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roannasylver's review
5.0
He was not a hero. He had told Joshua that, once, and hadn’t understood what his friend had meant, saying it didn’t matter and that none of them were heroes. But he understood now. They hadn’t needed heroes. They had needed regular folks flooding the streets of Reverence instead of staying in the fields. They needed people to act, to try what little they could. That’s what he was doing. He was trying. If he could succeed, too, that would be fantastic.
* * *
...At this point I'm going to stop even pretending I can keep it to one-sentence headers. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S BOOKS I LOVE THIS MUCH. I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO START, I'M JUST LIKE.... AGH (this is a good sign really)
Uh I'm honestly just kind of. Staring into - I HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE FOR LIKE 7 MINUTES trying to figure out what to say and how to Word about how great Viral Airwaves is and not just have it be incoherent yelling (my notes/highlights are full of that enough). Like the rest of my reviews today have been all pretty with actual complete sentences and structure, and this is just going to be me screaming/probably swearing bc THIS IS HOW I GET WHEN I REALLY LOVE A BOOK, i can't even think like
Uh ok let's try a list. Good things it has:
* Revolution against a horrifically corrupt and brutal government (including a truly intense/terrifying/realistic protest toward the end, with the kind of retaliation you'd expect here. and in reality)
* Gorgeous scenery descriptions (this is Solarpunk, our revolution will be green, inclusive and optimistic even if it's a freaking bloody struggle getting there)
* Freaking hot air balloons and secret radio channels and deadly plagues like seriously this is an original-ass premise, are you tired of your standard Revolt Against The Bad Government stuff with the grimdark and the depressing trope-rehash, then yes, pls pick this up
* I mean the fact that it's solarpunk and ultimately optimistic doesn't mean it's not BRUTALLY EFFECTIVE and sometimes DEVASTATING, and also terrifying (the plague, and holy shit *everything* about Andeal and the labs, please hug Andeal while we're at this), like this is not a sugarcoated thing, it's borderline-dystopia, HOWEVER, even as it shows the real horrors of life under an oppressive dreadful government and the fight for survival/freedom, it's different/better than like 90% of media because MARGINALIZED PEOPLE AREN'T TORTURED/MURDERED FOR BEING THEMSELVES, TO BE TRAGIC OR 'INSPIRING.' (there is some torture/murder bc they are up against actual human monsters, but THERE IS A DIFFERENCE and that's IMPORTANT.)
* Like, Viral Airwaves is about regular people being extraordinary because they have to, like the starter quote says, and it has a wonderful array of LGBTQIA and just, people you don't get to see in mainstream fiction, being amazing - such as cute ace noodle-nerds and badass ladies, one of whom really likes to make things explode, and an all-guy love triangle with the BEST-DONE ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS I'VE EVER SEEN, like it's not even fair man, and one of em's bi and an actually realistic albinism portrayal and holycrap im still not over them having to go to a freaking pharmacy and replace his busted glasses, like yes LMAO this is my Aesthetic, like that one "who's gonna handle the braces if all the dentists are dead in the apocalypse" post, I find this both hilarious (possibly irrationally so) but just so great bc it's REALISTIC AND YES THIS WOULD HAPPEN -
Yeah see, I dissolved into barely-coherent screaming, but it's really hard not to, because I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. I LOVE SERAPHIN ESPECIALLY BUT I LOVE THE WHOLE THING, just, Viral Airwaves is so good, and I feel personally attacked, and that's a Good Thing, because he and this entire thing was like, tailored/specifically-crafted to make me INVESTED AND CARE REALLY HARD before the author even knew me, and now I will smile every time i make top ramen. got dang. GOT DANG.
The end, go read this book and scream about it with me.
(...nvm, actually, where THE HELL are my notes/highlights? I had around 130 THINGS. WHAT EVEN.)
* * *
...At this point I'm going to stop even pretending I can keep it to one-sentence headers. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S BOOKS I LOVE THIS MUCH. I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO START, I'M JUST LIKE.... AGH (this is a good sign really)
Uh I'm honestly just kind of. Staring into - I HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE FOR LIKE 7 MINUTES trying to figure out what to say and how to Word about how great Viral Airwaves is and not just have it be incoherent yelling (my notes/highlights are full of that enough). Like the rest of my reviews today have been all pretty with actual complete sentences and structure, and this is just going to be me screaming/probably swearing bc THIS IS HOW I GET WHEN I REALLY LOVE A BOOK, i can't even think like
Uh ok let's try a list. Good things it has:
* Revolution against a horrifically corrupt and brutal government (including a truly intense/terrifying/realistic protest toward the end, with the kind of retaliation you'd expect here. and in reality)
* Gorgeous scenery descriptions (this is Solarpunk, our revolution will be green, inclusive and optimistic even if it's a freaking bloody struggle getting there)
* Freaking hot air balloons and secret radio channels and deadly plagues like seriously this is an original-ass premise, are you tired of your standard Revolt Against The Bad Government stuff with the grimdark and the depressing trope-rehash, then yes, pls pick this up
* I mean the fact that it's solarpunk and ultimately optimistic doesn't mean it's not BRUTALLY EFFECTIVE and sometimes DEVASTATING, and also terrifying (the plague, and holy shit *everything* about Andeal and the labs, please hug Andeal while we're at this), like this is not a sugarcoated thing, it's borderline-dystopia, HOWEVER, even as it shows the real horrors of life under an oppressive dreadful government and the fight for survival/freedom, it's different/better than like 90% of media because MARGINALIZED PEOPLE AREN'T TORTURED/MURDERED FOR BEING THEMSELVES, TO BE TRAGIC OR 'INSPIRING.' (there is some torture/murder bc they are up against actual human monsters, but THERE IS A DIFFERENCE and that's IMPORTANT.)
