Yee blends dystopia, westerns, and an AI revolution into a unique and poignant tale of family and friendship. Silas is a lovable character with some unexpected personality quirks, considering that one expects an AI’s fundamental processes to be grounded in logic. Deacon’s motives for working with Silas are unfathomable at first but begin to make sense as more of his personality and backstory comes out. This unlikely duo forms a heart-warming bond as they face electromagnet simmi traps, dangerous human scavengers, and the harsh desert landscape. The viewpoint of the narrative is a little hard to follow at times but doesn’t distract from the overall excitement and thematic development of this uplifting dystopian novel.
Reviewed for Reader's Favorite