Scan barcode
ashction's review
5.0
Really, really enjoyed this one. It was exactly as good as I imagined it would be, and I'm so into this universe that, even though I largely feel this book ended well enough, I wouldn't be opposed to a sequel (or, really, a novella with Nico? Maybe? If possible?)
The universe is interesting and well thought out; maybe not quite enough exposition, since I was learning things in the middle of dramatic, climactic scenes, but I think it's a cool idea that was well executed! I'm also really happy that Lee is gay, but it's not treated as something that makes him stand out necessarily, but just *is.* I don't think I'm explaining it well, but even though there was a struggle with his sexuality and exposing it, it didn't feel like a Thing or hurdle we had go get over - it just was there, as a part of who he is.
I can't believe how quickly I tore through this - I've gotta get my hands on Floreen's other works as soon as my next library trip. If you're looking for a fun, futuristic sci-fi novel, then this is definitely a good world to visit!
The universe is interesting and well thought out; maybe not quite enough exposition, since I was learning things in the middle of dramatic, climactic scenes, but I think it's a cool idea that was well executed! I'm also really happy that Lee is gay, but it's not treated as something that makes him stand out necessarily, but just *is.* I don't think I'm explaining it well, but even though there was a struggle with his sexuality and exposing it, it didn't feel like a Thing or hurdle we had go get over - it just was there, as a part of who he is.
I can't believe how quickly I tore through this - I've gotta get my hands on Floreen's other works as soon as my next library trip. If you're looking for a fun, futuristic sci-fi novel, then this is definitely a good world to visit!
ciuli's review
3.0
3/5
TW: there are mentions of attempted suicide, suicidal thoughts and depression
I'm still sorting out my feelings on this book because, while on the one hand I want to the author's creativity for creating a sci-fi story with a gay main character, on the other hand I have to say that this book left me unsatisfied.
Meet Lee, a shy, nerdy and closeted gay teenager, slightly obsessed with building robots, who is also the son of the President of the United States. In this futuristic world, humans have managed to create artificial beings with a will and intelligence of their own. And they have started rebelling, asking for freedom and causing terroristic attacks all over the US. So Lee, being under surveillance 24/7 because of the threat of attacks directed to him, is struggling to keep his homosexuality a secret from his father and from the world. But then comes Nico, and everything changes for Lee.
I feel like the story had a really good plot, but I wished it was further developed. I felt like there are plotholes in some parts and a few characters were underdeveloped and weren't really necessary for the story. Let's see Bex for example. Her contribution to the story is inexistent and I think her sole purpose is to stand close to Lee so that he has one friend at least. But apart from that, she is useless.
I think, or at least hope, that the book is meant to have a sequel. Because that definitely can't be the way you'd want to end a book. There are way too many things left hanging which need further explainations.
TW: there are mentions of attempted suicide, suicidal thoughts and depression
I'm still sorting out my feelings on this book because, while on the one hand I want to the author's creativity for creating a sci-fi story with a gay main character, on the other hand I have to say that this book left me unsatisfied.
Meet Lee, a shy, nerdy and closeted gay teenager, slightly obsessed with building robots, who is also the son of the President of the United States. In this futuristic world, humans have managed to create artificial beings with a will and intelligence of their own. And they have started rebelling, asking for freedom and causing terroristic attacks all over the US. So Lee, being under surveillance 24/7 because of the threat of attacks directed to him, is struggling to keep his homosexuality a secret from his father and from the world. But then comes Nico, and everything changes for Lee.
I feel like the story had a really good plot, but I wished it was further developed. I felt like there are plotholes in some parts and a few characters were underdeveloped and weren't really necessary for the story. Let's see Bex for example. Her contribution to the story is inexistent and I think her sole purpose is to stand close to Lee so that he has one friend at least. But apart from that, she is useless.
I think, or at least hope, that the book is meant to have a sequel. Because that definitely can't be the way you'd want to end a book. There are way too many things left hanging which need further explainations.
fallingwings's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book, but at the end, it felt like there was something missing to fully emerge me into the story.
Cons:
× There are so many predictable things, especially concerning Nico.
× I really don't understand the need for the line about Nico being able to pass for "white, black, eskimo, etc" like, what? You can't just say he's mixed or something?
× There were some things not entirely wrapped up, almost as if the author wanted to leave them open just in case he decided to do a sequel.
