drearyletters's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
forsakenfates's review
3.0
I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing. I had read the summary before requesting the ARC and was interested at the time but never reread it before picking up the book. The book started off right in the action with Sofi and her brother, Shilo battling against other kids in a tournament involving survival as well as virtual reality and coding. At the beginning I was getting huge Hunger Games vibes which I really did not enjoy. But luckily the tournament portion of the book was brief.
We then are left with Sofi on this journey to save Shilo. But to save him she must first find him. This book was nonstop action and adventure which I really enjoyed. Mary Weber is an excellent action scene writer and I always felt like I was in the thick of everything as Sofi searches for clues.
The big issue I had with this book was the worldbuilding. We are thrown right into the action with little background on the tournament or these characters and what they have gone through. We do get some information in roundabout ways about the characters and their situations but it was not at all enough for me. I even felt like the aliens were poorly explained and developed. I know they were humanoid but larger but that tells me nothing about them as a species. The book also mentioned things and technology the aliens gave to help Earth but with little explanation or understanding of what the true relationship between the two species is.
While this is more than one book and there is definitely time for further explanation, I think this book would have benefited from better worldbuilding before jumping into the action of the story. This book also ends on a bit of a cliffhanger one that did not phase me. I did not become attached to these characters so I was in no way shocked by the ending nor do I feel like the wait for the next book will be far too long. Overall, this was a good book, I just could not overlook the lack of worldbuilding and setting up the story and the characters. If you can overlook that, then I'm sure you will really enjoy this book.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book*
We then are left with Sofi on this journey to save Shilo. But to save him she must first find him. This book was nonstop action and adventure which I really enjoyed. Mary Weber is an excellent action scene writer and I always felt like I was in the thick of everything as Sofi searches for clues.
The big issue I had with this book was the worldbuilding. We are thrown right into the action with little background on the tournament or these characters and what they have gone through. We do get some information in roundabout ways about the characters and their situations but it was not at all enough for me. I even felt like the aliens were poorly explained and developed. I know they were humanoid but larger but that tells me nothing about them as a species. The book also mentioned things and technology the aliens gave to help Earth but with little explanation or understanding of what the true relationship between the two species is.
While this is more than one book and there is definitely time for further explanation, I think this book would have benefited from better worldbuilding before jumping into the action of the story. This book also ends on a bit of a cliffhanger one that did not phase me. I did not become attached to these characters so I was in no way shocked by the ending nor do I feel like the wait for the next book will be far too long. Overall, this was a good book, I just could not overlook the lack of worldbuilding and setting up the story and the characters. If you can overlook that, then I'm sure you will really enjoy this book.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book*
cupcakegirly's review
4.0
My first instinct after finishing this book is to declare a plague upon your house, Mary Weber for that cliffhanger ending! But then if it came true, you wouldn't be able to write and none of us would get the second book and really, who does that benefit? Plus, there's the whole, cursing someone isn't cool, thing. ;)
Anyway.
I'll say this instead...I enjoyed that! I'm not a gamer, but I had no trouble understanding what was going on. (I was envisioning THG.) Fast paced, action packed with a focus on relationships of all kinds: parent, sibling, friend, and romantic. Sofi and her supporting cast of characters--even the ones I wanted to throttle--and the story pulled me in and refused to let me go. And you know, after having read the Storm Siren Trilogy--which I looooved and you should read ASAP if you haven't already done so--I should have been prepared for that ending. Should have.
But I wasn't.
However, I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2!
*Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson*
Anyway.
I'll say this instead...I enjoyed that! I'm not a gamer, but I had no trouble understanding what was going on. (I was envisioning THG.) Fast paced, action packed with a focus on relationships of all kinds: parent, sibling, friend, and romantic. Sofi and her supporting cast of characters--even the ones I wanted to throttle--and the story pulled me in and refused to let me go. And you know, after having read the Storm Siren Trilogy--which I looooved and you should read ASAP if you haven't already done so--I should have been prepared for that ending. Should have.
But I wasn't.
However, I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2!
*Review copy provided by Thomas Nelson*
ladyofbooks's review
4.0
Highly recommended for those who loved Ready Player One. I suspect that I would've enjoyed it more if I had been in the right mindset for this book, but as it stands the writer really has talent for taking you on a wild ride.
meezcarrie's review
4.0
Wow!
The Evaporation of Sofi Snow is intense and full of twists and turns and people (and aliens) you’re not sure you can trust. About the only person I was sure I could trust was Sofi Snow. Maybe. lol. And that ending!! If you’re like me, you’ll be frantically tapping the kindle (or shaking your print copy), hoping for more pages.
