Review: ReWired by S.R. Johannes

ReWired is a fun cyber thriller featuring a lovely crew of teenage misfits. It’s very much like Breakfast Club meets hackers.

Summary

Goodreads summary:

Sixteen-year-old Ada Lovelace is never more alive and sure of herself than when she’s hacking into a “secure” network as her alter ego, the Dark Angel. In the real world, Ada is broken, reeling from her best friend Simone’s recent suicide. Ada is swiftly proving she’s a force to be reckoned with, when a fellow Orwellian betrays her to the FBI. To protect her father’s career, Ada is sent to ReBoot, a technology rehab facility for teens…the same rehab Simone attended right before killing herself.

Review

Some things I loved right off the bat are the techno-culture, the video game references, and the spunk and personalities of each of the characters. This book explores issues of privacy and the power of technology when it is in nefarious hands. I am constantly fascinated by the way that the internet can give us the freedom to re-imagine ourselves, but also such potential for danger.  I adored how Johannes subtly tackles the sexism within cyber culture. Each of the characters felt so quirky (even if their talents conveniently helped propel the plot along).

What I really didn’t like, or couldn’t buy at all (and would have returned if I could) was the romance in the book. It felt forced and I didn’t really buy the authenticity of their interactions. I also disliked the ending a lot. It felt too neat and wrapped up. Also I couldn’t tell if there would be a sequel, it kind of leaves it on a very iffy note.

Overall, if you’re a techno-driven person like me, you should read this, knowing there are a few things that might irk you.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.

You can pick up ReWired on Amazon(US) and add it to Goodreads.

Discussion

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