dgarrison's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I listened to the audio version, and the narrator was pretty good.
I was really enjoying this book right up until the end. Maybe I’d rate this a little higher if there was another book. I would like to know what happens next. But I think this was intended to be a standalone novel.
Also, all the characters are just really unlikable.
But maybe that’s the point late stage capitalism just brought out the worst in everyone and incentivized the wrong things.
I was really enjoying this book right up until the end. Maybe I’d rate this a little higher if there was another book. I would like to know what happens next. But I think this was intended to be a standalone novel.
Also, all the characters are just really unlikable.
Spoiler
Some you kind of like at points. Flawed people just trying to make the best of their situation, but then they do some really awful things that just causes you to really lose all respect for them. Paxton may be the one exception, but it really sad seeing what he went through and not really getting a good resolution for himBut maybe that’s the point late stage capitalism just brought out the worst in everyone and incentivized the wrong things.
Graphic: Gaslighting and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide, Racism, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
bluejayreads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
3.5
I am somewhat surprised I finished this at all, because this kind of dystopia feels hopelessly possible and normally I hate that. But I think I related to the tension in Paxton - fighting the corporation versus personal survival, hating the job but still wanting to do it well. I also found the perspective of Cloud's founder interesting, because he presented terrible ideas in a very reasonable way. (Zinnia's parts were interesting for the suspense, but I know too much about corporate espionage to fully suspend my disbelief.) It was a blend of horrifying and relevant - strange, sometimes uncomfortable, but thoroughly fascinating.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcohol, and Cancer
Moderate: Drug use, Death, Injury/injury detail, and Sexual content
Minor: Racism, Gun violence, Drug abuse, and Ableism
More...