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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5 stars. This was like a Black Mirror episode, and the premise was interesting with a thrilling story, but the greater questions of this kind of test remain unexplored—Although an in-depth exploration may be beyond the intended scope of this novella.
Similar to a lot of sci-fi stories about autonomy and control. Fairly clever but I wish I had got more from it.
I do think it's interesting that it highlights the idea of what people's cultural values are, as opposed to how we judge or test those values.
I do think it's interesting that it highlights the idea of what people's cultural values are, as opposed to how we judge or test those values.
This one is really hard for me to rate because it's so short. I don't have any complaints about it, so I guess 5? It's such a fast, gripping read and it really messes with your mind. Packed full with social commentary about what it means to be a part of a society and also about how we value life (some of which I felt went over my head). Be ready to read this in one sitting because it is un-put-downable once you get into it.
Other people have said it too, but it definitely feels like a Black Mirror episode in the form of a book.
It is definitely a book I will be thinking about for a while to come.
Other people have said it too, but it definitely feels like a Black Mirror episode in the form of a book.
It is definitely a book I will be thinking about for a while to come.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I found this book at the library
and it came out of nowhere for me. I just knew it was short and I wanted that
was short.
This was not what I thought it was going to be in one of the best ways. This about a man named Idir who is taking his British citizenship test 25 questions pass or fail. Suddenly he finds himself in a hostage situation where he needs to pick a hostage for the hostage taker to ~send to the other side~ every 15 minutes. Everyone’s life if in Idir’s hands not just him and his family’s but complete strangers. And the hostage situation isn’t all that it seems.
This book was quick and cutting and brought up good questions like what you are willing to risk for citizenship. How immigrating to a new country changes you at your core. How violence changes you. How immigrating comes with great sacrifice especially to a western country you lose some of yourself. You are forever changed. And how sometimes you can’t escape what you are running from.
and it came out of nowhere for me. I just knew it was short and I wanted that
was short.
This was not what I thought it was going to be in one of the best ways. This about a man named Idir who is taking his British citizenship test 25 questions pass or fail. Suddenly he finds himself in a hostage situation where he needs to pick a hostage for the hostage taker to ~send to the other side~ every 15 minutes. Everyone’s life if in Idir’s hands not just him and his family’s but complete strangers. And the hostage situation isn’t all that it seems.
This book was quick and cutting and brought up good questions like what you are willing to risk for citizenship. How immigrating to a new country changes you at your core. How violence changes you. How immigrating comes with great sacrifice especially to a western country you lose some of yourself. You are forever changed. And how sometimes you can’t escape what you are running from.
Does Sylvain want to consider writing for Black Mirror? This was really good, entertaining. At 100 pages you get everything you need, nothing more and nothing less. I've read countless books trying to do the same thing and failing themselves and the reader by writing 300 pages of fluff. I'm grateful it wasn't a full length novel, the perfect decision if you ask me. It only took me so long to read because I restarted at 85% of the way through, got busy, personal things got in the way. This can easily be tackled in a couple hours.
I loved the Themis Files so I had high hopes for this. It blew my expectations out of the water!
dark
fast-paced