'Manbot' is a story in the vein of Isaac Asimov's Robot series, in that it examines what happens when robots are given (or develop) emotions. Where Asimov focuses on the entirety of what makes humans human, Scarlet Blackwell takes one aspect and examines it in detail. This is, for such a comparatively short novella, quite an achievement. She does it by creating two wonderful main characters, one human,and one manbot, and letting them interact in a world full of prejudice and assumptions that robots cannot now, nor ever, develop feelings. Thus, they have become the slaves of the future, to be done to as humans see fit.

Gray is a very thoughtful human. He is polite, considerate, and cannot help but treat his manbot Kavan with the same courtesy as he would a human servant. Hence, he is deeply ashamed and worried about the fact that he is becoming increasingly sexually attracted to Kavan. Add to that his disgust about his friend's treatment of his manbot (read: as a sex slave), and Gray's conscience is in for a beating. One thing is sure: he will not treat Kavan as a slave, and when they do get sexually involved, Gray treats him no differently than he would a human lover.

Kavan may not be the most advanced manbot, but he has been given software that enables him to learn. Interestingly, what he picks up from Gray makes him more and more human – at least where his emotions are concerned. He still wants to protect Gray, and will do anything to keep him safe. That almost costs him his existence, but also strengthens the bond these two beings have to the point where they really do become lovers.

This is a thought-provoking story. There is the whole "what makes us human" and "how do we know a robot is a robot if he behaves like a man" question. There is also the discussion of some humans mistreating anyone they do not believe to be human; see racial, religious, and other minorities in the past (and some still in the present), and possible artificially created life in the future. The answer Scarlet Blackwell gives here is clear, and satisfied my need for justice and doing the right thing – to a degree.

If you like speculative science fiction that includes an examination of what makes us human, if manbots hold a certain fascination for you (as they do for me), and if you want a story that has the ability to make you think, not just entertain you, this is one you should not miss. I think it is stunning!


NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )

--Imagine living in a society where every household had an humanoid robot. Think of all the cooking, cleaning and chores that could be done. Need a babysitter? A companion? A sex partner?


Don't worry, the robots don't look like this.

Gray, the owner of Kavan--the 6'3", well hung and plump arsed robot, has been treating his robot like a human in the last year since he got him. Kavan has been learning and assimilating, it is what he was programmed to do as all robots in this world the author created are.

But what happens to robots that develop feelings?

The author packs a unique punch in this novella. It's not my first human/robot MM romance but this was certainly one of the better stories about this subject. Gray is a lonely teacher who has a crappy, prick of a friend who has began sexing his own robot whether his robot wants it or not.

This only pushes Gray to humanize Kavan more than normal. But the thing about it that Kavan starts to develop feelings, quirks a human side. It was sweet and odd at the same time. I loved the bits of Kavan's robotic side - he spoke so plainly that it read funny (in a good way). Gray, the befuddled ginger that he is, can't help falling for his robot and before you start thinking this is a story about a man and his overgrown sex toy, it isn't.

Yes, there is some smoking hot sex scenes. (I mean, this is Scarlet Blackwell) But there's a quirky plot with some feels and minor crime. The story ends in a HFN way but when I think about it, what the possibility of a robot/human relationship could really be? What happens if Kavan malfunctions or his battery short circuits? Or he rusts out? There are plenty of questions to be asked about their staying power but at the core of it all, this story is a romance.

And with the odds stacked against them, I actually bought into Gray and Kavan's feelings for one another. Gray was a good guy who didn't start his relationship with Kavan with lecherous ideas in mind. That is what made this story work for me. I do recommend for readers who want to try something different but still has a romantic feel and aren't caught up in a definite HEA.

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