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A review by kimreadsthings
Willful Machines by Tim Floreen
4.0
3.5
When I saw Kirkus describe this book as “Gothic, gadget-y, gay” I knew I needed it in my hands as soon as humanly possible. I am happy to say it is all of those wonderful things. And while I didn’t quite love it, I did really, really enjoy this book. There’s so much to like! Yes, there are wonderfully complex characters, killer robots, and the sweetest M/M romance. The writing beautifully evokes the brooding boarding school setting.
This is a near-future sci-fi thriller with a touch of the dystopian. 16 year-old Lee is the closeted son of an ultra-conservative president who is both fiercely anti-gay and anti-robot. It’s unfortunate then, that Lee has a penchant for tinkering with mechanicals, too. The Human Values platform was created in response to an attack by Charlotte, an AI gone rogue, in which Lee’s mother was murdered. Ever since, Charlotte has been using her consciousness, uploaded to the Supernet, to commit acts of terror. She won’t relent until the president hands over the remaining AI’s in the government’s custody.
There is a lovely cast of characters here. Self-deprecating, depressed Lee is guaranteed to wring your heart with the frustration and sadness of his situation. It can be hard enough to come out, notwithstanding the pressure of having a father who is arguably the most powerful man in the world and whose political career depends on your being in the closet. Best friend Bex is whip smart and tough, but always comes through in her support for Lee. New student Nico is enigmatic, endearing, and more than just a little wonderfully weird. Complex villains abound, and the action-packed, twisting plot turns will more than satisfy those reading for the sci-fi thriller aspect.
Find the rest of my review at The Midnight Garden
When I saw Kirkus describe this book as “Gothic, gadget-y, gay” I knew I needed it in my hands as soon as humanly possible. I am happy to say it is all of those wonderful things. And while I didn’t quite love it, I did really, really enjoy this book. There’s so much to like! Yes, there are wonderfully complex characters, killer robots, and the sweetest M/M romance. The writing beautifully evokes the brooding boarding school setting.
This is a near-future sci-fi thriller with a touch of the dystopian. 16 year-old Lee is the closeted son of an ultra-conservative president who is both fiercely anti-gay and anti-robot. It’s unfortunate then, that Lee has a penchant for tinkering with mechanicals, too. The Human Values platform was created in response to an attack by Charlotte, an AI gone rogue, in which Lee’s mother was murdered. Ever since, Charlotte has been using her consciousness, uploaded to the Supernet, to commit acts of terror. She won’t relent until the president hands over the remaining AI’s in the government’s custody.
There is a lovely cast of characters here. Self-deprecating, depressed Lee is guaranteed to wring your heart with the frustration and sadness of his situation. It can be hard enough to come out, notwithstanding the pressure of having a father who is arguably the most powerful man in the world and whose political career depends on your being in the closet. Best friend Bex is whip smart and tough, but always comes through in her support for Lee. New student Nico is enigmatic, endearing, and more than just a little wonderfully weird. Complex villains abound, and the action-packed, twisting plot turns will more than satisfy those reading for the sci-fi thriller aspect.
Find the rest of my review at The Midnight Garden