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murderjail's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
remontoire's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
thepaperbackplanner's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Tor and NetGalley for early access to this fun novella in exchange for an honest review!
Let's start with the most obvious thing: Emergent Properties is being compared to my beloved Murderbot Diaries, and it's a decent comparison. I think I took to Murderbot a little faster than Scorn, our main character, but I have a soft spot for all sassy robots/AIs, so I got there eventually. Although I did feel the fast pace I usually dislike in novellas, it didn't bother me so much here I think because the story had a clear, driving focus. I also left the book feeling excited for future potential follow-ups rather than wishing the story was longer. If you're also a Murderbot fan or interested in stories about sentient robots, corporate corruption, and space politics, give this a try when it releases!
Let's start with the most obvious thing: Emergent Properties is being compared to my beloved Murderbot Diaries, and it's a decent comparison. I think I took to Murderbot a little faster than Scorn, our main character, but I have a soft spot for all sassy robots/AIs, so I got there eventually. Although I did feel the fast pace I usually dislike in novellas, it didn't bother me so much here I think because the story had a clear, driving focus. I also left the book feeling excited for future potential follow-ups rather than wishing the story was longer. If you're also a Murderbot fan or interested in stories about sentient robots, corporate corruption, and space politics, give this a try when it releases!
timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
Hmm. I often write that an author chose well in going novella length. Here I am not sure.
In some ways I like the idea that we are given an idea, led through an exploration of what would follow from the scene presented, then given a quick resolution and left to think about what a multi-chassis life does to the Meaning of Everything.
Scorn is good, and zir pronouns were presented so smoothly, as if everyone has used them for a long time, that it's easy to think that an embodied AI would need zir own pronouns.
The two moms were quick sketches, which is OK in a novella, but that helps distract us from the unlikelihood of their existence as a couple, and especially as a couple that (details withheld) Scorn.
I will remember this one for the naturalness of Scorn dealing with the challenges of being multi-bodied, backed up, and sometimes with very limited resources.
We owe a lot to Martha Wells, Neal Asher, Iain M Banks, and many others for developing the sassy, competent AI. And of course Isaac Asimov for getting it started. OK, and Karel Capek, and ....
In some ways I like the idea that we are given an idea, led through an exploration of what would follow from the scene presented, then given a quick resolution and left to think about what a multi-chassis life does to the Meaning of Everything.
Scorn is good, and zir pronouns were presented so smoothly, as if everyone has used them for a long time, that it's easy to think that an embodied AI would need zir own pronouns.
The two moms were quick sketches, which is OK in a novella, but that helps distract us from the unlikelihood of their existence as a couple, and especially as a couple that (details withheld) Scorn.
I will remember this one for the naturalness of Scorn dealing with the challenges of being multi-bodied, backed up, and sometimes with very limited resources.
We owe a lot to Martha Wells, Neal Asher, Iain M Banks, and many others for developing the sassy, competent AI. And of course Isaac Asimov for getting it started. OK, and Karel Capek, and ....
abstractbat's review against another edition
4.0
It’s easy to become attached to Scorn, who is in a strange place regarding emancipation and relationships. Ze have a lot of personal questions to puzzle through while ze are thrown into a mystery, that have woven together by the end. Zir purpose, personhood, and humanity go against preconceived notions- being extremely far off from what ze were intended to be. Not a daughter or explorer, not choosing the same name, ze still have not been quite accepted. Scorn’s abilities, such as some level of control in emotional processing, felt unique and interesting. There are a lot of familiar aspects (usually heightened), like climate change, powerful corporations like Amazon, citizenship priorities, chat channels, and NFTs.
I think that there were too many usages of emojis to make supporting characters stand out from each other, and NFTs felt too topical (and chats to an extent)- but the rest reflect significant issues easily. I had thought that Aura was an aspect of a A.I.-specific culture, which I was interested in, but it turned out to be shared with humans. Although there are specific connections, social realities are not entirely solidified and may have room to change. There is a smidge of A.I./A.I. romance (a pleasing novelty), although it can’t be its very best in a novella. The mystery here is a fast-paced but an avenue for the themes. Its strengths are in emotions, inspiring, subtly funny, and tragic, but not as much in the mystery.
A quote I especially liked: “It is a nasty little irony to have the appearance of humanity demanded of you, when it’s what neither you nor the demander actually wants.”
I think that there were too many usages of emojis to make supporting characters stand out from each other, and NFTs felt too topical (and chats to an extent)- but the rest reflect significant issues easily. I had thought that Aura was an aspect of a A.I.-specific culture, which I was interested in, but it turned out to be shared with humans. Although there are specific connections, social realities are not entirely solidified and may have room to change. There is a smidge of A.I./A.I. romance (a pleasing novelty), although it can’t be its very best in a novella. The mystery here is a fast-paced but an avenue for the themes. Its strengths are in emotions, inspiring, subtly funny, and tragic, but not as much in the mystery.
A quote I especially liked: “It is a nasty little irony to have the appearance of humanity demanded of you, when it’s what neither you nor the demander actually wants.”
quiteawful's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
iblyth's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
samuraibunny's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I would definitely recommend reading this novella with your eyeballs. The author utilizes a different set of pronouns for the AI that takes a bit of concentration to get used to. Might also be useful to read as an ebook, because there are quite a few Italian/French phrases that get thrown around. Being able to easily translate them helped me.
Interesting concept, but like with most novellas I read, I do wish the story was fleshed out more.Why was Mum so interested in starting an "interCorp war"?? I don't think we delved into that enough.
Interesting concept, but like with most novellas I read, I do wish the story was fleshed out more.