An interesting sci-fi novella, Burns is a philosophical exploration of the self and of autonomy. This is quite an insular story, with a lot of the dialogue being between Burns and themselves. I am always a fan of stories that begin in a point of action, and I loved the choice for that here. Without spoiling anything, I was instantly empathizing for Burns, and feeling their anger with them.

Burns, a sentient search droid contemplates life in a bizarre, uniquely funny and touching story.

I could absolutely be reading into this more than it’s there, but Burns made me think of someone struggling with loneliness, and fondling brief glimpses of happiness that continually are stripped away. A droid with a mundane repetitive life, who eventually battles… something. Is it a metaphor for an internal struggle, is it a metaphor for cancer, I’m not sure but I keep thinking about these things are he was dealing with it. It felt like the droid dealing with getting older and learning death is inevitable… until it ends happily.

It’s an interesting and quick read, which at times felt a little too deep into scientific speech but it moves on pretty quickly.

I received this ARC for an honest review from L’il Factory and NetGalley.

I received this copy for an honest review from the kind publisher and author David Polfeldt.

The premise is what drew me in about a sentient droid sent to find life. yup sign me up especially when said droid is sassy, introspective and mostly depressed.

The lonely feel here and scope of the broader world which is hinted at is the best aspects of the book. For me it falls down on not moving from one plot to the next quick enough, but then maybe this is the point of the story as a whole.

An enjoyable if short read.

In this sci-fi novella, we follow Burns, a droid who has been sent out into the universe to look for life. His only companion is a pet called Cooper.
I very much enjoyed Burns' musings. Some of the more scientific speak lost me a little, but all-in-all this was a delight, and the ending was perfection.