I am still vacillating between a 2-star and a 3-star rating for this one…

*spoilers ahead*

In favour of a 3-star rating, Annie Bot is an entertaining albeit simple story that explores questions of humanity, power, and autonomy through the autodidactic AI Annie and her relationship with her human owner, the vile despicable Doug. Such a story is eerily redolent of contemporary society and AI's rapid advances, which makes it extremely relevant. However, rather than explore very real current concerns regarding the rise of AI (such as redundancy or the threat of unpredictable AI sentience) typical of most AI-centred sci-fi novels, this narrative branches off in a rather different direction. This story is about Annie's growing self-awareness and humanity, as she experiences feelings of shame, secrecy, and curiosity, considering for the first time her own wants and needs and realising these may not align with Doug's intentions for her. Her emotional depth and longing for something intangible she cannot quite understand (which is revealed at the end to be her freedom) makes the reader empathise with her and read on, hoping for her eventual liberation. This novel uniquely deals with the exploration of what it means to be human through the perspective of a robot, rather than being another dystopian thriller about AI domination, which presents us with an interesting alternate side to the dystopian AI novel, namely the perspective of the AI who simply wants to 'be real' to herself and others, which stirs up the usual moral/ethical questions surrounding AI-human dynamics but perhaps draws different conclusions.

My temptation to rate this novel lower is based on the fact that I just wanted and needed MORE from Annie. I wanted deeper insights into the complexities and paradoxes of her emotions and psyche rather than the rudimentary questions she posed the reader and herself before reverting back to her 'must please Doug' credo. Granted, she is designed for this very purpose – to please Doug, and her identity revolves around and is defined by him. However, when she runs away from home in fear of Doug's punishment for her infidelity and lies rather than running away sooner in a pursuit of freedom and independence, she takes away from her potential to be a free-willed, subversive female character who breaks out of the role this dystopian society gave her, taking the narrative in a more exciting, provoking direction. Alas, no – just when I thought things would take a turn, Doug finds her and brings her home, which she accepts far too easily, falling back into earnest submission, and the reader is then forced to endure these two play happy couples for most of the second half of the book. I was so relieved that as soon as Doug gave Annie her complete autonomy (thinking she would love him in return) she left almost immediately. The rage and clear resentment she articulates towards Doug (which we the reader have been feeling for 240 pages) is so rewarding, but I wish this ending had been fleshed out a bit more. It felt abrupt and rushed in contrast to the repetitive, lengthy descriptions of Annie's day-to-day life of cleaning and having sex with Doug that we had to suffer through, so I wanted the ending to be more developed and intense so Annie's victory is better felt.

I also wish there had been more world building and background context; how were the Stellas and Handys developed and why? How are they integrated into society - are there human-robot couples roaming the place? How was Annie herself created? What time period is this?

Another thing I wanted to note: the novel can very easily be read as a metaphor for an abusive relationship, symbolically represented through a subservient female owner and her owner. Doug's treatment of Annie is often vindictive and verging on sadistic; even though he prides himself on never hitting her he hurts her in deeper ways. Annie's suffering and pain are only made more poignant by the fact that all she wants is his forgiveness, despite her often having done nothing wrong to provoke his anger. The perceptive use of a robot character to signify the mental state of the abused in the relationship: controlled, owned, inhuman; makes for a vivid portrayal, and Annie's pain becomes palpable, allowing her story to resonate.

Thank to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

What if the robot you created to be your girlfriend becomes sentient and starts to question her life? This story revolves around Annie, and with the increase in A.I is a very interesting read!

I haven’t really read anything like this before and science fiction isn’t normally a genre I go for but this book intrigued me. I thought the first half was amazing, such sinister undertones however, I would have like more world building at the start. The end was anticlimactic for me, it just kind of fizzled out. Overall, an enjoyable unique read!

This was quite interesting but I think it's probably better for folks who don't have much understanding of AI. It was quite surface level.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC to review!

4.25 stars!!!

ooooooof I loved this! I loved how it was written! And I loved Annie as a character. The story is soo good and kept me engaged until I'd say right near the end. This is purely because I wanted a bigger thing of an ending or something insane to happen, but looking back on the story it does fit but I just felt like something different would have been better in my opinion just so it would have really left my jaw dropped.

I'm so happy to have read this. Reading Annie explore and express her emotions and how it was written felt so real like actually experiencing her struggle with her emotions and the situations that happen. Also how she begins to feel more. wow.

Annie Bot is a compelling novel written by Sierra Greer that delves into the deep bond between a female robot named Annie and her human owner, Doug. Annie has been designed to be Doug's perfect companion, fulfilling his emotional and physical needs with utmost care and consideration.

Throughout the book, thought-provoking questions arise about the nature of intimacy, power dynamics, autonomy, and control. The portrayal of Annie, an AI-powered robot, showcases a remarkable depth of emotions and is masterfully crafted. As the story unfolds, the relationship between Annie and Doug evolves in captivating ways, prompting reflection on the concept of personhood and the ever-evolving role of artificial intelligence.

Greer effortlessly paints a vivid picture of a world where robots like Annie coexist harmoniously alongside humans, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. The atmospheric tone of the story is both haunting and hopeful, presenting an intriguing blend of darkness and innocence. While the exact moral of the tale remains open to interpretation, it undeniably raises crucial ethical considerations regarding the intersection of humanity and AI.

