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Swiftopia
"Don't sing along." Set in a soon-to-be future, Taylor Swift employs hypnotic beats, subliminal messages, and catchy lyrics in favor of quality, thoughtful, mature music that had been anticipated from the aging pop star. The majority of the world's population is transformed into denizens of the woman. After she takes over the world (now referred to as Taylearth), desperate survivors still in control of their humanity eke out their existence waiting to be hunted down by roving gangs of ravenous swifties bent on turning them into mindless zombies like them. But when one of their own falls deeper into a life-threatening illness, a young girl named Leigh Flanagan descends from her mountainous hideaway with her group in order to save the man who may be immune to the effect of Taylor Swift's dangerous recordings. "Swiftopia" is a dystopian satire that likens the ubiquitous state of pop music in our daily lives to a horrific zombie apocalypse.
148 pages, Paperback
Published October 25, 2016
About the author
Ryan Starbloak
11 books10 followersRyan Starbloak is author to several books of varying genres, a Youtuber (having first appeared on the medium through Rob Potylo’s Quiet Desperation), and musician from Lynn, Massachusetts. He currently lives in New Orleans, Louisiana.
To join his mailing list to get updates on his latest books, go to: www.starbloak.com
& connect with Ryan on:
https://www.youtube.com/ryanstarbloak
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https://www.facebook.com/starbloak/
To join his mailing list to get updates on his latest books, go to: www.starbloak.com
& connect with Ryan on:
https://www.youtube.com/ryanstarbloak
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/ryanstarb...
https://www.facebook.com/starbloak/
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 7, 2024
The author's note, or more accurately, the author's letter to the swifties reading the book, solidified what I was thinking. Obviously, this book is satire as a fan base is not a hoard of zombies (for the most part). Realizing this book was published in 2016 as well after 1989 and before Reputation put it into a new perspective. All in all, it's an interesting take on art and how we should view it. I love it for that and I obviously love it for being centered on Taylor Swift.
Now for the reasons this is hyper-specifically a 3.25 for me. To me, it felt like this was a rushed school project. The writing didn't flow and was confusing to follow as I felt things were missed, left out, or incorrectly associated to on the next page. Some of the subject matter was also very off putting, which I will include in the spoiler section below as this is a novella.
Now for the reasons this is hyper-specifically a 3.25 for me. To me, it felt like this was a rushed school project. The writing didn't flow and was confusing to follow as I felt things were missed, left out, or incorrectly associated to on the next page. Some of the subject matter was also very off putting, which I will include in the spoiler section below as this is a novella.
April 18, 2026
My sister loves supporting independent bookstores and independent authors. Sometimes that entails gifting me, a Swiftie, a dystopian novel where Taylor Swift is an evil dictator using her hypnotic music to rule the world.
As for me, I try to read everything with an open mind, and once I open a book, I will finish it no matter what. But perhaps the Swiftie in me has colored my opinion of the book. However, I do not have any problem with the book's premise or concept. A dystopian Taylearth is an intriguing proposition, and even as a Swiftie, I have to admit that some of the most ardent amongst us do behave like a zombie hive mind.
My problem with the book is that it is weakly written. The narrative doesn't flow smoothly or hook you in. The characters never get a chance to fully blossom or develop. As a reader, I could not find myself forming a bond with any of them or rooting for them. There was too much time spent on Maura and Zachary instead of Leigh. The character arcs and conflicts around Mr. Bennett or Evan never get fully explored to satisfaction. Leigh's romantic and sexual interests are also mentioned, then quickly glossed over in the next proceedings.
The two-page letter to Swifties at the end of the book was actually my favorite part. It was well written and spoke to me. In these two pages, I could say Ryan's earnestness as a music fan, his intention behind the satire, and his main beef with the structure of the music industry rather than Taylor specifically. I wish the letter's coherence and flow were reflected in the book.
But then, I have also come to realize that this is one of Ryan's earlier works. Storytelling is damn hard. Telling a satirical story that people get and enjoy is infinitely harder. I may have to pick up his sci-fi work because I actually resonate with his dislike of corporate art. And maybe he will revisit Swift or this Swiftopian concept another day. After all, this was written between 1989 and the Reputation Era. I am genuinely curious what he thinks about Evermore. What does he think of Ivy?
And Swifties can be musically complex too - my most listened to song in March has been Takatukka by Antti Paalanen - a delightful ode to mullets that blends accordion tunes, throat singing, and Finnish folk music.
As for me, I try to read everything with an open mind, and once I open a book, I will finish it no matter what. But perhaps the Swiftie in me has colored my opinion of the book. However, I do not have any problem with the book's premise or concept. A dystopian Taylearth is an intriguing proposition, and even as a Swiftie, I have to admit that some of the most ardent amongst us do behave like a zombie hive mind.
My problem with the book is that it is weakly written. The narrative doesn't flow smoothly or hook you in. The characters never get a chance to fully blossom or develop. As a reader, I could not find myself forming a bond with any of them or rooting for them. There was too much time spent on Maura and Zachary instead of Leigh. The character arcs and conflicts around Mr. Bennett or Evan never get fully explored to satisfaction. Leigh's romantic and sexual interests are also mentioned, then quickly glossed over in the next proceedings.
The two-page letter to Swifties at the end of the book was actually my favorite part. It was well written and spoke to me. In these two pages, I could say Ryan's earnestness as a music fan, his intention behind the satire, and his main beef with the structure of the music industry rather than Taylor specifically. I wish the letter's coherence and flow were reflected in the book.
But then, I have also come to realize that this is one of Ryan's earlier works. Storytelling is damn hard. Telling a satirical story that people get and enjoy is infinitely harder. I may have to pick up his sci-fi work because I actually resonate with his dislike of corporate art. And maybe he will revisit Swift or this Swiftopian concept another day. After all, this was written between 1989 and the Reputation Era. I am genuinely curious what he thinks about Evermore. What does he think of Ivy?
And Swifties can be musically complex too - my most listened to song in March has been Takatukka by Antti Paalanen - a delightful ode to mullets that blends accordion tunes, throat singing, and Finnish folk music.
October 29, 2025
I really wanted to like this book! Indie author, funny premise, self effacing sticker in front (‘soon to be rejected as a major motion picture’ ) but it never grabbed me.
The tone oscillated from straight faced, but with a ridiculous premise, to pure lunacy, with over the top behaviours worthy of South Park. EITHER would be acceptable, but it was hard keeping my head in the game.
The writer has admitted in the prolouge that this was an earlier work and that they are suprised it's been their most popular. It sort of shows, in that it DOESN'T. There's lots of telling me what's happening instead of showing me, as well as long blocks of dialouge with no stage direction or descriptions.
Things get glossed over as well, such as the Main charachter killing someone for the first time. Want to know more? Too bad, that's all the narration tells you. It's a sentence in a paragraph that sums up a conflict. I don't get it!
I gave this book an extra star for the bit in the middle that breaks fourth wall and talks about rubber shark pencil clips. If the whole book hewed to this, or maintained something akin to the narrative voice of, say, Douglas Adams or David Wong, I would have been highly reccomending this book.
The tone oscillated from straight faced, but with a ridiculous premise, to pure lunacy, with over the top behaviours worthy of South Park. EITHER would be acceptable, but it was hard keeping my head in the game.
The writer has admitted in the prolouge that this was an earlier work and that they are suprised it's been their most popular. It sort of shows, in that it DOESN'T. There's lots of telling me what's happening instead of showing me, as well as long blocks of dialouge with no stage direction or descriptions.
Things get glossed over as well, such as the Main charachter killing someone for the first time. Want to know more? Too bad, that's all the narration tells you. It's a sentence in a paragraph that sums up a conflict. I don't get it!
I gave this book an extra star for the bit in the middle that breaks fourth wall and talks about rubber shark pencil clips. If the whole book hewed to this, or maintained something akin to the narrative voice of, say, Douglas Adams or David Wong, I would have been highly reccomending this book.
May 26, 2024
This book actually had a great story, where we have the promotion of Anon and Anna and Lyss having to deal with Emma May Davis who had been exposed multiple times. This book has a great story, where this famous Emma May Davis send out a message that really shows that she is a pedo. 10/10 totally recommend
May 26, 2024
the book was okay.. except for some details. i would take out emma may davis, she was hated by everyone. i loved when nonexistentanna and user_anonymous5406 had to stay up really late seeing what she was doing, and judging her immensely. second, i think you should maybe take away the toxicity.
that is all, thank you.
that is all, thank you.
November 25, 2025
I thought this book was hilarious! I could agree with some critiques that it sometimes jumps around a bit, and isn’t very plot heavy. The humor is strong and the characters are interesting. The tidbit about Katy Perry really sold it for me as well. I think other reviewers may be taking this work a bit too seriously. It’s funny, silly, and a thoughtful critique on how we interact with art.
May 26, 2024
A very good book. I loved it when Anna and Lyss took over and destroyed the big bad Emma May Davis and exposed her for being a pedophile and a liar.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2024
This book was ahead of its time. Taylor Swift is an evil human being and must be eradicated from this earth
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews