Reclaiming Shilo Snow

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow #2

by Mary Weber

Trapped on the ice-planet of Delon, gamer girl Sofi and Ambassador Miguel have discovered that nothing is what it seems, including their friends. On a quest to rescue her brother, Shilo, a boy everyone believes is dead, they must now escape and warn Earth of Delon’s designs on humanity. Except the more they unearth of the planet and Sofi’s past, the more they feel themselves unraveling, as each new revelation has Sofi questioning the very existence of reality.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, Sofi’s mom, Inola, is battling a different kind of unraveling: a political one that could cost lives, positions, and a barely-rebuilt society, should they discover the deal made with the Delonese.

But there’s a secret deeper than all that. One locked away inside Sofi and ticking away with the beginnings, endings, and answers to everything. Including how to save humanity.

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopia, Romance, Fiction, Mystery

320 pages, Hardcover

First published March 6, 2018

About the author

Hi. I write books. I eat things. I kiss things. I believe in mermaids.

I'm also the author of the Storm Siren Trilogy, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow series, and the March 2019 release, To Best the Boys. When not working, I sing 80’s hairband songs to my three muggle children, and ogle my husband who looks strikingly like Wolverine. We live in California, which is perfect for stalking aging movie stars while wearing fanny packs and sweatpants.

For those who like to know such things (mainly my mom), Storm Siren was featured in the Scholastic Book Fair and my novels have been endorsed by such nice humans as Marissa Meyer, CJ Redwine, Shannon Messenger, and Jonathan Maberry (in fact, Marissa Meyer and I have a fun interview in the paperback of her book, CRESS). Also, Boba tea & sweatpants are life. {We can chat about life (in sweatpants over tea, obviously) in my Newsletter.

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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sequel to The Evaporation of Sofi Snow. I felt the same about the first book, but this was a duology and I thought I would finish them when it was offered on one of my blog sites.

I liked both of the books well enough and I enjoyed the characters. I liked little Shilo the best.

***SOME SPOILERS***

Sofi is on the ice planet Delon with Ambassador Miguel and many other children. Sofi and Miguel are trying to find Shilo and get back to Earth. They are trying to save other children as well.

The story is told in three different POV's: Sofi, Miguel and Sofi's mom, Inola.

They are slowing finding out that the aliens are not doing good things to the children but where are they to do. It's up to Sofi and Shilo to make things right.

"He has my children, Hart. He's taking Earth's children and using them far beyond taking simple cells-"

"Madam Inola is correct," Ethos said smoothly. "Her children are ours, and we will use them and any others as we see necessary. And yes, this is a threat, if you'd prefer to call it such. We will proceed as we see best with your support, or we will proceed in spite of you. But hear this. If your people find out, they will come after you first. Then us. And we are quite capable of defending ourselves-even as we have striven for peace. Thus, my recommendation is that we 'stay the course' as you humans say. If you do not continue to comply, we will be forced to move against you and, eventually, Earth. Therefore, do not interfere and live. Or resist and lose your freedom. Either way you may consider yourselves at our mercy."

Ethos clicked the screen off, then turned. And put his unusually long fingers together in a triangle to rest beneath his wide chin. "Ambassador Miguel, now that we've recovered you, what shall we do with you?"

*Thank you to BookLookBloggers for a print copy of this book.*

Happy Reading!

Mel ♥

MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List

[Chelsies Reading Escape · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun conclusion to the Evaporation of Sofi Snow duology. Once I dived back into this world the details of the first book started coming back to me and I didnt feek like I was missing anything important. In the first book we follow Sofi an awesome hacker and gamer as she tries to get her brother back from the aliens who abducted him after the bombing at the worlds biggest sporting event where teens fight it out in a virtual reality game.

I liked the main characters and their romance more in this book. I was already familiar with them and they had both developped in wonderful ways since the first novel. Sofi and Miguel had distinct voices and personalities that made it easy to tell them apart. They complimented each other perfectly. Miguel was persuasive and could read others well while Sofi was compassionate and a genius with technology. I also liked how their feelings for each other didnt overpower the story.

