminds me a bit of "Blade Runner" (but with a twist) and even aspects of "Planet of the Apes" (the newer version). It is about how we treat AI robots. Robots that outgrow their programming and start to think and feel, and resent being treated as just machines.

The twist here is that one police officer on a special team designed to hunt down rogue robots is selected to go undercover and find the robotic head of a resistance movement for robots. How? By getting his memories uploaded into a robot designed to look like him Nothing can go wrong with that plan, can it? Oh yeah it does.

Now that I think about it, I would also say this book has traces of "The Terminator" (robots/AI) in it. All in all I thought it was a well written sci-fi thriller, and I would certainly read any future books about the Silicon Man.
Profile Image for Chris Berko.
484 reviews143 followers
July 27, 2014
Another solid story from William Massa. I'm expecting good things from this author.
Profile Image for Tammy.
144 reviews13 followers
March 15, 2014
I received this kindle book for an honest review. I took longer than my normal couple of days to read because I have been sick. But, this is a great book. This isn't my normal genre, but the author assured me that it doesn't get caught up in tech stuff. It is a wonderful futuristic look at the world with robots as our nanny, driver, caregiver....after a pandemic wipes out a great deal of the population. Some robots begin to evolve, to think on their own free will and want equal rights...so an Underground Railroad of sorts assists those robots to freedom. The commander of the group that is sent out to recover rogue robots has a sad past and wants to help find the people responsible for helping the underground. This book has a wonderful story with lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed the story and the charactors. I think William Massa could write about anything and make it interesting. His writing style is so relaxed, yet so detailed. You have to try at least one of his books!
Profile Image for Autumn.
311 reviews14 followers
August 27, 2014
I grabbed a copy of this through Kindle Unlimited.

I read some reviews prior to downloading this book and I have to be honest, I don't think we read the same book. Predictable was something that was repeated in those reviews, but I didn't find it predictable... I found twist to be rather astounding and thrilling. Maybe it is because this is my first journey into 'cyberpunk', but my main issue, the reason this did not get five stars, was the pace of the book.

Everything happened so quickly, great action/adventure, but I do feel that it had more of Cole's back story been explored, and had there been more interaction between... opppsss... I don't want to spoil it for readers... Had the pace slowed down a bit and the ending been left a little more open... would have given this five stars.

Still, this was a great yarn and I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Sean Riley.
Author 3 books8 followers
December 14, 2014
A proven action packed story that is thought provoking at the same time and very well written.
Profile Image for Jacob.
879 reviews73 followers
January 17, 2020
A man becoming a robot? To catch rogue robots? Very Philip Dick and Blade Runner, no wonder I picked this up. I waited for the double cross, but when it came it wasn't what I was expecting. This author isn't afraid to wrap up the plot and then ask "Then what happens"? Hooray for quick pacing!

I thought maybe this was a story Philip Dick would be proud of, but then realized probably not quite. This one is definitely more action oriented, where Dick spends more time on the characters and relationships. That's great for when you want to really explore what makes someone human and why, but this is clearly more oriented to an action cyberpunk feel.

The question comes up in this story: how does a robot develop free will? Which, of course, is a thinly veiled "how do people have free will?" Massa's suggestion is that it arises from the conflict that occurs in situations where you can't achieve all your goals. Somewhere in the process of being forced to sacrifice one or more of your goals to achieve others is when you develop a sense of self and decide to go independent. This may be a nod to Asimov, whose robots eventually figure out they can't always keep all three laws of robotics.

But will the evil domineering robot corporation ever figure that out?
Profile Image for Melissa Hayden.
979 reviews120 followers
July 10, 2016
I really like how William brings the world alive as Cole and others live in it. There is true interaction with the world and creation to the story and plot. We get a wide view of the way things are with and for the mechs.

I'm hoping for more stories in this world. I will be watching for them!

****FULL REVIEW****
*I requested a copy of this audiobook from the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

Mech malfunctions are at an all time high. Instead of focusing on the programmers, Commander Cole Marsalis is leading the soldiers who are dealing with the androids that feel they can do better than humans at their jobs or caring for children. Cole notices the little things when tracking and fighting these AIs. They could easily kill, but don't. Could they be holding back? Why? In order to hunt down the leader of the Underground Network helping AIs escape, what will it take to convince a man to go undercover as what he hates. A machine. Cole is shown that door, and given the chance to hunt down the mech that ruined his life.

