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ed_w's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Well written and captured my interest but too brutal and dark for my tastes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
billyjepma's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
A fascinating premise paired with a reliable conspiracy-thriller plot should be a recipe for a banger of a book, so it’s a bummer that Anyone doesn’t manage to go anywhere beyond “fine.” The plot is too basic, too rudimentary to do the moral, philosophical, and existential questions the premise poses. That plot is executed well, and Soule strikes a solid balance between the tensions and paranoia that thrillers live or die off of. It’s the lack of risk and imagination that sap the story of its staying power. Why use an idea this rich for exploration on a revenge-thriller we’ve all seen dozens of times before?
I had a decent time reading this, as it’s a breezy enough summer read with just enough bite to keep the pages turning at a steady tempo. Soule’s protagonist is someone you want to root for, and to his credit, he uses her motivations and the sci-fi setting to pull off some exciting set pieces and scenarios. The narrowness of the story is something I couldn’t stop noticing, though, so regardless of how “cool” a story beat was, I kept imagining how much better it could’ve been if Soule had examined and interrogated the ideas he uses as a backdrop. The ending leaves some scratches on the surface of that potential, but the conclusion itself is abrupt and feels like a cop-out, once again robbing the reader of something worth chewing on.
I described it to a friend as “Discount Michael Crichton,” which I stand behind. The lofty science fiction elements are here—the edges have just been chiseled away. I’m between 2 and 3 stars with it, because it’s a very readable book with moments of excitement. But that enjoyment is fleeting, and at the end of the day, I wish I had spent my time on something else. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I had a decent time reading this, as it’s a breezy enough summer read with just enough bite to keep the pages turning at a steady tempo. Soule’s protagonist is someone you want to root for, and to his credit, he uses her motivations and the sci-fi setting to pull off some exciting set pieces and scenarios. The narrowness of the story is something I couldn’t stop noticing, though, so regardless of how “cool” a story beat was, I kept imagining how much better it could’ve been if Soule had examined and interrogated the ideas he uses as a backdrop. The ending leaves some scratches on the surface of that potential, but the conclusion itself is abrupt and feels like a cop-out, once again robbing the reader of something worth chewing on.
I described it to a friend as “Discount Michael Crichton,” which I stand behind. The lofty science fiction elements are here—the edges have just been chiseled away. I’m between 2 and 3 stars with it, because it’s a very readable book with moments of excitement. But that enjoyment is fleeting, and at the end of the day, I wish I had spent my time on something else. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Animal death, and Cursing
Minor: Kidnapping, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, and Slavery
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