Science Fiction: Annie Bot by Sierra Greer

With artificial intelligence being such a topic of concern right now, it felt appropriate to pick up Sierra Greer's Annie Bot. At the center of the story is Annie, an extremely lifelike robot meant to be the perfect companion. But is that even possible? And does it matter what Annie wants?

The Situation: Annie lives in New York, where she shares an apartment with Doug, her owner. When he bought her for an amount just shy of a quarter of million dollars, he was allowed to pick out what she would look like (figure, skin color, eye color, etc.), as well as what type of bot she would be. As a 'cuddle-bunny,' Annie is mostly meant to meet Doug's physical needs, though she can also learn to cook, clean, and do other various tasks. As far as Annie knows, her primary objective is to make Doug happy, whatever that may mean. Able to gauge her owner's rate of displeasure, measured on a scale of 1 to 10, Annie does her best to do what she believes Doug would want. Seems simple enough, except that it is not.

The Problem: Things are going along as they should, with Annie getting better and better at doing what Doug wants, until one of his old friends makes a surprise visit to ask Doug to be the best man at his wedding. Suddenly, Annie is questioning what it means to be the ideal human companion, while understanding that she is 'only' a highly sophisticated machine that can easily fool most people. The more human she acts, the less pleased Doug seems to be. And yet, how real she seems is what he often has praised her for. Confused, scared, and occasionally angry, Annie begins to look for answers, while also attempting to obey her own programming, something that proves to be difficult, even for a well-built machine.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set in modern-day New York, and tells the story of Annie, a bot under the ownership of Doug. With a main objective to keep Doug happy, Annie finds this to be incredibly difficult, especially as she attempts to be more human. Her AI can follow directions, as well as learn, even read, but reconciling her emotions with what is happening proves to be a struggle. If she wants nothing more than for Doug to be happy, then why is she able to lie to him so easily? Artificial Intelligence may be front and present in the novel, but so are humanity, relationships, ownership, and even grief.

My Verdict: This novel is as complicated as the subject matter it tackles. The general plotline is straightforward enough - an AI robot does her best to fulfil her purpose of making her owner happy - but the path to success is difficult and full of scenarios that only confuse her. What the book does well is carefully and thoroughly show how Annie's attempts to perfectly imitate humans is complicated, and seemingly impossible, even for the best AI technology available. And while a first-person perspective would have limited the view to only Annie, or to only Doug, the third person limited perspective widens the view just enough to show what it is Annie is up against. The questions and issues brought up in the novel certainly add to the AI conversation.

Favorite Moment: Annie's observations about how human beings interact with each other are fascinating, and often humorous (see 'Favorite Quote' below).  

Favorite Character: She appears briefly, and only through a phone call, but the wife of Doug's good friend, Lucia, offers a refreshing moment of honesty. She cuts through the nonsense and gets right to the point.

Favorite Quote: "It occurs to her, eventually, that Doug and all the other humans talk about their lives with a myopic intensity, sharing singular, objective opinions as if they are each the protagonist of their own novel. They take turns listening to each other without ever yielding their own certainty of their star status, and they treat their fellow humans as guest protagonists visiting from their own respective books. None of the humans are satellites the way she is, in her orbit around Doug." 

Recommended Reading: Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino does something similar, but it is an alien being attempting to report back on what it means to be human. It was also mentioned on the book jacket that Greer's story is a sort of blend between the observations made in books by Kazuo Ishiguro, and My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell.

 

Young Adult Fiction: The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

We have reached the end of another YA Fest, and this time we are closing out the month of June with The Reappearance of Rachel Price, by well-known thriller writer Holly Jackson. Last year I discussed Five Survive, and knew to expect that same kind of intensity and suspense from Jackson's latest release.

The Situation: Eighteen year-old Annabel 'Bel' Price would love if life could simply return to normal. Granted, 'normal' was not all that great either, mostly because she has always lived in the shadow of the mystery behind her mom's disappearance 16 years ago. Since then it has always been her and her dad, leaning on each other to make it through. But now that her father has agreed to have a  true-crime documentary made about Rachel Price's disappearance, there are camera crews everywhere Bel turns, and she is once again being asked about the day her mom disappeared. Bel was the only witness to what happened, but she was too young to remember anything. Too young to remember what happened in the car that was found on the side of the road.

