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The Juice
When charisma is a superpower, it’s a mind-bending force.
Jarat Ellington was just an exile from Elite society, trying to lead a simple life, when a genius friend dropped an explosive mystery in his lap. The old pal, Thom Tseng, created a priceless chemical substance called the Juice that turns mildly charming people into almost god-like presences, known as Charismites. But the Juice is stolen, and Thom killed.
With the help of a secret organization, Jarat goes on an obsessive quest to uncover the deadly adversary who now controls the Juice. He must fight his intense attraction to a Charismite named Luscious Melada—once a dirt-poor, homely teen who transformed into an extremely magnetic starlet. And he goes up against Petra Cardinale, a powerful, ambitious media executive with a secret agenda.
THE JUICE is at turns an espionage rollercoaster ride and a spellbinding romance. Along the way, it explores the future of America and government control of media.
Don’t miss The Juice, by Janet Stilson. If you love the cyberpunk science fiction of William Gibson; the dystopian world of A Handmaid's Tale; or sci-fi detective novels, this story is for you. Come check it out.
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What People in the Media and Entertainment Industry Are Saying About The Juice:
"Author Janet Stilson spins an eye-opening dystopian tale in which government exercises a vice-like grip, bots behave like bullies, and shady companies pre-empt people’s thoughts and co-opt their dreams. In particular, given Janet’s background as a media journalist, she zooms in on the pernicious collusion between state power and media congloms to segment society, consolidating privilege in the hands of the few, and relegating the rest to hard-scrabble lives. It’s a scary but hardly far-fetched indictment. And yet, against this bleak backdrop, a trio of feisty characters thrust and parry to assert their humanity and solve the “juicy” mystery at the center of the plot. Their antics are wacky, their voices vivid, their aims sometimes conflictual, but their charisma unarguable. Altogether, The Juice is a rollicking, inventive and insightful read — heady, heart-felt but never heavy-handed." – Elizabeth Guider, Novelist, former executive editor of Variety and editor of The Hollywood Reporter
"The Juice is full of high energy and memorable characters. Its pregnant plot ideas pulled me onto a rollercoaster thrill ride. It is sexy and smart, with a contemporary and assured voice. Who can resist a story about a mysterious chemical formula that’s gone missing; sperm banks hacked by international forces; and giant media corporations that control more than information and entertainment. All this with relatable characters seeking their destinies in a malevolent political climate. Time to party!" – David Kenin, former executive at CBS & USA Networks
"Janet Stilson’s trippy, futuristic-yet-timely take on media power gone mad will resonate with alert readers, especially those detecting the pervasive aggression and amorality infecting today’s societal malfunction." – Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International, FilmDINGHY.com
Jarat Ellington was just an exile from Elite society, trying to lead a simple life, when a genius friend dropped an explosive mystery in his lap. The old pal, Thom Tseng, created a priceless chemical substance called the Juice that turns mildly charming people into almost god-like presences, known as Charismites. But the Juice is stolen, and Thom killed.
With the help of a secret organization, Jarat goes on an obsessive quest to uncover the deadly adversary who now controls the Juice. He must fight his intense attraction to a Charismite named Luscious Melada—once a dirt-poor, homely teen who transformed into an extremely magnetic starlet. And he goes up against Petra Cardinale, a powerful, ambitious media executive with a secret agenda.
THE JUICE is at turns an espionage rollercoaster ride and a spellbinding romance. Along the way, it explores the future of America and government control of media.
