Title: I’m a Destroyer
Author: Sean Robins
Publication Date: September 19, 2026
Publisher: Sean Robins
Format Read: Kindle e-book
Genre: Sci-fi
I read a prior title by Sean Robins, I’m a Weapon, and I absolutely loved and bonded with Jack, the quirky main character, a robot with some serious attitude. This made choosing to accept the offer to read another title of his, I’m a Destroyer, extremely easy. What fun it was!
Mara is the AI in charge of a warship. She awakens after Wren boards her, following an earthquake that takes down a large portion of the mountainside and reveals where she has been hidden. She has been asleep for over 500 years and does not remember going to sleep. However, she is galactically infamous and known as the Butcher of Meridian. For an unknown reason, even to herself, she turned on her crew and fellow fighters, killing thousands of people. The enemy she was supposed to be killing now rules the empire, and they do not believe in treating people right. Mara must decide whether to proceed with destroying the Dominion as previously planned or hide herself away again for fear of committing the same atrocities.
I loved Mara, much like I loved Jack in I’m a Weapon. She is sassy, crazy intelligent, utterly hilarious, and her hologram is many men’s idea of an ideal woman: think anime-style video game heroines… and their dimensions. She exudes confidence heavier than a sweet tooth drowns their ice cream in chocolate syrup. A person could argue that she is narcissistic, but she just knows she was designed well. What I especially liked about her, aside from her confidence, was how she experiences doubts and even fear like the rest of us, although she is perhaps worse at expressing it.
Although I could draw a few parallels between the two titles, I still had a blast reading I’m a Destroyer. Mara’s wit really carries the story. I laughed out loud at several of the thoughts that passed through her computer mind during conversations and action scenes. I nibbled on several funny lines and one I found especially profound. I especially enjoyed all of the Lord of the Rings references. Anyone who enjoyed those books or movies will likely get a giggle out of them too. I was rooting for her and her new crew, as the Dominion sounds absolutely vile. I enjoy rooting for an underdog, so the similarities to I’m a Weapon were not bothersome. Rooting for someone like that just does not get old, but that may just be because I am still a Husker football fan in 2026.
The writing is fast-paced and easy to read, with Mara’s sharp, sarcastic voice giving the military sci-fi action a shipload of personality. It explores identity, memory, guilt, redemption, trust, found family, the cost of war, and what it really means to be human, without getting buried in a bunch of technical sci-fi jargon.
I’m a Destroyer is a surprisingly quick read that is packed full of laughs and heart. I would recommend this to lovers of space fiction. It is also a great place to dip your toes in if you are just trying out the sci-fi genre. I have not generally been a fan of space fiction, but Sean Robins has begun to convert me.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓— A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud military sci-fi adventure with heart.
Click here to find out more about Sean Robins.
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I read a digital copy made available by Sean Robins, and this review reflects my honest opinion.