bluuejeans's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, let me stop you right there ✋
The three stars are simply because of my own rating system, so if you want to know what three stars mean to me check my bio.
Now let me continue; This book caught my attention firstly because the author is from Iranian background and I always support and read books written by my motherlands people because no matter what I always find something to connect with and I think that’s nice.
And so I added it to my tbr list and moved on. Somewhere along all the other books that came in between I forgot what it was supposed to be about and when I saw it at the bookstore I picked it up and didn’t read the summary (because of already trusting it) and didn’t do it when I started reading it either. I was expecting tech-stuff. I like tech-stuff.
And what a surprise it was, it was like going to the movies and not knowing what the movie is going to be about. It was somewhat trilling like would she find her dad or not? All the way through the book I expected to see some kind of version of Utopia, where Abba is prisoned for his genius. Like.. everything felt possible. I very much enjoyed this book. Mostly appreciating all the friendships and loyalty everywhere. Always need more of that. Don’t get me wrong romance is nice, but there is too many stories about betrayals, vengefulness and jealousy and so so little of loyalty, having your back through it all, supporting friendships.
This is sometimes the great sadness of reading YA and not really being YA anymore, because YA me would have absolutely looooved this book. She was a nerd, she liked to make quirky jokes about feedback loops and all the code references.
The three stars are simply because of my own rating system, so if you want to know what three stars mean to me check my bio.
Now let me continue; This book caught my attention firstly because the author is from Iranian background and I always support and read books written by my motherlands people because no matter what I always find something to connect with and I think that’s nice.
And so I added it to my tbr list and moved on. Somewhere along all the other books that came in between I forgot what it was supposed to be about and when I saw it at the bookstore I picked it up and didn’t read the summary (because of already trusting it) and didn’t do it when I started reading it either. I was expecting tech-stuff. I like tech-stuff.
And what a surprise it was, it was like going to the movies and not knowing what the movie is going to be about. It was somewhat trilling like would she find her dad or not? All the way through the book I expected to see some kind of version of Utopia, where Abba is prisoned for his genius. Like.. everything felt possible. I very much enjoyed this book. Mostly appreciating all the friendships and loyalty everywhere. Always need more of that. Don’t get me wrong romance is nice, but there is too many stories about betrayals, vengefulness and jealousy and so so little of loyalty, having your back through it all, supporting friendships.
This is sometimes the great sadness of reading YA and not really being YA anymore, because YA me would have absolutely looooved this book. She was a nerd, she liked to make quirky jokes about feedback loops and all the code references.
sarahrita's review against another edition
4.0
Kinda fun, a little vague in parts and not as firmly structured as I was hoping, but a good read for its intended age range!
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
3.0
When Opal was only 10 years old, her dad disappeared, leaving behind a note that brings up more questions than it answers. She's been looking for him for years. Now she's in school at a tech-heavy high school in Palo Alto. She and some friends enter a tech contest where one of the prizes is a meeting with the powerful owner of WAVE, a huge VR platform. Opal wants to win more than anything so she can finally speak to that man. He was her father's partner and he may have answers.
I forget where I got the rec for this, but it's been on my list a while. I never quite fell into this one and I'm not sure why. The story is interesting, though while it did reveal the big question in the end, it felt like a sudden ending with not a lot of closure. But Opal never felt fully fleshed out to me. Or her friends, for that matter. I didn't really feel like I knew them. In the end, this was fine, but not spectacular.
I forget where I got the rec for this, but it's been on my list a while. I never quite fell into this one and I'm not sure why. The story is interesting, though while it did reveal the big question in the end, it felt like a sudden ending with not a lot of closure. But Opal never felt fully fleshed out to me. Or her friends, for that matter. I didn't really feel like I knew them. In the end, this was fine, but not spectacular.
drkappitan's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars, really. The premise is decent, and certainly timely, but it's heavy-handed with the young adult morality lessons it has set out to teach.
hazelstaybookish's review against another edition
4.0
Impressive sophomore novel– I was in awe of Ahmadi's futuristic setting and intrigued by the mysterious disappearance and the lengths the main character would go to meet the only man who might know something about it! Find my full review on the blog.
rcaivano's review against another edition
Girl Gone Viral is the story about a group of friends who attend a prestigious technology school. We're living somewhere in the near future where AR & VR are the norm, where kids hang out in the WAVE, a VR spot where they can be anywhere and do anything they want. And Opal has just launched one of the hottest VR shows on the WAVE. Her dad disappeared 7 years ago, a tech giant in his own right, and she's hoping her success on the Wave will help her find the answers to his disappearance. There's a lot of cool tech, a romance, lies, deception, and the election of an evil president that no one in the tech field is happy about (sound familiar??). There's the story of good vs evil, but which is which? Are we fast forwarding toward a society where we have no privacy, where we're online constantly, where we're being tracked and monitored? Is that what we want? Where do we draw the line? All excellent questions that do need to be addressed in our society.
ceeb's review against another edition
3.0
I quite enjoyed this easy read. The story line is smooth and modestly futuristic. The novel addresses possible futuristic problems while empowering the young scientific mind (especially the female one). Opal experiences real dilemmas of youth in friendship and love while also facing the very realistic pressures of academic success. A good read, suitable for someone entering university/college.
bibliophilogy's review against another edition
4.0
Three-word description : future, internet, truth
My rating : 4 / 5 stars
I'm so in the mood of reading futuristic, sci-fi-ish books and this is right up my alley and I must say this did not disappoint! This book has all my heart, the premise is epic, it's exactly what I needed at the moment! Also, if you're getting Warcross vibe, you are not alone but honestly this is so different from Marie Lu's books and so distinct and unique too!