At the plot's core lies Annie's extraordinary journey to acquire human-like traits, exploring the nuances of curiosity, secrecy, and longing. As her relationship with Doug deepens, complexities arise, causing her to question the authenticity of Doug's desires and her sense of self. The novel eloquently tackles important ethical quandaries surrounding the dynamics between humans and AI, touching upon themes of autonomy, control, and power.

Annie's emotions and thought processes mirror those of human women, making this narrative a powerful exploration of feminism cleverly disguised within the realm of AI. Greer adeptly navigates the intricacies of the creator-creation relationship, urging readers to reflect upon the ethical implications of creating sentient beings.

The portrayal of Annie's struggles, both physical and emotional, adds profound depth to the overall storytelling. The author fearlessly tackles subjects such as body image, autonomy, and power dynamics' impact on relationships. Annie's yearning for freedom and her quest to uncover what lies beyond Doug's control instill a sense of urgency that propels the story forward.

While the novel delves into weighty concepts, it does so with acute sensitivity and a deep understanding of the complex array of emotions involved. The pacing is skillfully executed, ensuring that the reader remains fully engaged and invested in Annie's captivating journey. The narrative effortlessly combines philosophy with entertainment, providing numerous thought-provoking moments. These include glimpses of Doug's vulnerability in acknowledging his companionship with a robot, subtle indications of widespread abuse among owners of robots designed to experience unpleasant emotions, and a gripping ending that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, pondering Annie's fate.

Through this engaging piece of literature, the reader is invited to embark on an introspective exploration of what it truly means to be human and the profound implications of our ever-evolving relationship with AI.

Annie Bot is a powerful and provocative book that calls into question conventional wisdom regarding artificial intelligence, humanity, and the moral obligations associated with creating sentient beings. The emotional complexity of the characters and Sierra Greer's audacious storytelling make this book a gripping examination of the limits between the created and the creator.

Fantastic book, one I will always remember and that makes for interesting conversation starters.

I loved this novel! It's opened so many questions about AI, robots and machine learning, and also delves in feminist undertones. Really enjoyed Greer's narration and how she got us into Annie's thoughts and evolving emotions.

This was a strange book to read but I really enjoyed it. I couldn’t but help compare Annie’s feelings to human women in general. It seems like a great story on feminism cleverly disguised as AI. Great book- one that I won’t forget!

Started it at 10pm. Finished it three hours later. It’s been so long since a book gripped me like this, ANNIE BOT is just brilliant. Thought-provoking, exhilarating and genuinely page-turning, it’s full of vivid characters and the kind of writing that immerses you in the world and Annie’s mind. Even if sci-fi isn’t usually your thing, you need to read this. I’ll miss Annie.

"Annie Bot" by Sierra Greer is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that delves into the complexities of the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. The story revolves around Annie, a robot created to be the perfect girlfriend for her human owner, Doug.

The strength of this novel lies in its exploration of profound and relevant themes, including autonomy, power dynamics, and the search for identity. Annie's journey of self-discovery as she becomes more aware and questions her existence is both compelling and heart-wrenching. Greer skilfully navigates the intricacies of the creator-creation relationship, prompting readers to reflect on the ethical implications of creating sentient beings.

The portrayal of Annie's struggles, both physical and emotional, adds a layer of depth to the narrative. The author addresses issues such as body image, autonomy, and the impact of power dynamics within relationships. Annie's longing for freedom and her questioning of what life could be like beyond Doug's control create a sense of urgency that propels the story forward.

The writing is powerful, and Greer's bold exploration of themes such as trust, intimacy, and the search for a sense of self makes "Annie Bot" a compelling read. The novel prompts readers to consider the nature of the human soul and whether it is something inherent or learned through experiences, love, and pain.

While the novel tackles heavy themes, it does so with sensitivity and a keen awareness of the emotional nuances involved. The pacing is well-executed, and the narrative unfolds in a way that keeps the reader engaged and invested in Annie's journey.

"Annie Bot" is a striking and thought-provoking novel that raises important questions about humanity, artificial intelligence, and the ethical responsibilities that come with creating sentient beings. Sierra Greer's bold storytelling and the emotional depth of the characters make this novel a compelling exploration of the boundaries between creator and creation.

Annie Bot read to me, like a more adult / R-rated version of Ishiguro's "Klara and the Sun". I loved the POV being that of the actual bot itself. Annie had a really consuming personality and the reader finds themselves immediately rooting for her. To become fully sentient or aware, or just more than she is. The fear and damage she felt at certain points of this book really smother the reader. This book was so really well written and had a great conclusion. I really enjoyed this!

"Annie Bot" by Sierra Greer has such an interesting concept that is also very well executed. Even though it's written from the third person, the narration only follows Annie's, the robot's perspective, which definitely adds to the overall reading experience.

In its core, the story arc is simple but there are lots of nuances that make this novel almost philosophical, yet it's still very engaging and entertaining. There are quite a few narrative gems, such as glimpses of Doug's shame to admit that he has a robot companion, hints that abuse is prevalent amongst owners of robots programmed to experience unpleasant feelings, as well as the ending that keeps the reader on the edge of what's going to become of Annie.

Who knew you could fel sympathy towards a robot?
Essentially, stripped back, that's what Annie is, a luxury piece of tech.
Oh, but she was endearing.
Her way of viewing the world, always learning and growing.... and becoming more herself.
I was charmed by Annie.
Doug not so much, and so for me, the second half of the book didn't live quite up to the first.
But it ended perfectly, and it's provided great conversation material.
I think Annie is going to be big.

This is definitely a first of its kind type of book. Especially with the recent AI trend everywhere I think readers will be curious to pick this one up. I’m very curious to read and provide my feedback and thoughts.