×
Neutral:
× If you're like me and have played an amazing game called Nier Automata, you're going to see the word 2B and phrases like "To be or not 2B" and Shakespearean themes, we also have androids who can think for themselves. I don't know if it was a coincidence or what, but I kept finding myself thinking about about the video game.
Pros:
× There is insta attraction, but it's not mistaken for insta love. Slowish burn, which Lee realizing he is in love later down the line.
× I loved all the little robotic critters Lee made. They were so neat and all of their names were perfectly fitting.
× I really liked seeing Lee with his different struggles, both inward and external, and how he handled them.
× Bex for the win. She was an awesome friend. Sure, there were times she came off as blunt or pushy, but her character seemed to genuinely care about what was happening and about the safety of her friend.
× Despite many things being predictable, the ending was not, which was pleasantly surprising.
× The writing is nice and makes for a quick and light read (despite it being almost 400 pages).
Cons:
× There are so many predictable things, especially concerning Nico.
Spoiler
If you read the little line at the top of the cover, I mean, that is literally a spoiler about what Nico is.× I really don't understand the need for the line about Nico being able to pass for "white, black, eskimo, etc" like, what? You can't just say he's mixed or something?
× There were some things not entirely wrapped up, almost as if the author wanted to leave them open just in case he decided to do a sequel.
×
Spoiler
So part of the reason our main baddie did this was because his views on homosexuality? Also, the whole thing with society collapsing, what would he have gained by that? These motives felt weak and like they were thought up at the last second.Neutral:
× If you're like me and have played an amazing game called Nier Automata, you're going to see the word 2B and phrases like "To be or not 2B" and Shakespearean themes, we also have androids who can think for themselves. I don't know if it was a coincidence or what, but I kept finding myself thinking about about the video game.
Pros:
× There is insta attraction, but it's not mistaken for insta love. Slowish burn, which Lee realizing he is in love later down the line.
× I loved all the little robotic critters Lee made. They were so neat and all of their names were perfectly fitting.
× I really liked seeing Lee with his different struggles, both inward and external, and how he handled them.
× Bex for the win. She was an awesome friend. Sure, there were times she came off as blunt or pushy, but her character seemed to genuinely care about what was happening and about the safety of her friend.
× Despite many things being predictable, the ending was not, which was pleasantly surprising.
× The writing is nice and makes for a quick and light read (despite it being almost 400 pages).
sleeptalked's review against another edition
mysterious
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Death of parent and Homophobia
lunarchfey's review against another edition
3.0
3/5 stars
Equal parts romance and sci-fi thriller, Willful Machines is the story of the closeted son of the US president unraveling an elaborate plot involving robots & artificial intelligence... while also falling in love with the new boy at school. (And I think you can see where this is going, but I'm not going to outright spoil it for you).
I really wanted to love this book more than I did! In the end, I wouldn't discourage anybody from reading it (especially if you really want your queer robot romance fix), but it was more wistful thinking than satisfying substance. Although it's YA, it reads on the younger side, and the prose was a bit 'clunky.' I did feel some fondness for the characters, but the romance was very love-at-first sight and happened very quickly: the pacing and characterization would have been better-served and more believable with more build-up.
In the end, I wanted to read a story about what this book was about (robots and robot feelings, queer romance, robot-building nerds, a diverse cast, a complicated thriller mystery storyline, copious Shakespeare references) but the book itself wasn't what I wanted it to be.
Equal parts romance and sci-fi thriller, Willful Machines is the story of the closeted son of the US president unraveling an elaborate plot involving robots & artificial intelligence... while also falling in love with the new boy at school. (And I think you can see where this is going, but I'm not going to outright spoil it for you).
I really wanted to love this book more than I did! In the end, I wouldn't discourage anybody from reading it (especially if you really want your queer robot romance fix), but it was more wistful thinking than satisfying substance. Although it's YA, it reads on the younger side, and the prose was a bit 'clunky.' I did feel some fondness for the characters, but the romance was very love-at-first sight and happened very quickly: the pacing and characterization would have been better-served and more believable with more build-up.
In the end, I wanted to read a story about what this book was about (robots and robot feelings, queer romance, robot-building nerds, a diverse cast, a complicated thriller mystery storyline, copious Shakespeare references) but the book itself wasn't what I wanted it to be.
nyeran's review against another edition
4.0
- “Who are you? Where’s your normal, healthy, paralyzing teenage insecurity?”
- “Probably trumped by my Latin American audacity.”
