A review by bookwyrmknits
Made to Order: Robots and Revolution by Annalee Newitz, Sofia Samatar, Jonathan Strahan, Peter F. Hamilton, Suzanne Palmer, Saad Z. Hossain, John Chu, Sarah Pinsker, Brooke Bolander, Daryl Gregory, Vina Jie-Min Prasad, Alastair Reynolds, Tochi Onyebuchi, Peter Watts, Ken Liu, Rich Larson, Ian R. MacLeod
3.75
Overall, I enjoyed this anthology more than not, though there were a few stories that I didn't particularly care for. (That's all to personal preference.) There were some standout stories, though, which pushed my enjoyment over average. I'm glad that I picked it up for those favorites, as well as for the chance to try work by new-to-me authors.
Here's a few notes on some selected stories:
"A Guide to Working Breeds" by Vina Jie-Min Prasad
I've read this one before, separately, and loved it. It was what prompted me to pick up this anthology. I loved it just as much the second time around. I'll be seeking out more of Prasad's work for sure. This is a definite highlight of the anthology.
"Idols" by Ken Liu
Liu is one of the authors whose work I have read before, and always enjoy to one degree or another. This story was fascinating, but more of a thought experiment than anything. It was enjoyable to think about, but I can't say if I *like* the characters or story itself. I liked the journey the story took, though, and that counts for a lot.
"Bigger Fish" by Sarah Pinsker
Pinsker is another author whose work I've read previously, though this story was new to me. I REALLY like it. This one is a contender for my favorite story in the anthology. It has good pacing, good characters, and is just plain fun.
"Dancing With Death" by John Chu
This story was also a lot of fun, and it's another contender for my favorite of the lot. The entire world presented in this story was neat, and I found the concept of what a sentient robot would do when faced with the prospect of battery failure fascinating.
"Polished Performance" by Alastair Reynolds
Love it! Great characters and setting. The ending was fitting but I kinda wanted one missing detail explained.
"The Translator" by Annalee Newitz
Neat and hopeful SF story. Would love more from this universe, especially from an AI POV.
"Fairy Tales for Robots" by Sofia Samatar
Neat idea, but I also would have been curious to have the actual fairy tales retold for robots. Instead it was a framing device for a story about sentient robots being introduced.
"Chiaroscuro in Red" by Suzanne Palmer
Fun story though we got much more about humans and less about robots. Neat idea of buying proxy robots to do your labor for you though.
Here's a few notes on some selected stories:
"A Guide to Working Breeds" by Vina Jie-Min Prasad
I've read this one before, separately, and loved it. It was what prompted me to pick up this anthology. I loved it just as much the second time around. I'll be seeking out more of Prasad's work for sure. This is a definite highlight of the anthology.
"Idols" by Ken Liu
Liu is one of the authors whose work I have read before, and always enjoy to one degree or another. This story was fascinating, but more of a thought experiment than anything. It was enjoyable to think about, but I can't say if I *like* the characters or story itself. I liked the journey the story took, though, and that counts for a lot.
"Bigger Fish" by Sarah Pinsker
Pinsker is another author whose work I've read previously, though this story was new to me. I REALLY like it. This one is a contender for my favorite story in the anthology. It has good pacing, good characters, and is just plain fun.
"Dancing With Death" by John Chu
This story was also a lot of fun, and it's another contender for my favorite of the lot. The entire world presented in this story was neat, and I found the concept of what a sentient robot would do when faced with the prospect of battery failure fascinating.
"Polished Performance" by Alastair Reynolds
Love it! Great characters and setting. The ending was fitting but I kinda wanted one missing detail explained.
"The Translator" by Annalee Newitz
Neat and hopeful SF story. Would love more from this universe, especially from an AI POV.
"Fairy Tales for Robots" by Sofia Samatar
Neat idea, but I also would have been curious to have the actual fairy tales retold for robots. Instead it was a framing device for a story about sentient robots being introduced.
"Chiaroscuro in Red" by Suzanne Palmer
Fun story though we got much more about humans and less about robots. Neat idea of buying proxy robots to do your labor for you though.