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Without Disruption
In pursuit of a different life, Harrison leaves everything behind – his family, his community, and even his own name. He can never go back.
Global society is united with a simple guarantee: everyone can achieve stable, lasting happiness for one hundred years in a curated lifestyle that brings them joy. Well… not unlimited joy, just mild contentment. No more, no less.
Every element of life is controlled by Vie – an AI system that is worshipped as divine. She guides members into ‘harmony’ with in-ear alerts, retina screens, and vast, immersive simulations.
Harrison is ambitious and impulsive with a curious habit of recalling hazy memories that never happened. The course of his life is punctuated with hasty decisions, emotional compromises, and genuine attempts to play by the rules.
He’s not only running out of options; he’s running out of time. Is Harrison’s will strong enough to break Vie’s authoritarian hold? Or will he finally learn to settle for mediocrity, just like everyone else?
The threat of ‘eviction’ is looming, and Harrison’s death day might come sooner than he thinks.
For fans of Alduous Huxley, Ray Bradbury, Lois Lowry, and Ira Levin, this thought-provoking dystopian novel sparks questions about the diversity of joy and the resilient fight for independence.
Global society is united with a simple guarantee: everyone can achieve stable, lasting happiness for one hundred years in a curated lifestyle that brings them joy. Well… not unlimited joy, just mild contentment. No more, no less.
Every element of life is controlled by Vie – an AI system that is worshipped as divine. She guides members into ‘harmony’ with in-ear alerts, retina screens, and vast, immersive simulations.
Harrison is ambitious and impulsive with a curious habit of recalling hazy memories that never happened. The course of his life is punctuated with hasty decisions, emotional compromises, and genuine attempts to play by the rules.
He’s not only running out of options; he’s running out of time. Is Harrison’s will strong enough to break Vie’s authoritarian hold? Or will he finally learn to settle for mediocrity, just like everyone else?
The threat of ‘eviction’ is looming, and Harrison’s death day might come sooner than he thinks.
For fans of Alduous Huxley, Ray Bradbury, Lois Lowry, and Ira Levin, this thought-provoking dystopian novel sparks questions about the diversity of joy and the resilient fight for independence.
298 pages, Paperback
Published January 10, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 20, 2022
Without Disruption has a very interesting premise, and that's what initially made me interested in reading it. I went into the book knowing very little about the plot, and I think that is the best way to go into it, so this review will have as few specifics as I can manage while still making sense!
Without Disruption follows Harrison, and while he changes it during the course of his life, I will use this name so as to not give away too much. Harrison's world is an almost-utopia, everyone lives in different alpha classes, communities that prioritize different aspects of living, and different values and lifestyles. The whole system is run by Vie, an AI system that's revered almost as a god. The premise is that the system benefits everyone, as you can change your alpha class for another, better fitting one, if you are not content. The only catch is, once you leave an alpha class, you can never go back. As the book says - "No one can move backward. No decision can be undone."
The whole setup of the book, and the world were really interesting. Initially, the concept reminded me of books such as Divergent and Scythe, though I will say it is not actually like either of them. The system of alpha classes is very interesting, and we find out more information as Harrison makes his journey. I really liked that aspect of the book, the world-building felt slow and deliberate, and it constantly left you wanting to find out more. It is, however, quite open, both during the book and with how the ending is written, so if that's something you do not particularly enjoy, this might bother you.
Harrison is an interesting character to follow. He leaves the class he was born in, and we watch him as he tries out different things, and meets different people. I will say, this book took me a while to really get into it, as I didn't really follow his train of thought, and how he makes his decisions. Early on, with his first class change, he meets Niam, who he almost immediately falls for, and has a serious relationship with. But the issue was, I didn't understand at all why there were together. I felt like I missed a few chapters, to be honest. It definitely was obvious they were interested in each other, but the relationship jumped from 0 to 100 in next to no time. When asked, the most he said as a reason is that Niam is charming, so I was slightly confused on which common ground this relationship was built on. I said Harrison is an interesting character, and that is because I couldn't really guess what he'll do next, but his personality felt underdeveloped at times, as did for some of the other characters. The book is written in a way that more tells than shows, so I ended up feeling quite removed from all of the characters. The relationship he and Niam have is a significant one, causing both of them to make many irreversible choices - and yet I couldn't tell you why they were together. That relationship had a lot of potential, but was very underdeveloped, especially with how much of the book was centered on it.
The book is not focused solely on that relationship, of course, and I much more enjoyed the second half of it. That's where I felt like I could see much more of Harrison's personality, and what drives him. That's where we get to see more of the world, and understand better how it works. It was really interesting, especially watching cracks form in Harrison's worldview. This society is governed by the AI, in such a way it leaves no room for doubt, the idea is that the system is always good, and if it's not working for you, it's just because you haven't found your place yet. Here I'm not going into specifics because I don't want to spoil anything. We watch Harrison as doubts form in him, and as his motivations change, and I thought that was very well done. The book also incorporates the history of that world, and how it came to be this way. I really enjoyed that as it added a lot of depth to the world.
As I said, I enjoyed the second half of the book more, but I feel like it was a bit rushed, especially compared to the first part. I felt like the first part was just establishing the setting of the story, but with a certain storyline, it ended up dragging a bit, so the second part was rushing to get us all caught up. The ending was also very interesting, while I did guess it could be a possibility, I perhaps still hoped for a different one. The ending is slightly ironic and bittersweet but also hopeful in a way. It is interesting to see, as a general commentary on such a society. It is interesting, as all of the flaws of the system were laid out already, so it brings the question of are we doomed to repeat the cycle? Does it always end the same, or will it be different the next time? Especially if the system is trying to convince you it cannot be it that's wrong in any case.
Overall, I did think this book was really interesting, and it made me think about some of these themes and how they translate to the world in general. If you enjoy dystopian lit, and this book seems interesting to you, I would recommend it!
Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with the ebook in exchange for an honest review!
Without Disruption follows Harrison, and while he changes it during the course of his life, I will use this name so as to not give away too much. Harrison's world is an almost-utopia, everyone lives in different alpha classes, communities that prioritize different aspects of living, and different values and lifestyles. The whole system is run by Vie, an AI system that's revered almost as a god. The premise is that the system benefits everyone, as you can change your alpha class for another, better fitting one, if you are not content. The only catch is, once you leave an alpha class, you can never go back. As the book says - "No one can move backward. No decision can be undone."
The whole setup of the book, and the world were really interesting. Initially, the concept reminded me of books such as Divergent and Scythe, though I will say it is not actually like either of them. The system of alpha classes is very interesting, and we find out more information as Harrison makes his journey. I really liked that aspect of the book, the world-building felt slow and deliberate, and it constantly left you wanting to find out more. It is, however, quite open, both during the book and with how the ending is written, so if that's something you do not particularly enjoy, this might bother you.
