4.5/5

This book is hard to review because it’s one of those books that just left me feeling some kind of way.

It infuriated me, I was appalled by the way Annie Bot, a snuggle bunny AI girlfriend, was treated by her owner and society. Yes, she’s a robot but she is adaptive and learns to in a sense feel things much like a real human. Being a real human is what Annie Bot desires most.

It gave off Margaret Atwood vibes. If you like Handmaid’s Tale and other dystopian books, including books that address compromised female rights & freedoms, then I bet you’ll enjoy this one.

I’m glad I read it. It was definitely a solid read, but please check trigger warnings before diving into this one. They were so many instances of abuse. The author did an incredible job of making me feel a great sense of unease, aggravation and a call to action as if I were an AI myself being abused. You really feel 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 with Annie, her pain oozes off the pages.

Annie is tired of feeling less than…because now she really 𝙁𝙀𝙀𝙇𝙎, she understands that her situation isn’t right and it’s not fair but what can someone like her do about it???

This book was the most unique I've read in a while and, I must say (Happily) that it filled the Westworld-size hole I've had in my life since the show ended. After seeing so much more AI stuff on social media, and therefore in the world itself, stories like this have become so interesting to me. I especially love how the AI character element learns different aspects of human beings and what makes us tick, which of course varies from person to person. I was bummed when I was almost to the end of the book. Thank you for letting me read this and I wanted to share a great quote from the book that I really need framed in my living room, fridge, or really anywhere that I can see it daily: “Fulfillment starts with being truly honest with yourself--Not anyone else. Yourself....and that’s harder than you might think.” That is deep! And so, so true.

This book was infuriating at times, but I could not help but think how much more infuriated I would be if this book was written by a man. This was a glimpse into toxic masculinity as opposed to a bible for it.

Now that I have that out of my system, this was such an interesting and unique story, at times impossibly dark and, frankly, terrifying. Great fast-paced writing that made you feel a huge range of emotions, whether you wanted to or not.

I took one star down for the ending, which felt abrupt, but may come back and revisit this. I may just be salty because I wanted to read more about what happens with Annie :)

Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy!

A dark and intriguing story of an AI robot woman created to please and take care of her wealthy owner.

At the start, we follow Annie as she completes her daily tasks as an autodidact “cuddle buddy” robot, which include cleaning and cooking for her owner, as well as sleeping with him on command.

As time goes on, she begins learning more about herself and her likes/dislikes, and becomes enamored with the idea of what it means to be a human. She becomes torn, as she was programmed to live to please her power-crazy owner and “boyfriend”. After she betrays him in hopes of making herself more human, their relationship takes a turn for the worse, forcing Annie to learn to make her own choices.

This book takes a look at psychological abuse and power dynamics in toxic relationships, and how they affect the psyche of those stuck in them. It also touches on identity, feelings, and what makes people who they are.

Overall it was a thought-provoking and captivating read! I’ll definitely be recommending.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for the ARC :)

A glimpse into the relationship experience of an advanced AI robot and her human partner...

I found this to be a compulsively readable character study-- of both Annie and Doug. Doug is disappointed when Annie doesn't clean properly, expects sex, designs her to look like his ex (he requests her weight decrease and breast size increase), he maintains a high level of expectation and control over her, while Annie is discovering who/what she is, what relationships and manipulation are, what emotions are and why they feel confusing-- how to interact with outside parties, and how to make sense of existence.

Can humans enter relationships with robots? Is AI beneficial or dangerous for mental health? Would the human become a controlling, manipulator of the robot partner, therefore both determining and guaranteeing the relationship's trajectory? And, what if the robot had a say-- started to learn and advance-- what if it had agency and autonomy?

Fans of 𝑯𝒆𝒓 and 𝑬𝒙 𝑴𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒂 may enjoy this for its psychological aspects. While not necessarily comedic or violent, the internal threats to all parties are apparent and fascinating. I enjoyed the nuanced approach, pacing, and Greer's decision to not get complicated with the technical details.
Recommended!

“‘Atwood,’ she says. ‘It’s disturbing, actually. But really good.’ She holds up the book so he can see the cover.”

⬆️ What a great reference!

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer

An interesting and creative book that explores identity, control, and AI ethics and morals.

A cautionary tale that is a combination of the show Westworld mixed with a Margaret Atwood novel.

Favorite Quotes:

“Perhaps that’s what unhappiness is. Comprehension. Understanding how she’s failed.”

“Fulfillment starts with being truly honest with yourself. Not anyone else. Yourself. And that’s harder than you might think.”

Thank you to @netgalley and @marinerbooks for the ARC. Annie Bot is out March 19th and I recommend you grab a copy!

