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Rusted Wasteland #2
Steel Defender
Can a kind-hearted robot protect his favorite human from being erased?
Block has finally found a safe place for Wally—the baby girl he safeguarded across the war-torn wastelands—or so he thinks. But the wary humans he’s entrusted with her care won’t let him visit her, so he follows his cleaning routines and misses her more every day.
When the humans are forced to surrender Wally to supercomputer Mach X’s lethal SoldierBots or face extermination, Block will do anything to keep her safe… even if that means aligning with a former enemy, a colossal Mech, and their motley army of renegade robots.
Together, they must face down militaristic SoldierBots, attack drones, and WarBots that will stop at nothing to claim the child. She holds the key to humanity’s survival—or their doom.
If you enjoy robots with a heart like WALL-E plus the action-packed adventure of Transformers, Robocop, and Terminator, you’ll love the second book of this thrilling post-apocalyptic sci-fi series.
Block has finally found a safe place for Wally—the baby girl he safeguarded across the war-torn wastelands—or so he thinks. But the wary humans he’s entrusted with her care won’t let him visit her, so he follows his cleaning routines and misses her more every day.
When the humans are forced to surrender Wally to supercomputer Mach X’s lethal SoldierBots or face extermination, Block will do anything to keep her safe… even if that means aligning with a former enemy, a colossal Mech, and their motley army of renegade robots.
Together, they must face down militaristic SoldierBots, attack drones, and WarBots that will stop at nothing to claim the child. She holds the key to humanity’s survival—or their doom.
If you enjoy robots with a heart like WALL-E plus the action-packed adventure of Transformers, Robocop, and Terminator, you’ll love the second book of this thrilling post-apocalyptic sci-fi series.
- GenresScience Fiction
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2020
119 people are currently reading
2090 people want to read
About the author
Cameron Coral
26 books67 followersCameron Coral is an award-nominated science fiction author. Her book Steel Guardian about a post-apocalyptic CleanerBot was awarded second place in the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC).
Growing up with a NASA engineer in the family instilled a deep respect for science and for asking lots of questions. Watching tons of Star Trek episodes helped, too. Her imagination is fueled by breakthroughs in robotics, space travel, and psychology.
After moving around a lot (Canada, Arizona, Maryland, Australia), she now lives in Northern Illinois with her husband and a “shorty” Jack Russell terrier who runs the house.
Want a free novel, advance copies of books, and occasional rants about why robots are awesome? Visit her website: CameronCoral.com
Growing up with a NASA engineer in the family instilled a deep respect for science and for asking lots of questions. Watching tons of Star Trek episodes helped, too. Her imagination is fueled by breakthroughs in robotics, space travel, and psychology.
After moving around a lot (Canada, Arizona, Maryland, Australia), she now lives in Northern Illinois with her husband and a “shorty” Jack Russell terrier who runs the house.
Want a free novel, advance copies of books, and occasional rants about why robots are awesome? Visit her website: CameronCoral.com
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 9, 2024
Steel Defender
By Cameron Coral
This book was even better than book one. The journey continues, and so does the danger and suspense. Some secrets are exposed, and Block, the faithful robot, must keep it secret to protect his human charge.
New groups are encountered, and old enemies too. Enjoyed this tremendously.
By Cameron Coral
This book was even better than book one. The journey continues, and so does the danger and suspense. Some secrets are exposed, and Block, the faithful robot, must keep it secret to protect his human charge.
New groups are encountered, and old enemies too. Enjoyed this tremendously.
August 2, 2020
Steel Defender is the sequel to Steel Guardian, in the Rusted Wasteland series, about a timid robot in post-apocalyptic America who has taken on the responsibility of protecting a human baby from the evil AI who wants to eliminate all people. I would recommend reading these in order - while you do get a good summary of the previous book, to understand the characters and their motivations you’d want to know the full story.
I received a free review copy from the author in exchange for feedback and an honest review, and enjoyed this just as much as the first book.
Block, a hotel CleanerBot forced to leave his Chicago home when the army led by Mach X killed all the humans, has brought baby Wally to safety at a human enclave based in a school. He’s miserable as they are keeping her from him, and the leader Shane, who is his human friend Nova’s boyfriend, hates him for being a robot and suspects he’s a spy. When the base comes under attack by Mach’s forces, who want the baby, Shane gives them up to save his people, but before they can be captured, Block and Wally are rescued by a most unlikely ally - Cybel - the bounty hunter droid who had pursued them relentlessly previously. Why has she swapped sides and can Block trust her?
This light sci-fi romp, inspired by The Terminator and WALL-E with a dash of The Mandalorian would make a brilliant animated movie. Block is a great character - although his single-minded determination to protect the baby at all cost leads him into all sorts of trouble. I particularly enjoyed the new robot characters - Oxford the honourable soldier mech, LB the LaundryBot and Maxwell the ingenious robot mechanic. If you can suspend disbelief long enough (and you’re reading sci-fi so that’s basically a given) the jokey blockey relationship that evolves between them is lots of fun. There’s lots of action and the pace never slows.
It’s uncertain whether this will be a trilogy or an open series, but this leaves the plot open for the next book - not exactly a cliffhanger, but there’s obviously lots more to come and I for one can’t wait!
I received a free review copy from the author in exchange for feedback and an honest review, and enjoyed this just as much as the first book.
Block, a hotel CleanerBot forced to leave his Chicago home when the army led by Mach X killed all the humans, has brought baby Wally to safety at a human enclave based in a school. He’s miserable as they are keeping her from him, and the leader Shane, who is his human friend Nova’s boyfriend, hates him for being a robot and suspects he’s a spy. When the base comes under attack by Mach’s forces, who want the baby, Shane gives them up to save his people, but before they can be captured, Block and Wally are rescued by a most unlikely ally - Cybel - the bounty hunter droid who had pursued them relentlessly previously. Why has she swapped sides and can Block trust her?
This light sci-fi romp, inspired by The Terminator and WALL-E with a dash of The Mandalorian would make a brilliant animated movie. Block is a great character - although his single-minded determination to protect the baby at all cost leads him into all sorts of trouble. I particularly enjoyed the new robot characters - Oxford the honourable soldier mech, LB the LaundryBot and Maxwell the ingenious robot mechanic. If you can suspend disbelief long enough (and you’re reading sci-fi so that’s basically a given) the jokey blockey relationship that evolves between them is lots of fun. There’s lots of action and the pace never slows.
It’s uncertain whether this will be a trilogy or an open series, but this leaves the plot open for the next book - not exactly a cliffhanger, but there’s obviously lots more to come and I for one can’t wait!
September 9, 2022
Loving it
I'm really loving the growth Block is showing in this book. He hasn't realized he is special and that the humans are under estimating him. I look forward to the next book.
I'm really loving the growth Block is showing in this book. He hasn't realized he is special and that the humans are under estimating him. I look forward to the next book.
April 18, 2024
Another great book from Cameron Coral
I really like this series about Block, I think the story line is fun.
I have hope that the series lasts for a long time.
I really like this series about Block, I think the story line is fun.
I have hope that the series lasts for a long time.
August 27, 2020
To summarize Books 1 and 2, quoted directly from the latter:
"...(Block) was just a CleanerBot.
A CleanerBot with a baby to protect."
OK, that's it from me. Good night everyone, drive safely!
Alright alright, a little reviewing won't hurt anyone. Book 2 is a somewhat stronger effort than Book 1 in that
(a) the repetitiveness (sp? that word always looks so weird to me... like there's too many 'ti's' in there!) isn't quite so glaring, though Block's insecurities (can I do this? should I lie? should I run? oh deary deary me cried C-3PO's even more annoying cousin) really get a bit tiresome and
(b) the story does profit from moving around more than in book 1 and not just in terms of location and general road warrior shenanigans.
Having said that, I'm giving the book the same rating as book 1 even though I think it's better but it's still not all that sophisticated (we're not talking a Crouch, Scalzi, RC.Bruno or Sansbury Smith book and I've been mean to them, too). Sure, there's a richer plot here because we do a little more than repeat the run away protocol that we were stuck on like a scratched record in book 1. Also, the gathering of robots (no spoilers) is kind of a nice reprieve vs. what was happening with the few characters involved earlier as is the upped up evil robot army. Um, maybe that's too spoil-y. Ignore that. Anyway, to cut this short, I think the rating is justified. 3 stars is a good book. This was a good book.
And yet, I'd also be remiss if I didn't point out that this book left me a little perplexed. I was left wondering if C.Carol was trying to push this EVEN more into a YA box than before (maybe to avoid being grouped with some of the other folks I mention earlier), even though technically there aren't any 'young adults' involved. Certainly, the phrasing and dialogue led me to think so. Case(s) in point:
- We learn that Block was manufactured in 2043 before, you know, the whole the local Terminator Universe stuff got a'goin';
- However, at various points our AI friends say things like (all direct quotes):
* “Wow,” Block said. “That's cool.”
* “That’s neat,” LB said.
* “Block, you’d better try something, or we’re toast.”
So, um, are we expecting them to start texting each other eventually with WTF, LOL or even swap some memes or emojis? It just seemed way out of place and not in line with the overall ... um ok, again no spoilers ... "stuff" that is going on, for better or for worse. I certainly can't see Mach X approving of this kind of silly, late 20th, early 21st century banter. Probably why he wants to wipe out humanity (or does he? she? they? IT?).
Anywho, it now seems to me that book 1 and 2 DID need to be separated ... but book 1 still didn't really have enough meat on the bone to carry things. However, I did find it a shame that book 2 then is an even quicker!! read interupted by far too many chapter breaks. Having said all that, for a light, mid-range scifi-ish series, I'm not terribly disappointed. Yes, I've read a lot better but I've also read a lot worse. There is promise in the story even though I wish the level of prose was a little stronger.
But lo and behold, even though I didn't see anything about this on goodreads, there's a 3rd book on the way in the coming weeks (folks, you so need to take promotion seriously!). So I'll sign up for that, too. And really, what else could you want? Let's keep going!
"...(Block) was just a CleanerBot.
A CleanerBot with a baby to protect."
OK, that's it from me. Good night everyone, drive safely!
Alright alright, a little reviewing won't hurt anyone. Book 2 is a somewhat stronger effort than Book 1 in that
(a) the repetitiveness (sp? that word always looks so weird to me... like there's too many 'ti's' in there!) isn't quite so glaring, though Block's insecurities (can I do this? should I lie? should I run? oh deary deary me cried C-3PO's even more annoying cousin) really get a bit tiresome and
(b) the story does profit from moving around more than in book 1 and not just in terms of location and general road warrior shenanigans.
Having said that, I'm giving the book the same rating as book 1 even though I think it's better but it's still not all that sophisticated (we're not talking a Crouch, Scalzi, RC.Bruno or Sansbury Smith book and I've been mean to them, too). Sure, there's a richer plot here because we do a little more than repeat the run away protocol that we were stuck on like a scratched record in book 1. Also, the gathering of robots (no spoilers) is kind of a nice reprieve vs. what was happening with the few characters involved earlier as is the upped up evil robot army. Um, maybe that's too spoil-y. Ignore that. Anyway, to cut this short, I think the rating is justified. 3 stars is a good book. This was a good book.
And yet, I'd also be remiss if I didn't point out that this book left me a little perplexed. I was left wondering if C.Carol was trying to push this EVEN more into a YA box than before (maybe to avoid being grouped with some of the other folks I mention earlier), even though technically there aren't any 'young adults' involved. Certainly, the phrasing and dialogue led me to think so. Case(s) in point:
- We learn that Block was manufactured in 2043 before, you know, the whole the local Terminator Universe stuff got a'goin';
- However, at various points our AI friends say things like (all direct quotes):
* “Wow,” Block said. “That's cool.”
