Prototype D by Jason D. MorrowMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Prototype D is one of the best sci-fi books that I have read for a long while. I was reminded of Asimov’s I Robot in places when the author takes on the tricky task of using discussions between humans and robots to arrive at the “logical conclusions” that may be reached by an AI brain. In the book there are lengthy arguments between various prototypes, their software creator, Hazel Hawthorn and Commander Bracken about the usefulness or otherwise of software that emulates human emotions. Hazel’s program, called Soul, endows robot Des with the sense of fear and Bracken is angered about it when sending “his” soldier robots into battle. He has no time to listen either to her logic or her philosophy and will not give way, pulling rank in the end.
Although the reader is plunged yet again into some dystopian future scenario, where the Mainlanders are attempting to ward off the marauding Outlanders, the book does not spend too much time describing bloody battles between good and evil. The main attraction for me was the intrigue and twists and turns that come about as Hazel learns more of the history behind the rise to power of the Mainlanders, and its unprincipled rulers. Alongside these plots the reader is privy to Hazel’s struggle with her misplaced loyalties and the thinking of her two robots, Esroy and Des, who become central to success in the war between Mainland and Outland. Indeed the arguments between the robots, the touching sense of their devotion that grows or dies, for Hazel, take up a large part of the story. But the author skilfully avoids any oversentimentality and creates an acceptable dose of understanding in the reader during those passages of the book.
Unfortunately, I found a couple of editing issues like planet Earth without a capital “e” and missing commas and hyphens that changed the meaning of certain phrases: eg. the word “however” can change its meaning when followed by an essential comma. This made me rate the book 4.5 stars rather than 5 but my enjoyment was great enough to mathematically round up my 4.5 back to 5 on Amazon. I strongly recommend this thoughtfully well-written book to fans of the genre. It has pace, well-drawn characters, believable dialogue and an interesting plot. I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest and objective review.
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