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abookwanderer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I was thrilled to be a winner of an e-galley for David Yoon’s latest adult debut, Version Zero. I read his previous two young adult novels and adored them, so I didn’t really care what Version Zero was about. However, I couldn’t help being drawn in by this timely Sci-Fi offering, intrigued by the premise but a little nervous about how close to reality it might venture.
Version Zero has a somewhat slow build, but I was never bored. I was interested in the characters, what role they would play in the unfolding plot, and ultimately who would become the hero or the villain.
The plot is not so very far from how reality feels right now—our dependence on social media, our addiction to likes, our FOMO or fear of missing out. And if I hadn’t already deactivated my Facebook, this book might have pushed me past my hesitancy. But while it felt close to reality, there was still enough of the feeling of fantasy to keep it from being too real. If that makes sense… Plus, Yoon always infuses his novels with humor, which helps to make the stressful subjects more palatable.
HOWEVER, I can’t help but fantasize that somewhere out there there’s a group of underground savvy techs trying to take down the big tech companies—or at least make them better. Because while the products they promote aren’t necessarily bad, it’s the way they use our data that is.
Anyway, back to the book. Despite this one being promoted as an adult novel, it still very much read like a young adult novel to me. The only difference was the age of the characters. Several years out of college, they are working in Silicon Valley but have been friends since high school.
The story may have built slowly, but I read the second half of the novel in one sitting, unable to put it down once the action started. And wow, what an ending! While there were some predictable moments, there were also action-packed surprises.
I can definitely see Version Zero getting adapted into a film with its setting in Silicon Valley, diverse cast, and topical storyline. Yoon has firmly placed himself among the authors I consider to be refreshing and entertaining. I’ll be excited to see what he does next!
Thank you to G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Shelf Awareness, and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
Version Zero has a somewhat slow build, but I was never bored. I was interested in the characters, what role they would play in the unfolding plot, and ultimately who would become the hero or the villain.
The plot is not so very far from how reality feels right now—our dependence on social media, our addiction to likes, our FOMO or fear of missing out. And if I hadn’t already deactivated my Facebook, this book might have pushed me past my hesitancy. But while it felt close to reality, there was still enough of the feeling of fantasy to keep it from being too real. If that makes sense… Plus, Yoon always infuses his novels with humor, which helps to make the stressful subjects more palatable.
HOWEVER, I can’t help but fantasize that somewhere out there there’s a group of underground savvy techs trying to take down the big tech companies—or at least make them better. Because while the products they promote aren’t necessarily bad, it’s the way they use our data that is.
Anyway, back to the book. Despite this one being promoted as an adult novel, it still very much read like a young adult novel to me. The only difference was the age of the characters. Several years out of college, they are working in Silicon Valley but have been friends since high school.
The story may have built slowly, but I read the second half of the novel in one sitting, unable to put it down once the action started. And wow, what an ending! While there were some predictable moments, there were also action-packed surprises.
I can definitely see Version Zero getting adapted into a film with its setting in Silicon Valley, diverse cast, and topical storyline. Yoon has firmly placed himself among the authors I consider to be refreshing and entertaining. I’ll be excited to see what he does next!
Thank you to G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Shelf Awareness, and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Infidelity
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