redtree's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
librariann's review against another edition
4.0
Unbelievably exciting and hard to put down, yet with a huge plot hole.
I've never read any of Soule's other titles, but when I read the description of this one I knew it was right up my alley. Loved the back and forth in the timeline and the world building. However, when it came to [HUGE BOOK RUINING SPOILER]
It's possible I missed something at the beginning of the story that would have explained this as a less stupid decision, but it really took a lot away from the reveal, because rather than saying 'AWESOME' I was saying 'DOES NOT COMPUTE.'
Slightly less than satisfying resolution, but still, a flash bang concept and whirlwind read.
I've never read any of Soule's other titles, but when I read the description of this one I knew it was right up my alley. Loved the back and forth in the timeline and the world building. However, when it came to [HUGE BOOK RUINING SPOILER]
Spoiler
the fact that Annami had been in Anna's body the whole time, I couldn't believe that she hadn't been discovered. You're telling me 1) the flash exists, 2) Hendricks has a hypermonitoring network that extends through a whole city, yet Annami/Anna/Gabrielle was able to work at NeOnet FOR FIVE YEARS AND NO ONE KNEW WHO SHE WAS? I mean, I get it, mom doesn't want to abandon child's body because it's like abandoning her child. But for almost all of the narrative I had this picture in my head of a slight Asian girl whose body had been flashed into for ultimate anonymity, and it was ANNA'S FACE ALL ALONG.It's possible I missed something at the beginning of the story that would have explained this as a less stupid decision, but it really took a lot away from the reveal, because rather than saying 'AWESOME' I was saying 'DOES NOT COMPUTE.'
Spoiler
Also unresolved: was Kring Bleeder? What did the decision at the end of the book really mean for the world? Will people keep flashing? So many questions.Slightly less than satisfying resolution, but still, a flash bang concept and whirlwind read.
openmypages's review against another edition
4.0
Strong Dark Matter vibes in this one. I picked this book up because I was seeing it everywhere online and couldn't resist. The story is well written and I liked the alternating POVs and time lines to reveal the story. I really devoured the first half but lost my drive after I figured out one of the twists. I powered through and felt as though there is a decent payoff in the end. I think this would make a great TV series.
tp88's review against another edition
5.0
Not only is the tech incredible, all storylines are compelling and interesting throughout. A great twist at the end that makes me want to go back to the beginning and reevaluate almost everything. Pretty awesome
basicbsguide's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Harper Perennial for the free book.
“Inside a barn in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a scientist searching for an Alzheimer’s cure throws the switch—and finds herself mysteriously transported into her husband’s body. What begins as a botched experiment will change her life—and the world—forever…Over two decades later, all across the plant, “flash” technology allows individuals the ability to transfer their consciousness into other bodies for specific periods, paid, registered, and legal. Society has been utterly transformed by the process, from travel to warfare to entertainment; “Be anyone with Anyone” the tagline of the company offering this ultimate out-of-body experience.”
Intriguing concept, right? Set in Ann Arbor, Michigan? GO BLUE! Could this be another sci-fi favorite? Could I really be a fan of science fiction?
Unfortunately, this did not work for me but let me tell you why…
If you’ve been following me awhile and have read a handful of my reviews, you’ll see that they are filled with emotion. I lead with my head in life but when it comes to books it is ALL HEART. So, when I read a book, I need some sort of emotional connection and that can either be to the characters or the plot. After finishing Anyone I was quite frustrated. I wasn’t sure how I felt. Had I even enjoyed reading it? Although slow to start the second half did have some good twists and turns. At the end of the day I just wasn’t invested and I think the ending is what did me in. I was left without an emotional tie to the characters.
There have been countless 4-5 star reviews so I’m calling this one just not for me. That’s completely fair. Not every book is made for every person. You know I’ll always speak my truth and I always appreciate the time you took to hear me out.
XOXO Basic B
“Inside a barn in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a scientist searching for an Alzheimer’s cure throws the switch—and finds herself mysteriously transported into her husband’s body. What begins as a botched experiment will change her life—and the world—forever…Over two decades later, all across the plant, “flash” technology allows individuals the ability to transfer their consciousness into other bodies for specific periods, paid, registered, and legal. Society has been utterly transformed by the process, from travel to warfare to entertainment; “Be anyone with Anyone” the tagline of the company offering this ultimate out-of-body experience.”
Intriguing concept, right? Set in Ann Arbor, Michigan? GO BLUE! Could this be another sci-fi favorite? Could I really be a fan of science fiction?
Unfortunately, this did not work for me but let me tell you why…
If you’ve been following me awhile and have read a handful of my reviews, you’ll see that they are filled with emotion. I lead with my head in life but when it comes to books it is ALL HEART. So, when I read a book, I need some sort of emotional connection and that can either be to the characters or the plot. After finishing Anyone I was quite frustrated. I wasn’t sure how I felt. Had I even enjoyed reading it? Although slow to start the second half did have some good twists and turns. At the end of the day I just wasn’t invested and I think the ending is what did me in. I was left without an emotional tie to the characters.
There have been countless 4-5 star reviews so I’m calling this one just not for me. That’s completely fair. Not every book is made for every person. You know I’ll always speak my truth and I always appreciate the time you took to hear me out.
XOXO Basic B
obiewilcox's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
soup72's review against another edition
2.0
Get ready to suspend your disbelief
The idea of being able to jump from your body into someone else is a great premise for a story. Unfortunately this author didn’t do much good with that premise. From the beginning I had to suspend my disbelief because the way the transfer happens is so unbelievable. I managed to get past that and really enjoyed how he made each chapter jump back and forth from the past to the present. But then I had to start suspending disbelief at how lucky the hero got at just the right time to keep going. I know a little bit of luck at the right moment can make for some great stories but when it happens too much it will ruin the story. I also thought for someone so smart and who had so many years to plan their revenge they overlooked a lot of things that would have made their life a lot easier and would realize their mistake at the last moment. I kept hoping the ending would be the payoff that would save this story for me but it didn’t. It seems like maybe the hero has done something that will finally change the world for the better as long as you don’t think about it even a little or you’ll see how easy it would be for the bad guys to just fix it.
The idea of being able to jump from your body into someone else is a great premise for a story. Unfortunately this author didn’t do much good with that premise. From the beginning I had to suspend my disbelief because the way the transfer happens is so unbelievable. I managed to get past that and really enjoyed how he made each chapter jump back and forth from the past to the present. But then I had to start suspending disbelief at how lucky the hero got at just the right time to keep going. I know a little bit of luck at the right moment can make for some great stories but when it happens too much it will ruin the story. I also thought for someone so smart and who had so many years to plan their revenge they overlooked a lot of things that would have made their life a lot easier and would realize their mistake at the last moment. I kept hoping the ending would be the payoff that would save this story for me but it didn’t. It seems like maybe the hero has done something that will finally change the world for the better as long as you don’t think about it even a little or you’ll see how easy it would be for the bad guys to just fix it.