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Wire Wings
A stunning YA science fiction novel that weaves an exciting digital world with a heartfelt story about grief, identity, and human connection. For fans of The Lunar Chronicles and Catherynne M. Valente's The Past is Red who are looking for an original twist on the genre.
Graciela Neumann does as she's told. She cowers beneath the towering intellect of her parents, goes to school, toes the line. Except when she's connected to the virtual reality world that gives every teenager what we can only imagine-to be completely free.
In the Waves, Graciela can be anyone, anywhere, anywhen. And in the real world, Graciela is drowning. Her best friend recently passed away, she's suffering from crippling panic attacks, and her only connection to life is Khaiam, who keeps trying to draw her back to reality. But how can he compete with the Waves? There, she can shed her identity and recreate it however she wants. And in that world, there's Thomas, the stunning stranger she's only ever met online, the boy with the deep, sad eyes and beautiful laugh. Thomas seems to be able to defy the rules of the Waves, and he holds secrets of his own-about the origins of his creation, about the nature of AI, and about Gracie's own past.
Graciela Neumann does as she's told. She cowers beneath the towering intellect of her parents, goes to school, toes the line. Except when she's connected to the virtual reality world that gives every teenager what we can only imagine-to be completely free.
In the Waves, Graciela can be anyone, anywhere, anywhen. And in the real world, Graciela is drowning. Her best friend recently passed away, she's suffering from crippling panic attacks, and her only connection to life is Khaiam, who keeps trying to draw her back to reality. But how can he compete with the Waves? There, she can shed her identity and recreate it however she wants. And in that world, there's Thomas, the stunning stranger she's only ever met online, the boy with the deep, sad eyes and beautiful laugh. Thomas seems to be able to defy the rules of the Waves, and he holds secrets of his own-about the origins of his creation, about the nature of AI, and about Gracie's own past.
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Published October 17, 2024
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About the author
Wren Handman
16 books44 followersWren Handman is a novelist and screenwriter living in soggy Vancouver, which gives her plenty of time to curl up in front of a computer.
She primarily writes young adult fiction and fantasy novels. In her screenwriting, her emphasis is on the real world with a touch of fantastical. She believes that what we see in media impacts how we see the world, and she hopes to make that view brighter.
She primarily writes young adult fiction and fantasy novels. In her screenwriting, her emphasis is on the real world with a touch of fantastical. She believes that what we see in media impacts how we see the world, and she hopes to make that view brighter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 10, 2021
WIRE WINGS is a compelling story about grief; about the gaping holes left by the lose of someone you loved. It's about escapism; pushing aside your real-world worries, and leaving reality behind. It's about identity; the masks we choose for ourselves, and the core of us beneath them all. It's about love; the awkwardness of friendships that existed because of other people, the complicated dynamics of parent and child, and the purity of connection that reaches down past your skin and into the truth of you and being accepted for it.
[..] sometimes she wonders what makes a person real.
This story takes place in the not-so-distant future and Handman's world mostly resembles our own but the world she's created in the Waves, this VR-esque experience, is like nothing else. Calling them games doesn't do them justice, but the experiences, everything, are vivid and fascinating and a stark change in pace from Graciela's every day existence where she's barely getting by, barely able to breathe, and feeling overlooked and lost.
WIRE WINGS is equal parts exciting and colourful as well as heartbreaking and tragic. There is such beauty in the prose, mirrored in all the worlds we flit in and out of, but that ache of loss and devastation is never truly gone and resonates both viscerally and also subtlely throughout. It's reaching for the hand that isn't there. Walking into rooms that were once filled with laughter. In the friendships held together by a body that no longer takes up any space. It's in the bloom of a romance that can't be shared with the one you most want to tell. The name you can barely speak for choking on the syllables. But most of all, it's in the acknowledgement of their memory when you find moments of happiness and not flincing away from it or feeling guilty.
This story is brilliant, bittersweet, and beautiful, and I think you should read it.
4.5 stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
[..] sometimes she wonders what makes a person real.
This story takes place in the not-so-distant future and Handman's world mostly resembles our own but the world she's created in the Waves, this VR-esque experience, is like nothing else. Calling them games doesn't do them justice, but the experiences, everything, are vivid and fascinating and a stark change in pace from Graciela's every day existence where she's barely getting by, barely able to breathe, and feeling overlooked and lost.
WIRE WINGS is equal parts exciting and colourful as well as heartbreaking and tragic. There is such beauty in the prose, mirrored in all the worlds we flit in and out of, but that ache of loss and devastation is never truly gone and resonates both viscerally and also subtlely throughout. It's reaching for the hand that isn't there. Walking into rooms that were once filled with laughter. In the friendships held together by a body that no longer takes up any space. It's in the bloom of a romance that can't be shared with the one you most want to tell. The name you can barely speak for choking on the syllables. But most of all, it's in the acknowledgement of their memory when you find moments of happiness and not flincing away from it or feeling guilty.
This story is brilliant, bittersweet, and beautiful, and I think you should read it.
4.5 stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
June 8, 2020
ARC provided by Wren Handman. All opinions are mine and freely given.
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"He is a beautiful, perhaps unrepeatable, fluke, like the rumors of cold fusion. And, if they cannot catch him, it will be equally impossible to prove that he was ever real."
06-08: Every so often in the media industry.. you come across a creator so special that you know they could be the 'next big thing.' I've always had a keen eye for this. I knew it with musicians like Alice in Chains and Stone and Jeff from Pearl Jam (then Mother Love Bone) before they got label deals. I knew it with Linkin Park the moment I heard the advance copy of Hybrid Theory. I've always been an early adopter on promoting those artists that trigger that feeling in me because I know the difference between someone with that skill remaining lesser known and actually blowing up across their industry.. is largely luck.
In the last several months, I've been lucky myself. Lucky enough to cross paths with a handful of authors that fall into that category.. knowing that if the right sets of eyes see their work.. even the sky isn't something that could contain them.
Wren Handman is one of them. I had a feeling about her when I read a novel she released called 'In Restless Dreams.' There is a subtlety to her writing that beautifully distracts with one hand while leading with the other and in that.. 'Wire Wings', which is slated to release on June 23rd, 2020.. is no exception.. but it is extraordinary in every other way.
Graciela is a 'good girl.' She seems to feel small.. veritably crushed by her intellectual.. but emotionally distant parents and the loss of her best friend. She's an expectedly brilliant girl who adheres to the rules and gets good grades. But in the VR world called the Waves.. she can be who she wants to be.. the person she believes she is.. deep down. Free, strong-willed, decisive.
"Gracie recognizes the sound of something delicate breaking. She knows no one else has seen it, wishes she could stop the fallout but knows the bomb has already gone off; it's just traveling through space, taking time to reach them. By the time you see the light of a star, it has died a thousand years before."
In the real world, Gracie's struggling. Her panic attacks are getting worse all the time and Khaiam, her best friend's former boyfriend.. is nearly the only thing she has left of Calista.
Then she meets Thomas. A stranger in the Waves with eyes that pull her in like a moth to a flame. He's charismatic and seems dangerous at times, fueling her desire to spend more time in VR than her real life. He seems to be able to defy all laws of code within the Waves and though he repeatedly finds her when she Dives.. he keeps his own secrets close. She doesn't know who he really is or how he came to be, much less why he continues to seek her out time after time.
"Revelry. Alcohol. Fire. Nothing can go wrong."
I can't possibly express how much I love this story.. how moving and exhilirating it is.. all at once.
The characters are richly developed with complex relationships, problems that are realistic even in their fantastical presentation. Handman is amazing at showing the vulnerable layers beneath the veneers. I've seen her do so in both the aforementioned books.
Like us, they often have carefully constructed appearances. Protective shells that help them survive pain and loneliness, grief and loss, fear and insecurities. While managing to let us peek beneath these veneers, she still allows the characters the illusion of keeping them in place for a time and when they ultimately crumble, the result tugs at your heart.
"Don't you sometimes feel your body is a prison around your soul?"
The story is full of hope though.. hope and worry. A yearning for something more.. some.. better connection to those around us that I think speaks to us on a level deeper than our conscious might always allow. You want so desperately for everything to turn out right for Graciela and her friends.. their journey.. fraught with risks.. some you can see instantly.. and others which remain hidden from you. While I saw one big reveal coming within the first few chapters, there were still unexpected turns.. especially toward the conclusion.. and what an ending it is!
Eventually, through one of the characters, the author herself draws parallel between this story and a well known myth. A favorite of mine, though I won't ruin anything for you by telling you what it is. I will say, it surprised me.. though in hindsight it shouldn't have. The story is just so elegantly crafted, so immersive.. that I never even considered the implications.
In truth, I don't know if she really means 'Wire Wings' to be a retelling or if it's just a similarity she wanted to point out to the reader. I hesitate to call it that, since it almost feels as if naming it anything else might diminish it in some way. But if it is indeed a retelling of the famous story.. it is quite possibly the most stunningly original retelling I have ever read.
If you read only one indie title releasing this month, let it be this one.
PRE-ORDER LINKS: BARNES & NOBLE | GOOGLEPLAY BOOKS | KOBO | PARLIAMENT HOUSE PRESS
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06-07: This book is everything. Review to come.
06-03: I love this lady's work, so I was beyond thrilled at the opportunity to get my hands on another of her books early. Already so intrigued!
June 23, 2020
Synopsis:
Graciela Neumann's father along with his friend has created the first AI ever. It exists in a virtual reality world called the Waves, the same world in which his team launched a feature called Dive a few years back. Dive lets you have the ultimate sensory experience. Now, while he refers to the AI as an 'it', the AI has appeared in the form of a 'he' in front of Gracie. She is in love with him, with Thomas. While he appears in a number of forms in that world, something about his eyes seems familiar to Gracie. But is he what she thinks he is, what she thinks she wants?
Review:
A futuristic story or something set in the very present? From its mysterious beginning, Wire Wings captured my imagination from there to the instance when Gracie met him for the first time. With terms that are as familiar as on a beach to something right out of the future, a virtual reality world where you can feel through all of your five senses, a place where you can be whoever you want to be. Gracie too adopts various personas, as and when she sees fit.
Gracie's best friend in the real-world is Khaiam Fadel. A story set in the latter part of the twenty-first century, with hardly any birds, it felt like a dystopia in some instances. It's always as interesting as it's amusing to read a futuristic story. To see some things which have advanced well beyond what we visualise while to see some other things that never change.
Gracie and Khaiam were a part of a trio before they lost one of them. Supporting each other, Khaiam seems to be losing Gracie too, sometimes. Because she's trying to find a phantom. Their friend Calista died three months ago, which devastated both of them and led Graciela to suffer from severe panic attacks.
The AI - Thomas - seems to be following her, popping up in the most unlikely of places in the Waves. It feels to Gracie like she knows him from before, in that he feels like home to her. Even though he behaves quite weirdly sometimes.
An outstanding story questioning what is real vs what is virtual. A story where you will be taking sides about whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) is beneficial or risky. A timely story about the pitfalls of too much dependence on technology, to the point of forgetting life outside of it. Of creating something that is beyond your control. It reminded me of certain sections of some episodes of Black Mirror.
This story gave me all the feels. A story which is science fiction at its core, which has its heart in the right place, which belongs to at least two more genres which I won't point out here since it will kinda give away the story, along with a touch of philosophy. This was such a diverse read, whether it be in regards to the representation of genders or nationalities.
The secret that is revealed in the end, there were hints throughout the story and halfway through the book I somewhat guessed it. And what a twisted ending it was, where the epilogue completely threw me off!
Thank you to The Parliament House Press for an e-ARC of the book.
You can read the first two chapters here.
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
Graciela Neumann's father along with his friend has created the first AI ever. It exists in a virtual reality world called the Waves, the same world in which his team launched a feature called Dive a few years back. Dive lets you have the ultimate sensory experience. Now, while he refers to the AI as an 'it', the AI has appeared in the form of a 'he' in front of Gracie. She is in love with him, with Thomas. While he appears in a number of forms in that world, something about his eyes seems familiar to Gracie. But is he what she thinks he is, what she thinks she wants?
Review:
A futuristic story or something set in the very present? From its mysterious beginning, Wire Wings captured my imagination from there to the instance when Gracie met him for the first time. With terms that are as familiar as on a beach to something right out of the future, a virtual reality world where you can feel through all of your five senses, a place where you can be whoever you want to be. Gracie too adopts various personas, as and when she sees fit.
Gracie's best friend in the real-world is Khaiam Fadel. A story set in the latter part of the twenty-first century, with hardly any birds, it felt like a dystopia in some instances. It's always as interesting as it's amusing to read a futuristic story. To see some things which have advanced well beyond what we visualise while to see some other things that never change.
No one ever walks in silence, not really, but somehow when words are absent the other little sounds don’t rush in to fill the void.
Gracie and Khaiam were a part of a trio before they lost one of them. Supporting each other, Khaiam seems to be losing Gracie too, sometimes. Because she's trying to find a phantom. Their friend Calista died three months ago, which devastated both of them and led Graciela to suffer from severe panic attacks.
The AI - Thomas - seems to be following her, popping up in the most unlikely of places in the Waves. It feels to Gracie like she knows him from before, in that he feels like home to her. Even though he behaves quite weirdly sometimes.
He stalks closer, his voice intense, the light in his eyes blazing, burning, and Gracie realizes for the first time that fire, however beautiful, doesn’t just burn. It consumes.
An outstanding story questioning what is real vs what is virtual. A story where you will be taking sides about whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) is beneficial or risky. A timely story about the pitfalls of too much dependence on technology, to the point of forgetting life outside of it. Of creating something that is beyond your control. It reminded me of certain sections of some episodes of Black Mirror.
This story gave me all the feels. A story which is science fiction at its core, which has its heart in the right place, which belongs to at least two more genres which I won't point out here since it will kinda give away the story, along with a touch of philosophy. This was such a diverse read, whether it be in regards to the representation of genders or nationalities.
She wonders how easy it is to forgive someone when we’re afraid we might lose them, and how hard when we think we won’t.
The secret that is revealed in the end, there were hints throughout the story and halfway through the book I somewhat guessed it. And what a twisted ending it was, where the epilogue completely threw me off!
Thank you to The Parliament House Press for an e-ARC of the book.
You can read the first two chapters here.
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
Read
December 29, 2023This one is close to my heart. I hope you all enjoy reading Wire Wings as much as I enjoyed bringing Graciela's story to life. It's about grief, and the nature of identity in a world where everything is changeable.
June 21, 2020
Wire Wings is a stunning novel about grief, identity, and what it means to be real. When I first started this book, I got Matrix meets Ready Player One vibes, but this book is so much more than that. Graciela, our leading lady, is struggling with profound loss and panic attacks as she grapples with being the B student daughter of genius parents she worries she’ll never live up to. Her only escape is diving into the Waves—a virtual world where people can be whoever they want. Where Graciela believes herself to be timid and unimpressive in the physical world, the Waves and all its forbidden corners offer her a space to explore various facets of her identity, and throughout the novel, she is confronted with the question of which of those is real. Her encounters with a mysterious and elusive AI invented by her father, and the question of whether he should be afforded humanity or not, permeate the novel.
I don’t want to dive into plot summary too much because for me the joy this book is really in its themes and character interactions. The philosophy nerd in me lived for the ontological discussions about what constitutes lived reality, what it means to have personhood, and how we make decisions about who we are. Gracie’s heated discussions with the AI about which world is more real—the physical or the virtual world—were particularly compelling. Similarly, I loved Gracie’s debates with her father about the AI’s humanity and contested notions of control over that humanity. I appreciated above all the nuance of these discussions, the subtle callout of binary thinking and false dichotomies, and the space given for complex personhoods and identities.
I loved Khaiman and Gracie’s friendship; it’s honestly something we need more of in books. Gracie’s struggles navigating her place in Khaiman’s life after a mutual loss was compelling and heartfelt. I also found myself relating to Gracie quite a lot despite our difference in age. I could empathize with her feelings of alienation from her real-world community, her questions about how she fit in in her social circles, and her insecurities about living up to her parents’ brilliance. There is honestly so much to love here. The backdrop of the story is a believably futuristic world that feels just around the corner, which for me set it apart from the more far-fetched, post-apocalyptic futures of the works I mentioned earlier. This added to the realism and intimacy of the story, and I was here for every second of it.
I don’t want to dive into plot summary too much because for me the joy this book is really in its themes and character interactions. The philosophy nerd in me lived for the ontological discussions about what constitutes lived reality, what it means to have personhood, and how we make decisions about who we are. Gracie’s heated discussions with the AI about which world is more real—the physical or the virtual world—were particularly compelling. Similarly, I loved Gracie’s debates with her father about the AI’s humanity and contested notions of control over that humanity. I appreciated above all the nuance of these discussions, the subtle callout of binary thinking and false dichotomies, and the space given for complex personhoods and identities.
I loved Khaiman and Gracie’s friendship; it’s honestly something we need more of in books. Gracie’s struggles navigating her place in Khaiman’s life after a mutual loss was compelling and heartfelt. I also found myself relating to Gracie quite a lot despite our difference in age. I could empathize with her feelings of alienation from her real-world community, her questions about how she fit in in her social circles, and her insecurities about living up to her parents’ brilliance. There is honestly so much to love here. The backdrop of the story is a believably futuristic world that feels just around the corner, which for me set it apart from the more far-fetched, post-apocalyptic futures of the works I mentioned earlier. This added to the realism and intimacy of the story, and I was here for every second of it.
June 9, 2020
Click for a detailed review and, maybe, spoilers.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, I had the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Wire Wings by Wren Handman. My opinions are my own.
The book is a solid 3.5/5*. I’ve read several VR books in the last couple of years. Wire Wings is not top of the class but it is a very pleasant read. It deals with love, loss, friendship, metamorphosis, and the discovery of the self at the backdrop of a VR theme.
The writing is beautiful and immersive, making the world of Graciela and those around her vivid, exciting, real, even the virtual one. We have an AI on the run, a girl fighting with trauma, a friend mourning his own losses. In terms of character development, I did not like the self-deprecation from which Gracie starts, but really liked the way she goes. The story is an emotional roller-coaster, not foreign to anyone who’s been a teenager. And even though it’s been a decade since I last called myself a teen, the book touches you in all the right spots.
I would’ve loved some more character development. That and the fact the main plot twist became obvious a third into the book made me drop my rating. There’s a second twist, though, right at the end of the book, which sets up nicely for a sequel, and I hope we get one. It was a very brave thing the author did, and I would love to see her handle the situation. And I’m not going to lie, I’m looking forward to more Khaiam.
Overall, despite its shortcomings, the constant use of ‘she’, and the somewhat slow start, Wire Wings truly grows on you. The last pages of the last chapter blew my mind and kind of made me believe this is a character-driven story, and those are my favorite. It is a VR adventure worth going on.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, I had the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Wire Wings by Wren Handman. My opinions are my own.
The book is a solid 3.5/5*. I’ve read several VR books in the last couple of years. Wire Wings is not top of the class but it is a very pleasant read. It deals with love, loss, friendship, metamorphosis, and the discovery of the self at the backdrop of a VR theme.
The writing is beautiful and immersive, making the world of Graciela and those around her vivid, exciting, real, even the virtual one. We have an AI on the run, a girl fighting with trauma, a friend mourning his own losses. In terms of character development, I did not like the self-deprecation from which Gracie starts, but really liked the way she goes. The story is an emotional roller-coaster, not foreign to anyone who’s been a teenager. And even though it’s been a decade since I last called myself a teen, the book touches you in all the right spots.
I would’ve loved some more character development. That and the fact the main plot twist became obvious a third into the book made me drop my rating. There’s a second twist, though, right at the end of the book, which sets up nicely for a sequel, and I hope we get one. It was a very brave thing the author did, and I would love to see her handle the situation. And I’m not going to lie, I’m looking forward to more Khaiam.
Overall, despite its shortcomings, the constant use of ‘she’, and the somewhat slow start, Wire Wings truly grows on you. The last pages of the last chapter blew my mind and kind of made me believe this is a character-driven story, and those are my favorite. It is a VR adventure worth going on.
June 23, 2020
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book from Parliament Press, and I am so glad I did. This book is so imaginative, and the premise of the book is unbelievably well thought out.
The book is about Graciela ‘Gracie’, daughter of Maxwell a famous scientist who has worked on AI technology and created Sasquatch, a virtual reality where people can wire up and be whoever they want.
Like the real internet, there are dark places, adult only zones, and games. It is very cleverly written, and so many twists and turns. It is very futuristic, but everything in the book could be possible with the advancement of technology.
Gracie is grieving and seeks solace in a world she has become overly familiar with. She can’t help but dive in and explore races, partake in missions, and abuse her privileges of being one of the inventors daughters. But when Gracie’s avatar meets an intriguing character, all is not quite as it seems.
I don’t want to say too much on this book, as I don’t want to ruin any of the incredible plot twists, but this book is amazing.
I am so glad I got to explore this book, and I look forward to reading more of this authors work. This is the perfect read for those who love alternate realities/ sci-fi books. You will not be disappointed, and will no doubt read this book in a full day like I did.
The book is about Graciela ‘Gracie’, daughter of Maxwell a famous scientist who has worked on AI technology and created Sasquatch, a virtual reality where people can wire up and be whoever they want.
Like the real internet, there are dark places, adult only zones, and games. It is very cleverly written, and so many twists and turns. It is very futuristic, but everything in the book could be possible with the advancement of technology.
Gracie is grieving and seeks solace in a world she has become overly familiar with. She can’t help but dive in and explore races, partake in missions, and abuse her privileges of being one of the inventors daughters. But when Gracie’s avatar meets an intriguing character, all is not quite as it seems.
I don’t want to say too much on this book, as I don’t want to ruin any of the incredible plot twists, but this book is amazing.
I am so glad I got to explore this book, and I look forward to reading more of this authors work. This is the perfect read for those who love alternate realities/ sci-fi books. You will not be disappointed, and will no doubt read this book in a full day like I did.
June 19, 2020
4.5 Stars
Wow, where to even start. This book was beautiful and the story telling was nothing short of breathtaking. This is a story about grief, about moving on, and it explores those gaping holes left by the lose of a loved one. This story really explores the relationships we have in our lives-those awkward friendships and the intimacy of the ones we love. One of the themes I loved from this book was the face we put on for the world when we are hiding our grief and feelings. This story was exciting, beautiful, and tragic all written into one amazing work of art. I'd recommend this for fans of 'The Astonishing Color of After'.
Wow, where to even start. This book was beautiful and the story telling was nothing short of breathtaking. This is a story about grief, about moving on, and it explores those gaping holes left by the lose of a loved one. This story really explores the relationships we have in our lives-those awkward friendships and the intimacy of the ones we love. One of the themes I loved from this book was the face we put on for the world when we are hiding our grief and feelings. This story was exciting, beautiful, and tragic all written into one amazing work of art. I'd recommend this for fans of 'The Astonishing Color of After'.
June 15, 2020
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
~Quick Statistics~
Overall: 5/5 Stars
Plot: 5/5 Stars
Setting: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5 Stars
Writing: 5/5 Stars
Memorability: 5/5 Stars
~Quick Review~
There are not enough words to express how amazing Wire Wings by Wren Handman truly is. If I’m being honest, Wire Wings is probably my favorite book to date. I have never had my mind blown while also simultaneously being depressed and sad, yet also strangely happy at the same time. This novel put me through a mixture of emotions, conveying so many things in its descriptive nature. I love this book.
~Other Information~
Publisher: The Parliament House
Page Count: 284 pages
Release Date: June 23, 2020
Wire Wings deals with grief, panic attacks, and anxiety, so if you are sensitive to these things be aware of the issues coming up in the novel before starting to read it.
~Quick Synopsis~
Graciela Neumann’s father is the creator of the Waves; an interaction internet that allows you to be anyone or anything that you want to be. After the death of her closest friend, Gracie suffers from panic attacks and immense grief. Her parents do not understand and her Line (her connection to the Waves) is the only thing that makes her feel better. However, after a failed “program” by her father’s company, she starts being followed by the AI, Ch4l1e. Except, he hates that name for some reason. Ch4l1e (Charlie), renamed Thomas, and Gracie becomes friends, helping each other in any way they can. Somehow, the hole in Gracie’s heart starts to close, yet the mystery of why Thomas hates Paul, her father’s coworker, and deceased friend’s father, and many other things keep getting in the way. Gracie wants to find out how Thomas was created if he’s really human, and if so, why her father’s company is trying to capture it. All of these things pile up upon another until Gracie feels like she’s drowning, however, Thomas might just keep her afloat.
~Characters~
Part of the reason why I loved Wire Wings so much was because I found the characters so relatable. Especially Gracie. Gracie had just lost her best friend and was still in the early stages of grief. She had frequent panic attacks and felt like she couldn’t talk to anyone else about them due to other people having their own problems. Unfortunately (I say unfortunately as in people shouldn’t have to go through stuff like grief, anxiety, panic attacks, etc.), I feel like this is something the majority of teens/young adults can relate to. While I have never had a panic attack, I have had people close to me pass away, and it was really hard to get back to normal after that (I’m still not back to normal after a few years). Gracie used the waves as a way to escape the real world and live a different life; an exciting, pain-free life. Gracie uses the Waves to portray herself as strong, powerful, cunning, female characters (almost like a video game in a way) so that she can feel safe and in control somewhere in her life. In the waves is where she meets Thomas (or Ch4l1e, but he hates that name, so it’s Thomas).
Thomas is an AI who Gracie’s father’s company “created”. He has so much control over the Waves that the company calls him a security threat, and later on, goes so far as to call him a terrorist. Thomas is sweet, formidable, and caring. He and Gracie fall in love, and you can see he cares about her by the way he acts. I caught myself blushing, I was so excited and in love with their romance. (It was honestly adorable!) However, while a huge part of me likes Thomas, for reasons I cannot disclose due to major spoilers, another part of me hates him. That’s right. Hates him. I cannot say that I blame him for some particular actions, but still. He was so selfish at certain points it was nauseating. You had to wonder whether he really cared about Gracie or if he was really just some AI using her for higher achievements like Gracie’s father assumed. Anyways, I still fell in love with Gracie and Thomas’s romance, which ended up crushing me in the end, just not in the way you’d expect.
Khaiam is Gracie’s best friend since her other best friend (Khaiam’s girlfriend) died. Khaiam and Gracie are both pretty insecure in their friendship as at first, they feel their mutual deceased friend (whose name I have forgotten) was the only thing holding their friendship together. This is not the case, but they are both still very insecure and scared about losing each other throughout the novel, only confessing their feelings towards the end. Khaiam honestly deserves the Best Friend of the Year award. Gracie practically abandons him for a while when she spends time with Thomas, not even bothering to explain to her best friend that they are dating each other. I don’t know about you, but if I was dating a “machine” who my father was calling a threat and trying to capture and kill, then I would be telling my best friend! Who else are you going to trust? Anyways, Khaiam was a supporting character, but I still loved him. He was so kind and sweet, he also always put Gracie first and tried to help her with her anxiety and panic attacks. So yeah, Khaiam is officially the Best Friend of the Year in my book.
Overall, as stated before, I felt the characters were really relatable and the majority of them were likable (except for Bella, I did not like her, but she isn’t really important anyway), and in the end, I fell in love with every one of them.
~Writing and Setting~
The writing in Wire Wings was so intriguing and descriptive, it really helped me understand the concept of such things as Surfaces, Waves, Dives, Surfs, etc. All of which I am not going to attempt explaining because that would be futile.
The world-building in Wire Wings is also equally as incredible as the writing and characters. As mentioned before, Gracie and many others use the Waves as a means to escape the real world. To my understanding, the Waves are practically like VR (Virtual Reality) except way more advanced. Practically the internet is embedded in the Waves, which allow you to go to an alternate reality where you can feel, taste, smell, hear, and see everything going on. While there are some sites in the Waves where if you die you are banned, the majority of the sites allow you to die and come back (although death in the Waves is as painful as death in real life?). Anyways, the world-building is amazing, to say the least.
~Plot~
I can’t even begin to describe how perfect the plot is. My mind is blown; a bomb has gone off inside my brain. The pacing of Wire Wings is perfect. It keeps you entertained while still maintaining a level of mystery surrounding the major plot points in the novel. I cannot say too much without giving away any spoilers, but it is beyond me how Wren Handman got this idea and wrote it down so beautifully for us to read. The big reveal of the answers to Gracie’s questions of Thomas’s origin left me stunned and flipping the pages to try and find out what happened next.
There are so many things that left me with my mouth open and my stomach in a knot. I could not set the book down once I got into it, and as I said before, Wire Wings is most likely my favorite book that I’ve read.
~Overall Review~
Overall, Wire Wings by Wren Handman was astonishing and beautiful. The ending left me feeling sad and baffled, but the story was exquisite. I am so, so glad that I was able to receive an ARC and review this amazing novel.
Amazon
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
~Quick Statistics~
Overall: 5/5 Stars
Plot: 5/5 Stars
Setting: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5 Stars
Writing: 5/5 Stars
Memorability: 5/5 Stars
~Quick Review~
There are not enough words to express how amazing Wire Wings by Wren Handman truly is. If I’m being honest, Wire Wings is probably my favorite book to date. I have never had my mind blown while also simultaneously being depressed and sad, yet also strangely happy at the same time. This novel put me through a mixture of emotions, conveying so many things in its descriptive nature. I love this book.
~Other Information~
Publisher: The Parliament House
Page Count: 284 pages
Release Date: June 23, 2020
Wire Wings deals with grief, panic attacks, and anxiety, so if you are sensitive to these things be aware of the issues coming up in the novel before starting to read it.
~Quick Synopsis~
Graciela Neumann’s father is the creator of the Waves; an interaction internet that allows you to be anyone or anything that you want to be. After the death of her closest friend, Gracie suffers from panic attacks and immense grief. Her parents do not understand and her Line (her connection to the Waves) is the only thing that makes her feel better. However, after a failed “program” by her father’s company, she starts being followed by the AI, Ch4l1e. Except, he hates that name for some reason. Ch4l1e (Charlie), renamed Thomas, and Gracie becomes friends, helping each other in any way they can. Somehow, the hole in Gracie’s heart starts to close, yet the mystery of why Thomas hates Paul, her father’s coworker, and deceased friend’s father, and many other things keep getting in the way. Gracie wants to find out how Thomas was created if he’s really human, and if so, why her father’s company is trying to capture it. All of these things pile up upon another until Gracie feels like she’s drowning, however, Thomas might just keep her afloat.