4 stelle perchè sì. 4 stelle piene anche con l’instalove che poi non è instalove ma poi lo è, ma poi forse no, ma poi forse lo è un pochino, ma forse poi lo è per davvero. Insomma, 4 stelle. 4 stelle abbondanti perchè oh, mi è piaciuto.
♠ Non è perfetto certo, ma il suo lavoro lo fà più che bene. Mettiamo un attimo da parte la storia e i personaggi, chiediamoci anche noi cosa significa essere umani. Se esistesse un intelligenza artificiale cosa la distinguerebbe da noi? Il libero arbitrio? Ma il libero arbitrio esiste davvero, ed è davvero LIBERO? O siamo anche noi condizionati nelle nostre scelte dall’ambiente e dalle persone che ci circondano, dalle aspettative altrui e dallo status quo? In quel caso noi e le macchine saremmo così diversi? Non siamo anche noi in un certo senso programmati per fare determinate scelte? E fino a che punto una macchina può essere programmata? C’è la possibilità che usufruiscano anche loro del libero arbitrio?
Ecco, questo è uno di quei rari libri dove si sente davvero il bisogno di fermarsi un attimo e porsi delle domande.
♠ Queste domande se le pone anche Lee, il protagonista di questa storia ambientata in un futuro non molto lontano, dove la scienza robotica ha fatto passi da gigante ed è riuscita a creare i 2B, robot che assomigliano in tutto e per tutto agli esseri umani o agli animali e che si comportano come tali. 7 anni prima Charlotte, il primo prototipo di 2B, è scappata dal laboratorio e ha nascosto la sua mente in internet e da allora, mentre gli umani cercando di arginare il problema creando delle leggi proteggi-umani, (pensate ad Hitler e alle leggi razziali), lei ha messo a punto un piano per far si che ai 2B venga riconosciuta l’esistenza legale.
♠ Cosa mi è piaciuto… I protagonisti, tanto per cominciare, nonostante l’instalove. Ho apprezzato molto che la sessualità di Lee sia un tassello importante della trama ma che non la definisca, si Lee è gay ma è anche depresso e in passato ha tentato di suicidarsi, direi che stò poveretto ha problemi ben più grossi dell’essere attratto dai ragazzi.
Nico beh, lui è come dovrebbero essere tutti gli interessi amorosi, il suo aspetto è nella media –ha i denti storti santocielo- non ha occhi di colori improbabili, è gentile, cita shakespeare per le sue pickup lines, non fà mai il saccente o l’iper-protettivo e sopratutto... non è bipolare. Qui vorrei una standing ovation, grazie. È pur vero che forse non lo è semplicemente perchè non ha il tempo materiale per esserlo, nel senso che nel giro di 3/4 giorni, che è il periodo di sviluppo della storia, non è che abbia proprio tutto il tempo del mondo per essere idiota quindi...Good for you, Nico! I due insieme poi sono a dir poco adorabili ma come ho gia detto, puzza parecchio di instalove e quindi meh, avrei preferito un po’ più di lentezza ma chiaramente in uno stand alone era un po’ improbabile.
♠ Il world building è del tutto inesistente visto che la storia si svolge in una scuola/maniero piazzata in cima ad una cascata (??) e in luoghi chiusi come stanze, caverne e miniere. Quel poco però è ottimamente descritto sia al livello visivo che uditivo, si riesce quasi a sentire il rumore dell’acqua che cade dalla cascata. Avrei preferito un po’ più di background per i robot, quando hanno iniziato ad essere così be sviluppati per esempio, che tipo di tecnologie ci sono nelle città e nella vita quotidiana, ho apprezzato molto che l’autore abbia sviluppato la storia con delle basi più che credibili al livello politico ed etico, mi ha ricordato molto anche gli X-Men.
♠ Charlotte mi ha convinta molto, sopratutto considerando che non si vede mai, è solo la sua presenza astratta che incute timore, il sapere quello che è in grado di fare, il sapere che nessuno è al sicuro perchè è lei è li fuori. Lei è intrigante e sopratutto non si fà odiare mai fino alla fine perchè ci si rende conto che anche lei si pone le nostre stesse domande. È solo una macchina che ubbidisce al suo creatore o è qualcosa di più? È libera o può diventarlo?
