zermaslan's review against another edition
4.0
Misterios, sociedades secretas, códigos, programación, google y libros son las partes principales de esta intrincada historia la cual me capturó desde el primer momento pues a pesar de que lo digital es parte de mi vida diaria disfruto mucho el aroma de los libros y visitar las librerías, y estar siempre alerta por cualquier aventura que se pueda presentar.
A pesar de estar llena de referencias puedes darte cuenta que el autor te presenta un trabajo de fición y fantasía sin quererlo vender como otra cosa (a diferencia de Dan Brown, que pretende hacerte creer que todo su trabajo es basado en fuentes fidedignas) y para ser la primer novela de este autor es muy buena, se lo puedo recomendar a todos mis amigos technofilos y technofobos por igual pues esta historia los capturara a todos por igual.
A pesar de estar llena de referencias puedes darte cuenta que el autor te presenta un trabajo de fición y fantasía sin quererlo vender como otra cosa (a diferencia de Dan Brown, que pretende hacerte creer que todo su trabajo es basado en fuentes fidedignas) y para ser la primer novela de este autor es muy buena, se lo puedo recomendar a todos mis amigos technofilos y technofobos por igual pues esta historia los capturara a todos por igual.
sandy_h's review against another edition
2.0
Where to begin? The story was well written and I felt the concept was quite promising. But for me, it didn’t deliver.
It starts off as a story about a young Silicon Valley guy with potential in web design then quickly veers toward being an ode to the superiority of technology. Sort of a “Gee Wiz, look at how much better off you would be if you would just use the power of computers.” Then there’s the constant references to Google which after a while would pull me out of the story because I wanted to ask “what’s your deal with Google?” (This was not helped by my watching an interview he had at the Google campus.)
I was bothered by how often labels were applied to people and situations instead of describing behaviors and situations and allowing the reader to form their own opinion. And I found the heavy reliance on pop culture references to convey a point tiresome.
I would have liked one or two sub plots concerning Clay’s roommates, Matt & Ashley, or maybe the development of Clay’s relationship with Kat and definitely more about the Unbroken Spine’s CEO / head guy, Corvina. Here I thought Corvina had a great deal of character potential but very little was said about his background or motivations. On the other hand, I found the main character, Clay Jannon, difficult to like. He seemed obnoxious and at times condescending. And that made it very hard to get through the 275+ pages.
That said, I enjoyed the mystery of the book store, the Unbroken Spine as a cult-ish organization and Mr Penumbra. This was a cute story with a lot of potential, but in the end light and insubstantial.
It starts off as a story about a young Silicon Valley guy with potential in web design then quickly veers toward being an ode to the superiority of technology. Sort of a “Gee Wiz, look at how much better off you would be if you would just use the power of computers.” Then there’s the constant references to Google which after a while would pull me out of the story because I wanted to ask “what’s your deal with Google?” (This was not helped by my watching an interview he had at the Google campus.)
I was bothered by how often labels were applied to people and situations instead of describing behaviors and situations and allowing the reader to form their own opinion. And I found the heavy reliance on pop culture references to convey a point tiresome.
I would have liked one or two sub plots concerning Clay’s roommates, Matt & Ashley, or maybe the development of Clay’s relationship with Kat and definitely more about the Unbroken Spine’s CEO / head guy, Corvina. Here I thought Corvina had a great deal of character potential but very little was said about his background or motivations. On the other hand, I found the main character, Clay Jannon, difficult to like. He seemed obnoxious and at times condescending. And that made it very hard to get through the 275+ pages.
That said, I enjoyed the mystery of the book store, the Unbroken Spine as a cult-ish organization and Mr Penumbra. This was a cute story with a lot of potential, but in the end light and insubstantial.
leasummer's review against another edition
4.0
This is a book about books and the mysteries that can surround them. It's also about friendships and relying on your friends. I really enjoyed the adventures and capers that happen. I am having a hard time describing it without giving anything away. I laughed a lot (which isn't normal) and nodded my head in agreement (while walking alone with my dog around town). It is very quotable.
I listened to the audio book and really enjoyed the narrator's voice, it was the perfect choice for this main character.
I listened to the audio book and really enjoyed the narrator's voice, it was the perfect choice for this main character.
lucasgarner's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a quirky surreal book with many references to Harry Potter and Haruki Murakami about a guy who gets a job in a bookstore. There's little to not love here, but unfortunately some odd pacing, a sometimes awkward narrator, and underdeveloped themes hold this book back from being a classic.
kappareads's review against another edition
3.0
Real rating: 3.5 stars
Oh man, that plot was great. It really is like National Treasure but book form
The secondary characters? Pretty solid. Overall unique, but I'm just bad at distinguishing names in audiobooks.
The main characters? I could not stand them. They were quirky in bad ways and I hated Neil and his boob-physics company. So freaking creepy.
The setting? Man, 8 years really does change things. So much faith put into Google, all this wonder and things I find freaky, just examples of bad capitalism.
I wish I liked it more, but it was really... not my thing.
Oh man, that plot was great. It really is like National Treasure but book form
The secondary characters? Pretty solid. Overall unique, but I'm just bad at distinguishing names in audiobooks.
The main characters? I could not stand them. They were quirky in bad ways and I hated Neil and his boob-physics company. So freaking creepy.
The setting? Man, 8 years really does change things. So much faith put into Google, all this wonder and things I find freaky, just examples of bad capitalism.
I wish I liked it more, but it was really... not my thing.
kristen_eden's review against another edition
5.0
Much yes
Go read this one!! It's as weird as Sourdough, but in a totally different (yet familiar) way. Captivating and magical, full of oddball characters and scenarios. It's just... So good.
Go read this one!! It's as weird as Sourdough, but in a totally different (yet familiar) way. Captivating and magical, full of oddball characters and scenarios. It's just... So good.
cromarty48's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
hcaliri's review against another edition
5.0
A puzzle, an adventure, a love song to books and friendship. Complete fun.
jhalloran99's review against another edition
4.0
I couldn't put it down! I love when books are set in San Francisco, when I walk the same streets as the characters. Sloan's character descriptions were so detailed, I could see them all clearly in my mind. Somewhat predictable if you have ever read any Sherlock Holmes, but still fun. A wonderful book!
whitmc's review against another edition
5.0
Old school meets shiny technology in the most appropriate city for these worlds to collide.