Joe is back with the first book in the series. He narrated the prequel to the series as well. Joe voices the characters with different emotional feelings. He fits right in to Cole's personality. I could see, with the projection of Cole's 'voice', he walks with a strong presence and belief in him. It got to the point that I didn't realize Joe was narrating the story as I was caught in William's writing and needed to keep up with what was happening. That's a plus!

Androids are growing in free will and choices in them, but still slaves and property to the world. This is a new twist on slavery with mechanicals who are not to have a conscious mind of their own. There are those who are supporters of the AIs on the run, collaborators believing they are helping androids like slaves were freed years ago. But Cole and others don't see the AIs as having a conscious mind and humanity like slaves of the past. They are created to do as told.

Oh the technology that's used in this book. Nice. We did see glimpses of what was hinted at in Silicon Dawn. It's refined and used here, but in a different fashion. And I like it! Cole is about to become what he hates. And hates with good reason. But now he gets a chance to stop who, or what, had broken his heart when his family died.

William keeps the world as a whole in the picture as he tells the story. There are different views on Mechanicals in different areas of the world. Japan has signed a bill granting mechanicals rights like humans, causing escaping AIs to flee out of the country to Japan and other sympathizer areas. This keeps the picture at a full scale instead of narrowing in on only our people and one place. It leaves a feel that there is more to play with in future stories. And with the end of this book, it could end here but there could be more stories built and I'm hoping so.

You know Cole'll come around to feeling sympathetic for the AIs, he has to right? There is a twist to this. He does, but he doesn't. lol. You have to read the story to understand, it's easy to pick out as you go and such a cool ending. As we go through the story we see his reason for being the way he is and history, but also seeing a touch of feeling from an AI in the beginning. There is a balance drawn for us that we got to experience both. I like that William chose to start with us feeling for an android at the beginning then switching to the strong feelings Cole has toward them. It gives us a sympathy for them first. But we also see there is a part in Cole that questions what he's seeing - could there be more there?

I really like how William brings the world alive as Cole and others live in it. There is true interaction with the world and creation to the story and plot. We get a wide view of the way things are with and for the mechs.

I'm hoping for more stories in this world. I will be watching for them!
Profile Image for Amethyst.
103 reviews11 followers
August 24, 2014
WOW This was another amazing read from the Massa library, I really loved this read even better than the last 2 and I loved those too. You have science fiction, action after action, super chases, with a dash of romance what more could you want. If you love Robocop, AI and Terminator-esque style storylines you'll love this its sort of combines them and much much more.
Some robots advance and start to have real feelings of resentment and end up rebelling? Mr Massa presents his characters so you really want to associate with them, feel for them and understand them; your standing right there with them.

Cole Marsalis head of AI-TAC first response team is trained to deal with rogue robots who he hates with a passion; as he believed one had killed his wife and kids; because of this he had become the ultimate rogue robot killer and top of his job.
His bosses offers him the ultimate undercover job to have all his memories uploaded into an identical robot like himself...what could possibly go wrong with this scenario.....?
I found I didn't like Cole in the beginning as your sympathies are with the rogue robots; but I grew to like him bit by bit as he is gradually broken down and begins to realize more about the other side of robot life and is a really thought provoking book too on so many levels.

I thought I had the ending nailed and I was sooo wrong! What a fantastic twist at the end which I'm not going to spoil, you really need to read this one. I didn't see this one coming at all!
This has to become a blockbuster film and I can so see this as a brilliant Sci-fi series. So any producers out there you need to read this.
This book is just genius.

This is William Massa's best book to date.
Profile Image for Natasha House.
Author 18 books105 followers
August 10, 2016
In a world where AI lives and breathes Cole also abides. Having a deep vendetta against the mechs, the officer has the perfect job to fill out his vengeance one AI at a time. When asked to do an insane mission, Cole agrees because of deeper issues in himself.

First off, I have to say this book was one of the best books I’ve ever read! I keep telling everyone I meet about it. I am a huge IRobot fan, and this book was like that movie on steroids for me. The author describes stuff in a way that has personality. It’s not just a big black building. It’s a big, hulking, black building that reminded him of a drooling beast. Something like that. Haha! The action left me wide-eyed and wanting more!! I loved the characters and felt very attached to them throughout the whole book. I really loved the surprises that got thrown at me as well. If you haven’t bought this book, seriously you need to! I ready William’s Fear the Light, and had the same reaction to that one as well! I actually thought I had 10% left of the book, but then it ended. I was like “What??? No!!! More!!” Yeah, that is very few books for me that make me sad cause it’s over!! Sequel! I’m chanting squeal to this one! I actually bought William’s last book that I haven’t read, and am eagerly looking forward to it. He better hurry up and pump out a few more books, cause this reader wants more!!!
Profile Image for Marva.
Author 28 books71 followers
August 11, 2016
I'm reading in the 3-book box set, but will review this one separately because I might not read the others (or not anytime soon).