The Problem: As Bel looks forward to when the camera crew leaves and they can all move on, the impossible happens. Rachel Price has reappeared, almost back from the dead, since that is what many people assumed her to be. But here she is, with an explanation of what happened to her and where she has been for the past 16 years. Bel is not sure how to feel about the reappearance of a mother she does not know, but then she starts to see what she feels are cracks in Rachel's story. But why would she lie? With the camera crew around, Bel will have a hard time doing her own investigation. But she needs to know the truth, even if finding it means a 'normal' life will never again be within reach.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult thriller focused on Bel Price, the daughter of Rachel Price, a woman who disappeared 16 years earlier and was presumed dead by many. Because of this, Bel has understandable abandonment issues, believing that everyone eventually leaves, and often pushes people away pre-emptively. Her world consists of her father, uncle and aunt, grandfather, and cousin, Carter. When it is discovered that Rachel is alive, matters are immediately complicated, including the filming of the true-crime documentary about her disappearance. There are plot twists, family secrets, hidden dangers, and the reality of living life in the shadow of a public family mystery.

My Verdict: Well, what a way to close out YA Fest. I may not be as hardcore of a fan of true crime as some, but I appreciate the odd podcast or documentary here and there. If I came across the synopsis of this story while scrolling through Netflix, I am actually not sure I would watch it, but being able to see what really happens when the cameras are not rolling makes for a heck of a novel. I will say this: A little suspension of disbelief may be required at certain moments. And not every loose thread is tied up, despite the story's clear attempt to not leave anything hanging. Regardless, true crime and thriller fans will love it.

Favorite Moment: Bel does not approach most conversations with tact or caution or diplomacy. Sometimes this works against her, but there is one occurrence where her tendency towards confrontation was a refreshing change from how most protagonists would attempt to handle the situation. 

Favorite Character: Ash is part of the crew working on the true-crime documentary about Rachel's disappearance. Every description of him and the clothes he wears is more ridiculous than the last, and while being somewhat of a liability on set, he is able to stand up to Bel's rough energy and harsh words.

Recommended Reading: Five Survive is another intense thriller by Jackson, but also very different, and more contained, giving it a sense of pressure and volatility that I do not often find in books. 

Young Adult Fiction: The Letters We Keep by Nisha Sharma

This third week of YA Fest brings us The Letters We Keep by Nisha Sharma. A freshman and a third-year at a New Jersey university stumble upon a stack of old letters that may be a missing clue to a decades-old mystery that has long been believed to have ended in tragedy. Jessie and Ravi decide to follow the trail, while wondering if their own story will have a similar ending.

The Situation: Eighteen year-old Jessie Ahuja is nervous about her first semester of college, but she is also incredibly prepared. The goal is simple: study hard, work hard, and become an engineer so that she can take care of her parents, who have done their best to provide for her and hold onto their own version of the American dream. It has not been as easy for her family as it has been for Ravi Kumar's, who is a legend on Hartceller University's campus, mostly because of his father's company and his family's connections. Sure, Ravi has zero interest in a life in the tech industry, but the job, and fortune, and secure future are practically waiting for him on a silver platter. These two have little in common aside from being in the same Creative Nonfiction class, and coveting the same study room in the library, but it may be enough.

The Problem: Jessie only wants to work, study, and never lose sight of the overall goal, which she feels she must keep a tight grip on if she wants to keep her scholarship. But after meeting her at a party right before classes began, Ravi is drawn to Jessie and will not leave her alone. When Jessie finds herself in a part of the library that is supposed to be blocked off for renovations, she discovers a hollowed-out book full of old letters, which may contain the answers to the mystery of a fire that happened in the building back in the 70s, and the two people that were rumored to have perished in it. She also may have landed on a topic for her final Creative Nonfiction project. But if she is honest with herself, Jessie has to admit she is searching the old letters for answers as to whether she and Ravi could ever really be together, or are they as doomed as the mystery couple.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set on a college campus in New Jersey, the fictional Hartceller University (the name of which references the Hart-Celler Immigration Act of 1965). It is freshman year for Jessie, while Ravi is returning for his junior year as a marketing major. For Jessie, college is a step on the path to financial security for her and her family by way of becoming an engineer. For Ravi, it is almost a formality as he is guaranteed to follow in his parent's and brother's footsteps in the tech industry, except that is the last thing he actually wants. The book explores generational trauma, as well as expectations, tradition, and the difference in struggles for various generations of immigrants, and children from immigrant families.

