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Curtis, Simon

WORK TITLE: Boy Robot
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE: 3/18/1986
WEBSITE: http://simon-curtis.com/
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:

http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Boy-Robot/Simon-Curtis/9781481459297 * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Curtis_(actor) * http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/boy-robot

RESEARCHER NOTES:

LC control no.:

n 2016037045

LCCN Permalink:

https://lccn.loc.gov/n2016037045

HEADING:

Curtis, Simon, 1986-

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__ |a Boy robot, 2016: |b ECIP t.p. (Simon Curtis) data sheet (DOB March 18, 1986; Simon Curtis is an actor, singer, and songwriter. He has appeared on Disney Channel and Nickelodeon, and his music has been featured on Billboard.com)

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PERSONAL

Born March 18, 1986, in MI.

ADDRESS

CAREER

Singer-songwriter, actor, record producer, writer, and novelist. Founder of the independent label BoyRobot Records. Acting roles include Royce Du Lac in the television movie Spectacular!, Nickelodeon, 2009; and Tim in “Once, Twice, Three Times Afraidy” episode of Hannah Montana, 2009.

AWARDS:

Named an official Oklahoma Ambassador of Music; University of Tulsa Award for Outstanding Achievement in Performance.

WRITINGS

  • Boy Robot, Simon Pulse (New York, NY), 2016

Songwriter and performer on albums and extended play recordings, including Alter Boy, 2006; 8Bit Heart, 2010; R∆, 2011; WWW, 2013; Love, S, 2015; and Super 8-Bit Heart, 2016.

SIDELIGHTS

In addition to being a writer and novelist, Simon Curtis is a singer/songwriter who founded his own record label, BoyRobot Records. He is also an actor who has appeared on television. Born in Michigan, Curtis later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his family. Diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 10, Curtis would go on to act in the national tour production of the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He has also released several recordings of his music.

Curtis’s debut young adult (YA) novel, Boy Robot, is the first book in a proposed trilogy about a group of human teens who have been created with synthetic cells, giving them powerful abilities. The teens end up using their powers to save themselves from the government organization that created them to be super soldiers but has decided to destroy them. In Boy Robot Curtis tells the story of 17-year-old Isaak, who never quite seems to fit in with other teenagers. Eventually, Isaak discovers the reason why when a serious wound heals far too fast to be normal. “I’m excited to finally share this book after starting to tell the story years ago in my first album,” Curtis told Fuse Literary Web site contributor Laurie McLean, adding: “I’ve always made music for people who feel like outsiders, and I’m thrilled to say Boy Robot continues that narrative in a big way.”

After Isaak determines that he is a synthetic human, he is kicked out of his home by his adoptive parents. He soon discovers that he and everyone like him are targeted for termination. Isaac also learns that their is a place to find asylum, namely with a secret network of Robots and humans working together called the Underground. 

The novel follows Isaak as he tries to make his way to the Underground while being pursued by government agents. In the process, he faces a dilemma. He has lived and acted strictly as a human for all his life, but now he must decide whether or not use his true powers at the risk of becoming more of a weapon than a human being. Curtis eventually teams up with another robot named Azure and with the humans Kamea and the handsome JB as they try to make it to the Los Angeles, the Underground’s home base. It turns out that Isaak’s power is his mental capacity to manipulate people with his thoughts and even destroy them if he so wishes. Curtis, who is homosexual, includes a possible romance with another boy in the story.

“Isaak’s first-person, present-tense narrative is interrupted by third-person accounts of the usually grisly, sad fate of other robots,” wrote Voice of Youth Advocates contributor Kathleen Beck, who went on to note the novel’s “suspenseful storyline.” A Kirkus Reviews Online contributor commented: “A fascinating premise and plenty of action will attract fans who have patience for all the many extra threads.”

BIOCRIT

PERIODICALS

  • Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, November, 2016, April Spisak, review of Boy Robot, p. 118.

  • Publishers Weekly, August 29, 2016, review of Boy Robot, p. 94.

  • Voice of Youth Advocates, December, 2016, Kathleen Beck, review of Boy Robot,  p. 70.

ONLINE

  • Fuse Literary, https://www.fuseliterary.com/ (January 7, 2016), Laurie McLean, “Simon Curtis Book Deal and Album Release News.”

  • Kirkus Reviews, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/ (June 28, 2016), review of Boy Robot.

  • Simon Curtis Home Page, www.simon-curtis.com (May 29, 2017).

