Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill (2017)

After the fall of humankind, the world belongs to the machines — and they’re not handling it well. The story follows Brittle, a sarcastic scavenger robot wandering the wastelands for spare parts and a little redemption. The tone is grim yet oddly funny, full of snark and melancholy. Think Mad Max meets Wall-E, if Wall-E had a gun and trust issues. Cargill gives AI a voice that’s weary, cynical, and heartbreakingly human. It’s gritty, cinematic, and surprisingly emotional for a story about metal and memory.

Rating: 4/5