Harrison is an interesting character to follow. He leaves the class he was born in, and we watch him as he tries out different things, and meets different people. I will say, this book took me a while to really get into it, as I didn't really follow his train of thought, and how he makes his decisions. Early on, with his first class change, he meets Niam, who he almost immediately falls for, and has a serious relationship with. But the issue was, I didn't understand at all why there were together. I felt like I missed a few chapters, to be honest. It definitely was obvious they were interested in each other, but the relationship jumped from 0 to 100 in next to no time. When asked, the most he said as a reason is that Niam is charming, so I was slightly confused on which common ground this relationship was built on. I said Harrison is an interesting character, and that is because I couldn't really guess what he'll do next, but his personality felt underdeveloped at times, as did for some of the other characters. The book is written in a way that more tells than shows, so I ended up feeling quite removed from all of the characters. The relationship he and Niam have is a significant one, causing both of them to make many irreversible choices - and yet I couldn't tell you why they were together. That relationship had a lot of potential, but was very underdeveloped, especially with how much of the book was centered on it.
The book is not focused solely on that relationship, of course, and I much more enjoyed the second half of it. That's where I felt like I could see much more of Harrison's personality, and what drives him. That's where we get to see more of the world, and understand better how it works. It was really interesting, especially watching cracks form in Harrison's worldview. This society is governed by the AI, in such a way it leaves no room for doubt, the idea is that the system is always good, and if it's not working for you, it's just because you haven't found your place yet. Here I'm not going into specifics because I don't want to spoil anything. We watch Harrison as doubts form in him, and as his motivations change, and I thought that was very well done. The book also incorporates the history of that world, and how it came to be this way. I really enjoyed that as it added a lot of depth to the world.
As I said, I enjoyed the second half of the book more, but I feel like it was a bit rushed, especially compared to the first part. I felt like the first part was just establishing the setting of the story, but with a certain storyline, it ended up dragging a bit, so the second part was rushing to get us all caught up. The ending was also very interesting, while I did guess it could be a possibility, I perhaps still hoped for a different one. The ending is slightly ironic and bittersweet but also hopeful in a way. It is interesting to see, as a general commentary on such a society. It is interesting, as all of the flaws of the system were laid out already, so it brings the question of are we doomed to repeat the cycle? Does it always end the same, or will it be different the next time? Especially if the system is trying to convince you it cannot be it that's wrong in any case.
Overall, I did think this book was really interesting, and it made me think about some of these themes and how they translate to the world in general. If you enjoy dystopian lit, and this book seems interesting to you, I would recommend it!
Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with the ebook in exchange for an honest review!
January 31, 2022
French has managed to create an intriguing world with loveable characters with an atmosphere reminiscent of Divergent and Scythe
tw for the book: suicide
The first few chapters were a bit rough to get through, but the story really picks up after that. My curiosity was definitely the main driving factor to keep going in the story, however, the ending fell a bit flat for me.
The LGBTQ+ representation was done so well in this story. I feel very represented and seen in the way she incorporates sexuality so casually into the story.
Some parts of the story can feel a bit instalove-y in the beginning, however this is explained later in the story and can also be attributed to the fast pacing. I also experienced whiplash when the character moves to another alpha class, but I think this might have been intentional to simulate the way he feels.
You can tell that the author knows how to write, but some passages could feel a bit clunky. But overall a very impressive book for a debut author. This book really reignited my younger interest in Dystopia. I really hope to see more instalments in this world, because I have so many unanswered questions.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
tw for the book: suicide
The first few chapters were a bit rough to get through, but the story really picks up after that. My curiosity was definitely the main driving factor to keep going in the story, however, the ending fell a bit flat for me.
The LGBTQ+ representation was done so well in this story. I feel very represented and seen in the way she incorporates sexuality so casually into the story.
Some parts of the story can feel a bit instalove-y in the beginning, however this is explained later in the story and can also be attributed to the fast pacing. I also experienced whiplash when the character moves to another alpha class, but I think this might have been intentional to simulate the way he feels.
You can tell that the author knows how to write, but some passages could feel a bit clunky. But overall a very impressive book for a debut author. This book really reignited my younger interest in Dystopia. I really hope to see more instalments in this world, because I have so many unanswered questions.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 4, 2022
This was a great and thought-provoking book! It makes you think about the paths in life, ways of life, and happiness/contentment.
In this world, people are able to almost change their lives. The ultimate goal is to find ultimate happiness/contentment. With an AI system in their heads, she helps guide them to where they may be content. Every time a person starts to slip out of happiness, they are able to "start a new life" with a new name in a different path of life.
I found our main character, Harrison, to be a very interesting character to follow. He goes through many paths of life trying to find where he is most content. His character was very well developed. I do wish we got to see more about the side characters. There were a few prominent side characters, but I missed out on more about them. The side characters seemed to be there more for Harrison to figure things out and for the sake of the plot, but I would've enjoyed seeing more about them and having them more fleshed out.
Since Harrison is trying to find the lifestyle that worked best for him, some parts did seem a bit rushed and jumpy. Overall a great world.
I think the author did a great job in getting the mind thinking. It was a very engaging and quick read! I do recommend picking it up.
In this world, people are able to almost change their lives. The ultimate goal is to find ultimate happiness/contentment. With an AI system in their heads, she helps guide them to where they may be content. Every time a person starts to slip out of happiness, they are able to "start a new life" with a new name in a different path of life.
I found our main character, Harrison, to be a very interesting character to follow. He goes through many paths of life trying to find where he is most content. His character was very well developed. I do wish we got to see more about the side characters. There were a few prominent side characters, but I missed out on more about them. The side characters seemed to be there more for Harrison to figure things out and for the sake of the plot, but I would've enjoyed seeing more about them and having them more fleshed out.
Since Harrison is trying to find the lifestyle that worked best for him, some parts did seem a bit rushed and jumpy. Overall a great world.
I think the author did a great job in getting the mind thinking. It was a very engaging and quick read! I do recommend picking it up.
January 10, 2022
Wow! What a cool idea!
I’ll admit I always preferred my sci-fi with a dystopian flavor, so I might be a little biased here; still, Without Disruption is a real gem.
[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
I’ll admit I always preferred my sci-fi with a dystopian flavor, so I might be a little biased here; still, Without Disruption is a real gem.
[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
February 8, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Without Disruption is a book that I devoured in one day, and it was a surprisingly engaging read. There was a lot more to this book than the surface of the plot, which is something I crave in science fiction. At first, I worried that the novel was going to be a shallow explanation of life happening to the main character, but I quickly realized that the narrative was only as deep and mature as the character telling it- and the narrative deepens and grows alongside him.
I have a soft spot for bisexual protagonists, and very much enjoyed that aspect of Harrison's personality. The author isn't heavy-handed with it and he doesn't fit into any of the negative bisexual stereotypes, which I appreciate. I also appreciated the emotional sensitivity Harrison showed throughout the story, and the way his friends rally around him and truly care.
I rarely give out five-star reviews, but this book was very close to achieving that. I would consider it a five-star novel if the story delved deeper into the cultural norms and customs of the different alpha-classes, and described the world in more detail. I felt deeply emotionally connected to the characters, especially Harrison, and I wish I could have felt this way about the world he lived in as well. I know it would have been a slower read this way, but I wouldn't have minded spending more time in this universe anyway. This book left me hungry for more, which is a compliment as much as it is a criticism.
