A review by tamtasticbooks
When We Were Real by Daryl Gregory

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I figured I'd like this book, a story of a group of strangers going on a road trip across America a few years after they've been told that their world is actually a simulation. I ended up loving this book, a story of cruces of friendships, found family, consequences of impulsiveness, being chronically online, and reckoning with mortality and grief.
 
The story may seem overwhelming at first, with so many characters and being thrown into a new world. But the characters get fleshed out over time, things come together, and even if the character doesn't have a ton of them-focused time, they still manage to be thought-through. There isn't a part of this book that isn't necessary for the story in my opinion, and I thought that was great. I even had a surprise bawlfest for a hot second near the end. Like I've implied, there is a lot going on, and probably someone for any reader to begin to identify with. 
 
In conclusion, I loved it. Such a good story.

Thanks to S&S Saga Press and Netgalley for the e-ARC. 
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