Introduction to 
The Isaac Asimov's Robot City series

by William F. Wu 

"Isaac Asimov's Robot City was an experiment. The concept was that a six-volume series with a continuous storyline would be written by different authors; Isaac Asimov originated and approved the premise of the story. Though six authors were envisioned, I eventually wrote the final volume, Perihelion, as well as volume three, Cyborg, so five us were involved: Michael P. Kube-McDowell, the late Mike McQuay, Arthur Byron Cover, Rob Chilson, and me." 

"This series was intended for young readers," Bill says. "When I first learned about it, I remembered how I had discovered science fiction as a child through the work of Isaac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein, among many others. The publishing industry and marketplace have changed a great deal since then, but this was a chance to do work that might appeal to young readers in the same way. I want parents to know that this series is acceptable for their young kids." 

"The books are labeled as science fiction, not Young Adult, so no one would know that by looking at them." 

The premise is that a young man named Derec wakes up without a memory of who he is and, with a young woman named Ariel, they become trapped on a mysterious planet inhabited only by robots, who are constantly building an enormous, futuristic city. As they try to escape, they find more puzzles about the strange planet and its purpose ... and Derec learns that the secret of his identity is wrapped up in the secret of these robots and their city. 

Naturally, all the robots are bound by Asimov's famous Three Laws of Robotics, which are:

The First Law of Robotics:
"A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm." 

The Second Law of Robotics:
"A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law." 

The Third Law of Robotics: 
"A robot must protect his own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws." 

Bill is glad to see the books returning to the book stores after an absence of some years: "iBooks has just brought out a new edition of the Robot City series, so I hope readers -- especially parents and young readers -- will give the series a look."