♠ Però ci sono troppi plot twist. Charlotte fà attacchi terroristici, poi però si scopre che Charlotte si è suicidata 7 anni prim, poi si scopre che uno scienziato si finge Charlotte, poi scopriamo che no, è il preside della scuola a fingersi Charlotte. Tutti questi plot twist alla fine del libro con il risultato che la fine è risultata un po’ incompleta, sei nel vortice formato da queste scoperte e poi giri pagina e ti ritrovi con un finale aperto. Forse è un messaggio? Tim, hai lasciato il finale aperto perchè scriverai un sequel?
- “Probably trumped by my Latin American audacity.”
4 stelle perchè sì. 4 stelle piene anche con l’instalove che poi non è instalove ma poi lo è, ma poi forse no, ma poi forse lo è un pochino, ma forse poi lo è per davvero. Insomma, 4 stelle. 4 stelle abbondanti perchè oh, mi è piaciuto.
♠ Non è perfetto certo, ma il suo lavoro lo fà più che bene. Mettiamo un attimo da parte la storia e i personaggi, chiediamoci anche noi cosa significa essere umani. Se esistesse un intelligenza artificiale cosa la distinguerebbe da noi? Il libero arbitrio? Ma il libero arbitrio esiste davvero, ed è davvero LIBERO? O siamo anche noi condizionati nelle nostre scelte dall’ambiente e dalle persone che ci circondano, dalle aspettative altrui e dallo status quo? In quel caso noi e le macchine saremmo così diversi? Non siamo anche noi in un certo senso programmati per fare determinate scelte? E fino a che punto una macchina può essere programmata? C’è la possibilità che usufruiscano anche loro del libero arbitrio?
Ecco, questo è uno di quei rari libri dove si sente davvero il bisogno di fermarsi un attimo e porsi delle domande.
♠ Queste domande se le pone anche Lee, il protagonista di questa storia ambientata in un futuro non molto lontano, dove la scienza robotica ha fatto passi da gigante ed è riuscita a creare i 2B, robot che assomigliano in tutto e per tutto agli esseri umani o agli animali e che si comportano come tali. 7 anni prima Charlotte, il primo prototipo di 2B, è scappata dal laboratorio e ha nascosto la sua mente in internet e da allora, mentre gli umani cercando di arginare il problema creando delle leggi proteggi-umani, (pensate ad Hitler e alle leggi razziali), lei ha messo a punto un piano per far si che ai 2B venga riconosciuta l’esistenza legale.
♠ Cosa mi è piaciuto… I protagonisti, tanto per cominciare, nonostante l’instalove. Ho apprezzato molto che la sessualità di Lee sia un tassello importante della trama ma che non la definisca, si Lee è gay ma è anche depresso e in passato ha tentato di suicidarsi, direi che stò poveretto ha problemi ben più grossi dell’essere attratto dai ragazzi.
Nico beh, lui è come dovrebbero essere tutti gli interessi amorosi, il suo aspetto è nella media –ha i denti storti santocielo- non ha occhi di colori improbabili, è gentile, cita shakespeare per le sue pickup lines, non fà mai il saccente o l’iper-protettivo e sopratutto... non è bipolare. Qui vorrei una standing ovation, grazie. È pur vero che forse non lo è semplicemente perchè non ha il tempo materiale per esserlo, nel senso che nel giro di 3/4 giorni, che è il periodo di sviluppo della storia, non è che abbia proprio tutto il tempo del mondo per essere idiota quindi...Good for you, Nico! I due insieme poi sono a dir poco adorabili ma come ho gia detto, puzza parecchio di instalove e quindi meh, avrei preferito un po’ più di lentezza ma chiaramente in uno stand alone era un po’ improbabile.
♠ Il world building è del tutto inesistente visto che la storia si svolge in una scuola/maniero piazzata in cima ad una cascata (??) e in luoghi chiusi come stanze, caverne e miniere. Quel poco però è ottimamente descritto sia al livello visivo che uditivo, si riesce quasi a sentire il rumore dell’acqua che cade dalla cascata. Avrei preferito un po’ più di background per i robot, quando hanno iniziato ad essere così be sviluppati per esempio, che tipo di tecnologie ci sono nelle città e nella vita quotidiana, ho apprezzato molto che l’autore abbia sviluppato la storia con delle basi più che credibili al livello politico ed etico, mi ha ricordato molto anche gli X-Men.