I think part of the author's decision to describe the world the way they did was a stylistic choice- Harrison can't describe things to us that he doesn't understand or is censored from knowing- but I still wish I had something more substantial to hold on to than he did.
Overall, this was a novel that made me think, made me care about the characters, and made me question how we perceive our own joy in the context of the world around us. It was a delight to read, and I look forward to more from this author.
Without Disruption is a book that I devoured in one day, and it was a surprisingly engaging read. There was a lot more to this book than the surface of the plot, which is something I crave in science fiction. At first, I worried that the novel was going to be a shallow explanation of life happening to the main character, but I quickly realized that the narrative was only as deep and mature as the character telling it- and the narrative deepens and grows alongside him.
I have a soft spot for bisexual protagonists, and very much enjoyed that aspect of Harrison's personality. The author isn't heavy-handed with it and he doesn't fit into any of the negative bisexual stereotypes, which I appreciate. I also appreciated the emotional sensitivity Harrison showed throughout the story, and the way his friends rally around him and truly care.
I rarely give out five-star reviews, but this book was very close to achieving that. I would consider it a five-star novel if the story delved deeper into the cultural norms and customs of the different alpha-classes, and described the world in more detail. I felt deeply emotionally connected to the characters, especially Harrison, and I wish I could have felt this way about the world he lived in as well. I know it would have been a slower read this way, but I wouldn't have minded spending more time in this universe anyway. This book left me hungry for more, which is a compliment as much as it is a criticism.
I think part of the author's decision to describe the world the way they did was a stylistic choice- Harrison can't describe things to us that he doesn't understand or is censored from knowing- but I still wish I had something more substantial to hold on to than he did.
Overall, this was a novel that made me think, made me care about the characters, and made me question how we perceive our own joy in the context of the world around us. It was a delight to read, and I look forward to more from this author.
November 29, 2021
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy in return for an honest review! Thank you Carrie for sharing this novel with me. I think this one will stay with me for a long time and has to be one of the best indie books I've read this year!
It was a slow start, so much fantastic world-building and I was intrigued by the idea of an AI assigning the characters to different lives to achieve perfect contentment, but the MC Harrison doesn't seem to be able to settle anywhere. Once he'd met and fallen for Nhiam, the pace picked up and this was such an amazing, thought-provoking tale of love and friendship and searching to find the perfect balance in life, if that is even possible. I won't give anything away, read this for yourself. The dialogue between the characters was flawless, and I love the way this author writes, the prose is beautiful. I became fully immersed in the world Carrie created. I look forward to reading what the author does next, and as a debut, this was amazing!
It was a slow start, so much fantastic world-building and I was intrigued by the idea of an AI assigning the characters to different lives to achieve perfect contentment, but the MC Harrison doesn't seem to be able to settle anywhere. Once he'd met and fallen for Nhiam, the pace picked up and this was such an amazing, thought-provoking tale of love and friendship and searching to find the perfect balance in life, if that is even possible. I won't give anything away, read this for yourself. The dialogue between the characters was flawless, and I love the way this author writes, the prose is beautiful. I became fully immersed in the world Carrie created. I look forward to reading what the author does next, and as a debut, this was amazing!
December 17, 2021
This book may give you an existential crisis.
Based on the first few chapters, I would not have predicted that. Initially, I found the narrative voice false-sounding and the dialogue stilted. Every character, even the protagonist, seemed artificial. I worried that the author had a poor ear for natural speech and a writing style that would grate on me more and more. I braced myself for another insipid book about everyone living in a simulation under an evil AI that a messiah-like main character eventually manages to foil. Blah blah free will, blah blah humanity.
I'm so glad to have been proven wrong. The direction this story takes really delivers on its high-concept premise. Not only is the ending fantastic and ironic, prompting both despair and comfort, but the structure works really well in developing Harrison's personality and gradually unveiling the world that the author has imagined. The chapters where he struggles with depression and his sense of self also hit me especially hard.
There are questions that remain unresolved and will continue to haunt me, along with the disquieting feel of this book. It makes me ask myself scary questions about the compromises we make in our reality, and the endless chase for contentment, even happiness, that capitalism and the social contract trap us in. Definitely a book that will stay with me for a long time to come.
I received an advance review copy via BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Based on the first few chapters, I would not have predicted that. Initially, I found the narrative voice false-sounding and the dialogue stilted. Every character, even the protagonist, seemed artificial. I worried that the author had a poor ear for natural speech and a writing style that would grate on me more and more. I braced myself for another insipid book about everyone living in a simulation under an evil AI that a messiah-like main character eventually manages to foil. Blah blah free will, blah blah humanity.
I'm so glad to have been proven wrong. The direction this story takes really delivers on its high-concept premise. Not only is the ending fantastic and ironic, prompting both despair and comfort, but the structure works really well in developing Harrison's personality and gradually unveiling the world that the author has imagined. The chapters where he struggles with depression and his sense of self also hit me especially hard.
There are questions that remain unresolved and will continue to haunt me, along with the disquieting feel of this book. It makes me ask myself scary questions about the compromises we make in our reality, and the endless chase for contentment, even happiness, that capitalism and the social contract trap us in. Definitely a book that will stay with me for a long time to come.
I received an advance review copy via BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
January 15, 2022
An absolute must read
This book took all my expectations and threw them out the window. The characters were complex and the furthest thing from one dimensional, their motives and thoughts somehow mirrored my own as I was reading the book and they were all relatively likeable. The world itself was compelling and thought provoking enough even without our main characters, to be honest it was the whole concept of the world that drew me in and I was not disappointed at all.
The story itself was quite interesting but, without spoilers, all I can say is that it gave me an existential crisis (a bit of an exaggeration but still valid) I really did feel like I was there in that world. The world building was quite nice and didn't leave many questions unanswered. Overall I'd say I'd reccomend this to my friends who love reading about despair
One thing I can say is that I loved this so much im already wanting a sequel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
edit: while im not the biggest fan of the use of 1st person pov this was quite nice. I'll definitely try to look for a physical copy once I can.
This book took all my expectations and threw them out the window. The characters were complex and the furthest thing from one dimensional, their motives and thoughts somehow mirrored my own as I was reading the book and they were all relatively likeable. The world itself was compelling and thought provoking enough even without our main characters, to be honest it was the whole concept of the world that drew me in and I was not disappointed at all.
The story itself was quite interesting but, without spoilers, all I can say is that it gave me an existential crisis (a bit of an exaggeration but still valid) I really did feel like I was there in that world. The world building was quite nice and didn't leave many questions unanswered. Overall I'd say I'd reccomend this to my friends who love reading about despair
One thing I can say is that I loved this so much im already wanting a sequel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
edit: while im not the biggest fan of the use of 1st person pov this was quite nice. I'll definitely try to look for a physical copy once I can.
December 6, 2021
I had originally rated this a 4 but I can’t stop thinking about it so I think I need to bump my rating to a 5.
I have been trying to scratch my brain for an adjective that describes how this book makes you feel while staring at the wall after finishing the last page. I’m sure it exists either in English or another language but I just don’t know what it is.
My all time favorite book is 1984. I want to be very clear: the plot is nothing like 1984. But the adjective that I’m searching for to describe Without Disruption is probably the same one that I would use to describe 1984. Something like melancholy with a side of nihilism.
Our main character, Harrison, lives in a world that guarantees contentment by committing to a highly specific lifestyle. He isn’t content in the society that he was born into, nor is he content in the second, nor the third. As he starts to dig into the truth about his world, he begins to run out of options.
This is a government dystopian book - where the government tries to convince its people that they live in a utopia and that the heavy surveillance is for its citizens benefit. This is one of my favorite types of dystopian books!
The character building was absolutely brilliant. Harrison was interesting and complex. The supporting cast brought a wide array of representation, personalities, and loyalties (or lack thereof).
The story was incredibly unique and the writing style was pleasant to read and easy to follow.
Do yourself a favor and pick this book up!
I have been trying to scratch my brain for an adjective that describes how this book makes you feel while staring at the wall after finishing the last page. I’m sure it exists either in English or another language but I just don’t know what it is.
My all time favorite book is 1984. I want to be very clear: the plot is nothing like 1984. But the adjective that I’m searching for to describe Without Disruption is probably the same one that I would use to describe 1984. Something like melancholy with a side of nihilism.
Our main character, Harrison, lives in a world that guarantees contentment by committing to a highly specific lifestyle. He isn’t content in the society that he was born into, nor is he content in the second, nor the third. As he starts to dig into the truth about his world, he begins to run out of options.
This is a government dystopian book - where the government tries to convince its people that they live in a utopia and that the heavy surveillance is for its citizens benefit. This is one of my favorite types of dystopian books!
The character building was absolutely brilliant. Harrison was interesting and complex. The supporting cast brought a wide array of representation, personalities, and loyalties (or lack thereof).
The story was incredibly unique and the writing style was pleasant to read and easy to follow.
Do yourself a favor and pick this book up!
January 1, 2022
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thanks so much to the author!
This was such an interesting and intriguing story, and it's one I won't easily forget. I really liked the world building and how life is so very different from what we know, but the story is still fairly easy to follow, both because the core principles are still the same and because everything was explained so well. Most of all, however, I love that through Harrison's story, you automatically start reflecting on your own life, and because of that it's like he's taking you on the journey with him.
There's only one thing that annoyed me a little bit, which was the excessive use of exclamation marks. I get that they were meant to show how the characters felt (either happy or angry), but it was a bit too much and one simply cannot shout a whisper. Apart from that, I really loved this story, and I most definitely recommend it!
This was such an interesting and intriguing story, and it's one I won't easily forget. I really liked the world building and how life is so very different from what we know, but the story is still fairly easy to follow, both because the core principles are still the same and because everything was explained so well. Most of all, however, I love that through Harrison's story, you automatically start reflecting on your own life, and because of that it's like he's taking you on the journey with him.
There's only one thing that annoyed me a little bit, which was the excessive use of exclamation marks. I get that they were meant to show how the characters felt (either happy or angry), but it was a bit too much and one simply cannot shout a whisper. Apart from that, I really loved this story, and I most definitely recommend it!
December 19, 2021
[I received an ARC in exchance for a fair review.]
This book blew me away. The characters are gripping and compelling in all their flaws. The world is amazing and intriguing--I really hope French gives us a prequel about the person who created Vie, or what happened to the system before. The story itself, without getting into spoilers, is about finding happiness, existential ennui and despair. I cannot recommend this one enough.
French, if you're reading this: Please give us a prequel!
This book blew me away. The characters are gripping and compelling in all their flaws. The world is amazing and intriguing--I really hope French gives us a prequel about the person who created Vie, or what happened to the system before. The story itself, without getting into spoilers, is about finding happiness, existential ennui and despair. I cannot recommend this one enough.
French, if you're reading this: Please give us a prequel!
February 10, 2022
Something about Carrie's writing has you hooked to the book from the first page. I couldn't put it down until I finished it! Her descriptions are so vivid, clear, and immersive that you feel connected to Harrison's character right from the start. Oh, and the prose! It's so, so beautiful! 5/5 will recommend.
March 7, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book had me anxiously checking how many pages were left because I didn’t want the story to end. From the first page I was hooked and couldn’t wait to see how the story played out. The world building with the different alpha classes was so interesting, I loved the insight into how different classes lived. French wrote a touching and thought provoking book about choices, change and the paths we take in life.
January 12, 2022
I don’t even know where to begin.
This book is fantastic. French does an incredible job of building this world that completely immerses the reader.
I devoured it in one day and then went back and read it to savor it.
Truly well done!
This book is fantastic. French does an incredible job of building this world that completely immerses the reader.
I devoured it in one day and then went back and read it to savor it.
Truly well done!
December 16, 2023
I had great fun reading this! A really interesting, original concept with a sneaky twist at the end.
February 25, 2022
Did you ever want to change your career along with your name, friends, family and literally your life in order to attain perfect happiness and harmony? The latest futuristic sci-fi novel ‘Without Disruption’ by Carrie French explores this exciting premise! I am so glad I pre-ordered this book and received it directly from Carrie! Here's my brief review telling you why you should buy and read it!
Story:
The world created by Carrie is set in a distant future and almost feels like another planet due to numbered areas yet it is relatable. The career and life of everyone living in this place is based on fixed classes, with an option of transferring to other classes if you are not happy. Happiness is measured by contentment points, with 17 out of 20 being the happiest. 3 points sacrificed to the system to guarantee 17 points. The happiness measurement and transfer process is handled by a system that’s run by an Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) called Vie. We follow the story of Harrison, who on his 17th birthday decides to transfer from his boring H-sib class to N-star class which provides a celebrity life. Harrison gets a new name- Nicolas. Harrison meets some new friends and a potential partner who sticks with Harrison for many different adventures full of ups and downs.
Everything is not easy though because once you transfer to another class, you cannot go back to your previous classes. Everyone you knew from that life will forget you and all of your data is wiped out. It’s like a total reset or a reincarnation.
The story is full of twists and turns. We learn a lot about life, system and see the self discovery journey of Harrison as Harrison eventually experiences all classes and lives in all lifestyles. The book ends on a high note as we learn more about the system and get lessons from Harrison’s life. Every page is full of intriguing narratives that keeps you on the edge of your seat till you finish the book!
Life Lessons:
This story is Carrie French’s way of motivating the readers in a similar way she motivates through her YouTube videos. Besides this book being enjoyable and often funny, we learn some essential life lessons through dialogues which are full of wisdom. We learn why this book is called ‘Without Disruption’ because of a dialogue or poem that says- “In Harmony with time and for the sake of all humanity, we must move forward without disruption. We shouldn’t look back”. Which is advice that tells us to never regret life decisions and never stop moving forward in life because unless we keep moving, humanity will not survive and progress. Then there’s also a lesson that says “Don’t give too much of yourself to live for others. You have already sacrificed 3 points for contentment”. This emphasizes the importance of self care while being with family, friends and in society. Many more lessons and words of wisdom await you in this surprisingly motivational novel by Carrie French!
Content:
The book is enjoyable as we get to read about various places, funny situations and meet interesting characters because of the journey that takes many turns and ranges from being a star to being a world traveler, along with many other eventful careers /classes chosen by Harrison. The character development and conversations feel natural. There is a lot of inclusivity when it comes to the characters. There is occasional strong language and some suggestive themes but nothing that a teenage reader can’t handle. There is plenty of content for your money in the 298 pages. The book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger which ensures that you get the most satisfaction after reading it without worrying about any future sequels.
Expertise of the Author:
Carrie French is an independent author from Oregon, USA with no big publisher backing her (yet!). She has been providing freelance writing services for many years with great ratings and hundreds of clients. This ensures that the writing style and quality in this novel is professional and you are buying from an author who is among the best in the world when it comes to writing.
In conclusion, ‘Without Disruption’ Sci-fi novel by Carrie French is an enjoyable, educational and thrilling novel which feels like a rollercoaster ride that not only ends with you feeling entertained but also wiser. I highly recommend this 300 paged novel for anyone who loves adventures, strong narrative and some humor!
Story:
The world created by Carrie is set in a distant future and almost feels like another planet due to numbered areas yet it is relatable. The career and life of everyone living in this place is based on fixed classes, with an option of transferring to other classes if you are not happy. Happiness is measured by contentment points, with 17 out of 20 being the happiest. 3 points sacrificed to the system to guarantee 17 points. The happiness measurement and transfer process is handled by a system that’s run by an Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) called Vie. We follow the story of Harrison, who on his 17th birthday decides to transfer from his boring H-sib class to N-star class which provides a celebrity life. Harrison gets a new name- Nicolas. Harrison meets some new friends and a potential partner who sticks with Harrison for many different adventures full of ups and downs.
Everything is not easy though because once you transfer to another class, you cannot go back to your previous classes. Everyone you knew from that life will forget you and all of your data is wiped out. It’s like a total reset or a reincarnation.
The story is full of twists and turns. We learn a lot about life, system and see the self discovery journey of Harrison as Harrison eventually experiences all classes and lives in all lifestyles. The book ends on a high note as we learn more about the system and get lessons from Harrison’s life. Every page is full of intriguing narratives that keeps you on the edge of your seat till you finish the book!
Life Lessons:
This story is Carrie French’s way of motivating the readers in a similar way she motivates through her YouTube videos. Besides this book being enjoyable and often funny, we learn some essential life lessons through dialogues which are full of wisdom. We learn why this book is called ‘Without Disruption’ because of a dialogue or poem that says- “In Harmony with time and for the sake of all humanity, we must move forward without disruption. We shouldn’t look back”. Which is advice that tells us to never regret life decisions and never stop moving forward in life because unless we keep moving, humanity will not survive and progress. Then there’s also a lesson that says “Don’t give too much of yourself to live for others. You have already sacrificed 3 points for contentment”. This emphasizes the importance of self care while being with family, friends and in society. Many more lessons and words of wisdom await you in this surprisingly motivational novel by Carrie French!
Content:
The book is enjoyable as we get to read about various places, funny situations and meet interesting characters because of the journey that takes many turns and ranges from being a star to being a world traveler, along with many other eventful careers /classes chosen by Harrison. The character development and conversations feel natural. There is a lot of inclusivity when it comes to the characters. There is occasional strong language and some suggestive themes but nothing that a teenage reader can’t handle. There is plenty of content for your money in the 298 pages. The book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger which ensures that you get the most satisfaction after reading it without worrying about any future sequels.
Expertise of the Author:
Carrie French is an independent author from Oregon, USA with no big publisher backing her (yet!). She has been providing freelance writing services for many years with great ratings and hundreds of clients. This ensures that the writing style and quality in this novel is professional and you are buying from an author who is among the best in the world when it comes to writing.
In conclusion, ‘Without Disruption’ Sci-fi novel by Carrie French is an enjoyable, educational and thrilling novel which feels like a rollercoaster ride that not only ends with you feeling entertained but also wiser. I highly recommend this 300 paged novel for anyone who loves adventures, strong narrative and some humor!
May 2, 2023
I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author.
What I liked most about this book was the worldbuilding. The concepts were very intriguing and I felt most of it was introduced in a very natural show-don’t-tell way. These concepts made me ponder my life choices, what brings me happiness, and what I would surrender to bring happiness to others (there’s a little section in the book that reminded me of conversations about giving up privilege, and I appreciated that).
I liked our main character, the start of the main romance, and the fact that we get to see so many different settings and side characters. I would have liked maybe a bit more of some settings and a bit less of others, but that’s personal preference of which ‘classes’ I was most interested in. I think overall they were done really well.
Things that didn’t fully work for me: the writing took some getting used to at the start, the choices of words and phrases sometimes felt a bit over the top. Also I expected and wanted something else from the ending. There was a development in the second half of the book that excited me and I hoped we were going to explore that but in the end the story didn’t fully go there.
All in all I give it a 3,5 (rounding up to a 4), because although not all of the story brought me what I wanted, I think the concepts will stick with me for a while.
Content warning for talk of suicide and suicide attempts.
What I liked most about this book was the worldbuilding. The concepts were very intriguing and I felt most of it was introduced in a very natural show-don’t-tell way. These concepts made me ponder my life choices, what brings me happiness, and what I would surrender to bring happiness to others (there’s a little section in the book that reminded me of conversations about giving up privilege, and I appreciated that).
I liked our main character, the start of the main romance, and the fact that we get to see so many different settings and side characters. I would have liked maybe a bit more of some settings and a bit less of others, but that’s personal preference of which ‘classes’ I was most interested in. I think overall they were done really well.
Things that didn’t fully work for me: the writing took some getting used to at the start, the choices of words and phrases sometimes felt a bit over the top. Also I expected and wanted something else from the ending. There was a development in the second half of the book that excited me and I hoped we were going to explore that but in the end the story didn’t fully go there.
All in all I give it a 3,5 (rounding up to a 4), because although not all of the story brought me what I wanted, I think the concepts will stick with me for a while.
Content warning for talk of suicide and suicide attempts.
October 26, 2021
I'm biased, but I'm still in love. The concept for this world came to me in a dream, and it was my absolute pleasure to bring Harrison's story to life.
If you love books that drop you into a place you've never been, make you think about how you'd fit, and challenge your expectations about happy endings, you'll enjoy this one. It's utopian at heart, but dystopian in practice. Sci-fi elements weave through the futuristic world, but it reads like contemporary fiction.
If you've never read a book with a bisexual protagonist and LGBTQ+ storylines, I encourage you to start here. Diversity is valuable and important in our literature. This novel doesn't center on the fact that he's Black and queer, but it's still Harrison's truth. Representation matters, even in fiction.
Preorder December 10th at carriefrenchauthor.com and get excited for release on January 10th. (I know I am!)
If you love books that drop you into a place you've never been, make you think about how you'd fit, and challenge your expectations about happy endings, you'll enjoy this one. It's utopian at heart, but dystopian in practice. Sci-fi elements weave through the futuristic world, but it reads like contemporary fiction.
If you've never read a book with a bisexual protagonist and LGBTQ+ storylines, I encourage you to start here. Diversity is valuable and important in our literature. This novel doesn't center on the fact that he's Black and queer, but it's still Harrison's truth. Representation matters, even in fiction.
Preorder December 10th at carriefrenchauthor.com and get excited for release on January 10th. (I know I am!)
December 30, 2021
I was one of the lucky ones who received an ARC copy of this book and being an avid reader and reviewer, I was beyond excited to dive into this dystopian world.
A modern take on dystopian classics, Without Disruption talks about society in a way I would find similar to Huxley’s Brave New World. As a fan of this genre, I loved how French created this world based on different pre-determined lifestyles. Much like how I felt after reading Brave New World and even The Handmaid’s Tale, a part of me always loves when the main character sees beyond the system and experiences a multitude of realizations along the way.
There were times when conversations wouldn’t read well for me and I find that it lacked the character development I expected, but overall it was an easy read and it being a self-published novel makes it all the more noteworthy. Can’t wait to see what Carrie has in store next!
A modern take on dystopian classics, Without Disruption talks about society in a way I would find similar to Huxley’s Brave New World. As a fan of this genre, I loved how French created this world based on different pre-determined lifestyles. Much like how I felt after reading Brave New World and even The Handmaid’s Tale, a part of me always loves when the main character sees beyond the system and experiences a multitude of realizations along the way.
There were times when conversations wouldn’t read well for me and I find that it lacked the character development I expected, but overall it was an easy read and it being a self-published novel makes it all the more noteworthy. Can’t wait to see what Carrie has in store next!
January 20, 2022
Would you be happy to spend your whole life in a state of mild contentment?
“Without Disruption,” By Carrie French
A review by Val Francis
It’s a while since I looked at a Sci-Fi novel, and I picked up the book with no real pre-conceptions. I frequently regret the need to label some stories with specific tags. Far too often, the relationship between the given tag and the actual book is tenuous. My personal fear is that tags can deter readers when it is likely a book they’d enjoy. I know tags have a job to do, but ‘Without Disruption’ is, in my opinion, best read, with Sci-Fi & Novel being the only labels involved. It lacked the misery and depressive elements that I usually associate with the Dystopian label. (All this is my personal opinion for what it’s worth.)
I’ll admit that there were times when I needed a stretch of my imagination (A good thing) to fully appreciate Harrison’s journey. We meet up with him early on when he’s about to leave the class where he was born and transfer to a different alphaclass. He’s leaving behind his twin, his family, and everything familiar to him. He will be given a new name that he’d carry thru until his next transfer.
In Harrison’s world, Vie controls everything, the artificial intelligence that controls every aspect of human existence. To all intents and purposes, Vie has replaced the concept of God. But there’s an inevitable price to it as while you can go forward, you can never go back. You carry a wristband that shows you your level of contentment points and prompts you if you’re going above or below the ideal. The goal is 17, and 17 is perfect harmony, equating to contentment.
Harrison, now with a different name, Nicolas, meets a boy named, Niam. There’s an unaccountable familiarity about him, with an unexpected attraction that is likely to change everything. Although Harrison has always been into women, arriving in his new alphaclass, his sexuality appears less certain.
This is a world where your dreams can become a reality, but one where there’s no guarantee that the dream will last forever. All that counts is the number 17, perfect harmony.
I’m pleased to say that I enjoyed ‘Without Disruption’ and would recommend it to readers of Sci-Fi or anybody interested in what I thought was a thought-provoking novel.
“Without Disruption,” By Carrie French
A review by Val Francis
It’s a while since I looked at a Sci-Fi novel, and I picked up the book with no real pre-conceptions. I frequently regret the need to label some stories with specific tags. Far too often, the relationship between the given tag and the actual book is tenuous. My personal fear is that tags can deter readers when it is likely a book they’d enjoy. I know tags have a job to do, but ‘Without Disruption’ is, in my opinion, best read, with Sci-Fi & Novel being the only labels involved. It lacked the misery and depressive elements that I usually associate with the Dystopian label. (All this is my personal opinion for what it’s worth.)
I’ll admit that there were times when I needed a stretch of my imagination (A good thing) to fully appreciate Harrison’s journey. We meet up with him early on when he’s about to leave the class where he was born and transfer to a different alphaclass. He’s leaving behind his twin, his family, and everything familiar to him. He will be given a new name that he’d carry thru until his next transfer.
In Harrison’s world, Vie controls everything, the artificial intelligence that controls every aspect of human existence. To all intents and purposes, Vie has replaced the concept of God. But there’s an inevitable price to it as while you can go forward, you can never go back. You carry a wristband that shows you your level of contentment points and prompts you if you’re going above or below the ideal. The goal is 17, and 17 is perfect harmony, equating to contentment.
Harrison, now with a different name, Nicolas, meets a boy named, Niam. There’s an unaccountable familiarity about him, with an unexpected attraction that is likely to change everything. Although Harrison has always been into women, arriving in his new alphaclass, his sexuality appears less certain.
This is a world where your dreams can become a reality, but one where there’s no guarantee that the dream will last forever. All that counts is the number 17, perfect harmony.
I’m pleased to say that I enjoyed ‘Without Disruption’ and would recommend it to readers of Sci-Fi or anybody interested in what I thought was a thought-provoking novel.
May 10, 2022
This was a truly thought-provoking book. I'm still trying to decide how I currently feel upon finishing it 😂
In a world where you can up and leave your current lifestyle and take on an entirely new one, how easy is it really to find contentment? Pretty easy I'd suppose, providing you don't ask too many questions or run yourself out of options.
The huge takeaway for me after part one - live the life you want to, don't sacrifice yourself for someone else.
I liked the representation in this book. The LGBTQ rep was so casual, so accepted - something that just is, and that's exactly how it should be.
And the mental health rep. The roller coaster of emotions and gradual declining stability of our MC, I think, was handled very well.
The beginning was a little of a slog for me, but having said that, it was necessary to set the world and ideas that were expanded on later. I wish we'd had more time in K-trav, the place where our MC was so content. It definitely picked up though in the second third of the book.
I loved the journey he went through. The frustration he felt, that need to know more and do more but always facing restrictions. I felt so anxious for him, and I desperately wanted him to succeed in his goal.
The end was bittersweet. Whilst in one way I was glad he had this chance, I was also disappointed that certain things weren't… completed? I don't want to give spoilers, so I'll leave it at that!
This is one of those stories that will come back to you, and I'd love to see more of this world one day.
I got a copy of this book from Book Sirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In a world where you can up and leave your current lifestyle and take on an entirely new one, how easy is it really to find contentment? Pretty easy I'd suppose, providing you don't ask too many questions or run yourself out of options.
The huge takeaway for me after part one - live the life you want to, don't sacrifice yourself for someone else.
