Vantage Point, by Sara Sligar, is the perfect audiobook for those of us still mourning the news that there will be no more seasons of Succession. Family drama and curses are mixed in with cyberbullying and deepfake videos to create a compelling story I could not stop listing to. Featuring a fantastic multicast narration, this is a must read/listen for fans of psychological suspense. The author's debut, Take Me Apart, is also a gripping and thoroughly entertaining novel I highly recommend. Enjoy!!

“The downside of being known is…being known.”

For the most part I really liked this sharply observant novel, which is really well written for something classed as a thriller and wryly reflective about what it means to truly know someone else, or to truly know ourselves.

The writing is exceptional, funny when called for and achingly serious when required. The plot had good bones (though aside from the ending, it’s more mystery and suspense than thriller). The story has a few notable points where it really stretches what’s actually believable (Yes, deep fakes are terrifying and might appear very real, but no, no one would mistake a hologram for a flesh and blood loved one from a few feet away).

The characters too are a mixed bag in terms of how successfully drawn they are. Clara and Jess are both really well rendered (and I absolutely loved Clara’s observant humor), but Teddy’s character arc is pretty absurd and hard to buy.

I’ll also warn that I think it’s bizarre that this is being compared to Succession.

For the most part the people here are a lot more likable or at least sympathetic(with an exception or two), and this is a story about redemption and regression, and about how we can be our best or worst selves in any given situation, rather than a showcase of entitled bad behavior and disloyalty, as Succession was. Think less maneuvering and backstabbing and more painful truths about loyalty and how relationships evolve, as well as a lot of interesting discussion about how many assumptions people often make about those they don’t know, especially those who they perceive to have it better than they do.

In all, a compelling and exceptionally observant piece of fiction.

Honestly I don’t even know what I just read. I’ve never read a book like this and don’t have anything to compare it to!

I enjoyed the narrators and honestly they are probably the only reason I carried on. The whole plot was just strange to me, and unfortunately it was not for me.

If you like science fiction thrillers this is probably up your alley!

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for my ALC. book published this week.

A tangled web we weave in this family saga. Clara and Teddy grew up extremely wealthy. Upon the sudden death of their parents Teddy takes over guardianship of his sister. Clara finds herself in and out of rehab for a serious eating disorder. In be known to her, it’s put a strain on her relationship with Teddy. Not to mention Teddy is married to Clara’s childhood best friend, Jess. Told from alternating POVs, this is a story about family, betrayel and what you wi do for power.
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I thought the narration of this audiobook was fantastic! Will absolutely listen to more books from these narrators. I was fully engrossed in the story and curious to see where it would take me. It had me hooked for the first 70%. Unfortunately the last 30% got a bit too far fetched for me. Holograms and strongly imaginative revenge story that had me thinking, “really?” The author had a unique POV and a good story. Personally I couldn’t behind the overall reveal. It was too out there for me. Still entertaining and worth reading for the right reader. I really enjoyed both Jess and Clara’s characters. Despite all their flaws they were complex and smart.

Thank you Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.

"Undoing an illusion is like peeling off your own skin. Logic says you shouldn’t. It will hurt when it’s removed. It will have consequences..."

So much happens in the uncanny timely Vantage Point by compelling author Sara Sligar that it leaves you drained, confused and a bit frightened of the harsh consequences of modern technology and how it can destroy a family.

Clara and her brother Teddy are the last of the privileged Wieland family. Living on a small island in Maine at the family mansion known as Vantage Point, they are the focus of the paparazzi, scammers, and users. The only person they trust is Clara's best friend Jess; who is also now her sister in law.

Clara suffers from mental health issues and bulimia stemming from the accident that killed her parents 14 years ago. Teddy is running for the Senate and he just needs Clara to stay well.

When a sex tape of Clara goes viral it's a domino effect to unraveling the delicate illusions this wealthy family has crafted for generations. Clara doesn't remember this sexual encounter. In fact, she's sure it never happened; but how does someone who has hidden an eating disorder and been hospitalized for hallucinations prove it's a deepfake, that she's telling the truth? And who is doing it...and why?!

