msalane's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mleach07's review against another edition
2.0
Ok, so it wasn't all bad. Golden State had a great premise, but (for me at least) it fell short. I didn't connect with the characters, and there was so much left unexplained at the end. Sometimes this works out well for a story, but it just didn't here.
paperbackdietitian's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
4.0
"Golden State" tells the story of a society where lies are a crime, and truth is absolute. It's an interesting exploration of truth, lies, and the gray areas between. The main character becomes embroiled in a mystery that goes deeper than he ever imagined. It's a twisty mystery that explores big ideas. It's a book I'll definitely read again.
jervonyc's review against another edition
4.0
The first, say, 80% of this book is mind-blowingly good. Sadly, the last 20% goes a bit off the rails. But it’s still very much worth checking out.
elisabeth1st's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this Orwellian novel. Set in the future, their mode of recording and documenting truth is all 50's.
kgraham10's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the premise. I like the worlds that Ben Winters creates. The police procedural, the dystopian world, the thriller and plot twist.
BUT the last third of the book... The motivations of the "monster" make no sense. The actors -- why? What is the end goal? If it is to expose the lies that the state is built upon, then it didn't work. Why did Judge Sampson kill himself? Was the Expert Petras in on it? Or just a victim?
There is some indication that a sequel might answer these questions but frustrated right now.
BUT the last third of the book... The motivations of the "monster" make no sense. The actors -- why? What is the end goal? If it is to expose the lies that the state is built upon, then it didn't work. Why did Judge Sampson kill himself? Was the Expert Petras in on it? Or just a victim?
There is some indication that a sequel might answer these questions but frustrated right now.
chrispyschaller's review against another edition
4.0
Clever indictment of alternative facts and where they lead, and where the reaction against them may lead, but a finale that hardly holds together.
nukie19's review against another edition
4.0
What if you lived in a world where everyone had to tell the truth and society was built around the idea that one truth existed? This is the most interesting premise for a speculative fiction book I've read recently and Winters nails it. His Golden State society is well thought out and the twists in the story line keep coming throughout.
inkstained's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book more than I honestly thought I would and I'm sad that it's over. So many things I didn't see coming, and plot twists and turns. What a treasure.