About:
Activation Degradation by Marina J. Lostetter is a science-fiction book following a biological robot who realizes the life he was created for can be more meaningful. Ms. Lostetter is a published author who writes novels and short fiction.
- 384 pages
- Publisher : Harper Voyager
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 0062895745
My rating for Activation Degradation — 4
Buy Activation Degradation from Amazon.com*
More Books by Marina J. Lostetter*
Thoughts:
I’m a big fan of the Murderbot Diaries, and even though this book isn’t by Martha Wells I figured I’d give it a shot. I’m glad I did, Activation Degradation by Marina J. Lostetter is both interesting and well written.
Right off the bat, the book takes off and keeps on building. The author managed to get the reader caught up surprisingly quick. Even though Unit Four, the protagonist robot, woke up to a situation none of us would envy.
I liked that the robot can communicate with its handlers immediately. It has selective memories implant from a previous version so the learning curb is very short. Due to the enormous radiation, these biological robots live only 90 days.
This is a gritty novel, in a world where nothing is certain and everyone has an agenda. After finishing the book, I still didn’t know whose story to believe, but that’s part of the charm.
The novel has several twists which I thought were pretty clever. The ending leaves the reader, and Unit Four, in a philosophical conundrum which, I at least, saw parallels to today’s alternate realities and misinformation campaigns. Realities where no one is really sure what’s true anymore.
It really has nothing to do with the series, and stands very well on its own. In the beginning it was confusing a bit because I kept looking for references, however, there were none I could find. I also didn’t care for some of the relationship side bars. Regardless of sexual orientation, chiefly the relationships seemed forced just to check another checkbox, in an otherwise fantastic novel which really didn’t need that
The one thing I don’t understand is why the Murderbot reference in the blurb?
Alas, who am I to get involved in marketing? Heck… it caught my eye.
Synopsis:
Unit Four is a biological robot whose purpose, for the 90 days it exists, is chiefly to oversee a mine in the Jovian atmosphere. However, as Unit Four gets consciousness, it immediacy gets put in defense mode to protect the Earth’s last energy resource from invaders.
Buy Activation Degradation from Amazon.com*
More Books by Marina J. Lostetter*
Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this book for free.
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account
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