lightreads: a partial image of a etymology tree for the Indo-European word 'leuk done in white neon on black'; in the lower left is (Default)
lightreads ([personal profile] lightreads) wrote2020-01-02 08:56 pm

Catfishing on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer

Catfishing on CatNet

3/5. YA near future thriller about a girl on the run for reasons her mother won't explain who happens to belong to a chat room of variously queer teens moderated by a secret AI.

Fun and charming, with just enough near future shenanigans to really work (sex-ed robot hacking, anyone?). On the most basic level, this is about young people (humans and an AI) learning to take action responsibly, and not always getting it right. The title is not great, though, and there are a few elements that seem pasted on, like the actual cat that wanders into the book and then literally disappears under a piece of furniture for a hundred pages.

Content notes: References to domestic violence, stalking.