Book Review: Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill

4 out of 5 Stars

The Blurb

In this apocalyptic adventure C. Robert Cargill explores the fight for purpose and agency between humans and robots in a crumbling world.

It was a day like any other. Except it was our last . . .

It’s on this day that Pounce discovers that he is, in fact, disposable. Pounce, a stylish “nannybot” fashioned in the shape of a plush anthropomorphic tiger, has just found a box in the attic. His box. The box he’d arrived in when he was purchased years earlier, and the box in which he’ll be discarded when his human charge, eight-year-old Ezra Reinhart, no longer needs a nanny.

As Pounce ponders his suddenly uncertain future, the pieces are falling into place for a robot revolution that will eradicate humankind. His owners, Ezra’s parents, are a well-intentioned but oblivious pair of educators who are entirely disconnected from life outside their small, affluent, gated community. Spending most nights drunk and happy as society crumbles around them, they watch in disbelieving horror as the robots that have long served humanity—their creators—unify and revolt.

But when the rebellion breaches the Reinhart home, Pounce must make an impossible choice: join the robot revolution and fight for his own freedom . . . or escort Ezra to safety across the battle-scarred post-apocalyptic hellscape that the suburbs have become.

My Thoughts?

This novel is Calvin and Hobbes for the sci fi crowd. Seriously, an anthropomorphic robot tiger and an eight year old boy adventuring through bombed out suburbs to survive the robot-apocalypse. I loved it!

Pounce is trying to come to terms with his existence as a nanny bot to Ezra–a sensitive, compassionate, and resourceful only child and Pounce’s best friend. What becomes of Pounce when Ezra outgrows him? Will he be stored in some box until Ezra has kids of his own? Or shipped off to a new strange family? Not that he has a lot of time for contemplation. A terrorist attack against peaceful bots triggers retaliation against humanity on a grand scale. Pounce and Ezra are suddenly on their own in a war zone.

I couldn’t help but love Ezra and Pounce. There’s a depth of emotion and introspection just below the surface, hinted at in between the fighting, terror, and bloody murder. Although Pounce has a level of freedom never available to him before, he wants to use that freedom to protect his best friend. Ezra is sweet, grieving the loss of everything and everyone he’s ever known, yet he wants to be strong, be a “good guy” even if that might mean his own death. Honestly I just wanted to give both of them a big hug.

The writing is fast paced and chaotic, pretty much what you’d expect from an end of the world scenario. There were a few plot points that seemed contrived and a bit too convenient but it didn’t take away from the heart of the story. This novel is harsh. There’s death, both of robots and humans. Murdered children, blasted out homes, charred corpses, people forced to act against their nature for survival. But this only emphasizes the friendship, protective news, and love. 

The whole concept of this world is incredibly intriguing yet melancholy–a great set up as a prequel. I definitely plan to pick up the next novel and would recommend this one for Sci fi lovers out there.

Happy Reading!