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bookph1le's review
2.0
This book just wasn't for me. There was a lot of interesting stuff to unpack in it, but the format of it just didn't work for me. I would have preferred something less slice-of-life and flow of consciousness, with more of a structured plot.
Spoiler
I also hated the ending. After an entire book about Margo, who seems so entirely her own person, we find out she stole the data to impress a guy? That felt so reductionist to me, and for me it undermined her entire character. I also found it especially disappointingly sexist in a book that examines racism from so many angles.tmiantsoko's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
klingcooper's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
oliviakur's review against another edition
3.0
Jill was the saving grace of this novel. I appreciate that depth comes from complex and flawed characters, but Lucas was fairly boring. Jill came as a surprise and when the book needed lifting the most. The subplots and themes I felt could have been explored in more depth if there was less of them.
lauralhart's review against another edition
3.0
This is my first ebook read! I have to admit, the process was quite difficult on a phone. For the first time in years, I actually missed my Kindle.
But, finally, I conquered PocketBook Reader and completed NEW WAVES. This is an intriguing, often funny exploration of so many things! Music, privacy, piracy! Workplace racism, harassment, technology, relationships, and grief! Each topic is investigated by Lucas, our protagonist, who is mourning the loss of his friend Margo, and later his girlfriend Jill, a mutual friend of Margo’s from an online community.
Nyugen is a crisp writer, but occasionally there was a bit too much fluff for me. I couldn’t help but think about Snapchat’s disappearing chat feature when reading about Phantom. There was also a good bit of space dedicated to explaining fairly well-known terms and processes, which I felt could be deleted or skipped over (e.g., two-factor authentication, bodegas, Candy Crush-like puzzle games).
On another note, I didn’t think the sudden switch to Jill’s perspective for a chapter was warranted. After getting accustomed to Lucas, I didn’t want to try and adjust to another perspective. From that point on, the rest of the book felt disjointed to me and kept me from feeling anything for the characters’ respective resolutions.
Overall, I think this is a decent book and a quick enough read, but not one of my favorites. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.
But, finally, I conquered PocketBook Reader and completed NEW WAVES. This is an intriguing, often funny exploration of so many things! Music, privacy, piracy! Workplace racism, harassment, technology, relationships, and grief! Each topic is investigated by Lucas, our protagonist, who is mourning the loss of his friend Margo, and later his girlfriend Jill, a mutual friend of Margo’s from an online community.
Nyugen is a crisp writer, but occasionally there was a bit too much fluff for me. I couldn’t help but think about Snapchat’s disappearing chat feature when reading about Phantom. There was also a good bit of space dedicated to explaining fairly well-known terms and processes, which I felt could be deleted or skipped over (e.g., two-factor authentication, bodegas, Candy Crush-like puzzle games).
On another note, I didn’t think the sudden switch to Jill’s perspective for a chapter was warranted. After getting accustomed to Lucas, I didn’t want to try and adjust to another perspective. From that point on, the rest of the book felt disjointed to me and kept me from feeling anything for the characters’ respective resolutions.
Overall, I think this is a decent book and a quick enough read, but not one of my favorites. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.
mcwat's review against another edition
This was interesting to read alongside Joanne McNeil's Lurking, another recent release that explores many of the same ideas through a nonfiction lens: the sense of community people found on early-ish Internet message boards and what those boards' disappearance signifies, the nefarious consequences of the tech world's lack of diversity, and more.
laila4343's review against another edition
4.0
Melancholy but hopeful exploration of grief, friendship, love, and technology. Really enjoyed this debut novel. The emotional notes rang true.
anggedelosreyes's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
wrenl's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I feel like I should have liked this book more as someone who works in the tech industry and generally enjoys characters who are as socially aware as Margo. But sadly I felt a bit lost by the meandering story. I did enjoy the sci fi bits and the plot points about the tech industry, but I wanted more about Lucas, and it felt like he was always aloof, even to the reader.