Reading and listening to this family drama was addictive. Debut voice actor Adam Ewer is mesmerizing as Teddy struggles with life not going his way. Voice actresses Jess Nahikian and Helen Laser pour everything into Jess and Clara's survival instincts.

Modern technology has created unimaginable ways to save lives, entertain, and make life easier. This is the story of what happens when evil takes advantage of it.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own

3.5* rounded up... One of the best things this book has going for it is that it's original and an interesting take on family drama. The multicast of narrators did a great job with the different characters, but the storyline still felt a little disjointed here and there. Maybe it was a little harder to follow all the story developments on audio. I thought the additions at the beginning of many chapters of Wikipedia "facts" on the April curse in the story was a nice segue, but then nothing more was said about it after the last one. I wasn't sure where that was supposed to fit in at the end. Perhaps I missed it. It was also hard to like any particular character or root for them, but perhaps that was intentional with this particular tale of woe. Empathy? Yes. Cheering them on for their great life choices? Definitely not.
Overall I recommend for anyone looking for a different kind of mysterious domestic drama.
Thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

Some books deserve more than 5 stars & this is one of them!

This book is an absolute masterpiece and will undoubtedly be in my top 5 books of the year. I found myself deeply connected to both Clara and Jess, seeing parts of myself reflected in their struggles and imperfections. As unlikeable as they could be at times, isn’t that what makes them so real? We all have moments like that, and the author captured those shades of humanity so vividly.

As a fan of Black Mirror, I was hooked by how this story felt like a sophisticated, literary episode—sharp, unsettling, and impossible to look away from. The exploration of deepfakes, privacy, and the curse of legacy made the narrative not just gripping but hauntingly relevant.

I wouldn’t change a single thing about this book. It’s brilliant, thought-provoking, and completely addictive. A must-read for anyone who loves dark, sophisticated thrillers that leave you questioning everything.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for a gifted audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Creepy tech takedown? Eat the rich? Family drama? Tick. Tick Tick. Vantage Point is a searing and hyper modern novel with a twisty, wild ending—people will either love it or hate it.

The novel focuses on the two surviving heirs, siblings Teddy and Clara, of the wealthy (& cursed!) Wieland family. Teddy is running for Senate and Clara is running the family company when she finds herself going viral—a sex tape she does not recall making is sweeping the internet.

Perfect for fans of Succession or true crime nerds who dig deep into the salacious histories of old money families (Armie Hammer, anyone?). The audiobook had excellent, engaging narration. Thanks to MacMillan Audio for the gifted copy.

Vantage Point is a deliciously tense suspense novel that blends family drama with modern political intrigue.

At its heart is the Wieland family, a filthy rich and famous clan with serious Kennedy vibes. Clara Wieland, the troubled youngest sibling, has her life upended when intimate videos of her are leaked online—videos she has no memory of making. As her brother Teddy runs for Senate and their family’s legacy comes under increasing scrutiny, Clara finds herself trapped in a web of suspicion, unsure if the videos are real or sophisticated deepfakes designed to ruin her. Complicating the situation is Clara's childhood best friend Jess, who is now married to Teddy and caught between her loyalty to her husband and her loyalty to her best friend.

Sligar does an excellent job of keeping the reader on edge, questioning what’s real and what’s manufactured. I never quite knew who to believe at any given moment, so my emotions were all over the place for the entirety of the time I was listening. The plot is compelling, with twists and turns and the perfect amount of action to keep readers rapt. It’s a sharp, wholly modern take on the classic Gothic tale of family doom. If you're into suspense that dives deep into family dynamics and the price of power, Vantage Point is definitely worth picking up.

I can't wait to see what Sligar comes up with next.

