Code Lightfall and the Robot King

by Daniel H. Wilson

When Code Lightfall tumbles down a hole in pursuit of a mysterious robotic insect, he lands in a world that defies imagination. Everything in Mekhos is made from metal and circuitry, including the inhabitants.

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction

180 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

About the author

A Cherokee citizen, Daniel H. Wilson grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He earned a Ph.D. in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Akari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. I liked the ending very much.

[Adam Bourke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I often say that books aimed primarily at younger readers can also be enjoyed by adults. Having read this one, I'm not so sure. The reason is simply because the story is childish. It's not a particularly simple story, and it does have an interesting twist at the end, but the plot has a lot of things that a child might find exciting, or realistic, that an Adult probably wouldn't. Of course, it's aimed at children - so if you're looking for a book for your kids, then this could be a good one for you.

Essentially, it's about a schoolboy, who finds a secret world. To me, the world was all a bit unrealistic, even in fantasy terms, but there were some interesting aspects, including at the very end when we learn a little bit more about how it was built. The idea of having separated the world of robots from the human one is interesting, and the various reasons and discussions on the fact were actually quite interesting.
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But there were things that weren't. Some of the obstacles I found a little boring - when the main character (Code) steals some giant's soup, it all seemed like Jack and the Beanstalk to me. And then he draws a robot and it actually becomes one, which I felt was silly. Especially since an earlier robot was being made at a factory, and this one just drops out of a machine.

I could imagine the book as a cartoon though. I think it would work quite well on Kids TV. Some of the aspects, such as the Giant Robot's scene I just mentioned would add some humour, and there would be other scenes that work well.

Overall, while I enjoyed some scenes, there were about half that I didn't find fully engaging. But I could see that a child could easily enjoy the book, and although I don't have any of my own kids to try it out on, I would recommend it for them.

[Ayman Awal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Code Lightfall is an ordinary kid. Apart from the name, of course. Then one day he tumbles down hole and ends up somewhere far from ordinary, a land of robots. Now Code must battle through poisonous rivers and over uncross able seas to save both the robot world and his own as he sets out on an amazing adventure. But as the only human in a land of hostile robots, will Code make it alive?

[Jonathan H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book that recalls Alice in Wonderland, except it's about a boy who finds himself in a world of robots. (This is the British version of A Boy and His Bot.)

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

slow start and a disappointing ending that didn't feel earned.