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A review by katnortonwriter
Don't Read the Comments by Eric Smith
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I really liked that a book written by a guy tackles issues about sexism in gaming and online spaces. The stuff Aaron’s dealing with is also interesting, and the overlapping themes are a nice point of contrast.
Because we spend so much time in the digital world, reading about a game that I had a really hard time picturing, I could feel myself checking out in places. The book wouldn’t work without those scenes, and the characters only know each other in the digital world for most of the book, so this isn’t an editorial complaint. I don’t game much anymore, and this was definitely written for a certain type of nerd, with lots of little easter eggs. If you aren’t a gamer, this likely isn’t the book for you.
I appreciate how self-aware some of the side characters are, and the overall message of the book. Divya and Beks go THROUGH IT, and I was surprised by how gritty a couple of those scenes were. This one is definitely YA in its wish-fulfillment-y finale, but I understand the decision to make the bad guys defeatable. I look forward to seeing what Smith does next.
Because we spend so much time in the digital world, reading about a game that I had a really hard time picturing, I could feel myself checking out in places. The book wouldn’t work without those scenes, and the characters only know each other in the digital world for most of the book, so this isn’t an editorial complaint. I don’t game much anymore, and this was definitely written for a certain type of nerd, with lots of little easter eggs. If you aren’t a gamer, this likely isn’t the book for you.
I appreciate how self-aware some of the side characters are, and the overall message of the book. Divya and Beks go THROUGH IT, and I was surprised by how gritty a couple of those scenes were. This one is definitely YA in its wish-fulfillment-y finale, but I understand the decision to make the bad guys defeatable. I look forward to seeing what Smith does next.