To be honest, it took me a few chapters to get fully into this novel, but then again I’m not usually a fan of science fiction so take that observation with a grain of salt. Once it clicked though, HELLO. I couldn’t put it down. Mary Weber feeds the reader information about the characters, about the setting, about the plot itself, a little bit at a time, causing my mind to whirl the whole time I was reading.
Sofi Snow is a strong heroine without sacrificing her heart and her vulnerability. And like just about every big sister would say, “don’t mess with her younger brother or she’ll take you down.” There is a side of Sofi that just made me really sad, some choices I was disappointed in, but I am withholding further judgment on this particular issue until I’m finished reading both books, waiting to see if we learn more about why she has made these choices and how it affects her character growth over the course of the duology.
Miguel is equally complex – maybe even more so – and he turned out to be one of my favorite characters in the novel! From his lavender hair to his playboy-facade good looks and charm to even the way Weber seamlessly incorporated his bilinguality into his conversations. The more I learned about him, the more I liked him … especially toward the end. And his best friend Claudius is a hoot!
Perhaps the most important part of The Evaporation of Sofi Snow is the message that exists beneath the surface of the story, mainly the atrocities of human trafficking and the importance of retaining your humanity in a world that feels alien. Neither theme is blatant or preachy; instead, they subtly weave throughout the characters, the setting, the events that unfold in ways that enhance each element.
Bottom Line: The Evaporation of Sofi Snow may have taken me a few chapters to fully embrace, but once it hooked me I couldn’t put it down. The characters are unique and layered, the plot full of surprises, and the worldbuilding is dimensional and creative. Keep in mind as you’re reading that there’s another book to come, so not everything will be explained or tied up by the end of this one. And given the riveting twists and turns in this installment, I don’t think it’s safe to assume anything about book #2!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
see my review at Reading Is My SuperPower
The Evaporation of Sofi Snow is intense and full of twists and turns and people (and aliens) you’re not sure you can trust. About the only person I was sure I could trust was Sofi Snow. Maybe. lol. And that ending!! If you’re like me, you’ll be frantically tapping the kindle (or shaking your print copy), hoping for more pages.
To be honest, it took me a few chapters to get fully into this novel, but then again I’m not usually a fan of science fiction so take that observation with a grain of salt. Once it clicked though, HELLO. I couldn’t put it down. Mary Weber feeds the reader information about the characters, about the setting, about the plot itself, a little bit at a time, causing my mind to whirl the whole time I was reading.
Sofi Snow is a strong heroine without sacrificing her heart and her vulnerability. And like just about every big sister would say, “don’t mess with her younger brother or she’ll take you down.” There is a side of Sofi that just made me really sad, some choices I was disappointed in, but I am withholding further judgment on this particular issue until I’m finished reading both books, waiting to see if we learn more about why she has made these choices and how it affects her character growth over the course of the duology.
Miguel is equally complex – maybe even more so – and he turned out to be one of my favorite characters in the novel! From his lavender hair to his playboy-facade good looks and charm to even the way Weber seamlessly incorporated his bilinguality into his conversations. The more I learned about him, the more I liked him … especially toward the end. And his best friend Claudius is a hoot!
Perhaps the most important part of The Evaporation of Sofi Snow is the message that exists beneath the surface of the story, mainly the atrocities of human trafficking and the importance of retaining your humanity in a world that feels alien. Neither theme is blatant or preachy; instead, they subtly weave throughout the characters, the setting, the events that unfold in ways that enhance each element.
Bottom Line: The Evaporation of Sofi Snow may have taken me a few chapters to fully embrace, but once it hooked me I couldn’t put it down. The characters are unique and layered, the plot full of surprises, and the worldbuilding is dimensional and creative. Keep in mind as you’re reading that there’s another book to come, so not everything will be explained or tied up by the end of this one. And given the riveting twists and turns in this installment, I don’t think it’s safe to assume anything about book #2!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
see my review at Reading Is My SuperPower
josiahdegraaf's review
Not quite sure what to make of this book (apart from it's b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. cover!). The first couple chapters confused me, but then the rest of it was a pretty engaging read all the way up to the cliffhanger ending. Because of the nature of this book's ending, I'm not quite sure where this book is going and what I think about it, lol. But it interested me enough that I'll be reading the next book. Once I've done so, I'll return and figure out what I thought of this book. xD
Rating: ???
Rating: ???
skinnygetout's review
3.0
This book is a slow starter, but once Weber lays the groundwork things start to get interesting.
