Review: The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber

Admission: I have read the popular mainstream YA bestsellers. In fact, I try to read most of them before the movie comes out. The Hunger Games, Divergent, Ender’s Game, The Maze Runner, The Fifth Wave, and more are books I’ve read and (for the most part) enjoyed. And I am often in awe of the worlds their imaginations create.

Mary Weber’s is no exception. Her newest offering takes elements from several of these—aliens, hackers, games of skill—and combines them into a creation that draws readers in.

As the book opens, Sofi’s sole focus is on her brother. A fact readers soon learn is more of a way of life for her. When things go awry, Sofi’s one goal is to find her brother. Between rebelling against her CEO-focused mother and her protection of her brother, some of her choices are not the best. But, you see and understand the motivation behind those poor choices.

What I loved about this book is how fast it moved. There is some good action with the FanGames, but there are more nuances that keep the pace.

Sofi’s past heartbreak where Miguel (the youngest ambassador in earth’s history) is concerned; her relationships with her team, her mother, and her brother; and the question the Delonese people’s motivation all kept my interest. Add in that I never quite knew who to trust, and this one was a page-turner.

This is the first book in a duology, so I was left with several questions that I definitely want answered when Sofi, Miguel and the others return in the final book. This one ranks up with my favorites.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Available everywhere 6/6/17

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For fans of ENDER’S GAME, THE HUNGER GAMES, and BLADE RUNNER, comes a story of video gaming, blood, and power.
 
Ever since the Delonese ice-planet arrived eleven years ago, Sofi’s dreams have been vivid. Alien. In a system where Earth’s corporations rule in place of governments and the humanoid race orbiting the moon are allies, her only constant has been her younger brother, Shilo. As an online gamer, Sofi battles behind the scenes of Earth’s Fantasy Fighting arena where Shilo is forced to compete in a mix of real and virtual blood sport. But when a bomb takes out a quarter of the arena, Sofi’s the only one who believes Shilo survived. She has dreams of him. And she’s convinced he’s been taken to the ice-planet.
 
Except no one but ambassadors are allowed there.
 
For Miguel–Earth’s charming young playboy–the games are of a different sort. As Ambassador to the Delonese, his career has been built on trading secrets and seduction. Until the Fantasy Fight’s bomb goes off. Now the tables have turned and he’s a target for blackmail. The game is simple: Help the blackmailers, or lose more than anyone can fathom, or Earth can afford.
 
From the award-winning author of the Storm Siren Trilogy, step into a diverse cast of characters spanning from the electric metropolises of earth to the chilling alien planet above, in a story of re-finding yourself in the midst of losing the one thing you love. Before it all evaporates.