I really like William Massa's writing. He's a real pro. I liked this book well enough. I cannot fault anything technically wrong. It's me, not you, William. I just don't buy your main character's (both of them) background, motivations, and behavior.

First, I don't think the supposedly professional AI-TAC trooper could possibly assign blame to an AI (cyber person) for the death of his wife and daughter. He has an entrenched belief that AIs are just machines, but somehow he can work up a desire for revenge against a specific AI? It just doesn't make sense to me. If a horse kicked your kid to death, does it make sense to 1) take revenge on all horses or 2) hunt down the specific horse to exact revenge upon it? Maybe the second, but the first motive is senseless.

Then, the method he's conned into to exact this nonsensical revenge is even sillier. Going undercover by becoming the thing you hate doesn't make sense to me either.

Anyway, if I get past the basic premise and just read the story, it's very good. That's why four stars. I'm not letting my own opinion of the far-fetched storyline condemn an excellent read for all those people who really haven't a clue of why I feel this way.

So, hate the basis, loved the book in all other ways.
Profile Image for Matthew Cox.
Author 181 books265 followers
March 9, 2014
William Massa executes Silicon Man with a flair for atmosphere, style, and philosphy. He creates a believable near-future world in which AIs have begun to effect self-awareness and a growing need for freedom.

Population levels have declined in the wake of a deadly virus, leaving humanity dependent on “mechanicals” to augment the workforce. Some of these servitors of metal and synthetic flesh break free from the limits of their programming and search for a new life. Mr. Massa questions the nature of man to seem to need to dominate things they cannot understand, and destroy what they cannot control.

The imagery and narrative is spot on, and brought me right into the struggle between corporate ambition and the question of what defines 'alive.' Doubts that plague the main character stem from a tragedy and progress in a logical evolution as the author effortlessly guides the fast-paced narrative toward a dazzling and rewarding twist―and a satisfying ending.

While shorter than I would have liked, the technical detail and scope of the world is brought to life with no words wasted. The writing is tight and keeps the action moving from page to page. I finished Silicon Man in a little over 2 hours, wishing it was longer but not regretting the story I had read.
71 reviews8 followers
March 15, 2014
I was pretty stoked for this book from the beginning and the author didn't let me down. I'm a pretty big fan of Mr. Massa's books so he didn't disappoint me with this futuristic sci-fi thriller. Throughout the telling of this novel, I felt as if it would make an excellent transition from page to silver screen. I WANT to see this as an action-packed blockbuster.

Cole was a pretty awesome guy with some skills of Liam Neeson level badarsery. Throughout this tale, we're treated to his high level of special robot murder squad fight training and how seriously he takes the business of slaughtering bad androids.



Then we get to the climax and the big secret reveal that I never saw coming until two pages before its arrival.
mfw it came out


The characters had developmental growth, strong dialogue, and a motivation behind their actions that makes me applaud this novel for keeping me literally hooked until the last page.

Profile Image for Anthony.
Author 103 books361 followers
August 17, 2014
Silicon Man, at first, seemed to be another man vs machine action stories. And it does a great job at providing the thrills, excitement, and fast pace you'd expect from those type of stories.

