zluke's review
4.0
Took me a while to really get into this book, but it was worth it. I found the characters rather odd to begin with but they grew on me and I think Henry especially really grows as a character throughout the book. He has so many new experiences and has to react to things he's never faced before but it never seems unbelievable. I liked the romance elements because they weren't overbearing and weren't all straight. The fact that serephin is openly bisexual is really nice to see in a young adult book, and also refreshing that the character's sexualities are not the most important things about them.
melbsreads's review
3.0
Trigger warnings: violence, death, explosions, war, torture.
This was...a slightly peculiar book. I bought it literally years ago when I read that it featured asexual representation and it was Own Voices, and then I promptly forgot all about it. Until now.
I really loved the idea of this - it's described as solarpunk - but ultimately this was just LONG. There were a lot of narrators, and their voices felt a little too similar at times. I also felt like there wasn't quiiiiite enough worldbuilding in favour of action at the beginning of the story and then I spent the rest of this nearly 500 page book wondering why the hell the world was the way it was.
So...I liked it. I liked the representation. But it was at least a hundred (and fifty) pages too long, and there was way more in here about noodles than I anticipated. Like, WAY more.
This was...a slightly peculiar book. I bought it literally years ago when I read that it featured asexual representation and it was Own Voices, and then I promptly forgot all about it. Until now.
I really loved the idea of this - it's described as solarpunk - but ultimately this was just LONG. There were a lot of narrators, and their voices felt a little too similar at times. I also felt like there wasn't quiiiiite enough worldbuilding in favour of action at the beginning of the story and then I spent the rest of this nearly 500 page book wondering why the hell the world was the way it was.
So...I liked it. I liked the representation. But it was at least a hundred (and fifty) pages too long, and there was way more in here about noodles than I anticipated. Like, WAY more.
georgidl's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
jjcrafts's review
4.0
I picked this up for the asexual rep but didn't actually notice it (I had to go online and check which character it was supposed to be) which was probably my fault for not noticing it. The book is about Henry, who lives in a small dying town and refuses to face the prospect of needing to leave. Then a rebellion shows up on his doorstep and he finds out a lot of things he didn't want to know! I did really like the characters and it was really nice to read a character who doesn't want anything to do with what's going on, is scared and anxious and is doing his best anyway but at times I did feel Henry was acting out of character and his decisions sometimes didn't feel right to me. But that's one of many point of view characters in this diverse fantasy and the whole cast are really intriguing and well built.
chayote's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
[ Overall Thoughts ]
Henry Schmitt is content enough with a simple life in his tiny, nearly-empty village, until an outlaw pays a ridiculous sum for the use of his bed for the night and ends up bringing all kinds of trouble to his door. As Henry learns more about his father who abandoned him after his mother’s death, their government, and the group of rebels who’ve swept him up in their trouble, he has to decide when and how an ordinary person like him can take a stand.
Henry Schmitt is content enough with a simple life in his tiny, nearly-empty village, until an outlaw pays a ridiculous sum for the use of his bed for the night and ends up bringing all kinds of trouble to his door. As Henry learns more about his father who abandoned him after his mother’s death, their government, and the group of rebels who’ve swept him up in their trouble, he has to decide when and how an ordinary person like him can take a stand.
Viral Airwaves is the author's debut standalone novel. It is unique and enjoyable, and while it didn't feel particularly fast-paced to me, I also had no trouble finding the drive to pick it up and read more. The writing does occasionally feel a bit repetitive, but I didn't find that impeded my enjoyment much. The worldbuilding was mostly conveyed through characters' experiences or dialogue, and I found it came across naturally. I found the story very engaging, and unfortunately relevant as it involves a pandemic, protests, and police brutality.
[ The World ]
Homes, infrastructure, and technology are solar-powered, and National radio and newspapers are the only sources of information. A deadly pandemic caused many setbacks, as well as an oil-destroying engineered microbe that spelled the end of personal transportation and other reliance on oil. I'll be honest: I don't know how feasible the sciencey stuff here is. It occasionally felt a bit far-fetched, but I'm not one to question fantasy science generally, so this setup may work less well for a more scientifically-inclined audience. For me, it worked to set up a story that I found unique and engaging with an interestingly-built world.
Homes, infrastructure, and technology are solar-powered, and National radio and newspapers are the only sources of information. A deadly pandemic caused many setbacks, as well as an oil-destroying engineered microbe that spelled the end of personal transportation and other reliance on oil. I'll be honest: I don't know how feasible the sciencey stuff here is. It occasionally felt a bit far-fetched, but I'm not one to question fantasy science generally, so this setup may work less well for a more scientifically-inclined audience. For me, it worked to set up a story that I found unique and engaging with an interestingly-built world.
[ The Characters ]
The book is split between several POVs and I found each to be an interesting perspective. Though we get lots of pages from other perspectives, I'd argue that Henry Schmitt is the main character. He is an average fellow who just wants to live a quiet life with his supply of instant noodles. As he learns more about the rebellion, he becomes determined to take part somehow. He was a fun character to follow, being timid and uncertain he was a bit different than your typical fantasy hero.
