Thank you for the shout out Robin, some interesting characters in that line up. I need to read that new Tchaikovsky, I've been enjoying his Final Architecture novels.
I just finished Service Model. I thought Uncharles was a likable character but I didn't believe that he didn't figure out The Wonk earlier. I also love Sitra from A Closed and Common Orbit. I'm adding Aurora Rising to my TBR.
A good list and overview of characters. IMO, one character that is missing is “Robot” Daneel Olivaw, which appeared in teh works of Isaac Asimov. So pivotal is his role in general as he consolidated together all of Asimov’s three main franchises, namely: Robots, galactic empire and Foundation.
@@bookspin You are welcome! Yes, that is correct, “The Naked Sun” follows his introduction in “The Caves of Steel”. His further appearances are in ‘The Robots of Dawn” and “Robots and Empire” - and subsequently into the Foundation universe.
Chambers did a great job with the creation of Sidra. Not only is she illegal but she's on a planet held in disdain by many and living among various aliens. The population separates into 'birds of a feather' groupings but recognise that they need each other in some manner so they have basic cohesion. Chambers has mirrored our current world where different groups of people are 'othered' by the majority but only with difficulty manage to form bonds across their differences. Reading common Orbit put me in mind of all the anti-trans and anti-lgbtqi rhetoric and legislation in some US states this year.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the character of Uncharles and the book overall. I am going to read it at some point soon. I’m reading Revelation Space now and will definitely get to Aurora Rising at some point. I did not realize it takes place in the world of Revelation Space. 👍
An entertAIning video as usual! 🤖 I just finished up “A Closed and Common Orbit.” Totally agree about Sidra being a really great character with a cool backstory and perspective. Pepper’s story is amazing, too!
Another AI to consider is the robot from Becky Chamber's Monk and Robot series. Spoiler free info. Dex is a Tea Monk. His work is to set up his wagon for people to come and tell him their problems and he makes them custom herbal tea to sooth them. One day a robot walks out of the woods and asks, 'What do you need?" They become traveling companions and friends. As Dex goes into existential crisis, the robot teaches him what it means to be human.
Great video! From its lack of inclusion here, I'm guessing you haven't yet read The Imperial Radch trilogy (starts with Ancillary Justice) by Ann Leckie? Highly recommend; main character is an AI warship with human-bodied avatars. Like Sidra, at the start she loses her ship (she's not female, but she doesn't understand gender and uses 'she' for everyone, male/female/other) and is reduced to one human (rather than android) body. And have you read Murderbot? So much fun, both cyborg AI and ship AI.
@MurphysEveryWhim She's an uploaded consciousness, formerly a human mind, but now a digital entity devoid of humanity. Maybe not a totally 'pure' AI, but close enough I think to be included in this list
Thank you for the shout out Robin, some interesting characters in that line up. I need to read that new Tchaikovsky, I've been enjoying his Final Architecture novels.
I just finished Service Model. I thought Uncharles was a likable character but I didn't believe that he didn't figure out The Wonk earlier. I also love Sitra from A Closed and Common Orbit. I'm adding Aurora Rising to my TBR.
I'd throw in "Mike" from "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress". Great fun, humor, and some sadness. For a long time, this was my #1 science fiction novel.
@@timlong9913 Good choice
A good list and overview of characters. IMO, one character that is missing is “Robot” Daneel Olivaw, which appeared in teh works of Isaac Asimov. So pivotal is his role in general as he consolidated together all of Asimov’s three main franchises, namely: Robots, galactic empire and Foundation.
@@aljawad Thanks for the suggestion! I remember enjoying The Naked Sun awhile ago, I think he was in that one? I need to read more of the Robot books.
@@bookspin You are welcome! Yes, that is correct, “The Naked Sun” follows his introduction in “The Caves of Steel”. His further appearances are in ‘The Robots of Dawn” and “Robots and Empire” - and subsequently into the Foundation universe.
Chambers did a great job with the creation of Sidra. Not only is she illegal but she's on a planet held in disdain by many and living among various aliens. The population separates into 'birds of a feather' groupings but recognise that they need each other in some manner so they have basic cohesion. Chambers has mirrored our current world where different groups of people are 'othered' by the majority but only with difficulty manage to form bonds across their differences. Reading common Orbit put me in mind of all the anti-trans and anti-lgbtqi rhetoric and legislation in some US states this year.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the character of Uncharles and the book overall. I am going to read it at some point soon.
I’m reading Revelation Space now and will definitely get to Aurora Rising at some point. I did not realize it takes place in the world of Revelation Space. 👍
@@bartsbookspace I look forward to seeing how you get on with Revelation Space
The Revelation Space series is fantastic!
@@scifi.brandon yes, I’m definitely going to continue with the series and read Redemption Ark this year!
An entertAIning video as usual! 🤖 I just finished up “A Closed and Common Orbit.” Totally agree about Sidra being a really great character with a cool backstory and perspective. Pepper’s story is amazing, too!
@@KevinsNovelAdvice Thanks for watching! Yes, Becky Chambers is great at character building.
Another AI to consider is the robot from Becky Chamber's Monk and Robot series. Spoiler free info. Dex is a Tea Monk. His work is to set up his wagon for people to come and tell him their problems and he makes them custom herbal tea to sooth them. One day a robot walks out of the woods and asks, 'What do you need?" They become traveling companions and friends. As Dex goes into existential crisis, the robot teaches him what it means to be human.
@@Kim_Miller Thanks for the suggestion, I would definitely be up for exploring more of Becky Chambers' work.
Great video! From its lack of inclusion here, I'm guessing you haven't yet read The Imperial Radch trilogy (starts with Ancillary Justice) by Ann Leckie? Highly recommend; main character is an AI warship with human-bodied avatars. Like Sidra, at the start she loses her ship (she's not female, but she doesn't understand gender and uses 'she' for everyone, male/female/other) and is reduced to one human (rather than android) body. And have you read Murderbot? So much fun, both cyborg AI and ship AI.
@erinh7450 Thanks for the suggestions, I haven't read either but they do sound intriguing!
Aurora isn’t an AI, or am I missing something?
@MurphysEveryWhim She's an uploaded consciousness, formerly a human mind, but now a digital entity devoid of humanity. Maybe not a totally 'pure' AI, but close enough I think to be included in this list