I liked the representation in this book. The LGBTQ rep was so casual, so accepted - something that just is, and that's exactly how it should be.
And the mental health rep. The roller coaster of emotions and gradual declining stability of our MC, I think, was handled very well.
The beginning was a little of a slog for me, but having said that, it was necessary to set the world and ideas that were expanded on later. I wish we'd had more time in K-trav, the place where our MC was so content. It definitely picked up though in the second third of the book.
I loved the journey he went through. The frustration he felt, that need to know more and do more but always facing restrictions. I felt so anxious for him, and I desperately wanted him to succeed in his goal.
The end was bittersweet. Whilst in one way I was glad he had this chance, I was also disappointed that certain things weren't… completed? I don't want to give spoilers, so I'll leave it at that!
This is one of those stories that will come back to you, and I'd love to see more of this world one day.
I got a copy of this book from Book Sirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 26, 2021
Content warning: Alcohol, Sex, and Suicide.
“When we all settle for 3, 17 is guaranteed.”
Imagine a world where seeking harmony in your life is your number one priority. It would come before everything else: friends, family, your career, and even yourself. That is the world that Harrison was born into. Everyone in his world is governed by a voice that speaks directly into their minds. Vie helps everyone to stay on the path to attain perfect balance. Sounds easy, right? When Harrison turns seventeen, he is faced with a choice that will shape the rest of his life. He gets to choose the alphaclass (each alphaclass has a different role or job to perform in society) that he wants to join. In this way, Harrison begins his journey of self discovery. He falls in and out of love, changes his dreams, and makes friends throughout his adventures. He learns valuable lessons about himself and the way that the governing system works.
I really enjoyed reading this book! Harrison, as the main point of view, has a lot of character development and growth. This story reminded me a lot of books like “The Giver” by Lois Lowry, “Divergent” by Veronica Roth, and “The Host” by Stephanie Meyer. In the way that, in each novel, the main character struggles against the system that they were born into (or that was thrust upon them) and they must overcome it to find true happiness. There are so many ups and downs that we get to accompany Harrison on, and Carrie French makes the ride such a fascinating adventure!
“When we all settle for 3, 17 is guaranteed.”
Imagine a world where seeking harmony in your life is your number one priority. It would come before everything else: friends, family, your career, and even yourself. That is the world that Harrison was born into. Everyone in his world is governed by a voice that speaks directly into their minds. Vie helps everyone to stay on the path to attain perfect balance. Sounds easy, right? When Harrison turns seventeen, he is faced with a choice that will shape the rest of his life. He gets to choose the alphaclass (each alphaclass has a different role or job to perform in society) that he wants to join. In this way, Harrison begins his journey of self discovery. He falls in and out of love, changes his dreams, and makes friends throughout his adventures. He learns valuable lessons about himself and the way that the governing system works.
I really enjoyed reading this book! Harrison, as the main point of view, has a lot of character development and growth. This story reminded me a lot of books like “The Giver” by Lois Lowry, “Divergent” by Veronica Roth, and “The Host” by Stephanie Meyer. In the way that, in each novel, the main character struggles against the system that they were born into (or that was thrust upon them) and they must overcome it to find true happiness. There are so many ups and downs that we get to accompany Harrison on, and Carrie French makes the ride such a fascinating adventure!
January 29, 2022
Crowning achievement for exposition! Weaving the context of the world through dialogue and character interactions, I loved it! Couple the expert storytelling with snappy dialogue, and we've got a book that can be enjoyed in one sitting. Excellent reading experience overall.
For anyone who is familiar with dystopian fiction, Without Disruption may not offer anything new that we haven't heard before. Warped religion, ignorant society, super advanced AI, question of free will—it's got oodles of what you'd expect to read. Existentialism questions galore! What makes it a joy to read is French's storytelling. She knows how to keep a frantic pace that's easy for us to follow.
Nice to have a bi protagonist starring too. Thanks for that. And for showcasing characters who are decent and flawed. I'm grateful to not have an "all maverick" cast in a debut novel.
My minor criticism is the ending is too predictable. I appreciate that it doesn't come out of nowhere. Hints are woven throughout the book, and it doesn't feel alien to end the story in that manner. Enjoyed the ride to get there, but the end note didn't make me feel the depth of the question that is ultimately raised. It didn't provoke or invite me to think deeper on concepts that were stated, which is difficult to do! Yet that's what would've edged me to a higher rating.
Without Disruption is a lovely sci-fi one shot for an afternoon, and I'm floored that this is a debut! Glad to have read it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
For anyone who is familiar with dystopian fiction, Without Disruption may not offer anything new that we haven't heard before. Warped religion, ignorant society, super advanced AI, question of free will—it's got oodles of what you'd expect to read. Existentialism questions galore! What makes it a joy to read is French's storytelling. She knows how to keep a frantic pace that's easy for us to follow.
Nice to have a bi protagonist starring too. Thanks for that. And for showcasing characters who are decent and flawed. I'm grateful to not have an "all maverick" cast in a debut novel.
My minor criticism is the ending is too predictable. I appreciate that it doesn't come out of nowhere. Hints are woven throughout the book, and it doesn't feel alien to end the story in that manner. Enjoyed the ride to get there, but the end note didn't make me feel the depth of the question that is ultimately raised. It didn't provoke or invite me to think deeper on concepts that were stated, which is difficult to do! Yet that's what would've edged me to a higher rating.
Without Disruption is a lovely sci-fi one shot for an afternoon, and I'm floored that this is a debut! Glad to have read it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 4, 2021
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am choosing to leave an honest review.
First off, Carrie has a gift for world building. From Vie - the AI system that governs life - to the society’s various Alphaclasses, Carrie developed a fascinating utopia/dystopia that showcased her creativity, raised thought-provoking questions, and offered shrewd observations about our own technology-driven, status-obsessed world. At numerous points in the book, I found myself pausing to think - gosh, Carrie’s prescience is downright eerie. Isn’t Vie where the Mark Zuckerbergs and Elon Musks want us to go? Upon finishing Without Disruption, I found myself chewing on this and so many other philosophical questions the novel raises. It’s definitely a story, and a concept, that stays with you.
At times I found myself wanting more in-depth character development, conflict, and showing over telling. But Carrie is just getting started, and I have a feeling we’ll see even more captivating stories from her in the future. For now, I am beyond impressed by the quality, marketing, and branding of this initial, self-published novel. I don’t know that I’ve ever come across someone as productive, diligent, and “go get ‘em" as Carrie. If anyone can get better and better as she goes, it’s her.
First off, Carrie has a gift for world building. From Vie - the AI system that governs life - to the society’s various Alphaclasses, Carrie developed a fascinating utopia/dystopia that showcased her creativity, raised thought-provoking questions, and offered shrewd observations about our own technology-driven, status-obsessed world. At numerous points in the book, I found myself pausing to think - gosh, Carrie’s prescience is downright eerie. Isn’t Vie where the Mark Zuckerbergs and Elon Musks want us to go? Upon finishing Without Disruption, I found myself chewing on this and so many other philosophical questions the novel raises. It’s definitely a story, and a concept, that stays with you.