  • Teenreads, http://www.teenreads.com/ (November 15, 2016), review of Boy Robot.*

  • Boy Robot Simon Pulse (New York, NY), 2016
1. Boy robot LCCN 2016005728 Type of material Book Personal name Curtis, Simon, 1986- author. Main title Boy robot / Simon Curtis. Edition First Simon Pulse hardcover edition. Published/Produced New York : Simon Pulse, 2016. Description 415 pages ; 24 cm ISBN 9781481459297 (hardback) 9781481459303 (paperback) CALL NUMBER PZ7.1.C87 Bo 2016 Copy 1 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms
  • Simon and Schuster - http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Boy-Robot/Simon-Curtis/9781481459297

    Boy Robot
    By Simon Curtis
    For Ages: 14 and up
    1
    award
    Seventeen-year-old Isaak discovers the truth about his origin and the underground forces that must come together to fight against a secret government organization formed to eradicate those like him in this high-octane science fiction debut.

    There once was a boy who was made, not created.

    In a single night, Isaak’s life changed forever.

    His adoptive parents were killed, a mysterious girl saved him from a team of soldiers, and he learned of his own dark and destructive origin.

    An origin he doesn’t want to believe, but one he cannot deny.

    Isaak is a Robot: a government-made synthetic human, produced as a weapon and now hunted, marked for termination.

    He and the Robots can only find asylum with the Underground—a secret network of Robots and humans working together to ensure a coexistent future.

    To be protected by the Underground, Isaak will have to make it there first. But with a deadly military force tasked to find him at any cost, his odds are less than favorable.

    Now Isaak must decide whether to hold on to his humanity and face possible death…or to embrace his true nature in order to survive, at the risk of becoming the weapon he was made to be.

    In his debut, recording artist Simon Curtis has written a fast-paced, high-stakes novel that explores humanity, the ultimate power of empathy, and the greatest battle of all: love vs. fear.

  • wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Curtis_(actor)

    Simon Curtis (actor)
    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (April 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
    Simon Curtis
    Simon Curtis EQ Live by James Paul Cook.jpg
    Curtis in May 2011
    Background information
    Born March 18, 1986 (age 31)[1]
    Michigan, United States
    Genres Electronic, dance-pop
    Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, actor, record producer, Novelist[2]
    Years active 2006–present
    Associated acts Frankmusik, Sky Ferreira, Britney Spears
    Website www.simon-curtis.com
    Simon Curtis (born March 18, 1986) is an American actor, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Born in Michigan and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he first gained recognition for his role as Royce Du Lac in the 2009 film Spectacular! before venturing into pop music, during which he released his debut extended play Alter Boy in 2008, his debut full-length studio album, 8Bit Heart in 2010, and in 2011, he released his second studio album (and first commercial release) RA; the two later releases were released through his independent label, BoyRobot Records.

    RA debuted at number 20 on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Albums chart.[3]

    Contents [hide]
    1 Early and Personal life
    2 Career
    2.1 Early career: 2002–2006
    2.2 2009–2010: Spectacular! and 8Bit Heart
    2.3 2011: RA
    2.4 2012–2015: WWW, Wrathschild and Fuse Literary
    2.5 2016: New Album 2nd Bit
    3 Discography
    3.1 Studio albums
    3.2 Extended plays
    3.3 Singles
    3.4 Music videos
    3.5 Soundtracks
    4 Filmography
    5 References
    6 External links
    Early and Personal life[edit]
    Simon Curtis was born in the state of Michigan, United States, and spent his earliest years in Alpena.[4] His family later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma.[5] At the age of ten, he was diagnosed with leukemia.[6][7] He graduated from Jenks High School in 2004.[8][9] Curtis earned a coveted role in the national tour production of the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.[10] Simon is openly gay.[11]

    Career[edit]
    Early career: 2002–2006[edit]
    Curtis won Popstar Magazine and Johnny Wright’s “Get Famous” contest,[12] was named a national top ten finalist in the “Britney Spears Samsung Superstar Tour”, was commissioned by Disney to provide a theme song for an annual Disneyland event, was named an official Oklahoma Ambassador of Music, and won the University of Tulsa Award for Outstanding Achievement in Performance.

