Liked this quite a lot in the beginning, much better than The Circle, which covered similar ground. WTF benefits from interesting characters and a good story, but then it just...ends.

It feels like the first in a trilogy or something, but on its own, feels like some kind of timer went off, and DING! All over.

I was intrigued by the premise, and the opening chapter was solid, but the book went off on far-too-long tangents as nearly 100 pages were spent on separate chapters introducing the protagonists before really getting into the meat of the story. This was one of the rare books I nearly gave up on several times. Instead, I wound up skimming sections, something I can't even remember the last time I did. Nevertheless, I pushed on, wanting to see if the interesting premise paid off. In a way it did, but it was also disappointing in the abruptness of the ending. Yes, the reader can decide what happens next, but to me it felt like such an inorganic spot to take the lazy way out.

I rarely leave a bad review, and this one is still only half-bad as the premise was fascinating and many parts were well constructed. Unfortunately, I found the read frustrating, sticking with it to the end out of a sense of stubbornness rather than enjoyment.

I was completely engaged by this book. I found it amusing, interesting and well-written. However, someone apparently told the author to simply end the book. No closure, no resolution. Very annoying.

I found this a very enjoyable thriller that takes its own sweet time to get going but eventually develops into a fascinating and exciting read.

The plot might have seemed implausible when it was written a couple of years ago, but it becomes more frighteningly realistic with every passing day. Basically, a cabal of powerful individuals plots to harvest everyone's information and monetise it. Sounds familiar already, doesn't it? Ranged against them is an equally shadowy counter-organisation, who are supposedly a grass - roots resistance but seem to have access to huge resources. I liked the hints that they may also not be what they seem...

The author spends time at the beginning to establish the main characters, although this results in numerous plot lines that dead-end once the main story gets going. I liked the characters and thought them well defined, although yet again we have a glamourisation of alcoholism which is not only unrealistic but also a bit sad. Surely there are other ways to give characters an edge rather than making them a hopeless drunk (albeit one who is also somehow charismatic.)

The ending is quite abrupt and ambiguous, which I imagine will infuriate some people. I liked it though. There is clearly scope for a sequel, which would be great, although part of me hopes Shafer just leaves it there, allowing us to complete the story for ourselves.

This was a gripping read. I loved the writing style. It's that kind of sci fi that is close enough to real life to be terrifying.

Unexpectedly odd.

Cross between Dan Brown and The Circle. But fun!

This book is made for conspiracy theorists. Two men and one woman find themselves in the midst of a global conspiracy to privatize and exploit personal information and the story—thrilling, a little funny, clever—is very entertaining. The pacing was annoyingly uneven at first, but it eventually heats up and becomes engaging and exciting. It’s more paranoia-inducing than The Circle and even managed to make me laugh at times. Super fun book.

No. No. No. This book tells the story of three unrelated people who get tied up in the machinations of a nefarious Corporation that is trying to capture and mine all of the worlds communications for profit. Surreal events ensue, and conspiracy after conspiracy reveals itself, entangling the characters deeper in its web. There is no substance behind all of this, and I docked it a star for ending on a cliffhanger.