I have promoted this book on social media through instagram, Facebook and Twitter but have not written a formal review.

While I loved this story (purchased the book after the release), the formatting of this NetGalley book was so bad I couldn't read it.

Another mixed feelings review. This one I was almost hesitant to start, because I've heard of it for a while now, but most of the review I saw were negative. Still it sounded interesting, so I decided to read it. I'm glad I did! While not my favorite, and not even the best I've read, it was a fun read, and I really enjoyed the characters in this one. I'll admit I was confused during the first few chapters, but as soon as I realized what was going on, I really started to enjoy it.

I think we have previously established that I 'typically' don't read sci-fi-ish dystopian futuristic fantasy type novels. That being said, you do realize that this is my 3rd (yes 3!) book of this type this month, the second series I've started. I think we have also previously established that I've not read any of the wildly popular books of these genres published in this millennium. However. However, when I came across the second book in this series on NetGalley I felt a pull toward reading it. I was super surprised that this one was available there too so it was a twofer! Based on my limited knowledge of pop culture and the wisdom of some friends this book is a cross between 'Hunger Games' and 'Ready Player One' (which I found out yesterday is a book AND movie like 'Hunger Games'). You have young adults/teens battling for bragging rights across the 30 Corps yet it's not with conventional weapons or to the death but with a holographed game environments and coding coding coding to boost the real life player and also create distractions for the other players.

There were a couple of things I wanted to pick at with this book. As a young adult novel I love that there is a blessed lack of cursing and other colorful language. However, the language that was used was so conventional as to become almost trite (gad, heck, etc). This is obviously a couple of years in the future (I mean we've had 4 World Wars now) so I think the language could have been less conventional. I will caution that while there are mentions of sex and sexual situations and even sex trafficking they are subtle and in some cases mere illusions. They are there however so reader beware. I also felt like I, personally, would have benefited from more back story, more world building, and a basic understanding of gaming. Some of that falls solely on me and perhaps if I had a better understanding of the later with more exposure to sci-fi dystopian futuristic fantasy -ish novels I wouldn't have felt the need for the first two things. There ya have it.

Here's what I did love. A book for young adults without graphic language or gratuitous sex. A strong female lead character who doesn't have to fall for some guy in order to save the day (though she didn't save the day - yet - perhaps book 2?). An independent female lead character who doesn't feel the need to stop and ask for permission to try to save the day (again perhaps book 2?). A well written story that shows the graces and pitfalls of family, the honor of friendship, and that not everything (or everyone) is what it portrays itself to be. Or appears to be. Guys, I don't know how to say it all pretty and eloquent but I really loved this book. Yes, it's not perfect. Yes, there's a few holes and gaps and . . . Show me any book that doesn't have room for something to fix. BUT. I still just really like this book. You should too :D

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Exciting novel with a great cliffhanger! I loved that the fantasy themes can be translated into our own modern culture, but also that they can be taken as entertainment as well. Lots of great food for thought about the insidiousness of trafficking and how we tend to overlook things because they seem so "good" and "right" on the surface. Can't wait to read the next in the series

This book was definitely a find for me. The characters were very realistic and believable, the plot was engaging and I never found myself bored or skipping ahead at any point. Those are both good hallmarks for a well-done book. Another note is that I immensely enjoyed the descriptive nature of the settings in the book, I really felt like I was there!

I had no idea what to expect when starting this book, and it completely amazed me.

Sofi and her younger brother Shilo are in a game that is very futuristic and complicated for me to explain because I'm not sure I fully understand it. I will say that I found it absolutely fascinating with how the politics of this world and the game were mixed together. Sofi's mom is a leader of a big corporation in this world, and it appears that she chooses the company over her own children.

This world also has aliens of some sort, they are very different from humans on earth and are scary in a way to the humans.

We also see things from Miguel's point of view and he is an ambassador to this alien nation from earth. Miguel is a really complicated character, and we didn't really get to learn a lot about him as a person outside of who he was to Sofi.

Sofi and Miguel have a very complicated relationship/friendship. I'm still not exactly sure what happened between them, but it's now very complicated.

Overall I loved this story. Sofi and Miguel and this whole world really is fascinating to me, and I can't wait to see what happens next. If you can I would say to at least look at a physical copy of this book as each chapter has a faded out background pattern to it, that gives a little hint to something that they figure out in the books.

