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hayleybeale's review
3.0
In this thought-provoking present day YA scific thriller, high school graduating senior William Mackler wins a top of the line Autonomous self-driving car prototype and also the chance to take his three best friends on the road trip to end all road trips before they go their separate ways. See my full review here.
saidtheraina's review
4.0
I'm always looking for books that will appeal to "reluctant" or "striving readers." When I visit schools, I know that the kids who already like to read will get into whatever I take, as a rule (I generally take about 12 books at a time). It's the kids who identify as non-readers - who don't feel comfortable in libraries, whose families don't consider reading a pleasure activity - who I want to engage. It's way too easy for Librarians and Book People to forget that that's what we are - Book People. We tend to surround ourselves with other people who think like us and like what we like.
And there are lots of people who do not feel comfortable in the spaces we love the most.
So, it's important to me to promote books about stuff that will pique the interest of and feel relevant to kids who don't typically choose to hang out in book-rich spaces. Especially when I have the privilege of a platform in front of large groups of high school students in my good-sized public school district.
Anyway, I was attracted to this book because I thought it would appeal to those kids. The kids who don't get excited when reading comes up.
The cover and concept gave me the impression that this would be a high action thriller, like The Lab by [a: Jack Heath|2295135|Jack Heath|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1549416201p2/2295135.jpg], but the Kirkus blurb on the back give a more accurate impression of the experience of reading it: "A high-tech, twisted, Breakfast Club for the social media age." Although there are action sequences, more of the girth of this 350pg book is spent on the machinations of four friends, with some cyberthriller thrown in.
All perfectly fun to read, don't get me wrong. I was into Christina (though quickly tired of her). The story is told from 5 different perspectives, so Marino gets into the heads of each of the four teens (to varying degrees of success). I dug the timely nature of a thriller starring an autonomous car.
It was good! I took it to local high schools in Fall 2019. There's sex and drinking, and a whole lot of thinking about what you do after high school, so fit right in that sweet spot of books I take on my high school tour.
And there are lots of people who do not feel comfortable in the spaces we love the most.
So, it's important to me to promote books about stuff that will pique the interest of and feel relevant to kids who don't typically choose to hang out in book-rich spaces. Especially when I have the privilege of a platform in front of large groups of high school students in my good-sized public school district.
Anyway, I was attracted to this book because I thought it would appeal to those kids. The kids who don't get excited when reading comes up.
The cover and concept gave me the impression that this would be a high action thriller, like The Lab by [a: Jack Heath|2295135|Jack Heath|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1549416201p2/2295135.jpg], but the Kirkus blurb on the back give a more accurate impression of the experience of reading it: "A high-tech, twisted, Breakfast Club for the social media age." Although there are action sequences, more of the girth of this 350pg book is spent on the machinations of four friends, with some cyberthriller thrown in.
All perfectly fun to read, don't get me wrong. I was into Christina (though quickly tired of her
Spoiler
mooning over WilliamIt was good! I took it to local high schools in Fall 2019. There's sex and drinking, and a whole lot of thinking about what you do after high school, so fit right in that sweet spot of books I take on my high school tour.
lazygal's review
2.0
Imagine KITT with a HAL personality. Or something like that. Add in four unlikable characters and stir. That's this book.
Copy provided by publisher.
Copy provided by publisher.
themoonwholistens's review
3.0
// Received an advance reader copy for a fair review //
"what if we don't like what's in our hearts?"
The world was really intriguing and it really seems to get the readers curiosity going. I can say that the book had a very modern feel. It was amusing in the way that it is relatable to the present modern era.
As much as I enjoyed the book, the world building was slightly all over the place at first which ended making me confused on what was going on at first and I really did not know where anything was headed. I had a hard time getting int the book at first but it kept me curious enough to stay.
I did ended up with a much better read that what was expected though I could say that the book could have connected to me more if the writing style and the representation of the world in general was different and more developed. Some topics were off for me personally and was just not something that I liked reading. The characters seemed too one dimensional at first but I ended u loving them anyway. they appealed to me much more as the book progressed and I have to say that the progression of the story and the development of everything in general was somewhat the strong point and what kept me going in the book. It had a heart warming ending to go with everything as well.
This an amusing science fiction novel that I am sure young adult readers will at least enjoy and appreciate if not love. It was an adventure reading this.
and btw . . . the boys are to die for AAHHHH hehe
"there was no such thing as an unhackable system"
"what if we don't like what's in our hearts?"
The world was really intriguing and it really seems to get the readers curiosity going. I can say that the book had a very modern feel. It was amusing in the way that it is relatable to the present modern era.
As much as I enjoyed the book, the world building was slightly all over the place at first which ended making me confused on what was going on at first and I really did not know where anything was headed. I had a hard time getting int the book at first but it kept me curious enough to stay.
I did ended up with a much better read that what was expected though I could say that the book could have connected to me more if the writing style and the representation of the world in general was different and more developed. Some topics were off for me personally and was just not something that I liked reading. The characters seemed too one dimensional at first but I ended u loving them anyway. they appealed to me much more as the book progressed and I have to say that the progression of the story and the development of everything in general was somewhat the strong point and what kept me going in the book. It had a heart warming ending to go with everything as well.
