Adam-2 by Alastair Chisholm

Published by Nosy Crow Ltd

WITH every new story told there must be some sort of central conflict, a battle between people, between ideas, between heroes and villains. Though the stories around them change many of the classic choices for conflict, such as the one explored in this fresh middle grade science fiction adventure – humans versus technology – remain fresh.

What is so impressive about Adam-2 is that it takes on a completely new perspective of a robot who has been uninvolved in any conflict, one who in some ways even resembles a human, and lacks the knowledge of that hatred. The struggle between the two sides may exist but Adam has no idea of which side he falls, who to help and who to trust.

Set in a future where there has been a war between humans and robots known as Funks, a Machine with Functional Consciousness, one of these, Adam 2.0 has been locked in a long-abandoned building’s basement for 200 years.

We are introduced to the story from his perspective and so build an immediate connection with him, especially his ability to sustain hiss spirit while stuck in a small basement with no company.

Adam-2 and his attitude only enhances this as from the beginning he presents with human-like traits such as a face, arms, legs and an undefinable quality to him that comes across as something like hope. He takes part in mundane activities everyday, teaching himself skills, playing with old parts as though they were toys and even speaking to himself out of a fear that one day he will simply forget how to.

All of this seems to be a constantly repeating routine until shortly into the story when he gains a chance for freedom, but what kind of world is he stepping into?

Adam-2 is found by two surprised human children, one slightly older than the other but both shocked and even threatened by their discovery.

The world has now been destroyed by a war between humans and robots and so how will they to react to this one, that has been patiently waiting for 200 years in a basement to be given orders, or even just helped?

Runa, the younger child picks up that Adam means them no harm and accepts it with a kindness and optimism.

This hopeful attitude is not however matched by the not much older but already far more cynical Linden, who’s instinct is to destroy and who’s perspective half of the story is told from.

The two quickly discover however that like it or not, they must take Adam with them, as though he is older, he is self-repairing and more resistant to their weapons than the robots who do mean them harm.

The story, along with its exciting twists and complex but clear world building has a deep humanity to it, with Adam exploring who and what he can do and who he is.