Flybot
By: Dennis E. Taylor
My Rating: FOUR out of FIVE Stars
Best For: 16 and up

Flybot: A Deliciously Fun, Sci-Fi Mystery with a Killer AI

As a huge fan of the Bobiverse books, I’ve been following Dennis E. Taylor for a long time. So when I heard he was releasing a new sci-fi adventure, I was all in. And I’m happy to report that this is a return to his trademark sci-fi fun! It’s an Audible exclusive for now, and it’s brilliantly narrated by Ray Porter, my absolute favorite narrator.

What’s it about?

Physicist Philip Moray is having a good, mundane day at work when a strange device that shouldn’t exist appears in his office. Suddenly, his life is turned upside down. Corpses start turning up, eco-activists go on the attack, and every time the authorities get a lead, it traces right back to Philip and his colleague, Celia Hunt. They are two scientists completely out of their depth, thrust into a high-stakes techno-mystery. A mysterious caller contacts Philip, and suddenly, staying out of jail is the very least of his problems. This is a thrilling murder mystery, a corporate espionage tale, and a fresh take on man vs. AI all rolled into one.

What did I think?

This book is a high-action, fun “candy read” escapism that I enjoyed very much. It was great to return to Dennis E. Taylor’s brand of sci-fi humor, which has a bit of a Douglas Adams vibe to it. I loved his perspective on the role AI will play in our lives. The AI in this story is handled masterfully and is so much fun to read about. I also loved the fish-out-of-water characters in the scientists, who are so out of their element while trying to solve this mystery on their own. The plot is gripping and full of interesting twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end, and the surprise twist at the end was a blast!

So why not a five-star rating? I found the characters, while enjoyable, were kept a bit “at arm’s distance.” I never fully connected with them on an emotional level. I have no idea why some books give us characters we care about and others don’t, but that “magic” is what, for me, separates a good book from a truly great one. It didn’t take away from the fun of the story, but it kept me from truly loving it. Still, the narration, as expected, was awesome!

Sensitive Content: Some language.

Should you read it?

If you’re a fan of Dennis E. Taylor, science fiction, or simply looking for a fast-paced and fun audiobook, then Flybot is a must-read. It’s full of great ideas and a gripping mystery that will keep you engaged to the end. This dad says Flybot is best for 16 and up.

Happy Reading!