    At 20, Curtis began recording with local record producer Jadion. There they began the sessions that would ultimately result in Curtis' début album Alter Boy EP. Curtis and Jadion were commissioned by Disney to deliver a theme song for the annual Disneyland Resort event, Flashback, which later became a charity single benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America.[citation needed]

    2009–2010: Spectacular! and 8Bit Heart[edit]
    Curtis made his film debut when he landed the role of Royce Du Lac on Nickelodeon's musical TV movie Spectacular! in 2009.[13]

    In late 2009, Curtis once again began to work on his musical career. He teamed up with friend producer Jeff "Jadion" Wells and in about thirteen days, he wrote and recorded 8Bit Heart. He chose to release the album for free on his official website after meeting the goal of eight thousand followers on his Twitter profile. The album was well received by the pop community and was downloaded over 150,000 times in the two weeks following its release. Curtis did this without a manager or record label.[14] He was the opening act of Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean on May 6, 2010, at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California.

    2011: RA[edit]
    On May 16, 2011, Curtis released the first single from his second album RA (stylized as R∆) titled "Superhero" as well as a remix titled "Superhero (The Remix)" on his independent label BoyRobot Records through the iTunes Store.[15] The second single from the album, titled "Flesh", was released May 31,[16] along with a remix titled "Flesh (Future Freestyle Remix)".[17] On June 7, he released the full-length album[18] and it debuted at number 20 on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Albums chart.[3][19]

    2012–2015: WWW, Wrathschild and Fuse Literary[edit]
    Curtis released a free EP, WWW',[20] on October 12, 2013. It consisted of eight new songs and three alternate covers. Although his sexuality had been questioned beforehand, it was the criticism towards this album's artwork for being "too gay" that led him to defend himself, saying "Love that I’m getting so much heat for my new album artwork being “too gay” on national coming out day." He followed this up with, "With that said, I am gay. *makes dance album, wears midriff-bearing tshirt, puts neon pink leopard font on cover, doesn't care*".[21]

    According to an article published on Popjustice on March 20, 2014, Curtis is now part of an electropop duo called Wrathschild which has been working with producer Ray Reich over the past two years. The debut single "Fall Into Love" premiered on Billboard.com on March 24 and became available on iTunes on March 31.[22]

    On December 1, 2014, Fuse Literary announced Curtis had joined the company.[23] Curtis later backed this up by stating through his Twitter "suffice it to say, books are coming".[2]

    2016: New Album 2nd Bit[edit]
    Curtis announced through Twitter on new years he would be returning to music with his third studio album.[24] The songs within his new album, titled as "Super 8-bit Heart", are various remixes of songs found in his previous album "8-bit Heart". So far, the remixes haven't been identified by Curtis, or anyone else .