First, let's talk about the setting! It is set in a futuristic world, where technology plays a more integral part in our lives so I'd say maybe 30 to 50 years from now? It is still a very contemporary world, and the technology aspect in the book is probably one of my favorite things in the book! They have artificial intelligence, virtual reality and just so many fascinating things woven into the story that I cannot help but love!
Opal, our main character, has some serious growth and development in the novel. Give them fame and they will change, as they say and I have to say Opal is just one of the more realistic characters I've read about, so headstrong and makes mistakes, real and raw that I think everyone can relate in their own ways. Aside from the main character, I need to say the sidekicks in the novel are awesome! the squad is epic, in it Moyo is my favorite, ever-so-adorable and charming! Shane is also a close second, the nerdy, tech-guy who you can't help but love!
The plot. Hmm. The pacing is great throughout the novel, and suddenly it became so fast-paced that everything is revealed in that 30 pages, it is sometimes too much to take in! But as a standalone (which I'm pretty sure it is) novel, I can definitely see the rush but I just hope that it can be more evenly paced throughout the novel and this is probably the only minor issue I had with the book!
This book really challenges the theme on technology and how it is so game changing to the extent that it is taking over humans. It is super intriguing to explore the aspect, as it is fairly dealt with in the book. I love how there is a huge contrast between the ones who want technology to dominate their lives and the ones who despise it. This is also a reflection on how much technology is actually changing and affecting us, it is indeed a very thought-provoking read.
Also, truth is also heavily focused as a theme in the book. In the society, who is not lying? Whether it is to the public, or deep down, lying to themselves. This is also a very raw read, exposing the humanity deep inside of us, the thing that makes us humans. After all, humans have feelings and values to hold up to.
Oh, and also, it may be confusing if you go in the book thinking it will be somewhat similar to Warcross, I went in with the same mindset and hence it took me a while to really map everything out in my head so for Warcross fans, do not go in expecting another rip-off because this differs from it and is its own uniquely beautiful novel!
Overall, I loved this book so much that I will recommend it to anyone who wants a techy read, especially for fans of Warcross! If you want an amazing standalone, and great characters, with an epic and futuristic setting, do not pass this one out because it will most likely be on your favorites!
Thank you so much to Times Reads for sending me a copy of it to review, this book is available in all good bookstores and you should grab a copy!
My rating : 4 / 5 stars
I'm so in the mood of reading futuristic, sci-fi-ish books and this is right up my alley and I must say this did not disappoint! This book has all my heart, the premise is epic, it's exactly what I needed at the moment! Also, if you're getting Warcross vibe, you are not alone but honestly this is so different from Marie Lu's books and so distinct and unique too!
First, let's talk about the setting! It is set in a futuristic world, where technology plays a more integral part in our lives so I'd say maybe 30 to 50 years from now? It is still a very contemporary world, and the technology aspect in the book is probably one of my favorite things in the book! They have artificial intelligence, virtual reality and just so many fascinating things woven into the story that I cannot help but love!
Opal, our main character, has some serious growth and development in the novel. Give them fame and they will change, as they say and I have to say Opal is just one of the more realistic characters I've read about, so headstrong and makes mistakes, real and raw that I think everyone can relate in their own ways. Aside from the main character, I need to say the sidekicks in the novel are awesome! the squad is epic, in it Moyo is my favorite, ever-so-adorable and charming! Shane is also a close second, the nerdy, tech-guy who you can't help but love!
The plot. Hmm. The pacing is great throughout the novel, and suddenly it became so fast-paced that everything is revealed in that 30 pages, it is sometimes too much to take in! But as a standalone (which I'm pretty sure it is) novel, I can definitely see the rush but I just hope that it can be more evenly paced throughout the novel and this is probably the only minor issue I had with the book!
This book really challenges the theme on technology and how it is so game changing to the extent that it is taking over humans. It is super intriguing to explore the aspect, as it is fairly dealt with in the book. I love how there is a huge contrast between the ones who want technology to dominate their lives and the ones who despise it. This is also a reflection on how much technology is actually changing and affecting us, it is indeed a very thought-provoking read.
Also, truth is also heavily focused as a theme in the book. In the society, who is not lying? Whether it is to the public, or deep down, lying to themselves. This is also a very raw read, exposing the humanity deep inside of us, the thing that makes us humans. After all, humans have feelings and values to hold up to.
Oh, and also, it may be confusing if you go in the book thinking it will be somewhat similar to Warcross, I went in with the same mindset and hence it took me a while to really map everything out in my head so for Warcross fans, do not go in expecting another rip-off because this differs from it and is its own uniquely beautiful novel!
Overall, I loved this book so much that I will recommend it to anyone who wants a techy read, especially for fans of Warcross! If you want an amazing standalone, and great characters, with an epic and futuristic setting, do not pass this one out because it will most likely be on your favorites!
Thank you so much to Times Reads for sending me a copy of it to review, this book is available in all good bookstores and you should grab a copy!
benix's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting concept although I found the book flap description didn't reflect what the book was about.
Liked the characters but never got a clear picture of what exactly the final resolution was except Luddites are bad?? I would have liked a better resolution to the issues. I felt like things were left unanswered. I'm okay with things left to our imagination but a few things just felt overlooked.
Definitely would read another book by the author!
Liked the characters but never got a clear picture of what exactly the final resolution was except Luddites are bad?? I would have liked a better resolution to the issues. I felt like things were left unanswered. I'm okay with things left to our imagination but a few things just felt overlooked.
Definitely would read another book by the author!
jessdrafahl's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The dialogue in this book was next to unbearable. The main character, Opal, is difficult to like, and the side characters less so. None of them are very fleshed out and their character motivations are stale. The plot wants to have a grand mystery, but the reveal falls flat. There isn't a nice resolution at the end, and it instead opts in for the classic Barbie: The Princess and the Pauper ending. Glad to be done with this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide