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jhbandcats's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A complex tale of family and love and trust tied up with worrisome technology and medical devices. There are four well-written characters, each distinctive - there’s a mom who works in politics, a mom who’s a teacher, an older son who joins the military, and a younger sister who has epilepsy.
As the book opens, the Pilot is beginning to be embraced as a device to boost attention and concentration. The book tracks the family as they each relate to the Pilot. One loves it, one hates it, one can’t have it for health reasons, and one has no interest in it. Each viewpoint is explored, showing the eagerness to try something new and cool, the desire for something beneficial, and the fear of the unknown and relatively untested product that’s literally changing the brain.
There’s classroom bullying, job discrimination, corporate skullduggery, and dogged protest tactics and investigations. It’s thought provoking and clever, really worth reading.
As the book opens, the Pilot is beginning to be embraced as a device to boost attention and concentration. The book tracks the family as they each relate to the Pilot. One loves it, one hates it, one can’t have it for health reasons, and one has no interest in it. Each viewpoint is explored, showing the eagerness to try something new and cool, the desire for something beneficial, and the fear of the unknown and relatively untested product that’s literally changing the brain.
There’s classroom bullying, job discrimination, corporate skullduggery, and dogged protest tactics and investigations. It’s thought provoking and clever, really worth reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Gaslighting, Medical content, and Classism
lex_y's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Medical trauma, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Classism, Chronic illness, Drug use, and Bullying
Minor: Blood
kristenelle's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'm so unsure how to rate this one. The concept of the technology that this story is about is really cool and also really prescient. I like how a family of four was used to show a wide range of experiences with the tech. The storytelling is very personal and slice of life. The writing is excellent. However, the pacing was often excruciatingly slow and at times the story went very dark (I was getting triggered). I spent a lot of this book feeling bored or triggered, but I really liked the ending and it won me over. The characters are really human and lovable. The situation is worth considering. Very much a mixed bag for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Medical trauma
Moderate: Ableism, Chronic illness, and Drug use
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
Job termination
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