atikaa09's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kristen_eden's review against another edition
5.0
Black mirror, but a book, but better. Definitely worth a read.
whitmc's review against another edition
4.0
I got to this one as a silver lining of the Bay Area Shelter in Place. I visited the library just a few days before the order came out, when the library was wiping all returned books with Lysol wipes and I thought "this is weird...what a weird time" (without knowing what the next few days would bring). I popped over to the "Lucky Day" shelf and saw this and a couple others. In true overachiever fashion, I thought maybe I could read 6 books in 3 weeks before they were due. Of course I couldn't, and of course I had maybe 10 books checked out of the library at home already. Normally I do this and then sadly return them all, usually having read just one. This time, the libraries all closed, which is quite sad, BUT, I was given a silver lining of extra time to read all those books I grabbed.
Anyways, this one I had heard about a lot and was curious. I enjoyed it quite a bit, although more so once I got to the end. I think I was nervous about where it was going, and also, the "twist" of what "the Spill" was is held out until the bitter end, where I think revealing it early would have been more impactful. But definitely a creative premise and an enjoyable read that gives you food for thought.
Anyways, this one I had heard about a lot and was curious. I enjoyed it quite a bit, although more so once I got to the end. I think I was nervous about where it was going, and also, the "twist" of what "the Spill" was is held out until the bitter end, where I think revealing it early would have been more impactful. But definitely a creative premise and an enjoyable read that gives you food for thought.
alessandra's review against another edition
2.0
Comecei como audiobook, terminei no ebook pra ver se passava mais rápido.
Bom conceito com execução mais ou menos. Podiam ter editado melhor isso aqui, sei lá.
Bom conceito com execução mais ou menos. Podiam ter editado melhor isso aqui, sei lá.
rebbemcc's review against another edition
4.0
Is this considered sci-fi? I hope so. I liked the alternating timelines and seeing how they converged. Felt realistic and grounded for a cautionary tale.
mcoenraad's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
cheye13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
For a book set 30 years in the future, it's very strangely of its time (and more circa 2016-18, rather than its publishing date). And tbh maybe also it's place (NYC)? While I agree with what the book is trying to say to a point, It offers a strangely reserved viewpoint, lacking any real nuance. It hinges on the ideals of Phone Bad and "everyone wants to be famous" which are just. not believable blanket statements.
There's also a serious lack of followthrough on the science fiction elements. The origins of "The Spill" are never addressed; an internet-based attack only severely impacts the U.S.; people who continue to use screens after "The Spill" end up with some new kind of dementia for some unknown, uninvestigated reason. And I found it hard to believe that "The Spill" would be that destructive; while I don't doubt revealing certain figures' online activity would be an upset, I do believe the majority of people live an average, mediocre life, even on the internet.
That being said, I found the concept of Constellation and the seceded island interesting, and I enjoyed following these women's stories. This is one of those books where the promise of the premise exceeds the execution.
There's also a serious lack of followthrough on the science fiction elements. The origins of "The Spill" are never addressed; an internet-based attack only severely impacts the U.S.; people who continue to use screens after "The Spill" end up with some new kind of dementia for some unknown, uninvestigated reason. And I found it hard to believe that "The Spill" would be that destructive; while I don't doubt revealing certain figures' online activity would be an upset, I do believe the majority of people live an average, mediocre life, even on the internet.
That being said, I found the concept of Constellation and the seceded island interesting, and I enjoyed following these women's stories. This is one of those books where the promise of the premise exceeds the execution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Suicide, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Abortion, Body shaming, Violence, Bullying, Alcohol, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, and Suicide
Minor: Racism, Dementia, Xenophobia, Cancer, Animal death, Child abuse, and Confinement
The catastrophic event referred to as "the spill" involves everyone's darkest internet secrets coming to public light, which entails a number of crimes and possible triggers mentioned in briefest of detail. While the act of suicide itself is never described in detail, the event is talked about at length.