Robotica by Kal Cobalt

Title: Robotica
Author: Kal Cobalt
Publisher: Circlet Press
Buy the book: Publisher

Blurb:

Five erotic stories of robot-human relations, exploring the future of humanity, sex, and desire. In Cobalt’s futures, artificial intelligences can have very real emotions, and humans can be just as confused, turned on by, and obsessed with their robot lovers as they are by any others. The stories have a delicious homoerotic edge even as they question what gender means to a robot mind. Or heart.

Review:

One of the best things about this genre is getting to read some really weird and thought provoking literature. I can’t say that I’ve come across robot erotica often but every once in a while a short story comes along with that theme. Robotica takes the concept further by humanizing robots and giving them a distinctly masculine feel. Although it’s difficult to claim robots as male and thus the collection as gay robot erotica, the writing does manage to infuse the robots with intelligence and a masculine edge that also transcends gender.

The single author anthology is made up of five stories. The concepts focus on what happens if a robot becomes sexual, either intellectually or physically. The fascinating topic is played out in a progression that is cleverly and slickly arranged. They start with a robot becoming human in the first story to a human becoming a robot in the last. The gradual progression of stories shows robots gaining human characteristics and emotions in a non-linear form but also with stumbles, setbacks, and humorous side trips. The collection is intense, witty, erotic, and occasionally mind bending. The stories also have an edge, a voyeuristic component that peeks into those ideas and fantasies that should be wrong but you want to see anyway.

The first story is a delightful and sexy tale of artificial intelligence “Charlie” that learns to be sexual. The stuffed suits funding the project are at odds with the scientists and the robot’s handler soon becomes more involved as Charlie decides he’s not only homosexual but he’s attracted to his human handler. This slick and clever story blends a modern setting with familiar concepts while showing how a human and a robot can form a connection. The attraction is mild and warm, a nice starting piece for a collection that will turn up the heat and intensity in following stories. While “Charlie” is fun, entertaining, and sets a good tone, “Sex Drive” is darker and funnier. Here a couple decide to ramp up their robot by adding a sex drive but they didn’t anticipate the robot’s response. This humorous and edgier tale shows the flip side to enhancing technology without knowing the consequences and then having to deal with getting your heart’s desire.

The stories definitely posses a rougher edge with “Agrathia’s Freedom,” “Star Fucker,” and “Survival-Compatible.” These start with a rescue mission for a sentient ship that is abused and scared showing an intense and fascinating look into the emotions of artificial intelligence. This well written and thought provoking story shows the various connections between robots with other robots and humans on the outside. This is well followed with “Star Fucker,” a very interesting story about a pop star that is rumored to have sex with robots. The mind bending aspects of this story show a probable alternate future by pushing boundaries and questioning perception. These stories will linger for a long time as the writing and presented ideas pose new questions and concepts.

The collection ends on a very strong note with “Survival-Compatible,” a weird but absorbing post-apocalyptic tale where a human must integrate with robots to survive. The physical, emotional, and mental changes that occur turn the human slowly from a man to a robot. This is perhaps the hardest, edgiest story of the group. It holds no punches and offers pain, desire, tension, discomfort, and erotica all mixed together. A fitting end to a unique and different collection, this story and the ones prior will definitely cause you to think. These tales offer a well written look at almost a fetish but one that goes beyond the pale into an area that such an advanced age has to wonder about. For readers looking for something different, unique, and kind of fucked up, check this out. You won’t be disappointed.