Though it soon becomes obvious that Amy and One Shot are in incredible danger—stalked by invisible murder machines that Amy dubs “wolfhounds”—the question of survival quickly gives way to musings on humanity and what constitutes happiness. One Shot struggles to balance his protective programming with his newfound desire to help Amy become independent, as Amy develops from a frightened orphan into a fearless lover of wild animals and a brave fighter. One Shot can only be who he is, making him the perfect foil for a growing girl—“I’m not sure how much of this protection I can take,” she says at one point. Their adventure, narrated through a robot’s eyes, offers a uniquely empathetic perspective on what it means to grow up.
Dennstedt (author of When Dolls Talk) allows Amy’s whims to drive the plot, which perfectly mimics the touch-and-go feel of her mission, though the arc of her quest to find surviving humans and reclaim the city from evil robots falls somewhat flat in its conclusion. Dennstedt’s AI-generated illustrations strip some of the novel’s emotional impact, but overall, readers will find I, Robot Soldier an enjoyable, albeit highly untraditional, father-daughter adventure story full of searching, heartwarming moments.
Takeaway: A tender, post-apocalyptic road novel of finding family and fulfillment.
Comparable Titles: Andrew Krivak's The Bear, Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: B-
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