* Like, Viral Airwaves is about regular people being extraordinary because they have to, like the starter quote says, and it has a wonderful array of LGBTQIA and just, people you don't get to see in mainstream fiction, being amazing - such as cute ace noodle-nerds and badass ladies, one of whom really likes to make things explode, and an all-guy love triangle with the BEST-DONE ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS I'VE EVER SEEN, like it's not even fair man, and one of em's bi and an actually realistic albinism portrayal and holycrap im still not over them having to go to a freaking pharmacy and replace his busted glasses, like yes LMAO this is my Aesthetic, like that one "who's gonna handle the braces if all the dentists are dead in the apocalypse" post, I find this both hilarious (possibly irrationally so) but just so great bc it's REALISTIC AND YES THIS WOULD HAPPEN -
Yeah see, I dissolved into barely-coherent screaming, but it's really hard not to, because I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. I LOVE SERAPHIN ESPECIALLY BUT I LOVE THE WHOLE THING, just, Viral Airwaves is so good, and I feel personally attacked, and that's a Good Thing, because he and this entire thing was like, tailored/specifically-crafted to make me INVESTED AND CARE REALLY HARD before the author even knew me, and now I will smile every time i make top ramen. got dang. GOT DANG.
The end, go read this book and scream about it with me.
(...nvm, actually, where THE HELL are my notes/highlights? I had around 130 THINGS. WHAT EVEN.)
aehmyers's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Why is revolution so heart breaking? I just finished this book and am sitting here, stunned, as I try and process all my feelings. In short, this book was so good. I got so damn attached to the characters so I'm heartbroken over the ending. But that's the nature of a revolution, isn't it? You don't come out of it unscathed. We don't need heroes. We need normal people to do a little bit, just what they can.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Grief
solardavy's review
adventurous
inspiring
medium-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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
drullard's review
5.0
Exciting. The book is a wild ride. The characters are diverse and they do grow up as they go thru all the tests.
zluke's review
4.0
Took me a while to really get into this book, but it was worth it. I found the characters rather odd to begin with but they grew on me and I think Henry especially really grows as a character throughout the book. He has so many new experiences and has to react to things he's never faced before but it never seems unbelievable. I liked the romance elements because they weren't overbearing and weren't all straight. The fact that serephin is openly bisexual is really nice to see in a young adult book, and also refreshing that the character's sexualities are not the most important things about them.
melbsreads's review
3.0
Trigger warnings: violence, death, explosions, war, torture.
This was...a slightly peculiar book. I bought it literally years ago when I read that it featured asexual representation and it was Own Voices, and then I promptly forgot all about it. Until now.
I really loved the idea of this - it's described as solarpunk - but ultimately this was just LONG. There were a lot of narrators, and their voices felt a little too similar at times. I also felt like there wasn't quiiiiite enough worldbuilding in favour of action at the beginning of the story and then I spent the rest of this nearly 500 page book wondering why the hell the world was the way it was.
So...I liked it. I liked the representation. But it was at least a hundred (and fifty) pages too long, and there was way more in here about noodles than I anticipated. Like, WAY more.
This was...a slightly peculiar book. I bought it literally years ago when I read that it featured asexual representation and it was Own Voices, and then I promptly forgot all about it. Until now.
I really loved the idea of this - it's described as solarpunk - but ultimately this was just LONG. There were a lot of narrators, and their voices felt a little too similar at times. I also felt like there wasn't quiiiiite enough worldbuilding in favour of action at the beginning of the story and then I spent the rest of this nearly 500 page book wondering why the hell the world was the way it was.
