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The Text
With all the suspense of "Divergent" and the resistance of "Legend" comes a chilling conspiracy and nail-biting quest for the truth. Never be afraid...
“A gripping flight from totalitarian forces lurking in the shadows.” —KIRKUS REVIEWS
"Fast, filled with action, and plenty of twists and turns..." -READERS' FAVORITE 5-STAR REVIEW
In 2048, 25 years after a pandemic killed one-third of the world’s population, America is flourishing under the department of Safety Threats and Reinforcement (STaR). STaR keeps citizens safe and healthy and STaR’s social media app, Allicio, boasts two billion users worldwide. Then a power outage shuts down STaR’s health monitors and disables millions of mobile phones.
Sixteen-year-old Rami Carlton earned a starting spot on the varsity volleyball team. For fun, she races tech-genius Finley Drake to decipher the online identities of their techie friends. The game is harmless. So they thought. Rami receives a chilling text message that she’s being watched. That night, her mother disappears. Despite thousands of city-wide monitors, STaR’s Reinforcement Division cannot locate Rami’s mom and Rami’s stalker threatens to kill her brother if she talks to Reinforcement Officers.
Then Finley hacks the nation’s cellular provider and discovers STaR has a secret. STaR isn’t just watching. They’re manipulating Allicio. And Rami is their next target.
Award-winning author Julane Fisher explores a near future where technology not only governs citizens, it controls them.
“A gripping flight from totalitarian forces lurking in the shadows.” —KIRKUS REVIEWS
"Fast, filled with action, and plenty of twists and turns..." -READERS' FAVORITE 5-STAR REVIEW
In 2048, 25 years after a pandemic killed one-third of the world’s population, America is flourishing under the department of Safety Threats and Reinforcement (STaR). STaR keeps citizens safe and healthy and STaR’s social media app, Allicio, boasts two billion users worldwide. Then a power outage shuts down STaR’s health monitors and disables millions of mobile phones.
Sixteen-year-old Rami Carlton earned a starting spot on the varsity volleyball team. For fun, she races tech-genius Finley Drake to decipher the online identities of their techie friends. The game is harmless. So they thought. Rami receives a chilling text message that she’s being watched. That night, her mother disappears. Despite thousands of city-wide monitors, STaR’s Reinforcement Division cannot locate Rami’s mom and Rami’s stalker threatens to kill her brother if she talks to Reinforcement Officers.
Then Finley hacks the nation’s cellular provider and discovers STaR has a secret. STaR isn’t just watching. They’re manipulating Allicio. And Rami is their next target.
Award-winning author Julane Fisher explores a near future where technology not only governs citizens, it controls them.
- GenresYoung AdultDystopia
333 pages, ebook
Published September 19, 2023
12 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 4, 2023
After I read that if you loved The Inheritance Games and Legend, I was instantly hooked in this book. I really wish I could say that I liked it but I didn’t.
What I liked about this is that it is based after the pandemic and that everything and everyone are being controlled by electronics. I found the concept of perception really interesting in which everyone’s perception could be changed by what they saw on social media which is such an amazing outlook to what we are actually currently facing.
This book could’ve easily been 100 pages shorter. I felt like there was a lot of filling and no action. And could someone explain to me what happened to the dad? One point he was there and then suddenly he was not. I loved Finley and that’s about it. I don’t know if it’s because I’m older but the characters were childish and so out of touch. Like I could figure the whole plot, mysteries and turns before the characters did. I guess the book was just predictable but once again is a book for a younger audience.
I believe I would’ve liked it if I was 12 years old. It wasn’t bad but I don’t think it was the right fit for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for an E-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What I liked about this is that it is based after the pandemic and that everything and everyone are being controlled by electronics. I found the concept of perception really interesting in which everyone’s perception could be changed by what they saw on social media which is such an amazing outlook to what we are actually currently facing.
This book could’ve easily been 100 pages shorter. I felt like there was a lot of filling and no action. And could someone explain to me what happened to the dad? One point he was there and then suddenly he was not. I loved Finley and that’s about it. I don’t know if it’s because I’m older but the characters were childish and so out of touch. Like I could figure the whole plot, mysteries and turns before the characters did. I guess the book was just predictable but once again is a book for a younger audience.
I believe I would’ve liked it if I was 12 years old. It wasn’t bad but I don’t think it was the right fit for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for an E-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 23, 2023
I received the Advanced Review Copy of this book and my thanks to the team of BookSirens, the publisher and the author for the copy.
