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vivisms_82's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
4.0
Firstly, what a treat for an audiobook - five narrators! And they were terrific.
I like a book that brings to the table a premise that does not exist in our current world, but is put together well enough to make you think "what if this happened?" This book does that. As we discover page 1 (or within 15 seconds of the audiobook) a simple DNA test can match you with your ideal mate. We are introduced to several characters and how this new science does/does not change how they feel about current, past and future romantic relationships. This new way of knowing who your "perfect match" is, makes for thrilling reading and will no doubt cause much debate in bookclubs! I definitely made some audible gasps whilst reading/listening to this book :) Always a good thing.
The characters/I needed to get this off my chest(!!): 1. Ellie - ethically immoral or scientific genius? Hasn't some science and medicine in our modern world had some shady origins? Wouldn't modern science and medicine be behind without it? 2. Tim/Matthew's parents were victims of this illegal obtaining of dna - were his revenge actions then justified? 3. Jade and Kevin were an interesting couple for me - I get why Kevin did what he did for his dying brother, but can a relationship survive if you've been lying to the person you love since the beginning? Even if said person is your DNA match? 4. I found Mandy the least interesting character and frankly annoying. 5. Psychotic Pat was a curious take on the desperate, barren woman. 6. Christopher being matched with Amy, a police woman initially made my eyes roll until I thought "wait, this could get juicey!" And it did. Getting into Christopher's mind and even having a serial killer in the mix was (I thought) clever of the author. That couple made me think a lot. 7. And the scenario that made me the most invested in was Nick and Alex. It also made me the most disappointed - mainly because I think it had potential to be teased out further and parts felt lazy compared to the rest of the writing. Deepak's wife happening to work with his match - yes out of all the millions of options on the planet she is 2 degrees of separation - was one of the few things in this book that made me wanna scream - why do author's do this? It's flippin preposterous and your reader will always be unimpressed. Sally dying (for me) was too neat; means she doesn’t have to deal with the consequences of her and Deepaks scheming - this could have been less tidy if she had survived and more satisfying. Withholding this important information is fucking selfish and I wish that was explored further. Sally pushing her bf to do the test. Then Sally became a goddam hypocrite. What did she think was gonna happen when a mixed race kid came out? Essentially is still an affair whether she is your match or not. Manipulation. And poor, little Dylan. Rejected by Deepak and Sumaira!! Nick was rightly disgusted. 2 wrongs do not make a right but geesh. Yes that last scenario made feel like I got a cake without the icing. I wanted more dammit and he had set it up beautifully to be more!
Overall I enjoyed this book and all the teasing out of scenarios was intriguing. The questions it raises if such science does become available was thought provoking, reflective and marvellous.
I like a book that brings to the table a premise that does not exist in our current world, but is put together well enough to make you think "what if this happened?" This book does that. As we discover page 1 (or within 15 seconds of the audiobook) a simple DNA test can match you with your ideal mate. We are introduced to several characters and how this new science does/does not change how they feel about current, past and future romantic relationships. This new way of knowing who your "perfect match" is, makes for thrilling reading and will no doubt cause much debate in bookclubs! I definitely made some audible gasps whilst reading/listening to this book :) Always a good thing.
The characters/I needed to get this off my chest(!!):
Overall I enjoyed this book and all the teasing out of scenarios was intriguing. The questions it raises if such science does become available was thought provoking, reflective and marvellous.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Cancer, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Abortion, and Fire/Fire injury
*Some scenes, I found quite goryjamesfitz3's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I’m not going to lie I found the first 10 chapters of this novel insufferable and actually texted friends some especially bad lines
It was all just too British for me
I think an important rule of thumb was broken here - if you’re writing a light sci fi, don’t try to explain the science. We’ve suspended our disbelief. It’s fine. People who don’t know things about science do not gain anything from a few clumsy paragraphs, and people who do know things about science just get annoyed.
Boy I personally wasn’t ready for the character named Kevin to die of cancer at a young age
It was all just too British for me
I think an important rule of thumb was broken here - if you’re writing a light sci fi, don’t try to explain the science. We’ve suspended our disbelief. It’s fine. People who don’t know things about science do not gain anything from a few clumsy paragraphs, and people who do know things about science just get annoyed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Murder
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Miscarriage and Abortion
mal_reads_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.75
This was an entertaining read and easy to get into. I enjoyed the twists. The cliffhangers at the end of each chapter kept me flipping for more. Out of the 5 storylines, my favorite was Christopher’s: psychopathic serial killer matches with police officer and tries to balance dating life with his murder challenge.
I would’ve preferred the book focus on each storyline from start to finish, or at least make the chapters longer, instead of jumping between each one every 3-4 pages. The rotation being in order, however, made it at least easier to follow.
I would’ve preferred the book focus on each storyline from start to finish, or at least make the chapters longer, instead of jumping between each one every 3-4 pages. The rotation being in order, however, made it at least easier to follow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Miscarriage, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer and Infidelity
emma6544's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Miscarriage
Minor: Alcoholism and Pedophilia
racheljj's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Murder
Moderate: Cancer and Miscarriage
mckinleyelle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Violence, and Kidnapping
cwalden's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Miscarriage
mockingjayx16's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Minor: Miscarriage, Pedophilia, and Fire/Fire injury
rosetaylor2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Spoiler review!
Overall setup: I enjoyed the ensemble of characters, and the pace of each chapter. Each vignette had a small beginning and end that culminated in varying leveld of twists.
Characters: You get a Match. How does each unique character react to the same situation, alongside a different character they were Matched with? How does it change them as people, and how does their propensity to lie affect others? None of the characters are moral agents, but in believable ways. How could I root for a character like Ellie? Ugh! But I did! Some characters are believably despicable - he wanted to showcase the harm that certain personalities can cause through the concept of Matching.
Plot overall: this is not a sci-fi dystopian novel as advertised. I was expecting something more like The Circle. But, it was delightfully focused on the intimate lives of others. I appreciated that he kept the theme connected to the smallness of our collective individualism.
Overall setup: I enjoyed the ensemble of characters, and the pace of each chapter. Each vignette had a small beginning and end that culminated in varying leveld of twists.
Characters: You get a Match. How does each unique character react to the same situation, alongside a different character they were Matched with? How does it change them as people, and how does their propensity to lie affect others? None of the characters are moral agents, but in believable ways. How could I root for a character like Ellie? Ugh! But I did! Some characters are believably despicable - he wanted to showcase the harm that certain personalities can cause through the concept of Matching.
Plot overall: this is not a sci-fi dystopian novel as advertised. I was expecting something more like The Circle. But, it was delightfully focused on the intimate lives of others. I appreciated that he kept the theme connected to the smallness of our collective individualism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Miscarriage
lauren06100's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Okay, so this is now my favourite read so far!
I love fast-paced books and this was rapid!
At first I was worried with the number of characters and their stories, but very quickly you pick it up.
My jaw hit the floor with Ellie and Tim's story and Mandys story with Pat and Chloe. I had to turn my kindle off for 5 minutes and have a breather.
Thank you John Marrs!
I love fast-paced books and this was rapid!
At first I was worried with the number of characters and their stories, but very quickly you pick it up.
My jaw hit the floor with Ellie and Tim's story and Mandys story with Pat and Chloe. I had to turn my kindle off for 5 minutes and have a breather.
Thank you John Marrs!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy