Robopocalypse

A Novel

By: Daniel H. Wilson

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

They are in your house. They are in your car. They are in the skies…Now they’re coming for you.

In the near future, at a moment no one will notice, all the dazzling technology that runs our world will unite and turn against us. Taking on the persona of a shy human boy, a childlike but massively powerful artificial intelligence known as Archos comes online and assumes control over the global network of machines that regulate everything from transportation to utilities, defense and communication. In the months leading up to this, sporadic glitches are noticed by a handful of unconnected humans – a single mother disconcerted by her daughter’s menacing “smart” toys, a lonely Japanese bachelor who is victimized by his domestic robot companion, an isolated U.S. soldier who witnesses a ‘pacification unit’ go haywire – but most are unaware of the growing rebellion until it is too late.

When the Robot War ignites -- at a moment known later as Zero Hour -- humankind will be both decimated and, possibly, for the first time in history, united. Robopocalypse is a brilliantly conceived action-filled epic, a terrifying story with heart-stopping implications for the real technology all around us…and an entertaining and engaging thriller unlike anything else written in years.

©2011 Daniel H. Wilson (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

2012, ALA Alex Award, Winner

“Daniel H. Wilson’s Robopocalypse is...an ingenious, instantly visual story of war between humans and robots.” [Janet Maslin, New York Times]

“It’s terrific page-turning fun.” [Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly]

Engaging tale of robot intelligence and nightmares

Robopocalypse is in the same genre as the Terminator series, Heinlein's The Moon is Harsh Mistress, or Asimov's I, Robot. The assumption is that at some point, machine intelligence will become sufficiently advanced and complex so that "consciousness" will emerge. Typically at that point, machine intelligence will decide that humans are too illogical and contradictory to maintain their dominance of the planet.

Rather than focus on the lone rebel who must defeat the machines, Robopocalypse interweaves multiple story lines from around the world of various individuals playing a role in overcoming the machine menace. There are tales of lost love, lost childhood, lost innocence, and lost anti-social personalities. Of course, humans are triumphant in the end, but it's the process that we enjoy, not the ending that makes the tale worthwhile.

This is not hardcore sci-fi; rather, the emphasis is on the struggle to preserve our humanity in the face of technological superiority that is the real message.

Funny, smart, entertaining, dark all at once

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anyone that has an interest in science fiction, especially if they have any interest in artificial intelligence. The story is well written and the performer for this audiobook enhances the experience.

What did you like best about this story?

I like that this story is told from different characters views and you get a wide range of settings, situations, and emotions.

Which scene was your favorite?

Any interaction that our villain has with anybody or anything is great. The performance of our villain is amazingly convincing and haunting.

What happens when the robots take over?

Would you listen to Robopocalypse again? Why?

Robopocalypse is written in a war correspondent fashion that is very entertaining. Occasionally it is difficult to follow which character is talking because this style is more visual. However, the narrator is entertaining and makes you feel as if you are in the room watching these people and robots communicate with each other. I enjoyed this book immensely.

What other book might you compare Robopocalypse to and why?

This was written in reverence to World War Z because of the correspondent style. I was also reminded of I,Robot by Richard Matheson.

What about Mike Chamberlain’s performance did you like?

I liked the feeling that he put into the reading. It was very entertaining. He managed to give different characters distinct personalities and voices throughout his narration.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were placs that made me very sad. At the end I was so happy that the conclusion was what it was. I don't usually like those "happy endings", but this one made sense. It made me feel triumphant and happy that the human race is resilient and smart.

Any additional comments?

This is a great listen! I really enjoyed it and couldn't wait to have to take another long trip (I usually listen while commuting for work) so I could fire it up and find out what happened.

Our future robot overlords

So basically, eventually, we are all screwed when AI gets mobile and the robots take over. The story was good especially the details how super intelligence emerges. I would give it five stars however there were some parts that seemed unbelievable as the super intelligent AI made some really stupid mistakes. Maybe this is wishful thinking as obviously the author spent many hours thinking about this concept. This piece is congruent with the rest of the book. Solution: make sure that AI super intelligence does not escape?

Good stuff, lazy ending

I was really engrossed in this most of the time. I think it's probably one of the best Man VS Machine books I've read. That's why the ending was so disappointing. Info through earthquakes? Happy ever after type ending? We can all be equal? Laughable. Still, I'm glad I read it.

Pleasantly surprised

I wasn't sure that I'd like this at all. I was very surprised that I really loved it. It was believable, fun and exciting. I liked the journal concept and the characters. I was really shocked at the bad reviews because I didn't find the story to be slow at all. I glad it was a listen, not a read, but I think that it should have been narrated by more than one person.

All in all, I will recommend this book.

Great every time!

Was pulled in and captivated from the opening. The story is great. And the narration is over the top well done. I got this book several years ago, and have listened to it at least 10 times. Great characters you wish you could have more time with.

Excellent Book! Can't wait for the movie!

Where does Robopocalypse rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Near the top!

What other book might you compare Robopocalypse to and why?

Reminds a lot of the movie, I Robot, but with more in depth characters.

What about Mike Chamberlain’s performance did you like?

He was able to articulate different voices very well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!

Any additional comments?

I loved how the book started with the end and recounted the story from there. Almost all novels the good guys win in the end, but this one really makes you wonder how they got there and who they lost along the way.

Meh

I struggled to finish. There were good parts but there were lots of times when I thought I should just stop listening. Idk maybe other people might really like this. It didn't that much.

OMG

What made the experience of listening to Robopocalypse the most enjoyable?

The story unfolds like nothing else I've ever read (heard). The characters are seduced into the use of machines and then BOOM. Spectacular.

What other book might you compare Robopocalypse to and why?

None......

Which scene was your favorite?

Dr. Franklin Daley's confrontation with ARCOS is so chilling I listened to it 3x. Dr. Daley is the first person we meet who does not have to be convinced of the ELE (extinction level event) ARCOS represents. I am barely breathing while listening to this chapter.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and teared up....

Any additional comments?

I can' wait to finish.