TANGLE'S GAME

I enjoyed reading this book.  The idea of this book is so unique.  I'd never read anything similar.  I adored the author's writing style.  The story was novel, thrilling and interesting.  I couldn't put it down.

Thank you to the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book.

Engrossing ~ Humorous ~ Enjoyable

tl;dr: They're not out to get you, or maybe they are. 

I was prepared to dislike this book. Anything that uses blockchain, as was mentioned in the blurb, often screams of pandering. But, no fear, this book is not mass-produced. It is a wonderful story that blends our world (or the soon to be world) with blockchain and AI and a mystery. Its a bit like the Hitchcock North by Northwest crossed with the Matrix, but written in a wonderfully humorous, sarcastic tone. I was so pleasantly impressed by this book. 

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 



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Fast Paced Dystopian Thriller!!

This book grabs your attention immediately.  The action starts within a few pages and doesn't let up - introducing a whole host of unique and interesting characters,  I finished the book in under 24 hours and am hoping there will be a sequel. ;)  I would highly recommend this book for fans of of dystopian classics such as 1984, Fahrenheit 451 and the Handmaiden's tale as well as current dystopian thrillers by Douglas E. Richards (Split Second and sequel Time Frame) and A.G. Riddle (Departure) - and popular YA series Hunger Games and Maze Runner.  The author pulls from the latest headlines and imagines the world resulting from the current pace and direction of technology and politics - and with the best of dystopian books - it doesn't seem too far fetched, the reader can definitely see how this world could develop.  The author uses great descriptive metaphors.  One thing I particularly liked was that there were not pages of landscape or scenery descriptions, the brief descriptions given are pointed and purposeful.  Some authors lose their pace, trying to make the readers feel like they are "there" and by the time the reader scans it all, they no longer are interested in being "there".  Stewart Hotston does not make this mistake - the book starts out fast paced and never ends.  The plot was original and creative.  There are subtle "twists" in the book, which are played perfectly - the reader discovers the "twist" at the moment the author intends, little foreshadowing given = minimal predictability, there are hints given, but not enough to ruin the surprise.
The only reason I give this book 4 stars is because some concepts required a bit of background digging (for those non-coders among us) to understand their significance in the plot.  The largest example of this is "Blockchain" - I initially thought this was a future technology, imagine my surprise when I found out Cryptokitties and their subsequent bust are past events!  I do hope the author will perhaps add a better explanation in the book for future readers.  The novel is still DEFINITELY worth reading for those non-coders among us.  Perhaps others will not be as distracted by the need to understand every implication of this technology and other foreign concepts.  For instance, there is a reference to the Chinese Room argument, I had to look this up, it was certainly interesting to read about but not necessary to understand the plot.  My recommendation, read some basic information about blockchain prior to reading the book in order to get a better understanding of some of the mechanics and their significance, especially in regards to cryptocurrency (ex. Bitcoin).  Basic knowledge of BREXIT and it's implications are also other good concepts to be familiar with, although not necessary, it helps the reader to grasp some of the social issues within this new dystopian world.  The new information I learned due to it's introduction (and many times independent research) in the book are fascinating - and I feel are well worth being familiar with in today's reality.

In summary, I HIGHLY recommend this book, to coders and non-coders alike.  Give this book 5 minutes and you will no doubt be hooked with the non-stop action which continues until the last page.  I see this book as the first of a series, HOWEVER, there is no huge cliffhanger, it is complete as a standalone.  The reader is left satisfied... but like the best of books - you read the last sentence and wish there were more.  The option is left open and I hope the author continues this story!

This book caught my interest for the fact that it reminded me of The Net from the description. I really enjoyed this novel! It kept my interest front the beginning and I couldn’t put it down! In this day everyone’s life’s are on the computer and can be erased or changed with the touch of a button, this is gonna keep you up all night! 
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for honest review.

Quite interesting book with likeable protagonist and good futuristic themes. I liked the vision of a world where everything is monitored and techology is almost un-hackable and you can't do a step without the system knowing. t is repeated in many books, but still this novel was in its on way original.

Was it easy read? no if oy aren't in techologies, I was confused at first. But the prose is light so I caught up pretty fast and then it was easier for me to follow.

Very good. I enjoyed the unpredictability, plot crafting, and its timeliness (in 2019). There's good pacing (which in this case is also fast), and the story seems mostly realistic. The author has obvious talent, and I look forward to his next work. Recommended for thriller fans.

I really appreciate the advanced copy for review!

Tangle’s Game starts off with a bang and never quiets down, throwing you into a whirlwind plot that’s equally fascinating and brilliant. By pairing a doubting protagonist with a secret that would topple the world, we get a heightened sense of suspense as she travels around looking for answers, at first ignorant of the forces trying to take her down. This is a thriller at its best, complete with a throwback to old technology and a series of supporting characters that create a quirky band. 

I love how long the author takes to reveal the secret object our protagonist has been burdened with. It leaves a lot of room for the reader’s imagination to play. By the time you get the big reveal, so many possibilities have run through your head that anything comes as a surprise. The author’s use of a very real protagonist just trying to get back to her daily life magnifies the universal issue this object has created for her. The world around her begins to fall apart and she’s unprepared for the ramifications. It’s startling and exciting, especially as you try to imagine how this could all end. 

I was most impressed with the author’s mastery of dialogue and its use to shed light on the social inequality of an oppressive system that favors the rich and pits the poor against each other. The award for most surprising supporting character goes to Ichi, an elderly ex-professor whose worldview has been shaped by her proximity to the many catastrophes that have redefined this world of the future. Extremist politics have run rampant and she breaks down how and when the world fell apart, and what it meant to those struggling to get by. It’s a brilliant analysis of capitalism and the possible future the world is headed if extremism becomes the norm. 

Overall, Tangle’s Game is a wonderfully entertaining novel that excites at every turn, filled with unexpected twists and a group of characters who compliment and challenge each other. It’s exactly what a futuristic thriller should be. 

Final review will be published on 4/25: https://reviewsandrobots.com/2019/04/25/tangles-game-book-review

If you asked me to choose a book that was as far away as possible from my usual genre and style of book then this would be it!!
Quite a complex tale involving cutting edge AI, revolutionary technology and a plot to destabilise Europe via the Russians that is all wrapped up with ‘alien’ beings using the AI and technology to conversate via fridges and smart watches!!!!!!!!
Add to this Amanda, a most unlikeable leading lady, Tangle, her ex bf who discovers what the Russians are doing, next add a dash of the authors political slants on feminism, men, privilege, race, creed, money, sexuality and yes Brexit, oh and his seeming obsession with clean knickers and you are probably no wiser as to what this book holds...😃😃
The writing is chaotic at times and conversation between characters ‘difficult’ and yet, yet I enjoyed it, in a mildly irritating way, not finishing the book was never an option and it challenged me at every juncture as was so unlike the fiction I usually read
I am not sure what else to say about it except it ends as it started with you wanting more, kinda 
A definite, without question unusual read
7/10  3.5 Stars

Any book with a mystery and fast pace story telling grabs my attention straight away, and this book did exactly that!