I enjoyed the familial relationship and the sibling bond, especially since I found myself relating to it. I didnt get to see as much of Shilo as I was hoping, but the parts with him in it were great. Im happy we got their mothers perspective. It helped me understand her better and I really enjoyed her character arc. I also loved the side characters and would have enjoyed seeing more of them. Claudius was stylish and hilarious as always and the AI Vic was her snarky and flirtatious self.

My main issue with this book was probably the writing. It didnt always flow very well and some of it felt a little clunky, but lots of people enjoy the writing so maybe its just me. I just feel like the writting didnt completely immerse me in this fascinating world. The virtual reality games could have been epic, but I had a difficult time picturing it in my mind. However the writing didnt stop the plot from gripping me with all the action and intensity.

The mystery behind the alien experiments and their intentions gave the story a suspenseful atmosphere that kept me turning the pages, but I thought the ending dragged a little bit. I feel like it could have been wrapped up quicker or left more open ended. I even started skimming the last couple pages. I was left wondering what would happen if the aliens came back in 100 years when Sofi and Shilo are dead to take their revenge. Overall this was a entertaining story with great characters. It was really close to a 4 Stars for me so I did really enjoy myself.

*received for review consideration*

[Mary Weber]

<3

[Atlas · Rating 2 out of 5]

"How do we lose our humanity? And how do we gain our humanity back?"

* *
2 / 5

I might not have been the biggest fan of the first book, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow, but I did enjoy it, mostly because of the fist fights, car chases, and flying spaceships. So I decided to give the sequel a go, but unfortunately I wasn't particularly impressed. It was the pure, sheer weirdness of this book that put me off.

"Thank heavens for the Delonese. For their gift of technology and environmental cleanup. But more so for the mirror they held up"

It took me a little while to slip back into this series; I remembered that we were on the Delonese planet that isn't really a planet with Sofi and Miguel, and that something was going on with Shilo, Sofi's brother. The rest of the details came back to me slowly and fuzzily, prompted by the book. Unfortunately, recalling the first book didn't particularly help me to enjoy the sequel which felt badly paced, had too short and choppy chapters, and which alternately confused and alienated me.

The biggest problem for me was Sofi and Shilo's mother, Inola, and her bizarre involvement in a bizarre plot involving a deal to abduct children for medical experiments. >What sort of mother would let her children be tested on by aliens?? And why would this mother be given a sympathetic angle? Then there's the weird involvement of the virtual reality games again, in which people seem to fight real monsters and actually die. Why is this allowed?? What relevance does it have to the plot?

I still liked Sofi. I liked her dedication to her brother, the lengths she was willing to go for him, how passionate she was. But I simply found the plot of the novel too convoluted for me. It's got everything from medical experiments, to secret planets, to virtual reality games, child trafficking, and political espionage but none of it seems to come together properly.

My thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book. 

Read this review and more on my blog: https://atlasrisingbooks.wordpress.co...

[Nicki Chapelway · Rating 5 out of 5]

In hind sight, I probably should have reread The Evaporation of Sofi Snow before reading this, but it didn't take me very long to start remembering the events of the last book. I still like the Storm Siren trilogy more, but I also really enjoyed these books, as well.

Reclaiming Shilo Snow is told through the POV's of Sofi, Miguel, and Inola.

I especially enjoyed reading about Miguel, who was just as great in this book as he was in the last one- if not more. Sofi really developed as a character in this one. I wasn't sure if I completely liked her in the last book, but after reading this book I decided that I did.

I didn't think that Inola's POV would be that interesting. I believed that I wouldn't care for her as a character, and would spend the time reading it waiting for Miguel or Sofi to come back onto the screen. I was wrong. Inola's were probably the most interesting set of chapters there was. I came to really like her as a character... and I shall zip my lips from saying more.

My one qualm with this book is that there was not enough Claudius in it. I love that guy! And everything he does makes me laugh. Then again, even if Claudius was on every page there wouldn't be enough of him.