    Discography[edit]
    Simon Curtis discography
    Studio albums 3
    Music videos 1
    EPs 1
    Singles 14
    Studio albums[edit]
    Year Album
    2010 8Bit Heart
    First studio album
    Released: March 23, 2010
    Formats: Digital download
    2011 R∆
    Second studio album
    Released: June 7, 2011
    Formats: Digital download
    2013 WWW
    Third studio album
    Released: October 19, 2013
    Formats: Digital download
    2016 Super 8-Bit Heart
    Extended plays[edit]
    Year Album
    2006 Alter Boy
    First extended play
    Released: 2006
    Formats: Digital download
    2015 Love, S
    Second extended play
    Released: 2015
    Formats: Digital download
    Singles[edit]
    Year Title Album
    2010 "Delusional" 8Bit Heart
    "Diablo"
    "8-Bit Heart"
    "Beat Drop"
    2011 "Superhero" R∆
    "Flesh"
    Music videos[edit]
    Year Title Album
    2010 "8Bit Heart"
    Released: May 10, 2010
    8Bit Heart
    Soundtracks[edit]
    Spectacular!: Original Television Soundtrack
    Filmography[edit]
    Film
    Year Film Role Notes
    2009 Spectacular! Royce Du Lac Nickelodeon
    Television series
    Year Title Role Notes
    2009 Hannah Montana Tim "Once, Twice, Three Times Afraidy"
    References[edit]
    Jump up ^ "Happy Birthday, Simon Curtis!". Just Jared Jr.. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
    ^ Jump up to: a b "Simon Curtis on Twitter". Twitter.
    ^ Jump up to: a b Billboard. Billboard Apr 2-9, 2011. Google Books. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
    Jump up ^ Chris Azzopardi, "Simon Says", Between the Lines, November 17, 2011 – via HighBeam Research (subscription required).
    Jump up ^ SUNfiltered : Fresh culture daily. » Blog Archive » An interview with Simon Curtis Sundance Channel - April 20, 2010.
    Jump up ^ YouTube - Simon Curtis of SPECTACULAR!: Amazing Leukemia Speech! YouTube - February 15, 2009 - Retrieved April 22, 2010.
    Jump up ^ Inspire magazine - Simon Curtis INSPIRE Magazine - May 30, 2009 - Retrieved April 22, 2010.
    Jump up ^ Kristi Eaton, "Jenks native Simon Curtis tops the pop charts", Tulsa People, May 2010.
    Jump up ^ Kelsy Lorin Taylor, "FCCLA Students Bring Joy to Young Patients", GTR Newspapers, February 1, 2010.
    Jump up ^ Simon Curtis - Simon Curtis Pictures, Biography, Dating Pop Tower - Retrieved April 22, 2010.
    Jump up ^ Jase Peeples (June 25, 2014). "Wrathschild: Out, Loud, and Never Going Back". Advocate.com.
    Jump up ^ boy culture: Heartbeeps: A Review of 8Bit Heart by Simon Curtis boy culture - April 5, 2010 - Retrieved April 22, 2010.
    Jump up ^ Kenneth Goh, "Sing Out Loud!", Teenage Magazine (Singapore), July 2009.
    Jump up ^ Jason Lipshutz, "Simon Curtis' DIY Pop, Plus a Preview of His New Album", Billboard, March 14, 2011.
    Jump up ^ "Superhero - Single by Simon Curtis". iTunes Store. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
    Jump up ^ "Flesh - Single by Simon Curtis". iTunes Store. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
    Jump up ^ "Flesh (Future Freestyle Remix) - Single by Simon Curtis". iTunes Store. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
    Jump up ^ "R∆ by Simon Curtis". iTunes Store. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
    Jump up ^ Ferguson, Wes (June 21, 2011). "Simon Curtis Drops the Beat From Nick Kid to Indie Music Superstar". Celebuzz. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
    Jump up ^ Bradley Stern. "Simon Curtis, 'WWW' (Album Premiere)". MuuMuse.
    Jump up ^ Sean Davis (October 11, 2013). "Simon Curtis Comes Out". The Quire.
    Jump up ^ "Introducing Wrathschild". Popjustice. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
    Jump up ^ "Alex R. Kahler on Twitter". Twitter.
    Jump up ^ "Simon Curtis on Twitter".
    External links

5/13/17, 6)25 PM
Print Marked Items
Boy Robot
Publishers Weekly.
263.35 (Aug. 29, 2016): p94. From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Boy Robot
Simon Curtis. Simon Pulse, $17.99 (432p) ISBN 978-1-4814-5929-7
A cyber-dystopian future America is the scene of musician Curtis's heartrending but uneven first novel. The lead-up to Isaak's 18th birthday has involved a killer headache and dreams of other kids being chased by agents in black. After a wound heals itself far too quickly to be natural and Isaak's adoptive mother kicks him out of the house, he finds out that he is a "Robot"; government-made synthetic humans created for war and released into the population as babies by a scientist with a shady agenda, Isaak's kind are being hunted and are forming an underground resistance. From there, Curtis's adventure story of teens on the run becomes a tad predictable, but Isaak's narration and a possible romance with a human male companion keep things interesting. Flashbacks of the other characters' lives before joining the under ground include graphic descriptions of transphobic and homophobic trauma, as well as sexual assault, to a point that sometimes feels gratuitous but also gives real insight into each teen's situation, and certainly aims for empathy. A tensionfilled ending leaves readers hanging on for a sequel. Ages 14-up. Agent: Laurie McLean, Fuse Literary. (Oct.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Boy Robot." Publishers Weekly, 29 Aug. 2016, p. 94. PowerSearch, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA462236542&it=r&asid=c82c371a7034149825350d8ab42e0eb1. Accessed 13 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A462236542
about:blank Page 1 of 3
5/13/17, 6)25 PM
Curtis, Simon. Boy Robot
Kathleen Beck
Voice of Youth Advocates.
39.5 (Dec. 2016): p70. From Book Review Index Plus. COPYRIGHT 2016 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
3Q * 3P * S * NA
Curtis, Simon. Boy Robot. Simon Pulse, 2016. 432p. $17.99. 978-1-4814-5929-7.
Isaak has never felt that he fit in. The reason becomes apparent on the night of his eighteenth birthday, when he "manifests" and discovers his true nature. Isaak is a robot, a synthetic person created by a clandestine government program to breed super-soldiers. Now hunted by SHRF, a top-secret force tasked with eliminating these humanoids, he learns that his only hope lies in the Underground. This alliance of humans and robots smuggles the "Unreclaimed" to safety, working toward a future in which all can co-exist. With fellow robot Azure and humans, Kamea and the devastatingly handsome JB, Isaak must dodge pursuit, make it to the Undergrounds base in Los Angeles, and simultaneously discover and learn to control his new powers. If he can destroy at will and manipulate others with only his thoughts, does that make him more or less than human?
Non-stop action cloaks the sometimes-shaky logic underlying the complex plot in this debut novel. The backstory of the robots' creation is revealed gradually and the explanation of why the government is now hunting its erstwhile soldiers is murky. Isaak's first-person, present-tense narrative is interrupted by third-person accounts of the usually grisly, sad fate of other robots. Readers may find the prose awkward (eyes "roil" and "boil"), while the possibility of romance between a human male and robot Isaak will keep pages turning. Fans of murder, mayhem, and dystopia will enjoy the suspenseful storyline and root for Isaak and his fellows in the Underground. A cliffhanger ending points to the sequel. This is a deep look at what makes someone "human." Violence, rape, bullying, and abuse are dealt with in this book.--Kathleen Beck.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Beck, Kathleen. "Curtis, Simon. Boy Robot." Voice of Youth Advocates, Dec. 2016, p. 70. PowerSearch,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do? p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA474767976&it=r&asid=02ca62409dec7315c33897a7d8a282e4. Accessed 13 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A474767976
about:blank Page 2 of 3
5/13/17, 6)25 PM
Boy Robot
April Spisak
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 70.3 (Nov. 2016): p118. From Book Review Index Plus.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Spisak, April. "Boy Robot." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Nov. 2016, p. 118+. PowerSearch,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do? p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA478019991&it=r&asid=7ec7b646250e89ac3de962186f9371bf. Accessed 13 May 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A478019991
about:blank Page 3 of 3

