Dealbreaker - Book Review (2021 Pearl)

  I'm reposting the reviews of some of my favorite reads of 2021 this week.

Dealbreaker (The Bounceback #2)

by L.X. Beckett

What is it about:

Rubi Whiting has done the impossible. She has proved that humanity deserves a seat at the galactic table. Well, at least a shot at a seat. Having convinced the galactic governing body that mankind deserves a chance at fixing their own problems, Rubi has done her part to launch the planet into a new golden age of scientific discovery and technological revolution.

However, there are still those in the galactic community that think that humanity is too poisonous, too greedy, to be allowed in, and they will stop at nothing to sabotage a species determined to pull itself up.

What did I think of it:

I loved Gamechanger so you bet I preordered Dealbreaker as soon as it was available. Then I had to (im)patiently wait for the release.

And it was totally worth the wait.

This book takes places several years after Gamechanger and it's up to the next generation to show that they are capable of keeping up with the rules set by the galactic community. But there are people who don't want mankind to succeed, and they're willing to kill for it.

I was invested from the start. Some of the characters from Gamechanger didn't return or only had a minor role, but the cast of characters was amazing. I especially loved Frankie, Maud, and Crane. There was also a character that technically belonged with the bad guys, but who I fell in love with.

As with the previous book you have to keep your attention on the story to get all the nuances. There are many unfamiliar terms, and lots of people who are connected to what's going on. I was  on the edge of my seat to see if my favorites would survive, and if they would manage to stop those who were working against humanity.

All in all a wonderful sequel that would also work as a standalone. I'll be keeping an eye out for more by Beckett.

Why should you read it:

It's an amazing Futuristic read

buy from Amazon

Dealbreaker - Book Review

I have been gaming more than I've been reading the last few weeks, so that's why I took a break from reviewing. But I did read some books, and I'm getting my reading groove back, so now it's time to end my break and get back to reviewing.

Dealbreaker (The Bounceback #2)

by L.X. Beckett

What is it about:

Rubi Whiting has done the impossible. She has proved that humanity deserves a seat at the galactic table. Well, at least a shot at a seat. Having convinced the galactic governing body that mankind deserves a chance at fixing their own problems, Rubi has done her part to launch the planet into a new golden age of scientific discovery and technological revolution.

However, there are still those in the galactic community that think that humanity is too poisonous, too greedy, to be allowed in, and they will stop at nothing to sabotage a species determined to pull itself up.

What did I think of it:

I loved Gamechanger so you bet I preordered Dealbreaker as soon as it was available. Then I had to (im)patiently wait for the release.

And it was totally worth the wait.

This book takes places several years after Gamechanger and it's up to the next generation to show that they are capable of keeping up with the rules set by the galactic community. But there are people who don't want mankind to succeed, and they're willing to kill for it.

I was invested from the start. Some of the characters from Gamechanger didn't return or only had a minor role, but the cast of characters was amazing. I especially loved Frankie, Maud, and Crane. There was also a character that technically belonged with the bad guys, but who I fell in love with.

As with the previous book you have to keep your attention on the story to get all the nuances. There are many unfamiliar terms, and lots of people who are connected to what's going on. I was  on the edge of my seat to see if my favorites would survive, and if they would manage to stop those who were working against humanity.

All in all a wonderful sequel that would also work as a standalone. I'll be keeping an eye out for more by Beckett.

Why should you read it:

It's an amazing Futuristic read

buy from Amazon

 

Gamechanger - Book Review

Gamechanger
by L.X. Beckett

What is it about:
First there was the Setback. Then came the Clawback. Now humanity thrives.

Rubi Whiting is a member of the Bounceback Generation. The first to be raised free of the troubles of the late twenty-first century. Now she works as a public defender to help troubled individuals with anti-social behavior. That’s how she met Luciano Pox.

Luce is a firebrand and has made a name for himself as a naysayer. But there’s more to him than being a lightning rod for controversy. Rubi has to find out why the governments of the world want to bring Luce into custody, and why Luce is hell bent on stopping the recovery of the planet.

What did I think of it:
This book takes you on a wild emotional ride while challenging your views on what humanity actually is.

The prologue of this book alone was so gripping that I wouldn't have minded if that particular story had been continued, but then the story switched to 40 years later and it drew me in all over again.

The future Beckett describes isn't a happy one. Large parts of earth have been destroyed and to spare resources and space people spend most of their time online in a virtual world. You can get strikes and strokes for your behavior and a good social standing is everything if you don't want to watch a gazilion ads before you're allowed to do anything.

I must say parts of this world felt frighteningly close.

Where a Black Mirror episode would turn this bleak world even bleaker by the end of the episode, Beckett gives hope in their story. Ruby for one believes humanity can be and do better. Her work on Luce's case lands her in hot water though, and soon she is discovering things, and following leads that show her things she never knew about.

Next to Ruby there are several other viewpoint characters, all with their own agenda and emotions. As the story unfolds their paths intertwine and some of them need to make difficult decisions, or decide what they stand for. I had my favorites of course, Ruby and Gimlet Barnes (her online rival) contending for the number one spot.

This isn't a fast read. The switching viewpoints, the complex world, and the interlinking events make that you really need to pay attention to everything that's going on, but it's so worth it to take the time to let this story get hold of you. It's thought provoking, emotional, and beautiful.

All in all an amazing read. You bet I'll be keeping an eye out for more books by Beckett.

Why should you read it:
It's a wonderful and emotional SF read.


buy from bookdepository