So Say the Waiters, Book 2: Episodes 6-9

So Say the Waiters #2

by Justin Sirois

Book 2 of Justin Sirois’s So Say the Waiters explores the history of kidnApp long before everyone carried cell phones. While Henry and Dani become accomplished kidnAppers, it’s Glen Haymaker, one of the company’s co-founders, who is stealing the show—and maybe more. He is more concerned about the public spectacle and becoming a celebrity within the network than sticking to the company’s ethics. Jess and Kelly see Haymaker’s extreme methods firsthand, and it will dramatically change their relationship. Uly, Jess’s younger brother, might be caught in that crossfire.


If So Say the Waiters Book 1 made you question what you might do with the power of kidnApp, book 2 will scare you into realizing the creators and administrators of these apps live in a world between worlds. Haymaker, through his dazzling manipulation, will push that power to its very limits.

Genres: Fiction

283 pages, ebook

First published May 1, 2013

About the author

I'm a novelist and game maker. I own Severed Books, based in Baltimore, MD.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two did not disappoint and with the set up for the third can't wait...Loved the back story of how things started and a certain father/son relationship revealed. I cant look at a shredded tire on the side of the highway without smiling now ;) .

[Hilary "Fox" · Rating 3 out of 5]

So Say the Waiters presents a fascinating concept that seems eerily possible in this day and age. The plot, as a whole, revolves around the new app KidnApp, which allows people to essentially arrange their own abduction. They write when they would want to be taken, for how long, and what they would like to have done to them. Over a 72 hour period then, they become the Waiters who the Takers eventually abduct, and then return. It's consensual, creative, and an altogether fascinating concept. Henry is hired on by the creator, his old friend Steven, to perhaps take a managerial role. Uncomfortable with the idea of Taking, he then forms an uneasy alliance with Dani, a KidnApp enthusiast who is an all too enthusiastic Waiter, and a natural Taker.

The second book in the series traces the long history of this subculture. The origins of the Takers and Waiters, and Barnstormer's early involvement and Steven's creation of the app. It also follows, naturally, Henry and Dani, and presents an interesting questionable villain in the ostentatious character of Haymaker. This volume was substantial, and continued at the good television type pace. I found myself eagerly reading, loving the twists and turns and how utterly cinematic it all is.

I really enjoy this series, and not simply due to my newfound proximity to Charm City. It's a fascinating world that Justin Sirois created, and this volume moved much faster than the first one. With the characters established, the action easily flows. I eagerly look forward to reading the next volume, and I'll definitely tune in if this series finds its way onto the small screen.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted something fresh and current to read. I certainly found it in Justin Sirois’ So Say the Waiters series. I read purely for the entertainment value and was tired of the reoccurring themes I’ve found recently in the Top Seller lists. KidnApped breaks the mold. Hip, trendy and modern, this series reads like I think. I found myself reading non-stop to the last page and now salivate waiting for the next series of episodes. I’m hooked! The kidnApp is a fictional phone App that may even become a reality in the near future, and that just makes this story all the more intriguing. I will definitely be downloading the App(currently in the BETA stage), because just like the book, it would simply be a whole lot of fun. Sirois’ characters are true to life. From the moment I met Dani, I was in love. I felt like I knew her, she’s my favorite bartender with a brain. Henry is wonderfully typical of today’s mainstream IT workforce. Together they redefine the term “great team”. I was fascinated as I watched them enter this new sub-culture of modern culture. Remember your safeword readers… you will be taken.
P.S. – Mr. Sirois, if you’re reading this review, I’m waiting to be taken. So please hurry with the next installment of your fabulous series.

[Emily Antonen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked on the first book, but this one is even better!
As one hopes to find in a series, the characters here take on deeper dimensions, plots and subplots expand, and the action heats up even more.
What I really appreciate about the author's work is that he explores the depths of all the characters. It's a deceiving ploy, actually, as you think you understand all the motivations behind their actions, and then the author puts the Kibosh on you by throwing in a plot twist when you least expect it, causing the characters to evolve and adapt. He knows how to hang suspense like a champion surfer on a big wave, compelling you to hang on for the resolve to each scene.
What a ride! It will kidnap your imagination and enrich it with a greater capacity for the possibilities in life. Let yourself submit.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tension has just ramped up to the next level. If you read the first book, you need to see this. If you haven't read the first book, you need to get it and then go right onto this one. Still an exploration of something strange in our societal makeup, this volume doesn't need any additional strangeness over what was introduced in the first and it doesn't strain itself to try. Instead, the stakes rise rapidly, making this one more about the tension and the development of the plot over weirdness of the situation. It does it well. I can't wait for the next, and I'd actually watch it if this ever got made into a TV show. Stop just watching, click submit and start waiting.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked book 2 better than book 1 - it expanded on several characters who were much more interesting to me than the characters in book 1. There is a young lesbian who is "helping" her girlfriend, who is a Taker. And her teen brother, who is a poet. We are also given the history of KidnApping, and learn that Barnstormer is the father of the founder. We are also given hints that Haymaker is up to...something, something nefarious.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something a little different to read.