"Boy Robot." Publishers Weekly, 29 Aug. 2016, p. 94. PowerSearch, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do? p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA462236542&it=r. Accessed 13 May 2017. Beck, Kathleen. "Curtis, Simon. Boy Robot." Voice of Youth Advocates, Dec. 2016, p. 70. PowerSearch, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA474767976&it=r. Accessed 13 May 2017. Spisak, April. "Boy Robot." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Nov. 2016, p. 118+. PowerSearch, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do? p=GPS&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA478019991&it=r. Accessed 13 May 2017.
  • Teen Reads
    http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/boy-robot

    Word count: 623

    Boy Robot
    by Simon Curtis
    Buy this book at IndieBound
    Buy this book at Amazon
    Buy this book at Barnes and Noble
    In an apocalyptic future, some humans are humans and other humans are, well, not. What started as a military program to make human weapons became a curse for those affected. While the children grow up feeling like average the entire beginning of their lives, the instant they turn eighteen, they are hunted to be killed by the very people who created them.

    Isaak is about to turn 18 when his life turns upside down. When he hits his head and instantly recovers in front of his adoptive parents, they immediately quick him out. He's left in the open, until a girl, Azure, rescues him and tell his what he never imagined he would ever hear--he's a robot, and there are already specially trained officers outside of his home ready to kill him. Quickly thereafter, Azure, who has been rescuing robots and leading them to safety in Los Angeles, and Isaak leave to find refuge. On their way to safety, they meet a myriad of fellow robots like JB, Kamea and V, who all have their own specialties and powers.

    "Having read many science fiction novels, I was pleasantly surprised with how original BOY ROBOT's plotline was."

    Having read many science fiction novels, I was pleasantly surprised with how original BOY ROBOT's plotline was. The characters were fresh, especially Isaak, who was just so lovable and great to read about. There's a lot of reflection about the meaning of humanity and what makes anyone really "human" at all, which I thought was great--Simon Curtis did a great job of using the novel to pose some interesting questions about the way we function as a society.

    Up until they were 18, the robots in this novel had no idea they were human-made machines created only to kill. They felt human. So were they ever human because they thought themselves to be so even though they biologically were? It was definitely really cool to reflect on it after finishing the novel.

    I felt like this book was also some kind of allegory for what's been happening to the LGBTQ+ community, especially with the shooting at The Pulse nightclub over the summer. Curtis references to it in his preface, but it obvious that the novel really is written to present the struggles of LGBTQ+ teens in this country and around the world. No one's sexuality is really questioned, it is just is, just like how the robots in the book identify as human because they feel like they just are. I thought it was a nice way to address such an important issue.

