Steel Protector

Rusted Wasteland #3

by Cameron Coral

One timid robot holds the key to stop humanity’s destruction.

Block must do everything in his power to track down Wally, the little girl he cares for. But how does a harmless CleanerBot infiltrate the deadly SoldierBots who hold her captive?

Block and his motley crew of renegade robots journey across war-ravaged wastelands to track Wally down in a desperate race against human and AI foes. The ominous super-intelligence Mach X has devastating plans for Wally.

Can Block save the girl before she turns into a weapon against humanity?

If you enjoy robots with a heart like WALL-E plus the action-packed adventure of The Mandalorian, then you’ll love the third book in this thrilling post-apocalyptic sci-fi series.

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 17, 2021

About the author

Cameron Coral writes hopeful science fiction about robots who are trying their best, even when the world rejects them. Her novel Steel Guardian, about a post-apocalyptic CleanerBot, took second place in Hugh Howey's 2021 science fiction novel competition, the SPSFC, and launched the six-book Rusted Wasteland series.

She lives with her husband on an Illinois prairie surrounded by trees, where the household is ruled by Marty the Jack Russell terrier. Her neighbors include more than a few wild turkeys and one very introverted groundhog. When she’s not writing, she’s attending plays and concerts, volunteering, and enjoying lemon cookies from the local farmers' market.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann]

Steel Protector
By Cameron Coral
Another action-packed, suspense filled story, but this time Block is looking for Wally, the baby. She was taken when he let a woman watch her for a bit while he helped a friend for a short bit. Now, he is fighting and risking everything to get her back.

[The Cats’ Mother]

Steel Protector is the third book in the addictive Rusted Wasteland series about an unassuming robot who has made it his mission to care for a human baby after an evil AI has destroyed the USA. You definitely need to read these in order to understand the characters and their dynamics. I don’t read much sci-fi but have thoroughly enjoyed these, especially the protagonist Block, a CleanerBot completely out of his element but determined to do the right thing. This one was the best yet - action, suspense and camaraderie amongst valiant robots.

A short while after the events of Steel Defender, Block & his robot friends Oxford the Mech & Maxwell the mechanic are on the move again, heading for New York because they believe that Mach X, the AI who is attempting to eliminate humans, has taken baby Wally to his headquarters. Riding along with them in Number 21, the sarky Autonomous truck, are Nova, the human resistance fighter whose allies were killed in a devastating attack, and Cybel, the bounty hunting droid who had switched sides to fight Mach X, and lost her legs. Both are depressed and losing hope, but have nowhere else to go. Can this ragtag team avoid the ruthless Soldierbots and find Wally in time to save her from X’s schemes?

These are lots of fun - not serious sci-fi, and should appeal to both kids and adults. I love the friendships that have evolved between the robots - their behaviour is much more “human” than the actual Homo Sapiens, most of whom can’t be trusted. I liked Nova less this time, as she wallows in despair and makes stupid mistakes that risk her true friends. The return and evolution of an earlier character had me cheering, especially when he demonstrates a cheeky new side to his personality. The plot trots along at a good pace and we get a good ending even if the story is far from over. Looking forward to the next one!

Thanks to Cameron Coral for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review.

[Kevin Fryman]

In book 3 of this series, Rusted Wasteland, Block a cleaner bot, continues his search for, Wally, a young, female human infant. Wally is key to the Master Robot network, Mach X that has revolted against their human masters. Block, normally a robot that doesn’t seek the spotlight but rather preferring to stay in the background is doing all he can to rescue Wally who is central to Mach X’s plans. There are seat of your pants suspense and action mixed with moments of humor. I am thoroughly enjoying the books and will be reading them all.

[Terry M]

More adventures from Block, a cleanerbot trying to get Wally, a human baby, back from Mack X. He has collected friends throughout his journey, robots and a human, who are helping him, but all is not what it seems. Block is having trouble trusting his human friend Nova and is not sure where her loyalties lie. Plenty of thought processing and action as they proceed with this dangerous mission. Well written and enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the next instalment. Recommended and as an Arc reader, I have had the honour of being able to read this in advance and give an honest review.

[Asiaman]

This turned into a very good read.  Lots of twist as a Cleaner Bot, a soldier Bot, some humans and a baby called Wally. 
This is all about rescuing Wally a human baby but it is loaded with suspense, Some fighting, mystery and it is combined in Steel Protector.  Good ending leaves you wanting to read more.

[Bridget]

I can't give half stars but I want to rate 3.5 for this 3rd installment. I very much love Block at this point. He seems to be getting more complex as a character for each book. And Nova is growing on me. However, the reason I'm giving this one only 3.5 stars is because Wally never showed up and it bummed me out lol. So overall, good read and excellent character additions with Spoon and G5! Curious to see what happens with these two new characters... Also surprising that Nova stayed behind at the end but I'm hoping she can gather her forces and meet Block in NYC to help later.

And can we process the fact that Block was named leader of the misfit robots group before boarding the plane?! A Cleanerbot with a promotion. I'm here for it.

[Carol Darling]

Searching For Wally

Nova and Block together again. After they separated to do separate jobs they get together again to find Wally who disappeared during a fight that killed all but Nova before Block returned from his side job.
Now both are willing to do almost anything to get her back including going into enemy stronghold and getting an old ally who hates them.
Good Read.

[Rod]

weirdly hi tech emotional

Th e hi tech pathos is oddly entertaining. You find yourself rooting for the underpowered, physically unimpressive, underdog robot. Whose mission to protect Wally inspires him to override his programming become an indomitable leader

[Judy Logsdon]

AI, To trust or Not to trust.

As AI takes more and more part of our daily lives. This story make you think...will I REALLY have to fight to live through AI awareness and live with a new intelligence.

[Dave McGarvey]

Great characters,a lot of heart

A cleaning robot bonds with an infant girl and becomes her protector. He wins the trust of robots and humans through his acquired humanity. Great imaginative storytelling.

[Julie Sherman]

Block

Block is growing and become more. His fellow machines have attached themselves to a Block because he is a leader and has a heart.

[Kenneth R]

Number 3

I really like this book and the series, things are still exciting and it doesn't look like it's going to change.
Block is growing in many ways and getting more friends

[M1]

3.5 stars rounded up. I find Block’s naïveté regarding the war he is wandering among to be irritating and hard to believe. A mission without a plan is a pipe dream.

[Kelly]

I just finished Book 3 in this series. Starting to get to be 'more of the same' We'll see if I continue.

[Vicki Brown]

The Series Continues

Block continues to grow beyond his programming! I'm enjoying this series except for some mild profanity which cost you one star. Off to read Book 4...

[Virginia]

Evil being called “X” trying to take over humanity. Hmmm.

[Ray]

Disappointing! It isn't much more than a placeholder for the next book in the series.

[Janet Artis]

Love the premise. Not in Love with Block. I agree a flawed leading character is more interesting but Block has few leading character traits.

[Sharon Alexander]

Well Written But Less Personal

This story was necessary to the series, but the storyline wasn’t as good. I liked it okay, but I’m ready to move on before it gets stagnant.

[Phillip Grossman]

little robot, big heart

This is one of those series that keeps you reading page after page, book after book. Serious escapism. Love Bwock

[Ginnie Grimm]

Excellent

This is like Star Wars and
Hunger games rolled into one adventure. Absolutely keeps you on the edge of your seat.

[Rania]

Even though there is a pronoun, it was very minimal and it did not affect my enjoyment. 5 star still