All views expressed in this review are my own and based on my reading of this book. Some of the initial comments were made as I progressed in this book and I have not tried editing them as it expresses my contiguous thoughts as I proceeded with the story.
3.5 Stars to clarify and closer to 4 than 3.
I love dystopian tales and the blurb for this book was clear and candid and inspired by the Covid 19 pandemic. All quite good and above board. The fear that pervades most of us in the modern era about big brother watching us at all times is a very genuine fear and most governments have not done enough to ally the fears of the diaspora. I wanted to see what sort of treatment Julane gives to the story and this sole thought made me want to read this book.
For most readers this should vibe considering that this is meant for the YA market.
We are 25 years in the future 2048 and 25 years after a deadly pandemic ravaged the human race. If the government then (i.e. now) did not have enough reason to monitor everyone of us in 2048 it has. A department has sprung up Department of Safety Threats and Reinforcement, STaR which uses an app and monitors everyone.
We have what seems like a global power outage and everything is offline.
The book deals with the rampage of technology and most of the premise seems reasonable and we are seeing various facets of it in the current generation. The book has reminisces of other sci-fi books of previous generations like 1984 and the constant pressure of being monitored is a threat that looms throughout the book.
The family relationships are used well with the protagonist Rami's parents getting divorced and her mother behaving erratically. Her relationship with her sibling and her own prowess online are all factors that uplift the novel.
The book has several points going for it. The plot was a definite hook and provided me as a reader enough food for thought. Julane has also written the 16 year old Rami as a strong character and I would love to read more stories about her. The connect to the recent pandemic and its obtrusive origins are enough to fuel a readers mind while reading this tale. The government intrusion into privacy is a story that has been going for generations and with AI it seems they have got a genuine tool to monitor and eavesdrop any conversation. Nothing seems to be private anymore and projecting this 25 years on, the story becomes very believable.
I felt that this book had the potential to go 5 stars and it missed some key points.
Firstly I felt that the book could have been edited and made shorter by at least 70-80 pages without losing focus and improving the pace.
I would have also liked some more space to the other characters around Rami. Although well written they did not have enough to do.
Family was highlighted in the book upfront but Rami's father was missing for the whole book. Daughters have a bond with their fathers and despite any differences would always bond during crisis. He could have had some additional scenes.
I felt that the comparisons with The Inheritance Games, Legend, or Calculated did injustice to this book.
Some of the plot was easily unraveled but given that this book is meant for younger readers I would say that it was a fair twist.
I would love to see a book which follows this one to see how Julane takes the story forward.
All views expressed in this review are my own and based on my reading of this book. Some of the initial comments were made as I progressed in this book and I have not tried editing them as it expresses my contiguous thoughts as I proceeded with the story.
3.5 Stars to clarify and closer to 4 than 3.
I love dystopian tales and the blurb for this book was clear and candid and inspired by the Covid 19 pandemic. All quite good and above board. The fear that pervades most of us in the modern era about big brother watching us at all times is a very genuine fear and most governments have not done enough to ally the fears of the diaspora. I wanted to see what sort of treatment Julane gives to the story and this sole thought made me want to read this book.
For most readers this should vibe considering that this is meant for the YA market.
We are 25 years in the future 2048 and 25 years after a deadly pandemic ravaged the human race. If the government then (i.e. now) did not have enough reason to monitor everyone of us in 2048 it has. A department has sprung up Department of Safety Threats and Reinforcement, STaR which uses an app and monitors everyone.
We have what seems like a global power outage and everything is offline.
The book deals with the rampage of technology and most of the premise seems reasonable and we are seeing various facets of it in the current generation. The book has reminisces of other sci-fi books of previous generations like 1984 and the constant pressure of being monitored is a threat that looms throughout the book.
The family relationships are used well with the protagonist Rami's parents getting divorced and her mother behaving erratically. Her relationship with her sibling and her own prowess online are all factors that uplift the novel.
The book has several points going for it. The plot was a definite hook and provided me as a reader enough food for thought. Julane has also written the 16 year old Rami as a strong character and I would love to read more stories about her. The connect to the recent pandemic and its obtrusive origins are enough to fuel a readers mind while reading this tale. The government intrusion into privacy is a story that has been going for generations and with AI it seems they have got a genuine tool to monitor and eavesdrop any conversation. Nothing seems to be private anymore and projecting this 25 years on, the story becomes very believable.
I felt that this book had the potential to go 5 stars and it missed some key points.
Firstly I felt that the book could have been edited and made shorter by at least 70-80 pages without losing focus and improving the pace.
I would have also liked some more space to the other characters around Rami. Although well written they did not have enough to do.
