Binary Boy

by R.J. Astruc

A Harmony Ink Press Young Adult Title

It’s a lonely life being an Interpol kid. With both Michel’s parents working for the international police force and always moving from country to country, it’s hard enough to make friends, let alone find a boyfriend. Then he meets Benny during an online chat, and Benny is everything Michel ever wanted and more. He looks forward to meeting his crush when his family heads to Australia on an important mission. But Benny isn’t quite what he seems, and it may have something to do with the man Michel’s parents are investigating and his relationship to an AI. In order to find out the truth, Michel will have to go to greater lengths—and face greater dangers—than he ever imagined.

Genres: M M Romance, Science Fiction, LGBT, Young Adult, Gay, Short Stories, Romance

65 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 13, 2014

Reviews

[Serena Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a truly fascinating story! Set in the future and a time when AI (artificial intelligences) are a lot more powerful than they are today, this story asks the question of “what makes us human” in a slightly different way than comparing us to aliens or the robots of Isaac Asimov. They would also have had to be AIs, but back when he wrote his amazing novels in the 1950s, human science wasn’t advanced enough to ask the question in those terms. But the topic is the same. And with chess programs already able to outwit the human brain, it really only is a matter of time before we face the kind of problem Michel faces in this story: what is the difference between an AI that has gained self-awareness and has developed feelings using circuits and software and a human, who does the same thing using a brain and chemicals/hormones?

Michel is a fairly normal fifteen-year-old. Not in the way he lives his life as an Interpol kid, perpetually moving from country to the next, wherever his parents’ skills in fighting terrorists are needed. But in the way he looks for friends, companionship, and, very specifically, a boyfriend. Now, he has been told by his parents not to talk to strangers on the feeds (read: online), but what does he do? Exactly. He is curious, and when he meets this boy called Benny in a chat room and they start talking about pets, things develop quickly, and suddenly they are dating. Never having physically met, of course. And once they do meet, well, sort of, since Benny isn’t real? All hell breaks lose, of course.

Michel realizes that Benny isn’t real in the sense that Michel is physically real. But the way he thinks, asks questions, and learns is very real. He may be a powerful AI, but who says that self-awareness is unique to humans? And aren’t feelings a logical consequences of consciousness? They are in humans, so Michel begins to see how they might be just as real for software originally developed by humans. All of these questions are asked, and some answered, in this amazing story that will probably make you think about AI and “intelligent computers” in a very different way.

If you like your science fiction a little on the speculative side while still founded in “real” science, if you enjoy reading stories that try to define what makes us human and a machine a machine, and if you’re looking for an entertaining, yet thoughtful, way to imagine what might happen if software development continues to advance the way it has so far, then you will probably like this story. Teenagers of today may end up having to grapple with issues like the ones in ‘Binary Boy” when they are adults in thirty years or so… maybe earlier.


NOTE: This book was provided by Harmony Ink Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Dee Wy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the hell outta this story. I was hoping for a fun read and it certainly was that, it was also cute and sweet in a YA-like way. No sex to be had which was appropriate to the story, but with Benny's help, I'll bet he and Miche find a way to make that happen.

I think many short stories get points deducted because of what is not there: lack of character depth, missing background info for context, enough angst to keep you wondering how everything will work out, interesting supporting characters and a solid resolution to the romance. This short lacked none of those things. Plus I'm sure it will keep me smiling for quite a while - thus 5-star rating earned in spades.

The blurb does a good job of setting up the story, so nothing more needed from me. Great little read you should give a try.

[Bookwatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hummmmm. This story is so short and have such few things in the plot I fear anything I say can be a spoiler... So I will be extra careful.

*Good plot, original and lovable narrator... But too quick to really know him, or to be honest anything else
*There wasn't time to world building or plot development as this story should have... It seems more a prologue of something huge that may or not be written after.

So, can I be 100% honest? I loved it, I'm glad I bought it and read it (so short I took 1 hour to read it) BUT before I recommend it to a friend I would say: wait for more. why? Because it didn't end... The narrator is still someone to be described to the reader, the adventure didn't start yet... I'm not kidding... For me it seems more like a prologue, not a full story

Crossing my fingers more will be out soon... This story is too good to stop now.

[Chris Jeffreys · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title of this short story basically gives away the entire premise of it. In the not-to-distant future, a boy falls in love with another boy. It starts off as a computer relationship, but then Michel learns that his love, Benny, is a computer Artificial Intelligence -- just a very interactive computer program. There is angst when Michel finds out that his "boyfriend" is a computer program, but he refuses to end whatever the relationship is. 

There is a thoroughly unbelievable, but fun, plot twist that brings Michel face-to-face with an international terrorist for some love advise. In the end, the boy decides to make a go of it with his computer lover.

This is a cute little piece of fluff. For me, cute little pieces of fluff get three stars.

[K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this novella on an ebook sale. I'm glad I did -- it's a quick, easy read and the main character is interesting. I like the subtle sci-fi feeling to it. Admittedly, I do think it could have been longer, and the relationship that occurred wouldn't typically be one I'd read. However, for such a short story, the worldbuilding is well done and the plot well executed.

[Wooster · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt more like I was handed a few chapters in the middle of a novel than a complete story. I'm left wondering how the relationship started and where it's going. There's a lot of potential with a best bud super computer, but I felt this story only scratched the surface of what was possible. I'd have liked to see it fleshed out and expanded.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book, I enjoyed it.

[AliciaJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this would have made an awesome full-length story.

[lexi Haupt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the aspect of the book and how the two main characters got along but I wish the book was a little bit longer like have a series were he is trying to figure out he can become human.

[Maggie Coughlan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hmm. Well. What do I say? Don't waste your money and spend it on the secret history.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Binary Boy
Author: R.J. Astruc
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
ISBN: 978-1-63216-149-9
Buy Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/stor...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
It’s a lonely life being an Interpol kid. With both Michel’s parents working for the international police force and always moving from country to country, it’s hard enough to make friends, let alone find a boyfriend. Then he meets Benny during an online chat, and Benny is everything Michel ever wanted and more. He looks forward to meeting his crush when his family heads to Australia on an important mission. But Benny isn’t quite what he seems, and it may have something to do with the man Michel’s parents are investigating and his relationship to an AI. In order to find out the truth, Michel will have to go to greater lengths—and face greater dangers—than he ever imagined.



Summary:

Delving into the life of a child with Interpol agents for parents was fascinating. Michel's parents were at times very restrictive in what they allowed him to do, but he still managed to find a way to do what he wanted in spite of them. Finding a boyfriend, Benny, in an on line chat room could be the most questionable thing he ever did and somehow he kept that piece of info form his parents. The unexpected twist in this story was revealed when Michel learned the truth about Benny. While I won't ruin the surprise I will say that it was fascinating and possibly changed the course of Michel's life. The unexpected out come of their meeting was a huge surprise and unusual, a definite must read!

[Riina Y.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved Michel! The writing is highly enjoyable, fast paced and comes to an end quickly.

Sadly I didn't quite get that this was a sci-fi story, or else I might not have picked it up. It isn't one of my biggest kinks. With Benny not being human there isn't a "proper" (physical) relationship :(

Which left me feeling kind of empty by the end of it, if that makes sense.

[Izzy Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVE the concept of the novella but it's not a complete story. There are more loose ends than you can shake a stick at. If you can read it through your local Libary like I did then do so.