My Verdict: Lovers of romance will get caught up in the push and pull of Jessie and Ravi's relationship. I would not necessarily put this book in the 'enemies-to-lovers' group, but there is certainly a level of animosity in the very beginning, though mostly on Jessie's part. There is more of a star-crossed lovers angle to it, which we of course have seen before, but the addition of the mystery and the old letters gives readers another layer to the story, while also still being primarily invested in what is happening with Jessie and Ravi. There may be a few plot twists and leaps that I found hard to reconcile, but they did not take away from the overall story of two people deciding who they want to be, despite what is expected of them.

Favorite Moment: Jessie reserves a study room in the library, which is apparently a mistake as Ravi comes along to claim that it as 'his.' This is only my favorite moment because I have met students like Ravi, both as a student and now as a staff member, and the interaction was incredibly true to form, in all of its ridiculousness. 

Favorite Character: Jessie is stubborn, but focused. Both of those traits serve her well, but she also has to learn when to yield, if only a little, and also to give people a chance.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat.  

Young Adult Fiction: The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste

In this second week of YA Fest, Bethany Baptiste's The Poisons We Drink will be the focus, with its vast array of characters and intense action. Set in a world where society is attempting to reconcile the existence of witchers sharing space with humans, one teenage girl must come to terms with her past, as well as the power she holds to shape the future.

The Situation: When Venus is on the clock, working for the family business, she knows what is at stake. Or at least, she likes to believe she does. Once her mother receives a phone call from a client, Venus receives her directions and must be careful, for many reasons. Brewing love potions is already a dangerous and delicate (and illegal) business. And matters are not helped by the massive amount of animosity and fear that is directed at the witcher population every day. But brewing love potions pays the bills, and Venus will do whatever is needed to help provide for her mom and her younger sister, Janus.

The Problem: Venus was already suspicious that something was not quite right. Her feelings are more than confirmed when a bullet made of iron, the substance that is harmful to witchers, kills her mother. Now Venus is more determined than ever to find answers, and also exact revenge. And when the head of her coven, the Grand Witcher, gives her the opportunity for both, Venus takes it, despite the chance for incredibly steep consequences should things go wrong. Naturally, the Grand Witcher's offer is not a free one, and in exchange, Venus must brew potions that will help sway powerful politicians against anti-witcher legislation. It is not long before Venus is again suspicious, and it becomes nearly impossible to know who can be trusted.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fantasy novel set in modern-day Washington, D.C, with 18 year-old Venus at the center. As a witcher, her calling is as a brewer, just like her mother. But since the existence of witchers was made known to the general population, there has been much animosity between the human and witcher population. And because witchers are incredibly weak to iron, many groups and businesses have been using the metal to keep them out of certain places, or have forged the material into weapons to use to force, harm, and even kill. The story explores grief, trust, vengeance, and trauma, as well as discrimination, political violence, and hatred. 

My Verdict: This book checks many boxes, and not just the ones for those who love a good fantasy novel. There is potion brewing, and shape-shifting, with portals opening, and fierce familiars such as cats and frogs ready to jump into battle to fight for the people they have pledged to protect. But there are also strong family and friendship bonds, the kind that causes characters to react without thinking, with only the loved ones' safety being the chief concern. The interactions between family members were the most intense, and frustrating, of all of the interactions in the book. The villains were indeed larger than life, but the struggles with blood relations will feel all too real for many. It is a colorful world that has a lot going on, but for any reader ready for a fast-paced adventure full of magic, this book will be ideal.

Favorite Moment: One thing that Venus is continually discovering is just how much information has been kept from her. So every little reveal is satisfying in its own way, and provides an answer that has often been hidden for too long.

Favorite Character: I would have loved more of Uncle Bram. In the earlier parts of the book, his power is only hinted at. But then it shows up in full force and it is like the scene in an action movie when the hero gets to let loose.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis.

Young Adult Fiction: Kindling by Traci Chee

Welcome to DSN's 8th annual YA Fest. This little tradition was created quite by accident, and somehow I have been able to keep it up since 2017. And this year, we are starting with Kindling by Traci Chee, a YA fantasy novel that follows a group of warriors whose magic has since been outlawed now that the war is over, but that does not mean the fighting has ended.

