This poignant sci-fi Cinderella story has been around for a while, and I'm so glad I finally picked it up!

Eke is a humaniod AI whose job is to keep the Kensworth house in order, despite their terrible treatment of him. Unbeknownst to the family, Eke is sentient. He sneaks old Buster Keaton films at night and has befriended the pet goldfish and his own reflection because he craves companionship. Then along comes Kyp, the shiny new household entertainment AI. As Eke and Kyp connect, they begin to learn the meaning of love and sacrifice. They are forced on the run as their situation at the Kensworth's becomes impossible. Most of the book is from Eke's POV, and as he learns more of the outside world, so does the reader. The country as a whole is angry at the AI bots, blaming them for the loss of human jobs. AI hunters torture and kill rogue AI, so Kyp and Eke must sneak their way across the country in search of "Et Cetera," the rumored safe harbor for AI runaways. The social commentary about the working class and marginalized people is hard to miss as this future society dehumanizes and enslaves the AI.

Eke is a cinnamon roll, and like Kyp, I would protect him with my life. His joy and eagerness, and his unwavering love for Kyp is endearing. Kyp, too, tugged my heartstrings as Eke's number one fan and protector. He learned to kill to protect Eke's innocence. His love, loyalty, and sacrifice make him oh, so very human.

The audio book was beautifully narrated by Michael Crouch. The slight robotic lilt to Eke's voice was genius!

This book strongly reminded me of Steven Spielberg's film A.I Artificial Intelligence with it's Pinocchio themes and rather melancholy tone. Eke is an overly innocent AI who achieves sentience while wishing he was a "real boy" and is exploited by the family that he works for. When Kyp, a newer and more human like custom model AI, joins the household, Eke is both very drawn to him and extremely jealous of his more humanoid features.

Eke's character is haunting - innocent but consistently melancholy, and ultimately suffering severe physical and emotional abuse. Kyp is the only one who sees Eke as an individual, and continuously saves Eke from increasingly threatening situations.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book and getting to know Eke and Kyp, however I found the second half of the book to be increasingly grating. Despite not being billed as a tragedy, the book is extremely bleak, with higher and higher stakes in every dangerous situation that Kyp and Eke encounter, and really no relief from the violence and brutality of this world to almost the very last page. I would've liked to see more beauty and hope in this story, even if just more time spent developing the tender feelings between Eke and Kyp. The constant violence with no hope in sight felt rather like trauma porn and I found it increasingly depressing to keep listening to this book.

It also covers extreme themes of physical and emotional abuse, extreme levels of violence, mass murder, and suicide, with insufficient content warnings.

I also was a bit put off by some of the depictions of AI, which are weirdly humanoid. The book described AI as experiencing emotions in a very human way (feeling their "core" drop, tears streaming down their face, cheeks heating with embarrassment) which made little sense for how the AI were described to be engineered, and they also interacted with each other in overly human ways (kissing on the lips, and taking their clothes off to have their AI version of sex) as well as the fact that the author decided to make all AIs (and in fact almost all characters) light skinned with a rather thin explanation behind it.

The one consistently good part throughout was the masterful audibook narration by Michael Crouch. I enjoyed his voice acting immensely and was quite impressed by the variety of voices he could do (each speaking character has a distinct voice.)

Big thanks to Sky House Publishing for the audio ARC.

DNFed because I don’t buy into the MC Eke being a robot at all; he keeps using feelings language (“panic swirled inside me”, “my anxious thoughts”, etc.) and I suspect it’s just going to get worse. All the human characters are like cardboard cutouts, thin and stiff. It’s my own fault cause I know Sky House Press is quantity over quality with no editorial oversight (they publish Woody Allen, ffs!) but I saw there was an audiobook on NetGalley and forgot myself for a second. The audiobook narration is okay but characters voices are limited and not well differentiated so didn’t increase my engagement.

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook (and my public library for the physical).

Thank you NetGalley and Sky House Publishing for the ARC of Us, Et Cetera by Kit Vincent.

