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lafrederick's review against another edition
3.5
It brings up a lot of things to think about but not my favorite John Marrs book.
number_one_megladon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
themarinabox's review against another edition
3.0
This is my fourth book from John Marrs in this futuristic dystopian world.
This book gave me this eerie feeling all throughout the read. Because while something might be far-fetched, you can imagine that most of the things can happen in real life, or even some are starting to show through a little. I've always loved and appreciated John Marrs's books on the dark side of technology because I think it's important to realise that these things could happen.
The Marriage Act is not just about the futuristic technologies that can ruin your life lol but it also explores human relationships and connections. How does technology affect your family dynamics? How does social media affect your relationship? How does all of this affect one's mental health? All these can be seen throughout the book.
Just like The One, The Passengers, and The Minders, you will read from different POVs/storylines. I, personally, enjoy that. I never found it confusing, and it's interesting when the characters' storylines kind of intertwine with each other. I would say not to worry so much about remembering who is who because you'll get used to it soon enough. There will be characters you will loathe, sympathise with, or just be annoyed at. Though honestly, you'll hate most of them.
However, I must say, after having read The One, The Passengers, and The Minders, that The Marriage Act, to me, feels on the slower side. The chapters are short, and you can really keep on going for sure, but the general pace of the storytelling is a bit on the slower side, unlike, say, The One.
While this book is not my favourite of all the John Marrs's books that I've read, I enjoyed reading it and felt quite unsettled haha.
I would say that if you have read The One and are expecting this to be jaw-dropping twist after twist, then you have to change your expectations.
The whole unique theme gained 4 stars from me but general reading experience is 3.5 stars for me.
This book gave me this eerie feeling all throughout the read. Because while something might be far-fetched, you can imagine that most of the things can happen in real life, or even some are starting to show through a little. I've always loved and appreciated John Marrs's books on the dark side of technology because I think it's important to realise that these things could happen.
The Marriage Act is not just about the futuristic technologies that can ruin your life lol but it also explores human relationships and connections. How does technology affect your family dynamics? How does social media affect your relationship? How does all of this affect one's mental health? All these can be seen throughout the book.
Just like The One, The Passengers, and The Minders, you will read from different POVs/storylines. I, personally, enjoy that. I never found it confusing, and it's interesting when the characters' storylines kind of intertwine with each other. I would say not to worry so much about remembering who is who because you'll get used to it soon enough. There will be characters you will loathe, sympathise with, or just be annoyed at. Though honestly, you'll hate most of them.
However, I must say, after having read The One, The Passengers, and The Minders, that The Marriage Act, to me, feels on the slower side. The chapters are short, and you can really keep on going for sure, but the general pace of the storytelling is a bit on the slower side, unlike, say, The One.
While this book is not my favourite of all the John Marrs's books that I've read, I enjoyed reading it and felt quite unsettled haha.
I would say that if you have read The One and are expecting this to be jaw-dropping twist after twist, then you have to change your expectations.
The whole unique theme gained 4 stars from me but general reading experience is 3.5 stars for me.
dads2tired's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chaptersofvicki's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed listening to this one. There are quite a few different characters to get to grips with but if you do decide to listen to the audiobook, it is narrated by a full cast of narrators it was so good.
This is a rather scary look into what the future could possibly look like. 😳 The government introduces Smart Marriages where you receive better health insurance, better jobs, better houses and better schools for your children. Sounds simple enough, Right?
It was so interesting listening to the story unfold but by bit and find out how everything connected together. The twists and turns were so good and I hadn’t figured it out at all!
I’m looking forward to reading another John Marrs book very soon!
coryduude's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nvrgud's review against another edition
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jryberg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
haileygase's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 I searched out all of John Marr’s books after getting the ARC copy of his newer book Family Experiment. I ended up finding his personal website and ended up getting signed copies of his other books - which is so cool.
Anyways - I enjoyed this book which was set in a distant dystopian future that is ruled by AI and far advanced technology and dystopian society. The twists I thought were fantastic - and many of them I could not have predicted if you paid me. I feel like there were a few slower parts in the book and definitely affected my reading pace.
Anyways - I enjoyed this book which was set in a distant dystopian future that is ruled by AI and far advanced technology and dystopian society. The twists I thought were fantastic - and many of them I could not have predicted if you paid me. I feel like there were a few slower parts in the book and definitely affected my reading pace.
blankpagealex's review against another edition
2.0
The book doesn't really utilize its premise and instead becomes a story for the Qanon crowd where everyone working for the government is a murderer or sex criminal and the system is set up so they are the only ones who can get away with it. The book tries to cover way too much (AI, surveillance, deepfakes, autonomous vehicles, corruption) and it doesn't really have much to say about the institution of marriage.