Even though the book reads like one big fever dream, everything about it is really beautifully done. Most likely as a result of the author's extensive background in design and product development. This book will resonate with you if you have ever worked with engineers. I was laughing so hard at the Jesuses. It's meant to be a comedy and it was.

DNF at 35%.

I literally cannot follow what is happening in this book. I think it's the holograms that everyone wears and how Shaughnessy can kind of see through them? I also think I just don't understand how they work and what the other person sees when they look at someone. Honestly, I kind of turn my brain off to read, as I read as a form of entertainment and to de-stress. I spent way too much time trying to figure out how these holograms worked to the point that it was distracting.

I ultimately decided not to continue for that reason, but also because I just wasn't enjoying myself. I didn't find any of it funny or lighthearted, it was all just kind of absurd but in a dumb way. It felt like work to read and to figure out what was happening and how the world worked.

Some people will definitely like this though, it's just not for me.

Thank you, Syllaballistics Publishing, Rob Brownell, and Netgalley for this ARC.

I normally like to read more of a novel before reviewing it, but I had to stop at 20% because I was so bored. The characters are all wooden, and it's supposed to be a comedy, yet it isn't funny.

This is a book that seems that is was written in the future, we have there technology that is unknown for us an at the same time by the descriptions of the author we know what they are and what they are supposed to do, it is written in a very nice way, the story goes in a fluid manner, and while it was supposed to be a funny book, for me, it wasn't, but that doesn’t make it less of the humor of this book, it just wasn't for me, but maybe it is for you.

Also the plot line of the Jesuses made me cringe, maybe I am overreacting or maybe I am not.. No book will please all readers that is for sure, but I felt rubbed in the wrong way with this plot line…

Thank you NetGalley and Syllaballistics Publishing for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.

It’s hard to believe this is Rob Brownell’s first novel. This book is weird lit perfection (apologies to the author if I misgenre the book). Truly.

The book reads like one long fever dream and yet everything just works so well. Mostly likely due to the author’s many years spent in product development and design. If you’ve ever worked with engineers this book will speak to you. The Jesuses had me in stitches.

I don’t want to say too much in the review for fear of spoiling it for others. Just give this book a try, it’s a wild ride.

These kinds of books are always risky because humor is notoriously difficult to write well. This didn't always work for me for that reason. But those with the same sensibility and humor will enjoy this one.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

Wacky, near future sci-fi, that’s a darkly comic take on our technology obsessed culture. We’re not talking amazing feats of engineering, no no, we enter a world obsessed with the next hot gadget. So, not so different from our reality. It took me a bit to get into this book, but once I understood where the author was coming from I couldn’t put it down. I could have used some of the gadgets myself in our new videoconferencing world. You’ll LOL at the stingingly accurate cast of characters and maybe cry a little too as you join Shaugnessy’s reluctant journey into adulthood. As the author warns, it contains puns! crude humour! irreverence! I did cringe a few times so I didn’t give it a full 5 stars. Highly recommend