ettegoom's review against another edition
5.0
This is an incredible book. I love books that explore humanity and the things that make us human told through the voice of artificial intelligence. I love the struggles that Tania's parents have when she approaches the Uncanny Valley, and the way that Tania deals with her own nature. This is a beautiful book that made me cry so much at the end. Wow!
chllybrd's review against another edition
This title made my DNF list. The diary format was not for me and I just kept waiting for something to happen so had to set it down.
felinity's review against another edition
4.0
"So there's me (and a few like me). All the other kids in the world are just robots."
That's quite a premise to live up to, and the author does. We discover Tania's story through her diary, one which she writes as if to an imaginary alien she calls "Zog". At first, as a preteen, she just accepts the world, but she soon starts noticing problems. Art is dying, but why? Are there really so few human children left? And then, as she begins to grow and explore what it means to be Tania, she starts noticing the little prejudices all around her, things she'd never really paid attention to.
I thought I could see where it was going, and was pleased that it didn't dwell on bleakness, misery, deceptions and broken trusts, but happily the ending did not fall into an SF trope. It also didn't blindly follow Asimov's lead either. I hope [a:William Campbell Powell|7086095|William Campbell Powell|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1382139686p2/7086095.jpg] continues writing!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
That's quite a premise to live up to, and the author does
Spoiler
, though the exact nature of the non-Irish Troubles is never revealedI thought I could see where it was going, and was pleased that it didn't dwell on bleakness, misery, deceptions and broken trusts, but happily the ending did not fall into an SF trope. It also didn't blindly follow Asimov's lead either. I hope [a:William Campbell Powell|7086095|William Campbell Powell|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1382139686p2/7086095.jpg] continues writing!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
annemtipton's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. Great summer read. Interesting new take on the age old question of the humanity of robots...with a few well placed Asimov connections.
meagan_reads_books's review against another edition
4.0
This book was very good, however it was not at all what I was expecting from the description! It was a fast read and made me think, dystopian based I would say but a little bit of sci fi thrown in! Very interesting and would definitely recommend to others!
nicolet2018's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the idea of the book but the format in which it was written did not please me at all.
The worldbuilding was realistic and rather interesting. Human-like robot children are made to replace the fact that humans are not procreating. Can't procreate. The summary was so deceiving!
I found the world very engaging but the execution was problematic. I am no expert in music and bands but this book centres at alot on Tania building a band. All the music jargon and lingo was lost on me. I read so many different types of intrument models and the feel into what it is like to play live. Deep stuff but it felt boring. I did not have an interest in the topic. I like how realistic the author made the band's experiences as they are just starting out. He did not mask the mistakes, tension and errors. Which made it feel relatable. I love that he did not just make a band which could perform awesomely in a totally unrealistic way.
The ending half of the book revolves around the law suit. Again, tons of legal processes crammed into the pages. It was interesting to know about it but it felt so heavy at times. Another aspect that overwhelmed me was the science. It was intriguing and I wanted to find out more but it was too complicated to understand. Maybe to those who specialize in this subject.
Tania was alot of things. Her voice in her diary was witty and perhaps trying too hard at times. She was in situations that was tough which I found relatable. But I felt that her age thirteen was far too young for her voice which sounded more matured and "cultured". I understood her insecurity in her looks but find it hard to imagine that fifteen is when a girl looks like woman. With hips and breasts. In fact at that age I reckon most girls are still developing and growing into their selves.
Honestly, the fact that she learnt to excel in music was nice and unexpected but far fetched towards the end. I find it so hard to believe that John and her really love each other at all. When she was open to casual dating and what was the crazy talk about being Portia?
The supporting characters were great. Sian was one of the interesting ones. I loved Tania's father and his eloquency when speaking in court.
The ending was a surprise. This is one heavy book. I loved the concept but execution just did not do it for me.
Spoiler
It was hard to understand why the author decided to write a diary format and have an alien life form read it.The worldbuilding was realistic and rather interesting. Human-like robot children are made to replace the fact that humans are not procreating. Can't procreate. The summary was so deceiving!
I found the world very engaging but the execution was problematic. I am no expert in music and bands but this book centres at alot on Tania building a band. All the music jargon and lingo was lost on me. I read so many different types of intrument models and the feel into what it is like to play live. Deep stuff but it felt boring. I did not have an interest in the topic. I like how realistic the author made the band's experiences as they are just starting out. He did not mask the mistakes, tension and errors. Which made it feel relatable. I love that he did not just make a band which could perform awesomely in a totally unrealistic way.
The ending half of the book revolves around the law suit. Again, tons of legal processes crammed into the pages. It was interesting to know about it but it felt so heavy at times. Another aspect that overwhelmed me was the science. It was intriguing and I wanted to find out more but it was too complicated to understand. Maybe to those who specialize in this subject.
