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patchworkbunny's review against another edition
5.0
If you love cyberpunk but find it often lacks an emotional side, get yourself a copy of False Hearts. Whilst writing the book, Laura referred to it as her “bonkers book” but whilst there’s a lot going on, it isn’t particularly weird or illogical. Like all good titles, the false hearts are both literal, when the twins are separated they are given mechanical hearts, and also symbolic. In short, I loved it!
The narrative is shared between the twins, Taema getting the present and Tila describes their past in the cult of Mana’s Hearth. Both were captivating stories in their own right, but of course they intertwine with each other. The link between the two, with the exception of the twins, was quite clear to me early on but not the full extent. It definitely didn’t hamper the page turning quality of the story.
The cult rejects post-1969 technology. It’s a huge contrast to the world they find themselves in after they have been separated. It’s an interesting area to explore in fiction, are we better off with or without technology, has it gone too far. I would have loved to have read more about the cult and their reasoning for living a more simple life but I readily admit it wouldn’t have fit with the narrative and would have slowed the whole thing down.
As Taema starts to live Tila’s life, the cyberpunk side comes out more. It’s common practice to use drugs to enhance dreams, interacting with their implants, plugging in to live out fantasies and purge negative urges. This is the reason the murder rate is so low, after using the drug violent desires are dampened. They carry out the violence in their dreams, in a situation that feels real, then they wake up and get on with their lives. Some people get addicted to this, but Tila and Taema’s upbringing means the drug has little effect on them. But there’s a new drug in town, one that might not be so good for society.
The narrative is shared between the twins, Taema getting the present and Tila describes their past in the cult of Mana’s Hearth. Both were captivating stories in their own right, but of course they intertwine with each other. The link between the two, with the exception of the twins, was quite clear to me early on but not the full extent. It definitely didn’t hamper the page turning quality of the story.
The cult rejects post-1969 technology. It’s a huge contrast to the world they find themselves in after they have been separated. It’s an interesting area to explore in fiction, are we better off with or without technology, has it gone too far. I would have loved to have read more about the cult and their reasoning for living a more simple life but I readily admit it wouldn’t have fit with the narrative and would have slowed the whole thing down.
As Taema starts to live Tila’s life, the cyberpunk side comes out more. It’s common practice to use drugs to enhance dreams, interacting with their implants, plugging in to live out fantasies and purge negative urges. This is the reason the murder rate is so low, after using the drug violent desires are dampened. They carry out the violence in their dreams, in a situation that feels real, then they wake up and get on with their lives. Some people get addicted to this, but Tila and Taema’s upbringing means the drug has little effect on them. But there’s a new drug in town, one that might not be so good for society.
bailo2's review against another edition
2.0
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It's difficult for me to give a definitive review and rating on this book, as I was only given a lengthy excerpt as opposed to the full length novel. However, I shall do my best.
Taema and Tila were born as conjoined twins, raised in the cult known as Mana's Hearth. Once leaving the cult and going to the city, they have been separated thanks to modern technology and enjoy their individual lives due to their artificial hearts that sustain them. One night however, Tila arrives at Taema's apartment covered in blood moments before the police arrive and arrest her on murder charges. Taema discovers her sister's involvement in a dangerous game, but maintain Tila's innocence. Determined to discover the truth, she goes undercover posing as her twin sister.
Now this novel should have the makings of an exciting ride: science fiction, cults, murder,minority_report drugs, sisters covered in blood. However, I found what I read of the book to honestly be a bit dull and tired. False Hearts seemed to take the scraps of superior stories in an attempt to create its own. But that is just the problem. We've heard this story before. Specifically, the premise of the novel reminded me of the film Minority Report. Minority Report is a superior, masterful science fiction work at the top of its genre. If there's anything I wouldn't want as a science fiction writer, it would be to be compared to Minority Report because I'd probably come off as sub-par in comparison. That alone is a bit of a death sentence for me as far as this book is concerned. If the story twisted and turned in unexpected ways, I'll never know.
Additionally, the characters felt more like archetypes than fleshed out human beings. Tila is the rebellious, wild card twin while Taema is the straight laced, good twin. Because we've never had that kind of story before. This wouldn't be a problem if I had been able to make an emotional connection with the characters. However, I personally was unable to understand and therefore care about them. The chapters I was given never made me understand what exactly made the characters tick.
