Review: Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits by David Wong
Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits
by David Wong
Welcome to Tabula Ra$a, a futuristic city in the heart of the desert built as a pleasure-filled den of sin for the exceptionally wealthy. The most powerful man in town is Arthur Livingston, who built his empire through cunning investment and shady backdoor dealings. When he is killed, a race breaks out to locate his heir, the only one who can unlock Livingston’s hidden vault and reveal the future of his company. The one who inherits all is Zoey Ashe, a girl who grew up in a trailer park and wants nothing to do with her absentee deadbeat dad or his legacy. Zoey is thrust from the poverty line to the hedonistic mansion of her father with only a smelly cat for comapnionship, but all the protection Livingston’s money can buy might not be enough to protect her from those who want to kill her for fame, fortune, or reasons far more sinister.
Not only is Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits a great title for a book, it’s a fantastic story. Zoey’s fish-outta-water story absolutely addictive. Initially overwhelmed by the pace and unbelievable wealth of Tabula Rasa, Zoey wants nothing more than to return to her trailer park and her life as a barista. It is only when she realizes that going home is a sure way to guarantee the death of her mother that she decides to remain ensconced in her father’s wealth. Initially overwhelmed, Zoey proves to be a chip off the ol’ block, as unorthodox in her management style as her father was. Snarky and funny, generous and compassionate, still somewhat innocent but surprisingly clever and observant, Zoey is a joy to read.
Extremely fast-paced and full of explosive energy, the book has the urgency and intensity of a super-realistic video game. Sex and violence are mingled in a hyper-gory experience that definitely isn’t for everyone. But if you can stomach the carnage, it’s good.
As a critique of modern culture, FVFS punches hard at social media and our increasing reliance on it. Everyone in this world seems addicted to Blink, a Youtube/Twitch sort of hybrid on which everyone vies to get the most viewers. When a disaster strikes, people flood the scene - not to assist folks in need but to get the best footage so they will gain the most followers to their stream. The misbehavior of Internet trolling has been taken to a terrible extreme in which serial killers murder their victims on camera for hordes of fans. Sociopaths who might go on a shooting spree in a school today can now augment their bodies with technology giving them god-like powers, so the death of hundreds can buy them notoriety and fame. It’s a dark, scary world in Tabula Rasa.
Did I mention that the book is funny? I don’t think I have, but it is one of the most biting and entertaining novels I have read all year. David Wong, the alias of Cracked.com editor Jason Pargin, has created a science fiction thriller that’s impossible to put down - and this is coming from someone who normally doesn’t read much in that genre. I loved this book and can’t wait to check out his previous novels.
4.5 out of 5 stars
To read more about Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits, buy it or add it to your wishlist click here.
Peeking into the archives...today in:
2014: News: Zilpha Keatley Snyder, children's author, has passed away
2013:
2012: Leonardo's Swans by Karen Essex
2011: Taking a break...
2010: Essay: Confessions of a Used-Book Salesman
2009: Hush, hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
2008: Author Interview: Kate Hahn (Forgotten Fashion)
by David Wong
Welcome to Tabula Ra$a, a futuristic city in the heart of the desert built as a pleasure-filled den of sin for the exceptionally wealthy. The most powerful man in town is Arthur Livingston, who built his empire through cunning investment and shady backdoor dealings. When he is killed, a race breaks out to locate his heir, the only one who can unlock Livingston’s hidden vault and reveal the future of his company. The one who inherits all is Zoey Ashe, a girl who grew up in a trailer park and wants nothing to do with her absentee deadbeat dad or his legacy. Zoey is thrust from the poverty line to the hedonistic mansion of her father with only a smelly cat for comapnionship, but all the protection Livingston’s money can buy might not be enough to protect her from those who want to kill her for fame, fortune, or reasons far more sinister.
Not only is Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits a great title for a book, it’s a fantastic story. Zoey’s fish-outta-water story absolutely addictive. Initially overwhelmed by the pace and unbelievable wealth of Tabula Rasa, Zoey wants nothing more than to return to her trailer park and her life as a barista. It is only when she realizes that going home is a sure way to guarantee the death of her mother that she decides to remain ensconced in her father’s wealth. Initially overwhelmed, Zoey proves to be a chip off the ol’ block, as unorthodox in her management style as her father was. Snarky and funny, generous and compassionate, still somewhat innocent but surprisingly clever and observant, Zoey is a joy to read.
Extremely fast-paced and full of explosive energy, the book has the urgency and intensity of a super-realistic video game. Sex and violence are mingled in a hyper-gory experience that definitely isn’t for everyone. But if you can stomach the carnage, it’s good.
As a critique of modern culture, FVFS punches hard at social media and our increasing reliance on it. Everyone in this world seems addicted to Blink, a Youtube/Twitch sort of hybrid on which everyone vies to get the most viewers. When a disaster strikes, people flood the scene - not to assist folks in need but to get the best footage so they will gain the most followers to their stream. The misbehavior of Internet trolling has been taken to a terrible extreme in which serial killers murder their victims on camera for hordes of fans. Sociopaths who might go on a shooting spree in a school today can now augment their bodies with technology giving them god-like powers, so the death of hundreds can buy them notoriety and fame. It’s a dark, scary world in Tabula Rasa.
Did I mention that the book is funny? I don’t think I have, but it is one of the most biting and entertaining novels I have read all year. David Wong, the alias of Cracked.com editor Jason Pargin, has created a science fiction thriller that’s impossible to put down - and this is coming from someone who normally doesn’t read much in that genre. I loved this book and can’t wait to check out his previous novels.
4.5 out of 5 stars
To read more about Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits, buy it or add it to your wishlist click here.
Peeking into the archives...today in:
2014: News: Zilpha Keatley Snyder, children's author, has passed away
2013:
2012: Leonardo's Swans by Karen Essex
2011: Taking a break...
2010: Essay: Confessions of a Used-Book Salesman
2009: Hush, hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
2008: Author Interview: Kate Hahn (Forgotten Fashion)