Family was highlighted in the book upfront but Rami's father was missing for the whole book. Daughters have a bond with their fathers and despite any differences would always bond during crisis. He could have had some additional scenes.
I felt that the comparisons with The Inheritance Games, Legend, or Calculated did injustice to this book.
Some of the plot was easily unraveled but given that this book is meant for younger readers I would say that it was a fair twist.
I would love to see a book which follows this one to see how Julane takes the story forward.
September 30, 2023
I enjoyed the plot and overall story. I love YA dystopian; it's one of my favorite genres. Heavy on the tropes, which, besides the teen romantic drama, I am all for. Government control reminiscent of 1984, pandemic restrictions, and social media addictions, as seen in real life, it has quite a lot in here. I love government control plots and really enjoyed this one. I liked the technology displayed in the book, and how it has really taken over society.
Rami seems a little naive. She seems intelligent and capable sometimes and then like a typical clueless teenager other times. I like Fin a lot, though. He is my favorite character. He seems to understand more of what is happening, even without all the puzzle pieces. I like how all the people are connected in the overall plot. It was interesting to see where everyone and everything fell into place at the end.
For the most part, the pacing was good. There were a few areas where there just seemed to be running around and confusion with little main plot movement. But once the teens started figuring things out, the pace picked back up.
A few pet peeves of mine in writing style/editing I noticed while reading. Word repetition and phrase repetition especially in the same sentence, paragraph, or page. Also hard to point out via screenshots, phrases used a lot over the entire book that feels very repetitive, such as something or something, I couldn't say/be sure/determine, or some other variation. Or the connect logo being described every time, even at the end of the book.
I also noticed a lot of extra commas, often before the phrase as if and missing commas. There were some sentence fragments where combining sentences with a comma or using an emdash for emphasis would have helped me.
Despite those, my ADHD/editing brain just can't not notice them, I still enjoyed the story and the characters and the world. If there is a sequel, I would absolutely pick it up. It was an enjoyable tale. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Rami seems a little naive. She seems intelligent and capable sometimes and then like a typical clueless teenager other times. I like Fin a lot, though. He is my favorite character. He seems to understand more of what is happening, even without all the puzzle pieces. I like how all the people are connected in the overall plot. It was interesting to see where everyone and everything fell into place at the end.
For the most part, the pacing was good. There were a few areas where there just seemed to be running around and confusion with little main plot movement. But once the teens started figuring things out, the pace picked back up.
A few pet peeves of mine in writing style/editing I noticed while reading. Word repetition and phrase repetition especially in the same sentence, paragraph, or page. Also hard to point out via screenshots, phrases used a lot over the entire book that feels very repetitive, such as something or something, I couldn't say/be sure/determine, or some other variation. Or the connect logo being described every time, even at the end of the book.
I also noticed a lot of extra commas, often before the phrase as if and missing commas. There were some sentence fragments where combining sentences with a comma or using an emdash for emphasis would have helped me.
Despite those, my ADHD/editing brain just can't not notice them, I still enjoyed the story and the characters and the world. If there is a sequel, I would absolutely pick it up. It was an enjoyable tale. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 30, 2023
A well plotted mystery full of twists and turns where you never know who you can trust.
Rami is still dealing with the emotional aftermath of her parents' divorce (her dad's fault, and she's not going to forgive him) when after a big outage Rami's phone won't power back on. Her mom is acting weird and then goes missing - she didn't show up at work or at the church meeting she leads - and after seeing someone lurking in the shadows it becomes clear that someone is definitely following Rami.
STaR -- think 1984 on steroids -- officers show up to investigate her mom's disappearance and accuse her dad of possibly being involved. Something her dad angrily denies, but then mom's car is found abandoned near his workplace...
The man who is watching Rami is getting closer and closer, and eventually turns to violence and direct threats. Rami has to put her trust in her friends, and find safety where she least wants it (dad). But it's safety she desperately needs because the violence just keeps increasing. And there are friends, family, and people who protect her, but she can never be completely sure who she can trust or who will betray her.
I liked all the planted plot-hunts and the subtle chess references but could have done without some of the religious undertones. While some plot points were very heavily foreshadowed, some younger readers would probably be surprised by most of these big reveals.
(I received an advance review copy for free).
Rami is still dealing with the emotional aftermath of her parents' divorce (her dad's fault, and she's not going to forgive him) when after a big outage Rami's phone won't power back on. Her mom is acting weird and then goes missing - she didn't show up at work or at the church meeting she leads - and after seeing someone lurking in the shadows it becomes clear that someone is definitely following Rami.
STaR -- think 1984 on steroids -- officers show up to investigate her mom's disappearance and accuse her dad of possibly being involved. Something her dad angrily denies, but then mom's car is found abandoned near his workplace...
The man who is watching Rami is getting closer and closer, and eventually turns to violence and direct threats. Rami has to put her trust in her friends, and find safety where she least wants it (dad). But it's safety she desperately needs because the violence just keeps increasing. And there are friends, family, and people who protect her, but she can never be completely sure who she can trust or who will betray her.
I liked all the planted plot-hunts and the subtle chess references but could have done without some of the religious undertones. While some plot points were very heavily foreshadowed, some younger readers would probably be surprised by most of these big reveals.
(I received an advance review copy for free).
September 2, 2023
What if nothing you did or said was private? Not your jokes with your buddies after school, family dinners, social media venting and interactions, even your alone time in your own room or walking at a park? How would you feel if your life was constantly recorded and evaluated to determine if you were a possible threat to the greater good of society? The pandemic of 2020 drug on for two crazy years. In an effort to create and maintain a more safe environment for our future, new technological standards and protocols have been put into place. The government controls electric power, the only cell phone company (through which everyone is gps tracked), the books you’re allowed to read, even daily health checks to stay ahead of any future pandemic crisis. No one seems to be trustworthy. Freedom of speech and religion are quickly a thing of the past and Rami and her friends will have to decipher how to gain a fraction of independence and privacy in a generation that is quickly erasing all traces of them both. But is it even possible? And will the dangers of challenging the system present more risks than it’s worth? This is a YA novel that had all-too-realistic inclinations of a future quite possibly to come sooner than we may think. I received this advanced reader copy for giving an honest review of the book. This YA novel gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️from me for creativity and scary realism.
September 8, 2023
Rami is like every other high schooler who has a medical screen that scans her health each morning and cameras that track her every move. That is except when a massive phone outage rips across the United States her phone is the only one not affected. It has a single ominous text message. We are watching. The message sends her life into chaos when her mother turns up missing and her estranged father is forced to care for her and her younger brother. A strange man in a ball cap and dark sunglasses seems to be following her wherever she goes, and everyone is obsessed with ‘fixing’ her phone. When cornered by this mysterious man, Rami and her brother's life are threatened and she must find out why. What was her mother a part of and what does the enemy think is hidden on her phone?
This YA near-future thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat as sixteen-year-old Rami and her tech-genius friend Finely are forced into a cyber war they didn’t even know existed.
Score sheet:
Spice/Romance: No spice, an innocent kiss
Violence: Low/mild. A knife wound requiring stitches is explained non-graphicly. A temporary kidnapping situation is present.
Morals/Worldview: Christian/good morals
Recommended reading age: 15+
This YA near-future thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat as sixteen-year-old Rami and her tech-genius friend Finely are forced into a cyber war they didn’t even know existed.
Score sheet:
Spice/Romance: No spice, an innocent kiss
Violence: Low/mild. A knife wound requiring stitches is explained non-graphicly. A temporary kidnapping situation is present.
Morals/Worldview: Christian/good morals
Recommended reading age: 15+
August 22, 2023
I have previously read Julane Fisher’s mid grade novels. The Text is totally different. It is a dystopian teen novel that obviously has its roots in the global events of 2020 and beyond. Reading the text was almost a bit concerning at times - it seems so real and so possible. Could the world play out as Fisher envisions in this story? Time will tell. Fisher definitely followed through on the “what ifs” generated by world events.
The government uses technology and social media to track its citizens and to get them to think the way they want them to. Rami and her friends get pulled into a plot to expose (or hide) what the government is doing. Many of the plot points are tied up by the end of the book, yet there were a couple things that left me hoping for a sequel to see how things play out.
This book may be an eye opener for the teen generation in a way that they can make changes to benefit all.
The Text would be a great addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for middle schoolers and up although because of the “realness” it may be too intense for some of this age group.
I received a complimentary copy of The Text. This is my honest review.
The government uses technology and social media to track its citizens and to get them to think the way they want them to. Rami and her friends get pulled into a plot to expose (or hide) what the government is doing. Many of the plot points are tied up by the end of the book, yet there were a couple things that left me hoping for a sequel to see how things play out.
This book may be an eye opener for the teen generation in a way that they can make changes to benefit all.
The Text would be a great addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for middle schoolers and up although because of the “realness” it may be too intense for some of this age group.
I received a complimentary copy of The Text. This is my honest review.
November 5, 2023
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
For the most part, I was drawn into this book pretty quickly. It’s relatable (to a certain extent) because of the pandemic and how much of our lives are on social media.
There were a few things that made it 4 stars instead of 5. First of all, there were things that I felt Rami should have figured out sooner. I can’t say specifically without containing spoilers, though. I understand that it was for suspense, but when your readers probably have it figured out before your main character, it can cause plot issues.
Secondly, there were a few places where I felt we missed important connecting I formation. Again, I don’t know how to explain specifically without getting into spoilers. But I found myself going back a few pages to reread it a few times because I didn’t follow the plot leaps in some places.they weren’t enough to make me confused, just wondering how the author got there.
That being said, I did enjoy reading the book. And I definitely think that teenagers would enjoy this story because they’ll relate to Rami and her friends.
For the most part, I was drawn into this book pretty quickly. It’s relatable (to a certain extent) because of the pandemic and how much of our lives are on social media.
There were a few things that made it 4 stars instead of 5. First of all, there were things that I felt Rami should have figured out sooner. I can’t say specifically without containing spoilers, though. I understand that it was for suspense, but when your readers probably have it figured out before your main character, it can cause plot issues.
Secondly, there were a few places where I felt we missed important connecting I formation. Again, I don’t know how to explain specifically without getting into spoilers. But I found myself going back a few pages to reread it a few times because I didn’t follow the plot leaps in some places.they weren’t enough to make me confused, just wondering how the author got there.
That being said, I did enjoy reading the book. And I definitely think that teenagers would enjoy this story because they’ll relate to Rami and her friends.
August 15, 2023
The Text is a young adult, dystopian story about 16 year old Rami Carlton. It takes place 25 years after a global pandemic. They are kept safe by the department of Safety Threats and Reinforcement (STaR). When a power outage shuts down STaR's network, Rami's world falls apart. Her mom disappears, Rami is being stalked, and everyone she loves is at risk. Rami discovers that STaR has a secret - a secret that could change everything.
What I liked: The story had a nice cadence to it, and it was very easy to read. If you like dystopian stories, this definitely fits the bill. The mysteries in the story unravel piece by piece, so you are always learning something new.
What I didn't like: I felt like the end of the story was a bit rushed. There were also some repetitive phrases and descriptions that were just a little too noticeable.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and would recommend to YA and dystopian lovers.
Thanks to Infinite Skies Publishing and author Julane Fisher for the ARC.
What I liked: The story had a nice cadence to it, and it was very easy to read. If you like dystopian stories, this definitely fits the bill. The mysteries in the story unravel piece by piece, so you are always learning something new.
What I didn't like: I felt like the end of the story was a bit rushed. There were also some repetitive phrases and descriptions that were just a little too noticeable.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and would recommend to YA and dystopian lovers.
Thanks to Infinite Skies Publishing and author Julane Fisher for the ARC.
August 19, 2023
Book Review 📚
The Text by Julane Fisher - 3.5/5 ⭐
You'd adult dystopian story, 25 years after a global pandemic. Filled with mystery and drama, it's an edge of your seat, easy and quick read.
It's refreshing to read a dystopian book that isn't full on and in your face. Instead The Text is nicely paced and very well written, with an easy to follow plot. There's intrigue throughout but not an overwhelming amount, a good amount to keep up the suspense and mystery.
The MC, Rami, is perfect. There is not only good character descriptions but also character development along the way. The characters help massively with the story and keep it nice and easy when reading.
My only issue would be the ending. It could of easily been dragged out a bit more and a couple of extra chapters thrown in, but it felt very rushed! It was still a good book with a good ending regardless of the rush at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Infinite Skies Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.
The Text by Julane Fisher - 3.5/5 ⭐
You'd adult dystopian story, 25 years after a global pandemic. Filled with mystery and drama, it's an edge of your seat, easy and quick read.
It's refreshing to read a dystopian book that isn't full on and in your face. Instead The Text is nicely paced and very well written, with an easy to follow plot. There's intrigue throughout but not an overwhelming amount, a good amount to keep up the suspense and mystery.
The MC, Rami, is perfect. There is not only good character descriptions but also character development along the way. The characters help massively with the story and keep it nice and easy when reading.
My only issue would be the ending. It could of easily been dragged out a bit more and a couple of extra chapters thrown in, but it felt very rushed! It was still a good book with a good ending regardless of the rush at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Infinite Skies Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.
August 27, 2023
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Skies Publishing for providing me and advance eCopy of this book in return for my honest opinions.
Pub Date: 19 Sep 2023
Wow! I am blown away. The book is so scarily realistic. I can totally see this happening in the next 20 to 25 years. With social media and technology advancements I can see the government being able to track and brainwash the population to think and act the way the government wants
The book was beautifully written. I became totally invested in Rami and the mystery involving the disappearence of her mother and the stalking if her by STaR.
Remi has so many questions.
Were her friends true friends or enemies? Where is her mother? Why didn't she get the STaR update? What does her Aunt have to do with everything? Who can she trust?
Who keeps texting her (how, why and how do the text disappear with no traceable history)? Who is the mystery man?
The ending was a total surprise. Rami had no clue who she could trust, who was on her side and who was against her.
Five Stars plus!!!
Pub Date: 19 Sep 2023
Wow! I am blown away. The book is so scarily realistic. I can totally see this happening in the next 20 to 25 years. With social media and technology advancements I can see the government being able to track and brainwash the population to think and act the way the government wants
The book was beautifully written. I became totally invested in Rami and the mystery involving the disappearence of her mother and the stalking if her by STaR.
Remi has so many questions.
Were her friends true friends or enemies? Where is her mother? Why didn't she get the STaR update? What does her Aunt have to do with everything? Who can she trust?
Who keeps texting her (how, why and how do the text disappear with no traceable history)? Who is the mystery man?
The ending was a total surprise. Rami had no clue who she could trust, who was on her side and who was against her.
Five Stars plus!!!
October 12, 2023
The Text by Julane Fisher reminds me of the classic 1984 by George Orwell. I read that in high school years ago, but the feelings from the novel lasted all these years. Both dystopian novels address government control and lack of privacy.
In The Text, 16-year-old Rami and her friend Fin play a coding game to guess the identities of the techies in their online chat group. Rami’s win sends her into a dangerous predicament where someone kidnaps her mother and threatens the life of her brother to get what they want from Rami, who never intended to get involved in any political corruption.
This fast-paced novel, kept me racing through the pages and left me feeling a bit worried by its realism. Even in the present, we already concern ourselves with our smart televisions, phones, and assistants listening in on us. How often do we get bursts of advertisements based on a recent search or random comment? Rami’s world feels real which makes this novel a bit on the scary side.
Trust, forgiveness and doing the right thing are themes in this novel.
In The Text, 16-year-old Rami and her friend Fin play a coding game to guess the identities of the techies in their online chat group. Rami’s win sends her into a dangerous predicament where someone kidnaps her mother and threatens the life of her brother to get what they want from Rami, who never intended to get involved in any political corruption.
This fast-paced novel, kept me racing through the pages and left me feeling a bit worried by its realism. Even in the present, we already concern ourselves with our smart televisions, phones, and assistants listening in on us. How often do we get bursts of advertisements based on a recent search or random comment? Rami’s world feels real which makes this novel a bit on the scary side.
Trust, forgiveness and doing the right thing are themes in this novel.
August 23, 2023
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this title in return for an honest review.
I LOVED this book. I read this in a day because I could not put it down. It was suspenseful and full of action and mystery. I really liked the characters also. Rami and her friends are close knit and are willing to do what it takes to have their questions answered.
Questions like:
*Who is stalking Rami & why?
*Why is she the only one who has to go to the company for the update?
*Why can’t the police find her mother when there are STaR cameras everywhere?
*Why can’t she find her aunt & what does her aunt have to do with her mother’s disappearance?
*Who can she really trust?
And to make it even better - this is a clean book. The story is told without foul language or sex, which is a refreshing change from many YA books.
I LOVED this book. I read this in a day because I could not put it down. It was suspenseful and full of action and mystery. I really liked the characters also. Rami and her friends are close knit and are willing to do what it takes to have their questions answered.
Questions like:
*Who is stalking Rami & why?
*Why is she the only one who has to go to the company for the update?
*Why can’t the police find her mother when there are STaR cameras everywhere?
*Why can’t she find her aunt & what does her aunt have to do with her mother’s disappearance?
*Who can she really trust?
And to make it even better - this is a clean book. The story is told without foul language or sex, which is a refreshing change from many YA books.
October 27, 2023
✰ 2.5-3 stars! ✰
I picked this book up when I was in the mood for something dystopian. I liked the plot with the idea of the government closely monitoring citizens after a pandemic, and the disappearance of Rami's mother. I also thought Rami's character was alright, but I didn't rlly connect with the characters. I also disliked the pacing (it felt kind of long at some parts) and the romance, which seems to be a common trope seen in many dystopian books. Overall, I did like some aspects of the book, but it ended up being a read that I wasn't super attached to. Maybe I just haven't read a book from this genre in a while? I'm not sure but I think this book is better suited for younger YA readers who enjoy dystopian stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I picked this book up when I was in the mood for something dystopian. I liked the plot with the idea of the government closely monitoring citizens after a pandemic, and the disappearance of Rami's mother. I also thought Rami's character was alright, but I didn't rlly connect with the characters. I also disliked the pacing (it felt kind of long at some parts) and the romance, which seems to be a common trope seen in many dystopian books. Overall, I did like some aspects of the book, but it ended up being a read that I wasn't super attached to. Maybe I just haven't read a book from this genre in a while? I'm not sure but I think this book is better suited for younger YA readers who enjoy dystopian stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2023
The book is intended for a young adult or even teenage audience so I do not fit the intended demographic. I liked that it shows how the mobile phone in our hands is not just a tool but can also lead our lives or even spy on all around. I also liked the premise of a message on a phone to one person whilst the network is down can be done and how this threat can make the main character almost side with the enemy to protect her sibling. As I said the book is intended for a younger audience so some of the more simplistic aspects are to be accepted. I did not like the love triangle - but again it was how people can be manipulated if they feel they or their loved ones are threatened…………. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 21, 2023
I loved how this dystopia book is an eerie reflection of today’s world. Just as George Orwell’s classic book 1984 serves as a warning, author Julane Fisher pens a fast-paced mystery that raises questions. Could this be the direction we are heading?
The plot centers around sixteen-year-old Rami’s desperate search for her mother who mysteriously disappeared. Her savvy coding skills place her in danger as she navigates around powerful individuals within government agencies and social networks who will destroy dissenters.
Fisher keeps the teens authentic, although a tiny bit stereotypical. As an adult, it’s a book I’d love to hear discussed in classes and among teens. Even though this is a fictional story, it stirs concerns about how our lives can be controlled.
The author gave me an advanced reader’s copy and insisted my review be candid and honest.
The plot centers around sixteen-year-old Rami’s desperate search for her mother who mysteriously disappeared. Her savvy coding skills place her in danger as she navigates around powerful individuals within government agencies and social networks who will destroy dissenters.
Fisher keeps the teens authentic, although a tiny bit stereotypical. As an adult, it’s a book I’d love to hear discussed in classes and among teens. Even though this is a fictional story, it stirs concerns about how our lives can be controlled.
The author gave me an advanced reader’s copy and insisted my review be candid and honest.
August 22, 2023
Fisher is today’s H.G. Wells for young adults. This clean dystopian could happen, and it chills my bones to realize Fisher’s imagination is not far from the truth of our possible future. I loved everything about this book—its harrowing plotline with numerous twists and turns, its well-developed characters, and its overarching theme of good vs evil. After penning two award-winning middle grade novels, Fisher has nailed the fast-paced, angst-ridden, high-tech stories that young adults crave. Many thanks to Infinite Teen Publishing for providing me an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 16, 2023
A satisfyingly different YA book which focuses on a teenage girl named Rami Carlton. Set in the near future, the story follows her as she tries to navigate her life following a major tech outage, and the disappearance of a much loved family member. I won't give spoilers, but this book is full of action from start to finish. Thrills, spills, twists and turns keep you turning the page as fast as you can. Quality writing, well developed characters and a believable story make this a very easy book to read. Highly recommended!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 12, 2023
I received an ARC copy from the author and I truly enjoyed this set-in-the-future dystopian YA mystery/thriller. A group of high school friends get together to help solve the mystery that arises from a company that handles all the technology in their area has a blackout. The story is set after a pandemic swept through several years prior. The mystery is who is behind the secret dealings with the technology company and why are they after Lela?
October 28, 2024
Great story, overall, but there appeared to be gaps in the text. The editing and flow were spotty, and there seemed to be some blatant AI text in this one. I don't mind the latter except when it stuck out the way it did here.
But as far as the genre and themes go, The Text hit home. That said, I'm definitely recommending this one to my pro-liberty readers as there's a lot they can get out of it.
But as far as the genre and themes go, The Text hit home. That said, I'm definitely recommending this one to my pro-liberty readers as there's a lot they can get out of it.
August 11, 2023
This dystopian novel hits closer to home than others I've read. Unlike other dystopian novels where technology has all but disappeared for one reason or another. One tech company controls the narrative. When Rami's mom goes missing she finds herself in the middle of it all. Who can she trust? If you are a fan of dystopian novels definitely read this one.
September 8, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this one.
Was a bit skeptical as it is not my normal read; but found myself sucked in by the story.