Don’t miss The Juice, by Janet Stilson. If you love the cyberpunk science fiction of William Gibson; the dystopian world of A Handmaid's Tale; or sci-fi detective novels, this story is for you. Come check it out.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
What People in the Media and Entertainment Industry Are Saying About The Juice:
"Author Janet Stilson spins an eye-opening dystopian tale in which government exercises a vice-like grip, bots behave like bullies, and shady companies pre-empt people’s thoughts and co-opt their dreams. In particular, given Janet’s background as a media journalist, she zooms in on the pernicious collusion between state power and media congloms to segment society, consolidating privilege in the hands of the few, and relegating the rest to hard-scrabble lives. It’s a scary but hardly far-fetched indictment. And yet, against this bleak backdrop, a trio of feisty characters thrust and parry to assert their humanity and solve the “juicy” mystery at the center of the plot. Their antics are wacky, their voices vivid, their aims sometimes conflictual, but their charisma unarguable. Altogether, The Juice is a rollicking, inventive and insightful read — heady, heart-felt but never heavy-handed." – Elizabeth Guider, Novelist, former executive editor of Variety and editor of The Hollywood Reporter
"The Juice is full of high energy and memorable characters. Its pregnant plot ideas pulled me onto a rollercoaster thrill ride. It is sexy and smart, with a contemporary and assured voice. Who can resist a story about a mysterious chemical formula that’s gone missing; sperm banks hacked by international forces; and giant media corporations that control more than information and entertainment. All this with relatable characters seeking their destinies in a malevolent political climate. Time to party!" – David Kenin, former executive at CBS & USA Networks
"Janet Stilson’s trippy, futuristic-yet-timely take on media power gone mad will resonate with alert readers, especially those detecting the pervasive aggression and amorality infecting today’s societal malfunction." – Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International, FilmDINGHY.com
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2021
5 people are currently reading
895 people want to read
About the author
Janet Stilson
4 books17 followersJanet Stilson lives in two worlds and is passionate about both of them. On the one hand, she writes stories in the sci-fi and fantasy genres that illuminate conditions that are present in the world today. On the other, she’s a journalist who focuses on the business of news and entertainment.
One of her feature film scripts, JAGUAR TRAIL, won the competition for the Writer's Lab for Women, sponsored by Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman. Another script, IMAGINARY CHILDREN, is adapted from her own short story of the same name, which was published by Asimov’s. The sci-fi literary magazine also featured Janet’s narration of the story in a podcast episode.
Janet’s novel, THE JUICE, a cyberpunk, dystopian tale about the media industry, was published by Dragon Moon Press in February 2021.
One of her feature film scripts, JAGUAR TRAIL, won the competition for the Writer's Lab for Women, sponsored by Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman. Another script, IMAGINARY CHILDREN, is adapted from her own short story of the same name, which was published by Asimov’s. The sci-fi literary magazine also featured Janet’s narration of the story in a podcast episode.
Janet’s novel, THE JUICE, a cyberpunk, dystopian tale about the media industry, was published by Dragon Moon Press in February 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
dnf
April 22, 2025I was provided an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review
I feel like I'm reading a different book to everyone else. This is a DNF @ 38% for me.
The audiobook quality and narrators are great, especially compared to the first ARC audiobook I received, there are some interesting ideas here, and I really tried to give it a fair shake, but I just don't feel engaged with any of the characters or the worldbuilding.
The central conceit, the eponymous Juice, being what amounts to a powerful charisma potion, and its potential ramifications are certainly interesting, but the writing seems to be informed by and from a very liberal perspective that actually makes the relatively milquetoast and 'acceptable' ethos of Cyberpunk 2077 actually seem quite punk in comparison.
I just don't think I buy what the author is selling, which seems to be another future dystopia that makes the broad brush gestures at inequality and class prejudice, without engaging with any of the grim reality.
The fact the protagonist is the perfect symbol of the middle class rebel with a heart of gold says a lot. Not to mention the questionable language and perspective of global politics.
Maybe things change over the course of the book, but if I wasn't gripped or wasn't feeling off about it, I might have been able to push through, but this just wasn't for me.
I will say that it is better than the diabolical cover though.
I feel like I'm reading a different book to everyone else. This is a DNF @ 38% for me.
The audiobook quality and narrators are great, especially compared to the first ARC audiobook I received, there are some interesting ideas here, and I really tried to give it a fair shake, but I just don't feel engaged with any of the characters or the worldbuilding.
The central conceit, the eponymous Juice, being what amounts to a powerful charisma potion, and its potential ramifications are certainly interesting, but the writing seems to be informed by and from a very liberal perspective that actually makes the relatively milquetoast and 'acceptable' ethos of Cyberpunk 2077 actually seem quite punk in comparison.
I just don't think I buy what the author is selling, which seems to be another future dystopia that makes the broad brush gestures at inequality and class prejudice, without engaging with any of the grim reality.
The fact the protagonist is the perfect symbol of the middle class rebel with a heart of gold says a lot. Not to mention the questionable language and perspective of global politics.
Maybe things change over the course of the book, but if I wasn't gripped or wasn't feeling off about it, I might have been able to push through, but this just wasn't for me.
I will say that it is better than the diabolical cover though.