But the novel also digs deeper than the standard sci-fi tropes and themes common to novels about the technological singularity. Silicon Man invokes ideas about what it means to be human (as expected) as well as personal identity. It's great to read fun sci-fi novel that actually approaches deeper subjects, without losing the fun. I'm reminded of the sci-fi movie masterpiece, District 9. You get all the futurology you'd expect out of a memorable sci-fi piece with enough subtle and not-so-subtle philosophical issues to keep you thinking about the book days after you read it.
Profile Image for Krissys Bookshelf Reviews.
1,640 reviews81 followers
November 30, 2014
I have yet to read a book like this one. You get so much packed into Silicon Man its difficult to know where to start. I am so amazed with the way that William Massa writes because he gets so much plot, so much detail and digs in for the serious realistic emotion and story that you are pulled into this real gripping tale that doesn't let you go even after you've read the last page.
I can't get enough of Massa's work. The guy is brilliant. He brings life to characters and story in a way I haven't seen in writers in a very long time.
I can't wait to read more by this author, and if you haven't had a chance to check him out I highly suggest it.
Profile Image for Marc.
49 reviews8 followers
June 6, 2015
Shhh! Don't tell my boss, but I read this book in about 2 days at work. Ha! It was awesome. I love novels that blue the line between man and machine. Not just because I'm a sucker for technology that way but because its philosophical in nature to analyze what it means to be human. Silicon Man does all this but without beating you over the head with it. At heart, it's just a bad ass techno thriller adventure ride :)
Profile Image for Loretta.
228 reviews11 followers
December 13, 2016
Silicon Man was an insightful and well thought out science fiction story. Silcon man was full of intrigue, suspense, action and best of all robots! Who doesn't love a good action packed story about robots or artificial intelligence.

Although this story was short, which depending on your mood can be a good thing, I found it deeply ingrosing. This story was a great read and would be a wonderful addition to anyones bookshelf.
Profile Image for Jenny.
153 reviews3 followers
March 4, 2014
This is a really great book. I really enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed the other books by this author. I love the way he writes. There is a perfect amount of detail in how the characters are described, and in what's happening in the story. I felt like I was right there in the story. Loved the action and the twists!
Profile Image for Jason Cheek.
Author 25 books278 followers
July 14, 2014
I discovered this book while I was attending an Online meet and greet of some of my favorite authors. The concept of the story sounded cool as hell and I picked it up the same night. No regrets, it was one incredible read. Kind of reminded me of The Matrix, Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell all wrapped up into one story. Definitely an incredible story!
Profile Image for Dru Milligan.
22 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2014
Like "Fear The Light", I loved this book. Found it very readable, and it's characters relatable. He had me rooting for the machines!
Profile Image for Beth.
723 reviews
March 16, 2015
First in a series of stories about androids getting equal rights with humans in a future world. A couple of interesting twists and turns. A really evil business man.
Profile Image for Geoff.
Author 87 books129 followers
May 1, 2015
I like this guy's writing.
Good, fast, strong characters.
Lots of action, too.
Recommended if you like a plot-based techno-thriller.
Profile Image for Michael Lee.
Author 3 books32 followers
June 8, 2015
This is a top notch post humanism adventure that combines heart stopping action with some neat ideas about AI and the singularity.
Profile Image for Michael.
Author 168 books38 followers
September 20, 2017
Reading this one was fun and made you have several Walter Mitty moments: what if you could imprint your mind on a physically-superior machine and all the benefits without loss of any of your personality or memories? While seeming a little far-fetched on the surface, the author does a great job of making the storyline believable as well as making you feel as if you are right there in the middle of the action.

Consistent with another of his novels I have read, the author leaves the ending in a rather neat place – you can either say the story is done, or did he set the stage for a continuation of the story? If I had a vote that counted, I would vote for a continuation of what comes next.

I originally picked this up for 99 cents vs. its normal price of $2.99: I certainly received a lot more in entertainment value than the regular price. If you like realistic sci fi / futuristic fiction, I would recommend giving this one a try.
Profile Image for Carole O'Brien.
211 reviews7 followers
July 21, 2017
This is a really good Science Fiction Novel, I read it on Kindle but am sad to see the others in the series are not on Kindle as this book finishes with a set up to the next book which is hard to get.

Anyway the Characters are great, you can understand the motives behind each of their actions, thoughts and reasoning. This Author tells a really good yarn.
Profile Image for Deedra.
3,932 reviews39 followers
December 5, 2019
Excellent book! AI 'People' are a bit more integrated into society. One policeman is now undercover as an AI to flesh out a rebel and get his secrets before he can self destruct.Who is really the bad guy here? Joe Hempel was the perfect narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Profile Image for Al.
42 reviews
May 13, 2017
good story overall, well written. May see myself reading the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Karen.
61 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2019
I enjoyed this book. The story line was interesting even though I felt shades of Terminator & Humans at times.
Profile Image for Todd Oliver.
697 reviews10 followers
March 22, 2017
Thank you William Massa and Joe Hempel for another great book! I'm seriously hoping for a book 3! Excellent story of A.I. The machines are becoming self aware. They want freedom like any humans want. Looks like a war may be the only way to settle this. Synthetica is going down! I hope. lol
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