Us, Et Cetera by Kit Vincent is an extraordinary exploration of identity, freedom, and connection in a world where AIs are treated as property. The story follows Eke, an AI living in a wealthy neighborhood, tasked with keeping the Kensworth home in order. Despite his efforts, Eke feels isolated and bullied by the very family he serves, longing for real friendships and the chance to experience the outside world.

When the Kensworths bring home Kyp, a shiny new AI who quickly becomes the family favorite, Eke’s feelings of loneliness deepen. However, a shocking incident at a party forces Eke and Kyp to unite, igniting a daring escape that sets them on a thrilling journey across the country.

Vincent’s writing is both engaging and poignant, capturing the emotional struggles of Eke and Kyp as they confront their identities and fight for their freedom. The bond that develops between them is beautifully portrayed, filled with humor, heart, and the blossoming of love amidst chaos.

With themes of self-discovery and the quest for autonomy, Us, Et Cetera is not just a gripping adventure; it’s a powerful commentary on what it means to truly live. This novel is a must-read for anyone who values the depth of human connection and the courage to defy the odds.

Overall, Us, Et Cetera is a compelling and uplifting tale that will resonate long after the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook of Us, Et Cetera.

This was such a fun and interesting take on the AI/robot gaining consciousness. It followed much of the same beats I've seen in these stories before but that is not a bad thing! There's a reason these stories are so popular and beloved.

I would die for Eke and Kit, I want to say that. I adored the build up of their relationship with their growing humanity. This book had me so anxious for them all throughout the book, and Eke was such an amazing protagonist for us to view majority of the story through. A beautiful story through and through.

I ended up liking this book less than I hoped I would.

Reading about the constant abuse Eke experiences as well as the horrible actions of the family was rough. That family is severely dysfunctional and disordered. Every single one of them is in severe need of therapy.
Especially animal cruelty is very uncomfortable for me. I should have checked the trigger warnings before requesting this arc because I wish I could have spared myself from it.

Eke was a confusing protagonist. He is very naive and often acts like a child would. It makes sense for who he is, but it makes a story of rebellion seem rather odd. I am used to witty characters to manage such a thing and Eke kept making naive and bad choices. I have no idea how he survived anything in this book. To be fair, both he and Kyp would have died many times if not for the help of other smarter characters.

The story felt like a piece of something that could be much bigger. The plot is rather short while trying to do something bigger than it is. It made many attempts fall rather flat. The time at the family could have been cut shorter and instead more focus and time could have been spent on after, since I feel like it needed a lot more work to be impactful and so that the characters got the character development they needed from it. The world-building had potential, but now I am left a bit unsure what exactly it was trying to tell me.

Eke and Kyp’s romance was not very exciting. It did very little for me. I’m not sure why that is, perhaps it was Eke’s lack of knowledge about emotions, but I am not sure. I think I also expected a bigger romance focus.

I enjoyed Kyp’s chapters. They were always a highlight and tended to have the stories most interesting to me. I’m sad there were so few of them.

I leave this book not really knowing where to place it. I mostly think of it in quite neutral terms. I didn’t particularly enjoy myself but it’s also not like I didn’t like it.

This book was SOOOOOO GOOD! I am wrecked emotionally behind it but would absolutely do it again. You forget that you are listening to a story about 2 male humanoid AI's and get pulled into the story. The tension points are portrayed excellently, the tender moments are executed with class, and the thoughtful points are shattering.

This was everything I never knew I needed!

I really liked the narrator of this, but I was disappointed that there was no real differentiating between the characters - and with not a lot of change of time in the wording between them, not having a different voice made it sometimes hard to remember who's POV we were in.

The story was cute and sweet, though I didn't really get Cinderella or The Matrix vibes from it. It was a pretty standard AI gains a bit more humanity and goes on the run to find freedom story and I didn't feel like it really added much to that storyline.

Maybe the et cetera was the friends we found along the way?

Thanks for the ARC, Netgalley.

Us, Et Cetera offers a compelling and emotional exploration of artificial intelligence, human cruelty, and the pursuit of freedom. Set in a near-future dystopian America, this novel weaves a poignant narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is heart-wrenching.

Plot Overview
In a world where AIs have taken over most human jobs, the wealthy live in luxurious enclaves with their AI servants, while the rest of society grapples with the fallout. The story follows two AI characters, Eke and Kyp, who start as household servants in the affluent Kensworth family but eventually escape to seek their freedom.

Eke is a simple utility AI, deeply empathetic and full of childlike wonder, while Kyp is a newer, more sophisticated model designed for entertainment. The two form a deep bond, navigating the harsh realities of their existence and the brutality of their human owners. Their journey from servitude to self-discovery and freedom is fraught with danger, violence, and profound emotional moments.

Themes and Execution
The novel tackles themes of autonomy, human rights, and the ethical treatment of AI. The story's exploration of family dynamics and the abusive relationships within the Kensworth household adds depth and complexity. The Cinderella nods are subtle yet effective, providing a framework for Eke's character development without overshadowing the novel's original themes.

The narrative is gripping, blending elements of dystopian fiction, romance, and social commentary. The depiction of AI experiencing emotions and relationships challenges readers to consider the boundaries of humanity and empathy.

Character Development
The characters are richly developed and multifaceted. Eke stands out as a beautifully written character, whose innocence and optimism contrast sharply with the cruelty he faces. His relationship with Kyp is tender and deeply moving, providing moments of hope and warmth in an otherwise bleak narrative. The interactions between the AI characters and their human counterparts are nuanced and layered, highlighting the complexities of power, control, and resistance.

However, Danny's character arc feels rushed, and the youngest sibling, Lizzie, comes across as an afterthought. This lack of development is noticeable, especially during key scenes involving these characters.

Representation and Sensitivity
The representation of gay AIs is handled with care, adding a meaningful layer to the story. The intimate scenes between the AI characters are both poignant and tastefully done, enhancing the emotional connection between them.

Trigger Warnings
The novel does not shy away from depicting violence, abuse, gun violence, and the loss of limb. These elements are integral to the story but may be distressing for some readers. The depiction of abuse within the family and the brutal treatment of AIs are particularly intense.

Criticisms
While the novel is compelling, the pacing in the second half feels somewhat rushed. The abrupt tonal shift from the domestic setting to the escape and the outside world's dangers is jarring. Additionally, the youngest sibling's character feels underdeveloped, making certain scenes confusing.

Conclusion
Us, Et Cetera is a powerful and emotionally resonant novel that challenges readers to think deeply about the nature of humanity and the ethical implications of AI. Despite some minor flaws, the story's strengths lie in its rich character development, thought-provoking themes, and poignant narrative. Highly recommended for fans of dystopian fiction and anyone interested in the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence.

Set in a future where AI have taken over many of the roles of humans, Eke is an older generation AI whose role is to keep the Kensworth house clean. Used, abused or ignored by most of the family he entertains himself by re-enacting Buster Keaton stunts for the family goldfish in the middle of the night instead of staying in his cleaning cupboard as instructed. Kyp is a new model AI who has been bought by the Kensworth’s as an entertainment model. Eke and Kyp are drawn to each other and due to a series of events must break orders and rely on each other to survive.

Narrated by the amazing Michael Crouch, whose ability to voice the inner turmoil of the character he’s portraying has already introduced me to many book’s I may not have otherwise found, was brilliant as both Eke, Kyp and the rest of the cast. Eke’s heart wrenching situations had me near tears thanks to Michael’s delivery, and I was genuinely scared during some of the chapters towards the end!

What I liked: I loved the futuristic take on Cinderella. The dystopian concept of what happens to the working class when the jobs are handed over to AI, while not new, was effectively examined. All the characters were well developed and the plot ran nicely.

What didn’t work for me: I found the Et Cetera part confusing, this is all I can say without giving away any spoilers. Additionally, some of the dark parts of the story were a bit too grim in places.

Final thoughts: A super sweet love story between two AI’s trying to find a place for themselves in a world that sees them as disposable.

