Reviewed by Josiah Brown
Mechanize My Hands to War (DAW 2024) by Erin K. Wagner is an intense and thought-provoking novel that dives into the complexities of war, identity, and the struggle between humanity and mechanization. Mechanize My Hands to War takes place in the near future as a science fiction story, between 2056 and 2062, primarily in rural Appalachia. The story revolves around a significant incident involving a child being shot by a robot, which occurs in July 2060. From the first page, the book grips the reader with very emotional imagery and unflinching narrative, pulling the reader into a world where the line between man and machine blurs in the heat of battle.
I dove into Mechanize My Hands to War during my spring break when I was completely free from all school stress and commitments, which allowed me to fully embrace the world within its pages without distraction. I wanted to absorb the novel, not just as words on a page, but as an experience, letting its reality blend with my own.
The novel introduces a diverse cast of characters, each with unique perspectives on war and technology. The protagonist, Adrian Hall, is a war veteran struggling with his role in this mechanized future, who provides an emotional anchor for the reader. Eli Whitaker emerges as a charismatic and radical anti-android who leads a Civil Union Militia. Trey Caudill is a key character working under Adrian’s direction, where his task involves tracking down leads on Whitaker. The Civil Union Militia violently opposes to the integration of android labor into American society. His movement gains traction amid widespread fears about automation displacing human workers. Whitaker’s ideology escalates as he begins recruiting children into his militia, effectively forming an army of child soldiers. This development draws the attention of federal authorities, including Adrian Hall and Trey Caudill, who was raised by Whitaker as a foster son. Their personal histories with Whitaker complicate their mission to dismantle his operations. Their relationships are complex and often strained, reflecting the novel’s overarching themes of trust, loss, and survival.
Another interesting aspect of Wagner’s style is the way she changes perspectives when Ora, a military android, kills a child soldier during a federal raid. Witnesses believe she could have taken the boy down non-lethally. This pivotal moment is seen through multiple perspectives and complicates any easy moral judgment. What appears to be cold efficiency from one angle might, in another, be the painful failure of a machine trying to make sense of human unpredictability. As readers experience each viewpoint, they must consider how misunderstandings drive conflict and how perspectives can clash without either being fully wrong.
Character development is a strong suit of the novel. Adrian Hall and Trey Caudill undergo significant growth, battling with their past and the consequences of mechanized warfare. The supporting characters are equally interesting, each bringing unique perspectives that challenge the reader’s understanding of the conflict. For instance, Shay and Ernst are Appalachian farmers whose lives are upended when their genetically modified crop seeds fail, rendering their fields toxic and leading to Shay’s terminal illness. Facing physical and emotional decline, they hire two androids: Sarah is a hospice caregiver, while AG-15 is a laborer designed to work in hazardous environments. This arrangement forces the couple to confront their preconceived thoughts about artificial intelligence and human dependency. However, at times, certain characters feel underdeveloped or lost within the novel’s storyline development. In some instances, a few of the characters are never reintegrated or explained properly, leaving the reader with many questions. As all books have their strengths, they also have their weaknesses. After the first few chapters, the novel’s themes may become somewhat confusing if one does not remain diligent in keeping track of characters, time, and place. There were several instances where I had to flip back to earlier chapters to ensure I wasn’t mixing up details.
Compared to Halo: The Fall of Reach, which focuses on faster paced world building and leans on a more military spectacle, Mechanize My Hands to War stands out for its emotional depth and moral complexity. Wagner’s focus on a more personal and immediate conflict sets it apart. Additionally, the novel might be compared to Frank Herbert’s Dune, which emphasizes large-scale battles. In contrast, Mechanize My Hands to War zooms in on individual experiences, making the consequences of war feel more intimate and immediate.
Overall, Mechanize My Hands to War is a novel that challenges readers to consider the intersection of war, technology, and human identity. Wagner’s ability to blend emotion with complex world-building makes this novel different in the sci-fi genre. While some aspects of the narrative may feel drawn out or occasionally confusing, the novel’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses. It’s a novel that depending on your beliefs may stay in the mind long after the final page, prompting reflection on the future of warfare and the cost of progress. For those willing to engage with its complexities, Mechanize My Hands to War offers an unforgettable reading experience.
About the Author:
Erin Wagner
Erin K. Wagner (also E. K. Wagner) is a professor by trade, a medievalist by discipline, and a writer of speculative fiction by design.
She lives in upstate New York, a storied and story-making place, but her roots are in Appalachia. She grew up in the hills and hollers of rural southeast Ohio, just across the river from West Virginia.
As a professor of English, she teaches literature, writing, and communication. Her creative writing has appeared in award-winning magazines like Clarkesworld, Nightmare, and Apex. She is an active member of SFWA.
About the Reviewer:
Josiah Brown is a first-year student at Reinhardt University majoring in Biology with the goal of becoming a bioengineer. He has chosen this path to pursue his dreams through the study of biology and engineering. Outside of academics, he plays soccer for the Reinhardt Eagles as an attacker, at left wing and striker. Whether on the field or in class, he is “always pushing” himself “to grow, compete, and make an impact.”
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