[Jamie Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had planned on reading one "episode" a day, but ended up devouring it instead... Like any great ensemble story -- Buffy, the Wire, Seinfeld, Star Wars, I could name a dozen more -- it picks up steam an layers meaning on top of meaning as you dig deeper. No spoilers, but I will say I wish the "bad guy" piled on more menace, more concretely, and more quickly --but I don't doubt that's coming around the next corner right quick. When's the next one out?

[Sabra Kurth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Said the Waiter Book 2 is another wild ride through the streets of Baltimore. Henry continues his Taker apprenticeship at KidnApp--enlisting the assistance of veteran waiter, Dani , who proves to invaluable with some of Henry's takings. The reader learns more about the origins of KidnApp and learns more about Kelly, Jess, and Ulysses. Continues the fun of Book 1. Can't wait for the next installment.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better! Dani is, as I hoped, slowly bringing Henry around.

The twists added in this installment have me on the edge of my seat. What's up with Haymaker? How are thing going to end up with Barnstormer and Elyse? Will Henry continue to evolve from his gloomy state? I can't wait to see how it all comes together!!!

Looking forward to book 3...hopefully it will be out very early in 2014!

[kt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so mad at the author. Now I have to wait. Again.

[Victoria McVicker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 was another great read. Easy, entertaining and it kept my interest. Now what????? Book 3 will be out: ________________? Fill in the blank, Justin!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book two in a series. There is no drop off in quality from the first book to this one. It complements the first book, and it starts right where it left off.
This book two gives readers more background information on kidnApp and how and why it was created. It goes into more detail about the founders including bringing forth a family relationship that was not known before.
Henry and Dani are back and are continuing their partnership in taking waiters. Henry is still not completely sold on the idea that he could do this as a job, but Dani’s enthusiasm keeps him going.
Their personalities balance each other out. Henry is very laid back and unsure of himself, while Dani is very outgoing and energetic. Carrying over from the first book, Henry is still whiney. I am curious to see if that continues as the series comes to a close, or if he becomes more confident in the job. I have the feeling that if either of them are going to mess up, it is going to be Henry.
As I was hoping, the story lines of Jess and Uly was continued, and they became way more relevant in this one. I was glad to see that since they were the only characters I didn’t really understand in the first book. Now, I am curious to see how they continue on as well.
I really liked the waiters that were introduced in this one. They were interesting. One is a reporter working on a story about the app, the other is a man with severe OCD. I was wondering how that take was going to work out, and I was really pleased with how it went.
The world of kidnApp seems like it is heating up with Haymaker going a little crazy towards the end to try to prove himself. I am looking forward to seeing how it affects the company.
As I started with, this was a great middle book. It tied up a few loose ends, gave some background information, and was open enough to make you look forward to reading the third one.
4.5/5 Stars

[grundoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unsurprisingly, more of the same. Except there's a (slight) touch of character maturing, origins are visited, and seemingly even more typos. I understand that this was probably just too long to put out as a single book, but that should have been a clear sign that significant editing was called for - there's simply no good reason for this story to run to nearly 900 pages (there's a 3rd volume), and the author does nothing to help the reader reorient oneself after a break.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This follow-up to the first book was my favorite of the series. The story telling just gets better and better – the characters become even more developed, the plot thickens, and I felt myself becoming more wrapped up in the whole thing. Plus, it just made me feel cool reading it!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read Book 1, so was a bit lost here, as this is definitely not a standalone. While some things confused me (the money flow, for instance), I did find some of the ideas and characters intriguing.

[Kim Briffa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am looking forward to the next book. I had a hard time wanting to put down the first book, the second proved to be the very same.
The characters keep you wanting more.

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing was good, editing was terrible

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

kinda freaky, but just enough to want to make you keep going. I would probably say closer to 3.5.