Categotry Archives: Cyber Thriller

Need

Need Book Cover Need
Joelle Charbonneau
HMH Books for Young Readers
November 3, 2015
Hardcover
352

“No one gets something for nothing. We all should know better.”

Teenagers at Wisconsin’s Nottawa High School are drawn deeper into a social networking site that promises to grant their every need . . . regardless of the consequences. Soon the site turns sinister, with simple pranks escalating to malicious crimes. The body count rises. In this chilling YA thriller, the author of the best-selling Testing trilogy examines not only the dark side of social media, but the dark side of human nature.

 

Review:

It takes quite a bit to scare me as far as books are concerned, but “Need” had me wishing I had left the lights on when I went to bed.  It’s a solid new book from the author of the popular “Testing” series that fans of thrillers or the author will not want to miss.

The story is told through the first person with Kaylee and through the third person using various students who are members of the new social networking site “Need.”  Need promises to deliver what those who make requests need (though it’s really wants), but at a price.  Mixing the points of view makes for a great mystery that gives the readers enough clues to keep it interesting, but not so many that it’s obvious what is going on.

All of the characters are compelling, even those with only a few pages in total devoted to them.  The plot makes for a page-turner and never slows down.  It also brings up many serious issues about social networking and human nature, both good and bad.   In fact, aside from a few events that seem a bit of a stretch of reality, I can’t find anything that I didn’t like about “Need”.  Also, there is one instance of animal abuse and death, though it isn’t gratuitous and is important to the plot, so please beware if that triggers you.

I recommend “Need” to all of those old (and brave) enough to handle a book that is terrifying because it could actually happen.  It can be used to spark discussion about dangers, both online and off, as well as how we treat others.

This review is based upon a complimentary copy of the book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

Content Warning:

Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Animal Abuse

The Silence of Six

The Silence of Six Book Cover The Silence of Six
E.C. Meyers
Adaptive Books
November 5, 2014
Ebook
274

“WHAT IS THE SILENCE OF SIX, AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?”

These are the last words uttered by 17-year-old Max Stein’s best friend Evan just moments before he kills himself after hacking into the live-streaming Presidential debate at their high school.

Haunted by the unforgettable image of Evan’s death, Max’s entire world is upended as he suddenly finds himself the target of a corporate-government witch-hunt. Fearing for his life and fighting for his own innocence, Max goes on the run with no one to trust and too many unanswered questions.

 

Review:

“The Silence of Six” is an exciting page turner that begs you not to put it down until you know how it all will end.  Built around the world of computer hacking, compromised security, and government overstepping its bounds, in this day and age it could almost be described as a horror story.  I know it has left me a bit on the paranoid side.

The characters are well-developed, the plot picks up its quick pace from the very beginning, and the plot is unpredictable, which is exactly how any good thriller should be.  The hacker world is also rather extensively explored, which can be both a good and a bad thing.  For those with computer knowledge, it adds to the fun.  For those who are able to gloss over details they do not understand and go with the flow, it does not take away from the excitement.  However, for those who can get lost in details, it may be overwhelming.  It is for that reason that I would not recommend “The Silence of Six” for reluctant school-aged readers.

However, should you fit one of the first two categories listed above and enjoy cyber thrillers, “The Silence of Six” is one fun and exciting read that is not to be missed.

This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

Content Warning:

Language, Violence, Intense Situations