This an amusing science fiction novel that I am sure young adult readers will at least enjoy and appreciate if not love. It was an adventure reading this.
and btw . . . the boys are to die for AAHHHH hehe
"there was no such thing as an unhackable system"
vickycbooks's review
I come back over two years later to revise my review to something much more succinct: this was not good would not recommend please go read something else.
themorrigan6089's review
2.0
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly, this is not my usual genre of YA that I read. I'm a big fantasy and kingdoms reader so this was a change. The concept and the beginning started out alright but as time goes on it just got progressively worse. I was also very surprised that it is marketed as being "Disney friendly." It could be seen as inappropriate for the age 14-16, but I also understand that younger kids these days are starting earlier and earlier with drugs, sex, and alcohol. So it's important to be addressed but I felt that this book addressed it in a detrimental way that is more glorifying how they are living their lives. I really wouldn't recommend this book to younger teen readers that are impressionable.
Honestly, this is not my usual genre of YA that I read. I'm a big fantasy and kingdoms reader so this was a change. The concept and the beginning started out alright but as time goes on it just got progressively worse. I was also very surprised that it is marketed as being "Disney friendly." It could be seen as inappropriate for the age 14-16, but I also understand that younger kids these days are starting earlier and earlier with drugs, sex, and alcohol. So it's important to be addressed but I felt that this book addressed it in a detrimental way that is more glorifying how they are living their lives. I really wouldn't recommend this book to younger teen readers that are impressionable.
tomatofan2's review
4.0
Considering the premise, it's easy to assume Autonomous will preach a story about the flaws of technology rather than tell an honest story about growing up alongside a technology-dependent society, something it successfully pulls off. The characters and what they learn throughout their road trip is key to understanding the book's themes on social media, image of yourself, treatment of your friends, and what's kept secret underneath, and what comes bubbling up overtime. I loved the overall details of teenage life telling the story instead of some heavy-handed "technology is bad, isn't it?" lesson.
Although it doesn't get too crazy, the adult language and themes feel like they're there for authenticity of teenage life. I imagine if I read Autonomous in high school I'd find it highly relatable instead of patronizing and censored (I assume in this day and age students see much worse just by Googling a curiosity, and some of the characters in Autonomous certainly experience worse than the average kid).
Although it doesn't get too crazy, the adult language and themes feel like they're there for authenticity of teenage life. I imagine if I read Autonomous in high school I'd find it highly relatable instead of patronizing and censored (I assume in this day and age students see much worse just by Googling a curiosity, and some of the characters in Autonomous certainly experience worse than the average kid).
undertowsoul's review
2.0
I still don't know quite how to feel about this one. It was wholly predictable without any real twists or turns and read like it could have been written about the AI that was shut down after it learn to be a complete jerk from the Internet. I was saddened that none of the kids in the book came out really changing or learning anything in the end, other than a lot of self-discovery. That being said, it was compelling enough to finish the book. That's about all I can really say other than I won't be reading it again and I don't see any situation where is recommend it to anyone.
I have to thank the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I have to thank the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
hmalmal's review
2.0
**I received Autonomous from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.**
Honestly, I expected more from Autonomous. The premise sounds like this could have been a really interesting story with tons of room for either serious discussions, or light-hearted fun. The problem was that it tried to do both, but with the wrong audience, none of the consequences, and not the right kind of humor.
If the author had just picked either light-hearted humorous book, or serious contemporary/sci-fi, then it would have made the reading experience much more enjoyable. But instead, it's confusing and a little scary thinking about this being marketed to young adults.
There are way too many adult themes that drag down the humorous feel to the book. For starters, the main character almost gets run over in order to win a car, and that's just kind of blown over. Like, a bunch of teenagers could have been killed or seriously injured chasing after a car, and we're just supposed to think it's funny?
In addition, there's sex between minors, underage drinking, use of illegal substances (not just weed), mentions of suicide and cutting, speeding, drag-racing, etc. And all of the above have little to no consequence. They get caught speeding, nothing happens. Drinking underage and doing illegal drugs should have some ending moral that signifies to young children that "NO you shouldn't do this. And if you do, bad things will happen." In addition to all of that, there's fistfights, and a kidnapping of sorts.
DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A HUMOROUS BOOK?
This needs to be marketed, and maybe even edited a bit more, so that it flows better.
Honestly, I expected more from Autonomous. The premise sounds like this could have been a really interesting story with tons of room for either serious discussions, or light-hearted fun. The problem was that it tried to do both, but with the wrong audience, none of the consequences, and not the right kind of humor.
If the author had just picked either light-hearted humorous book, or serious contemporary/sci-fi, then it would have made the reading experience much more enjoyable. But instead, it's confusing and a little scary thinking about this being marketed to young adults.
There are way too many adult themes that drag down the humorous feel to the book. For starters, the main character almost gets run over in order to win a car, and that's just kind of blown over. Like, a bunch of teenagers could have been killed or seriously injured chasing after a car, and we're just supposed to think it's funny?
In addition, there's sex between minors, underage drinking, use of illegal substances (not just weed), mentions of suicide and cutting, speeding, drag-racing, etc. And all of the above have little to no consequence. They get caught speeding, nothing happens. Drinking underage and doing illegal drugs should have some ending moral that signifies to young children that "NO you shouldn't do this. And if you do, bad things will happen." In addition to all of that, there's fistfights, and a kidnapping of sorts.
DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A HUMOROUS BOOK?
This needs to be marketed, and maybe even edited a bit more, so that it flows better.