What do you think?
The Awake: The Dispensable
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 1, 2026
🧗 ARC Review 🥊
"Dead weight is a lesson to be learned tonight, and I won't be the student."
The premise of this book was really interesting and had a lot of potential. You jump right into the book with the narrator having been dropped into a new location as the virtual reality apparently pulls you out of a storyline from time to time (we don't really know why) and drops you in somewhere else.
The idea of this dystopia where people are now living in virtual reality, in a lonely place devoid of interactions with other people, could go in a lot of directions. I was hoping for some self-discovery and some devious competition-style games with this deadly arena from the blurb.
Instead, for me, the plot was a bit disjointed. I felt like we flowed from part to part without much transition and the abruptness took me out of the story. Part of the blurb seemed to be a focal point whereas it really only came into play for a few chapters. The love story didn't really feel authentic - I'm not sure if it was because the setup was a virtual reality, so the MC wasn't going to put their full feelings in or whether it was an issue with the development of that story. It just...felt sudden and misplaced. I don't think it was really needed and the story could've progressed another way.
The writing was a bit young reading. It was simple to read and probably this book could be read by a middle grader with a few words needing to be looked up. (Except a middle schooler should 1000% not read this book Re: Triggers!) It was a fast read like similar books of this style because of the level of the writing. The fast pace matches the book at points, but I kind of wish it was written with a higher level of description/vocabulary.
Overall, the book is fine. It was a quick read at a fast-paced (at times) < 250 page book, but it wasn't a favorite of mine overall.
If you like RPGs, Deadly Games/Competitions, or books with a Mysterious subplot where you're not quite sure what reality you're living in, you may like this book.
Triggers: Rape, Violence, Murder, Confinement
"Dead weight is a lesson to be learned tonight, and I won't be the student."
The premise of this book was really interesting and had a lot of potential. You jump right into the book with the narrator having been dropped into a new location as the virtual reality apparently pulls you out of a storyline from time to time (we don't really know why) and drops you in somewhere else.
The idea of this dystopia where people are now living in virtual reality, in a lonely place devoid of interactions with other people, could go in a lot of directions. I was hoping for some self-discovery and some devious competition-style games with this deadly arena from the blurb.
Instead, for me, the plot was a bit disjointed. I felt like we flowed from part to part without much transition and the abruptness took me out of the story. Part of the blurb seemed to be a focal point whereas it really only came into play for a few chapters. The love story didn't really feel authentic - I'm not sure if it was because the setup was a virtual reality, so the MC wasn't going to put their full feelings in or whether it was an issue with the development of that story. It just...felt sudden and misplaced. I don't think it was really needed and the story could've progressed another way.
The writing was a bit young reading. It was simple to read and probably this book could be read by a middle grader with a few words needing to be looked up. (Except a middle schooler should 1000% not read this book Re: Triggers!) It was a fast read like similar books of this style because of the level of the writing. The fast pace matches the book at points, but I kind of wish it was written with a higher level of description/vocabulary.
Overall, the book is fine. It was a quick read at a fast-paced (at times) < 250 page book, but it wasn't a favorite of mine overall.
If you like RPGs, Deadly Games/Competitions, or books with a Mysterious subplot where you're not quite sure what reality you're living in, you may like this book.
Triggers: Rape, Violence, Murder, Confinement
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had some really interesting ideas, a strong start, some sections that were quite engaging, and lovable characters. Despite that, I can't in good conscience rate it any higher than 2 stars, for a few reasons:
- This book has never seen an editor in its life. It's riddled with spelling and grammar errors.
- The major plot twist was super predictable. I think it's foreshadowed way too heavily. It ends up giving it away.
- There are multiple plot threads that just aren't resolved for some reason. The author brings up an idea, you expect it to come back, and it just… doesn't.
- There's no clear theme or story, it's just a series of things happening one after the other. It feels really random. There could be several really poignant themes here, especially given the subject matter, and it feels like the author didn't notice them.
