Machine Wars - Michael Pryor

Published by Random House Australia: North Sydney, NSW, 2014.

A fairly easy story to read, Machine Wars follows our main character Bram, a 14-year old boy on the run after his mother's research into AI accidentally unleashes a dangerous mechanical/digital villain - Ahriman - into the world. Along with his friend Stella and his "robo-duck" Bob, Bram must avoid detection by Ahriman's junkbot minions and survive long enough for his mother to come up with a plan to bring the evil AI down.

As the synopsis may suggest (particularly the 'robo-duck' part), Machine Wars doesn't take itself too seriously. The chapters are short and action packed, and there are a few (relatively dumb) jokes thrown in throughout. At the same time, the book isn't afraid to raise the stakes slightly beyond an average kids book, and although we are never in fear for our heroes, a few secondary characters do meet their (very carefully off-screen) demises.

This is a book that I read solely because it was on my classroom library shelf. I didn't expect much, and it delivered. 

Fun. Simple. Done.

Completed 26 February 2024.

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