This books takes place in a future Earth, after the 4th World War. The Earth is then broken up into 30 different corporate entities - it's like corporate consumerism and control on steroids. An alien race, the Delanese, shows up with their own planet that hovers just above Earth. It's not entirely clear what their intentions are, as they haven't conquered or colonized Earth.
Enter Sofi Snow. She is the daughter of Inola Snow, one of the CEOs of Earth's 30 sectors. Sofi is a competitor in Earth's popular Fan Fight Games, which is a cyber game played by kids from each of the sectors (Hunger Games, much?). During the game, a bomb goes off, and through a series of complicated events, Sofi is blamed for the act and labeled as a terrorist.
Here's the catch, her brother Shilo, who was Sofi teammate in the Fan Fight Games, goes missing. Sofi finds out that the Delanese have something to do with his disappearance. She comes up with a plan to become a stowaway on an ambassador's mission to the planet Delan. What she uncovers is creepy and confusing.
This book's premise was interesting enough, but the execution was a little messy, and their were so many pieces of the story that didn't feel fully fleshed out. I also hate it when books set themselves up as a series from the very beginning. I always think if a writer is going to do so, then the story and writing better be really good. This just wasn't. I liked the story well enough, but this left me wanting to reread Red Rising or the Hunger Games for that seamless and engaging read.
Fans of cyberpunk, scifi, and dystopian future would potentially enjoy this book.
This books takes place in a future Earth, after the 4th World War. The Earth is then broken up into 30 different corporate entities - it's like corporate consumerism and control on steroids. An alien race, the Delanese, shows up with their own planet that hovers just above Earth. It's not entirely clear what their intentions are, as they haven't conquered or colonized Earth.
Enter Sofi Snow. She is the daughter of Inola Snow, one of the CEOs of Earth's 30 sectors. Sofi is a competitor in Earth's popular Fan Fight Games, which is a cyber game played by kids from each of the sectors (Hunger Games, much?). During the game, a bomb goes off, and through a series of complicated events, Sofi is blamed for the act and labeled as a terrorist.
Here's the catch, her brother Shilo, who was Sofi teammate in the Fan Fight Games, goes missing. Sofi finds out that the Delanese have something to do with his disappearance. She comes up with a plan to become a stowaway on an ambassador's mission to the planet Delan. What she uncovers is creepy and confusing.
This book's premise was interesting enough, but the execution was a little messy, and their were so many pieces of the story that didn't feel fully fleshed out. I also hate it when books set themselves up as a series from the very beginning. I always think if a writer is going to do so, then the story and writing better be really good. This just wasn't. I liked the story well enough, but this left me wanting to reread Red Rising or the Hunger Games for that seamless and engaging read.
Fans of cyberpunk, scifi, and dystopian future would potentially enjoy this book.
mororke's review
3.0
The Evaporation of Sofi Snow takes place mainly on Earth, after World Wars III and IV. An alien race, the Delonese, have helped reverse global warming, and helped re-establish Earth and its new corporations instead of countries. The relationship appears to be symbiotic, with both races benefitting from each other.
Sofi, her brother Shilo, and her friends participate in FanFights. This less deadly version of “The Hunger Games” is where the book beings. After a terrorist attack pauses the FanFight Shilo is lost, Sofi’s team is dead, and Sofi must turn to the man who broke her hear to find Shilo. With the help of her few surviving friends, her heartbreaker, and a couple Ambassadors from Earth, Sofi finds herself on Delon.
During this part of the book I felt like the plot was treading water. Although I was close to finishing the book, the plot became some stagnant that it took me three days to read the last hour of the book. The last thirty minutes of the book are action packed, so I encourage readers not to give up, your persistence will pay off.
I rated this story three tracks because once it picks up the story gallops to the finish line, but no conflicts are resolved. As the reader learns more about the Delonese and their secrets, Sofi is betrayed and the book ends. I realize that to make sure readers pick up the second book some mystery has to remain, but some sort of resolution would have made the story more satisfying in the end.
Like my review? Read all of them at the-pink-moose.com
Sofi, her brother Shilo, and her friends participate in FanFights. This less deadly version of “The Hunger Games” is where the book beings. After a terrorist attack pauses the FanFight Shilo is lost, Sofi’s team is dead, and Sofi must turn to the man who broke her hear to find Shilo. With the help of her few surviving friends, her heartbreaker, and a couple Ambassadors from Earth, Sofi finds herself on Delon.
During this part of the book I felt like the plot was treading water. Although I was close to finishing the book, the plot became some stagnant that it took me three days to read the last hour of the book. The last thirty minutes of the book are action packed, so I encourage readers not to give up, your persistence will pay off.