The Situation: Young Leum has a goal, and this is to make it to Ifrine, and out of Amerand. But plans change when she comes across a young girl begging for help. Leum would love to be able to ignore her, but also cannot help coming to her aid when she is brutally harassed by a group of locals, and the other person to come to her aid is none other than Amity. Seeing another kindling - children who were used as soldiers during the war for their magic and fighting ability - while traveling is not the strangest thing, but finding Amity, the Twin Valley Reaper herself, is difficult to believe. And like Leum, Amity is restless. She also cannot ignore the young girl's pleas for help for her village.

The Problem: The village of Camas has been under persistent attack, and while Amity may be a legend in Amerand, even she knows she will need a small army of kindling to help her new cause. Leum signs up, and they are eventually joined by five others, all searching for a place to belong now that the war is over, and all with their separate hurts and memories. They are all children who were used for some bigger purpose, their magic making them special, while also effectively cutting their lives short. As preparations are made for battle, it is clear that this fight is a risk. And after a startling revelation from Amity, the group's fearless leader, the small army of kindling are not sure where they stand. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fantasy young adult fiction novel set in the fictional land of Amerand, with most of the action taking place in the small and troubled village of Camas. At the core of the story are seven kindling, Leum, Amity, Ket, Emara, Ben, Kanver, and Siddie. Each one has their story told through second person perspective, in alternating chapters, as they prepare for and fight the battle. At various levels of skill, and with their own specialties, each of them have memories and a history to come to terms with. While one may have made a decision to never kill again, another may be looking for a fight, as another wants desperately to prove themselves, and their neighbor only looks for the next drink to help them forget. Their magic made them special during the war, while also shortening their life span, and now they do not know where they belong.

My Verdict: The choice to tell the story using a second person perspective - as if the reader was the one doing the action as the characters - was off-putting at first, but I was able to get past it. Unfortunately, other aspects of the novel turned me off from the overall narrative, and at a little past halfway through the book, I found myself simply trying to get through the rest of it. The multiple character perspectives are refreshing, although this eventually led to a slow-moving battle scene, while many of the plot points were predictable. And by the end, there were too many loose ends to overlook, too many questions unanswered. The villain also felt flat, and while I am not against killing off a character or two, I am against tragedy for the sake of adding tragedy.

Favorite Moment: Any moment when Leum loosened up and showed a little humanity was a great opportunity to see the child she should have been allowed to be. 

Favorite Character: Emara has her issues just like the rest of them, but she also has a sense of humor. Her ability to call the situation what it is, and still have fun, is something I can admire. Sometimes the choice is between laughing or crying, and Emara chose laughing. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend Chee's The Reader series. All three books are worth the read.

Historical Fiction: James by Percival Everett

Credit to Goodreads for alerting me to James by Percival Everett when it was featured in the new releases section back in March. And then I saw it several other places, with plenty of praise and positive reviews. I was hesitant to go for a reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain due to my own complicated feelings about that book, but clearly I moved past it decided to read it.

The Situation: Jim lives as a slave in Missouri, working for Miss Watson, where he also lives with his wife and daughter. When he overhears of a plan to be sold and separated from his family, he decides to take the risk of escaping on his own. When Huckleberry Finn, a young white boy in Miss Watson's care, decides to also run away and fakes his own death in order to avoid his abusive father, Jim finds himself with an unlikely, and somewhat troublesome, companion and partner. Jim cares for Huck and wants to keep him safe, but also knows that a dead white boy and a missing slave will make people assume the worst. But the unlikely pair set out down the Mississippi River, hoping to reach the Free States.

The Problem: Traveling down the Mississippi River is dangerous for many reasons. The water is treacherous, and travelers cannot risk being too visible. No one will believe that Jim is Huck's slave, since the young boy is still a minor, and Jim could easily be recaptured, sold by an enterprising stranger, or simply killed. The two of them come up against their share of troubles, including bad weather, snakes, the constant search for food, as well as other wanderers who do not have the same goal of wanting to set Jim free. And if that was not enough to deal with, Jim must constantly be sure to hide just how intelligent he really is, as well as what he knows about Huck.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that is a reimagining of the Mark Twain classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but told from Jim's point of view. From the plot summary, it is pretty clear that the main story is more or less the same: Jim runs away, and Huck fakes his own death to get away from his father. Together, they make a trip down the Mississippi River that is full of adventures and mishaps. This story not only highlights Jim's intelligence, but also just how much those who are not slaves do not know or understand. The same intelligence and compassion that Jim must rely on in order to survive must also often be hidden, even from the little boy Jim has decided to protect.