At times I found myself wanting more in-depth character development, conflict, and showing over telling. But Carrie is just getting started, and I have a feeling we’ll see even more captivating stories from her in the future. For now, I am beyond impressed by the quality, marketing, and branding of this initial, self-published novel. I don’t know that I’ve ever come across someone as productive, diligent, and “go get ‘em" as Carrie. If anyone can get better and better as she goes, it’s her.
January 27, 2022
3.5, leaning towards 4 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is not to decide if the system is good or bad or other, but it is about what the journey to happiness or contentment looks like for each individual. Our main character must learn the lessons of there soul to find contentment for themselves, as an individual.
Overall this was very captivating and I enjoyed the read. I would recommend this book to those interested in dystopian reads and will look for future books by the author.
The reason I am taking away some star point is due to two big things for me, I think this could have been an awesome series and I went into this thinking "the sky is going to fall".
This world was so interesting, but we didn't always get the time and description that I think it deserved. Thus, it would have been interesting to see this expanded at least into a second book.
Since we were talking about an "other" world I was expecting something bad, an end all be all, kind of catastrophe, but this book wasn't that. I don't think it needed to be, but that's what I was bracing for. When it didn't happen I kind of felt like I had misread something.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is not to decide if the system is good or bad or other, but it is about what the journey to happiness or contentment looks like for each individual. Our main character must learn the lessons of there soul to find contentment for themselves, as an individual.
Overall this was very captivating and I enjoyed the read. I would recommend this book to those interested in dystopian reads and will look for future books by the author.
The reason I am taking away some star point is due to two big things for me, I think this could have been an awesome series and I went into this thinking "the sky is going to fall".
This world was so interesting, but we didn't always get the time and description that I think it deserved. Thus, it would have been interesting to see this expanded at least into a second book.
Since we were talking about an "other" world I was expecting something bad, an end all be all, kind of catastrophe, but this book wasn't that. I don't think it needed to be, but that's what I was bracing for. When it didn't happen I kind of felt like I had misread something.
June 23, 2022
"We can never go back, always forward."
This book has a unique world building with a really good writing style to explain how this dystopian world works with the different classes and the how Vie, the AI who control the life of the people in it.
Harrison is an interesting character to follow, the readers will slowly travel through different environment and meet different people each time he enter a new class. The readers get to understand more about Harrison; about his mind and his decision throughout the story.
However, I feel the pacing is slower in the first part and become rushed near the ending. At some parts, it was a bit confusing to understand as well.
Also this book has an open ending type which leaves the readers to decide what it means for Harrison in the end.
Overall, this is a pretty good read. It has some powerful message that can relate to our reality and how we live our life as well.
If you're a huge fan of sci-fi dystopian books, then you can check this one out.
"You can’t live your life for other people, not only is it a disservice to you, but you’re also putting your friend in a dangerous position."
I received an advanced review copy for free from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book has a unique world building with a really good writing style to explain how this dystopian world works with the different classes and the how Vie, the AI who control the life of the people in it.
Harrison is an interesting character to follow, the readers will slowly travel through different environment and meet different people each time he enter a new class. The readers get to understand more about Harrison; about his mind and his decision throughout the story.
However, I feel the pacing is slower in the first part and become rushed near the ending. At some parts, it was a bit confusing to understand as well.
Also this book has an open ending type which leaves the readers to decide what it means for Harrison in the end.
Overall, this is a pretty good read. It has some powerful message that can relate to our reality and how we live our life as well.
If you're a huge fan of sci-fi dystopian books, then you can check this one out.
"You can’t live your life for other people, not only is it a disservice to you, but you’re also putting your friend in a dangerous position."
I received an advanced review copy for free from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 10, 2022
Well this was definitely an interesting read! It started out a bit on the slower side, but quickly picked up once Harrison transferred to the N-star alphaclass and met Niam. After that the author pulled me right in with this world she has created. I 100% got The Giver vibes. I loved the world building, learning about/getting glimpses of the 14 different alphaclasses (lifestyles) and the diversity there was amongst all of the characters. The author, Carrie, did an awesome job in writing this book.
The only "problem" I ever really had with this one was when Harrison had a falling out with a certain character. I found myself anticipating and hoping for an eventual reunion between the two or at least finding out what happened to that character and where they ended up.
But yeah, overall I really enjoyed this one. It definitely made me think a lot about life and happiness. It was fast paced and held my attention. I'd definitely recommend giving it a read if it sounds interesting to you and/or if you are into the utopian/dystopian/sci-fi genres!
The only "problem" I ever really had with this one was when Harrison had a falling out with a certain character. I found myself anticipating and hoping for an eventual reunion between the two or at least finding out what happened to that character and where they ended up.
But yeah, overall I really enjoyed this one. It definitely made me think a lot about life and happiness. It was fast paced and held my attention. I'd definitely recommend giving it a read if it sounds interesting to you and/or if you are into the utopian/dystopian/sci-fi genres!
January 11, 2022
**I bought this authors book from their website and am choosing to leave an honest review**
From the get-go, the author manages to create a world rich in detail. It immediately calls into question the idea of contentment and what we ourselves would settle for to achieve it - or if we'd be like Harrison and struggle in the world.
The characters each have their own struggle but what honestly shines the most is the story itself. It's one of those reads you carry with you for a little while after, feeling as if you've been on the journey yourself. You are left wanting to discover more about Vie and its Alphaclasses.
Highly recommend the read if you love a provoking dystopian novel!
From the get-go, the author manages to create a world rich in detail. It immediately calls into question the idea of contentment and what we ourselves would settle for to achieve it - or if we'd be like Harrison and struggle in the world.
The characters each have their own struggle but what honestly shines the most is the story itself. It's one of those reads you carry with you for a little while after, feeling as if you've been on the journey yourself. You are left wanting to discover more about Vie and its Alphaclasses.
Highly recommend the read if you love a provoking dystopian novel!
January 12, 2022
This is an enthralling, thought-provoking, and innovative novel. I've never read anything like this before, and charting into unfamiliar territory, I had no idea what to expect. The amount of love and joy poured into the world-building in this novel is evident, and I felt incredibly connected to the characters, even with the changes in name and class. If you're into slow-burn novels and are looking to venture your way into the science fiction genre, this is definitely the kind of novel you need to get your hands on.
All in all, an incredibly debut from Carrie French. I'm looking forward to reading more from them. :)
All in all, an incredibly debut from Carrie French. I'm looking forward to reading more from them. :)
August 2, 2022
I loved this book: the world it created with it's caste system, the relationships the MC had and the slow realisation he comes to about the AI world he lives in.
The first couple of chapters were slow going and hard to get into, but it's worth the effort as once the scene was set the story plays out beautifully.
I loved the idea of the life-style choices and what they entailed. I would have happily read more detail for each.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The first couple of chapters were slow going and hard to get into, but it's worth the effort as once the scene was set the story plays out beautifully.
I loved the idea of the life-style choices and what they entailed. I would have happily read more detail for each.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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