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I Heart Robot
Sixteen-year-old Tyri wants to be a musician and wants to be with someone who won't belittle her musical aspirations.
Q-I-99 aka 'Quinn' lives in a scrap metal sanctuary with other rogue droids. While some use violence to make their voices heard, demanding equal rights for AI enhanced robots, Quinn just wants a moment on stage with his violin to show the humans that androids like him have more to offer than their processing power.
Tyri and Quinn's worlds collide when they're accepted by the Baldur Junior Philharmonic Orchestra. As the rift between robots and humans deepens, Tyri and Quinn's love of music brings them closer together, making Tyri question where her loyalties lie and Quinn question his place in the world. With the city on the brink of civil war, Tyri and Quinn make a shocking discovery that turns their world inside out. Will their passion for music be enough to hold them together while everything else crumbles down around them, or will the truth of who they are tear them apart?
"The tension between the groups, the obvious attraction between the main characters, the ticking time bomb of Quinn’s real identity and the secrets surrounding Tyri’s birth makes for compelling reading. The world building was exceptional and the characters well developed."~ The Australia Times Books
Q-I-99 aka 'Quinn' lives in a scrap metal sanctuary with other rogue droids. While some use violence to make their voices heard, demanding equal rights for AI enhanced robots, Quinn just wants a moment on stage with his violin to show the humans that androids like him have more to offer than their processing power.
Tyri and Quinn's worlds collide when they're accepted by the Baldur Junior Philharmonic Orchestra. As the rift between robots and humans deepens, Tyri and Quinn's love of music brings them closer together, making Tyri question where her loyalties lie and Quinn question his place in the world. With the city on the brink of civil war, Tyri and Quinn make a shocking discovery that turns their world inside out. Will their passion for music be enough to hold them together while everything else crumbles down around them, or will the truth of who they are tear them apart?
"The tension between the groups, the obvious attraction between the main characters, the ticking time bomb of Quinn’s real identity and the secrets surrounding Tyri’s birth makes for compelling reading. The world building was exceptional and the characters well developed."~ The Australia Times Books
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2015
About the author
Xan van Rooyen
34 books112 followersI'm a genderqueer non-binary author with a penchant for the dark and strange. I primarily write SFF but enjoy literary writing as well. (Pronouns she or they)
When not writing, I teach music at an international school, climb, eat anything involving peanut butter, and serve the whims of my shiba inu.
I've also published stories and novels as Suzanne van Rooyen and you can find those on the link under 'influences' in my profile.
When not writing, I teach music at an international school, climb, eat anything involving peanut butter, and serve the whims of my shiba inu.
I've also published stories and novels as Suzanne van Rooyen and you can find those on the link under 'influences' in my profile.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 12, 2015
"This is your chance to show the humans that we aren’t just machines, that they gave us minds. We think, we feel, we dream, we create."
I Heart Robot is a surprising and enjoyable read. This is my first from Suzanne Van Rooyen and I'm glad I gave this a try. Look at the cover!! It really calls out to me. Though the whole premise is not my usual read, this book made me FEEL. Feels all over! I love that it makes you think. I love that its diverse. I love that I was left wanting for more.
Tyri and Quinn has a connection through music. Tyri is a girl who wants to be a musician. Quinn is a robot who just want to be treated as a human who can feel and make music. This together isn't a fairytale in the making. There was a lot of up and downs. There was a lot of swoony moments bud sadly, it has heartbreaking scenes as well. I love that Quinn as a robot is believable and that he's so ADORABLE. He's my favorite in here. Tyri can be a bit complicated. She's such a teenager sometimes that it kind of annoys me even though I'm a teenager myself. The second characters are incredible!! Its amazing how the author made me adore them so much even though the story is not mainly about them.
Tyri and Quinn's world is interesting. And kind of scary because it's so close to reality! The politics, their culture... I hope it gets to be fleshed out more. I know that a second book is not confirmed yet but I am pushing it!!! Because I need a sequel so bad it hurts. And I know I'm not the only one who wants it. *evil laugh* Sorry for being evil, but I'm desperate!!
The ending kinda crushed so thank you very much. I'm torn between loving it because the way it ended is so perfect and hating it because, well, IT CRUSHED ME OKAY? There are ending that you WANT to happen and and their are endings that NEEDS to happen. I think the author did the latter and with all seriousness, I'm glad she did. With how the story flowed, it really was the right ending.
I want more from Quinn and Tyri because I'm so not ready to let it go. I do recommend this book this to EVERYONE. It has a message, it will make you think and it'll make your heart race. A very readable and enjoyable novel that every age group will enjoy!
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September 25, 2017Dear readers,
I'm the author of this one *waves*
In a nutshell, this story is about a girl who loves music and a robot-boy who loves music, and about how that girl and robot-boy accidentally discover they might love each other even when their world conspires against them.
If you want to know more about what inspired this story, you can check out its Pinterest board here.
A huge thank you to all those who have already added this to their shelves.
I'm the author of this one *waves*
In a nutshell, this story is about a girl who loves music and a robot-boy who loves music, and about how that girl and robot-boy accidentally discover they might love each other even when their world conspires against them.
If you want to know more about what inspired this story, you can check out its Pinterest board here.
A huge thank you to all those who have already added this to their shelves.
September 26, 2017
3.5 Stars
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher. This has not influenced my review.*
I’ve read multiple books about androids fighting for the same rights as humans, about whether androids can feel emotions, etc., but I think this book did it in a way that was really well done and maybe more thought-provoking than the others I’ve read so far. It really delved into the issues and had me questioning what I believed and weighing arguments on both sides. Part of the reason for that was probably because we got to see the perspective of all sides, not just the side supporting androids. I don’t mean there were a bunch of POV characters (there were only two), just that we got to hear from characters who were on the extreme for androids and others who were on the extreme for humans (I’m talking extreme to the point of violence and killing) as well as characters who fell at various different points in the middle. That was really the shining point of this book, how thought-provoking it was.
The other thing that really stood out to me was how realistic the characters, their dialogue, their actions, etc. felt. A lot of it was kind of low-key in a way that was real, rather than dramatic or extreme the way books often tend to be. And speaking of the characters, Tyri and Quinn were both good characters—not completely perfect but generally good and likeable. And Rurik and Kit, while not quite as good or likeable, were interesting. They were the most flawed and represented the more extreme beliefs, but they both had good character arcs and got some redemption by the end.
As for the relationships among characters, I think the chemistry between Tyri and Quinn could’ve been a little stronger. I really liked the relationship between Tyri and Rurik though because it was realistic and believable as one of those relationships that’s struggling and in which the people just aren’t compatible and are growing apart, regardless of what their feelings are and how much they may want the relationship to work. I like seeing different types of relationships and struggles in books. I would’ve liked to see the possible chemistry between Quinn and Kit explored a bit more too since I also found their relationship interesting. But the romance wasn’t really the point of the story anyway.
Another thing I liked was the robot versions of human things, like how they got drunk by using some sort of program that kind of scrambled their code in a certain way.
Music is another theme throughout the book, alongside the android stuff, that some people might really enjoy, since both Tyri and Quinn played violin. Quinn even ended up with a sort of synesthesia that made music and sounds have colors and smells.
I did see the twist coming, but it’s really not the type of twist that affects your enjoyment of the story, so that’s not a big deal. And I liked the ending overall. Important things were wrapped up, characters got their arcs, and things were good without being too closed and perfect.
