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A review by mynameismarines
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
4.25
Reading Annie Bot was a visceral experience. There were certain scenes I felt deeply and moments that left me choked by emotions. The writing is simple and straightforward, almost plain, but the matter-of-fact style suits the narrative, reflecting Annie's naive and straightforward perspective. That simple language also wonderfully contrasts the story's emotional weight and makes its darker themes even more jarring.
At its heart, the book is an exploration of autonomy, humanity, and abuse, told through the lens of an AI’s growing awareness and her relationship with her owner. The parallels to real-world misogyny and gendered violence are stark and effective, offering a chilling reflection of present realities through the speculative lens of a not-so-distant future. It’s a story that is both hard to look away from and difficult to sit with, as it accurately captures the dynamics of an abusive relationship.
The pacing isn't perfect. Much of the book is dedicated to the slow buildup of tension, immersing the reader in Annie’s growing self-awareness and the toxic dynamic between her and her owner. This deliberate pacing contrasts sharply with an ending that arrives in a sudden and jarring rush. While the resolution itself is satisfying and thematically fitting, the abrupt execution makes the story feel unbalanced.
Another weakness is the book's handling of race and intersectionality. The AI bot, Annie, is modeled after her owner’s Black ex-wife, and while the story hints at the dynamics of their interracial relationship, it doesn’t explore them with the depth they warrant. The ex-wife and another Black character, a friend of the protagonist, are both positioned as antagonistic figures in ways that feel underexamined.
For this to work, you have to be okay with a story that prioritizes emotional impact over scientific plausibility. If you stop to wonder at the robotics of it all, I'm sure you will be distracted or disappointed. If you can just accept the premise, however, Annie Bot rewards readers with a compelling exploration of human (and not-quite-human) nature.
At its heart, the book is an exploration of autonomy, humanity, and abuse, told through the lens of an AI’s growing awareness and her relationship with her owner. The parallels to real-world misogyny and gendered violence are stark and effective, offering a chilling reflection of present realities through the speculative lens of a not-so-distant future. It’s a story that is both hard to look away from and difficult to sit with, as it accurately captures the dynamics of an abusive relationship.
The pacing isn't perfect. Much of the book is dedicated to the slow buildup of tension, immersing the reader in Annie’s growing self-awareness and the toxic dynamic between her and her owner. This deliberate pacing contrasts sharply with an ending that arrives in a sudden and jarring rush. While the resolution itself is satisfying and thematically fitting, the abrupt execution makes the story feel unbalanced.
Another weakness is the book's handling of race and intersectionality. The AI bot, Annie, is modeled after her owner’s Black ex-wife, and while the story hints at the dynamics of their interracial relationship, it doesn’t explore them with the depth they warrant. The ex-wife and another Black character, a friend of the protagonist, are both positioned as antagonistic figures in ways that feel underexamined.
For this to work, you have to be okay with a story that prioritizes emotional impact over scientific plausibility. If you stop to wonder at the robotics of it all, I'm sure you will be distracted or disappointed. If you can just accept the premise, however, Annie Bot rewards readers with a compelling exploration of human (and not-quite-human) nature.