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A review by ratgrrrl
The Juice by Janet Stilson
Did not finish book.
I was provided an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review
I feel like I'm reading a different book to everyone else. This is a DNF @ 38% for me.
The audiobook quality and narrators are great, especially compared to the first ARC audiobook I received, there are some interesting ideas here, and I really tried to give it a fair shake, but I just don't feel engaged with any of the characters or the worldbuilding.
The central conceit, the eponymous Juice, being what amounts to a powerful charisma potion, and its potential ramifications are certainly interesting, but the writing seems to be informed by and from a very liberal perspective that actually makes the relatively milquetoast and 'acceptable' ethos of Cyberpunk 2077 actually seem quite punk in comparison.
I just don't think I buy what the author is selling, which seems to be another future dystopia that makes the broad brush gestures at inequality and class prejudice, without engaging with any of the grim reality.
The fact the protagonist is the perfect symbol of the middle class rebel with a heart of gold says a lot. Not to mention the questionable language and perspective of global politics.
Maybe things change over the course of the book, but if I wasn't gripped or wasn't feeling off about it, I might have been able to push through, but this just wasn't for me.
I will say that it is better than the diabolical cover though.
I feel like I'm reading a different book to everyone else. This is a DNF @ 38% for me.
The audiobook quality and narrators are great, especially compared to the first ARC audiobook I received, there are some interesting ideas here, and I really tried to give it a fair shake, but I just don't feel engaged with any of the characters or the worldbuilding.
The central conceit, the eponymous Juice, being what amounts to a powerful charisma potion, and its potential ramifications are certainly interesting, but the writing seems to be informed by and from a very liberal perspective that actually makes the relatively milquetoast and 'acceptable' ethos of Cyberpunk 2077 actually seem quite punk in comparison.
I just don't think I buy what the author is selling, which seems to be another future dystopia that makes the broad brush gestures at inequality and class prejudice, without engaging with any of the grim reality.
The fact the protagonist is the perfect symbol of the middle class rebel with a heart of gold says a lot. Not to mention the questionable language and perspective of global politics.
Maybe things change over the course of the book, but if I wasn't gripped or wasn't feeling off about it, I might have been able to push through, but this just wasn't for me.
I will say that it is better than the diabolical cover though.