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timinbc's review against another edition
1.0
I'm not going to spend a lot of time reviewing this. I wasted enough reading it.
I can't believe Paolo Bacigalupi wrote this.
Surely it was a fanboy pretending to be Cory Doctorow.
Plausible plot? No. More like making stuff up as he typed it, with no plan. The ending has several steps of "Really? Oh, come ON, you can't be serious!" And don't get me started on Dad, surrounded by world-class security, putting a furshlugginer USB stick into his ultra-secret off-net computer. Yes, that's a spoiler. It spoiled what little credibility the plot had left.
Plausible characters? No. Super-capable teens, including world-class hacker. Sigh. Utterly IMplausible heroine.
Good writing? No, just straight-up dull with some odd repetitions. Brand names everywhere.
Summary: I've given five stars to several of PB's book. It was a stretch to give ONE to this steaming heap. A complete whiff. If you haven't read it, don't.
I can't believe Paolo Bacigalupi wrote this.
Surely it was a fanboy pretending to be Cory Doctorow.
Plausible plot? No. More like making stuff up as he typed it, with no plan. The ending has several steps of "Really? Oh, come ON, you can't be serious!" And don't get me started on Dad, surrounded by world-class security, putting a furshlugginer USB stick into his ultra-secret off-net computer. Yes, that's a spoiler. It spoiled what little credibility the plot had left.
Plausible characters? No. Super-capable teens, including world-class hacker. Sigh. Utterly IMplausible heroine.
Good writing? No, just straight-up dull with some odd repetitions. Brand names everywhere.
Summary: I've given five stars to several of PB's book. It was a stretch to give ONE to this steaming heap. A complete whiff. If you haven't read it, don't.
bloodczar's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
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? Yes
Was my favorite book for a while until covid happened and then saying my favorite book was about taking down a corrupt pharmistical company trying to push out bad product was getting me strange looks
mmmoody's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
elockwood's review against another edition
3.0
A book about propaganda that is also at once probably propaganda - not unlikable propaganda or anything I disagree with, but any plot where the conspiracy theorists turn out to be right does not make for the strongest or most compelling plot. To me, this seemed like a watered down version of Cory Doctorow. Kids outsmarting adults is always one of my favorite things, though. It never gets boring - even as I move more and more into the "adult" side of things.
aplatt23's review against another edition
1.0
So my actual rating for this book dropped to around -2 stars about halfway through part 2. This book is a horrifically vivid example of "show don't tell." Instead of giving the characters actual traits, we had characters telling us other characters traits, like how smart Alix is or how she isn't "like other girls" (don't even get me started on the whole "not like other girls" trope), but we never see her be anything other than a flat, uninteresting dumbass. Besides which, she and Moses have no chemistry and it's totally creepy that she falls for her stalker. Not to mention plot holes a mile wide and twice as deep. Not an enjoyable read
kristyreadsalot_'s review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
Not very good, but not completely terrible.
Not very good, but not completely terrible.
pwbalto's review against another edition
5.0
All I have to say is FUCK YEAH BACIGALUPI. Exactly THREE people are writing subversive, idea-packed, politically activated thrillers for teens right now, and they are Alex London, Cory Doctorow, and Paolo "Read the Label" Bacigalupi. Bonus points to Sandy and to Paolo for misting their compelling novels of ideas with little wafts of realistic romance and friendship. Rock on, brothers.
barbarianlibarian's review against another edition
2.0
good concept but overall disappointing. over the top. unbelievable. not that suspenseful/interesting
_b_a_l_'s review against another edition
1.0
Simply talking about an important social issue does not a good novel make. Unlikely plot, poor and sometimes downright sloppy writing and overall a really dull and boring read. Probably wouldn't have bothered to finish it if I hadn't been trapped on a plane. I've loved all of Paolo Bacigalupi's other work - so have no idea what went wrong here.