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ritabriar's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I adored this book and many of its characters! (And abhorred one) This was a very tense read, and yet it's also sweet and heartwarming.
This story manages to follow a clear pursuit-style plot and also be completely character-driven. Characters make mistakes, so they're not perfect, but these mistakes come from their limitations, not any particular flaws. Everyone does what they do because they care (or in one notable case, don't care) about each other. Kritzer also manages to make each character unique, with their own voice. Everyone's motives are understandable, especially considering their various ages and levels of experience with the world. The setting is almost just like the corresponding US locations today, but with more robots and one more AI (and just as many large language models).
This story manages to follow a clear pursuit-style plot and also be completely character-driven. Characters make mistakes, so they're not perfect, but these mistakes come from their limitations, not any particular flaws. Everyone does what they do because they care (or in one notable case, don't care) about each other. Kritzer also manages to make each character unique, with their own voice. Everyone's motives are understandable, especially considering their various ages and levels of experience with the world. The setting is almost just like the corresponding US locations today, but with more robots and one more AI (and just as many large language models).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Mental illness, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Car accident, Violence, Torture, Death, Outing, Bullying, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Suicide, Gaslighting, Confinement, and Homophobia
taque's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I wanted to like this book, but kept feeling like the real reason it was written was to instruct high schoolers about things like sex ed and other topics they "should" know about. It felt preachy. Also, the characters are supposed to be juniors in high school, but they felt like middle schoolers. It was an odd feeling.
the shift to a violent controlling father was a bit of a harsh turn that didn't fit with the rest of the writimg that felt concerned with juvenile characters. Finally, for all the concern and teaching in the book, it was odd, and felt irresponsible to completely ignore the dangers of online chat rooms and easily trusting people from them. I mean, how many online chat rooms are likely to have a benevolent overlord who only looks out for the care and safety of others?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Torture, Gun violence, Violence, and Suicide
eslsilver's review
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
AI
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Stalking, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Car accident and Murder
Minor: Suicide
lily1304's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book because the author is well-known locally for her political blogging but not her fiction. But it was an excellent young-adult sci fi! The plot was complex and interesting. The characters could have had more depth but I appreciate the main character's arc of figuring out how to relate to her mother and her childhood. I appreciate that it explores data privacy, encryption, AI, and the Internet of Things without being too heavy-handed or judgmental. CatNet is a vision of what social media could be at its best: connecting users to people around the world and facilitating friendships. I don't do social media much but I would strongly consider joining CatNet!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Suicide
bengines's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Kidnapping, Suicide, and Torture
Minor: Trafficking, Transphobia, and Vomit
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