So overall, this was an enjoyable, well-written book with realistic characters and a thought-provoking premise about androids!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes YA, realistic characters, and thought-provoking books about androids.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher. This has not influenced my review.*
I’ve read multiple books about androids fighting for the same rights as humans, about whether androids can feel emotions, etc., but I think this book did it in a way that was really well done and maybe more thought-provoking than the others I’ve read so far. It really delved into the issues and had me questioning what I believed and weighing arguments on both sides. Part of the reason for that was probably because we got to see the perspective of all sides, not just the side supporting androids. I don’t mean there were a bunch of POV characters (there were only two), just that we got to hear from characters who were on the extreme for androids and others who were on the extreme for humans (I’m talking extreme to the point of violence and killing) as well as characters who fell at various different points in the middle. That was really the shining point of this book, how thought-provoking it was.
The other thing that really stood out to me was how realistic the characters, their dialogue, their actions, etc. felt. A lot of it was kind of low-key in a way that was real, rather than dramatic or extreme the way books often tend to be. And speaking of the characters, Tyri and Quinn were both good characters—not completely perfect but generally good and likeable. And Rurik and Kit, while not quite as good or likeable, were interesting. They were the most flawed and represented the more extreme beliefs, but they both had good character arcs and got some redemption by the end.
As for the relationships among characters, I think the chemistry between Tyri and Quinn could’ve been a little stronger. I really liked the relationship between Tyri and Rurik though because it was realistic and believable as one of those relationships that’s struggling and in which the people just aren’t compatible and are growing apart, regardless of what their feelings are and how much they may want the relationship to work. I like seeing different types of relationships and struggles in books. I would’ve liked to see the possible chemistry between Quinn and Kit explored a bit more too since I also found their relationship interesting. But the romance wasn’t really the point of the story anyway.
Another thing I liked was the robot versions of human things, like how they got drunk by using some sort of program that kind of scrambled their code in a certain way.
Music is another theme throughout the book, alongside the android stuff, that some people might really enjoy, since both Tyri and Quinn played violin. Quinn even ended up with a sort of synesthesia that made music and sounds have colors and smells.
I did see the twist coming, but it’s really not the type of twist that affects your enjoyment of the story, so that’s not a big deal. And I liked the ending overall. Important things were wrapped up, characters got their arcs, and things were good without being too closed and perfect.
So overall, this was an enjoyable, well-written book with realistic characters and a thought-provoking premise about androids!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes YA, realistic characters, and thought-provoking books about androids.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
February 7, 2017
A copy of this novel was provided by Month9Books for review.
Okay, I’m going to outline my two main problems with I Heart Robot (but the second one isn’t a problem so much as a wish on my behalf):
#1
Tyri. I just couldn’t really understand her. One moment she’s completely in love with her boyfriend, and then the next she is thinking that they’re drifting apart. One moment she’s partial to the robots and agree that they shouldn’t be treated like shit, and then the next she’s being a complete bitch about them and calling them ‘tin cans’. I just cannot stand people who are like that: they have no concrete emotions of beliefs and I’m just kind of like … who even are you? Because your boyfriend is a bit of a douche, so yeah, you probably should break up with him. Because being supportive of a movement doesn’t mean you bow out when something goes wrong – one does not represent the many.
So yeah, I was not keen on Tyri and her back and forth on everything that’s important to her, even her violin.
#2
Robots shouldn’t have a predetermined sexual orientation. I mean, who the heck is really gonna put some code in saying that a male robot should be into female robots (or humans or whatever) and vice versa? Where I’m going with this is that Quinn and Kit had one thousand times the chemistry that Quinn and Tyri had, and I was finding myself thinking: wow, this book would be so much better if Tyri’s character was a guy; or if Quinn and Tyri were friends, and Quinn and Kit were lovers; or if Quinn was attracted to both of them. Because Quinn + Kit = adorable. And Kit 100% had feelings for Quinn, no doubt about it. He was always flirting and biting his lip and SPOILER they actually did kiss so there you have it END SPOILER.
Long story short: Quinn should have been bisexual because it would have made a lot of sense.
~
So those were the two things that really jumped out at me when reading I Heart Robot, and I guess they impeded quite a bit on my enjoyment of it.
But even so, I loved the concept. I remember being completely heartbroken by A.I. and Bicentennial Man, and I Heart Robot is pretty much the novelisation of those two movies. Robots/androids have feelings – they’re not just metal, they want rights because their “owners” can get pretty heinous (Quinn, darling Quinn), and Quinn is determined to show their “humanness” to the humans, in hopes to change something.
There’s a bit of a twist that I 100% saw coming, but really enjoyed nonetheless because it brought in a whole new and fresh aspect to the book.
To be honest, the ending is freaking open as heck, and I really hope there’s a sequel because I did not get the answers I was looking for. And who knows, maybe my two problems would be resolved in a sequel? *squeals happily in anticipation*
© 2015, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity . All rights reserved.
Okay, I’m going to outline my two main problems with I Heart Robot (but the second one isn’t a problem so much as a wish on my behalf):
#1
Tyri. I just couldn’t really understand her. One moment she’s completely in love with her boyfriend, and then the next she is thinking that they’re drifting apart. One moment she’s partial to the robots and agree that they shouldn’t be treated like shit, and then the next she’s being a complete bitch about them and calling them ‘tin cans’. I just cannot stand people who are like that: they have no concrete emotions of beliefs and I’m just kind of like … who even are you? Because your boyfriend is a bit of a douche, so yeah, you probably should break up with him. Because being supportive of a movement doesn’t mean you bow out when something goes wrong – one does not represent the many.
So yeah, I was not keen on Tyri and her back and forth on everything that’s important to her, even her violin.
#2
Robots shouldn’t have a predetermined sexual orientation. I mean, who the heck is really gonna put some code in saying that a male robot should be into female robots (or humans or whatever) and vice versa? Where I’m going with this is that Quinn and Kit had one thousand times the chemistry that Quinn and Tyri had, and I was finding myself thinking: wow, this book would be so much better if Tyri’s character was a guy; or if Quinn and Tyri were friends, and Quinn and Kit were lovers; or if Quinn was attracted to both of them. Because Quinn + Kit = adorable. And Kit 100% had feelings for Quinn, no doubt about it. He was always flirting and biting his lip and SPOILER they actually did kiss so there you have it END SPOILER.
Long story short: Quinn should have been bisexual because it would have made a lot of sense.
~
So those were the two things that really jumped out at me when reading I Heart Robot, and I guess they impeded quite a bit on my enjoyment of it.
But even so, I loved the concept. I remember being completely heartbroken by A.I. and Bicentennial Man, and I Heart Robot is pretty much the novelisation of those two movies. Robots/androids have feelings – they’re not just metal, they want rights because their “owners” can get pretty heinous (Quinn, darling Quinn), and Quinn is determined to show their “humanness” to the humans, in hopes to change something.
There’s a bit of a twist that I 100% saw coming, but really enjoyed nonetheless because it brought in a whole new and fresh aspect to the book.
To be honest, the ending is freaking open as heck, and I really hope there’s a sequel because I did not get the answers I was looking for. And who knows, maybe my two problems would be resolved in a sequel? *squeals happily in anticipation*
© 2015, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity . All rights reserved.
