stephzilla's review against another edition
5.0
This is a stunning commentary on American politics and way of life. Very heavy but extremely poignant.
backshelfbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I read this in January and I already know it will be one of my favorite reads of the year. This novella is timely and fascinating, and very readable despite the violence depicted.
The story was twisty, and so well written, with themes that will stick with you way after you finish reading.
This was my first read by Robert Jackson Bennett, and I can't wait to read more.
The story was twisty, and so well written, with themes that will stick with you way after you finish reading.
This was my first read by Robert Jackson Bennett, and I can't wait to read more.
joey_schafer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ryzzen's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ericaburns1's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, Murder, Sexual content, Cursing, Mass/school shootings, and Gun violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Death of parent, Police brutality, and Blood
jerseygrrrl's review against another edition
I have no idea how to rate this book. I picked it up because I like Robert Jackson Bennett's City of Swords series. I was sucked in, but I loathed reading it. It was scarily plausible in its description of an America that had fully embraced gun ownership and fear. I had nightmares and I wish I had never read it. But Bennett has important things to say and wrote a well-plotted, thoughtful, scary book. So how to rate? For now, I'm keeping the stars blank until I figure it out.
zolama's review against another edition
2.0
What would happen if the current far-right movement in the US became mainstream enough to represent the vast majority of the US population? This book tries a spin on that and throws in the commercialisation of fear (via televised and ad-supported mass shootings).
On the one hand, it's a cool idea. On the other, this book is also too damn American. I really couldn't relate to any of it. And it lacked some nuance, which is a shame even though that was of course intended.
On the one hand, it's a cool idea. On the other, this book is also too damn American. I really couldn't relate to any of it. And it lacked some nuance, which is a shame even though that was of course intended.
titusfortner's review against another edition
4.0
Yes, more of this please. Near future science fiction that extrapolates some of the existing trends. It is very likely that we will soon be able to use computers to make convincing video of anything we want. The leveraging of Big Data to drive specific actions of large corporations. This future requires that we ignore large political forces in our current climate, but what if those forces didn't exist, or aren't powerful enough to effect change. This isn't a perfect story, but I'd really love to read more authors taking stabs at this sub-genre.
anaiira's review against another edition
4.0
I don't like this novella. I don't want to read it again. I don't think it speaks to any underlying fundamental truth about shared humanity, or any part that I would want to believe in.
I did not enjoy reading this book.
But wow is it ever effective. I am currently in a state of fear and panic, gripped by a 200 page novel that was incredibly good at getting me to be completely terrified of social media, the artificial intelligence singularity, and guns.
I think it's well written and crafted. Clearly the pacing works for how I read and the way the plot moves seems sensible (if all the weird premises of the novel are accepted) and it is highly detailed. To be honest, I'm not keen on picking up this book and reading it again.
There's no good way of rating a book like this. Thrillers, gun fight thrillers especially, are not my preferred genre of fiction. I have no defenses or references against which this book can measure up. Typically, if I have a visceral reaction to literature, I think of it as a mark of excellence, because to trigger an emotion through words is difficult.
In this case... It's a lizard brain thing. My particular phobias were triggered, but it doesn't necessarily indicate quality. It just bowled me over in a tidal wave of emotion.
I did not enjoy reading this book.
But wow is it ever effective. I am currently in a state of fear and panic, gripped by a 200 page novel that was incredibly good at getting me to be completely terrified of social media, the artificial intelligence singularity, and guns.
I think it's well written and crafted. Clearly the pacing works for how I read and the way the plot moves seems sensible (if all the weird premises of the novel are accepted) and it is highly detailed. To be honest, I'm not keen on picking up this book and reading it again.
There's no good way of rating a book like this. Thrillers, gun fight thrillers especially, are not my preferred genre of fiction. I have no defenses or references against which this book can measure up. Typically, if I have a visceral reaction to literature, I think of it as a mark of excellence, because to trigger an emotion through words is difficult.
In this case... It's a lizard brain thing. My particular phobias were triggered, but it doesn't necessarily indicate quality. It just bowled me over in a tidal wave of emotion.