I will warn you, however not to grow too attached to anyone. Mwahaha! No seriously, this is Mary Weber we're talking about here.

I received a free e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Jaime Arkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars full review to come!!

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This duology was spectacular.
Sofi Snow and Shilo Snow show the value of human life and how it shouldn't be for sale.
It shows the power of compassion and how caring and helping people in need is so important.
And in the end it shows hope. Hope for a better world, hope that while things could look dark now, that there is light at the end.




....
You didn't think I would be able to end this review without fangirling a little did you? ;)
So many feels were experienced while I read this book, I just love all the characters so much
Miguel <3 He is amazing and I love him and his character growth
Sofi is just as fabulous, and she kicked butt in this
Shilo, MY BABY *HUGS* he's so adorable
Inola, while I have had mixed feelings about her throughout these books, I ended up enjoying her character
The Delonese, I don't like them *glares* especially lord Ethos
The plot was so action packed and fun, I wished I would've read it faster (I got a cold and it put me in a reading slump even though I really wanted to continue reading this book...stupid cold)
Another thing I loved about this were the different POVs, we had Sofi and Miguel's but also Inola's, it added so much to the story <3
Now onto a tiny spoiler section, proceed at your own risk peeps

I was so happy when they found Shilo, and wanted to slap him just like Sofi did when we thought he wasn't ok XD
Also the ending with Miguel, Sofi, and Shilo on the farm just <3 <3 <3
Sofi and Shilo's mind conversations were the best, and I loved seeing their powers come in to play and help them.
The scene where Inola is in the FanFight Games, that whole scene I just *cries*




~keep reading & keep exploring galaxies~

[Jessica Baker (A Baker's Perspective) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been waiting for this book ever since the moment I read the end of The Evaporation of Sofi Snow. I was pretty hyped up about it, needing to know what happened after that huge cliff hanger. This book met and exceeded my expectations! It was fun, full of adventure, and wonderfully written. Although this is considered YA, I think adults will enjoy it just as much. In fact, perhaps you want to read it with your young adult so you can discuss it with them as you read!
Like I mentioned in my review of The Evaporation of Sofi Snow, the book looks a little intimidating when you read the cover. I promise you, it is not difficult to read or understand, and instead quite enjoyable. Sofi learns and grows a lot in this installment, and I found it easier to connect with her than the first book. You see her struggles more, but even more importantly the way she deals with everything life throws at her. It is a great testament to all of us growing in our faith, and dealing with life's difficulties.
I encourage you to pick up this book and give it a try, but make sure you read Book One first. Trust me, once you reach the end you'll want to jump right into this one! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reclaiming Shilo Snow picks up right where Sofi Snow left off. The chapters are once again told from multiple points of view, mainly Sofi, Miguel and Sofi’s mother Inola.

The majority of the story is taking place with the Delon’s and still trying to figure out what their angle is with Earth, and why they are so focused on Sofi and Shilo. This time there are a few flashbacks too before the Delons showed up and what life was like for Sofi and Shilo, we also get a better understanding as to why Inola did what she did both for her children and for the people of Earth.

There were a few parts in the book that did confuse me, but as it went on it made a lot more sense as to what was going on and why things happened the way that they did. Since the Delons are so focused and interested in Sofi and her hacker skills, which were very cool, and made me jealous of Sofi.

Without getting too involved with spoliers, I will say there were a few scenes in the book that made me think of The Matrix series. Outside of the “I know Kung-Fu” line, I don’t know if the author meant to use similarities to the movie, but even if she didn’t I found it easy to visualize what was going on.

The ending of this book hurt, the sacrifices that were made, the people that were betrayed, the truth finally coming to light, it was a great way to end the story. Even knowing that things will not fix themselves over night I liked how things were paced out to wrap up the every end of the book, and that prologue ending was not was I was expecting. Now saying that I do hope at some point there will be a novella or short story about the family at the end of the book.

This duology is such an amazing read, when I read The Evaporation of Sofi Snow I could not shut up about it for weeks, and I’m pretty much at that point now with Shilo. The two books are great fast reads, if you are into hi-tech hacker/gamer type stories with a dash of alien interaction. Grab both of them.