September 3, 2017
Sci-Fi is not my read, nor is YA, really, so I wasn't expecting much when I read the first page. Which is all it took, the first few pages, in order to suck me right in and keep me glancing at the book even when I was supposed to be sleeping or doing something else.
This is a story about a girl who inadvertently falls for a really nice guy who happens to share the same passion as she does: the violin. The musical nuances added another dimension to the already rich descriptions and emotions running freely through these pages. This is a complete story, the issues are resolved in a most satisfying way with a few regrettable losses along the way. I cared very much about Tyri and her indecision on which side of the fence she wanted to stand. Quinn was adorable in his push to attain the most humanity he could possibly stuff into his storage drive.
With the feels captured from I, Robot and A.I. I found myself a willing passenger on this trip in the Scandinavian future. The terms were foreign, but not so much I felt I needed a companion volume to explain what I was reading about. I recommend this for everyone, young adult to adult alike, I feel that many readers can pull significance and comparison to our civil rights issues plaguing our human population in present day. Read the preview. See if it sucks you in, too.
This is a story about a girl who inadvertently falls for a really nice guy who happens to share the same passion as she does: the violin. The musical nuances added another dimension to the already rich descriptions and emotions running freely through these pages. This is a complete story, the issues are resolved in a most satisfying way with a few regrettable losses along the way. I cared very much about Tyri and her indecision on which side of the fence she wanted to stand. Quinn was adorable in his push to attain the most humanity he could possibly stuff into his storage drive.
With the feels captured from I, Robot and A.I. I found myself a willing passenger on this trip in the Scandinavian future. The terms were foreign, but not so much I felt I needed a companion volume to explain what I was reading about. I recommend this for everyone, young adult to adult alike, I feel that many readers can pull significance and comparison to our civil rights issues plaguing our human population in present day. Read the preview. See if it sucks you in, too.
March 9, 2015
I've had my eye on this book for a long time, and I was thrilled to get an advanced copy! I Heart Robot is a YA Sci-Fi set in a future where robots are common, though not considered to have the same level of personhood as humans. The story switches between two perspectives: Tyri, an aspiring musician, and Quinn, a droid who wants to prove he's just as human as his creators. The characterisation is superb, and I sympathised with both Tyri and Quinn. They come from opposing worlds, yet their shared love of music just leaps off the pages.
The sci-fi element is well-developed without getting too technical and distracting from the story. I loved all the cool details, like the way Quinn deliberately gives himself human emotions while his fellow robots believe violence is the only solution to the way humans treat them. The growing tensions between humans and robots grows throughout the novel, developing alongside Tyri's and Quinn's stories. I was hooked from beginning to end, and I'd thoroughly recommend this to sci-fi fans!
The sci-fi element is well-developed without getting too technical and distracting from the story. I loved all the cool details, like the way Quinn deliberately gives himself human emotions while his fellow robots believe violence is the only solution to the way humans treat them. The growing tensions between humans and robots grows throughout the novel, developing alongside Tyri's and Quinn's stories. I was hooked from beginning to end, and I'd thoroughly recommend this to sci-fi fans!
July 1, 2019
Suzanne van Rooyen can always be relied upon to craft a tale that is refreshingly unique, quirky, edgy, and manages to tug at your heartstrings without ever being cheesy. While Tyri with her inconsistent characters and constantly vacillating opinions on every fucking thing got on my nerves a bit, I very much enjoyed this story and found it hard to put down.
September 3, 2017
A free copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I Heart Robot is easily one of my favorite books of the year so far. It's got wonderfully realistic characters – including a lovable protagonist – and raises fascinating questions about artificial intelligence and what it means to be human.
The book is set in a world where robots are utilized for everything from housekeeping to childcare to intelligence operations. They cook food, serve in the military, and even provide “companionship.” The most advanced robots are capable of thinking, feeling, and creating, but in spite of this they are still treated as nothing more than machines to be used – and in some cases abused – by their owners. It isn’t long before the robots begin to demand rights, and protests, uprisings, and violence abound.
Caught up in this civil unrest are the book’s two narrators, Tyri and Quinn. Tyri is a teenage girl torn between her passion for music and the expectation that she follow in her mother's footsteps and pursue a career working with robotics and technology. Quinn is a run-away companion droid whose dearest wish is to be human and move people with his music. When the two musicians’ paths intersect at a prestigious orchestra, neither realizes just how big an impact they will have on each other’s lives and on the fight for robot autonomy.
I loved just about everything about I Heart Robot, but my favorite part would have to be Quinn. He’s such a sweetheart: adorable, shy, and vulnerable, with an air of innocence about him. Suzanne van Rooyen possesses a remarkable ability to demonstrate Quinn’s humanity without ever letting the reader forget he’s an android, and I enjoyed seeing how she translated human needs, wants, and habits in robots. Getting “drunk,” for example, involves a robot inserting a flash drive in their USB port and downloading a code that scrambles their electronics and leaves them with a pleasant buzz. Becoming tired is caused by a fuel cell that is running low on hydrogen, and forgetting something is due to a software glitch or processing error. Even feelings are a result of programming, and Quinn spends most of his money on emotion upgrades, “complex code packages unraveling emotions in [his] core and throughout [his] circuits.”
“The uncertainty in my voice sounds so natural, so human. Sometimes I forget that under the layers of synthetic flesh, I’m a snarl of electronics.”
This begs the question: Can a robot really be considered a person if their emotions and abilities are dictated by coding and programming? Does this make their feelings less valid? Aren’t humans also dependent on a kind of programming – DNA? How do personality and choice factor in? What exactly does it mean to be human? I loved exploring the answers to these fascinating questions!
“We have shared something more than a smile, but I cannot name it. A glitch in my software or some intangible human thing my AI simply cannot process.”
Something else that makes this book a stand-out is how believable and multi-dimensional the secondary characters are, especially Tyri’s boyfriend and best friend. They’re not the perfect friends or the asshole friends but the real friends, the ones who mess up and disappoint you and anger you but also love and support you. They’re insensitive and hurtful at times, caring and helpful at others. Life and friendship aren’t black and white, and I like that this book reflects that.
This review can also be found on my blog, Angela's Library.
I Heart Robot is easily one of my favorite books of the year so far. It's got wonderfully realistic characters – including a lovable protagonist – and raises fascinating questions about artificial intelligence and what it means to be human.
The book is set in a world where robots are utilized for everything from housekeeping to childcare to intelligence operations. They cook food, serve in the military, and even provide “companionship.” The most advanced robots are capable of thinking, feeling, and creating, but in spite of this they are still treated as nothing more than machines to be used – and in some cases abused – by their owners. It isn’t long before the robots begin to demand rights, and protests, uprisings, and violence abound.
Caught up in this civil unrest are the book’s two narrators, Tyri and Quinn. Tyri is a teenage girl torn between her passion for music and the expectation that she follow in her mother's footsteps and pursue a career working with robotics and technology. Quinn is a run-away companion droid whose dearest wish is to be human and move people with his music. When the two musicians’ paths intersect at a prestigious orchestra, neither realizes just how big an impact they will have on each other’s lives and on the fight for robot autonomy.
