ALL THE ASH WE LEAVE BEHIND by C. Robert Cargill

5 stars

A fantastic novella from Cargill, as he returns to the post-apocalypse future he has expounded upon  in his prior novels of Zero Day and Sea of Rust. Robots and humans have been in a long time war for domination of the planet, and robots are winning with an extinction of humanity on the near horizon. Nanny, a robot designed to nuture children from infancy to adulthood, has extra high military capabilities as at the time he was built many wealthy families needed to protect their children from kidnapping or violence. Nanny has been adrift wandering across the wasteland, mourning the death of the child who was his most recent charge.

Seeking shelter from a violent storm, he stumbles across two robots protecting a young human teen Celeste – endangering themselves from other robot attacks. Nanny is persuaded to join them back a what Nanny had presumed was merely myth: a safe haven where robots and humans co-reside in a former massive government nuclear bomb shelter.  But high tensions exist between the humans and robots there remain, and Nanny will be called upon to heroically do what he does best.  Moving!

Thanks to Subterranean Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.