[Nicole M. Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the duology brought us back to the sci-fi adventures of Sofi Snow. What I love most about this series is the gorgeous writing. There were so many moments where I just found myself enraptured by Weber’s prose. The series puts a spotlight on human trafficking in a sci-fi setting, and while Weber can sometimes be a little heavy-handed with her messaging, she makes some keen observations about society. This installment was exciting, with quite a bit of sci-fi adventure. And we get the added perspective of Inola, Sofi’s mom. She is the type of morally gray character who makes you think—what would you risk if you thought it would help society? What price would you pay to cure some of the world’s worst diseases, and what ills would you be willing to turn a blind eye to? Overall, I thought that this was a fantastic conclusion!

[Cecily Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely incredible, heart-stopping end to this thrilling story. I love these characters, especially Sofi (I named one of my main characters in my upcoming YA after her!), and how their relationships evolve with the story and the pressures of everything that falls on their shoulders. This is not just an entertaining science fiction story, however - it is a serious look at how vulnerable people are used by others for profit, whether it is for money, experimentation, or other uses. No one should be deprived of their freedom, no matter how old, or young, or alone or suffering they are. Human trafficking is a growing problem in our world, and Weber brings this problem to light. I wish this story kept going, because I am going to miss these characters so much!

[E.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reclaiming Shilo Snow throws Sofi into a thrilling race to save the ones she loves and to rethink what she’s capable of.

In this fast-paced, duology wrap up to Mary Weber’s science fiction series, we follow Sofi Snow on a quest to rescue her brother. Left behind on the planet/space craft Delon, Sofi discovers the fascinating truth behind the Delonese and works to actively oppose them.

On Earth, Sofia’s mother is faced with a hard choice that will not only affect Earths inhabitants but also the lives of her children.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and answered a lot of questions the first book had left me with (of course, since it was the end of the duology). I thought the interspersing of her mother’s point of view was really well done and added a layer to the story that brought a lot of things to light.

I feel like this duology will appeal to those who enjoy fast paced plots with light elements of science fiction. It wasn’t so strong of a theme that it would be a requirement to like hard core sci-fi to enjoy this series. Mary’s heart for the innocent and children is visible in this book in a beautiful, powerful way. I think she has a message to share that we need to listen to.

Now that both books are out, there’s nothing holding you back! Definitely check out this series!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, a million stars *might* be enough to show how much I love this book. I've read and adored all of Mary's books, but this one is special. There is so much heart and hope for humanity in this book. This gorgeous conclusion to the Sofi Snow duology asks us what we would do for family. For humanity. And what our responsibility is when we are faced with the truth of our broken world. I'm not going to say much more, for fear of giving away the fun parts, but honestly, the world needs more books like this one. ❤️ (I received an advance copy for honest review)

[Maya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was really interesting at first, but it got SO boring after like 10 chapters.

[Hayden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate having to wait for the next book in a series- besides being impatient, I often find it difficult to remember everything that happened in the previous book when I have to wait a year to continue the story. This happened with Reclaiming Shilo Snow, so I admit it took me a couple chapters to get into its groove, and I even looked back over my review of the first book to jog my memory a little bit.

Overall, I think I liked this book better than the first. This is because the characters seemed more distinct and real to me in this one. I especially found the chapters from Sofi and Shilo's mom interesting. That perspective is not one you often find in a YA novel, and I really liked it. There's also a strong theme about the horror of human trafficking, and this book tackles issues that are hard to read about but done in such a way that I didn't find needlessly distasteful or used for "shock value." I can tell this is an issue close to the author's heart.

I did find parts of this novel a bit confusing. Some of this confusion was ironed out the more I read, but it did put a little distance between me and the story. It's definitely a unique novel, and one I think a lot of readers will enjoy, especially for fans of books like Marie Lu's Warcross.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Tracey Dyck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, this book continued with the same guts and the same heart as The Evaporation of Sofi Snow—and more heart pounding twists and turns and secrets hurtled me right to the satisfying finale.

Together, this duology is inspiring in the truest sense of the word. It holds up a mirror and asks us to find our humanity, to choose goodness over rightness, and to make every choice one of love. 5 glowing stars!

[Kat Heckenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this every bit as much as The Evaporation of Sofi Snow. Weber has created a cast of characters that are distinctive and relatable and real, in a cool, rich sci-fi/dystopian world. I probably said this in my review of Sofi Snow, but if you enjoyed the Cinder series, this is right up your alley. Absolutely loved it!

[Kali Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m so disappointed by how this turned out. I jumped into this forgetting the plot twists at the end of the first book and it messed me all up in the beginning. I found that this book was pretty boring and didn’t have much impact besides wrapping things up. I wish there was more dynamic to it.

[Schuyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the heart beating through this series. It was a joy to meet these characters.

[Melony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, make sure you set aside a day of no interruptions for the conclusion of the Snow Dualoligy. A fitting end to this pair of books because as much as I tried to guess what would happen, I did not even come close. Mary Weber is extremely skilled at world-building, character development and making me stay up way into the night because I HAVE TO READ ONE MORE CHAPTER. Without giving away any spoilers, in The Evaporation of Sofi Snow, we really get to know Sofi, but in Reclaiming Shilo Snow we get to know a lot more about some of the other characters who were in the first book. While much is uncovered and revealed, this book kept me on the edge of my seat right up to the satisfying end.

This book, while fast-paced and superbly entertaining, raises an awareness of the state of humanity as a whole today, here and now and the choices we make to make a better future for all, particularly the vulnerable. I'm kinda sad in a way that it's all over, this one is definitely worth a few re-reads, and definitely goes on my keeper shelf.

[S.G. Willoughby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This book was so good. I liked it better than the first one. Mary Weber's world building is so creative and complex (but logical). It's books like these and Nadine Brande's Out of Time series that inspire me to write dystopian.

When I finished the first book, I wasn't sure if I wanted to buy and read the second one. Not because my emotions didn't want me to (that cliffhanger was TERRIBLE), but because it ended with some disturbing things that I wasn't sure I could always handle well... especially if they got more intense in the 2nd book. But if you've read the 1st book, you can handle this one. This one was less disturbing to me... maybe because I now knew what I was getting into and what to be prepared for, or maybe because it just has less stuff in it.

Also... the romance was much more to my taste in this one rather than the first one. Also, I loved the ending of it. It was perfect. All the ends were tied up, but not in some dramatic or passionate scene, rather in trust and hope. It was beautiful. I also appreciated that it was balanced. It didn't feel forced. It didn't feel fake. It didn't feel like the romance was the center of the story. It was just a thread in the story. Major to the characters, but not to the plot exactly. Make sense? It was a dytopian book with some romance, not a romance novel with some dystopian.

I also came to love the characters. A lot. Even side characters like Claudius and Danya and Inola's bodyguard.

I also came to understand Sofi a lot better. In book one, I struggled to grasp who the old Sofi was in light of the desperate, somewhat immoral fanfight Sofi. But in this book, you got to see her heart and her hope and her innocence more. Or maybe I just realized it better.

Inola was not the character I would have expected to be one of the MCs. And at first, I wasn't sure. But her character was deep and well rounded. I found my heart hurting for her despite all she'd done. And the ending there... I won't say more.

I must confess, for the first half of the book, I felt sort of detached from the book a little bit. I think it was just where I was emotionally, because the plot was just as fast-moving and attention holding as the first one. XD However, as soon as I hit 50% I barely slept. It sucked me in and I couldn't put it down. I'm surprised I didn't wake anyone up with my audible reactions as I read.

It was so good. That review was jumbled, but I'm still trying to recover. It was a great escape, and I think I need to reread it a few more times to fully grasp the amazing storytelling.

My favorite part was how real the characters and themes felt. The themes... there wasn't just ONE theme. It wasn't black and white. It was "real people" going through "real" things and it felt so realistic in that sense.

This book isn't for the sensitive. But it was really good.

2nd Read Through:
Ahhh! I can't get these characters out of my head. And I related to Sofi so much more in the 2nd time around. I can't explain why, but yeah.

[Sarah {The Clever Reader} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book so much! I don’t read a lot of Sci-Fi of any kind so I’ve made a point to really get into it more. I’m so glad that I took the opportunity to sign up for Evaporation of Sofi Snow because I really enjoy this duology! Book two was just as good as the first one and it was even better getting to learn more about the alien species that’s been inhabiting parts of Earth for the 11 years since their arrival.

Sofi is such a fun character. She doesn’t let anyone get in the way of what she wants and that is to find her brother. Throughout this book we learn more about her childhood through flashback memories that seem to happen at seemingly random times. She finds herself trying to navigate this alien planet and learns that there may not be a coincidence when it comes to her knowledge of the Delon technology, especially when she realizes she’s been there before. In this book Sofi finds herself, her strength, her abilities, and even comes to accept that her past does not determine her future. She overcomes the heartaches she faced when she was younger and sees that maybe her mother isn’t as cold and distant as she believed her to be.

Miguel is also faced with many challenges in this book. He’s trying to be there for Sofi in a way that he couldn’t be when it counted and their relationship grows because of it. He is also an advocate for the children who have been taken over the previous 18 months and fights hard to help Sofi not only find Shilo but also the missing children. His goal is to expose the Delon for their trafficking of these kids and the reasons behind why they are doing it. He is such a strong and stable character which helps bring balance to the characters in these books!

Inola! We get a third POV in this book and that is from Sofi and Shilo’s mom CEO Inola Snow. This is where we really get to see the politics behind the negotiations between the Delonese and humans. She is forced to play a dangerous game in order to keep her children alive but also keeping her role in the deal she made with the Delonese in regards to child testing. We also get to see her struggle between having given up so much, including her relationship with her children, to build a society between the Delonese and humans. Her selfish motivations that took place 11 years prior are catching up to her and all she’s left with is the possibility that it’s too late to rebuild the relationship with her children that has always been in the back of her mind. Is she too late to save them and all the others?

I really enjoyed the different areas that were explored in this book. It did get confusing at times but in the end everything came together. I’d definitely recommend this book to YA Sci-Fi lovers!

[Hanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

tl; dr, This book is the action-based part of the duology, whereas the first book was more set-up (although both have lots of action!). They're similar to Warcross and The Lunar Chronicles, and they have gorgeous covers!

In this book, the characters come more together, and they begin to talk from their own perspectives. We get more into the mind of Levana Inola, as well as Shilo and Miguel, which I really enjoyed. The storytelling style was also really cool and special: it felt dreamlike/in a haze in some parts, and action-based in others.

I enjoyed this book better than the previous one, but I'm still not completely sold on the concept: I think The Lunar Chronicles and Warcross did it better; like many other books, the idea was done better than the execution of the actual story. I enjoy Mary's inclusion of important topics in her stories: this book includes definition of humanity, slavery, and several others.

Overall, this duology wasn't my favorite: it was a fun read, but not one I would reread: I wasn't particularly connected to the characters, and the story was slightly confusing.

My Rating-
3/5

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review; I was not required to write a positive review.

This review first appeared on: https://losingthebusyness.wordpress.c...

[Suzie Waltner · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I enjoyed The Evaporation of Sofi Snow (you can find my review of book one in this duology here), I adored the finale.

Mary Weber is one of the pre-eminent authors when it comes to world-building in the sci-fi/fantasy genre and Reclaiming Shilo Snow is no exception with plenty of action, intrigue and head-scratching in the search for the truth. Through the eyes of Sofi, Miguel, and Sofi’s mom, readers are given a well-rounded picture of Sofi’s world. The story engaged me from the start and moved at a speedy clip.

Yet, it was the message of this book that shines through the pages the brightest. The message of what sets us apart. What makes humanity, well, human is our ability to love others more than ourselves.

Granted, not everyone does so (neither in the book nor in life) and evil pervades. But in Jesus’s own words…And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love (I Corinthians 13:13).

