I don’t hide how much I love Chloe Gong books and so I’ve been so excited for Deadlock. It’s bringing my YA dystopian thirst back and I love this world Chloe has created! Keep reading this book review of Deadlock for my full thoughts.
Summary
One wrong move will end the world…
The nation can’t stop talking about Eirale Ward. After a perilous mission with the enemy, she has been rescued and returned to NileCorp. Her gracious employer cleared her charges of treason and restored her status as an elite soldier.
Once, that would have been enough—but she is not that same Eirale anymore. She is a spy for the Coalition, tasked to take down NileCorp from the inside.
Meanwhile, everyone in Atahua is watching Nik Grant. Though he succeeded in his mission to retrieve Project Wit, he has put a target on his loved ones, and NileCorp will stop at nothing to bring him in. Working for the Coalition was supposed to help him destroy NileCorp, but the Coalition is pushing restraint while he wants action. He’s running out of time.
When Atahua’s charismatic vice president joins the scene at NileCorp, the company grows untouchable. Kieren is unwavering in his belief in Lia and her ability to rupture the power in virtual reality—but NileCorp sees all, and it has long set its trap. Before total and absolute control can land in NileCorp’s hands, Lia must embrace what she was built to do…
Either change the world or burn it all down.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Deadlock naturally asks us questions about loyalty, about what we would sacrifice to make the world a better place or to fight for the ones we love. This is a world where no holds are barred and the future is at stake. But throughout it all, will we become the very force we are trying to take down? If you’ve read The Hunger Games, then you’re familiar with the question of wondering if we become as bad as our enemies? If the measures we take to take down the powers of oppression, are really so different. Deadlock also asks us what our version of a ‘true’ reality is as Gong continues to explore the lines between virtual and reality.
Deadlock is a thought provoking sequel which examines the ramifications of our future. Our future is twisting over questions of virtual worlds and the idea of consciousness as we begin to wonder how our ‘lives’ look virtually. What is it like to live in virtual space and what are these limitations especially contrasted to the lives we live here? Control is another theme in Deadlock as we examine who has the power over these spaces as the power shifts from side to side. And we have to ask ourselves if we’re more powerful together or if our fate is just to continue to fight between sides.
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Deadlock also would make an excellent conversation partner with Crier’s War as it explores the idea of consciousness and mimicry. About these ‘human’ experiences and wondering if we never have to lose or grieve, does it not cheapen the value of them when we have it? If everything is immortal, how do we learn to cherish their longevity? Find Deadlock on Goodreads, Storygraph, Blackwells, Bookshop.org & Libro. fm.