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justine_ao 's review for:
Firebreak
by Nicole Kornher-Stace
Very nice, very nice.
Written as a standalone book set in the precursor world laid out in Kornher-Stace's amazing book, [b:Archivist Wasp|23282249|Archivist Wasp (Archivist Wasp Saga, #1)|Nicole Kornher-Stace|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430944335l/23282249._SY75_.jpg|42820078], Firebreak gives us a story set in the long before-time to that.
There is a lot to unpack in the story, which includes elements of corporate hegemony, economic freedom, the role of social media, and the realer than real online world. I loved, loved, loved, the relationships here. Friendship, trust, and platonic love are all part of the package and are brought to life to in all their various forms. The fact that Mal doesn't necessarily "do people" is presented as just another variation among human personality types, rather than as a trait that needs to be overcome in order for her to do what she needs to.
The worldbuilding is interesting, and not completely beyond the realm of the possible. The slow takeover of the key human requirements for life by for-profit corporations, and what that means for the everyday person (ie. 99% of us) is something that really doesn't require too much suspension of disbelief (which really should be a warning in and of itself). The role of social media in perpetuating the status quo or as a tool for politicization and social change is similarly something we can quite easily fit into our current world view. Firebreak takes these almost familiar themes and weaves them into a fast paced and engaging story. That's what I'm always looking for.
Although there is an interesting connection between Firebreak and Archivist Wasp, the stories also stand separate from each other and can be read in any order or each standing alone.
Written as a standalone book set in the precursor world laid out in Kornher-Stace's amazing book, [b:Archivist Wasp|23282249|Archivist Wasp (Archivist Wasp Saga, #1)|Nicole Kornher-Stace|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430944335l/23282249._SY75_.jpg|42820078], Firebreak gives us a story set in the long before-time to that.
There is a lot to unpack in the story, which includes elements of corporate hegemony, economic freedom, the role of social media, and the realer than real online world. I loved, loved, loved, the relationships here. Friendship, trust, and platonic love are all part of the package and are brought to life to in all their various forms. The fact that Mal doesn't necessarily "do people" is presented as just another variation among human personality types, rather than as a trait that needs to be overcome in order for her to do what she needs to.
The worldbuilding is interesting, and not completely beyond the realm of the possible. The slow takeover of the key human requirements for life by for-profit corporations, and what that means for the everyday person (ie. 99% of us) is something that really doesn't require too much suspension of disbelief (which really should be a warning in and of itself). The role of social media in perpetuating the status quo or as a tool for politicization and social change is similarly something we can quite easily fit into our current world view. Firebreak takes these almost familiar themes and weaves them into a fast paced and engaging story. That's what I'm always looking for.
Although there is an interesting connection between Firebreak and Archivist Wasp, the stories also stand separate from each other and can be read in any order or each standing alone.