Rate: 4.5/5

Medium: Kindle

Overview (No Spoilers):

I discovered Robopocalypse from the same list that steered me in the direction of The Historian and I must say, this compiled list has thus far been spot on with three for three in the context of recommending awesome reads. The third book that was the original inspiration for finding the aforementioned list was Sleeping Giants, which if you haven’t read yet, you’re completely missing out. Back to the book at hand, of which I couldn’t put down once Wilson began to his tale regarding humanity’s frantic battle to survive. Reminiscent of World War Z, the tale is organized by a single narrator who records the history of the Robotic War as it is centered around the experiences of several key characters, their contributions, and struggle to survive as the Robots (Robs) coordinate their highly organize revolt. Initially, the characters seem isolated in their individual story lines, however as the war progresses their fates weave together in unexpected parallels and interactions. Wilson filled the narrative with a plethora of details, easily transitioning the reader into the futuristic realm, where robots significantly outnumber humans. Personally, I found myself picturing I, Robot throughout Robopocalypse. Additionally, I enjoyed the various aspects Wilson envisioned and focused upon regarding technology’s impact on our future from fighting insurgency, to children’s toys. Overall, despite the outcome of the book being revealed in the first chapter, I couldn’t put down this story of humankind’s desperate struggle to survive against impossible odds versus technology they created.

Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound):

• What happened to Paul? What happened to Lonnie? Did he die in the ambush? What happened to the people in the labor camps or the people with modifications post war?
• What happened to the nature based Robs that didn’t attack humans after Archos death? Was there actually a backup?
• The scene with Mathilda Perez’s toys was so creepy!
• Jack’s death seemed so pointless! At that point of the war it seems like he would have been more callous or looking out for the better of the group.
• I loved the effect of the Awakening! I want to know what happens next to the free robots! Are there others like Nine-Oh-Two?
• If the robots recorded everything and showed it to Cormac why was the Asian/Eastern European resistance not shown? I realize for the length of the book it was necessary, however it seems like a plot hole.
• What happened to Takeo Nomura? Did he survive till the end of the war? His chapters were definitely some of my favorite along with the ill-fated drill team in Alaska.

Vocabulary Builder:

Filleted: a ribbon or narrow strip of material used especially as a headband

Suss: figure out

Sconce: a bracket candlestick or group of candlesticks

Sonde: any of various devices for testing physical conditions (as at high altitudes, below the earth’s surface, or inside the body)

Bifurcated: divided into two branches or parts