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rilkegriffin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sydneyfwhite's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really interesting story!
Mal is in a desperate situation, like many others. She lives in a hotel room with 9 people, works many jobs in order to afford food and water, and plays a VR war game that she streams with roommate and friend Jessa. After a really successful stream, a mysterious water donor requests to meet them and so Mal and Jessa meet B. B lets them in on a conspiracy about SpecOp operatives. Instead of creations from Stellaxis HQ, B tells Mal and Jessa that SpecOp agents are actually people who have been modified from childhood. This unlocks something within Mal and she must do everything in her power to save the few SpecOp agents left.
This was a really unique premise of a dystopian earth. Stories like this one that focus on corruption and corporate greed really frighten me, since they aren't very far away from something believable.
I also thought the author made a smart choice with how she wrote Mal as aro/ace because it was never blatantly obvious, in fact, I had no idea until I read a note from the author online... however, they was no romance or mention of it really. I found this refreshing since most stories have some kind of romance, and so having some stories with aro/ace representation is really awesome.
I did think there were some issues with pacing, and I found Mal as a character a bit boring. But otherwise, the story was fun and I enjoyed it!
Mal is in a desperate situation, like many others. She lives in a hotel room with 9 people, works many jobs in order to afford food and water, and plays a VR war game that she streams with roommate and friend Jessa. After a really successful stream, a mysterious water donor requests to meet them and so Mal and Jessa meet B. B lets them in on a conspiracy about SpecOp operatives. Instead of creations from Stellaxis HQ, B tells Mal and Jessa that SpecOp agents are actually people who have been modified from childhood. This unlocks something within Mal and she must do everything in her power to save the few SpecOp agents left.
This was a really unique premise of a dystopian earth. Stories like this one that focus on corruption and corporate greed really frighten me, since they aren't very far away from something believable.
I also thought the author made a smart choice with how she wrote Mal as aro/ace because it was never blatantly obvious, in fact, I had no idea until I read a note from the author online... however, they was no romance or mention of it really. I found this refreshing since most stories have some kind of romance, and so having some stories with aro/ace representation is really awesome.
I did think there were some issues with pacing, and I found Mal as a character a bit boring. But otherwise, the story was fun and I enjoyed it!
peneloperea's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you, NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing the arc of Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stace in exchange for my honest review.
In Firebreak, we follow Mal, Mallory, through a dystopian world where major corporations are battling for control and destroying everyone around them. When Mal was 8, her home was destroyed in an airstrike killing her entire family, along with many others. Mal was taken in by Stellaxis (one of the corporations) and send to a camp to live with other kids until she was old enough to be put into a converted hotel room living with 8 other young adults in 1 room.
The best part about this new world for Mal is the VR war game she plays with her BFF Jessa. It’s not the killing that Mal likes, it’s the chance to get close to the SpecOps operatives (superhero-like supersoldiers created and owned by Stellaxis).
I’m not a gamer, but I do love a gamer’s world and I thought the gaming aspect of Firebreak was very well done. We get to see two female gamers who know what they are doing and kick some butt doing it. Unfortunately, I had a tough time with the MC. Mal is a flawed character. She’s an introvert, which isn’t a bad thing and when done right, can be fun to read, but her snark and rudeness to those around her gnawed at me. She’s protective of strangers but rude to the people she’s closest to. Most importantly there is no character growth. She is the same person from start to finish, which doesn’t make sense given all she goes through.
The story itself gave off a YA vibe that I found interesting, however, there were a lot of swear words that felt out of place. Almost like a young kid swearing just for the sake of swearing and not because they need or want to swear.
Overall I would say it was a fun-ish read. I had moments when I really enjoyed the world and I have no problem suggesting this book for fans of dystopian and sci-fi gaming stories. It just didn’t blow my mind the way I had hoped it would.
In Firebreak, we follow Mal, Mallory, through a dystopian world where major corporations are battling for control and destroying everyone around them. When Mal was 8, her home was destroyed in an airstrike killing her entire family, along with many others. Mal was taken in by Stellaxis (one of the corporations) and send to a camp to live with other kids until she was old enough to be put into a converted hotel room living with 8 other young adults in 1 room.
The best part about this new world for Mal is the VR war game she plays with her BFF Jessa. It’s not the killing that Mal likes, it’s the chance to get close to the SpecOps operatives (superhero-like supersoldiers created and owned by Stellaxis).
I’m not a gamer, but I do love a gamer’s world and I thought the gaming aspect of Firebreak was very well done. We get to see two female gamers who know what they are doing and kick some butt doing it. Unfortunately, I had a tough time with the MC. Mal is a flawed character. She’s an introvert, which isn’t a bad thing and when done right, can be fun to read, but her snark and rudeness to those around her gnawed at me. She’s protective of strangers but rude to the people she’s closest to. Most importantly there is no character growth. She is the same person from start to finish, which doesn’t make sense given all she goes through.
The story itself gave off a YA vibe that I found interesting, however, there were a lot of swear words that felt out of place. Almost like a young kid swearing just for the sake of swearing and not because they need or want to swear.
Overall I would say it was a fun-ish read. I had moments when I really enjoyed the world and I have no problem suggesting this book for fans of dystopian and sci-fi gaming stories. It just didn’t blow my mind the way I had hoped it would.
lightasaheather92's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy of this book via Goodreads giveaway.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I really enjoyed the storyline and the plot and both kept my interest, but had a couple issues:
- the background/world-building felt confusing and incomplete at the beginning. It took longer than I would have liked to get a picture of the world and it frustrated me.
- sometimes the writing didn’t feel cohesive and it would take me out of the story. Blatant info drops, having to go back two paragraphs to pick up what was being referenced by a particular pronoun or determiner, etc. small things but I noticed them all the same.
Regardless, an enjoyable story if you like dystopian sci-fi.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I really enjoyed the storyline and the plot and both kept my interest, but had a couple issues:
- the background/world-building felt confusing and incomplete at the beginning. It took longer than I would have liked to get a picture of the world and it frustrated me.
- sometimes the writing didn’t feel cohesive and it would take me out of the story. Blatant info drops, having to go back two paragraphs to pick up what was being referenced by a particular pronoun or determiner, etc. small things but I noticed them all the same.
Regardless, an enjoyable story if you like dystopian sci-fi.
sundragonheartt's review against another edition
3.0
this book was nowhere near on the level of archivist wasp. wasp was a highly resourceful and witty protagonist , whereas mal happened to be at the right place at the right time. her main asset was Cynicism and That was about it.
i would sum this up as a feminist retelling of ready player one. Which was fine, but gimmicky and not really my thing.
3 stars for this books as a whole but 5 stars to my boy 22 who steals every scene he’s in.
i would sum this up as a feminist retelling of ready player one. Which was fine, but gimmicky and not really my thing.
3 stars for this books as a whole but 5 stars to my boy 22 who steals every scene he’s in.
beckermanex's review against another edition
4.0
The book was an enjoyable affair, something that was self contained and didn't feel as though it was setting up a universe (although it would be interesting to see how some of the concepts in the final chapters would come to life in a sequel). Warming up to the main character, Mal, takes some time in the beginning as the "oh-geez" off-putting lead, female character who doesn't want much to do with anything but see's inspiration in what's around her and the injustice in the world.
There were a few twists I wanted to see happen, and some more exploration on minor characters, but this was from a single point of view so it wouldn't have lent itself to anything beyond what Mal sees and interprets.
I would recommend for anyone familiar with game speak, conspiracy theories and a general dislike for overreaching corporations. But as a story, it has enough to keep you enticed and entertained through its brisk read.
There were a few twists I wanted to see happen, and some more exploration on minor characters, but this was from a single point of view so it wouldn't have lent itself to anything beyond what Mal sees and interprets.
I would recommend for anyone familiar with game speak, conspiracy theories and a general dislike for overreaching corporations. But as a story, it has enough to keep you enticed and entertained through its brisk read.
darwin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Goddamn, this book was good. Slow start picks up halfway through and doesn't stop running. I found this book exceptionally hard to put down once it started rolling.
While reading, there were times when I found the world-building a little messy, but it all came together very well in the end. Turns out the inconsistency was the point!
The characters and their relationships, though, are where this book shines. The plot is engaging, absolutely, but the characters propelling it forward are what made it so hard to put down. The story matters because the people in it matter, an approach the book itself is well aware of and even leans into at times.
My final thought is that even though this book can be read as a stand-alone, I think it's much stronger for being a prequel to Archivist Wasp and Latchkey. It was so satisfying to watch all the pieces click together and get another angle at 06 and 22. If 22 was your favorite part of this book and you haven't yet, do yourself a favor and read Archivist Wasp.
While reading, there were times when I found the world-building a little messy, but it all came together very well in the end. Turns out the inconsistency was the point!
The characters and their relationships, though, are where this book shines. The plot is engaging, absolutely, but the characters propelling it forward are what made it so hard to put down. The story matters because the people in it matter, an approach the book itself is well aware of and even leans into at times.
My final thought is that even though this book can be read as a stand-alone, I think it's much stronger for being a prequel to Archivist Wasp and Latchkey. It was so satisfying to watch all the pieces click together and get another angle at 06 and 22. If 22 was your favorite part of this book and you haven't yet, do yourself a favor and read Archivist Wasp.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gun violence, Classism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, War, Violence, Child death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Alcohol and Suicidal thoughts
emihansen's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. It was difficult for me to start, but that part is on me being easily distracted. But once I really began to imagine the setting, to know the characters and to crave to learn what happens next, I fell in love with this book. I’m no avid reader and I’m definitely not a justifiable reviewer, but I can honestly say that this book had me so eager to turn the next page. I loved unfolding Mallory’s story, I love how there were still so many unanswered questions at the end (and yes, I did cry) that are going to keep me wondering & curious for the next week. Maybe I’m biased because this is the first book like it that I’ve read in a long, long time, but I loved Firebreak so much.
posthumusly's review against another edition
3.0
I just couldn't see the importance of the VR game in the real life setting!
angelod24's review against another edition
2.0
Firebreak is a difficult book for me to review. The blurb was interesting to me and I looked forward to reading the book. However, I just couldn’t get into it for maybe the first 70%. I honestly kept reading only because I felt like I needed to complete it to write a review. I also always finish a book I start, one reason being I’m naively optimistic it will get better by the end.
And this one did get better by the end. It was just a little too late for me to recommend to others. I’d have liked the main characters to have a bit more depth to their backstories. I would have also liked a bit more world building. I also found myself losing interest in all the times they were in the game mode.
Overall, I’d give this one 2.5 stars. It’s not bad, it just couldn’t have been a lot better. In the end, I’m disappointed. This might work as a TV show, where they can build off the novel.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
And this one did get better by the end. It was just a little too late for me to recommend to others. I’d have liked the main characters to have a bit more depth to their backstories. I would have also liked a bit more world building. I also found myself losing interest in all the times they were in the game mode.
Overall, I’d give this one 2.5 stars. It’s not bad, it just couldn’t have been a lot better. In the end, I’m disappointed. This might work as a TV show, where they can build off the novel.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.