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cheye13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
For a book set 30 years in the future, it's very strangely of its time (and more circa 2016-18, rather than its publishing date). And tbh maybe also it's place (NYC)? While I agree with what the book is trying to say to a point, It offers a strangely reserved viewpoint, lacking any real nuance. It hinges on the ideals of Phone Bad and "everyone wants to be famous" which are just. not believable blanket statements.
There's also a serious lack of followthrough on the science fiction elements. The origins of "The Spill" are never addressed; an internet-based attack only severely impacts the U.S.; people who continue to use screens after "The Spill" end up with some new kind of dementia for some unknown, uninvestigated reason. And I found it hard to believe that "The Spill" would be that destructive; while I don't doubt revealing certain figures' online activity would be an upset, I do believe the majority of people live an average, mediocre life, even on the internet.
That being said, I found the concept of Constellation and the seceded island interesting, and I enjoyed following these women's stories. This is one of those books where the promise of the premise exceeds the execution.
There's also a serious lack of followthrough on the science fiction elements. The origins of "The Spill" are never addressed; an internet-based attack only severely impacts the U.S.; people who continue to use screens after "The Spill" end up with some new kind of dementia for some unknown, uninvestigated reason. And I found it hard to believe that "The Spill" would be that destructive; while I don't doubt revealing certain figures' online activity would be an upset, I do believe the majority of people live an average, mediocre life, even on the internet.
That being said, I found the concept of Constellation and the seceded island interesting, and I enjoyed following these women's stories. This is one of those books where the promise of the premise exceeds the execution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Suicide, Violence, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse, Confinement, Racism, Xenophobia, and Dementia
The catastrophic event referred to as "the spill" involves everyone's darkest internet secrets coming to public light, which entails a number of crimes and possible triggers mentioned in briefest of detail. While the act of suicide itself is never described in detail, the event is talked about at length.