After a life of subservience wrought with extensive memory wipes, personal autonomous android model NX makes the fateful decision to slip from the mid-upper reaches of the city. In the dilapidated lower levels, she meets a talented but disillusioned cyborg named Sylvan who extends to her a temporary place working in his shop. As they sew the bonds of friendship and regain Sylvan’s lost passion, NX hones her own unique talents: for optimism, for charm, and for creating. With a little help from some friends — and a bit of luck — NX evades the forces that intend to recapture her or destroy her. The lower levels are easy to get lost in, but can she hide forever?

If you like: Asimov’s robot series, Cargill’s Sea of Rust, Wells’ The Murderbot Diaries, Newitz’s Autonomous, Chambers’ A Psalm for the Wild Built, Detroit: Become Human, Space Sweepers, Robocop, or any variety of robotic sci-fi in between, you’ll love this book. 

Published January 11th 2026, The Lucky Machine is available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover, after the successful pre-order funding period during The Book Bazaar 2025. You can order it now where most books are sold!