The Iron Children, by Rebecca Fraimow

[rachelmanija]

Do you like robot nuns? How about robot nuns commanding and telepathically puppeteering four-armed cyborg soldiers? Okay, how about a young woman, Asher, who will become a robot nun once she completes her studies and her soul is uploaded, unexpectedly ending up in command of a mission in which one of the cyborg soldiers is actually a mole?

I mean mole as in a spy from the other side. Not a burrowing rodent. This novella has such an awesomely wild premise, a rodent mole cyborg soldier seems completely possible.

This is basically a perfect novella. It has a great premise that it completely leans into, fascinating worldbuilding, a likable ensemble cast, a solid adventure/winter survival story, an equally solid mystery, emotional and cultural complexity, and a very, very satisfying resolution. It's one of those stories where every single one of the characters has their own motivations and agency, which is ironic/appropriate considering how central it is to both plot and theme that many of the characters are literally puppeted by others.

There's a lot going on but it's all very integrated and doesn't feel overloaded. But I would LOVE to see it expanded into or continue into a full novel, or to see a full novel in this world.

I can't say any more without spoilers, other than that you should all read this. If it doesn't get nominated for SFF awards, I will throw things. Anyone who intends to make Hugo nominations should definitely read it.



So HOW SATISFYING was that ending? I adore stories where characters who seem to be minor end up being absolutely central, and that delivered. I also really liked that there were effectively multiple different yet equally satisfying endings/beginnings for each set of characters.

The issues of identity and resistance and the pervasive way that war damages everyone were really well-done: the insignia and the names and different units of the cyborg soldiers, how they're individuals despite having their visible identity markers almost entirely erased, how they preserve their senses of self despite being not only enslaved but physically moved around by others, how the commanders are in charge but at the cost of their entire physical bodies.

Ester is a study in identity in hiding/in flux all by herself. The suggestions of Jewishness made me think of the crypto-Jews, but of course there are many more resonances.



Content notes: It's a war story and involves child soldiers and issues of consent (not sexual) and mental/physical autonomy. There's some war violence but nothing graphic.

Comments

[ursula]

I really enjoyed this one too!

[hamsterwoman]

I loved this, and thank you for the reminder to nominate it for the Hugos, because I very much hope it wins lots of awards! (Also, I was bummed to realize I had forgotten to nominate it for Yuletide and nobody else had either... Hopefully I'll remember next year, because I too would love to see more stories set in this world, and I would take fanfic for the time being :)

So HOW SATISFYING was that ending? I adore stories where characters who seem to be minor end up being absolutely central, and that delivered.

So satisfying and surprising! I had been noticing the minor character in the various scenes they were in, but was not expecting them to be central to the resolution. Really happy for them, and for where it leaves Ester's arc. (I really loved Ester!)

[coffeeandink]

This one is such a delight. I also feel "Gods you have to teach how to behave" is an inspired translation of. Jewish attitudes about arguing with God.

I am also interested in how gender seems to be a function of role.

[minoanmiss]

ooo! makes note

[ethelmay]

Ridiculously tiny point: moles aren't rodents./thatperson

[rheanna]

This sounds right up my street! I will check it out.

[starlady]

I really enjoyed this one too. Good point about nominating it for the Hugos.

[cahn]

I loved this!! Thank you for reminding me to nominate it!

This novella has such an awesomely wild premise, a rodent mole cyborg soldier seems completely possible.

I AM QUOTING THIS FOR TRUTH

[qian]

It's so good! Your review is making me want to read it again.

[rmc28]

I enjoyed it very much when I read it months ago, and I should probably reread it soon :-)

[osprey_archer]

Yes, this is such a good book! I really need to get around to writing a review of it.

I thought Asher was a fantastic depiction of someone who is a fantastic book-smart student who always does well in class, but worries that she's in over her head as soon as she's out in the real world shadowing a robot nun. And then the robot nun is damaged and Asher has to lead a bunch of soldiers through the mountains on her own and she really IS in over her head! But still trying so hard and hoping no one notices she's so worried.

[vass]

I mean mole as in a spy from the other side. Not a burrowing rodent.

Missed opportunity there.

[lirazel]

It's great, isn't it? Becca has mentioned another project she'd like to write that sounds like it's in the same world, which is very exciting! But I'm so looking forward to her novel coming out next year that I am more than willing to wait for more robot nuns, though I certainly hope we get more of the at some point!

[asakiyume]

I am looking forward to reading this one! Based on the strength of one truly excellent short story, I absolutely want to read more by Rebecca Fraimow. I'm not at all surprised that she does a terrific job with her premise.