- The prose starts out strong, but gets weaker and weaker as the story continues. Towards the end, I started seeing concerning signs (such as multiple instances of "it's not this, it's that" on the same page, and really odd choices of phrasing) that this book may have been written using AI. I don't think it's fully generated, but I have a suspicion it was used at some point in the process. I try not to join the AI witch hunt, but the end in particular has a lot of "AI-isms" in a very short space of time. It's difficult to ignore.
If I had paid for this, I would honestly be very upset at the poor quality. The actual typos in particular are inexcusable in a professional product. This book is proof of the fact that if you're going to self publish, you need to hire an editor. It clearly needs multiple rounds of professional editing. I hate giving a bad review for my very first time as an ARC reader, but I have to be honest about the quality of the product I was given. I don't think this should be sold in its current state.
DISCLAIMER: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
- This book has never seen an editor in its life. It's riddled with spelling and grammar errors.
- The major plot twist was super predictable. I think it's foreshadowed way too heavily. It ends up giving it away.
- There are multiple plot threads that just aren't resolved for some reason. The author brings up an idea, you expect it to come back, and it just… doesn't.
- There's no clear theme or story, it's just a series of things happening one after the other. It feels really random. There could be several really poignant themes here, especially given the subject matter, and it feels like the author didn't notice them.
- The prose starts out strong, but gets weaker and weaker as the story continues. Towards the end, I started seeing concerning signs (such as multiple instances of "it's not this, it's that" on the same page, and really odd choices of phrasing) that this book may have been written using AI. I don't think it's fully generated, but I have a suspicion it was used at some point in the process. I try not to join the AI witch hunt, but the end in particular has a lot of "AI-isms" in a very short space of time. It's difficult to ignore.
If I had paid for this, I would honestly be very upset at the poor quality. The actual typos in particular are inexcusable in a professional product. This book is proof of the fact that if you're going to self publish, you need to hire an editor. It clearly needs multiple rounds of professional editing. I hate giving a bad review for my very first time as an ARC reader, but I have to be honest about the quality of the product I was given. I don't think this should be sold in its current state.
DISCLAIMER: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you for the author to read the book in advance!
Kyrah lives many lives in MyReality, a virtual world, while the rest if the world heals itself. Usually, the scene changes, but now she finds herself stuck one particular world that looks like a paradise. But the paradise does not last long as she commits a crime and receives a punishment.
The story is told from the perspective of Kyrah, which is very interesting and fresh. As a reader, I was able to do the thinking and finding the conclusions with Kyrah. Especially asking questions and there are many questions to be answered when one gets stuck on one virtual reality. Kyrah perspective and observations open the world and its rules so that it is easier to dive into it. The world itself is... colorful. I especially liked the huge contrast between the first part (paradise) and the second part (punishment). The scene, the people very drastically change and gives answers for some of the questions - and opens new ones.
However, time to time some information is coming a little bit too late (but it comes) or there are weird topic changes (Kyrah's train of thought?). This makes it slightly harder to connect the dots, but the story itself is very solid and not too fast nor slow, thus, it is easy to get back on track. Some of the story elements are also a little bit too obvious so I just waited until Kyrah ended to the same conclusion. She is a bright woman so she always did :)
Overall, the story is great; there is (literally) two worlds out there and Kyrah is experiencing how fast one can move to another.
My rating would be a solid 3.5 starts, but it is not possible. I will give 4 (rounded up). I really liked the story. I was just hopping a little bit more information and as explained, in a few steps the story was a little bit jumpy(?).
Kyrah lives many lives in MyReality, a virtual world, while the rest if the world heals itself. Usually, the scene changes, but now she finds herself stuck one particular world that looks like a paradise. But the paradise does not last long as she commits a crime and receives a punishment.
