This was an interesting read, but Idk if it’s because this is out of my genre or the writing but it just didn’t click with me.

I liked the range of the characters, but they didn’t feel as developed as they could’ve been for me to care if something happens to them. I kinda wish it was longer, maybe it would have given me more to understand the characters better.

The concept itself was interesting, the VR aspect was something new to me and I enjoyed it. I think this would appeal to those more familiar with the genre for sure!

Thank you to the published and netgalley for the arc!

Thank you to author and publisher for the arc!

As a gamer and a huge nerd for sci-fi this hit just the spot! I loved the VR element and felt it was written in a very original manner.

I genuinely feel like this book could be a huge hit in the sci-fi community with the right marketing and a bit more attention on social media.

When a book's description is "a synthesis of Raymond Chandler and Philip K. Dick, dreamed up in the mind of Ridley Scott" that is a pretty damn good pitch.

And the thing is that blurb is fairly on point, as this complex tales merges a group of disparate individuals - including a hard-boiled detective - in a ruthless digital world known by its users as The River. Imagine if Blade Runner, The Matrix, and Tron collided with a healthy bundle of a William Gibson-ish vibe thrown in for good measure. Then add in a deadly virus disguised as a musical melody.

That's a heady premise, and Thompson pushes through the narrative at full speed, alternating between an engaging set of characters who find themselves on a path to prevent the end of their own reality.

There are a lot of interesting tech concepts, and the VR world-building - while certainly not a new idea - is given enough genre familiarity along with its own unique, dangerous edge.