This contributes to the largest flaw in the story. Overall, the big problem for me however is that as a murder mystery, readers need to be compelled to discover who done it. Unfortunately, I did not feel the need to keep reading. I don't have any particular desire to purchase or finish the book.
If I had the full book, perhaps my feelings would be different; I did find the subplot concerning the cult interesting after all. If anyone reads this, let me know if its worth giving a second shot.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
Tootle loo, darlings! Till next time!
It's difficult for me to give a definitive review and rating on this book, as I was only given a lengthy excerpt as opposed to the full length novel. However, I shall do my best.
Taema and Tila were born as conjoined twins, raised in the cult known as Mana's Hearth. Once leaving the cult and going to the city, they have been separated thanks to modern technology and enjoy their individual lives due to their artificial hearts that sustain them. One night however, Tila arrives at Taema's apartment covered in blood moments before the police arrive and arrest her on murder charges. Taema discovers her sister's involvement in a dangerous game, but maintain Tila's innocence. Determined to discover the truth, she goes undercover posing as her twin sister.
Now this novel should have the makings of an exciting ride: science fiction, cults, murder,minority_report drugs, sisters covered in blood. However, I found what I read of the book to honestly be a bit dull and tired. False Hearts seemed to take the scraps of superior stories in an attempt to create its own. But that is just the problem. We've heard this story before. Specifically, the premise of the novel reminded me of the film Minority Report. Minority Report is a superior, masterful science fiction work at the top of its genre. If there's anything I wouldn't want as a science fiction writer, it would be to be compared to Minority Report because I'd probably come off as sub-par in comparison. That alone is a bit of a death sentence for me as far as this book is concerned. If the story twisted and turned in unexpected ways, I'll never know.
Additionally, the characters felt more like archetypes than fleshed out human beings. Tila is the rebellious, wild card twin while Taema is the straight laced, good twin. Because we've never had that kind of story before. This wouldn't be a problem if I had been able to make an emotional connection with the characters. However, I personally was unable to understand and therefore care about them. The chapters I was given never made me understand what exactly made the characters tick.
This contributes to the largest flaw in the story. Overall, the big problem for me however is that as a murder mystery, readers need to be compelled to discover who done it. Unfortunately, I did not feel the need to keep reading. I don't have any particular desire to purchase or finish the book.
If I had the full book, perhaps my feelings would be different; I did find the subplot concerning the cult interesting after all. If anyone reads this, let me know if its worth giving a second shot.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
Tootle loo, darlings! Till next time!
geekcliche's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
weltenkreuzer's review against another edition
5.0
Innovativer und ideenreicher SF-Thriller über siamesische Zwillinge, einen religiösen Kult und High-Tech-Drogen
alipals's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this. Felt like a slow starter but then pretty pacey. Liked the alternating perspectives of Tila and Taema. Definitely recommend and will be reading Shattered Minds!
millie1985's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
daffz's review against another edition
4.0
This book took me a long time to finish, and I think it is better suited to a quick read. I really enjoyed it but every time I picked it up after not reading for a little while I felt somewhat lost.
Still, it was definitely a very good book. The thing that stood out to me most was the worldbuilding. I loved the stark differences between the city and the Hearth and how believable the future described in this book felt.
I also really liked both sisters and their relationship. It was really powerful that they barely interacted for the entire book but it was still clear just how much they loved each other.
The only thing I didn't care for a whole lot was the romance. It wasn't really good but also not really bad. It seemed to mostly just be there so there could be some sex scenes. (This is not necessarily bad)
Still, it was definitely a very good book. The thing that stood out to me most was the worldbuilding. I loved the stark differences between the city and the Hearth and how believable the future described in this book felt.
I also really liked both sisters and their relationship. It was really powerful that they barely interacted for the entire book but it was still clear just how much they loved each other.
The only thing I didn't care for a whole lot was the romance. It wasn't really good but also not really bad. It seemed to mostly just be there so there could be some sex scenes. (This is not necessarily bad)
eowyns_helmet's review against another edition
3.0
This took a long time to get started. The conjoined twins part never seemed integral to the narrative. For me the sci-fi elements seemed largely irrelevant to the characters and the story.
natsilene's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. Mi aspettavo di meglio. La narrazione è ritmata e scorrevole ma ho trovato i personaggi poco incisivi e soprattutto la resa dell'ambientazione solo abbozzata