I loved just about everything about I Heart Robot, but my favorite part would have to be Quinn. He’s such a sweetheart: adorable, shy, and vulnerable, with an air of innocence about him. Suzanne van Rooyen possesses a remarkable ability to demonstrate Quinn’s humanity without ever letting the reader forget he’s an android, and I enjoyed seeing how she translated human needs, wants, and habits in robots. Getting “drunk,” for example, involves a robot inserting a flash drive in their USB port and downloading a code that scrambles their electronics and leaves them with a pleasant buzz. Becoming tired is caused by a fuel cell that is running low on hydrogen, and forgetting something is due to a software glitch or processing error. Even feelings are a result of programming, and Quinn spends most of his money on emotion upgrades, “complex code packages unraveling emotions in [his] core and throughout [his] circuits.”
“The uncertainty in my voice sounds so natural, so human. Sometimes I forget that under the layers of synthetic flesh, I’m a snarl of electronics.”
This begs the question: Can a robot really be considered a person if their emotions and abilities are dictated by coding and programming? Does this make their feelings less valid? Aren’t humans also dependent on a kind of programming – DNA? How do personality and choice factor in? What exactly does it mean to be human? I loved exploring the answers to these fascinating questions!
“We have shared something more than a smile, but I cannot name it. A glitch in my software or some intangible human thing my AI simply cannot process.”
Something else that makes this book a stand-out is how believable and multi-dimensional the secondary characters are, especially Tyri’s boyfriend and best friend. They’re not the perfect friends or the asshole friends but the real friends, the ones who mess up and disappoint you and anger you but also love and support you. They’re insensitive and hurtful at times, caring and helpful at others. Life and friendship aren’t black and white, and I like that this book reflects that.
This review can also be found on my blog, Angela's Library.
March 6, 2018
I don't usually write reviews but I enjoyed this book so I'll make an exception.
First of all the plot twist if you can even call it that was very predictable. Like seriously super obvious the moment Tyri said she didn't have a dad I already knew what was up. Tyri as a character was okay I didn't really feel anytype of way about her she was just the main female character because I guess the writer felt there needed to be one.
Quinn was much more intresting, his backstory was depressing, and his struggle and want for humanity made him very compelling.
Now I have to say I don't buy Quinn and Tyri as a couple. I felt Quinn's attraction towards her was somewhat forced mostly due to his programming. Frankly I feel they should have just been friends. I honestly thought Quinn and his Brobot/Bestfriend/Enemy on Occasion Kit would have been a better pairing. I mean Kit treats him like a boyfriend. They did have a kiss and they always find someway to keep meeting eachother so maybe Kit was more like a somewhat manipulative, emotionally abusive husband. While they had a very complicated relationship to say the least I just felt more connection with those 2 then Quinn and Tyri but what ev's.
All in all I enjoyed this read I felt this book could get a sequel just to wrap up a few loose ends. It was fun and had way more action then I anticipated so yeah a solid 4.5 stars!!
First of all the plot twist if you can even call it that was very predictable. Like seriously super obvious the moment Tyri said she didn't have a dad I already knew what was up. Tyri as a character was okay I didn't really feel anytype of way about her she was just the main female character because I guess the writer felt there needed to be one.
Quinn was much more intresting, his backstory was depressing, and his struggle and want for humanity made him very compelling.
Now I have to say I don't buy Quinn and Tyri as a couple. I felt Quinn's attraction towards her was somewhat forced mostly due to his programming. Frankly I feel they should have just been friends. I honestly thought Quinn and his Brobot/Bestfriend/Enemy on Occasion Kit would have been a better pairing. I mean Kit treats him like a boyfriend. They did have a kiss and they always find someway to keep meeting eachother so maybe Kit was more like a somewhat manipulative, emotionally abusive husband. While they had a very complicated relationship to say the least I just felt more connection with those 2 then Quinn and Tyri but what ev's.
All in all I enjoyed this read I felt this book could get a sequel just to wrap up a few loose ends. It was fun and had way more action then I anticipated so yeah a solid 4.5 stars!!
Read
August 28, 2017New and improved edition coming soon from Skolion!
September 28, 2017
I've been wanting to read I HEART ROBOT for a while now – so glad it was re-released and I finally got the chance! While I felt the book had a bit of a slow start, once the two MCs met each other, I felt it really took off. I also loved the worldbuilding and how realistic the politics/economics were. One of my favorite parts was how well the three girlfriends supported each other.
April 4, 2015
3 1/2 Stars!
I have really started noticing in the past couple of years that I have a slightly limited book "type" that I tend to read, so I made the decision to shake things up a bit. I haven't done as well as I had hoped with that (less shaken, more slightly stirred), but I have been trying. Sci-fi is one of the genres I have opened myself up to a bit more, and when books like I Heart Robot come along, it makes me want to start stirring harder!
Being the sci-fi newbie that I am, I really had no inclination as to what I would be delving in to. And you know what, that is kind of a good thing! I really enjoyed this story revealing itself a little more with every page, and the character insights that happened slowly and steadily. For someone who is an admitted spoiler-seeker, that is a HUGE thing for me, and I am keeping that in mind more and more. So, with that in mind, here is my short and sweet review of another fantastic Month9Books title!
I Heart Robot is about humanity, to me. What it truly means to be human, on the inside, not the outside. Born or made, its WHO you are that makes all of the difference. Quinn, one of the POV's proves just that. Or at least he tries, unlike so many of his kind. He was made of music, and emotion, and if that isn't human, then what is? Yet, being a robot sets him apart from the humans, and humans see him, and the others, as nothing more than machines. Until Tyri. Tyri is a human, who loves music, and the connection she and Quinn develop makes her start to truly question where her loyalties lie.
Tyri was a good character, but she seemed a little wishy-washy to me, and it drove me crazy at times. Other than that, I did enjoy her POV. But Quinn stole my heart in this story! I enjoyed the romance, but I liked that the romance wasn't the focal point of the story. The deeper meaning of I Heart Robot is what made it as great as it was. I Heart Robot is full of heart, music and emotion, and I enjoyed it all very much. The only not so greats were the world-building, which was GOOD, but I wanted more from it. And the ending left me with questions spinning around in my head, thinking about the story, wondering if I missed some answers. I am really hoping that a sequel is in the works! If there is, you can bet your arse that I will be waiting in line to read it!
I absolutely recommend this book. If you aren't crazy about sci-fi, read it anyway! It isn't hardcore, but it is sci-fi enough to be awesome! Plus, the music and the HEART of the story are enough to make you fall in love, anyway!
I have really started noticing in the past couple of years that I have a slightly limited book "type" that I tend to read, so I made the decision to shake things up a bit. I haven't done as well as I had hoped with that (less shaken, more slightly stirred), but I have been trying. Sci-fi is one of the genres I have opened myself up to a bit more, and when books like I Heart Robot come along, it makes me want to start stirring harder!
Being the sci-fi newbie that I am, I really had no inclination as to what I would be delving in to. And you know what, that is kind of a good thing! I really enjoyed this story revealing itself a little more with every page, and the character insights that happened slowly and steadily. For someone who is an admitted spoiler-seeker, that is a HUGE thing for me, and I am keeping that in mind more and more. So, with that in mind, here is my short and sweet review of another fantastic Month9Books title!
I Heart Robot is about humanity, to me. What it truly means to be human, on the inside, not the outside. Born or made, its WHO you are that makes all of the difference. Quinn, one of the POV's proves just that. Or at least he tries, unlike so many of his kind. He was made of music, and emotion, and if that isn't human, then what is? Yet, being a robot sets him apart from the humans, and humans see him, and the others, as nothing more than machines. Until Tyri. Tyri is a human, who loves music, and the connection she and Quinn develop makes her start to truly question where her loyalties lie.
