Brobots (Brobots, #1) in Queereaders

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Brobots (Brobots, #1)

Trevor Barton

Why we're reading this: Gay author, gay and queer characters, written for a wide audience, not M/M. Full length novel.
[close] Gay author, gay and queer characters, written for a wide audience, not M/M. Full length novel.

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Mar 02, 2017 Bill rated it really liked it

Shelves: gay-fiction, science-fiction

7 of 10 鈽�

I generally pass on self-published novels unless they come recommended by someone I respect or have hundreds of positive reviews. I decided to give Brobots a try because the author impressed me during group interactions. Reading the novel has been fulfilling and I'm glad I got the book.

On the surface Brobots is about sentient, fully functional, android AIs. I found it more about being alienated from 'normal' society which interfaces well with it's Gay theme. In a prior century it could 7 of 10 鈽�

I generally pass on self-published novels unless they come recommended by someone I respect or have hundreds of positive reviews. I decided to give Brobots a try because the author impressed me during group interactions. Reading the novel has been fulfilling and I'm glad I got the book.

On the surface Brobots is about sentient, fully functional, android AIs. I found it more about being alienated from 'normal' society which interfaces well with it's Gay theme. In a prior century it could have been called "Strangers in a Strange Land". The author introduces and explores these concepts in some depth and leaves hints on what may come in further volumes.

What I liked:

What impressed me most, I think, and what stands apart from many self-pubished books I've read, is how well-crafted the novel is. The language flows easily and can be read quickly without the stuttering I've found in works written by the less experienced or in works poorly edited.

The plot is interesting and sensible without obvious flaws. The main characters could be among my few, well-chosen friends. The science is all possible, but still remains fictional today which is how I like my Sci-Fi. The conflict is reasonable and not forced. It seems based on experience. The author's apparent point of view comes though but is not forced either. One feels it from the action of the characters and from some author asides. It was a good read and I will continue the series, especially if I am informed about releases.

What could be improved IMO:

All books have typos. There seemed to be too many in this edition. Spelling was not a problem, but word choice seemed to be here and there. It caused me to have to stop and consider sometimes. Perhaps some of this was British construction I am unfamiliar with, but not all. This was not a big problem for me.

At various points the author inserts a didactic aside separate from the action. The entire timbre of the text changes. If on purpose, it works, though I had to stop and try to figure out what the author was saying or trying to say and decide if I agreed. Would it not be better to include these concepts and ideas into the plot, characterization, action etc of the novel?

Finally there鈥檚 a detail about the structure of the universe I鈥檇 like explained. Why would the Brobots be made to have fully functional 鈥榬eproductive鈥� systems, fully sensitized, if they were created to be construction androids? I think there may be some hints that we will find out more about this in subsequent novels. It may be that the Brobots were made to be as human seeming as possible (a la Noonien Soong). But, this does not seem like something a business or corporation would do if profit their main motive.

If this is your kind of novel, do read it and review it. The success of the self-publishing industry depends on word of mouth. ...more

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