The side characters were all fascinating to me, and I really wasn't expecting for certain things to happen and I was just as shocked as the characters. The AI in this book is amazing as well and I really liked how she was helpful and not made to seem 'evil' in any way and instead was just an assistant of sorts to Miguel.

I am on the fence with this one. It tells the story of Sofi, a professional gamer forced to take part in the Corp arena games to protect her brother. When he is kidnapped, Sofi sets a plan in motion to find him. First the good stuff. The world creation is good and it is definitely an interesting place to be. It feels plausible, given the ubiquity of CCTV and reality TV personalities in our own society. The plot is also good and the pacing is just about right. I have a couple of big problems, however. Firstly, the characters are really under-developed and very stereotypical. This means that I just wasn't convinced by their motivations and actions. Similarly, the dialogue was just awful - very stilted and it really jarred, particularly with the insistence of using 'heck' in places where it just didn't fit the situation or character. Finally, I found it quite predictable and was often waiting for things to happen (and they did). All in all, it was an ok read, but pretty forgettable.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The minute I read that Mary Weber had written a science fiction novel, and then again when I first saw the title, I was anxious to read it.  Then, when I finally had a copy and started it, I just wasn't into it.  Especially when the second (third person) point of view character, Miguel, was introduced. He's tattooed, upper class, and at 19 the youngest delegate to the alien "visitors" the Delonese.  The Delonese like him because he is tall and they have this "super-weird fascination with youth."  He's also a player, and his first chapter was my first inkling of the murky moral waters in this book.  

Now, Sofi, she was easier to warm up to, despite some poor and regrettable choices.  She's the head gamer for Corp 30, and her team is one of the final four competing, with her younger brother Shilo as the in-game player, to be in the Fantasy Five where they will be up against four challengers chosen by viewers if the very popular Fantasy Fighting Games.

And that's where it kind of lost me as well.  I just don't care for stories of children harming each other, especially for sport and entertainment.  I don't find them exciting.  Far from it.  So, it took an explosive, premature ending to a game and Shilo's abduction to hook me.  I just had to hang on until the story became more typical sci-fi, rather than gamer fiction, and that's when it got exciting.

The story quickly turns into quite an adventure, and a quest as well, as Sofi and her surviving friends, along with Miguel and other Ambassadors he has allied with, travel to the planet Delon in search of Shilo and others taken.  Oh, and along the way Miguel turns out to be not so bad after all.

At it's heart, this is a story of child trafficking wrapped up as an alien abduction story.  And it is well worth the read for that, as well as for the ending.  

The betrayals, the revelations, the discoveries, and the climax - this is what made the story and makes me want to read the follow-up.  And if you enjoy Science Fiction written with a purpose and for the Young Adult audience, regardless of your age, then you may very well want to, too. 

This review is based on a reading which began with a NetGalley e-galley, continued with a library e-book, and completed with a finished copy I voluntarily received from the publisher.  All opinions expressed are my own.

These books are not like anything I've ever read. I'm always looking to branch out a bit, read something that is not in my favorite genre. I'm still reading the first one, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow. It's intense. It involves virtual reality gaming, hackers, aliens, and more. And yes, it's set in the future! It makes for lots of action and intrigue. It's a bit challenging to figure out, it's taking me time to get into the story. However, if you are a lover of sci-fi, you just might enjoy these!

I received a copy of this book, from a publicist, all opinions expressed in this review are my own entirely.

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber is amazing. I was so surprised by this book! This novel is absolutely amazing. This novel takes place in the future where Earth is no longer ruled by the government but by a system of corporations of several different alien races. It was quite interesting diving into this new world but I found myself enjoying every second of it.

I really enjoyed the family aspect of this novel. The siblings are close and they like being siblings. I think you don't always find this type of relationship in books. Most books portray siblings as people who hate each other and that definitely doesn't come across between these two.

Whoa. This left me with oh-so-many questions.

I need to preface this review properly. I am a huge fantasy fan, but sci-fi is a bit more challenging for me, and this book is definitely sci-fi.

Ender’s Game mixed with The Fifth Element and a sprinkle of cool dystopia = The Evaporation of Sofi Snow.

During the first chapter, I almost quit reading. Weber throws readers into her unique world full force and with little explanation, but I adapted and kept reading. I finished in a single sitting.

I loved the characters, they are layered and deep and developing. The world is complex and highly political—I imagine this might detour some readers—but the techy techy acrobatics were way beyond me. Way. Beyond. I kept up. Just.

I almost wonder if this novel would have been better marketed to as new adult with the characters slightly aged up? It worked for me though. I have the sequel downloaded and ready to be read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Rating: 4/5

Genre: YA dystopian/sci-fi

Recommended Age: 16+ (some sexual references)

Pages: 352 Pages

Author: Mary Weber

Amazon

So I could NOT get enough of Warcross and Ready Player One, so fortunately I found this book to help tide me over until the next installment of Warcross and the Ready Player One movie comes out. While this book does not specifically focus on its game Fantasy Fighting (which is bloody and also reminds me of another dystopian book called The Hunger Games), it does have that gritty gamer vibe that I loved from Warcross and Ready Player One. I also loved how developed all of the characters were and how much world building there was in this book.

However, I did have problems getting into this book. I felt that the pacing was a little slow in this book and I felt that some of the parts in this book were a little overcomplicated. I’m also confused as to the game portion of this book. Like Hunger Games, Warcross, and Ready Player One had an explanation to these games while in this book it’s just like “well we’re bored… let’s have kids kill each other!” And why are children sellable in this future and why is the world split into corporations? That wasn’t very well explained in this book either.

Verdict: I loved the feel of this book, but I was left with more questions than answers. The characters, the diversity of the characters, and the world building definitely pull the majority of this book though.

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow tells the story of Sofi and her brother Shilo existing in a world where an ice planet known as Delon hovers above Earth and Earth is controlled by corporations instead of organized government. The alien race, the Delonese consider themselves to be allies to earth but after an explosion takes place during a fantasy fighting game all of this comes into question. At first the Delonese are not the ones looked at as the ones to be blamed, but Sofi. Sofi’s corporation goes into quick cover up claiming that all of their fantasy gamer faction were destroyed, however Sofi and a fellow gamer, Heller are found to have survived the explosion. It’s up to Sofi to discover what happened and also to locate the one thing that means the world to her… her brother. Ever since the blast Shilo has been missing. She knows Shilo isn’t dead because she continues to have visions of him being tested in a clinical facility. Sofi has no choice but to get to Delon to rescue her brother along with enlisting the aid of her ex, Miguel. However, as the rescue mission continues Sofi and the rest of the team discover they have ended up facing far more than they could ever imagine and now are determined to not only rescue Shilo but also do something far more important… survive.

 

Sofi Snow went in the usual fast paced, exhilarating style that is to be expected of Weber’s writing. At first I was hesitant to jump into a Science Fiction story because I’m particular with my science fiction. However, I can honestly say that the Evaporation of Sofi Snow did not disappoint me. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the storyline and the switch viewpoint between Miguel and Sofi. Like Nym and the characters found in the Storm Siren trilogy, Weber has magical finesse with making her characters come alive and appear very much human and very much tangible beings in the minds of her readers. To me I couldn’t help inwardly comparing the skills of Sofi and her team to the skills and story of the Science Fiction movie, Hackers. The Evaporation of Sofi Snow has a slight Hunger Games meets space feel to it but don’t let this persuade or turn you off because truly Weber has  a skill of making all of her stories her very own. You might see some similarities here and there with other stories and science fiction concepts but when it comes to Weber she knows how to take those original concepts and manipulate them to become her own variety of Science Fiction. Initially I was a skeptic about taking on a Science Fiction genre read but I’m truly glad I did. I loved Sofi and Manuel and the side characters and am excited to learn more about this new world Weber has created. Especially after she did something at the end of the book that almost feels like it’s becoming an unintentional trademark of hers… a cliffhanger. Not just any cliffhanger but a what in the world I need more where’s the rest of this, what happens next cliff hanger. So yes… the readers will be stuck much like they were in the Storm Siren trilogy of being perplexed and shocked by the sudden end. Truly though, when it comes to Weber is anything really ever an end? No, dear readers it’s just the beginning… especially when we find out that it’s not that much longer (March!) that we find out what’s happened to Shilo, and what is going on with Sofi and her crew. Until next time, enjoy!