The story is told from the perspective of Kyrah, which is very interesting and fresh. As a reader, I was able to do the thinking and finding the conclusions with Kyrah. Especially asking questions and there are many questions to be answered when one gets stuck on one virtual reality. Kyrah perspective and observations open the world and its rules so that it is easier to dive into it. The world itself is... colorful. I especially liked the huge contrast between the first part (paradise) and the second part (punishment). The scene, the people very drastically change and gives answers for some of the questions - and opens new ones.
However, time to time some information is coming a little bit too late (but it comes) or there are weird topic changes (Kyrah's train of thought?). This makes it slightly harder to connect the dots, but the story itself is very solid and not too fast nor slow, thus, it is easy to get back on track. Some of the story elements are also a little bit too obvious so I just waited until Kyrah ended to the same conclusion. She is a bright woman so she always did :)
Overall, the story is great; there is (literally) two worlds out there and Kyrah is experiencing how fast one can move to another.
My rating would be a solid 3.5 starts, but it is not possible. I will give 4 (rounded up). I really liked the story. I was just hopping a little bit more information and as explained, in a few steps the story was a little bit jumpy(?).
Review of advance copy
What if the world relied completely on virtual reality? That is oddly the reality of our protagonist, Kyrah. Everyone on Earth is in an AI program called MyReality to avoid all the tragedies that have happened on Earth. Kyrah has lived numerous lives in different virtual worlds. However, she is now stuck in the virtual world of Tartaria. With no controller to change worlds, she has to make do with the environment that she is in. However, she is starting to become concerned. She notices that the NPC players seem more realistic than usual. Normally, they would avoid her until she interacts with them first. However, NPCs are interacting with her of their own accord, expressing their own thoughts and dreams. Kryah begins to wonder if the programers ore making the world more realistic, or something else that is going on beyond her comprehension. Whatever it is, Kyrah is hoping that the engineers will hurry up because she is starting to blur reality from the virtual, and she is afraid she will stop noticing the differences anymore.
Overall, I really liked the book. It takes us inside Kyrah's mind to determine what is real or not. I also liked how it explored through Kyrah whether we need social interaction to have a fulfilling life in society or to live life alone. It relates to what is happening in the real world now. AI is becoming more prominent now when it comes to books, music, and images that it is hard to tell if a human created something or if it is AI. It makes you wonder if in a couple of years if we will consider AI a healthy part of society or something that will feed our own delusions.
While the novel was engaging, you could still predict a lot of plot points a mile away. I wasn't surprised by a lot of the choices that Kyrah made in the book. However, it was a fast read, and it kept me entertained.
Overall, I really liked the book. It takes us inside Kyrah's mind to determine what is real or not. I also liked how it explored through Kyrah whether we need social interaction to have a fulfilling life in society or to live life alone. It relates to what is happening in the real world now. AI is becoming more prominent now when it comes to books, music, and images that it is hard to tell if a human created something or if it is AI. It makes you wonder if in a couple of years if we will consider AI a healthy part of society or something that will feed our own delusions.
While the novel was engaging, you could still predict a lot of plot points a mile away. I wasn't surprised by a lot of the choices that Kyrah made in the book. However, it was a fast read, and it kept me entertained.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A gripping cyberpunk debut that hooks you with its premise and keeps you turning pages through sharp psychological tension.
Warren Wright’s The Awake: The Dispensable drops you into a chilling near-future where MyReality offers the ultimate escape—a flawless simulation that feels more real than life itself. For Kyrah and others like her, it’s not just entertainment; it’s a refuge from a brutal, unforgiving world outside. But when the lines between simulation and reality begin to blur, the story takes a darker, more unsettling turn that explores identity, control, addiction, and what it truly means to be “awake.”
I loved the concept and the way Wright layers psychological thriller elements with cyberpunk vibes. The world feels lived-in and oppressive, and the questions it raises about technology, escapism, and disposable lives hit hard. Kyrah is a compelling protagonist—flawed, resourceful, and increasingly desperate—which makes her journey tense and emotionally engaging. The pacing is solid, with short, punchy chapters that build suspense effectively.
It’s not a perfect 5 for me because a few supporting threads felt slightly underdeveloped, and I wanted a bit more depth in the world-building outside the simulation. Still, this is a strong start to the series with plenty of twists and a haunting atmosphere that lingers after you finish.
If you enjoy dystopian sci-fi with psychological depth, moral gray areas, and high-stakes virtual-vs-real conflict (think a grittier blend of Ready Player One and Black Mirror), this one’s worth picking up. I’m definitely curious to see where the series goes next.
Warren Wright’s The Awake: The Dispensable drops you into a chilling near-future where MyReality offers the ultimate escape—a flawless simulation that feels more real than life itself. For Kyrah and others like her, it’s not just entertainment; it’s a refuge from a brutal, unforgiving world outside. But when the lines between simulation and reality begin to blur, the story takes a darker, more unsettling turn that explores identity, control, addiction, and what it truly means to be “awake.”
I loved the concept and the way Wright layers psychological thriller elements with cyberpunk vibes. The world feels lived-in and oppressive, and the questions it raises about technology, escapism, and disposable lives hit hard. Kyrah is a compelling protagonist—flawed, resourceful, and increasingly desperate—which makes her journey tense and emotionally engaging. The pacing is solid, with short, punchy chapters that build suspense effectively.
It’s not a perfect 5 for me because a few supporting threads felt slightly underdeveloped, and I wanted a bit more depth in the world-building outside the simulation. Still, this is a strong start to the series with plenty of twists and a haunting atmosphere that lingers after you finish.
If you enjoy dystopian sci-fi with psychological depth, moral gray areas, and high-stakes virtual-vs-real conflict (think a grittier blend of Ready Player One and Black Mirror), this one’s worth picking up. I’m definitely curious to see where the series goes next.
September 11, 2026
DNF about 26% in. Got the ARC from the author through the BookSirens website. They had offered it via reddit message without any prior prompting from my end.
Well, this didn't work for me. The author opts to use those very simple, short "choppy" style sentences, tossing full stops left and right, even in situations where a comma would work better. There's also instances of stating something and then re-stating it using different words two lines later.
At one point the MC explains some rule of the world and on the very next page something contradictory happens and she re-states the rule, as if we've already forgotten? I prefer when the author trusts the reader to pick on such things, even if they happen half a book later, not a mere page.
The dialogue reads awkward. Yeah, it gave me the feeling of a rough, early draft, not a finished product. Definitely needs an editor.
I decided to cut my losses 1/4th in, 'cause yeah, I am already 1/4th into this short book and... nothing really happened yet?
One thing I really liked was how the author throws the reader right into the scene, no explanation provided, just hey, this thing is missing and it's a problem. And the world is very interesting, but honestly I didn't find it worth my time, between the staccato prose and the very slow start.
Well, this didn't work for me. The author opts to use those very simple, short "choppy" style sentences, tossing full stops left and right, even in situations where a comma would work better. There's also instances of stating something and then re-stating it using different words two lines later.
At one point the MC explains some rule of the world and on the very next page something contradictory happens and she re-states the rule, as if we've already forgotten? I prefer when the author trusts the reader to pick on such things, even if they happen half a book later, not a mere page.
The dialogue reads awkward. Yeah, it gave me the feeling of a rough, early draft, not a finished product. Definitely needs an editor.
I decided to cut my losses 1/4th in, 'cause yeah, I am already 1/4th into this short book and... nothing really happened yet?
One thing I really liked was how the author throws the reader right into the scene, no explanation provided, just hey, this thing is missing and it's a problem. And the world is very interesting, but honestly I didn't find it worth my time, between the staccato prose and the very slow start.
Review of advance copy
I received an advance review copy via BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
TLDR: I highly recommend this for psychological thriller fans that enjoy fantasy/sci fi settings.
I am so grateful to the author for this ARC! I loved reading this.
Warren Wright’s writing makes it very easy to visualize the story as you read. I couldn’t stop hearing Coyita by Gustavo Santaolalla as I read up to Day 205. Absolutely lovely and it felt like paradise. I enjoyed the call backs to our current way of life and our interactions with AI.