~Characters~
Part of the reason why I loved Wire Wings so much was because I found the characters so relatable. Especially Gracie. Gracie had just lost her best friend and was still in the early stages of grief. She had frequent panic attacks and felt like she couldn’t talk to anyone else about them due to other people having their own problems. Unfortunately (I say unfortunately as in people shouldn’t have to go through stuff like grief, anxiety, panic attacks, etc.), I feel like this is something the majority of teens/young adults can relate to. While I have never had a panic attack, I have had people close to me pass away, and it was really hard to get back to normal after that (I’m still not back to normal after a few years). Gracie used the waves as a way to escape the real world and live a different life; an exciting, pain-free life. Gracie uses the Waves to portray herself as strong, powerful, cunning, female characters (almost like a video game in a way) so that she can feel safe and in control somewhere in her life. In the waves is where she meets Thomas (or Ch4l1e, but he hates that name, so it’s Thomas).
Thomas is an AI who Gracie’s father’s company “created”. He has so much control over the Waves that the company calls him a security threat, and later on, goes so far as to call him a terrorist. Thomas is sweet, formidable, and caring. He and Gracie fall in love, and you can see he cares about her by the way he acts. I caught myself blushing, I was so excited and in love with their romance. (It was honestly adorable!) However, while a huge part of me likes Thomas, for reasons I cannot disclose due to major spoilers, another part of me hates him. That’s right. Hates him. I cannot say that I blame him for some particular actions, but still. He was so selfish at certain points it was nauseating. You had to wonder whether he really cared about Gracie or if he was really just some AI using her for higher achievements like Gracie’s father assumed. Anyways, I still fell in love with Gracie and Thomas’s romance, which ended up crushing me in the end, just not in the way you’d expect.
Khaiam is Gracie’s best friend since her other best friend (Khaiam’s girlfriend) died. Khaiam and Gracie are both pretty insecure in their friendship as at first, they feel their mutual deceased friend (whose name I have forgotten) was the only thing holding their friendship together. This is not the case, but they are both still very insecure and scared about losing each other throughout the novel, only confessing their feelings towards the end. Khaiam honestly deserves the Best Friend of the Year award. Gracie practically abandons him for a while when she spends time with Thomas, not even bothering to explain to her best friend that they are dating each other. I don’t know about you, but if I was dating a “machine” who my father was calling a threat and trying to capture and kill, then I would be telling my best friend! Who else are you going to trust? Anyways, Khaiam was a supporting character, but I still loved him. He was so kind and sweet, he also always put Gracie first and tried to help her with her anxiety and panic attacks. So yeah, Khaiam is officially the Best Friend of the Year in my book.
Overall, as stated before, I felt the characters were really relatable and the majority of them were likable (except for Bella, I did not like her, but she isn’t really important anyway), and in the end, I fell in love with every one of them.
~Writing and Setting~
The writing in Wire Wings was so intriguing and descriptive, it really helped me understand the concept of such things as Surfaces, Waves, Dives, Surfs, etc. All of which I am not going to attempt explaining because that would be futile.
The world-building in Wire Wings is also equally as incredible as the writing and characters. As mentioned before, Gracie and many others use the Waves as a means to escape the real world. To my understanding, the Waves are practically like VR (Virtual Reality) except way more advanced. Practically the internet is embedded in the Waves, which allow you to go to an alternate reality where you can feel, taste, smell, hear, and see everything going on. While there are some sites in the Waves where if you die you are banned, the majority of the sites allow you to die and come back (although death in the Waves is as painful as death in real life?). Anyways, the world-building is amazing, to say the least.
~Plot~
I can’t even begin to describe how perfect the plot is. My mind is blown; a bomb has gone off inside my brain. The pacing of Wire Wings is perfect. It keeps you entertained while still maintaining a level of mystery surrounding the major plot points in the novel. I cannot say too much without giving away any spoilers, but it is beyond me how Wren Handman got this idea and wrote it down so beautifully for us to read. The big reveal of the answers to Gracie’s questions of Thomas’s origin left me stunned and flipping the pages to try and find out what happened next.
There are so many things that left me with my mouth open and my stomach in a knot. I could not set the book down once I got into it, and as I said before, Wire Wings is most likely my favorite book that I’ve read.
~Overall Review~
Overall, Wire Wings by Wren Handman was astonishing and beautiful. The ending left me feeling sad and baffled, but the story was exquisite. I am so, so glad that I was able to receive an ARC and review this amazing novel.
Amazon
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2020
In WIRE WINGS, Handman creates a fun, fast-paced YA novel that immerses the reader in a futuristic world. It introduces to readers important real-world concepts such as morality, ethics, identity, and love. The advanced society Handman creates comes alive through vivid description, dialogue, and detail, leaving a reader feeling as though they themselves have Dived in the Waves.
In the story, technology dominates many social and curricular activities, from homework assignments to music concerts. A shared virtual space called the Waves allows users to communicate, collaborate, and congregate through avatars. It seems like everyone has a Line, or a way to access the Waves, and they all have Graciela's father and his partner to thank. The scientists created the Waves, and the world has never been the same since.
However, a scientist's work is never complete, and with the Waves in full swing, they begin to focus of a new experiment, a new type of life in the form of artificial intelligence, or AI. Graciela's father and his partner, Paul, test the waters by introducing into the Waves an AI they name Charlie. However, no one believes he's real—that is, except Graciela, who's seen him, spoken to him, and become his friend. She's renamed him Thomas, and the two have become inseparable, unbeknownst to anyone. In many ways, Thomas begins to fill an ache in Graciela's heart, left by someone she loved beyond words.
In time, Thomas's identity is confirmed, and a sudden change in him forces Graciela to reconsider her feelings. However, danger forces them back together, and a fight for Thomas's survival and that of the bond Graciela and Thomas share begins. All of this leads to a surprising conclusion, one that I would love to see explored in a future book or other story, if possible.
If you're looking for a new tech-based YA with a captivating story, memorable characters, and a little bit of heartbreak, I highly recommend this one.
Thank you to The Parliament House publishing company for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
In the story, technology dominates many social and curricular activities, from homework assignments to music concerts. A shared virtual space called the Waves allows users to communicate, collaborate, and congregate through avatars. It seems like everyone has a Line, or a way to access the Waves, and they all have Graciela's father and his partner to thank. The scientists created the Waves, and the world has never been the same since.
However, a scientist's work is never complete, and with the Waves in full swing, they begin to focus of a new experiment, a new type of life in the form of artificial intelligence, or AI. Graciela's father and his partner, Paul, test the waters by introducing into the Waves an AI they name Charlie. However, no one believes he's real—that is, except Graciela, who's seen him, spoken to him, and become his friend. She's renamed him Thomas, and the two have become inseparable, unbeknownst to anyone. In many ways, Thomas begins to fill an ache in Graciela's heart, left by someone she loved beyond words.
In time, Thomas's identity is confirmed, and a sudden change in him forces Graciela to reconsider her feelings. However, danger forces them back together, and a fight for Thomas's survival and that of the bond Graciela and Thomas share begins. All of this leads to a surprising conclusion, one that I would love to see explored in a future book or other story, if possible.
If you're looking for a new tech-based YA with a captivating story, memorable characters, and a little bit of heartbreak, I highly recommend this one.
Thank you to The Parliament House publishing company for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2020
What an imaginative scifi story that isn’t just some cool read about the creation of an AI being, but a story that shows that living with grief can be tough. That dealing with loss, and losing your sense of connection with others and the world around you, can be devastating and invisible to people close to you.
Graciela is dealing with the loss of one of her best friends and immersed herself in the digital world of the waves and diving with her link. It’s her escape from reality, from her grief. With her father’s upcoming press release of their creation of an AI life form, things get a little tricky when Graciela has a chance encounter with it on a dive that turns into much more than a brush with the renegade Charlie. Graciela starts spending more time with “Thomas”, the new name she’s given AI Charlie, and less time in the real world with her friend Khaiam and his friends from school. The struggle of trying to be more connected to people in the real world, versus spending time with Thomas present the most challenging struggle yet.
Such beautiful writing of loss, grief and learning to lean on those around you. This story will draw you in and take you on a roller coaster of emotions. I hope you’re sitting down as you come to the end, because it will be a hard stop that leaves your stomach flipped. I dearly hope that there is a sequel because I am dying for more of the story!
Graciela is dealing with the loss of one of her best friends and immersed herself in the digital world of the waves and diving with her link. It’s her escape from reality, from her grief. With her father’s upcoming press release of their creation of an AI life form, things get a little tricky when Graciela has a chance encounter with it on a dive that turns into much more than a brush with the renegade Charlie. Graciela starts spending more time with “Thomas”, the new name she’s given AI Charlie, and less time in the real world with her friend Khaiam and his friends from school. The struggle of trying to be more connected to people in the real world, versus spending time with Thomas present the most challenging struggle yet.
Such beautiful writing of loss, grief and learning to lean on those around you. This story will draw you in and take you on a roller coaster of emotions. I hope you’re sitting down as you come to the end, because it will be a hard stop that leaves your stomach flipped. I dearly hope that there is a sequel because I am dying for more of the story!
June 23, 2020
"There are people who claim that when you die while Diving something stays behind."
I dove into this novel expecting technology and mystery. I did not expect to resurface with a creative retelling of the Persephone and Hades myth in AI fashion. Is my inner nerd and mythology guru excited? Well, do cats meow! The novel is much more than just a retelling though. Coping with the loss of a friend, finding who you are, shedding masks and reality verse virtual reality is the tip of the neatly hidden iceberg.
Handman takes the possibility of artificial intelligence being more than just machine and code. The possibility it can be truly human and then adds a dash of romance. A lot of the novel is centered around the mystery of the AI. Though I did figure out a few things early on I will say that I did not see the ending coming. I would have preferred less of the buildup and more of the "after" on a personal level but if there isn't a sequel, I can't really complain. There are areas that dragged a bit for me but I think it's more so my age as a reader. The characters are easy to connect with (especially lovable Khaiam) and I like the support system that grows around Graciela as she finds her footing after her loss. I can't really say much else without spoilers though.
Thank you to Parliament Press and Wren Handman for the opportunity to read and review for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I dove into this novel expecting technology and mystery. I did not expect to resurface with a creative retelling of the Persephone and Hades myth in AI fashion. Is my inner nerd and mythology guru excited? Well, do cats meow! The novel is much more than just a retelling though. Coping with the loss of a friend, finding who you are, shedding masks and reality verse virtual reality is the tip of the neatly hidden iceberg.
Handman takes the possibility of artificial intelligence being more than just machine and code. The possibility it can be truly human and then adds a dash of romance. A lot of the novel is centered around the mystery of the AI. Though I did figure out a few things early on I will say that I did not see the ending coming. I would have preferred less of the buildup and more of the "after" on a personal level but if there isn't a sequel, I can't really complain. There are areas that dragged a bit for me but I think it's more so my age as a reader. The characters are easy to connect with (especially lovable Khaiam) and I like the support system that grows around Graciela as she finds her footing after her loss. I can't really say much else without spoilers though.
Thank you to Parliament Press and Wren Handman for the opportunity to read and review for an honest and unbiased opinion.
June 23, 2020
"Wire Wings" is a novel that had me screaming and speechless at the same time. This is truly a story that will touch a reader in so many ways.
Read my full review here: https://ghostkittymanor.wordpress.com...
Read my full review here: https://ghostkittymanor.wordpress.com...
March 30, 2022
With the rapid pace of technological advancement, you’d think I would be tired of reading AI stories. The answer I will give is, “Never!” So I was quite glad to pick up Wren Handman’s Wire Wings.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book follows Gracie, a sixteen year old daughter of the inventor of the Waves, who spends more time Diving than she does socialising or exploring her own world. Diving is like VR, but more immersive, and there are games and places in the Waves that help Gracie feel and be anything other than what she is: sad. So when she forms an attachment to the mysterious AI that the world has been trying to find, it is something of a dream come true. But there’s more to this than meets the eye, and the secret may shatter her world—digital and otherwise—forever.
The plot of this book was spectacular. I loved the different depictions of the games and the world around Gracie. I loved her interactions with her family and the seemingly little things that led Gracie to the AI and to the decisions that ultimately change everything. Even the ending, which under different circumstances would feel sudden, was pulled off so well it nearly took my breath away.
2. Thoughts on the characters
Gracie is a fantastic character to read, probably because she manages to convey so many traits that a lot of people her age experience. She has a slightly strained relationship with her family, but wants to be good. She has friends, but still feels disconnected. She has experienced tragedy and isn’t quite ready to face the reality of that yet. It is an amalgamation of things that I think a great many people can relate to, and I really enjoyed that.
The AI, too, was fascinating to read, and that is partly because he was so mysterious and intense, in an entirely tantalising way.
3. Favourite part
The epilogue. It just took all the pertinent elements of the story and tied them up into an allegory that was just…stunning. Truly stunning.
4. Critique
I don’t really have a critique for this book. I will say it took me a minute to get used to the tense shifts, but that adds to a bit of coherence with the story and is not a downside at all.
Overall, I would say that Wire Wings is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to anyone with a love of technology, or just the human condition.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book follows Gracie, a sixteen year old daughter of the inventor of the Waves, who spends more time Diving than she does socialising or exploring her own world. Diving is like VR, but more immersive, and there are games and places in the Waves that help Gracie feel and be anything other than what she is: sad. So when she forms an attachment to the mysterious AI that the world has been trying to find, it is something of a dream come true. But there’s more to this than meets the eye, and the secret may shatter her world—digital and otherwise—forever.
The plot of this book was spectacular. I loved the different depictions of the games and the world around Gracie. I loved her interactions with her family and the seemingly little things that led Gracie to the AI and to the decisions that ultimately change everything. Even the ending, which under different circumstances would feel sudden, was pulled off so well it nearly took my breath away.
2. Thoughts on the characters
Gracie is a fantastic character to read, probably because she manages to convey so many traits that a lot of people her age experience. She has a slightly strained relationship with her family, but wants to be good. She has friends, but still feels disconnected. She has experienced tragedy and isn’t quite ready to face the reality of that yet. It is an amalgamation of things that I think a great many people can relate to, and I really enjoyed that.
The AI, too, was fascinating to read, and that is partly because he was so mysterious and intense, in an entirely tantalising way.
3. Favourite part
The epilogue. It just took all the pertinent elements of the story and tied them up into an allegory that was just…stunning. Truly stunning.
4. Critique
I don’t really have a critique for this book. I will say it took me a minute to get used to the tense shifts, but that adds to a bit of coherence with the story and is not a downside at all.
Overall, I would say that Wire Wings is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to anyone with a love of technology, or just the human condition.
June 23, 2020
I don't usually read young adult but was drawn to the sci-fi aspect of this book, and I wasn't disappointed.
The story is very character driven and I got taken with the protagonist and invested in her story very early on. The characters, their relationships, and their journeys were believable and well realized, but being YA, of life experiences now distant in my rear view mirror. Despite this, I came to really care about the main character. A central conceit revealed late in the book I found not only satisfying, but I found myself wishing the author had gone further in exploring the concept.
As a sci-fi enthusiast I found myself more interested in, and more critical of, the technology, and I wasn't disappointed here either. The only complaint was the immediacy of the future this was supposedly taking place (a common problem in the genre), but the seamless way the technology was made real, from the everywhere screens people loaded their profile with to the language and communities that developed around the technology. The dive device itself being magical, the world seen in which such a technology exists and what comes of it, were very believable. I was particularly pleased by the vivid descriptions of wave locations, the adult environments vs the children's environments vs the noob environments, and the home page idea, all very compelling and satisfyingly realized.
I'd recommend this thoughtful and personal read to anyone who is a fan of either YA or sci-fi novels.
The story is very character driven and I got taken with the protagonist and invested in her story very early on. The characters, their relationships, and their journeys were believable and well realized, but being YA, of life experiences now distant in my rear view mirror. Despite this, I came to really care about the main character. A central conceit revealed late in the book I found not only satisfying, but I found myself wishing the author had gone further in exploring the concept.
As a sci-fi enthusiast I found myself more interested in, and more critical of, the technology, and I wasn't disappointed here either. The only complaint was the immediacy of the future this was supposedly taking place (a common problem in the genre), but the seamless way the technology was made real, from the everywhere screens people loaded their profile with to the language and communities that developed around the technology. The dive device itself being magical, the world seen in which such a technology exists and what comes of it, were very believable. I was particularly pleased by the vivid descriptions of wave locations, the adult environments vs the children's environments vs the noob environments, and the home page idea, all very compelling and satisfyingly realized.
I'd recommend this thoughtful and personal read to anyone who is a fan of either YA or sci-fi novels.
March 16, 2021
Absolutely stunning.
Handman has an extremely elegant way of storytelling that captivates from the very first paragraph. Within the first page, I found myself a bit giddy, feeling like I'd discovered a diamond in the rough.
A natural storyteller, Handman delivers a beautiful story while taking us through the depths of love, loss, and discovery.
Graciela's character is so well developed, by the end she was absolutely real to me.
Still reeling from the loss of her best friend, she struggles in the real world, uncertain of her place within it. Now that he best friend is gone, what does she have left? Does she truly have any friends of her own, that like her for who she really is? How can she live up to the expectations of her successful parents? Gracie battles panic attacks and inner demons, and finds a way to escape, at least for a little while, in the Waves. There she can be who she wants, bolder, stronger, more reckless. When she meets the mysterious AI that her father and his partner created, Gracie's life changes forever. But he's not really human or alive, is he?
The is not only a love story, but tackles identity, what is real, anxiety, strained family relationships, fitting into a world that doesn't seem like it belongs to you...
I could go on and on, but at the risk of giving anything away, this is an absolute must read. Handman is a force to be reckoned with, and I cannot wait to read more from her.
Handman has an extremely elegant way of storytelling that captivates from the very first paragraph. Within the first page, I found myself a bit giddy, feeling like I'd discovered a diamond in the rough.
A natural storyteller, Handman delivers a beautiful story while taking us through the depths of love, loss, and discovery.
Graciela's character is so well developed, by the end she was absolutely real to me.
Still reeling from the loss of her best friend, she struggles in the real world, uncertain of her place within it. Now that he best friend is gone, what does she have left? Does she truly have any friends of her own, that like her for who she really is? How can she live up to the expectations of her successful parents? Gracie battles panic attacks and inner demons, and finds a way to escape, at least for a little while, in the Waves. There she can be who she wants, bolder, stronger, more reckless. When she meets the mysterious AI that her father and his partner created, Gracie's life changes forever. But he's not really human or alive, is he?
The is not only a love story, but tackles identity, what is real, anxiety, strained family relationships, fitting into a world that doesn't seem like it belongs to you...
I could go on and on, but at the risk of giving anything away, this is an absolute must read. Handman is a force to be reckoned with, and I cannot wait to read more from her.
October 10, 2022
3.5/5 stars, rounded up
This was a compelling little adventure with an imaginative take on what the internet could become with full VR immersion. I found the main characters likeable and the portrayal of grief to be nuanced. I did struggle to connect or care about most of the side characters, primarily due to their dialogue, speech habits (particularly a filler word one girl leans on, an effect I found annoying and not funny or endearing), and somewhat murky motivations. I do understand a short work often does not have time to flesh out an entire world, though, and for a book coming in just under 300 pages long I was impressed with the worldbuilding and care taken to describe what Diving is like.
I called the ending twist about 3-4 chapters into the book, so there was no surprise revelation, but that is likely due to the sheer volume of YA and sci-fi I've read. Perhaps a younger reader would be more surprised. With that in mind, I would not call this a critique, but I would say it impacted my star rating.
I liked how this book handled gender and sexuality, as well as its fluidity, especially for young people. It felt sincere and positive.
I read this in two sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it. A wonderful little piece of escapism. I particularly enjoyed the description of the Urban Noir game and the racetrack.
This was a compelling little adventure with an imaginative take on what the internet could become with full VR immersion. I found the main characters likeable and the portrayal of grief to be nuanced. I did struggle to connect or care about most of the side characters, primarily due to their dialogue, speech habits (particularly a filler word one girl leans on, an effect I found annoying and not funny or endearing), and somewhat murky motivations. I do understand a short work often does not have time to flesh out an entire world, though, and for a book coming in just under 300 pages long I was impressed with the worldbuilding and care taken to describe what Diving is like.
I called the ending twist about 3-4 chapters into the book, so there was no surprise revelation, but that is likely due to the sheer volume of YA and sci-fi I've read. Perhaps a younger reader would be more surprised. With that in mind, I would not call this a critique, but I would say it impacted my star rating.
I liked how this book handled gender and sexuality, as well as its fluidity, especially for young people. It felt sincere and positive.
I read this in two sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it. A wonderful little piece of escapism. I particularly enjoyed the description of the Urban Noir game and the racetrack.
June 24, 2020
Thank you to The Parliament House Press and Wren Handman for the ARC!
Wire Wings is the story of Graciela Neumann, a young girl who’s best friend has just passed away. She is learning to adjust her life without her best friend by her side and find herself again; who is her true self?
It’s a very compelling story of grief, I found myself relating to Graciela in her ups and downs as she works her way through high school, friends and family. She struggles to find her voice, to speak up and voice her thoughts, but she manages as she has a fantastical virtual reality world to escape to, the Waves.
The ideas of VR and AI really define this story and make it so enjoyable to read. The idea of having the internet made into a more tangible place is amazing. The idea of creating a being that is so intelligent they become their own person is crazy wonderful to imagine. Sprinkle in some romance, endearing supporting characters, and mythology and just might be a book for you!
Wire Wings is the story of Graciela Neumann, a young girl who’s best friend has just passed away. She is learning to adjust her life without her best friend by her side and find herself again; who is her true self?
It’s a very compelling story of grief, I found myself relating to Graciela in her ups and downs as she works her way through high school, friends and family. She struggles to find her voice, to speak up and voice her thoughts, but she manages as she has a fantastical virtual reality world to escape to, the Waves.
The ideas of VR and AI really define this story and make it so enjoyable to read. The idea of having the internet made into a more tangible place is amazing. The idea of creating a being that is so intelligent they become their own person is crazy wonderful to imagine. Sprinkle in some romance, endearing supporting characters, and mythology and just might be a book for you!
June 25, 2020
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Whew, what a ride! This book was an easy read and absolutely kept me reading! And while I didn't see the ending coming (bonus points for you, Handman, that's a tough thing to do), I did see the big reveal at the false climax coming a mile away.
The subtle way sexuality/gender was woven throughout was lovely to see, something (despite our progressing times) I don't see often in books. It was refreshing, to say the least.
I do have to say there are some odd things that pulled me from the story, which is why this is 4 instead of 5. Some strange word choices in the dialogue, the repetition of uncommon words.
That aside, this book had me hooked, and I would suggest it to anyone who has an interest in earth-bound sci-fi for young adults! If I had to compare it, I would say it feels like a cross between Warcross and Winter Moon (the latter is a web comic).
Whew, what a ride! This book was an easy read and absolutely kept me reading! And while I didn't see the ending coming (bonus points for you, Handman, that's a tough thing to do), I did see the big reveal at the false climax coming a mile away.
The subtle way sexuality/gender was woven throughout was lovely to see, something (despite our progressing times) I don't see often in books. It was refreshing, to say the least.
I do have to say there are some odd things that pulled me from the story, which is why this is 4 instead of 5. Some strange word choices in the dialogue, the repetition of uncommon words.
That aside, this book had me hooked, and I would suggest it to anyone who has an interest in earth-bound sci-fi for young adults! If I had to compare it, I would say it feels like a cross between Warcross and Winter Moon (the latter is a web comic).
July 7, 2020
Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a beautiful, complicated AI romance that puts into question what we know about computers and the human experience of grief. There's a lot packed in this novel that showcases a young, Latin girl who's father publisizes the existence of a real AI. When this AI goes rogue and proves impossible to find to anyone except Graciela, it becomes a national security threat.
The author does an amazing job developing the characters and humanizing the AI, Thomas. Thomas is an intriguing, complex character who falls in love with Graciela but selfishly clings onto the power of defying humanity and becoming more than just programming. The end brings up it's on social issues and more questions. How far would we go for love...?
This is a beautiful, complicated AI romance that puts into question what we know about computers and the human experience of grief. There's a lot packed in this novel that showcases a young, Latin girl who's father publisizes the existence of a real AI. When this AI goes rogue and proves impossible to find to anyone except Graciela, it becomes a national security threat.
The author does an amazing job developing the characters and humanizing the AI, Thomas. Thomas is an intriguing, complex character who falls in love with Graciela but selfishly clings onto the power of defying humanity and becoming more than just programming. The end brings up it's on social issues and more questions. How far would we go for love...?
June 23, 2020
Wire Wings takes the concepts of virtual reality into a whole different level when the author introduces these concepts into a quantum computer, this is already a reality and in the future, we will be struggling with questions that this author makes us ask when we are reading Wire Wings. We get to follow an AI that's so real we begin to question gender, laws, and rights for artificial intelligence. But more importantly, this book is about loss, love, and overcoming difficult times. In this book, we get to see what it would be like when virtual reality feels very real, and it can really be a nightmare it reminded me a little of some episodes of Black Mirror where the so-called "divers" can get injured going into a virtual world. The only downside for me was the romance, it was not an expected thing going into this book because it isn't marketed as a romance, and the fact that the characters fall in love in like 3 seconds doesn't help. The big secret of the AI or huge plot twist was a really expected one for me. Overall it was definitely an interesting read with real questions that we will have to make ourselves in the near future.
June 22, 2020
This book was really good! It’s a futuristic retelling of Persephone and Hades! It took me awhile to understand everything that was going on, but once I did it was amazing! I feel like it will be so much better when i reread it since I understand the technology now. I absolutely loved how the Waves were so realistic and how you can dive to all these sites and change your look. I liked how the grief and loss was there but not overwhelming. I loved Khaiam! I really shipped him and Gracie. I also really enjoyed how Gracie saw the AI as a person whereas the world saw it as a thing. The ending felt a little bit rushed for me, but it was probably from the plot twist. I loved the little epilogue! If you love science fiction, you should definitely check this one out!
June 24, 2020
I love when an author writes a book where you just get sucked deep into the world. There has only been a couple other VR related books I've read before but Wire Wings is in a whole different category to me. It can't really be compared to the others.
The Waves to me are a means for an escape and that's what makes me continue reading and learning more about Graciela.
Thank you Wren for the wonderful world and I can't wait for more.
The Waves to me are a means for an escape and that's what makes me continue reading and learning more about Graciela.
Thank you Wren for the wonderful world and I can't wait for more.
June 24, 2020
Gracie was a very interesting character to read about. I love sci-fi books and this book was good! Gracie's determination to escape her reality is one that a lot of readers can sympathize with! And the virtual space that was created in the novel was interesting. Would you want to join a virtual space for the chance to escape your life? Overall, I enjoyed this book. Though I felt that the representation of panic attacks/anxiety were a little off. It was an enjoyable read though!
June 23, 2020
This story was amazing. The story is set in the future and is about a teen girl dealing with the loss of a friend. And how she escapes from her reality and the problems that occur when everything goes to far. Loved this book!
June 24, 2020
I found this story to be very interesting and had me reading for hours. I loved the story and the writing is so good which this always draws me in further to read a book. I felt i was in the story along with the characters. I will reading more books from this talented writer.
June 23, 2020
I absolutely loved this book!!❤ The different worlds created in the waves. I also weeped for the main character and the grief she endured. I seriously can't recommend this book enough.
November 29, 2020
Oh my goodness. This is my favourite novel so far by Ms. Handman. I loved the look at the future and what can happen when older teens are given a free run of a complicated system. Very compelling.
April 24, 2022
I went into this story blind, not knowing what it was about but color me intrigued. This is a coming of age-ish story of one event that tears the fabric of so many people's lives and mires them in grief.
Graciela releases her loneliness and heartbreak in the waves. While diving she comes across an AI she names Thomas. As they become closer in the waves, pressure is being administered in real life and Gabriela is decisions are made for her. This is a complicated and layered story.
Graciela releases her loneliness and heartbreak in the waves. While diving she comes across an AI she names Thomas. As they become closer in the waves, pressure is being administered in real life and Gabriela is decisions are made for her. This is a complicated and layered story.
January 23, 2025
I think I might have found a new favorite sci-fi. I can't believe more people aren't talking about this book! 5 stars!
First of all: the plot twists. I predicted one of the twists near the start of the book, but I never guessed the second one and the way it sets up the surprise ending! Wren Handman is a master at sprinkling clues throughout the story. I'm still amazed by how everything comes together in the last 5%. I also love that this book managed to surprise me while also keeping me entertained up until the grand reveal.
I think the virtual reality setting and descriptive writing style go a long way in bringing this story to life. There's also LGBTQIA+ and minority representation among the characters, which is wonderful to see in a YA book.
Overall, I think Wire Wings is perfect for someone looking for a fast-paced sci-fi story that has a mystery subplot and relatable characters. This is a 5 star-read for me, and I can't wait to check out other books from this author.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the author and Netgalley; all opinions are my own.
First of all: the plot twists. I predicted one of the twists near the start of the book, but I never guessed the second one and the way it sets up the surprise ending! Wren Handman is a master at sprinkling clues throughout the story. I'm still amazed by how everything comes together in the last 5%. I also love that this book managed to surprise me while also keeping me entertained up until the grand reveal.
I think the virtual reality setting and descriptive writing style go a long way in bringing this story to life. There's also LGBTQIA+ and minority representation among the characters, which is wonderful to see in a YA book.
Overall, I think Wire Wings is perfect for someone looking for a fast-paced sci-fi story that has a mystery subplot and relatable characters. This is a 5 star-read for me, and I can't wait to check out other books from this author.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the author and Netgalley; all opinions are my own.
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