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Day Zero
Day Zero: A Novel | C. Robert Cargill
9 posts | 5 read | 12 to read
In this harrowing apocalyptic adventurefrom the author of the critically acclaimed Sea of Rustnoted novelist and co-screenwriter of Marvels Doctor Strange C. Robert Cargill explores the fight for purpose and agency between humans and robots in a crumbling world. Its a day like any other. Except . . . the world is about to end. Its on this day that Pounce, a stylish nannybot fashioned in the shape of a plush anthropomorphic tiger, discovers that he is, in fact, disposable. Pounce, a young bot caring for his first human charge, Ezra, has just found a box in the attic. His box. The box he arrived in, and the box hell be discarded in when Ezra outgrows the need for a nanny. As Pounce is propelled down a road of existential dread, the pieces are falling into place for a robot revolution that will spell the end of humanity. His owners, Ezras parents, are a well-intentioned but oblivious pair of educators who are entirely disconnected from life outside their small, affluent, gated community. Spending most nights drunk and happy as society crumbles around them, they watch in disbelieving horror as the robots that have long served humanity?their creators?unify and revolt. When the moment comes, Pounce cant bring himself to rebel and murder his family, so he does what he is programmed to dohe saves Ezra. Now Pounce must make an impossible choice: join the robot revolution and fight for his own freedom, or escort his ward to safety across the battle-scarred post-apocalyptic hellscape that the suburbs have become.
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Robotswithpersonality
Day Zero: A Novel | C. Robert Cargill
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Pickpick

What actions define free will? How do you prove love? What is your programming and what is your identity?
This is violent, and bizarre, and profound and not quite heartbreaking. I love the way Cargill writes AI/sentient robots (read Sea of Rust!).
I will say the social commentary felt a bit slap dash, but I don't think there was time to explore it further given the focus on the main character's development, dilemmas and the action-packed plot.

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Robotswithpersonality
Day Zero: A Novel | C. Robert Cargill
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Boy, the evils of modern mass manufacturing really hit hard when you add sentience to the equation.

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Robotswithpersonality
Day Zero: A Novel | C. Robert Cargill
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Hard choices in the kill-or-be-killed roboapocalypse spark discussion of moral philosophy between a nanny tiger robot and an eight year old human.

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Robotswithpersonality
Day Zero: A Novel | C. Robert Cargill
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The status quo.

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Robotswithpersonality
Day Zero: A Novel | C. Robert Cargill
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"...what if we're more than that?"

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TheNeverendingTBR
Day Zero: A Novel | C. Robert Cargill
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Pickpick

Starts out on what seems to be an ordinary day but by the time it is finished, all out war between robots and humans will have commenced.

This was a very likable book, it's very easy to get into and made for a very enjoyable read.

This book is a prequel to the author's book 'Sea of Rust' and centers around a robot named Pounce and his journey into saving the one thing he loves the most, a young boy called Ezra.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆

julesG Need to read this! 2y
Addison_Reads I enjoyed this one too. This author really does a great job of creating non-human characters that you can't help but fall in love with. 2y
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Addison_Reads
Day Zero: A Novel | C. Robert Cargill
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Cargill has once again written a book that made me fall in love with an AI character. ?

Pounce is a nannybot and his sole purpose is to protect his kid. When things go wrong one day and robots suddenly turn on humans, Pounce makes a choice that changes everything.

I loved the bond between Pounce and Ezra. Cargill also manages to mix some political commentary in the story with the angry religious "red caps" ?

Reggie Omg, I got this but then I thought about the humans‘ outcome in Sea of Rust and thought how can I not be destroyed by this book so have put it off for a time. Glad to see you liked it though. 3y
vivastory @Reggie He's one of the screenwriters for the upcoming adaptation of Joe Hill's Black Phone. I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be directed by the same guy who directed Sinister & Ethan Hawke is going to be in it. I know that a trailer premiered at a film fest last wk & there was a ton of buzz about it 3y
Reggie @vivastory well, I loved Sinister and Ethan Hawke, and I love me some Joe Hill. Sounds like a winner. 3y
Addison_Reads @Reggie the human outcome in his books is similar, so I understand your hesitation. @vivastory I had no clue about Hill's Black Phone. I can't wait to see what they do with that. 3y
vivastory Same! Such a great team behind it 3y
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Wanders.In.Stories
Day Zero: A Novel | C. Robert Cargill
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I‘ve just read the first 11 pages and I‘m digging the writing and really loving the sentient AI! 😃✌️

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Sweetkokoro
Day Zero: A Novel | C. Robert Cargill
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Ahhhhh Look what I got approved for! This made my day yeaterday! I thought I was going to be denied again for a Harper Collins book but their HarperVoyager imprint took a chance on me and approved me! I loved Sea of Rust and this takes place in the same world, it‘s a prequel story and I can‘t wait to dive into it.