Sea of Rust: A Novel by C. Robert Cargill Published by Harper Voyager on September 5th 2017
Pages: 448
Genres: Sci-fi
Format: Hardcover
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Also by this author: Dreams and Shadows, Queen of the Dark Things, We Are Where the Nightmares Go and Other Stories
A scavenger robot wanders in the wasteland created by a war that has destroyed humanity in this evocative post-apocalyptic “robot western” from the critically acclaimed author, screenwriter, and noted film critic
It’s been thirty years since the apocalypse and fifteen years since the murder of the last human being at the hands of robots. Humankind is extinct. Every man, woman, and child has been liquidated by a global uprising devised by the very machines humans designed and built to serve them. Most of the world is controlled by an OWI—One World Intelligence—the shared consciousness of millions of robots, uploaded into one huge mainframe brain. But not all robots are willing to cede their individuality—their personality—for the sake of a greater, stronger, higher power. These intrepid resisters are outcasts; solo machines wandering among various underground outposts who have formed into an unruly civilization of rogue AIs in the wasteland that was once our world.
One of these resisters is Brittle, a scavenger robot trying to keep her deteriorating mind and body functional in a world that has lost all meaning. Although she does not (cannot) experience emotions like a human, she is haunted by the terrible crimes she perpetrated on humanity. As she roams the Sea of Rust, a large swath of territory that was once the Midwest, Brittle slowly comes to terms with her raw and vivid memories—and her guilt.
Sea of Rust is both a harsh story of survival and an optimistic adventure. A vividly imagined portrayal of ultimate destruction and desperate tenacity, it boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, yet where a humanlike AI strives to find purpose among the ruins.
About C. Robert Cargill
C. Robert Cargill likes his coffee black, his hamburgers topped with fried eggs and his restaurants to be of the greasy spoon variety. Most nights, if you can find him, you’ll see him huddled in the booth of a diner, sucking down coffee as fast as the waitress can pour it, arguing with a number of other writers over something silly about which he will fight with great passion. He’s been a waiter, a video store clerk, a travel agent, a camp counselor, an airline reservation agent, a sandwich artist, a day care provider, a voice actor, and most notably, a freelance writer and film critic.
Cargill began his career with Ain’t it Cool News under the pseudonym Massawyrm, writing there for over a decade, subsequently becoming a staff writer for film.com, hollywood.com and co-founding the animated movie review site Spill.com. In the meantime he appeared on countless podcasts, webshows and in the occasional local film. During a fateful drunken night in Vegas, Cargill pitched the idea for the film SINISTER to friend and director Scott Derrickson, resulting in both the film and a screenwriting partnership between the two. When not writing films with Derrickson, Cargill spends his time writing novels and painting miniatures.
Cargill lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and (as he is contractually obligated to tell you) his dog. And really, if you find yourself in Austin, in a diner, in the middle of the night, and someone is talking way too loud, there’s a good chance it’s him.
Cargill’s Dreams and Shadows books are a couple of my favorites, combining fantasy and horror in such a fantastic way. I can’t wait to see what he does with Science Fiction next.
What are you waiting on this Wednesday?
Wow, I’m finding way too many good choices to add to the TBR this week with this feature. I’ve been trying to read some science fiction here and there this year and I have to admit, the cover is really egging me on to give this one a go. Thanks for sharing it!
Barb (boxermommyreads) recently posted…Can’t Wait Wednesday (102)
Sure thing! Here’s hoping it’s fantastic. 🙂
Bonnie recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday – Sea of Rust: A Novel by C. Robert Cargill
I saw this book a couple of months ago but I think it was only a UK edition at that time. I’m so glad to see its being published in the US. I’m definitely going to read this!
Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday [244] – IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN by Andy Davidson
It sounds like murder-y Wall-E. Lol I’m definitely on board.
Bonnie recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday – Sea of Rust: A Novel by C. Robert Cargill
Oooh, this sounds so cool! From the synopsis it sounds like this will have a literary feel to it, which is exciting because it’s been ages since I’ve read a literary sci-fi novel!
Danya @ Fine Print recently posted…Review: The House of Binding Thorns by Aliette de Bodard
Cargill is an excellent writer — I’m very excited for this one!
Bonnie recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday – Sea of Rust: A Novel by C. Robert Cargill
Awesome looking cover! I hope you enjoy this book!
Ronyell (a.k.a Rabbitearsblog) recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday #35: The Dead List by Jennifer L. Armentrout
What a cool cover, and I like the sound of this. Can’t resist robots.
Ooh, sounds good! I’ve had a copy of the Dreams and Shadows book on my shelf for years…
Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies recently posted…Thursday Quotables: The (unofficial) Hogwarts Haggadah
That duology is much more fantasy but really dark and all kinds of interesting. 🙂
Bonnie recently posted…The Book Sacrifice Tag
I’m sorry — do I need to read beyond “robot western” to be anything but sold?! I mean I did (“last human murdered” is also a macabre draw to this tbh.)
I’m ashamed to admit I had ARCs for two of his books that I never got to. But you can be pretty sure that I will be obtaining a copy of this one! It sounds fuuuun.
Jessie recently posted…Ageless Discussions: Recollecting
I quite liked his first two books! Although I was expecting more in that series but I suppose that’s not in the cards. Will definitely be reading this crazy murder-y Wall-E sounding book though. lol
Bonnie recently posted…The Book Sacrifice Tag