Great world building along with enjoyable characters.
Looking forward to seeing what the author does next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary copy of the book and this is my honest voluntary review.
Was a bit skeptical as it is not my normal read; but found myself sucked in by the story.
Great world building along with enjoyable characters.
Looking forward to seeing what the author does next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary copy of the book and this is my honest voluntary review.
September 21, 2023
This book is a entertaining read, full of twists and turns. The main character, Rami, is relatable in her struggle with the question 'why me?' Her normal life without intrigues beckons, but she also understands that STaR's manipulation doesn't make life any better. Highly recommended.
I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2023
Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this book.
I enjoy dystopian books and this was a decent one. A bit disjointed feeling at times but overall ok. I wasn't fully connecting with the story so it took me a while to get through but I could see a lot of people liking this.
I enjoy dystopian books and this was a decent one. A bit disjointed feeling at times but overall ok. I wasn't fully connecting with the story so it took me a while to get through but I could see a lot of people liking this.
October 1, 2025
YA dystopian intrigue
I think this book is pretty good for a YA book! I liked the FMC and her best friend, Fin. The book has the good guys and the bad guys, but shows us the choices aren't easy and come with a price. I had no idea what was going to come next which made this book hard to put down.
I think this book is pretty good for a YA book! I liked the FMC and her best friend, Fin. The book has the good guys and the bad guys, but shows us the choices aren't easy and come with a price. I had no idea what was going to come next which made this book hard to put down.
September 3, 2023
I tried with this book. I really did. But unfortunately I ended up not being able to finish it at all. I was very excited for this. Dystopian books have always been a bit of a soft spot and favorite for me. Unfortunately, I didn’t like it as much as I’d hoped. I ended up DNF:ing around 60%.
This book is set in a future a few decades after a devastating catastrophe that killed a big part of the population. They now relay very much on tech. One day after a big shut down of the network, the MC’s mother disappearears. The MC starts getting mysterious people following her. What’s really happening?
Personally, this book really didn’t hit like it should’ve. I didn’t really enjoy the pacing, it was a bit too fast. I also still don’t really understand any of the world building or really what the book was about, which might only be because of my own stupidity, but it is one reason why I could not bring myself to keep reading. I’ve tried reading this book the last few days and has finally had to admit my defeat.
I didn’t enjoy any of the characters. They all felt quite stupid to me and didn’t really have any depth. There wasn’t really a big problem with the writing, it just felt a bit shallow. All of this made me very uninterested in the story at all.
All of this made me finally give up. I hope, if you decide to read this still, you might like the book better!
This review can be found on my goodreads and will be posted to Amazon closer upon release date.
Thank you to NetGalley for an E-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book is set in a future a few decades after a devastating catastrophe that killed a big part of the population. They now relay very much on tech. One day after a big shut down of the network, the MC’s mother disappearears. The MC starts getting mysterious people following her. What’s really happening?
Personally, this book really didn’t hit like it should’ve. I didn’t really enjoy the pacing, it was a bit too fast. I also still don’t really understand any of the world building or really what the book was about, which might only be because of my own stupidity, but it is one reason why I could not bring myself to keep reading. I’ve tried reading this book the last few days and has finally had to admit my defeat.
I didn’t enjoy any of the characters. They all felt quite stupid to me and didn’t really have any depth. There wasn’t really a big problem with the writing, it just felt a bit shallow. All of this made me very uninterested in the story at all.
All of this made me finally give up. I hope, if you decide to read this still, you might like the book better!
This review can be found on my goodreads and will be posted to Amazon closer upon release date.
Thank you to NetGalley for an E-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 8, 2023
This was a really good YA, dystopian story! Good levels of tension, pace & action, lots of things going on with twists & turns through out the plot! A good idea, nicely done, some angst but that goes with the YA genre. Overall a really good read!
January 6, 2025
I was very disappointed in this book. The premise sounded so good, but it didn't make sense. I didn't understand what was going on, so much was super far-fetched, and I was struggling to piece things together. Glad to have read this but won't be picking up anything else by this author.
January 28, 2025
I LOVED the story!! I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Fisher at a local book festival in GA. I read the whole book in one session. The characters were lovable and had you pulling from them throughout the book. Story is so relevant as our youth are increasingly dependent on their devices.
September 21, 2023
This book is a entertaining read, full of twists and turns. The main character, Rami, is relatable in her struggle with the question 'why me?' Her normal life without intrigues beckons, but she also understands that STaR's manipulation doesn't make life any better. Highly recommended.
I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.
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