Reviews

“Robson blends mandatory cyberpunk scenes of elaborate computer hacking with more quotidian concerns, such as Anjuli's desire to do good science. As a female narrator surrounded by other competent women, Anjuli is no hackneyed ninja cyborg assassin but a smart, insecure Everywoman with a stubborn idealistic streak. How refreshing....Robson is unafraid to mix robust action with metaphysical-quantum conceits....She also harks back to the courtroom drama in Robert A. Heinlein's "Jerry Was a Man," which hinged on the emancipation of a genetically engineered ape. In doing so, she successfully penetrates the "barrier of light and shadow play that will always be between us, you and me, human and AI."
—Washington Post 

“[A]n entertaining and thoughtful novel... [a] solid achievement.”
—The New York Review of Science Fiction 

“Again, Pyr is doing a fantastic job of publishing books in the US previously unavailable to American readers.... Via Anjuli, Robson provides a fascinating character through which to view her future world. We see the everyday technologies, which may seem somewhat novel by today’s standards, take root. Like the best thought-provoking science fiction Robson finds intriguing ways to extrapolate how people will adapt to these plausible advancements .... [The ending] left me a bit surprised, which is a good thing indeed .... Robson’s novel raised many significant and relevant questions and stimulated a great deal of thought, both while reading it, and upon reflection. Silver Screen was one of the more interesting novels I’ve read this year and I would recommend it.“
—SFFWorld.com 

“An endearing and highly unlikely heroine —
think Bridget Jones with brain implants...“
—Entertainment Weekly 

“[T]hought-provoking SF...a fascinating peek into the development of
one of SF's brightest new stars.”
—Publishers Weekly 

“Strong characterization keeps this first-person futuristic
story fast-paced and compelling.”
—California Bookwatch 

“... astonishingly full of imaginative imagery and stylish writing....Provocative and unique, Robson is stellar talent of the first magnitude.”
—CFQ/Cinefantastique 

"A cerebral and absorbing novel that explores the nature of consciousness and artificial intelligence, from the author of Natural History (2003) .... Robson's prose is lean and dynamic, and the speculative concepts are cutting edge and ultra cool. A startlingly innovative take on the tried-and-true theme of artificial intelligence." 
—Starred review, Kirkus Reviews 

“This exciting novel raises interesting questions about the
interactions between humans and machines.”
—Dallas Morning News 

"Robson manages brilliantly the difficult task of showing a near
future that grows convincingly from our own."
—Dreamwatch 

"With Silver Screen, Justina Robson has found the perfect blend of excitement and thought-provoking concepts, which lifts this novel far above the ordinary.
Ideas and future trends are pitched with determined realism, doing what
Science Fiction is supposed to do, and leave you thinking with
considerable anxiety about the way we're neading."
—Peter F. Hamilton, author of Pandora's Star 

"Robson's plot zigzags in unexpected directions, especially with
revelations about the Source; there's tragedy and trauma, but happy
surprises too. An impressive SF debut."
—David Langford