So...I liked it. I liked the representation. But it was at least a hundred (and fifty) pages too long, and there was way more in here about noodles than I anticipated. Like, WAY more.
georgidan's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
jjcrafts's review
4.0
I picked this up for the asexual rep but didn't actually notice it (I had to go online and check which character it was supposed to be) which was probably my fault for not noticing it. The book is about Henry, who lives in a small dying town and refuses to face the prospect of needing to leave. Then a rebellion shows up on his doorstep and he finds out a lot of things he didn't want to know! I did really like the characters and it was really nice to read a character who doesn't want anything to do with what's going on, is scared and anxious and is doing his best anyway but at times I did feel Henry was acting out of character and his decisions sometimes didn't feel right to me. But that's one of many point of view characters in this diverse fantasy and the whole cast are really intriguing and well built.
chayote's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
[ Overall Thoughts ]
Henry Schmitt is content enough with a simple life in his tiny, nearly-empty village, until an outlaw pays a ridiculous sum for the use of his bed for the night and ends up bringing all kinds of trouble to his door. As Henry learns more about his father who abandoned him after his mother’s death, their government, and the group of rebels who’ve swept him up in their trouble, he has to decide when and how an ordinary person like him can take a stand.
Henry Schmitt is content enough with a simple life in his tiny, nearly-empty village, until an outlaw pays a ridiculous sum for the use of his bed for the night and ends up bringing all kinds of trouble to his door. As Henry learns more about his father who abandoned him after his mother’s death, their government, and the group of rebels who’ve swept him up in their trouble, he has to decide when and how an ordinary person like him can take a stand.
Viral Airwaves is the author's debut standalone novel. It is unique and enjoyable, and while it didn't feel particularly fast-paced to me, I also had no trouble finding the drive to pick it up and read more. The writing does occasionally feel a bit repetitive, but I didn't find that impeded my enjoyment much. The worldbuilding was mostly conveyed through characters' experiences or dialogue, and I found it came across naturally. I found the story very engaging, and unfortunately relevant as it involves a pandemic, protests, and police brutality.
[ The World ]
Homes, infrastructure, and technology are solar-powered, and National radio and newspapers are the only sources of information. A deadly pandemic caused many setbacks, as well as an oil-destroying engineered microbe that spelled the end of personal transportation and other reliance on oil. I'll be honest: I don't know how feasible the sciencey stuff here is. It occasionally felt a bit far-fetched, but I'm not one to question fantasy science generally, so this setup may work less well for a more scientifically-inclined audience. For me, it worked to set up a story that I found unique and engaging with an interestingly-built world.
Homes, infrastructure, and technology are solar-powered, and National radio and newspapers are the only sources of information. A deadly pandemic caused many setbacks, as well as an oil-destroying engineered microbe that spelled the end of personal transportation and other reliance on oil. I'll be honest: I don't know how feasible the sciencey stuff here is. It occasionally felt a bit far-fetched, but I'm not one to question fantasy science generally, so this setup may work less well for a more scientifically-inclined audience. For me, it worked to set up a story that I found unique and engaging with an interestingly-built world.
[ The Characters ]
The book is split between several POVs and I found each to be an interesting perspective. Though we get lots of pages from other perspectives, I'd argue that Henry Schmitt is the main character. He is an average fellow who just wants to live a quiet life with his supply of instant noodles. As he learns more about the rebellion, he becomes determined to take part somehow. He was a fun character to follow, being timid and uncertain he was a bit different than your typical fantasy hero.
The book is split between several POVs and I found each to be an interesting perspective. Though we get lots of pages from other perspectives, I'd argue that Henry Schmitt is the main character. He is an average fellow who just wants to live a quiet life with his supply of instant noodles. As he learns more about the rebellion, he becomes determined to take part somehow. He was a fun character to follow, being timid and uncertain he was a bit different than your typical fantasy hero.
Andeal, Maniel, and Seraphin are the founders of the rebellion and play significant roles as well. Andeal is a staunch pacifist and believer in humane treatment as well as being a skilled engineer. Maniel is badass, a capable leader, and is a fierce protector of those she cares for. Seraphin is the "face" of the rebellion known as the White Renegade, and has a reputation far worse than his reality.
We also get a significant number of chapters from Captain Hans Vermen, a soldier who abandoned his command in order to chase after Seraphin to exact revenge on him for his brother's death.
[ Suggested Audience ]
Readers interested in a solarpunk setting, and fighting against corrupt governments with hot air balloons and radio broadcasts.
Readers who enjoy multi-POV stories, with characters coming together for a common goal.
Readers who like nonviolent, ordinary folk MCs, but also leaders of rebellions and pacifist engineers.
Readers interested in a solarpunk setting, and fighting against corrupt governments with hot air balloons and radio broadcasts.
Readers who enjoy multi-POV stories, with characters coming together for a common goal.
Readers who like nonviolent, ordinary folk MCs, but also leaders of rebellions and pacifist engineers.
[ TL;DR ]
Viral Airwaves is an atypical book, with its solarpunk setting, its ordinary MC, and its unique approach to a rebellion. I really enjoyed it.
Content Warning for pandemic, viruses, protests, and police brutality.
Viral Airwaves is an atypical book, with its solarpunk setting, its ordinary MC, and its unique approach to a rebellion. I really enjoyed it.
Content Warning for pandemic, viruses, protests, and police brutality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
madeline_the_terrible's review
2.0
I tried really hard to get into this book but I couldn't. It feels perfunctory and lacks the charm of the Isandor series. Disappointing.