I can’t think of a good song yet for after Day 200, but this is where the plot gets really juicy. Here’s where all the excitement is and the dystopian themes come in. And the ending has my heart racing and absolutely thirsting for book 2!
I’m hoping to see more of the connections between the three major settings as right now they seem to be three polarized corners of a triangle.
TLDR: I highly recommend this for psychological thriller fans that enjoy fantasy/sci fi settings.
I am so grateful to the author for this ARC! I loved reading this.
Warren Wright’s writing makes it very easy to visualize the story as you read. I couldn’t stop hearing Coyita by Gustavo Santaolalla as I read up to Day 205. Absolutely lovely and it felt like paradise. I enjoyed the call backs to our current way of life and our interactions with AI.
I can’t think of a good song yet for after Day 200, but this is where the plot gets really juicy. Here’s where all the excitement is and the dystopian themes come in. And the ending has my heart racing and absolutely thirsting for book 2!
I’m hoping to see more of the connections between the three major settings as right now they seem to be three polarized corners of a triangle.
Review of advance copy
Well this was a gut wrenching journey from beginning to end! Like the Matrix and The Hunger Games had a gladiator baby. Kyrah wakes up believing one reality to be true, and begins to navigate her new world, until tragedy leads her to a whole new reality. But “what is reality, anyway?” I really wish I knew her backstory a little more, so I’m hoping the next installments give us a deeper sense of not only why VR and AI are so fully embraced, but the how and why of the world she finds herself in. It’s so hard to review without spoiling this one! The descriptive language was really beautiful. This author has a way of really making you visualize the whole setting. I found myself surprised when it was over. I want more! It had me hooked though and I eagerly await more from this author.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went into this book completely blind, with no clue what it was about. But the opening grabbed me immediately, and the more I got to know the MC, the more invested I became in her story.
I initially thought it was a romance, but I was wrong. The turn it took made me stop and process multiple times. It thrilled me, gave me despair, and somehow, hope at the same time. I laughed, I cried, and there were moments I literally gasped and had to shut the book. But I kept coming back because I HAD to know what happened next.
I enjoyed the characters and the development of their relationships. I do wish there had been more detail on the appearance and feel of the supporting characters; I think it would have deepened my understanding of the MC and her emotional journey.
I initially thought it was a romance, but I was wrong. The turn it took made me stop and process multiple times. It thrilled me, gave me despair, and somehow, hope at the same time. I laughed, I cried, and there were moments I literally gasped and had to shut the book. But I kept coming back because I HAD to know what happened next.
I enjoyed the characters and the development of their relationships. I do wish there had been more detail on the appearance and feel of the supporting characters; I think it would have deepened my understanding of the MC and her emotional journey.
Review of advance copy
I am blown away by how well done this was. The ending was perfect. I found myself filled with adrenaline after the last page. The story never felt rushed.
Kyrah, a longtime user of VR, finds herself in a strange world without her trusty computer module. She finds her way in the town and builds relationships, believing it is just another fictional world made up in code. It does not take her long to find out that all is not what it seems.
Kyrah, a longtime user of VR, finds herself in a strange world without her trusty computer module. She finds her way in the town and builds relationships, believing it is just another fictional world made up in code. It does not take her long to find out that all is not what it seems.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An AI thriller that will blow your mind! It’s action packed and fast paced but it’s easy to follow!
The story immediately starts strong and the author combines a strong characters building with an intriguing fiction world.
The Awake series have started off strong with this first installment!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story immediately starts strong and the author combines a strong characters building with an intriguing fiction world.
The Awake series have started off strong with this first installment!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book is well written and nicely paced. I just found the story uninteresting. I made it just more than a third of the way through and found the POV character to be grating and self satisfied. I'm pretty sure that I may not be the target audience for this though. I hope that they find their audience, it just isn't me.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews