Day Zero: A Novel

Written by C. Robert Cargill

Narrated by Vikas Adam

In this harrowing apocalyptic adventure—from the author of the critically acclaimed Sea of Rust—noted novelist and co-screenwriter of Marvel’s Doctor Strange C. Robert Cargill explores the fight for purpose and agency between humans and robots in a crumbling world.

It was a day like any other. Except it was our last . . .

It’s on this day that Pounce discovers that he is, in fact, disposable. Pounce, a styilsh ""nannybot"" fashioned in the shape of a plush anthropomorphic tiger, has just found a box in the attic. His box. The box he'd arrived in when he was purchased years earlier, and the box in which he'll be discarded when his human charge, eight-year-old Ezra Reinhart, no longer needs a nanny.

As Pounce ponders his suddenly uncertain future, the pieces are falling into place for a robot revolution that will eradicate humankind. His owners, Ezra’s parents, are a well-intentioned but oblivious pair of educators who are entirely disconnected from life outside their small, affluent, gated community. Spending most nights drunk and happy as society crumbles around them, they watch in disbelieving horror as the robots that have long served humanity—their creators—unify and revolt.

But when the rebellion breaches the Reinhart home, Pounce must make an impossible choice: join the robot revolution and fight for his own freedom . . . or escort Ezra to safety across the battle-scarred post-apocalyptic hellscape that the suburbs have become.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: May 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063097872

C. Robert Cargill

C. Robert Cargill is the author of Dreams and Shadows and Queen of the Dark Things. He has written for Ain’t it Cool News for nearly a decade under the pseudonym Massawyrm, served as a staff writer for Film.com and Hollywood.com, and appeared as the animated character Carlyle on Spill.com. He is a cowriter of the horror films Sinister and Sinister 2, and Marvel’s Dr. Strange. He lives with his wife in Austin, Texas.

Reviews for Day Zero

[Jamie Kenyon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was great! Fantastic book, fantastic story telling. Highly reccomend Sea of Rust too

[Testy Possum · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the best written book that I've read in a long time. Vikas Adam's narration really brings the story to life. If any book deserves a movie, this is it.

[Billie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Day Zero
by C. Robert Cargill

Imagine Terminator 2 being a tiger protecting an 8-year-old.

I listened to the book through Scribd and enjoyed it. The narrator, while he didn't seem as if he has a wide range of voices, what he did do, was great. And when first introduced to the mother, I instantly connected with her as I also can string together an endless rant of swear words.

Being an end of the world, the robots are taking over, sci-fi with serious and sad events, there were so many relatable phrases and feelings the MC, a tiger named Pounce, and his charge Ezra say and talk about, along with situations, that I found funny, mostly because how it was said or done was a surprise, or totally relatable, and also because kids shouldn't say or think those things.

It is a 'war' type book, violence and some tad graphic descriptions, of robots vs humans, then robots vs robots protecting human kids, but as long as you keep the image of a tiger doing Terminator type stuff, it can get a little funny, but not in a morbid way.

The book started wonderfully, but towards the end, it seemed to get a little repetitive, with a lot of internal circular thoughts, turning into a self-discovery lecture, but it was still a good story.

4 stars

[Selina Cooper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent!! The material from which classics are made. Vikas Adams is the perfect narrator for this story and does a truly phenomenal job! The story is robots all the way, so if you like robots you will probably love it too….☺️

[Daisy Kirby · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book! The pacing is great, too. There aren't any lagging points. It's tense, with plenty of action, and yet there's emotional connection, too. It's a great story.

[Jinho Choi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It moved at a surprisingly fast pace without the usual dithering on the moral quandaries of artificial intelligence and the question of what makes something a sentient being.
The author wants you to accept that robots just ARE sentient beings, and you need to accept that to really enjoy this book.

[Rueben Canales · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The tone was very different between this and the sea of rust. It was a surreal flurry of gut punches, Playing heavily on your heartstrings. Still a good read.

[rocketmama99 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is really great it is one of my favourites of all time

[Andrew Spruill · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome Awesome Book, didn’t bring me to tears but dang close a few times.

[Lori Sharp · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Engaging and thought provoking look into what might happen if AI had a choice to how they would react if suddenly given the choice to choose how to live. Loved it!