The Robots of Dawn

In The Naked Sun, the final addition to The Robot Series, Elijah Baley is sent off-world once more, this time to the planet of Aurora. Unlike their last two chronicled cases, this one sparks a new term called "roboticide", as their victim is the late humaniform robot known as R. Jander Panell. Jander was Dr. Han Fastolfe's second successful humaniform robot, and is an identical copy to R. Daneel Olivaw. The main suspect is Dr. Fastolfe himself, who he himself insists that he's the only person on Aurora who has the skill to induce a "roblock" in Jander's postitronic brain and shut him down permanently. However, Dr. Fastolfe also insists that he isn't the one to do it.

Accompanied by Daneel Olivaw and a new robot companion, R. Giskard, an earlier yet effective model of Dr. Fastolfe's staff, Baley attempts to solve the impossible once more. However, more than just the justice of a wronged victim lies within the weight of this case. As a matter of fact, the fate of Earth and the future of the Galaxy depends on it.

From solving murders to seemingly having to cover up one, Daneel and Elijah now work as a well-oiled machine. A lot of their relationship culminates here, within the science elitist walls of Aurora, as they carefully navigate a political battlefield alongside supposed threats to Baley's life. The concept of expansion and love entangle together on a galactic and personal level, questioning both during a time of scientific discovery.

I found R. Giskard to be another lovely, late addition to the series and such an amazing contrast to Daneel as another robot companion of Baley. A lot of the characters seem to have more "personal" moments in the book than the last two. For example, Baley's continuous battle with his agoraphobia comes to fruition here. It's a back and forth, thinking he's gotten better but has a setback, or thinking he hasn't gotten better but takes two steps forward. As someone with agoraphobia, it's incredibly relatable and I found myself in Baley as a character.

The twist was unpredictable for me, but I did feel that the book ended very abruptly. Some reflection between Baley and Daneel was missing and I wish it had been more rounded. I am going to miss these characters a lot, though. I read this series over the course of the summer, and I just know this universe is going to stick with me for a while. It's easy to see why The Robot Series is a science fiction classic.