    The book is structured so that some chapters tell the story of Isaak and his fellow robots running from the military-search unit sent to kill him, and short stories of other various robots. I personally didn't mind it, but to be honest, I sometimes skipped the short stories because I wanted to know what was happening in the main plot over the side plots. It was definitely an original aspect to the novel, though, I just didn't care for it much.

    If you're looking for an action-packed read unlike anything you've ever seen before, look no further than Curtis' BOY ROBOT. The plotline as well as deeper meaning within the story are more than enough to make any reader interested. BOY ROBOT is set to be a trilogy, and I'll definitely be reading the second novel as soon as it comes out!

    Reviewed by Rachel D., Teen Board Member on November 15, 2016

  • Kirkus Reviews
    https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/simon-curtis/boy-robot/

    Word count: 336

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    KIRKUS REVIEW
    The first of a planned trilogy by recording artist Curtis, this debut novel continues themes from his early song of the same title.

    “There once was a boy / Who was made, not created” begins the song on “8Bit Heart” (2010), Curtis’ first album. Continuing the narrative of a created boy is Isaak, adopted into a family in a tiny Ozarks town and now kicked out of the house by his adoptive mother, who sees him as a monster. Isaak has always felt disconnected and alone, and now he must begin a journey in search of himself. It turns out he’s a Robot, created, he is told, in a secret project to create a race of synthetic humans meant to be “soldiers, designed to spare human casualties in future wars.” As he and a band of allies in the Underground are pursued by Sheriffs intent on reclaiming them, Isaak realizes he has unusual powers that make him dangerous. Isaak’s frequently overwrought first-person narrative is complemented by related stories that introduce other characters and lend history and context but detract from the pull of his story, making it difficult for readers to be fully involved in it and its themes of humanity, love, and connectedness. Isaak does not describe himself, though he does describe other characters' appearances, including skin color.

    A fascinating premise and plenty of action will attract fans who have patience for all the many extra threads. (Fiction. 14-18)

    Pub Date: Oct. 25th, 2016
    ISBN: 978-1-4814-5929-7
    Page count: 432pp
    Publisher: Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster
    Review Posted Online: June 28th, 2016

  • Fuse Literary
    https://www.fuseliterary.com/simon-curtis-book-deal-and-album-release-news/

    Word count: 454

    Simon Curtis Book Deal and Album Release News
    by Laurie McLean | Jan 7, 2016 | Agency News, Blog, Publicity, Publishing News | 1 comment

    January 7, 2016—LOS ANGELES—Recording artist Simon Curtis today announced that his debut novel, Boy Robot, has been acquired by Simon Pulse for publication in fall 2016. A surprise album, Super 8 Bit Heart, will drop at midnight tonight.
    Super 8 Bit Heart album cover
    Boy Robot is the first in a planned science fiction trilogy that follows a group of synthetic cell human teens with special abilities as they fight against the government organization that created them, and now wants to destroy them. The fast-paced, high-stakes story explores humanity, the ultimate power of empathy, universal oneness and the greatest battle of all—love vs. fear.
    “I’m excited to finally share this book after starting to tell the story years ago in my first album,” Curtis said. “I’ve always made music for people who feel like outsiders, and I’m thrilled to say Boy Robot continues that narrative in a big way.”
    Boy Robot will be published on November 15, 2016, and at midnight tonight Curtis is releasing a special re-working of the album that inspired the story. Super 8 Bit Heart will be available at iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, and Apple Music beginning at midnight Eastern Daylight Time on January 8th.
    After starring in the Nickelodeon TV musical, Spectacular! Curtis burst onto the music scene in 2010 with his debut album, 8 Bit Heart and quickly amassed an army of fans on social media. Videos featuring his music have earned more than 100 million YouTube views and his fans have showered him with homage videos based around his lyrics and music.
    “We were thrilled to sign Simon as a client last year because he exemplifies our agency’s vision of storytelling across multiple media,” said Laurie McLean, co-founder and partner of Fuse Literary. “We’re the literary agency of the future and Simon is exactly what we’re trying to project through music, words, movies and more.”
    “I’m so happy to have acquired this project and to be working with Simon,” said Michael Strother, Editor, Simon Pulse, who acquired the project from McLean at Fuse Literary. “As a long-time fan, it’s been exciting to see the intersection between his music and his writing, and how they inform each other in various ways. I’m glad to be partnered with Simon as his fans follow him on this next step in his career, and into the future.”
    Curtis’ Super 8Bit Heart can be downloaded for $9.99 for the album or $.99 per song.
    For more information on Simon Curtis go to: http://simon-curtis.com.
    Recording Artist Simon Curtis