♠ Charlotte mi ha convinta molto, sopratutto considerando che non si vede mai, è solo la sua presenza astratta che incute timore, il sapere quello che è in grado di fare, il sapere che nessuno è al sicuro perchè è lei è li fuori. Lei è intrigante e sopratutto non si fà odiare mai fino alla fine perchè ci si rende conto che anche lei si pone le nostre stesse domande. È solo una macchina che ubbidisce al suo creatore o è qualcosa di più? È libera o può diventarlo?
♠ Però ci sono troppi plot twist. Charlotte fà attacchi terroristici, poi però si scopre che Charlotte si è suicidata 7 anni prim, poi si scopre che uno scienziato si finge Charlotte, poi scopriamo che no, è il preside della scuola a fingersi Charlotte. Tutti questi plot twist alla fine del libro con il risultato che la fine è risultata un po’ incompleta, sei nel vortice formato da queste scoperte e poi giri pagina e ti ritrovi con un finale aperto. Forse è un messaggio? Tim, hai lasciato il finale aperto perchè scriverai un sequel?
allysonbogie's review against another edition
4.0
After I finished this book, I saw Tim Floreen speak on a panel. He said he hoped that librarians would give this book to kids who were simply looking for a good book, rather than only giving it to gay kids. And that is exactly what I am going to do (once I get it into my library). Lee, the main character, is a "walking walk-in" as his best friend calls him. He is closeted, and happens to be the son of the U.S. President. Although his romance is a significant plot driver, the book isn't about him being gay. It's about what can happen when artificial intelligence goes beyond what we've ever seen before, into the realm of machines having will and free agency. It also delves into some existential questions that I think will appeal to teens.
It's fast-paced, and the setting is very vivid, both traits that I enjoy in YA novels. If anything, it made me too tense and I raced through it because I was impatient to find out what would happen.
I really enjoyed it, and highly recommend it if you like futuristic or dystopian stories.
It's fast-paced, and the setting is very vivid, both traits that I enjoy in YA novels. If anything, it made me too tense and I raced through it because I was impatient to find out what would happen.
I really enjoyed it, and highly recommend it if you like futuristic or dystopian stories.
marley's review against another edition
3.0
World where robots and humans are getting to be on equal footing? Check. A cute romance between a introvert and a boy with a heart of gold? Check. An interesting antagonist? Check. Willful Machines is definitely a solid addition to the science fiction end of the Young Adult age range.
What I liked:
-Charlotte was a brilliant main antagonist. I feel like her motivations were very solid, and it wasn't a simple matter of right and wrong.
-Gremlin! I think Gremlin was 1) completely and utterly adorable, and 2) a significant part of one of the most sweet moments between Nico and Lee;
-The layering in the plot: there were a lot of reveals, some of which where fairly obvious going off textual evidence, and some which really shifted the entire perspective of the plot;
What I wasn't such a fan of:
-There were some insensitive bits in the text that I was surprised slipped through the editing process, namely the part where Lee was describing how racially ambiguous Nico was;
-The climax didn't really end? It just kind of dissipated, so the ending was quite unsatisfying
-The romance was quite fast in developing, especially given the time frame of the book
-The last plot twist made no sense to me at all. I can't say more without spoiling it but ugh.
The verdict: A twisty, faced paced read that definitely kept me hooked and had its moments. Would read a sequel if there were to be one.
What I liked:
-Charlotte was a brilliant main antagonist. I feel like her motivations were very solid, and it wasn't a simple matter of right and wrong.
-Gremlin! I think Gremlin was 1) completely and utterly adorable, and 2) a significant part of one of the most sweet moments between Nico and Lee;
-The layering in the plot: there were a lot of reveals, some of which where fairly obvious going off textual evidence, and some which really shifted the entire perspective of the plot;
What I wasn't such a fan of:
-There were some insensitive bits in the text that I was surprised slipped through the editing process, namely the part where Lee was describing how racially ambiguous Nico was;
-The climax didn't really end? It just kind of dissipated, so the ending was quite unsatisfying
-The romance was quite fast in developing, especially given the time frame of the book
-The last plot twist made no sense to me at all. I can't say more without spoiling it but ugh.
The verdict: A twisty, faced paced read that definitely kept me hooked and had its moments. Would read a sequel if there were to be one.
justwanna2read's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
dr_logen's review against another edition
2.0
Everything about this book was just okay. The characters weren't awful, but they were forgettable. The world building was almost believable, but just not that interesting. There was nothing horrible or offensive about this book, but there was just nothing really good either. Honestly, this book was so meh that I really can't think of anything else negative or positive to write about it. :/