There was definitely more to this book than I expected! I went into it thinking it would resemble The Hunger Games in a way and got a completely unique experience that I enjoyed. I would love to read more in this world and really hope to continue the series with the sequel!

I have to admit I feel a bit confused about this book, hopefully, I’ll manage to explain why.

What drew me to the story was both the aliens and the gaming, when it’s starts Sofi and her team are in the thick of it, and whilst I found that I was intrigued by the idea of the games at that point I didn’t know enough about the world for it to have the impact it probably should have had.

There was a lot to take in this book, both the dystopian reality of Earth and the introduction of the Delonese. Unfortunately, I don’t think it reached it’s full potential, for me there was just too much going on and whilst I had been excited by the idea of both, I think the focus should have been on one or the other. It was a lot for me to take in and meant that I had an awful lot of questions that I don’t think have been adequately answered.

I understand that this is the first book in a series, however, I really think that even in a series of books that you need to tie up as much as you can otherwise you risk losing plot lines to obscurity and I get the feeling that this might happen.

It is an intriguing book and I had this need to know more so it definitely has a storyline that catches attention but there’s so much that I would like clarified that it’s almost frustrating, especially as I’m not sure if it will be answered in the next book.

I didn’t connect with Sofi as much as I would have liked because she seems like a character I could get behind; rebellious, smart and not willing to bow down. I liked the glimpses we got into her past because it explained her motives and opened her up to the reader a little more but again it could have gone deeper.

I quite liked Miguel more for his element of mystery and bi-linguality than anything else. I’m glad that his and Sofi’s relationship wasn’t an insta-love type affair, that would have killed it for me personally, though I think I might need to wait until the next book to decide how I feel about it.

The thing I loved most about this book is the relationship between Sofi and her brother Shilo, even though you don’t get to see much interaction between them, through Sofi’s determination to find him and the dreams she has about him you can tell that it is a strong bond. I admire that this was the focal relationship in the story, it felt so genuine and something that most people can imagine so easily.

I think this story has a lot of potential but I felt that it doesn’t work as well as it should on its own, I will need to read the next book in the series to get a better feel for it, which is a shame because it has a lot of elements that would usually make me fall in love with a book. I would still recommend this book because it’s interesting but maybe with a little warning that you’ll have a lot of questions.

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow is a fast paced Sci-fi that combines Aliens, Gaming and Mystery. What could be better than that. Once you start reading it’s hard to stop.

Sometimes you will find that Sci-fi stories have moments where they drag. It’s often because there are a lot of things that need to be explained and be part of the book in order to get you to the end game. The Evaporation of Sofi Snow never has that lag time. Every minute is interesting and is constantly moving. The first scenes revolve around a game arena and even though I enjoy gaming. I don’t always enjoy reading a game scene in a book. I think the fact that there are two POVs makes it very interesting. It keeps the story moving because you don’t have to try to guess the other main characters thoughts.

I loved Sofi! She is a great character because she is a no nonsense girl. Plus she is a master hacker! I love any girl character that knows her way around the net and give arrogant boys a run for their money. She also always has her headphones with her to clear her thoughts by listening to music.She also has a very strong bond with her brother Shiloh. Who she has made it her life mission to protect.

We have Miguel who is also a great character and counterpart to Sofi. He has to wear his mask as he plays politics. He has a deeper goal in mind for the Delonese (aliens) but that is something that is uncovered as we move through the book.

Although Sofi and Miguel have had a past relationship and still care for eachother. The book really doesn’t focus on romance that much. There is a little but it doesn’t take away from the main story which is discovering more about the Delonese and what happened to Shiloh.

I don’t want to give anything away about the plot so I won’t even talk about it. It has a lot to deal with politics as the world is run by corporations. Ya scary right. It also has a lot to do with the Aliens (Delonese) and what does doing right for the greater good really mean. I thought there were a few things explored that can get you thinking.

Crap that ending!! I need the second book as soon as possible and I can’t wait to read it. This is definitely a book you want to pick up and if you are a little more hesitant with Sci-Fi. The pacing of this book is perfect for you. It’s a good one to try the genre out with.

I haven't read the book. I've got a ebook file which I can't read because of its locked type system. I've got lost and disinterested. I hope you fixed it. Thanks

I found the setting of this book to be really intriguing because you have technological advancements that are so realistic that I could see our world headed in that direction. I’m not usually one for aliens in most things to be honest but I thought that Weber did a great job of showing a mix of characteristics that are both humane and mysterious. The Earth has only had alien visitors for 10 years and so there is still so much about them that is unknown. I hope we get to see more of where they came from and the reasons’ why in book two.