Weber has managed to wrap the essence of that verse within the covers of a fictional story with aliens, gamers, corrupt leadership, and a girl and boy who have the ability to save earth.


Disclosure statement:

I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven't read the first book? Don't worry - this very nearly could work as a stand-alone. There's not as much world building here (possibly it's in the first book), and the characters are pretty static but it's the action that is important. Who exactly are the Delonese? What is happening on their moon-spaceship? Can Sofi rescue (or reclaim) her brother Shilo? And what about those Corp CEOs? Not all of them will be answered, but that's ok. And no, apparently there won't be a third book answering those questions.

My biggest quibble is that as an adult, the idea of aliens coming to help save the people of Earth usually leads me to think of the Twilight Zone episode "To Serve Man", among other "don't trust their motives" episodes and movies and books. (Note: that's not a spoiler, because this is covered in Book One, continuing in Book Two.) Doing something different would have been nice.

ARC provided by publisher.

[Fiction Aficionado · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Mary Weber’s writing, but I’ll admit I was hesitant to pick up this book’s predecessor, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow, simply because of the setting; it’s hard to think of a topic that interests me less than gaming. But pick it up I did, and I’m glad—doubly so, now that I’ve read this book, which I thought was even better than the first. If, like me, you’re not into gaming, don’t let that put you off, because the heart of this duology is something that is common to us all: relationship—our craving for genuine relationship (Sofi’s relationship with her mother as much as her relationship with Miguel), and in a more general sense, our relationship with this world we live in and those we share it with.

As you would expect, things become even more harrowing for Sofi in this novel, with the full agenda of the Delonese finally revealed and her perception of reality becoming blurred by her memories and a new awareness of coding abilities she’s only just beginning to understand. Don’t be surprised if you get thrown for a loop once or twice, because the characters certainly do! Unlike the first book in the duology, in this book we also get to see things from the point of view of Inola, Sofi and Shilo’s mother, who must come to terms with the mistakes she has made as both a parent and a CEO, however well intentioned they may have been in the beginning.

The best part is, as strong as the themes of compassion and forgiveness are, they never overpower the plot. In fact, the two work together synergistically and culminate in a rather stirring speech by Miguel toward the end that leaves the reader in no doubt of the vision for a better and more compassionate world the author hopes to inspire in her readers. Likewise, the strength of the romantic thread lies in its subtlety and the emphasis on genuine relationship rather than a purely physical attraction.

Great reading for teens and adults like!

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

for a book with his name in the title, you would expect shilo to be in it slightly more. this sequel to the evaporation of sofi snow, felt about the same to me as the first one/a little more disappointing. again, i liked a lot of the darker thematic elements of freedom/slavery/human trafficking, politics, moral/ethic ambiguity but the relationships and characters still didn't do much for me. And I am very much a reader for relationships/characters and dialogue. but that's just me. If you liked the first one or her other books, you'll probably like this just as much.

[Kara]

Most white people are really bad at writing Latinx characters because they do not come off realistic. This was no exception. She'd try to jam a Spanish word in every so often and the character of Miguel was a walking stereotype.

On top of that, there is very little description or sensory language. I'm a visual reader, and I couldn't picture the setting at all. I'm not a fan of writing styles like this.

[J.M. Hackman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to *love* this series, the way I loved Storm Siren... and I didn't. I liked it, though. It was well-written, the plot was twisty, and I liked Sofi in all her broken-ness. She felt real.
I wasn't crazy about the sci-fi angle which I knew about going in --but I thought if anyone would make me love it, it'd be Mary Weber. :-) I also would've liked more romance, but that's a personal preference and there is an HEA. And lastly Shilo was an interesting character, and I would've liked him to have more page time.
If you enjoy scifi and creepy aliens, give this duology a try.

[Rae Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful duology that is sure to stay with me! Intense, fast-paced, action with a cast of raw, complicated characters, and hard hitting truths that will break your heart wide open. All wrapped in a package of hope, love, and forgiveness.