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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Trafficking
Minor: Mental illness
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It took a long time for the book to come together. Very slow pace, and I feel like there were still some unanswered questions at the end. However, it was very thought provoking.
Clever ideas and a fresh take on reality shows. Compete for the chance of a child...then whack up the stakes even higher. Bravo. It's my first delve into John Marrs' canon of works and will look forward to another. I felt it was a little difficult to keep track of all the POVs - so recommend concentrated periods to read.
Very chilling scene involving child abuse and death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
tense
medium-paced
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Another mind-boggling sci-fi thriller from John Marrs. While The One had me slightly more hooked, this was still an incredible read. It blends dystopian elements with a world eerily close to our own, making it even more unsettling. In a way, it’s a character study on how an AI-controlled future impacts different people and their lives. It's absolutely heavily plot-driven but still manages to focus on the overarching theme of how dangerous AI can be, especially when human empathy is seemingly removed from the equation. And the reality show aspect of it all just adds to the uncanniness.
I found myself thinking less about the individual storylines and more about the society as a whole, which, to me, is the mark of a great book as it makes you reflect on the bigger picture. It also left me feeling deeply uncomfortable, but in a way that sparks real thought.
Keeping up with the numerous characters and interwoven plots was a bit tricky at first, but it got easier as the story progressed. There’s also a lot more science and explanation in this one compared to The One, which can be dense at times, but it’s still understandable.
John Marrs has a talent for delivering a satisfying ending that gives the reader the closure they need. Definitely planning to read more of his sci-fi books!
I found myself thinking less about the individual storylines and more about the society as a whole, which, to me, is the mark of a great book as it makes you reflect on the bigger picture. It also left me feeling deeply uncomfortable, but in a way that sparks real thought.
Keeping up with the numerous characters and interwoven plots was a bit tricky at first, but it got easier as the story progressed. There’s also a lot more science and explanation in this one compared to The One, which can be dense at times, but it’s still understandable.
John Marrs has a talent for delivering a satisfying ending that gives the reader the closure they need. Definitely planning to read more of his sci-fi books!