The book is split between several POVs and I found each to be an interesting perspective. Though we get lots of pages from other perspectives, I'd argue that Henry Schmitt is the main character. He is an average fellow who just wants to live a quiet life with his supply of instant noodles. As he learns more about the rebellion, he becomes determined to take part somehow. He was a fun character to follow, being timid and uncertain he was a bit different than your typical fantasy hero.
Andeal, Maniel, and Seraphin are the founders of the rebellion and play significant roles as well. Andeal is a staunch pacifist and believer in humane treatment as well as being a skilled engineer. Maniel is badass, a capable leader, and is a fierce protector of those she cares for. Seraphin is the "face" of the rebellion known as the White Renegade, and has a reputation far worse than his reality.
We also get a significant number of chapters from Captain Hans Vermen, a soldier who abandoned his command in order to chase after Seraphin to exact revenge on him for his brother's death.
[ Suggested Audience ]
Readers interested in a solarpunk setting, and fighting against corrupt governments with hot air balloons and radio broadcasts.
Readers who enjoy multi-POV stories, with characters coming together for a common goal.
Readers who like nonviolent, ordinary folk MCs, but also leaders of rebellions and pacifist engineers.
Readers interested in a solarpunk setting, and fighting against corrupt governments with hot air balloons and radio broadcasts.
Readers who enjoy multi-POV stories, with characters coming together for a common goal.
Readers who like nonviolent, ordinary folk MCs, but also leaders of rebellions and pacifist engineers.
[ TL;DR ]
Viral Airwaves is an atypical book, with its solarpunk setting, its ordinary MC, and its unique approach to a rebellion. I really enjoyed it.
Content Warning for pandemic, viruses, protests, and police brutality.
Viral Airwaves is an atypical book, with its solarpunk setting, its ordinary MC, and its unique approach to a rebellion. I really enjoyed it.
Content Warning for pandemic, viruses, protests, and police brutality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
madeline_the_terrible's review
2.0
I tried really hard to get into this book but I couldn't. It feels perfunctory and lacks the charm of the Isandor series. Disappointing.
nyphren's review
4.0
I usually don't read sci-fi because, you know, science (not my kind of stuff), but I really enjoyed Viral Airwaves. The writing is great and so is worldbuilding, but what made me love it were the characters. Seraphin is by far my favorite (already liked him from The White Renegade), but all of them are well developed and interesting. It's a pity it doesn't have a sequel; I would love to read more about Henry, Vermen and everyone else.
hannah_bevis1's review
4.0
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
This is my first time reading Claudie Arseneault, and this was her debut novel. That said, I picked up this book because I saw that the main character was asexual, and that the story would center around a group of rebels...which it did. That said...
~SPOILERY STUFF AHEAD~
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...every single main character was either already in a relationship, or was in one by the end of the book. I picked up this book hoping that it would center other relationships between characters outside of romantic ones, and...sometimes it did? But to me, those relationships didn't feel central to the story. I'm ace myself, and I know that some asexual people end up in relationships, I was disappointed how the one mention of Henry's asexuality was jealousy at "never feeling that way" with somebody, and ended with him asking someone out at the end, focusing on the storyline of asexuality being something to pity, and the 'problem' being solved at the end of the book so that everyone's happy (because they're) in a relationship.
I was happy with all the queer rep in this book - I'm a sucker for the enemy to lovers trope, and I thought this book did well with it, as well as centering a lot of Black/POC characters, but in general, was a bit disappointed. Also, this book was SO. LONG. Could have been shortened, for sure.
This is my first time reading Claudie Arseneault, and this was her debut novel. That said, I picked up this book because I saw that the main character was asexual, and that the story would center around a group of rebels...which it did. That said...
~SPOILERY STUFF AHEAD~
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...every single main character was either already in a relationship, or was in one by the end of the book. I picked up this book hoping that it would center other relationships between characters outside of romantic ones, and...sometimes it did? But to me, those relationships didn't feel central to the story. I'm ace myself, and I know that some asexual people end up in relationships, I was disappointed how the one mention of Henry's asexuality was jealousy at "never feeling that way" with somebody, and ended with him asking someone out at the end, focusing on the storyline of asexuality being something to pity, and the 'problem' being solved at the end of the book so that everyone's happy (because they're) in a relationship.
I was happy with all the queer rep in this book - I'm a sucker for the enemy to lovers trope, and I thought this book did well with it, as well as centering a lot of Black/POC characters, but in general, was a bit disappointed. Also, this book was SO. LONG. Could have been shortened, for sure.
catship_system's review
At 76%, I'm officially giving up on this book. I really wanted to like it, and I really thought I would like it, but no.
[deleted unnecessarily mean review. above info is enough really, nobody has to know all the details of why I didn't like it.]
[deleted unnecessarily mean review. above info is enough really, nobody has to know all the details of why I didn't like it.]
moh's review
4.0
3.5 stars
Claudie Arseneault has quickly become one of my favorite writers. This is her debut novel, and it isn't as seamless as Baker Thief and her City of Spires books, but it's a delightful read. When the world feels too full of jagged edges, these are the books I want to land in. They are such rich fantasy worlds, full of queers and first-rate banter.
Claudie Arseneault has quickly become one of my favorite writers. This is her debut novel, and it isn't as seamless as Baker Thief and her City of Spires books, but it's a delightful read. When the world feels too full of jagged edges, these are the books I want to land in. They are such rich fantasy worlds, full of queers and first-rate banter.