Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Trafficking
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book rocked my socks off. I'm a big fan of Neal Stephenson in general(Cryptonomicon is so freaking amazing, guys), but for some reason I'd never read this book before.
There are two main characters in this book: YT and Hiro. YT is like the sassiest teenager ON THE PLANET, but it works for her, because she's like, 15. Hiro is like this crazy, laid back programmer.
This book kind of reminded me of this guy I used to work for. No names, but when silicon valley was just this idea between a lot of geeks and hackers on Usenet. Hiro is very much a park of the metaverse, which is like one step up from the internet. He was a founding member of it, like Linus Torvalds or Dennis Ritchie. He is a legend in his own time, and still somehow refuses to be a part of it.
This book was fascinating, irreverent, and totally ALL Neal Stephenson. My only critique would be that the ending was a little abrupt for my taste. Hiro's storyline just kind of ENDED. And I keep wondering what happened to Raven, because yeah, the guy was messed up... but I kinda liked him.
There are two main characters in this book: YT and Hiro. YT is like the sassiest teenager ON THE PLANET, but it works for her, because she's like, 15. Hiro is like this crazy, laid back programmer.
This book kind of reminded me of this guy I used to work for. No names, but when silicon valley was just this idea between a lot of geeks and hackers on Usenet. Hiro is very much a park of the metaverse, which is like one step up from the internet. He was a founding member of it, like Linus Torvalds or Dennis Ritchie. He is a legend in his own time, and still somehow refuses to be a part of it.
This book was fascinating, irreverent, and totally ALL Neal Stephenson. My only critique would be that the ending was a little abrupt for my taste. Hiro's storyline just kind of ENDED. And I keep wondering what happened to Raven, because yeah, the guy was messed up... but I kinda liked him.
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This one lost my interest early on and never hooked me back in. I should probably try it again sometime.
Reading Snow Crash today is wild, especially considering it was written over 30 years ago. The 30th anniversary edition has a slick new cover and maybe a few tweaks, but the core story feels intact and surprisingly relevant. The Metaverse? Pretty much our reality now with the way VR is these days.
The book starts off strong with some laugh out loud moments - Hiro the Deliverator is ridiculous in the best way. The writing is sharp, funny, and packed with clever details (the “bimbo box” and tyre grinding suburbia had me hooked). The world building is absolutely on point. The early chapters had me laughing out loud more than once, with Stephenson’s sharp, satirical voice on full display.
But let’s talk about the title “Snow Crash.” For a book named after this mysterious digital virus/drug/religion hybrid, it took far too long to actually get to it. I was over 200 pages in before it even started to take shape, and even then, the explanation got so bogged down in religious and linguistic theory (via Hiro’s endless chats with the Librarian) that the narrative momentum nearly flatlined.
Y.T.’s chapters were the saving grace - fast paced, engaging, and full of action. I often found myself wishing the whole book had her energy. Hiro’s arc eventually pays off, but it drags a bit in the middle with all the Librarian exposition.
By the end, things come together and wrap up… strangely. It kind of just ends, with some sweet moments and a few unanswered questions. The ending all just felt a little abrupt, and I was left wanting more closure, especially for Hiro. Still, it all came together in the end, even if it took a few detours to get there. Some parts dragged, but there were enough great moments (and Y.T.’s storyline) to keep me invested.
The book starts off strong with some laugh out loud moments - Hiro the Deliverator is ridiculous in the best way. The writing is sharp, funny, and packed with clever details (the “bimbo box” and tyre grinding suburbia had me hooked). The world building is absolutely on point. The early chapters had me laughing out loud more than once, with Stephenson’s sharp, satirical voice on full display.
But let’s talk about the title “Snow Crash.” For a book named after this mysterious digital virus/drug/religion hybrid, it took far too long to actually get to it. I was over 200 pages in before it even started to take shape, and even then, the explanation got so bogged down in religious and linguistic theory (via Hiro’s endless chats with the Librarian) that the narrative momentum nearly flatlined.
Y.T.’s chapters were the saving grace - fast paced, engaging, and full of action. I often found myself wishing the whole book had her energy. Hiro’s arc eventually pays off, but it drags a bit in the middle with all the Librarian exposition.
By the end, things come together and wrap up… strangely. It kind of just ends, with some sweet moments and a few unanswered questions. The ending all just felt a little abrupt, and I was left wanting more closure, especially for Hiro. Still, it all came together in the end, even if it took a few detours to get there. Some parts dragged, but there were enough great moments (and Y.T.’s storyline) to keep me invested.
I really wanted to give this book four stars, but I just couldn't do it. This is the first book I've listened to as an audiobook and I really enjoyed it as an audiobook, but I'm not sure I would enjoy it through a more traditional reading process. The narrator really made the book for me overall.
The book seemed pretty thoroughly unresolved at the end for me, and I didn't liked the narrator's depiction of YT (there are certain adult scenes that were somewhat disturbing given how young and childish YT was made to sound by the narrator). The relationship with Hiro and Juanita was underdeveloped and strange as well.
Overall, this seemed like an amazing concept that *almost* succeeded for me. It was fun to listen to, but ultimately left me wanting a little more. There were parts that I absolutely loved, but there weren't quite enough of those parts to give this four stars.
The book seemed pretty thoroughly unresolved at the end for me, and I didn't liked the narrator's depiction of YT (there are certain adult scenes that were somewhat disturbing given how young and childish YT was made to sound by the narrator). The relationship with Hiro and Juanita was underdeveloped and strange as well.
Overall, this seemed like an amazing concept that *almost* succeeded for me. It was fun to listen to, but ultimately left me wanting a little more. There were parts that I absolutely loved, but there weren't quite enough of those parts to give this four stars.
It took me forever to read this, but not because I didn’t like it. Who wouldn’t like ancient Sumerian cyberpunk action stories?
This one might be one of the biggest letdowns I’ve ever read in my life. Starting off so strong with memorable characters, stylistic action, and a developed story, it becomes convoluted and self-destructive. I’ve read books 10x more complicated and had a blast reading it, so it’s not for a lack of understanding. Instead, this book becomes a cesspool of repetitive themes, primarily regarding religious themes that seem so farfetched that the story could do without it and be the exact same story - and this story still focuses on confusing the reader rather than teaching them.
—
So why read this book? Just don’t. If you’re interested in the first half, you can just stop there. Trust me, it won’t get any better.
—
So why read this book? Just don’t. If you’re interested in the first half, you can just stop there. Trust me, it won’t get any better.