For robots who enjoy having stimulating relationships with humans.

Service Model
by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Charles is a valet to a master in a big house. Charles performs many tasks that are redundant, but can‘t change that due to his programming. One morning something is different. There are stains on the upholstery of master‘s car, when he cleans it. Then there are stains on master‘s clothes that he put out for him in the morning. There are stains on the clothes that he puts out to replace the other stained clothes. There are stains on his hands. Master hasn‘t gotten up. His bedclothes are stained. Master is very pale. Master is also very dead, because Charles slit his throat when shaving him first thing in the morning. Charles wasn’t aware and needs to reboot. So much for the bizarre and mildly amusing beginning of this tale.

We are off on a trip of discovery and UnCharles‘ search for purpose. Every part of this book embarks on a different episode of his road trip and a new theme—highlighted by the cryptic titles of every part of this book.

While this was amusing and deep and meaningfully and full of messages, I was also missing an engaging story with good plot progression. I started skimming from the middle of the book and if this hadn‘t been an ARC and a buddy read, I probably would not have finished this or maybe would have jumped to the last chapter for some closure and called it a day.

It was ok, but I prefer a good story over societal commentary, philosophical treatises and parables.

PS: I couldn’t figure out the headings of each part, I had to ask. Voila: KR15-T (Christie), K4FK-R (Kafka), 4W-L (Orwell), 80RH-5 (Borges), and D4NT-A (Dante). You’re welcome.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Macmillan/Tor Publishing through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.