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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
I received this ARC at BookExpo and couldn’t wait to dive in! An entertaining read that made me feel like I was inside an episode of Black Mirror. The author has a gift for metaphors that I really admired and appreciated. The story is as creative as it is a warning for what could be, and it developed at a thorough and detailed pace. I do wish the climax and resolution/ending was as in depth as the rest, but still really enjoyed it and can’t wait to pass along to my friends to read next!
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While this book was good, it was nothing like I had expected it to be! It felt like it was a lot of context that didn’t really lead up to anything big! The whole book was before this big incident and I would’ve liked to see more after! Similarly, there were some plot lines that were never resolved / revisited in the end . It was a cool concept, and I would recommend it!
Followers is an eerie, atmospheric read about a world that could definitely be reality, with hard hitting characters and plot twists that leave you stunned.
Synopsis
Marlow is one of the biggest stars in constellation in 2051, a secluded community specifically for social media stars where all their lives are shown to followers online with no hiding from them at all. Marlow detests the fame, but her mother Floss shines and loves the attention.
In 2015, Orla lives with Floss before the fame and an event known as “the spill” which changed the world forever.
When a secret that was never meant to occur is revealed for Marlow, it will upend her life and leave her looking for more whilst hiding from all her followers to discover the truth- because after all who needs friends when you can have followers?
Review:
Plot and world building- The plot was extremely immersive and I was invested from the first chapter. It’s atmospheric and eerily close to real life making it something I could easily see happening in reality which made this story all the more engaging. There were so many plot points that went in a completely different direction to what I was expecting. It was close to addictive working through this book, although the initial world-building as extremely dense and in some cases there were so many questions that didn’t get answered until towards the end that left me a bit confused when they were casually mentioned- as if I should know what they are.
The story was fast paced from both of the narrators and was very well executed throughout.
The social media aspect. It’s huge, and honestly seeing the rise of influencers in all industries, how they always work to stay relevant and keep on top is something this story really put’s into perspective- as ultimately this is the way the world could be and in some ways that is absolutely terrifying.
Characters
Orla and Marlow as narrators were fantastic. They showed their vulnerabilities and inner thought processes well and managed to make the story and time differences in the era’s work extremely well. Both had the opportunities to develop and grow and watching their stories fascinated me and kept me thinking well after I finished.
Floss is also a force to be reckoned with and seeing her portrayal from two secondary views really gives her depth as a character and seeing her character age was….an interesting thing with her lack of development.
Final Verdict:
An atmospheric future and past story of social media and it’s impacts on the many lives in the world- and how very much our world could be.
Synopsis
Marlow is one of the biggest stars in constellation in 2051, a secluded community specifically for social media stars where all their lives are shown to followers online with no hiding from them at all. Marlow detests the fame, but her mother Floss shines and loves the attention.
In 2015, Orla lives with Floss before the fame and an event known as “the spill” which changed the world forever.
When a secret that was never meant to occur is revealed for Marlow, it will upend her life and leave her looking for more whilst hiding from all her followers to discover the truth- because after all who needs friends when you can have followers?
Review:
Plot and world building- The plot was extremely immersive and I was invested from the first chapter. It’s atmospheric and eerily close to real life making it something I could easily see happening in reality which made this story all the more engaging. There were so many plot points that went in a completely different direction to what I was expecting. It was close to addictive working through this book, although the initial world-building as extremely dense and in some cases there were so many questions that didn’t get answered until towards the end that left me a bit confused when they were casually mentioned- as if I should know what they are.
The story was fast paced from both of the narrators and was very well executed throughout.
The social media aspect. It’s huge, and honestly seeing the rise of influencers in all industries, how they always work to stay relevant and keep on top is something this story really put’s into perspective- as ultimately this is the way the world could be and in some ways that is absolutely terrifying.
Characters
Orla and Marlow as narrators were fantastic. They showed their vulnerabilities and inner thought processes well and managed to make the story and time differences in the era’s work extremely well. Both had the opportunities to develop and grow and watching their stories fascinated me and kept me thinking well after I finished.
Floss is also a force to be reckoned with and seeing her portrayal from two secondary views really gives her depth as a character and seeing her character age was….an interesting thing with her lack of development.
Final Verdict:
An atmospheric future and past story of social media and it’s impacts on the many lives in the world- and how very much our world could be.
The premise for this book was brilliant and I was hooked at the beginning. However... the story line quickly fell flat and the ending didn't make much of an impact. Didn't love it, but also don't regret reading it. The futuristic world the author created is what will stick with me from this book, but the characters and other details will easily fade.
Dark, twisty and intriguing. Social commentary and a glimpse of the future, perhaps. Certain scenes reminded me of “Mr. Robot”, so of course I liked that.
#89 in 2019. ARC from Edelweiss+/Graydon Press, in exchange for an honest review.
I had high hopes, but this didn't really deliver. As other reviewers have noted, it is quite wordy and over-described. As for the story, I was hoping for more of a spec-fi, horrors-of-technology piece. This reads more like a YA book about friends and life etc. -- which is fine, it's just not what I was expecting based on the description (and the future timeline).
I had high hopes, but this didn't really deliver. As other reviewers have noted, it is quite wordy and over-described. As for the story, I was hoping for more of a spec-fi, horrors-of-technology piece. This reads more like a YA book about friends and life etc. -- which is fine, it's just not what I was expecting based on the description (and the future timeline).
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF
This was a buddy read but I couldn't go on with the book. Unfortunately, I didn't care for the characters and it just felt boring to me.
I'm excited to know what everyone else thought about it because I really wanted to enjoy it!
This was a buddy read but I couldn't go on with the book. Unfortunately, I didn't care for the characters and it just felt boring to me.
I'm excited to know what everyone else thought about it because I really wanted to enjoy it!
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
people rating the book low bc the characters are unlikeable is so funny to me. that's literally the point.
anyways, i liked it. parts felt too heavy handed, but i gotta hand it to the author, i couldn't put it down. the audiobook is especially good. the narrator is extremely dynamic.
anyways, i liked it. parts felt too heavy handed, but i gotta hand it to the author, i couldn't put it down. the audiobook is especially good. the narrator is extremely dynamic.