„Mein Name ist Renfro, Sergeant Renfro – oder einfach nur Sergeant …“
Ja, Sergeant ist mein Vorname und zufälligerweise auch mein Rang. Ich wurde in diesen Krieg, aber auch wegen dieses Krieges geboren ... doch das ist eine andere Geschichte. Mein Interesse für das Militär ging die meiste Zeit meines Lebens stark gegen Null, doch wie alle anderen meiner Generation wurde auch ich eingezogen.
Der nächste Teil in Nick Thackers wachsender Sammlung von Sci-Fi-Action-/Abenteuer-Thrillern …
Da ich den Krieg jedoch überleben wollte, kämpfte ich. Zuerst kämpfte ich, egoistisch wie ich war, nur um mein eigenes Leben, dann für das meiner Abteilung und Zuges, und schließlich für jeden Einzelnen, mit dem ich diente. Es war nicht gerade der einfachste Weg und vermutlich ziemlich egoistisch von mir, aber er hat mich hierher geführt.
Freunde von Isaac Asimov und H.G. Wells, holt euch Ich, Sergeant noch heute!
Nick Thacker is a thriller author from Texas who lives in Hawaii. In his free time, he enjoys reading in a hammock on the beach, skiing, drinking whiskey, and hanging out with his beautiful wife, two dogs, and two daughters. For more information, visit Nick online at www.nickthacker.com
In addition to his fiction work, Nick is the founder and lead of Sonata & Scribe, the only music studio focused on producing “soundtracks” for books and series. Find out more at www.SonataAndScribe.com.
Overall 4 out of 5 stars Performance 5 out of 5 stars Story 3 out of 5 stars
A bit emotional, wish it was longer! Story 3.5* Aaron Shedlock tweeted about this book the other day, on the seventh anniversary of uploading it- it was the first book he narrated! As he's one of my favorites I had to grab it, without even knowing what it was about. The narration was excellent of course! Mr, Shedlock is such an fantastic narrator, I enjoy listening to him so much, So I always think any book he performs is too short, and that was definitely the case here. I don't have an issue with the story at all- as short and as quick of a listen it was, I really got invested! I want to know more about Sergeant and the world.
Short and exciting!! This is one of the best short stories I have read. Maybe because when you are finished it really makes you think. It really brings out the difference between the human side and the AI side. It grabs you from the very beginning and keeps you engaged right to the very end. It leaves you wanting more, which I believe a really good story should do. Nick has hit another home run with this one.
This was a very short read. A bit of the Twilight Zone in the ending of the Sci-Fi thriller. Robots, humans, and AI all mixed together in a short story. I will check out other titles by Nick and see how he handles a longer story.
My name is Renfro. Sergeant Renfro, or just Sergeant... Yes, Sergeant is my first name and it happens to be my rank as well. I was born into and because of this war... but that's another story. My particular interest in the military hovered near zero for most of my life, but like everyone else in my generation we were drafted into service.The next in Nick Thacker's growing collection of sci-fi action/adventure thrillers... There was never a time during the war that I didn't want to stay alive, either, so I fought. At first I fought selfishly for my own life, and then for my squad and platoon, and finally for the individuals I served with. It was a circuitous route, and probably just a little self-centered, but it led me here.
"I Sergeant" by Nick Thacker, is a futuristic tale of war told from the perspective of an AI robot fighting humans for survival & power. In the future humans develop AI to complete all menial tasks. While Humans continue wars for supremacy. eventually the ultimate AI develops on its own & decides to eliminate humanity to gain ultimate power. Sergeant is an early model combat robot caught up in this war.
Although this was written as a short story, it could have easily been a full length novel. So many possibilities where technology and humanity are at war with each other. The narration was very good. I’m a huge fan of Aaron Shedlock’s romance audiobooks, but its easy to see that he has the voice acting talent to narrate any genre.
I liked the perspective of the story being told by the, I think, the non-violent soldier, or was he human at one point. You need to read it to find out.
Caught on the battle field in what might be his last battle, a soldier protects a fellow combatant and recalls his years in battle. Well written and thought-provoking futuristic SF story.
Nick Thacker is quickly becoming my favorite new author. His views and insights into both the human mind and into what may come of artificial intelligence is incredible. He really knows how to get you to fall for a character (even in his short stories).
This short story is no different. It is very short — grab a coffee or your favorite morning beverage and you should be able to blow through this before you finish you drink. But don’t think just because it is short that it doesn’t have complex thoughts and details in it. Granted, Thacker could have written a whole book on this topic (giving a much more detailed description of the war and how it started). But, at the same time — the heart of the story was what was written in these few pages.
Nick Thacker has a brilliant way of making you fall for the main character — even when there are twists and turns that you didn’t expect. And that is all I’m going to say about that.
This book definitely has an Asimov-ian feel to it, especially with the AI/robots in it. The point of view is great and believable. And the ending will catch you off guard.
A great blazing quick read for the end of summer that is quickly approaching. Please check out this new author, and if you enjoyed this book — check out his other books (at the time of publishing this he is currently giving away 3 books on his website — I believe the link is in the end of this short story).
Sci Fi Short Story This is a very terse and tight Science Fiction short story. It would be a crime to giveaway too much but expect a major twist in the tale.
Plot Set at sometime in the future, robots and humans are fighting each other. Amusingly, India and China have collaborated and the US has to fend off the huge numbers of our combined armies. The US has had to release fully automated soldiers. This story is about one soldier who is dodging the massive armies of Indians and Chinese fighters.
Tech Skills Nick Thacker writes a rapid fire style which sucks you into the story without a backward glance. He has effortless mastery over the genre, using weapon jargon and other terminologies with seasoned grace and ease. See below for example. Read more
"I, Sergeant" was an awesome listen. For it being short, it was definitely intense. I would love to hear a continuation of this. Sergeant Renfro I think is an AI fighting in a war he was born into. The AI he's with gets hit and he pulls him out. What's great is the thought process going on with Renfro. If this story were to continue, this would be a perfect intro into a backstory of him. Another great book by Nick Thacker.
The narration by Aaron Shedlock was excellent. His voice was perfect for Renfro and for his partner as well. He has very well-defined vocal skills. I can't wait to hear more from both him and the author.
Audiobook received in exchange for an honest review.
Solid Sci-Fi. Quick, fun read. Clever plot twist at the end. The author knows plenty about the looming issues with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and that won't be science fiction much longer. Hopefully things won't go the way some fear it may and we can work out a way to get machines and humans to cooperate. Nick is a former student of mine at Texas State, so I take some additional personal pleasure in his accomplishment. Well done!
WOW! Ok, I want to hear more of this genre and storyline from Nick Thacker! It is as if he were channelling Heinlein. The introspection of his character is very much like Rico in Starship Troopers. As a matter of fact, the story here is a lot like the intro to Starship Troopers. It drops us into the middle of combat, and explains the geo-political situation as the battle situation develops. It is very well done!
A short story that throws a twist into what you thought you were reading. A nice rounded short insight into the thoughts of a soldier on a battlefield between Human and machine. What would the world be like if man and machine went to war? Take a chance and read this as it is nicely written.
This is a short story that grabs your attention. It flows well and has a nice twist. I found it to be a good intro to this authors work. I look forward to reading more of his books.