Unfortunately for humanity and the cast of Robopocalypse (but lucky for the avid reader of apocalypse by way of monster), Doctor Wasserman didn’t get this memo and instead spent his time in a lab creating a form of artificial awareness, named Archos. Presume to revive an extinct life form/dead person.Test your promising new invention on yourself.When will scientists realize that Artificial Intelligence is not a good thing? There’s a list of things one should NEVER DO as a mad scientist, which include the following: 1

(That signing was a big fat red-boldface-highlighted row in my color-coded excel priority spreadsheet.) Wilson would be signing at BEA, I was thrilled. As an avid apocalyptic fiction and sci-fi fan, how could I resist a title like this? Even though the hype for Robopocalypse, what with its Dreamworks/Spielberg movie deal, is daunting and a little bit offputting, I wasn’t about to hold that against the book. Not only does it evoke fond memories of Robocop, but it rolls off the tongue so nicely. Why did I read this book: I think I fell in love with Robopocalypse from the second I saw that glorious, deliciously cheesy but perfectly fitting title. How did I get this book: Review Copy from BEA (yay!) Robopocalypse is a brilliantly conceived action-filled epic, a terrifying story with heart-stopping implications for the real technology all around us…and an entertaining and engaging thriller unlike anything else written in years. When the Robot War ignites - at a moment known later as Zero Hour - humankind will be both decimated and, possibly, for the first time in history, united.

soldier who witnesses a ‘pacification unit’ go haywire – but most are unaware of the growing rebellion until it is too late. In the months leading up to this, sporadic glitches are noticed by a handful of unconnected humans – a single mother disconcerted by her daughter’s menacing “smart” toys, a lonely Japanese bachelor who is victimized by his domestic robot companion, an isolated U.S.

Taking on the persona of a shy human boy, a childlike but massively powerful artificial intelligence known as Archos comes online and assumes control over the global network of machines that regulate everything from transportation to utilities, defense and communication. In the near future, at a moment no one will notice, all the dazzling technology that runs our world will unite and turn against us. They are in the skies…Now they’re coming for you. Publisher: Doubleday (US)/Simon & Schuster UK Genre: Science Fiction, Apocalyptic/Dystopian Welcome to BEA Appreciation Week 2011! As is our annual tradition, this week we bring you reviews of some of the titles we have scooped up at BEA, as well as some general news and ponderings concerning the trade show and affiliated conferences.

Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson