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hanc's review against another edition
2.0
Somehow boring and overcomplicated at the same time. Also, I still don't understand the motive.
jhaydel's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
essentialnpc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, Suicide, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Terminal illness
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
3.0
Years ago, I read this great little midwestern noir called The Cleanup, about a guy rebuilding his life and working as a security guard at a grocery store. It began my love of Sean Doolittle's novels. So I picked up Device Free Weekend with great excitement.
Seven college friends reunite for a weekend on an island off of Seattle. They've all appear to have done well in life, but one of them is a Zuckerberg-level social media CEO billionaire and it's his private island they're meeting on. Quickly, the reunion turns from old friends reconnecting, to a bizarre trolley problem scenario where the six friends must together make an impossible choice. Of course, there are extra complications -- truly Bond villain-level traps and a staff that possess extraordinary abilities and an utter dedication to their boss.
It was fine. I'm not really interested in billionaires and having the protagonist be a well-off white dude with anger issues didn't work for me. But that's me and this is a fine thriller. I just prefer it when the characters feel more like real people.
Seven college friends reunite for a weekend on an island off of Seattle. They've all appear to have done well in life, but one of them is a Zuckerberg-level social media CEO billionaire and it's his private island they're meeting on. Quickly, the reunion turns from old friends reconnecting, to a bizarre trolley problem scenario where the six friends must together make an impossible choice. Of course, there are extra complications -- truly Bond villain-level traps and a staff that possess extraordinary abilities and an utter dedication to their boss.
It was fine. I'm not really interested in billionaires and having the protagonist be a well-off white dude with anger issues didn't work for me. But that's me and this is a fine thriller. I just prefer it when the characters feel more like real people.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
3.0
This book started off so strong! College friends reunited after twenty years, a remote island, no phones and great escape room vibes but then things fell flat for me and I honestly got lost and bored. I forced myself to finish but really wish I had followed my instincts and quit half way through. Just okay on audio.
spinstah's review
3.0
This novel is a great summer snack. There’s really no character development and the plot goes off the rails pretty quickly. But it keeps moving, I was entertained, and I did want to see how it ended
donasbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I found my copy of DEVICE FREE WEEKEND by Sean Doolittle, published by Hachette Audio and Grand Central Publishing, on Libby.
Okay. I'm sorry, but this book makes. No. Sense. Doolittle throws everything but the kitchen sink into this plot. Corporate retreat on a remote island. I'm with it, good setting, decent basic concept.
But then we have a narcissistic genius playing games with his people to apparently mask a deadly illness and protect stock value. So a little corporate espionage and psychotic behavior, I'm still with it.
Throw in meaningless deadly fighting between characters who just have no motivation to fight to the death. Not over these narrative peanuts. And apparently mad genius is also mentally ill, like severe enough to have delusions and hallucinations. (Someone needs to do his abnormal psych homework.)
And we can't forget the 9-11 bombings, which, YES!, Doolittle works into the story also, right at the end.
This book is just a mess, and I was never sure at any point where the story was positioned or heading. Finishing this audiobook was an exercise in willpower. Honestly, the only thing I liked was the narrator, Zachary Weber, who read with enough intensity to keep me going when I'd rather be napping.
Rating:
Okay. I'm sorry, but this book makes. No. Sense. Doolittle throws everything but the kitchen sink into this plot. Corporate retreat on a remote island. I'm with it, good setting, decent basic concept.
But then we have a narcissistic genius playing games with his people to apparently mask a deadly illness and protect stock value. So a little corporate espionage and psychotic behavior, I'm still with it.
Throw in meaningless deadly fighting between characters who just have no motivation to fight to the death. Not over these narrative peanuts. And apparently mad genius is also mentally ill, like severe enough to have delusions and hallucinations. (Someone needs to do his abnormal psych homework.)
And we can't forget the 9-11 bombings, which, YES!, Doolittle works into the story also, right at the end.
This book is just a mess, and I was never sure at any point where the story was positioned or heading. Finishing this audiobook was an exercise in willpower. Honestly, the only thing I liked was the narrator, Zachary Weber, who read with enough intensity to keep me going when I'd rather be napping.
Rating:
suzydemric's review against another edition
3.0
Yes, another book that meets my weird love of these type of books. One person inviting a group to a remote/unique: cabin, island, resort etc., then devices don't work, or are taken, and soon strange things happen.
This one had a unique plot when compared to most of these kind of stories. For one, individuals weren't mysteriously being killed off, and 2 the person who invited them did like them.
Despite the unique premise and philosophical musings (plans that do involve killing), there were times I questioned the believability of the whole premise.
Still, I enjoyed the writing, the plot, and a few of the characters. Most of the characters weren't terribly developed (particularly Beau and Lainey), but you do root for a few of them.
This one had a unique plot when compared to most of these kind of stories. For one, individuals weren't mysteriously being killed off, and 2 the person who invited them did like them.
Despite the unique premise and philosophical musings (plans that do involve killing), there were times I questioned the believability of the whole premise.
Still, I enjoyed the writing, the plot, and a few of the characters. Most of the characters weren't terribly developed (particularly Beau and Lainey), but you do root for a few of them.
stephisbooked's review against another edition
4.0
This was not at all what I thought it was going to be but I enjoyed it. It was clever, unique and fast-paced. There is a bit of social commentary in this one which I tend to enjoy as it brings the real world in and makes you think about your habits. I enjoyed seeing how the dynamics of the group changed over time, even if their past wasn't fully discussed. I will be checking out more of Doolittle's work.
briggserica's review against another edition
2.0
I loved the premise but I just didnt like the execution of it. I felt like it just didnt make too much sense.