Tyri was a good character, but she seemed a little wishy-washy to me, and it drove me crazy at times. Other than that, I did enjoy her POV. But Quinn stole my heart in this story! I enjoyed the romance, but I liked that the romance wasn't the focal point of the story. The deeper meaning of I Heart Robot is what made it as great as it was. I Heart Robot is full of heart, music and emotion, and I enjoyed it all very much. The only not so greats were the world-building, which was GOOD, but I wanted more from it. And the ending left me with questions spinning around in my head, thinking about the story, wondering if I missed some answers. I am really hoping that a sequel is in the works! If there is, you can bet your arse that I will be waiting in line to read it!
I absolutely recommend this book. If you aren't crazy about sci-fi, read it anyway! It isn't hardcore, but it is sci-fi enough to be awesome! Plus, the music and the HEART of the story are enough to make you fall in love, anyway!
April 1, 2015
This review originally appeared on my blog, Leeanna.me.
==
Set in a future where most humans think robots shouldn’t have rights, and robots think they should, I HEART ROBOT asks what it means to be human. Is being human necessary to create? Can robots think, create, love? If they can, should they be destroyed, or should they be allowed to flourish? Are artificially intelligent robots a threat to humanity, or is humanity a threat to those robots?
Tyri wants to be a musician. But everyone around her, including her mother and boyfriend, think she should do something useful to society, like politics or science. Quinn, a companion android who escaped abusive owners, wants to play music and show that he’s human, not just a robot without feelings. When they’re caught up in the increasingly violent rift between humans and robots, they question their beliefs and their roles.
At first, I thought I HEART ROBOT was going to be a girl/android love story, and while yeah, there’s a bit of that, there’s also a lot more. The author asks the same questions I did at the start of this review, showing a variety of answers from pro and anti robot characters. I really got into I HEART ROBOT, and read it in one sitting. The book isn’t too long, but it’s one that left me thinking. I really hope there’s a sequel, because the ending is open and leaves some questions unresolved. I want to know what happens next to Tyri and Quinn.
I HEART ROBOT YA science fiction, but it’s not packed with technical mumbo jumbo that pulls you out of the book. There’s also some diversity in the book, which I was happy to see. Tyri’s best friend has a girlfriend, and the book is set in Skandia, a post-war combination of Sweden and Norway. I would have liked some more worldbuilding and scene setting, so that I truly felt like I was overseas. Lastly, I liked that Tyri questioned her romantic relationships, speaking up for herself when necessary, but also acting like a teen in love at the same time.
==
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews:
==
Set in a future where most humans think robots shouldn’t have rights, and robots think they should, I HEART ROBOT asks what it means to be human. Is being human necessary to create? Can robots think, create, love? If they can, should they be destroyed, or should they be allowed to flourish? Are artificially intelligent robots a threat to humanity, or is humanity a threat to those robots?
Tyri wants to be a musician. But everyone around her, including her mother and boyfriend, think she should do something useful to society, like politics or science. Quinn, a companion android who escaped abusive owners, wants to play music and show that he’s human, not just a robot without feelings. When they’re caught up in the increasingly violent rift between humans and robots, they question their beliefs and their roles.
At first, I thought I HEART ROBOT was going to be a girl/android love story, and while yeah, there’s a bit of that, there’s also a lot more. The author asks the same questions I did at the start of this review, showing a variety of answers from pro and anti robot characters. I really got into I HEART ROBOT, and read it in one sitting. The book isn’t too long, but it’s one that left me thinking. I really hope there’s a sequel, because the ending is open and leaves some questions unresolved. I want to know what happens next to Tyri and Quinn.
I HEART ROBOT YA science fiction, but it’s not packed with technical mumbo jumbo that pulls you out of the book. There’s also some diversity in the book, which I was happy to see. Tyri’s best friend has a girlfriend, and the book is set in Skandia, a post-war combination of Sweden and Norway. I would have liked some more worldbuilding and scene setting, so that I truly felt like I was overseas. Lastly, I liked that Tyri questioned her romantic relationships, speaking up for herself when necessary, but also acting like a teen in love at the same time.
==
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews:
September 1, 2017
Fair warning, I Heart Robot's first page has hooks that will sink deep and won't let you go. This book pretty much blew my mind and I can't recommend it enough.
The setting is in a future Scandinavia, in an age where robots have become a daily necessity. Some of these robots have been developed to understand emotions and even have emotions of their own, so it makes sense that we're brought into this story at the start of a revolution. The robots want rights, because they're so human. The humans won't give the robots rights, because they're not human enough. Chaos ensues.
In the heart of the turmoil, we meet Tyri and Quinn, teenagers with a love for music. Tyri wants to prove to her mom that she can build a life in music, and that she's really good at playing the violin. Quinn wants to prove to the world that droids can create music too, that he's alive. Meeting each other complicates this a little - who needs a stranger that releases the butterflies in your stomach when you're trying to conquer the world through music, right?
Romance, friendships, brilliant plot twists and political turmoil make for a just-one-more-chapter kind of novel. It's difficult to stop reading this one and it leaves you awed and satisfied at the end.
The setting is in a future Scandinavia, in an age where robots have become a daily necessity. Some of these robots have been developed to understand emotions and even have emotions of their own, so it makes sense that we're brought into this story at the start of a revolution. The robots want rights, because they're so human. The humans won't give the robots rights, because they're not human enough. Chaos ensues.
In the heart of the turmoil, we meet Tyri and Quinn, teenagers with a love for music. Tyri wants to prove to her mom that she can build a life in music, and that she's really good at playing the violin. Quinn wants to prove to the world that droids can create music too, that he's alive. Meeting each other complicates this a little - who needs a stranger that releases the butterflies in your stomach when you're trying to conquer the world through music, right?
Romance, friendships, brilliant plot twists and political turmoil make for a just-one-more-chapter kind of novel. It's difficult to stop reading this one and it leaves you awed and satisfied at the end.
April 3, 2015
I'm not going to lie. What drew me to this book was the seriously cool cover. I mean look at it. It just begs to be read! But then I read the cover synopsis and I was sold. I had to read this book.
I Heart Robot follows two talented violinists, sixteen-year-old Tyri and android Quinn, as they try to find something they feel is missing within themselves. Instead they find each other. But the city is on the brink of a war between humans (who want their mindless cheap labor back) and AI (who demand equal treatment), and Quinn hasn't exactly been on the up-and-up with Tyri about his synthetic skin, blood, and bone.
THEMES: The romance between Tyri and Quinn was fun and exciting, but don't let it fool you. This book gets pretty heavy at times. Ms. van Rooyen tackles prejudice, genocide, abuse, prostitution, science vs. nature, the meaning of love and hate, and what it means to be human. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
WORLD BUILDING: The world building in the book is top notch. I wanted to crawl through the pages and see this world. It was so well developed and interesting. I wanted to know more. I wanted to see more. Not to mention, it was particularly fun to visit a future version of Scandinavia. I haven't even visited the current version.
CHARACTERS: Tyri was a little fickle sometimes, but I understood her. She was fighting several battles within herself, and sometimes one side won, and sometimes the other side did. I've been there, girl. It sucks. But Quinn... *sigh* Loved him! I loved his passion and his loyalty. I loved his metaphorical heart.