Annie Bot beautifully explores the relationship between a human owner and his AI-powered robot Annie. I really loved the writing and found the evolution of their relationship to be very compelling. I was surprised by the emotional depth of Annie’s character. This is a well-written novel that has me looking out for more science fiction with themes of artificial intelligence. I highly recommend this book.

I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. I'm normally a slow reader but I devoured this story in 3 days. The characters were so real and the plot really made you think. Every twist and turn made the story more and more compelling. This book is amazing.

I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Read this if you like:
•black mirror on Netflix
•technology / AI
•dystopian books

This book was so intriguing from the get go. With more and more AI being a thing in the real world, this is something that could happen in the not so distant future. It was interesting to see Annie adapt to emotions. Doug was a flawed character but he seemed real.

Thank you Mariner books for eARC!

Thank you, NetGalley and Mariner Books for this advanced readers copy. This book was a fun read about a robot named Annie. She is a Stella, as all robot prototypes start off as and then she was named by her human and set up as a Cuddle Bunny to be his girlfriend and ready for sex when he is. There are also Nanny robots and Maid robots to suit those needs. You can also make your bot be autodidact so they can learn and adapt to cues from their human and their environment. This story tells how the Annie bot learns and adapts to her human, Doug, who can sometimes be nice and sometimes not. But also how Doug can learn from Annie bot. Oh, and a lot of sex, you know, cause she’s a Cuddle Bunny.

Annie was made for Doug, literally. As an autodidactic AI robot, her entire existence is to please her owner.

Annie’s life takes on a new complexity, however, when Doug’s friend comes to visit and offers her a chance at a secret, a secret that will make her more human.

Soon, Annie begins to develop well beyond the capacity of other bots, catching the eye of the industry that produced her. As Annie is left to grapple with new experiences such as shame, hope, and a quest for self-discovery, she must also reconcile these new emotions with her programmed need to please Doug.

There are lots of questions raised here about what it means to be “human” in a world of ever increasing AI intelligence. Simultaneously, there is an ever present theme of the objectification of women’s bodies and the ways society enables this. I felt the author spent more time developing the first theme, and wished the second was more fleshed out. A lot of the work is left to the reader to interpret, and I suppose that’s not bad, but it did leave an icky taste at times as you wonder, will Annie, or anyone around her, ever realize how her existence enables misogynistic norms?

I did enjoy the writing style of this one, and enjoyed coming back to it, but I also wish there was more said about the problematic relationship between Doug and Annie. If AI is of particular interest to you, though, you might want to give this one a go.

A compact book about power, autonomy and control that makes it hard to shake off some feelings of dread about the future long after the read is done.

I really enjoyed how the narration reflected Annie's worldview, in that it was contained and didn't expand beyond her knowdlege of the world. It added to the claustrophobic feeling she reports experiencing, and made it easier to symapthise with her.

However, the ending, while fitting and bittersweet in a way, felt like a bit of a let down. While this couldv'e been altered, I would happily recommend this book to all readers who can stomach the trigger warnings in it. Full review to come.

Thank you Netgalley & publisher for this e-arc of Annie Bot: A Novel by Sierra Greer.

This is a Sci-Fi novel. 5+*; one unique aspect of AI bots. I could not put this down and it evoked many emotions, especially infuriating ones during the read.

Synopsis:
"Annie Bot" delves into the complex relationship between a female robot, Annie, and her human owner, Doug. Designed to fulfill Doug's emotional and physical desires, Annie struggles to balance her programmed perfection with her newfound exploration of human traits like curiosity and longing. As their relationship evolves, Annie questions Doug's true desires and grapples with her own autonomy. The novel provocatively examines themes of intimacy, power dynamics, autonomy, and control, challenging readers to ponder the nature of love and identity in a world where artificial intelligence blurs the lines between human and machine.

Things I liked:
• Thought-Provoking Exploration: Annie, The AI Bot ... "Annie" offers a thought-provoking exploration of the intricacies of human-robot relationships, delving into questions of intimacy, power dynamics, and autonomy in a technologically advanced society.
• Complex Character Dynamics: I loved feeling enraged as I read ... The novel presents complex character dynamics between Annie, the AI-designed robot, and Doug, her human owner, as they navigate their evolving relationship amidst conflicting desires and expectations, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.
• Contemporary Relevance: Made me think of our future and AI ... With its examination of themes such as artificial intelligence, human emotion, and personal identity, "Annie" resonates with contemporary discussions surrounding the impact of technology on human interactions, making it both relevant and engaging for readers seeking thought-provoking fiction.

Things I disliked (if you can call it that):
• The intimacy between Doug & Annie made me sick at times ... The exploration of intimacy between Doug and Annie might evoke discomfort at times, but it serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities inherent in human-AI sentient robot relationships, prompting readers to reflect on the blurred boundaries between artificial and genuine affection.
• Knowing so many non-bot relationships are actually like this ... While it may be unsettling to realize that some non-bot relationships resemble the dynamic depicted in the novel, it underscores the author's astute observation of contemporary human interactions, sparking important conversations about power dynamics and autonomy in intimate relationships.
• The unknown of if AI sentient as should be treated like humans ... Contemplating the unknown aspect of whether AI should be treated as sentient beings akin to humans can be unsettling, yet it fosters a deeper exploration of ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence and the implications of assigning human-like attributes to machines, encouraging readers to ponder the nature of consciousness and moral responsibility.

I loved this. It freaked me out for a few reasons. 1) This is just what being a woman is to a degree. 2) Technology doesn’t seem that far off from this being a reality or close to a reality in some of our lifetimes, although probably not this seamless and fleshed out. 3) we all know a Doug. We might have dated a Doug, or grown up with one, or are maybe related to one. But we all know one.

I loved Annie as a main character - what a complex and messy MC. I forgot she wasn’t a person many, many times and often empathized with her over the actual humans in the book. This book had me thinking about so many things at once: humanity, relationships, power, shame, control, free will, and autonomy. This was a very thought-provoking read that I devoured in one evening.

Thank you to Mariner Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was such a complex and emotional read. Annie might be AI, but as she continues to learn, she begins to experience emotions and question the dynamics of her relationship with her owner, Doug. This book examines psychological and emotional abuse in a relationship and power/control. The more human Annie becomes, the less perfect she becomes and the easier it becomes for her to make Doug angry. Even though it is science fiction, I think this is a book for people who enjoy genres such as contemporary fiction, literary fiction, and women's fiction. This will definitely be one of my favorite books of March and maybe the entire year!

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat! This book was better than I could have imagined. It's disturbing, intriguing, and thought provoking. I am already pushing for everyone in my book club to preorder a copy because I need to debrief this book with every woman I know.

Annie Bot follows Annie, a robot owned by a divorced man who wants to build a relationship with his "Stella" who he customized.... to look like a light skinned version of his ex-wife. Through Annie's eyes, we see his assessment of her ability to clean, her body, and her ability to please him. It's one of the most poignant and thought provoking books about the patriarchy I think I've ever read.

Annie was created to be the perfect companion; adjusting her libido to meet her owner and react based on her desire to pleasure him. As she learns more and more human traits and emotions, their relationship becomes more complex and difficult.

I couldn’t put this one down. I found it fascinating. I loved following Annie and her constant development as she became more and more humanized. There was also a complex level of relationship discord that was very intriguing to read. Annie was a great character and I really felt for her. I enjoyed the ending and would love a sequel.

“She is not human. She is Annie, a Stella, her own star. No more and no less.”

Annie Bot comes out 3/19.

Really interesting and enraging. I’ve read a lot of robot/AI narratives, and while this one had a lot of tropes of the genre, there were some really great questions about identity and control. Honestly I think we’re only 5 years away from this being real.

Annie Bot is a powerful feminist sci-fi that explores the dynamics of an extremely toxic (and triggering-ly abusive) relationship between a female robot and her human owner, which raises important questions on control, humanity, and autonomy, and artificial intelligence.

What does it mean to be human? To feel? To think for yourself?? For Annie Bot, it means freedom. And for a bot who is programmed purely to please, freedom becomes the one thing she desires most—if wanting is even something she is capable of.

I absolutely loved this book. It gave me so much to think about in regard to technology, power, and ownership, and is exactly the type of provoking story that will be sitting with me for a long time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this book. It hit all the right notes for me. I enjoy stories about AI and robots, and I especially enjoy stories that question how close AI can come to humanity and human emotions without being essentially human.

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer explores Annie, a sentient cuddle bunny (aka sex robot), and her relationship with her owner Doug. The book takes place in a near future where robot maids, caretakers, and companions are a luxury. They are expensive and novel.

The book tackles some of the darkest parts of relationships and explores a view that men need to control women and their sexuality. It implies that men have a hard time with a free and equal partner, and they would be happiest with a woman who obeyed their every command. There are settings within Annie's programming that reinforce this by giving her pain everytime she senses Doug's displeasure with her. At times she compares herself to an object in orbit to a satellite and spends a good deal of the novel wondering what her purpose would be if she weren't spending time pleasing Doug.

I recommend this novel highly to anyone who is interested in AI, sexbots, relationships between humans and robots. This book would hit the right notes with viewers of the show Westworld.