I really liked Sofi. She’s intelligent, strong willed, and protective of those she cares about most. I really liked how bad-A she is too. She’s so independent due to circumstances that she is able to take care of herself, even in the most trickiest of situations. She is on a mission to find her brother Shilo and will do whatever it takes to do it. She’s not afraid to enter into “enemy territory” with the person she despises the most. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book because that ending left us with a total “what the…” moment!

I really liked Miguel. I thought he was the most interesting character because of the role he plays within the societal aspects of this book. He is the youngest ambassador to the alien’s out there and seeing him have to change persona’s based on circumstance was really neat. I think Weber did a wonderful job or portraying the lifestyle of someone whose actions are scrutinized at every turn and how they may react if forced into a situation that could ruin everything they’d worked hard to achieve.

I can’t wait to see where the next installment takes us. I’m hoping we’ll get to learn more about the Delonese (aliens) like where they came from, why they are there, and what their motivations are when it comes to the human population!

Three and a half stars: An exciting sci-fi tale with lots of twists, turns and action but beware of the cliffhanger.

Siblings Sofi and Shilo are preparing for their latest gaming battle in the Fighting arena. The stakes feel higher and more dangerous this time, but no matter how hard they work, the two of them still can’t seem to please their powerful mother. Things take a horrifying tune when a bomb goes off in the arena, killing numerous participants and injuring many others. Sofi awakens to find Shilo missing, and she is supposedly dead to the outside world. Sofi knows that Shilo is alive because she is having vivid dreams of Shilo on the ice planet of the Delonese. Sofi is desperate to get her brother back, even if that means exposing dangerous secrets and recruiting help from someone she never wanted to see again. Will Sofi find her brother?
What I Liked:
*The Evaporation of Sofi Snow is an exciting, fast paced book with a futuristic gaming version of the Hunger Games. This one is packed full of action, danger, treachery and betrayals. If you are looking for a thrilling YA read, this is a good one to try.
*I loved the bond between Sofi and Shilo. The strength of the bond between the siblings is the driving force of the story. Sofi will do anything to get her brother back including betraying her own mother and resorting to a dangerous mission. It isn’t often that you have a familial bond as the main focus in the story.
*I enjoyed the futuristic world and the sci-fi themes. This one is set in the future, when Earth has crumbled from war, and now it is run by powerful, greedy corporations. There is lots of computer hacking, and sci-fi gadgets and gizmos, black mail and espionage.
*This one is non stop action. From the get go, Sofi is placed in one dangerous situation after another. I liked that the pace was quick fire and that it didn’t slow down. Be prepared for lots of stunning twists and turns and shocking reveals.
*Surprisingly, there isn’t much of a romance. Sofi and Gabriel have a past, and they spend the majority of the book tip toeing around one another. The ground work has been laid for a romance, but as of yet, one hasn’t transpired, which I actually liked. I enjoy a book every once in awhile that isn’t romance driven.
*I appreciated that this book is told via dual narratives. You get both Sofi and Gabriel’s points of view. Sofi is sharp, intelligent, quick and very brash. She is also damaged and desperate for affection. I liked her fierce attitude and her damaged personality. Gabriel is the complete opposite. He is cool, calculating and cunning. He is playing all angles, and he is never boring. The two narratives switching back and forth make for an interesting read.
And The Not So Much:
*The biggest disappointment for me was that nothing is resolved in this one. There are layers of story lines and plenty going on, but the book ends with a big, fat cliffhanger, which I found totally frustrating. I hate when I spend time with a book for no payout at the end.
*This is a multilayered story and there is so much to keep track of, which is fine but then again irritating as you don’t get anywhere with most of the story lines. Too many loose ends.
*The Delonese, the aliens, were fascinating, but I found myself wishing for more detail and information on them.

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow was a fast paced read with plenty of exciting story lines and lots of danger. My hesitation with this one stems from the fact that the book builds and builds only to end with a dramatic cliffhanger, leaving all the major story lines undone. So frustrating. If you are drawn to this one, I would suggest waiting to read it closer to the release date of the next book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.