Gamechanger

I had high hopes for this novel, given its interesting mystery synopsis and the fact that while it is set in the same universe as the author's novella Freezing Rain, a Chance of Falling, it does not feature the selfish, self-absorbed character from that shorter work.

I read 100 pages of this nearly-600-page novel before finally setting it aside. While it has some interesting future worldbuilding, mostly it contains details about virtual-reality simulations, avatars, skins, wargaming, and social-media approval ratings. I found it all rather tedious -- and if the way that the characters and their computer application personal assistants speak and write is indeed the wave of the future, I fervently hope that I am thoroughly dead before that sad state comes to pass.

Videogamers and avid social mediaists will likely really enjoy this book.