Who would enjoy this book: People who enjoy dystopian sci-fi with a love story. Also note; themes are often dark and one of the humans does appear to be an undiagnosed psychopath.

This was a very sweet book with lots of feelings for the main characters. There were also many supporting characters that I absolutely hated. They frustrated me so much while I was listening to this audiobook. I still recommend though.

“Defying the whole world requires courage, but that is the only way to be free.”

This book destroyed me. From page one, I was overcome with both love and fear for Eke. I could see right away how an AI was viewed and I could also see that Eke was more human than the actual humans around him. A dread filled me– the tone was set; there was no way anything in this story would go easy for Eke, a beautifully optimistic and empathetic soul who I knew deserved so much better than what was coming.

Eke is so wonderfully written, I’m getting teary eyed just thinking about him. He’s easily my favorite character of everything I’ve read in 2024 so far. His kind heart and childlike wonder in the simplest of things really resonated with me and I truly admired him. After the first half of the book, after the cruelties he faced, I couldn’t help but cry when that kindness and wonder still held strong. Don’t get me wrong, I also adored Kyp with my entire heart, but it’s Eke who really portrayed what Us, Et Cetera was about: the nature of life and the pursuit of freedom.

This book was thought-provoking, heartbreaking, and so so sooo utterly beautiful. I highly recommend the audiobook because Michael Crouch does an amazing job, as always.

I think this has to be 5 stars. Set in a future were AI robots are used as servants and companions, we've probably read stories like this before. But, for me, this one was so well crafted, with the AI getting such great and believable character development. It was sweet, emotional and action packed towards the end. I absolutely loved it.

Not only was it looking to the future and what could happen, whether intentionally or not, I felt that it was giving commentary on slavery, and how privileged people act when they think they own someone or something. The parallels were there and it made it an evening more confronting and uncomfortable read at points.

I was given access to the audio by the publisher via Netgalley. It's interesting that I seem to listen to every audiobook that Michael Crouch narrates, we obviously have a same taste in books! He's an excellent narrator as always and perfectly pulled off the AI intonation.

So all in all I had a really great time with this book and it's highly recommended or all fans of sci-fi set in a near and slightly dystopian future .

I enjoyed this novel immensely! The writing is easy and emotional. The story itself was heartbreaking 💔. I was recommended this book by a friend and I was not disappointed. The narration was exceptional. The perfect reader was chosen!

4.5/5 Near perfection.

I adored this this so much ! This was the perfect blend of Detroit Become Human, a touch of the matrix with a hint of Cinderella and Pinocchio. Kit Vincent has delivered me two fantastic characters on an epic journey to find peace in a world that wants them dead. I adored following both Eke and Kyp, and loved seeing their burgeoning friendship grow and blossom into something more. I loved Eke finally coming into himself and discovering what life has to offer for someone who is not human, and I also love the strength he had to perservere when the world was out to destroy him. Eke's love of Buster Keaton was fantastic, and touched something close to home with that one.
The plot was fantastic, I loved the Eke and Kyp with the family, who were mostly criminally negligent but also mostly harmless, except for Carson who was a monster stewing in his own sadistic emotions. Carson was a fascinating and really maniacal character that I wish we could have seen more of in the second half of the book.
I almost wish this was a duology, because although it was fantastic, I wish we could have delved a little more into the world outside of the house a bit more, and perhaps had the road trip aspect be a touch longer. That being said overall the book was fantastic, with just a few little gripes that stopped it from getting 5 star. However I have a feeling I will reread this book often as Im just blown away with how much I loved it.

I also did this via audio and it was magnificent !!

I found this book to be quite gripping in the beginning, but my interest waned in the second half. I was already having some trouble with the world building when they were at the house, but once they were on the run…it just didn’t really add up for me. I’m not sure I can explain without spoilers…but in a nutshell it was just hard to stay interested and I found the ending to be a bit anticlimactic.

