Book Reviews

Book Blurb

After the disaster of global warming, the world has gotten its act together. People are positive, sensible and creating a better future and a just present. So, in a world where everyone makes good decisions, what could possibly go wrong?

Well, other people. Twenty-something gay man Mardy dreams of becoming a full-time machine-tool artist. He brims with ideas, puts in the hours, has a solid circle of artist buddies—and forbidden friendships with artificial intelligences, the virtual slaves he works alongside of in his day job. But he’s always coming in second to an irritatingly successful rival. When he meets the rival’s twin, unexpected consequences drive Mardy to pursue not only his artistic passions but also love. And just possibly make the world a better place in the process.

 

Book Review

‘Red Dot’ is set in a future, post-apocalyptic world where climate change forced humanity to overcome animosity and tribalism to work together to rebuild. Based in San Francisco, the main character – Mardy – works part-time in an artist collective competing for recognition and part-time delivering packages. As Mardy strives to be seen and recognized as an artist, he questions the rules regarding how society interacts with artificial intelligence and finds romance in a very unlikely place.

 

For myself, I came away with three distinct but interwoven story lines. In no particular order, I’ll start with this future Earth. Earth has been damaged by unmitigated climate change, sea levels rose, levies broke, nations are under water. I think the United States implemented a basic living wage for all adults which can be supplemented with doing restoration work or other jobs like delivering packages. The background worldbuilding is subtle, incorporated into Mardy’s background story as to why things are the way they are.

 

My niggles here are, oddly enough, with the delivery aspect. The reader knows Mardy is zipping around in some kind of supersonic jet or air transport à la “Jetsons” style, but from an efficiency, logistical, and environmental standpoint it made no sense as to why someone in San Fransico would be delivering packages to the East Coast. Other than to set the foundation for the romance.

 

It is through the delivery aspect the artificial intelligence thread emerges. It is against the law to name artificial intelligences, yet Mardy had come to recognize and name the AIs he interacts with – a very risky move if discovered. It is this aspect that influences and empowers his art. The movie or movie clip references which inspire Mardy’s project were interesting enough that I googled them (do it when you read this book. All I have to say is fascinating!). Art pushing social/political boundaries is not new and as a theme it was well employed in the book.

 

Delivering packages is what leads to the romance. It is set in Cleveburgh (inferring an East Coast metropolis) that Mardy meets his rival’s twin brother - Wesson. The attraction is instant and mutual. This was my other niggle - the first romantic interlude that occurs a few chapters later felt rushed and out of place, jarring even, and didn’t leave me with warm fuzzies. It took several more chapters and some dating to regain my mental footing as related to the romance. Ultimately, I did enjoy the romantic development between Mardy and Wesson.

 

Within these three threads is a cast of supporting characters. These characters felt real to me – no besties squeeing “tell me EVERYTHING!!”, no siblings threatening to do bodily harm if their brother was hurt – it is a dynamic group of friends who support each other, who are their own entities and acted like people would act. I think this aspect, more than anything, is what held those three plot threads together.

 

Overall, this is an engaging read with some thought-provoking themes relating to climate change, societal views on AI autonomy, and art as social commentary.

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Mumblers Press for the purpose of a review.

 

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 319 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-November-2021
Price	$4.99 ebook, $17.95 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Red-Dot-Mike-Karpa-ebook/dp/B09GR7PH2B