Tania was alot of things. Her voice in her diary was witty and perhaps trying too hard at times. She was in situations that was tough which I found relatable. But I felt that her age thirteen was far too young for her voice which sounded more matured and "cultured". I understood her insecurity in her looks but find it hard to imagine that fifteen is when a girl looks like woman. With hips and breasts. In fact at that age I reckon most girls are still developing and growing into their selves.
Spoiler
The Revesions where Tania could make herself look however she wanted was very superficial. I felt it was disgusting that her mother and she were thinking of putting her relatives features to make Tania look more like her mom. When she is not. Her recklessness felt very human when she is not. I can get why she wants to be. It felt so awkward when she asked Dr Markov about whether she could feel how sex really feels like. Again, at that age it is understandable. Thank god the answer was realistic.The supporting characters were great. Sian was one of the interesting ones. I loved Tania's father and his eloquency when speaking in court.
The ending was a surprise. This is one heavy book. I loved the concept but execution just did not do it for me.
eviebookish's review against another edition
5.0
"Impossible dreams. The toy that becomes a real child.
Me."
William Campbell Powell's Expiration Day is a truly remarkable novel that works on many different levels: as a poignant cautionary tale, a family drama, and a bone-chilling futuristic vision of a human society facing extinction. This powerful and thought-provoking story may not be the most fast-paced thriller ride you'll ever be taken on, but make no mistake, it will still leave you riveted and completely mind-blown. And I can promise you two things: you will be in tears by the time you hit the last page and you will be thinking about the plot and the characters long after you put it down.
It's year 2049 and humankind is losing hope. Women can no longer conceive, less and less children are born each year, and the society is forced to take extreme measures to keep things under control. In the grim future presented in the book, robots have become so advanced, so human-like in every aspect, they can pose as real human beings. Androids manufactured by Oxted Corporation are sold to desperate couples unable to have their own children. They do everything a real human child would do. They eat, sleep, laugh and cry, attend school, form friendships. They even feel and dream, and most of them live their lives unaware of the fact that they're not, in fact, human.
Expiration Day follows the story of Tania Deeley, a girl who dreams of being a famous bass player. The book assumes the form of a diary written by Tania, in which she shares her thoughts and feelings, and describes everything (or almost everything) that happens to her from the day she gets the diary app from her parents. Tania has a creative, brilliant soul and a very curious mind. She asks questions, wonders about things. It's through her eyes that we get to explore the disturbing reality of year 2049, and it's her experiences and observations that paint a vivid, personal and profoundly affecting picture.
Expiration Day is a gripping, sophisticated, and deeply emotional look at what makes us human. Everything about this book - from the intelligent, well-rounded plot line, unexpectedly (considering their nature) three-dimensional characters, and engaging narrative - is excellent, heartfelt and relevant. It's a book filled with beautiful, memorable thoughts and complex, vividly realized ideas. And the message it carries - about being human, about the miracle of child birth and how it should never be taken for granted, about hope, faith and the meaning of life - is something that will stay with me for a long time.
Me."
William Campbell Powell's Expiration Day is a truly remarkable novel that works on many different levels: as a poignant cautionary tale, a family drama, and a bone-chilling futuristic vision of a human society facing extinction. This powerful and thought-provoking story may not be the most fast-paced thriller ride you'll ever be taken on, but make no mistake, it will still leave you riveted and completely mind-blown. And I can promise you two things: you will be in tears by the time you hit the last page and you will be thinking about the plot and the characters long after you put it down.
It's year 2049 and humankind is losing hope. Women can no longer conceive, less and less children are born each year, and the society is forced to take extreme measures to keep things under control. In the grim future presented in the book, robots have become so advanced, so human-like in every aspect, they can pose as real human beings. Androids manufactured by Oxted Corporation are sold to desperate couples unable to have their own children. They do everything a real human child would do. They eat, sleep, laugh and cry, attend school, form friendships. They even feel and dream, and most of them live their lives unaware of the fact that they're not, in fact, human.
Expiration Day follows the story of Tania Deeley, a girl who dreams of being a famous bass player. The book assumes the form of a diary written by Tania, in which she shares her thoughts and feelings, and describes everything (or almost everything) that happens to her from the day she gets the diary app from her parents. Tania has a creative, brilliant soul and a very curious mind. She asks questions, wonders about things. It's through her eyes that we get to explore the disturbing reality of year 2049, and it's her experiences and observations that paint a vivid, personal and profoundly affecting picture.
Expiration Day is a gripping, sophisticated, and deeply emotional look at what makes us human. Everything about this book - from the intelligent, well-rounded plot line, unexpectedly (considering their nature) three-dimensional characters, and engaging narrative - is excellent, heartfelt and relevant. It's a book filled with beautiful, memorable thoughts and complex, vividly realized ideas. And the message it carries - about being human, about the miracle of child birth and how it should never be taken for granted, about hope, faith and the meaning of life - is something that will stay with me for a long time.
librarygirlreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
skundrik87's review against another edition
4.0
Heart-wrenching and wonderful. Very sophisticated and philosophical.