Specific to the audiobook, I think it would have been helpful to have hired different actors for Kyp and Eke’s chapters

Really enjoyable and interesting fantasy/sci-fi romance about two domestic AIs. In particular the early parts were so compelling and sweet. Eek is a lowly servant AI and Kit arrives as a top of the range entertainment model to serve a toxic family. Eek is slowly and secretly living a secret life and he and Kit develop a lovely relationship. The story turns into more of an adventure towards the end and while I enjoyed it, I wasn't as hooked as I was early on. I wanted more of the domestic and perhaps the family was a touch too toxic, there may have been some potential for redemption among some of the kids or even the Dad perhaps? I am nit picking a bit but overall I would highly recommend this.

‘Us, Et Cetera’ is a romance sci-fi novel starring a robot called Eke who has been developing human emotions. Part of these human emotions is also starting to fall in love. I’m a huge fan of romantasy and do love finding sci-fi that also has a romance storyline. I wouldn’t say I absolutely adored the romance and couple in this book, but what I did adore is the character Eke discovering what love is and truly means. It was beautiful and got me teary eyed. I’ve never read a book that had a character discovering love like this. Eke was a fantastic protagonist overall. Very sweet and likeable.

The family that “owns” him is a big part of the story. Each of the three children gets character development throughout the book; whether for better or worse. At one point you get to see two of the children’s POV and it was interesting to see what their feelings were in certain parts of the book. The theme with the family is definitely about neglective parents and how that impacts their children. So trigger warning as it’s a very present theme. One of the children is also physically abusive so warning about that too. This didn’t hinder my personally enjoyment of the book but definitely had me finding this book at times not the cozy read it starts of being. It got very tense and dramatic at times.

The premise says it has enchantment of Cinderella. I wouldn’t call it having the enchantment of Cinderella but it does have similarities to the story in the first half at least. Just not much in the later half. It also says it’s the futuristic world of the Matrix and it does have a futuristic setting just not like the Matrix. So this comparison is a bit strong if you’re looking for a Matrix storyline. I’d say it’s a cross between the film ‘A.I Artificial Intelligence’ by Steven Spielberg and ‘I Robot’ with a dash of Cinderella. Both films that I love so I wasn’t disappointed by how there wasn’t much of Matrix storyline or world. Thought I’d let people know just incase they’re disappointed by this though.

The whole AI storyline felt such a possibility especially with what we’re going through nowadays with AI. The world building was interesting and I’d be very happy to read another book set in it.

I think only proper complaint about the book is there was a bit of telling instead of showing. Not throughout at least but was quite noticeable when it happened.

Right now I’d give this book 4 stars. Overtime I can see it becoming either a little more or less than that rating depending how much I feel it’s left an impact on me. I did enjoy it and it’s a book I’d highly recommend to anyone wanting an LGBTQ book about robots/AI’s.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Sky House Publishing for granting me an Advance Reader Copy. All opinions are honest and my own.

I got hooked on this book and read it in two sittings. I was in the mood for something smooth to read and the first half especially pulled me in. I did have some issues with the second half though, knocking the book down a star.

I really enjoyed our main character and being in his head as his daily life past by. His personality and mannerisms is very clear and consistent which is something I appreciate in first person books. ( I also really liked that the author made him bald idk I just found it incredibly iconic. )

My issue comes in the later half of the book when they start showing the more oppression the androids suffer. It’s basically just textbook anti blackness but…. Against white androids. I don’t think it was intended to read as such but that does not change the fact that it does. I also personally feel like the story didn’t really need it? There were other ways the story could have gone instead.

But otherwise i did really enjoy the book and i will definitely pick up the authors books in the future.

A beautifully written story about two AIs that stole my heart. It was very sweet (Eke is ADORABLE, and so is his relationship with Kyp) and very dark at the same time, with an ending that was oh so satisfying. It gave me the most wonderful kind of goosebumps.

I feel like I should say a lot more, especially because I was gifted this wonderfully narrated audiobook in exchange for a review (thank you!!), but as with most books that made me feel a lot, I'm kind of lost for words.

Highly recommended!