Ahoy there me mateys!  I received this sci-fi eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  So here be me honest musings . . .

I loved the book archivist wasp by the author and was excited to read her newest.  While on the balance, I have to say that I liked it, I generally loved the first half of the story better than the second half.

I really did love the ideas of corporations at war and how water rights played an issue in this book.  I loved how the corporations used the war in VR games and especially how the supersoldiers were used inside the game.  I loved the main character, Mal, and her relationship with her roommate.  I also loved those soldier superstars and their relationship with each other.

The problem for me is that the book is set into several sections.  I really enjoyed the set-up in parts one and two.  Once the truth is out, I found it to be not very interesting and the mechanism for saving the world to be lackluster too.  There were parts of part three that I did enjoy.  But once the showdown with corporate begins in earnest, it felt a bit drawn out and seriously unrealistic.  I know that be super vague but further details lead to spoilers and I do think that many readers will love how everything plays out.  There were just plot points in here that are generally not to be taste.  I wanted the VR game to have more importance and impact.  At least the ending did redeem the middle part a bit for me.

I have no regrets reading this one and will continue to read the author's work.  I need to get the sequel to the first book in the Wasp Saga and she is apparently writing a third in that world.  Plus I have another Nicole Kornher-Stace book lined up later in the year.  Arrr!

So lastly . . .

Thank you Saga Press!