The Wieland family has all the money anyone could ever want, but they also have a curse on their family. Clara and Teddy Wieland felt the curse all too close to home when their parents were both killed at their Maine estate, Vantage Point, when they were teenagers. Today Teddy, married to Clara's best friend Jess, is running for state senate and all three are back living in Vantage Point. Clara has a somewhat checkered past with buried secrets and mental illness, but things start coming back to haunt her when a sex tape is released. Clara doesn't remember anything about the video-- was she blacked out or is it a deepfake? Teddy's political career aspirations could be lost and things between Teddy, Jess and Clara get more tense than ever when Clara starts seeing things. Is it the curse coming for her? Is it her mental illness? Sara Sligar does an excellent job weaving together the past and present in this gripping slow-burn thriller. Though none of the characters are very likable, the sharp writing leaves you wanting more. Audio narrator also was perfect for the not-so-likeable main characters.

Vantage Point is a twisty, modern thriller that weaves together family drama, political ambition, and cutting-edge tech with a touch of gothic intrigue. Clara Wieland’s struggle with mental health and her place in her cursed, high-profile family forms the emotional core of the story. When deepfake videos threaten to derail her brother Teddy’s Senate campaign, long-buried secrets start to surface, and the Wieland family must confront their dark past.

Sara Sligar masterfully balances suspense and deep character work, creating a story that’s as thought-provoking as it is page-turning. The unique Wikipedia-style entries on the Wieland curse were a fascinating touch, adding richness to the family’s haunted legacy. Though the ending felt slightly rushed, the gripping narrative, atmospheric setting, and exploration of modern tech’s dangers make this a highly recommended read for fans of smart thrillers.

I did not expect to like this book as much as I did! Wow what a ride.
When I saw this was a “tech thriller” I was concerned because that didn’t seem like my jam. But it’s safe to say I don’t mind a tech thriller. I really enjoyed it.
Clara and Teddy are brother and sister from a well off family. Jess, Clara’s best friend, is married to Teddy creating the perfect family drama set up. Y’all, there is so much drama in this book. When Teddy decides to run for senate, compromising videos of the family start to pop up. But why can no one involved in the videos remember the situations recorded? This book is twisty and cool and kept me intrigued the entire time.
Thank you netgalley for the ARC!

I had the privilege of listening to an advanced copy of the audiobook for Vantage Point by Sara Sligar. The use of multiple narrators added depth to the storytelling and provided an enjoyable listening experience.

The novel centers on the affluent Wieland family, who are plagued by a notorious curse that has led to numerous tragedies over the years. As Teddy embarks on a Senate campaign, intimate videos of his sister, Clara surface online—videos she has no recollection of filming. This raises questions about the authenticity of the footage and whether someone is using deepfake videos to undermine the family.

The exploration of themes such as deepfake technology and holograms adds a chilling layer to the narrative, making it a thought-provoking tech thriller.

If you’re intrigued by stories that delve into the dark side of technology and enjoy complex family dramas, with often unlikable main characters, Vantage Point is a read for you.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!

juicy
rich people behaving badly
elements of mystery and thriller

all in all i was completely consumed!

Thank you MacMillan Audio for the review copy, this was an excellent production for Sara Silgar's new book Vantage Point and I appreciated how stylized parts of the audio were and the performances from all three voice actors, particularly Helen Laser who is becoming a favorite narrator. This is a complex story, one that if filled with themes on AI and gaslighting, on rich people problems and mental health and viral videos, and one that leans into the messy toxicity of famous, in the public eye family relationships. What stood out was the development of the story, how Silgar plays with Clara's storyline to twist and turn the story around to the reader as well as to her characters, and how the story leans into, more than expected, the role of deep fake videos, how harmful use of AI can wreck lives and cause those dominoes to fall as they will until more and more people are hurt. What worked less for me for the book, not the production per se, was how really unlikable each character was , I felt no real connection to the characters, I wasn't sure I really cared enough to know what was going on even though the plot was though provoking... when I can't find myself really wanting redemption for anyone it's hard to really like a book. That being said, this is one read that is worth discussing for the bigger themes explored and introduced. 4 star plot, 3 star execution.

NOTE: themes on mental health, substance use, and eating disorders are present.

The lives of a small Maine family and their bid for power in politics. There’s something sinister going on beneath the surface. By the description, I thought I would enjoy this book much more than I did. It was a bit of a slog in places and as a native Mainer myself, I found the descriptions of the land and the people to be those of someone who hasn’t spent any real time in the state