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kizzy's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The chronology, or lack of, is very difficult to follow. For 2/3 of it, I wanted to heave it against a wall. I’m still trying to decide if it was worth it in the end. An ambitious and creative undertaking with a hopeful ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Violence, Self harm, Blood, Animal death, Suicide, Pandemic/Epidemic, Vomit, and Body horror
takarakei's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
We are in a not so distant future where tech billionaires are building bunkers to survive the inevitable end of the world (whatever that reason is probably exacerbated by their influence). Sound familiar?? Enter some people close to these billionaires who are unsettled by their selfishness and want to help create a better future. While parts of this book are grim and disturbingly REAL overall I feel the direction it headed was one of optimism, which I appreciated. Be sure to pay attention as the plot jump back and forth in time at parts. Some minor pacing issues here and there. Even though the beginning few chapters suck you in - the plot takes a bit to really reveal itself, but once things get going it's a page turner. Overall this was a very poignant and thought provoking read!
Naomi always writes books at the right times when they are just so spot on. The Power is a fav and this one did not disappoint (although they are very different books). This book is about how important human connection and community are, as well as connection with nature. I highly recommend it to everyone cause we’re basically all living in this reality, but especially if you're interested in how technology has and can continue to influence our world.
Thank you to the publisher for this arc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Violence, Animal death, Gore, Suicide, and Classism
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic, Cancer, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Incest and Mental illness
animal death - hunting also, an instance of survival human v animal civil/political unrest, refugee camps, religious cultscaseythereader's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the free copy of this book.
- THE FUTURE is a book that takes our current reality and pushes it forward just slightly. You can see exactly what (and who) Alderman is drawing inspiration from, and it's quite terrifying.
- This book is pretty fast paced, but I found it dragged a bit in the middle. Some of the backstory parts felt a bit repetitive to me, but once we got back into the thick of it, I was in.
- Zhen and Martha are such intriguing characters to me, both running from their pasts and absolutely never being able to outrun it.
- No spoilers, but the last page??????????????? Please come chat if you've read it!
- THE FUTURE is a book that takes our current reality and pushes it forward just slightly. You can see exactly what (and who) Alderman is drawing inspiration from, and it's quite terrifying.
- This book is pretty fast paced, but I found it dragged a bit in the middle. Some of the backstory parts felt a bit repetitive to me, but once we got back into the thick of it, I was in.
- Zhen and Martha are such intriguing characters to me, both running from their pasts and absolutely never being able to outrun it.
- No spoilers, but the last page??????????????? Please come chat if you've read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Death, Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Violence, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Cursing, Kidnapping, Gun violence, and Pandemic/Epidemic
nukie19's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.5
This is definitely not something to pick up casually, much like Alderman's previous work. She delves into some heavy stuff, tying together cults, the influence of technology companies, internet security, plagues/viruses, and more. It also will suit reader who have longer reading opportunities - especially the beginning jumps around in time and between characters not super obviously, and it was a bit difficult to track when read in shorter spurts. Overall, I thought the ideas were amazing and I enjoy that Alderman isn't afraid to suggest some extreme options for...well, the Future. I think this would make a great book club choice, as there is so much to discuss. 3.5 stars, rounded down.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Gore, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Violence
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