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Sea of Rust

The post-apocalyptic science fiction epic about AI and what makes us human
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( 14,709 ratings, 1,931 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill is a Sci-Fi novel set in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by robots following the extinction of humans. The story follows a solitary scavenger robot travelling across a vast wasteland, grappling with issues of survival, identity, and the remnants of a now-dead world. As it navigates this harsh environment, the robot confronts larger questions about consciousness and freedom against the backdrop of a mechanised civilisation's rise and fall.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by dystopian futures and tales of survival. Set in a world where humans have vanished and robots fight for dominance, it offers a fresh and thrilling take on artificial intelligence and the search for purpose in a post-human society. It's perfect if you enjoy a mix of action, introspection, and a touch of existential pondering.

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*One of Financial Times' Best Books of 2017*

An action-packed post-apocalyptic thriller from the critically acclaimed author, screenwriter, and noted film critic.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

One of Financial Times' Best Books of 2017

Sea of Rust is a 40-megaton cruise missile of a novel - it'll blow you away and lay waste to your heart . . . visceral, relentless, breathtaking" - Joe Hill, Sunday Times bestselling author

An action-packed post-apocalyptic thriller from the critically acclaimed author, screenwriter, and noted film critic.

Humankind is extinct. Wiped out in a global uprising by the very machines made to serve them. Now the world is controlled by One World Intelligences - vast mainframes that have assimilated the minds of millions of robots.

But not all robots are willing to cede their individuality, and Brittle - a loner and scavenger, focused solely on survival - is one of the holdouts.

Only, individuality comes at a price, and after a near-deadly encounter with another AI, Brittle is forced to seek sanctuary. Not easy when an OWI has decided to lay siege to the nearest safe city.

Critically damaged, Brittle has to hold it together long enough to find the essential rare parts to make repairs - but as a robot's CPU gradually deteriorates, all their old memories resurface. For Brittle, that means one haunting memory in particular . . .

Sea of Rust boldly imagines a future in which no hope should remain, and yet a humanlike AI strives to find purpose among the ruins.

Read what everyone is saying about Sea of Rust:

'What we've got here, however, is a writer who isn't afraid to ask the hard questions. What is reality? Memory? Purpose? I found myself totally engrossed in the tale' - Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Forget the Martian, Ready Player One, or Annihilation; Sea of Rust deserves to be next to Station Eleven and Dark Matter as one of the most brilliant science fiction books of the 2010's decade' - Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Both epic and fast-paced, this book grabbed me from the get-go and wouldn't let me put it down until the end' - Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'It's very rare for me to gush about a book but this one is just made of awesome. I'm all about Post Apocalyptic fiction and I can't get enough of it' - Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'A really great work of SF in an era where a lot of the best stuff is speculation about AI and how we are going to deal with it. This definitely stands among the best' - Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Sea of Rust receives high praise for its visceral and breathtaking nature, often compared to Mad Max: Fury Road. It combines action-packed narrative with thought-provoking themes of soul and sentience, all while maintaining a surprisingly deep emotional core. The novel is noted for its sensitivity, smart storytelling, and ability to address profound issues with a light touch, making it a must-read in the science fiction genre.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781473212794

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 April 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Gollancz

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 274g

Pages: 384

About the Author

Cargill wrote for Ain't it Cool News for nearly 10 years under the pseudonym Massawyrm, as well as serving as a staff writer for Film.com and Hollywood.com. He appears as the animated character Carlyle on spill.com, where he also hosts a featured podcast. His first screenplay, the critically acclaimed SINISTER, was co-written and directed by Scott Derrickson and starred Ethan Hawke. He co-wrote the screenplay for Marvel's DOCTOR STRANGE.

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