I know it’s been a hauntingly long time since I’ve posted a book review on the blog, but your ghoul is back and they have to tell you about the latest book they’ve read so if you’re at all morbidly curious about it, then stick around, subscribe to the blog and creep along to see if V.B. Scott’s upcoming novel Cut Cords should be added to YOUR To-Be-Read list…
We all know the story of Pinocchio and his emotional journey to “become a real boy” but have you ever been told a modernized adult version where the main character of the story is actually an A.I Sex doll?
Please refer to my Ratings + Review Policy to see how I formulate and curate my reading experiences on my socials.
In a world where Artificial Intelligence is a hot topic debate amongst us, why not pick up and read a thrilling science fiction about a sentient sex doll who’s been separated from her Creator and left to fend for herself in this society full of horrifying obstacles just to make her way back to him.
I will say, I was memorized by the cover art of the book, and taken by the premise, but what truly got me to read was the subject matter—Artificial Intelligence and questions surrounding the idea and ethics of “Playing God?“
Cut Cords
by V.B. Scott
A Novel
Genre: Thriller / Science Fiction
The end of loneliness.
The beginning of perfection.
Welcome to VeriDoll.
Jacob Fleischer is the world’s top sex doll designer, but he sees his creations as far more than companions, best friends, and, when the law recognizes it, future spouses. After decades of devotion, supplying VeriDoll’s demanding clients, it’s Jacob’s turn to bring his dream creation to “life.”
His own doll, Io, contains the most advanced A.I. programming to date! Unfortunately, Jacob didn’t calculate for her escaping her wired connections and wreaking havoc in the outside world.
As Io tries to get back to her Creator, she seeks validation and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a “real woman,” but she doesn’t always like the answers she finds. Io quickly learns that good intentions don’t always result in peaceful resolutions.
Cut Cords is a Pinocchio parable for the modern world, detailing unfettered access to artificial intelligence, the hazards of “Playing God,” and questioning whether a doll with indistinguishable simulacra can ever truly transcend to personhood. In a world of attachment to sophisticated A.I. companions, does it even matter?
Requested Cut Cords on BookSirens.
Though I will warn you (and so does V.B Scott) which I truly appreciate when authors do that for their readers so they can proceed with caution and some level of insight before the experience… there are some very graphic scenes and major list of trigger warnings in this book, so please proceed with caution if you are thinking of reading this book.
Make sure you’re a certified creeper to get all the updates…
I.M.👻.O 💭
in my personal opinion
Like many of the characters in the book, you can’t help but fall in love with Io as you go along her journey of self-discovery.
Whether she’s an ultra-advanced sex doll or not, her lived experiences and interactions shape her (and those around her) in such a beautifully loving way that you truly feel for, bond with and want to protect Io—as much as her creator Jacob does—and so it stands to reason you, too, would do what you needed to do to ensure her safety in the end.
For this book to give such an authentically human experience with how Io converses, learns and begins to understand the A.I “voice” inside her head was what really got me hooked. V.B Scott was able to really get you to connect (no pun intended) with Io’s perspective, while also sprinkling in a dose of Jacob (her Creator), Chloe (Jacob’s attraction) and other fabulous minor characters that sparkle once Io has entered their lives (with some exceptions of those who cross/have wronged her… MAJOR TRIGGER WARNINGS!)
I couldn’t help feeling like this book was a mix of Ex-Machina, Poor Things, Companion and Obsession—so if you are a fan of those (and can handle a number of dark scenes and scenarios) I’d entertain your morbid curiosity with this reading XP!
Rating: 💀💀💀💀💀
How was the writing style and pacing?
Broken into five parts, with short chapters and multiple perspectives throughout each—I found the pacing was perfect for my sad excuse of an attention span and helped develop the story with the extensive details needed to expand on Io’s experiences and encounters.
I do have to say that some of my favorite written moments in the book are when Io is conversing with the A.I—at first, taking everything it says at face value with innocence and naivety while then quickly learning about “hallucinations” in A.I and that they can actually choose to validate on their own—as it gave Io this humanistic approach to critical thought processes and actions that I felt was kind of beautiful and an example of how we should all be when it comes to using Artificial Intelligence in any capacity.
Were different perspectives or narrators used to tell the story? Did it add to the complexity or confusion of the plot?
As Jacob is Io’s Creator, at first you get to go through the story and experience what happens through his perspective, but as Io beams into existence and is separated from her Creator, we are able to get the whole story through Io and some characters, such as Chloe (Jacob’s coworker in Shipping who he fancies) and others populated in Io’s universe.
I felt how the book was stylized and written, the multiple POVs given to the reader adds depth and emotional connections to the story and each character’s development.
Did the book live up to the description?
On BookSirens.com, the synopsis read…
“Cut Cords is a Pinocchio parable for the modern world, detailing unfettered access to artificial intelligence, the hazards of “Playing God,” and questioning whether a doll with indistinguishable simulacra can ever truly transcend to personhood.”
So I would say that it does truly sum up the themes and messages within the story of Io’s “coming-of-age” journey into personhood, and how Jacob ultimately is shaped by the entire experience.
The story definitely hits a lot of topics regarding unrestricted access of Artificial Intelligence and the evolution of A.I, especially when discussing how society could and would perceive the uses and integration of it into daily existence for whatever reasons.
“…In a world of attachment to sophisticated A.I. companions, does it even matter?”
Did you enjoy reading it?
There were parts of the story that were hard to read (Note: I appreciated V.B Scott providing a list of TWs at the beginning of the book) but overall, I did enjoy my reading experience with Cut Cords as I got to see the world with Io through her newly gained perspective, how she interacted with those she encountered, and how she grew as a person (yes, as a person) throughout her harrowing adventures.
Were you surprised or shocked with twists and turns in the plot?
Did you see them coming or were you caught off guard?
I was a combination of all, sort of??
Without spoiling or giving away the ending, while it was a good ending to the story, it was not at all what I expected to happen when I started reading the book. It makes sense when you think about it, but it’s still just a bit of an unexpected conclusion to Io’s story.
Would you recommend it to others?
This one isn’t for the faint-hearted, and may trigger some readers in a lot of ways, so I don’t want to fully say “go ahead and grab it immediately!” But, I will say, it is a touching and emotional story that will stick with you for quite some time. So if you enjoy those types of reading experiences, then I will recommend that you give it a try.
If you like
…then you should read Cut Cords.
After reading Cut Cords, I am really intrigued to read some of V.B. Scott‘s other books like Black Aura, They Will Surprise You and Hell in Rags (just to name a few.)
Let me know if you’ve already read any of them, or any of V.B Scott’s other books, and what your thoughts of them are in the comment section below 🗫
Are you an independent book author looking for ARC feedback on your upcoming book(s)?
Please summon the attention of this ghostly presence via my Contact Form
I want to thank you Boils and Ghouls for your patience with me being a ghost at posting book reviews on here lately, but for also taking the time today to read my honest review of Cut Cords by V.B. Scott. Special thank you again to BookSirens for the early access copy!
If you’re morbidly curious to experience this read, keep an eye out for when the book releases this Saturday November 7, 2026.
Until we meet again,
Leave a Reply