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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
4.75* there’s a reason John Marrs is one of my favorite thriller authors and he proves it every time he comes out with another book set in this near future world. his concepts are always so interesting (and plausible!!!) and well-executed and this one was no different. i love how he explores the nuances of his characters and their choices. i love how he ties everything together. only reason this wasn’t 5 stars is because the end maybe got a little too convoluted for my taste, BUT it’s still such a fun one. fuck AI!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another great John Marrs book!
In a world where overpopulation exists, the new solution is having a carefully created virtual child in the Metaverse with all the attributes and characteristics you desire. The AI is so powerful that your Metababy is nearly indistinguishable from a real baby, both in mannerisms and actions, like it’s been trained after a real child.
Awakening Entertainment Company releases this new, advanced technology in a reality show with 6 families and their virtual child. The couples wear VR and haptic suits so they can feel everything and interact with their virtual child, allowing them the full experience of raising an actual child in the real world; all of this is live-streamed 24/7 to be viewed by millions. The winner chosen by popular vote with the option to keep their virtual kid OR have prize money in the Real World to fund starting a family. Each chapter focused on a different couple and their interactions with their metachild as it develops through growth stages from newborn to 18 year old.
Gabriel and Cadman with metachild River
Dimitri and Zoe with metachild Lenny
Hudson, single dad, with metachild Alice
Woody and Tina with metachild Belle
Selena and Jaden with metachild Malachi
Rufus and Kitty with metachild Olivia
Who will be chosen and will they keep their metachild or go for the prize money?
Spoilers ***
Marrs does a great job of introducing characters slowly and allowing details to come out chapter by chapter, allowing the reader to develop their opinions on the couple.
I feel like there are some realistic challenges parents face woven throughout the book: colic, bullying, drugs and teens, puberty. There are a fair share of trigger warnings- baby Olivia with colic resulting in a Rufus causing her death from shaken baby syndrome; Jaden’s infidelity during marriage and his children with multiple women; Dimitri and Zoe trafficking their child Adam to ease financial difficulties; River having exposure to drugs resulting in his friends death from OD.
The story was fast paced, interesting, and compelling, the reader wanting to know what’s the next twist! There are some easter eggs with reference to The One. I enjoyed that Marrs closed up each storyline so there were no significant loose ends
Thank you NetGalley, Hanover Square Press Publishing, and author John Marrs for this ARC, it made my day!
Pub date: July 9, 2024
In a world where overpopulation exists, the new solution is having a carefully created virtual child in the Metaverse with all the attributes and characteristics you desire. The AI is so powerful that your Metababy is nearly indistinguishable from a real baby, both in mannerisms and actions, like it’s been trained after a real child.
Awakening Entertainment Company releases this new, advanced technology in a reality show with 6 families and their virtual child. The couples wear VR and haptic suits so they can feel everything and interact with their virtual child, allowing them the full experience of raising an actual child in the real world; all of this is live-streamed 24/7 to be viewed by millions. The winner chosen by popular vote with the option to keep their virtual kid OR have prize money in the Real World to fund starting a family. Each chapter focused on a different couple and their interactions with their metachild as it develops through growth stages from newborn to 18 year old.
Gabriel and Cadman with metachild River
Dimitri and Zoe with metachild Lenny
Hudson, single dad, with metachild Alice
Woody and Tina with metachild Belle
Selena and Jaden with metachild Malachi
Rufus and Kitty with metachild Olivia
Who will be chosen and will they keep their metachild or go for the prize money?
Spoilers ***
Marrs does a great job of introducing characters slowly and allowing details to come out chapter by chapter, allowing the reader to develop their opinions on the couple.
I feel like there are some realistic challenges parents face woven throughout the book: colic, bullying, drugs and teens, puberty. There are a fair share of trigger warnings- baby Olivia with colic resulting in a Rufus causing her death from shaken baby syndrome; Jaden’s infidelity during marriage and his children with multiple women; Dimitri and Zoe trafficking their child Adam to ease financial difficulties; River having exposure to drugs resulting in his friends death from OD.
The story was fast paced, interesting, and compelling, the reader wanting to know what’s the next twist! There are some easter eggs with reference to The One. I enjoyed that Marrs closed up each storyline so there were no significant loose ends
Thank you NetGalley, Hanover Square Press Publishing, and author John Marrs for this ARC, it made my day!
Pub date: July 9, 2024
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
too many characters I was very confused from the beginning even went back to reread I thought I got a good idea of what's going on until I didn't. haha
mysterious
tense
dark
mysterious
fast-paced