I rated this story three tracks because once it picks up the story gallops to the finish line, but no conflicts are resolved. As the reader learns more about the Delonese and their secrets, Sofi is betrayed and the book ends. I realize that to make sure readers pick up the second book some mystery has to remain, but some sort of resolution would have made the story more satisfying in the end.
Like my review? Read all of them at the-pink-moose.com
ashton_reads_'s review
4.0
I'm back for another review! Why all the reviews? Because I'm super behind. I guess it's a good thing that I have been reading as slow as I have been because if I was reading faster, I would have even more books to review! UUGGGHH anyway, I'm getting back into the groove, so here's - drum roll please - The Evaporation of Sofi Snow !!!! *says in deep announcer's voice*
I really enjoyed this book! I did have a few problems with it, which I will address in a second, but when we get to the core of it, I really did enjoy reading this book. For one, the premise intrigued me, though it didn't make a whole lot of sense. The idea that a whole new planet comes and kind of takes over the world and reforms our government is one that, surprisingly, the YA world hasn't seen yet, as far as I know.
I also love the characters! I thought every character had some kind of unique trademark and an interesting backstory. It gets me so pumped when the main character is this awesome chic who kicks butt, and Sofi definitely delivers. She's extremely smart and can hack her way into anything. But she has her flaws, too, of course, but I think that all the characters had that amazing redeeming moment at the end. And the sibling relationship! Yes, yes, yes!
Oh, I definitely have to mention the plot twists! I'm proud to say that I saw it coming the whole time. Just saying. Not because they weren't good, because they were really good, but I'm still proud of myself (haha).
Anyway, on to why the book is a four-star and not a five
There were so many times where I was so confused I read the same page over and over and over and eventually just had to skip it because I gave up. Especially in the beginning, I didn't understand the world and all the technology lingo enough to imagine what was happening in my head. Plus, it started off kind of like a rocket - the pacing wasn't too fast, necessarily, but she started off too strong when I still didn't understand the world enough. I just wish the technology was more understandable, especially in important scenes when they're knee-deep in it and I don't know what they're saying.
Honestly, that was the main thing, but it's kind of a big thing. Plus, this is one of those books where it didn't blow me away, but I genuinely enjoyed reading it and want to know what's going to happen next.
Thanks NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ebook!
Au revoir, beautiful bookworms!
Oh, and if you enjoyed this review, be sure to follow my blog at https://tomyfellowbookworms.weebly.com and follow my bookstagram @ashton_reads ! Thanks for everything!
I really enjoyed this book! I did have a few problems with it, which I will address in a second, but when we get to the core of it, I really did enjoy reading this book. For one, the premise intrigued me, though it didn't make a whole lot of sense. The idea that a whole new planet comes and kind of takes over the world and reforms our government is one that, surprisingly, the YA world hasn't seen yet, as far as I know.
I also love the characters! I thought every character had some kind of unique trademark and an interesting backstory. It gets me so pumped when the main character is this awesome chic who kicks butt, and Sofi definitely delivers. She's extremely smart and can hack her way into anything. But she has her flaws, too, of course, but I think that all the characters had that amazing redeeming moment at the end. And the sibling relationship! Yes, yes, yes!
Oh, I definitely have to mention the plot twists! I'm proud to say that I saw it coming the whole time. Just saying. Not because they weren't good, because they were really good, but I'm still proud of myself (haha).
Spoiler
I knew that boy who was her friend (whoops, I forgot his name...) was in love with her and had some kind of ulterior motive. I take pride in my predicting abilities (hahahaha).Anyway, on to why the book is a four-star and not a five
There were so many times where I was so confused I read the same page over and over and over and eventually just had to skip it because I gave up. Especially in the beginning, I didn't understand the world and all the technology lingo enough to imagine what was happening in my head. Plus, it started off kind of like a rocket - the pacing wasn't too fast, necessarily, but she started off too strong when I still didn't understand the world enough. I just wish the technology was more understandable, especially in important scenes when they're knee-deep in it and I don't know what they're saying.
Honestly, that was the main thing, but it's kind of a big thing. Plus, this is one of those books where it didn't blow me away, but I genuinely enjoyed reading it and want to know what's going to happen next.
Thanks NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ebook!
Au revoir, beautiful bookworms!
Oh, and if you enjoyed this review, be sure to follow my blog at https://tomyfellowbookworms.weebly.com and follow my bookstagram @ashton_reads ! Thanks for everything!