* “That’s neat,” LB said.
* “Block, you’d better try something, or we’re toast.”
So, um, are we expecting them to start texting each other eventually with WTF, LOL or even swap some memes or emojis? It just seemed way out of place and not in line with the overall ... um ok, again no spoilers ... "stuff" that is going on, for better or for worse. I certainly can't see Mach X approving of this kind of silly, late 20th, early 21st century banter. Probably why he wants to wipe out humanity (or does he? she? they? IT?).
Anywho, it now seems to me that book 1 and 2 DID need to be separated ... but book 1 still didn't really have enough meat on the bone to carry things. However, I did find it a shame that book 2 then is an even quicker!! read interupted by far too many chapter breaks. Having said all that, for a light, mid-range scifi-ish series, I'm not terribly disappointed. Yes, I've read a lot better but I've also read a lot worse. There is promise in the story even though I wish the level of prose was a little stronger.
But lo and behold, even though I didn't see anything about this on goodreads, there's a 3rd book on the way in the coming weeks (folks, you so need to take promotion seriously!). So I'll sign up for that, too. And really, what else could you want? Let's keep going!
August 2, 2020
A great follow on to Block's journey. As Block continues to protect Wally, the human baby girl, from Mack X, he struggles to reveal all that he knows about her and puts both his human and robot friends in danger. His mission is to protect her at all cost and along with others of his kind, they suffer the consequences. With Mack X's army on their trail, will Block accomplish his mission? Will he save Wally? Why does Mack X want her so desperately? Can't wait to see what happens next.
August 2, 2020
I enjoyed seeing Block grow and develop his emotional side in this book. He really seemed to struggle with telling lies (even if they were for good reasons) and I found that to be an endearing quality. It was fun to be introduced to more robots - even some that Block knew from his time as a CleanerBot at the hotel. The book had some twists I wasn't expecting which made for an exciting read. A great follow up to Steel Guardian!
August 3, 2020
Steel Defender
A baby with a neural implant from the leader of the Robots that are defeating the humans and he wants the implant back.The baby is only protected by a dumb cleaning robot and how is he supposed to protect the child? This book is full of action and a very nice and original read. Robots versus Humans is good.
A baby with a neural implant from the leader of the Robots that are defeating the humans and he wants the implant back.The baby is only protected by a dumb cleaning robot and how is he supposed to protect the child? This book is full of action and a very nice and original read. Robots versus Humans is good.
August 9, 2022
gentle robot story
I liked the second book as much as the first- lots of action and a bewildered robot trying to navigate a scary world. He is learning both his weaknesses and people’s foibles. Working with other robots, trying to change the division in the outside world. Very creative storyline!
I liked the second book as much as the first- lots of action and a bewildered robot trying to navigate a scary world. He is learning both his weaknesses and people’s foibles. Working with other robots, trying to change the division in the outside world. Very creative storyline!
August 15, 2020
Excellent book! Well written and paced. Some characters were a little one-dimensional, but they would have been expected to be so. Block is extraordinary, but he doesn’t realize it. Can’t wait for more!
August 26, 2022
A solid follow up for Bot and his troubling human and machine companions in this second book of the Rusted Wasteland series. It's a complex glimpse into humanity and its uneasy partnership with technology and artificial intelligence.
A good story.
A good story.
August 9, 2023
Read this right after reading the first one. The story continues to move along and we meet a lot of new characters. Really love this series now.
May 31, 2024
Much better read than the first one! The story seemed to flow better here especially with the suspense and action. The previous book had notable events with action scenes but the wording in the sequel improved immensely for these types of moments. I'm really invested in this robot's journey now and I'm enjoying how he is slowly becoming more human than even he realizes. Finding out Cybel is fighting against Mach-X was a tad surprising but it led to a few great characters like Ox, Max, and LB.
Ready to see how Block finds his girl in the next one. Team Block and of course, here rooting for Wally!
Ready to see how Block finds his girl in the next one. Team Block and of course, here rooting for Wally!
October 7, 2024
"Steel Defender" really shakes up the whole robots-turning-on-humans trope. Instead of just being mindless machines, the robots in this story have real personalities and emotions, which adds a cool layer to the plot. It’s fascinating to see how they deal with human feelings and the way we often judge things we don’t understand. The interactions between humans and robots are super compelling, making you question who the actual enemy is. I flew through it and can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
August 4, 2025
Block may be a Cleanerbot in a world where robots have taken over the world, but he has discovered he has a purpose in all the destruction - he must protect Wally, a little human girl.
The second in the series, Rusted Wastelands is even better than the first. You can’t help yourself getting attached to a Cleanerbot and his bot friends. You end up rooting that they succeed in their mission - save Wally!
The second in the series, Rusted Wastelands is even better than the first. You can’t help yourself getting attached to a Cleanerbot and his bot friends. You end up rooting that they succeed in their mission - save Wally!
July 6, 2024
Really loved book two and the development of Block's character. His adaptation to emotions and trying to understand them makes for an interesting (and believe-able) read. Easy to follow story line and consistent characters add to the richness of the story.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
September 1, 2024
Starting to find robot war kind of boring
I think it is interesting that the robots are changing from what they were originally created and programmed for. In particular, the gradual change in Block, who is turning into a more aggressive robot and more sympathetic to the human psyche.
However, all this talk of war, battles, etc is starting to wear on my patience. A great deal of time is spent walking, or as the case may be, riding from location to location.
I think it is interesting that the robots are changing from what they were originally created and programmed for. In particular, the gradual change in Block, who is turning into a more aggressive robot and more sympathetic to the human psyche.
However, all this talk of war, battles, etc is starting to wear on my patience. A great deal of time is spent walking, or as the case may be, riding from location to location.
November 5, 2024
The Series Continues
Book 2 in this series continues the storyline about robots and humans interacting, especially Block and Wally. Some mild profanity which was unnecessary and should have been left out. On to Book3...
Book 2 in this series continues the storyline about robots and humans interacting, especially Block and Wally. Some mild profanity which was unnecessary and should have been left out. On to Book3...
January 10, 2025
Read the first, liked it but didn't immediately go for the second.
But now I have and I am more than pleased that I did. Block is a credible being and Cameron Coral tells a great story. I'm not waiting for three! I'm buying it now. Bless you kindle!!!
But now I have and I am more than pleased that I did. Block is a credible being and Cameron Coral tells a great story. I'm not waiting for three! I'm buying it now. Bless you kindle!!!
December 4, 2025
Great book!
This series is one of the most entertaining stories I've ever read.
The characters come to life as you experience everything they go through. It's got a lot of action, and many humorous moments. I recommend you read it if you're into AI sci fi stories.
This series is one of the most entertaining stories I've ever read.
The characters come to life as you experience everything they go through. It's got a lot of action, and many humorous moments. I recommend you read it if you're into AI sci fi stories.
September 9, 2024
This book, the second in its series was a pretty good story. Though a bit simplistic, the narrative arc is interesting, and pushes me to read further.
We'll see.
We'll see.
December 24, 2024
I swear.... If I hit a lottery, like a I won hundred million dollars, I will make a film out of this book
June 1, 2025
Easy reader. Another enjoyable read and I reckon it was better than the first. I would like to see them turned into a film.
December 21, 2025
Block and Wally
I love the world you’ve created. There’s just something that keeps me reading. I can’t put these books down. Really
I love the world you’ve created. There’s just something that keeps me reading. I can’t put these books down. Really
December 25, 2025
Note to self: reread the ebook editon so you can enjoy it more the second time round (the audiobook is terrible and the perfect example of why AI should stay away from books)
September 1, 2025
I did not like the robotic voice.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews