I, Robot Soldier


Fiction - Science Fiction
344 Pages
Reviewed on 07/23/2024
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Joel R. Dennstedt, a man of unique experiences, hiked the wilds of Alaska for 15 years. For 7 ½ years, he and his brother traveled the world with everything they owned in a backpack and a duffel. Now, he writes full-time, drawing from his rich life experiences. He regularly contributes to the writing platform Medium, where he has published over 800 stories, articles, and book reviews. He is also the official Final Editor for a popular series of metaphysical books about Existence—Consciousness—Bliss.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Bryone Peters for Readers' Favorite

I, Robot Soldier by Joel R. Dennstedt is hauntingly beautiful and poignant beyond compare. In a post-apocalyptic world, a solitary soldier robot calling itself One Shot awakens after the war. It comes across a young human girl, Amy. Its primary directive is to protect her. Over time, One Shot learns to provide Amy with her minimum needs. One Shot is uncertain about her other needs, like her emotional needs, but One Shot is willing to learn. Later, Amy and One Shot traverse the world and observe devastation and death. One Shot postulates that Amy needs to be with other humans. If they find living humans, One Shot will leave her with them. However, Amy is the boss but what she says makes One Shot confused and is sometimes in direct conflict with his programming.

What makes the story so poignant and brilliant is that One Shot, the robot, tells the story from its point of view. This personification of the robot is ingenious. I highly recommend I, Robot Soldier by Joel R. Dennstedt due to the astonishing sophisticated narrative, dialogue, and unforgettable scenes. My heart went for a roller coaster ride alongside two utterly charming protagonists. The portrayal was perfect. The dialogue is nothing less than brilliant. I could not put this book down. The author delivers chapter after chapter of unforgettable, unparalleled stunning narrative. It wasn’t so much the sweet, eccentric relationship between the main characters as it was the astonishingly beautiful execution. I couldn’t get enough of their conversations. The portrayal of Amy’s behaviors and emotions was epic.

Scott Cahan

I, Robot Soldier by Joel R. Dennstedt is a post-apocalyptic science fiction tale about the curious and endearing relationship between a young girl and a robot. One Shot is the name given to the robot by the little girl named Amy. She is one of only a handful of human survivors after a massive war that wiped out most of civilization. One Shot, originally designed as a soldier of war, becomes Amy’s protector and friend. The two set off on a journey filled with self-discovery, danger, and adventure. As the years pass and Amy grows up, their relationship becomes more complicated yet they remain together, both needing the other. However, new dangers await around every corner, forcing Amy and One Shot to go far beyond their respective comfort zones.

I thoroughly enjoyed I, Robot Soldier. Although a story like this could have easily focused on the dangers along the road and included much action and violence, the author takes a different approach. It's all about the relationship between Amy and One Shot. There are still plenty of tense moments and a bit of war and destruction, but that’s all there to provide deeper insight into these two fascinating characters. Author Joel R. Dennstedt has mastered the art of narration in the voice of a robot; highly intelligent and logical yet warm-hearted and as loving as a robot can manage. In so doing, he’s created a robot character that readers will easily fall in love with as they follow his journey. Not to be outdone, Amy is also a joy to watch as the story progresses. She constantly surprises readers as she and One Shot move from one discovery to the next. This book takes a fresh approach to robot stories that is well worth the read. I recommend I, Robot Soldier for two types of readers. First, readers who enjoy futuristic robot stories. Second, for fans of intimate portrayals of characters as they experience life together.

Christian Sia

I, Robot Soldier by Joel R. Dennstedt is a thought-provoking science fiction story with a unique take on human-robot relationships and the blurred lines between programming and emotions. The story follows the journey of One Shot, a robot soldier who awakens in a post-apocalyptic world with no memory of his past and a damaged body. He soon finds himself paired with a young girl named Amy, who becomes his charge and companion. But as Amy grows older, she yearns to explore the world beyond their desolate surroundings, and One Shot must confront the danger that lurks in every shadow. With robotic mutations — the roving creatures that Amy calls wolfhounds — on their trail, One Shot's mission becomes a desperate struggle to keep Amy safe. But when they encounter other humans, their very existence is threatened. Will One Shot be able to protect his human charge, or will their fragile alliance be torn apart in a world gone mad?

I, Robot Soldier explores the themes of identity, purpose, and humanity through a robot's experiences. One Shot's narrative is marked by his gradual understanding of human emotions and behaviors, shaped by his interactions with Amy. The book raises questions about the nature of consciousness, free will, and the boundaries between machines and humans. One Shot's character development is particularly noteworthy — his transition from a programmed soldier to a sentient capable of emotional responses is a compelling aspect of the narrative. His relationship with Amy, whom he calls “little Miss,” is filled with tenderness and affection. On the other hand, Amy is a complex character whose motivations and emotions are multifaceted. Her experiences as a child in a post-apocalyptic world have left her scarred, and her interactions with One Shot serve as a coping mechanism. Joel R. Dennstedt paints a vivid post-apocalyptic world, a setting that feels like a character in its own right. The first-person narrative voice intelligently captures the perspective of One Shot and pulls readers in. Overall, this story is charming, clever, and heartwarming.

Foluso Falaye

One Shot is a robot on a mission to survive the aftermath of war with a little girl called Amy. These unlikely friends embark on a journey to find shelter, water, and food in a world with few survivors. Amy's desire to connect with other beings leads her to perilous encounters with mountain lions and to make other risky choices. However, to feel the freedom and companionship she truly seeks, the war that left her world in rubble must be revisited and ended for good. Is Amy capable of numbing her emotions and becoming more robot-like to win the battle for her life and the freedom of other humans? Joel R. Dennstedt's I, Robot Soldier thrills readers with a riveting sci-fi story involving a charming robot and its human friend, as well as their quest for survival in a considerably deserted world. 

I, Robot Soldier feels quite special as it portrays the robot protagonist's perspective skillfully in the first person. Prepare to imagine seeing the world as a robot. For example, the robot protagonist shares its long-held question of whether it was built only for destruction while contemplating how serving Amy gives it purpose. The story mostly portrays deserted places and focuses mainly on the two characters, allowing for a deep connection with them. However, it ends with climactic, action-packed scenes. Though Amy refers to herself as the boss, I perceived One Shot's role as a more fatherly and protective one of the duo. Since I, Robot Soldier nails its characterization and worldbuilding excellently, I recommend it to all fans of sci-fi or stories with strong robot protagonists. You'll be happy that you chose Joel Dennstedt's engaging, deeply engrossing, and highly thought-provoking book.

Asher Syed

In I, Robot Soldier by Joel R. Dennstedt, One Shot, a robot with limited firing capabilities, moves through a war-torn landscape while seeking repair. He finds a malnourished girl named Amy and decides to protect her. They scavenge for essentials, and Amy grows increasingly self-reliant. They traverse storm drains, where Amy finds and names a Cat drone "Kitty Cat," which One Shot incorporates into their group. They seek shelter and Amy celebrates her birthday and continues to develop emotionally. One Shot has to balance protecting Amy without deterring her flourishing independence. One Shot is aware of the fact that human sentiment is beyond him, so when they find surprising evidence of recent human activity, a decision is made to move toward the mountains, guided by a letter suggesting a possible safe haven...if they can get there.

I, Robot Soldier by Joel R. Dennstedt is a methodically paced dystopian novel that connects two characters who grow with one another in a journey to survive where the odds are against the robot-human duo. Dennstedt does an excellent job of making sure we remember that, despite their deep relationship, Amy's clear love for One Shot, who she calls Ossie, and One Shot's unique attachment to her, they are fundamentally different. She can smell, and he cannot in the human sense. She has never known a world where meat didn't come from a can and, therefore, doesn't know an animal must die to create it. I loved the descriptions of the landscapes and, for me, the best part was knowing that Amy was often looking at them for the first time with us. The book is well-written and offers a more emotional side to the science-fiction genre in a style that is accessible to all. Recommended.