My Verdict: I imagine that retellings and reimaginings are difficult to do, especially of incredibly well-known literary works of which almost everyone in the U.S. knows the general story, and many were assigned to read at some point (whether they actually read it is a different issue entirely). And this is not simply the original story, but told from Jim's point of view. The Jim in this book makes decisions, is incredibly intelligent, and must use what he knows to be true in order to survive this adventure. It is important for Jim to abide by certain rules from society in order to survive, but there are other rules - rules that he is attempting to teach his daughter - that slaves keep that others know nothing about. The sharp observations, wit, and dark humor set this book apart, and it also incredibly easy to read, despite its subject matter.   

Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert (sort of)* The moment near the end of the book when I realized my least favorite part of Twain's novel has been left out. Readers will know it when they get to it...

Favorite Character: Just as with the original novel, I pick Huck. He has his faults, and is after all only a little boy who loves adventure. But he is loyal to those he sees as his friends, and often is smarter than many of the adults he encounters.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Tiffany D. Jackson's The Weight of Blood, a retelling of Stephen King's Carrie. 

Historical Fiction: Babel by R.F. Kuang

Deciding to put an actual door stop (a book that is 500 pages or longer) on the schedule takes a little more planning and forethought than when I pick a shorter novel. For a brief moment, I considered simply reading R.F. Kuang's Babel without writing about it. But because it is so long, I imagine there are many readers who are curious about it, but do not want to make the commitment to finishing it. So perhaps I can help a few people in this decision and shed a little more light on a book that has garnered so much attention and won many awards since its publication in 2022.

The Situation: Robin Swift can hardly believe the turn his life has taken. It is 1828, and he has escaped an almost certain death by cholera in his home city of Canton in China. The man responsible from pulling him from a home filled with sickness and death is Professor Lovell, an instructor at Oxford University's Royal Institute of Translation, otherwise known as Babel, where Robin will eventually enroll and train for a hopefully bright future and career. After years of training, and intense focus on Latin, Greek, and Chinese specifically, the goal is for Robin to be employed at the top of the tower, where the silver-working takes place, a practice that has helped Britain become the powerhouse that it is.

The Problem: Robin knows he should be grateful. If he is not reminding himself of how fortunate and privileged he is, especially considering where he came from, there are plenty around him who are happy to do so. Though it is clear that the art of silver-working has aided Britain's ultimate goal of colonization, Robin does his best to look the other way, and rationalize to himself that he is only attempting to survive and secure his own future. But the more he sees, and the more time he spends at Oxford, and the more time he spends with Professor Lovell, the clearer it becomes that using his gifts for language to serve Britain also means betraying where he came from. And when a war is planned against China over silver, Robin decides to take action, unsure if violence will be needed, or perhaps even required. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction and fantasy novel set primarily in early 19th century England. While Oxford University is of course very real, the Royal Institute of Translation is not, and there is no tower resembling the one in this book on its campus. The name 'Babel' is referring to the biblical story from Genesis where the people attempted to build a tower to reach the heavens, but God stopped them from doing so by confusing the languages. In Kuang's book, Robin is brought from his home in Canton (now known as Guangzhou) and is a useful recruit for Babel because he is fluent in Mandarin. The novel deals with colonization, racism, classism, greed, and the power of language and words.

My Verdict: This book is not only for historical fantasy lovers, but also for anyone who proclaims to be a word nerd like myself. Everything is about translation, and the power that comes from being able to communicate and make sense of words. But of course, there are also the bigger issues at hand, such as the reasons why Babel is so interested in languages such as Mandarin, Arabic, and French Creole. Kuang has created a world where an institute like Babel not only exists, but is important because translation allows silver to power an entire nation (and help it take over the world). It is a fascinating take on the idea of words having power and carrying incredible meaning.

Favorite Moment: I appreciated the honest descriptions of life for college students, especially during a high-stakes exams seasoning, and just how on edge students can get. 

Favorite Character: Victoire is a French Haitian student who is part of Robin's cohort. She is tough and smart, and incredibly resilient, despite the daily discrimination she faces at Oxford, and the frustrating discussions she must have with her naive and privileged roommate, Letty.   

Recommended Reading: Kuang's Yellowface is another novel that explores uncomfortable topics, while also examining the often lonely experience of being an author.