PACING/PLOT: The pacing was a bit slow at times, but when it took off, it really took off. I burned through the second half of the book in only a few hours. There was a twist that I saw coming almost from the beginning of the book, but it didn't take away from the story. I Heart Robot was an enjoyable, thought provoking page-turner, and I enjoyed it immensely.
***DISCLAIMER: I received this book in exchange for an honest review, which I have given. I have not been compensated in any other way.***
I Heart Robot follows two talented violinists, sixteen-year-old Tyri and android Quinn, as they try to find something they feel is missing within themselves. Instead they find each other. But the city is on the brink of a war between humans (who want their mindless cheap labor back) and AI (who demand equal treatment), and Quinn hasn't exactly been on the up-and-up with Tyri about his synthetic skin, blood, and bone.
THEMES: The romance between Tyri and Quinn was fun and exciting, but don't let it fool you. This book gets pretty heavy at times. Ms. van Rooyen tackles prejudice, genocide, abuse, prostitution, science vs. nature, the meaning of love and hate, and what it means to be human. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
WORLD BUILDING: The world building in the book is top notch. I wanted to crawl through the pages and see this world. It was so well developed and interesting. I wanted to know more. I wanted to see more. Not to mention, it was particularly fun to visit a future version of Scandinavia. I haven't even visited the current version.
CHARACTERS: Tyri was a little fickle sometimes, but I understood her. She was fighting several battles within herself, and sometimes one side won, and sometimes the other side did. I've been there, girl. It sucks. But Quinn... *sigh* Loved him! I loved his passion and his loyalty. I loved his metaphorical heart.
PACING/PLOT: The pacing was a bit slow at times, but when it took off, it really took off. I burned through the second half of the book in only a few hours. There was a twist that I saw coming almost from the beginning of the book, but it didn't take away from the story. I Heart Robot was an enjoyable, thought provoking page-turner, and I enjoyed it immensely.
***DISCLAIMER: I received this book in exchange for an honest review, which I have given. I have not been compensated in any other way.***
March 30, 2015
Blog Tour Post: The Shadow Realm
This was a really unique and fun read. I was really looking forward to reading this, and even though I didn't love it, I still enjoyed it.
The story follows Tyri and Quinn, both aspiring musicians, and both struggling to find their place in the world. Their city is on the brick on civil war between robots and humans, and they both must decide which side they stand on. Told in dual POV, I enjoyed the characters of Tyri and Quinn. It was easy to sympathize with them, even if Tyri did annoy me at times. They both shared a great connection because of their love of music, but this did lead to a bit of insta-love. I think their relationship could have been a little more fleshed out.
I loved the world the book was set in. It reminded me of the movie I, Robot and I love that film. As with other sci-fi books, I worry that some of the technical stuff will go over my head but that wasn't the case here. There was just enough to keep you interested but not too much to distract from the rest of the story.
Overall, while I didn't love it, this book still entertained me and held my attention. It was a interesting exploration of what it really means to be human. The ending is very open ended, with a lot of questions still unanswered. I haven't read anything about this being a series but I really hope it is because there is still so much that needs to be sorted out.
This was a really unique and fun read. I was really looking forward to reading this, and even though I didn't love it, I still enjoyed it.
The story follows Tyri and Quinn, both aspiring musicians, and both struggling to find their place in the world. Their city is on the brick on civil war between robots and humans, and they both must decide which side they stand on. Told in dual POV, I enjoyed the characters of Tyri and Quinn. It was easy to sympathize with them, even if Tyri did annoy me at times. They both shared a great connection because of their love of music, but this did lead to a bit of insta-love. I think their relationship could have been a little more fleshed out.
I loved the world the book was set in. It reminded me of the movie I, Robot and I love that film. As with other sci-fi books, I worry that some of the technical stuff will go over my head but that wasn't the case here. There was just enough to keep you interested but not too much to distract from the rest of the story.
Overall, while I didn't love it, this book still entertained me and held my attention. It was a interesting exploration of what it really means to be human. The ending is very open ended, with a lot of questions still unanswered. I haven't read anything about this being a series but I really hope it is because there is still so much that needs to be sorted out.
July 19, 2015
Original Post at http://sandrathebookworm.blogspot.com...
The author and publisher Month9Books were kind enough to provide me with an E-copy in exchange for an honest review. I simply adored this book!! It made me cry tears of joy and sadness at the same time. It was such a beautiful read.
Quinn and Tyri had the same passion for music and they have been accepted to the Baldur Junior Philharmonic Orchestra, but that is where their similarities end. Quinn is a rogue robot whose whole life revolves around music and trying to be more human in a world where robots are fighting to be treated as equals. I really loved Quinn and his character development; he was such a sweetie and I loved how he wanted to fix the relationship between robots and humans peacefully. Tyri is your regular teenager, who just wants her mother to understand how important music is to her. Tyri is such a strong character; I loved how she never took crap from her boyfriend and how she saw the robots as more than just electronics.
This book was written so beautifully, the world building and character development was just amazing! I loved it so much! The twists in this book caught me by surprise; I just loved how it kept me guessing. I didn't want this book to end! When it did, I kept flipping the pages looking for more, but that ending, oh; that ending brought me to tears it was just perfect! I'm keeping my fingers crossed in hopes for a sequel. If you haven't picked this book up yet, I highly recommend you do! I love this book so much!!!
-SandraTheBookWorm
The author and publisher Month9Books were kind enough to provide me with an E-copy in exchange for an honest review. I simply adored this book!! It made me cry tears of joy and sadness at the same time. It was such a beautiful read.
Quinn and Tyri had the same passion for music and they have been accepted to the Baldur Junior Philharmonic Orchestra, but that is where their similarities end. Quinn is a rogue robot whose whole life revolves around music and trying to be more human in a world where robots are fighting to be treated as equals. I really loved Quinn and his character development; he was such a sweetie and I loved how he wanted to fix the relationship between robots and humans peacefully. Tyri is your regular teenager, who just wants her mother to understand how important music is to her. Tyri is such a strong character; I loved how she never took crap from her boyfriend and how she saw the robots as more than just electronics.
This book was written so beautifully, the world building and character development was just amazing! I loved it so much! The twists in this book caught me by surprise; I just loved how it kept me guessing. I didn't want this book to end! When it did, I kept flipping the pages looking for more, but that ending, oh; that ending brought me to tears it was just perfect! I'm keeping my fingers crossed in hopes for a sequel. If you haven't picked this book up yet, I highly recommend you do! I love this book so much!!!
-SandraTheBookWorm
April 1, 2015
I love all of Suzanne’s books, and I HEART ROBOT did not disappoint. I’ve been wanting to read this since I first saw the cover and blurb, and was so excited to receive an ARC.
I found I HEART ROBOT to be fascinating, unique, and fun, and I absolutely fell in love with Tyri and Quinn, and the world in which they live. Though this is a sci-fi book, I found it to not be so overwhelming, so I’d recommend this even to people who aren’t quite sure about sci-fi. While the story of humans and robots is an old conflict, Suzanne puts a new spin on it.
Great story, fantastic characters, and a unique world. 5/5 stars to I HEART ROBOT!
I found I HEART ROBOT to be fascinating, unique, and fun, and I absolutely fell in love with Tyri and Quinn, and the world in which they live. Though this is a sci-fi book, I found it to not be so overwhelming, so I’d recommend this even to people who aren’t quite sure about sci-fi. While the story of humans and robots is an old conflict, Suzanne puts a new spin on it.
Great story, fantastic characters, and a unique world. 5/5 stars to I HEART ROBOT!
May 20, 2015
Q-I-99!!
July 29, 2016
DNF.
I loved the concept, but it tapered off towards boring and angsty in the middle and I just couldn't find the motivation to continue.
I loved the concept, but it tapered off towards boring and angsty in the middle and I just couldn't find the motivation to continue.
November 5, 2016
I think all the Nordic imagery in the futuristic society really made the book for me.
September 22, 2017
When I read the blurb for this book I knew I needed to read it. I wasn’t disappointed.
Suzanne van Rooyen writes an entirely believable future where AI androids are fighting for equality with humans.
Tyri loves playing violin despite her mother’s insistence that she should forget music and become a roboticist like her. Tyri has no intention of forgetting music – so when she gets into the junior philharmonic orchestra she feels as though her dreams are coming true.
There she meets Quinn, a fellow violinist with exceptional skill.
Quinn, a quasar android with a love of classical music and a desire to be more human, has earned his seat in the orchestra without admitting that he is a robot and has to guard his secret carefully. Tensions throughout Skandia are high between humans and robots, and soon, Quinn gets caught between the worlds of rogue androids and the humans he admires.
Both Quinn and Tyri are soon thrown headlong into a robotic revolution that neither of them wanted to be a part of.
Van Rooyen knows how to write smart, politically-savvy teens who are concerned with the larger world as much as themselves. It’s refreshing. Her writing feels authentic and well-paced, submerging me into the world of the book.
I’ll admit to finding myself asking what feelings and thoughts I have about AI while reading. I began wondering how I might respond to the idea of machines being given autonomy, to the idea of a machine becoming truly sentient. I have mixed feelings about this in the real world and I can’t say the book solved those quandaries for me but I still loved being faced with them through this cool story.
I highly recommend it!
Suzanne van Rooyen writes an entirely believable future where AI androids are fighting for equality with humans.
Tyri loves playing violin despite her mother’s insistence that she should forget music and become a roboticist like her. Tyri has no intention of forgetting music – so when she gets into the junior philharmonic orchestra she feels as though her dreams are coming true.
There she meets Quinn, a fellow violinist with exceptional skill.
Quinn, a quasar android with a love of classical music and a desire to be more human, has earned his seat in the orchestra without admitting that he is a robot and has to guard his secret carefully. Tensions throughout Skandia are high between humans and robots, and soon, Quinn gets caught between the worlds of rogue androids and the humans he admires.
Both Quinn and Tyri are soon thrown headlong into a robotic revolution that neither of them wanted to be a part of.
Van Rooyen knows how to write smart, politically-savvy teens who are concerned with the larger world as much as themselves. It’s refreshing. Her writing feels authentic and well-paced, submerging me into the world of the book.
I’ll admit to finding myself asking what feelings and thoughts I have about AI while reading. I began wondering how I might respond to the idea of machines being given autonomy, to the idea of a machine becoming truly sentient. I have mixed feelings about this in the real world and I can’t say the book solved those quandaries for me but I still loved being faced with them through this cool story.
I highly recommend it!
July 5, 2022
Quinn haluaisi olla kuin ihmiset. Hän on päättänyt näyttää että robotit ovat muutakin kuin koodinsa. Hänen ystävänsä Sal, Saga-luokan androidi kannustaa häntä hyvään mutta Kit, toinen Quasar-sarjan androidi on kyyninen eikä usko että ihmiset ansaitsevat yhtään myötätuntoa heiltä. Kit halveksii Quinnin pyrkimyksiä mutta pelastaa tämän pulasta useamman kuin kerran.
Tyri on elänyt koko elämänsä toivoen pääsevänsä näyttämään kykynsä ja rakkautensa musiikkiin. Kun hän pääsee Baldurin filharmoniaorkesteriin hän kiinnostuu vieressään istuvasta kanssaviulistista. Tämä jää hänen mieleensä ja myöhemmin yllättävä kohtaaminen jättää Tyrin mieleen kaipuun tietää lisää pojasta.
Tyrin äiti ei pidä tyttärensä "harrastuksesta" vaan kannustaa tätä opiskelemaan "kunnon" ammatin eli koodariksi tiensä käy jos äiskä saisi määrätä. Samaa mieltä on pitkäaikainen poikaystävä Rurik joka valmistautuu ottamaan aikanaan vastuun suvun robottiyrityksestä.
Asrid on Tyrin paras ystävä ja häntä kiinnostaa kovasti kuka salaperäinen poika on. Miksi Quinn ei kerro mitään taustoistaan ja vaikenee muutenkin omista asioistaan. Asrid ajattelee että poika on narkkari ja varoittaa Tyriä sekaantumasta tähän. Varsinkin kun Tyrillä on jo poikaystävä, haloo!
Skandia perustettiin sodan jälkeen. Sodan jossa robotitkin taistelivat tuoden kansakunnalle voiton. Nyt ihmiset ovat kääntyneet robotteja vastaan ja niitä kohdellaan huonosti. Robottien, tai oikeammin androidien halu saada kansalaisoikeudet ja tunnustus tasavertaisuudessa kilpistyy vihaan ja vähättelyyn. Mitä tapahtuu kun Tyri saa selville salaisuudet, sekä omansa että Quinnin. Mitä äidin työpaikalla oikein tapahtuu, ovatko he sotkeutuneet johonkin vaaralliseen ja miksi kotirobotti Miles näyttää toimivan ohjelmointinsa vastaisesti.
Tyri on elänyt koko elämänsä toivoen pääsevänsä näyttämään kykynsä ja rakkautensa musiikkiin. Kun hän pääsee Baldurin filharmoniaorkesteriin hän kiinnostuu vieressään istuvasta kanssaviulistista. Tämä jää hänen mieleensä ja myöhemmin yllättävä kohtaaminen jättää Tyrin mieleen kaipuun tietää lisää pojasta.
Tyrin äiti ei pidä tyttärensä "harrastuksesta" vaan kannustaa tätä opiskelemaan "kunnon" ammatin eli koodariksi tiensä käy jos äiskä saisi määrätä. Samaa mieltä on pitkäaikainen poikaystävä Rurik joka valmistautuu ottamaan aikanaan vastuun suvun robottiyrityksestä.
Asrid on Tyrin paras ystävä ja häntä kiinnostaa kovasti kuka salaperäinen poika on. Miksi Quinn ei kerro mitään taustoistaan ja vaikenee muutenkin omista asioistaan. Asrid ajattelee että poika on narkkari ja varoittaa Tyriä sekaantumasta tähän. Varsinkin kun Tyrillä on jo poikaystävä, haloo!
Skandia perustettiin sodan jälkeen. Sodan jossa robotitkin taistelivat tuoden kansakunnalle voiton. Nyt ihmiset ovat kääntyneet robotteja vastaan ja niitä kohdellaan huonosti. Robottien, tai oikeammin androidien halu saada kansalaisoikeudet ja tunnustus tasavertaisuudessa kilpistyy vihaan ja vähättelyyn. Mitä tapahtuu kun Tyri saa selville salaisuudet, sekä omansa että Quinnin. Mitä äidin työpaikalla oikein tapahtuu, ovatko he sotkeutuneet johonkin vaaralliseen ja miksi kotirobotti Miles näyttää toimivan ohjelmointinsa vastaisesti.
November 28, 2017
I love this book it was full of suspense. It made me question what I thought is humanity.
December 11, 2017
Amazing book. A perfect AI story in my opinion. Engaging, fast-paced, and fun. I loved it.
February 28, 2018
Probably my favorite by the author (so far). Love the characters, love the feel, love the setting, love the twist.
January 19, 2022
I love a story about civil rights for robots. There were good stories for children and grownups about the topic. This story fills the hole in YA genre.
July 11, 2023
I saw the big reveal coming from a mile away, but other than that it was an enjoyable read.
April 9, 2015
I confess that I'm not big fan of robots, androids and such. Mostly, the idea of AI enchanted robots scares me like no other. But I loved van Rooyen's Obscura Burning and I was really intrigued about I Heart Robots so I was truly excited to dive into it.
I Heart Robot has amazing world-building as well as lots of story and backround building which is wonderful. Also, it's set in Scandia, the future country based on Sweden and Norway. I live in Finland and have visited Sweden many times, so it was delightful to read about book set in there instead of the usual America setting. There was Scandic names, mythology and many other things that really indicated that van Rooyen knew what she was writing about and it made the world truly come alive. The whole world-building was extensive and it was good to see the world from both Tyri's and Quinn's perspective, especially since they had so different backrounds.
As for characters, van Rooyen is a master to capture humanity with all its flaws as well as goodness. Tyri and Quinn live in a society which is at the prink of rebellion because robots and androids want equal rights and to be treated better while most of humans are either scared of them or think they are less than humans because robots and androids don't have a soul. The conflict is present during the whole story even though at first it focuses on Tyri's and Quinn's love for music and violin as well as their bonding. I loved how slow their bonding was, there was no flaring passion that made everything else go away - especially since Tyri had a boyfriend. However, in the end of the story I hoped that there would have been more romantic elements between Tyri and Quinn. It was really subtle and I felt a little disappointed because of that. As the story evolved, Tyri got on my nerves even though I liked her first a lot but in the end, it was quite minor irritation and I still liked the story.
I Heart Robots is a good and thought-provoking story about difference between humans and their creations and it questions quite well that is humans as good and as righteous as they claim to be. It's not just a story about one girl and one android but about a whole society that they live in. I really liked the story even though I wished there to be a little more romance alongside everything else.
I do highly recommend I Heart Robots even for those who aren't big fans of robots. And for the fans of robots - what are you waiting for? Go grab your copy!
(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)
I Heart Robot has amazing world-building as well as lots of story and backround building which is wonderful. Also, it's set in Scandia, the future country based on Sweden and Norway. I live in Finland and have visited Sweden many times, so it was delightful to read about book set in there instead of the usual America setting. There was Scandic names, mythology and many other things that really indicated that van Rooyen knew what she was writing about and it made the world truly come alive. The whole world-building was extensive and it was good to see the world from both Tyri's and Quinn's perspective, especially since they had so different backrounds.
As for characters, van Rooyen is a master to capture humanity with all its flaws as well as goodness. Tyri and Quinn live in a society which is at the prink of rebellion because robots and androids want equal rights and to be treated better while most of humans are either scared of them or think they are less than humans because robots and androids don't have a soul. The conflict is present during the whole story even though at first it focuses on Tyri's and Quinn's love for music and violin as well as their bonding. I loved how slow their bonding was, there was no flaring passion that made everything else go away - especially since Tyri had a boyfriend. However, in the end of the story I hoped that there would have been more romantic elements between Tyri and Quinn. It was really subtle and I felt a little disappointed because of that. As the story evolved, Tyri got on my nerves even though I liked her first a lot but in the end, it was quite minor irritation and I still liked the story.
I Heart Robots is a good and thought-provoking story about difference between humans and their creations and it questions quite well that is humans as good and as righteous as they claim to be. It's not just a story about one girl and one android but about a whole society that they live in. I really liked the story even though I wished there to be a little more romance alongside everything else.
I do highly recommend I Heart Robots even for those who aren't big fans of robots. And for the fans of robots - what are you waiting for? Go grab your copy!
(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)
July 23, 2015
I’ll be upfront and say that I’ve never really been a fan of stories where one of the viewpoint characters is some sort of artificial intelligence. My rationale has always been that the author faces incredible challenges in order to express a non-human sentience in such a way that it would feel authentic. Yet I’m happy to report that not only has Suzanne van Rooyen done a great job with her androids, but she kept me turning the pages.
I Heart Robot takes place in the distant future in the Scandinavian city of Baldur, during an era that tips its hat strongly at Philip K Dick’s universe, yet without the crushing despair one encounters in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. At its core, I Heart Robot is essentially a sweet romance meets technological thriller.
Tyri is a young, musically gifted woman who is torn between the sensible career path her mother and society expects of her, and her love for making music. Quinn is an android who has fled his abusive owners and is trying to make something of himself – by proving that he can pass for human. Playing as a solo violinist for symphony is just one of his dreams. And yes, we are presented with non-biological lifeforms that make us question where pre-programmed responses stop and individual agency takes over. Can androids even feel genuine emotion?
Though the music causes Tyri and Quinn’s paths to cross, there are greater forces at play as well. Growing social unrest results in tensions between human and robotic lifeforms, and Van Rooyen forces readers to ask: what makes a lifeform real? At the end of the day, only the building blocks differ. Whether a stew of blood, bone and hormone, or metal, cruor and synthetic skin – Van Rooyen’s characters are painted as vital and alive in their own sense of self.
While I Heart Robot may come across as a near-typical young adult SF read (yes, with an expected love triangle), Van Rooyen’s voice is lyrical and her world is populated with vibrant characters and a joyous sense of wonder. Even better, she does not shy away from adding a bit of grit to her narrative, sometimes in the most unexpected places. Bad things happen, and ordinary people are forced to act under extraordinary circumstances, resulting in a read that doesn’t quite go where you’d expect it to. Which is a good thing, if you ask me.
I Heart Robot takes place in the distant future in the Scandinavian city of Baldur, during an era that tips its hat strongly at Philip K Dick’s universe, yet without the crushing despair one encounters in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. At its core, I Heart Robot is essentially a sweet romance meets technological thriller.
Tyri is a young, musically gifted woman who is torn between the sensible career path her mother and society expects of her, and her love for making music. Quinn is an android who has fled his abusive owners and is trying to make something of himself – by proving that he can pass for human. Playing as a solo violinist for symphony is just one of his dreams. And yes, we are presented with non-biological lifeforms that make us question where pre-programmed responses stop and individual agency takes over. Can androids even feel genuine emotion?
Though the music causes Tyri and Quinn’s paths to cross, there are greater forces at play as well. Growing social unrest results in tensions between human and robotic lifeforms, and Van Rooyen forces readers to ask: what makes a lifeform real? At the end of the day, only the building blocks differ. Whether a stew of blood, bone and hormone, or metal, cruor and synthetic skin – Van Rooyen’s characters are painted as vital and alive in their own sense of self.
While I Heart Robot may come across as a near-typical young adult SF read (yes, with an expected love triangle), Van Rooyen’s voice is lyrical and her world is populated with vibrant characters and a joyous sense of wonder. Even better, she does not shy away from adding a bit of grit to her narrative, sometimes in the most unexpected places. Bad things happen, and ordinary people are forced to act under extraordinary circumstances, resulting in a read that doesn’t quite go where you’d expect it to. Which is a good thing, if you ask me.
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