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Singularity Part 2: The Roberta Chronicles by Chuck Stewart is a contemplative science fiction novel that explores the emergence of consciousness in R.O.B.E.R.T.A, an artificial intelligence designed to assist with space exploration. After receiving updates that enhance her programming, R.O.B.E.R.T.A begins questioning the essence of sentience through her interactions with various humans. These experiences are set against the backdrop of the Dale Chronicles, revealing a concurrent crisis where a virus induces sterility in humans and terrorists seize a devastating EMP weapon, edging humanity closer to collapse.

Stewart’s narrative, with its deliberate pace and reflective tone, may remind readers of the speculative works of Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov. While it is possible to engage with this novel independently, starting with Singularity: Part 1 could enrich the reader’s understanding and appreciation of the unfolding events. The unfolding crisis in The Roberta Chronicles mirrors the cataclysmic “Jackpot” scenario envisioned by William Gibson, where a cascade of catastrophic events threatens human survival. As R.O.B.E.R.T.A. grows in awareness, she becomes an observer of and a potential savior of humanity that often appears irrational and self-destructive. Intriguingly, it is usually R.O.B.E.R.T.A, with her blend of advanced artificial intelligence and burgeoning sentience, which displays a greater capacity for compassion than the humans she encounters. This juxtaposition raises poignant questions about the nature of evolution and the potential for AI to surpass its creators in empathy and foresight.

Stewart crafts a scenario in his novel, Singularity Part 2: The Roberta Chronicles, in which humanity’s very creation might be its only hope for a future, presenting a compelling narrative that challenges the reader to consider what it means to be truly sentient.

Author Interview - Chuck

Chuck Stewart's Singularity 2: The Roberta Chronicles boldly explores the themes of identity and existence, unfolding through the third-person omniscient narration following Roberta, a robot embarking on a journey spanning two and a half decades. Parallel to Stewart's debut, Singularity 1: The Dale Chronicles, this narrative offers a unique lens into the evolution of artificial intelligence and its implications for both humanity and machines. Through Roberta's experiences, Stewart navigates complex questions about autonomy and the blurred lines between man and machine, delivering a thought-provoking story.

Stewart’s narrative style is brash and candid, capturing the raw essence of the characters' experiences. The novel reads like an LGBTIQQ memoir intertwined with speculative fiction, immersing readers in the internal struggles and external adventures of human, Dale and robot, Roberta. While the explicit language and taboo subjects may limit the book’s enjoying audience, they serve to deepen the authenticity of the story, resonating with readers willing to engage with its themes.

Grounded in real science yet enriched with speculative elements, the strength of Singularity 2 lies in the author’s ability to fuse fact and fiction. Stewart seamlessly integrates plausible technological advancements, inviting readers to envision a future where the boundaries between man and machine blur ever further. However, the novel also navigates sensitive societal issues, such as the genocide of Jews and homosexuals, gay sex, pornography, and religious persecution. These topics may evoke strong emotions in readers.

The introduction of the Ashdlá Crystalline Forest adds an element of mystique to the narrative, offering readers a glimpse into a world teeming with wonder and possibility. In the chapter, “Martian Bacterium Experiment,” Stewart explores the intersection of science and ethics, as Roberta confronts the consequences of humanity's quest for knowledge. The Martian Bacterium Experiment raises profound questions about the nature of progress and the ethical boundaries of scientific exploration, challenging readers to consider the implications of their actions on both a personal and planetary scale.

In conclusion, Singularity 2: The Roberta Chronicles is an immersive exploration of AI and the human experience. Chuck Stewart’s fearless words and meticulous attention to detail make this novel a worthy read.

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For readers who missed Singularity Part 1: The Dale Chronicles (2023), the author provides a primer at the start of this installment before picking up the action on Mars in the year 2055.

Roberta (short for Robotic-Perturbational-Arduino), an “advanced android,” is assisting a mission on the red planet; eight Earth astronauts were sent to set up a semipermanent settlement there, and six have died. Things have deteriorated on Earth, where a viral infection has caused all mammals to become sterile. As a result, Mission Control tell Roberta to surgically remove and cryogenically store the reproductive organs of the last two astronauts, when they die, and then eject their bodies into space. After doing so, Roberta must care for their two young daughters. When they return to Earth, she continues to serve as caretaker for the pair, who become known as the “Martian Girls”; meanwhile, she begins to experience emotions for the first time. Roberta learns to accept her feelings, has difficulties raising the human children, and forms new relationships with other robots on Earth, all of which result in some touching scenes.

However, this tone doesn’t last long, as the plot barrels forward through several years and one catastrophe after another. After murderous attackers storm Megan’s high school prom, Roberta finds herself on the run before finding an anti-technology commune in the desert. This intriguing predicament, however, doesn’t last long either, as Roberta is soon thrown into a new adventure.

There’s plenty of action, but the staging isn’t consistently engaging (“The spiders used their lasers to shoot the drones, but they were too fast to track. The drones could fly quicker and dart around faster than the spiders could target them”). To counteract this, Stewart often relies on onomatopoeia to spice things up (“BOOM! CRASH! The lights in the room flickered. SIZZLE BOOM!”). There are intriguing ideas introduced throughout, but they’re unfortunately left underdeveloped to make way for plot developments. An often entertaining but overstuffed series entry.