February 16, 2021
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Juice” by Janet Stilson, Dragon Moon Press, Feb.9, 2021
WOW! Janet Stilson, the author of “The Juice” has written an intriguing, thrilling, edgy, and unique novel. The genres for this novel are Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, and Thriller. The timeline for this story is set in the author’s present, and goes to the past when in pertains in telling about the characters or events. The author describes her many colorful characters as complex and complicated. There is a touch of political aspirations, romance, espionage, sabotage betrayals, and good vs. evil.
Can you imagine a world where a chemical substance can be the cause and event of doing extreme good things or terrible things? There is a chemical mind-altering substance called “Juice” if given to a person or persons can cause the subject/s to be so attractive to everyone, almost like hypnotizing them or putting other people in a trance, that they follow what they are told? Or a gadget that can make one invisible? Jarat Ellington is aware that one of his friends is now deceased, and that the juice was stolen that his friend had invented. His friend Thom had managed to tell Jarat how this chemical caused a charming effect on other people and could be used for good or evil. This sends Jarat on a search for the thieves that have stolen this.
In Jarat’s quest, he finds out that there are political adversaries willing to do anything to exert their control, and huge companies that want more money, and the news media. Jarat also meets many intriguing characters, including a “Charismite” who has been on the chemical and can charm her way into anything. Anywhere Jarat goes there are danger and death. There is also a secret society.
There are twists and turns, and unpredictable events that make this novel so edgy and tense. I would highly recommend this novel for readers who enjoy Science Fiction.
WOW! Janet Stilson, the author of “The Juice” has written an intriguing, thrilling, edgy, and unique novel. The genres for this novel are Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, and Thriller. The timeline for this story is set in the author’s present, and goes to the past when in pertains in telling about the characters or events. The author describes her many colorful characters as complex and complicated. There is a touch of political aspirations, romance, espionage, sabotage betrayals, and good vs. evil.
Can you imagine a world where a chemical substance can be the cause and event of doing extreme good things or terrible things? There is a chemical mind-altering substance called “Juice” if given to a person or persons can cause the subject/s to be so attractive to everyone, almost like hypnotizing them or putting other people in a trance, that they follow what they are told? Or a gadget that can make one invisible? Jarat Ellington is aware that one of his friends is now deceased, and that the juice was stolen that his friend had invented. His friend Thom had managed to tell Jarat how this chemical caused a charming effect on other people and could be used for good or evil. This sends Jarat on a search for the thieves that have stolen this.
In Jarat’s quest, he finds out that there are political adversaries willing to do anything to exert their control, and huge companies that want more money, and the news media. Jarat also meets many intriguing characters, including a “Charismite” who has been on the chemical and can charm her way into anything. Anywhere Jarat goes there are danger and death. There is also a secret society.
There are twists and turns, and unpredictable events that make this novel so edgy and tense. I would highly recommend this novel for readers who enjoy Science Fiction.
February 18, 2021
“Open your soul to kindness, wider than its even been, wider than you ever thought it could possibly be. [...] And if you can’t love some of them, just pray for them, pray for the rest.”
•
This is a great sci fi book and some of the ideas described in it are just so cool. For instance one of the main characters, Jarat, has had a brain transplant and even if part of the personality of the previous owner has been transferred to him, that would just be revolutionary. I found the three points of view a bit confusing, especially at the beginning, but the story is really enjoyable. Jarat’s friend has invented a drug that is able to change the person that takes it into a Charismate: if you met one of them you’d just be ready to do everything he wants. The idea is very scary and it has incredible potential, in particular in politics. Indeed Jarat’s friend is killed and the drug stolen and used in the election campaign for the Vice President, who already controls social media and other means of communication. This sounds so incredible, but unfortunately it’s not that far from truth. I have recently watched the Social Dilemma on Netflix and found out how fake news can be spread at incredible speed and the ones that encourage hate and racism are the fastest. Social media are incredibly effective to implant subliminal messages with the result of making everyone as puppets. No one thinks with his own mind anymore and we are encouraged to follow only people that have our same ideas and this is not sane! It is really something we should be aware of and this book is so effective in showing how things could degenerate if moral is set aside and profit is the only goal.
•
This is a great sci fi book and some of the ideas described in it are just so cool. For instance one of the main characters, Jarat, has had a brain transplant and even if part of the personality of the previous owner has been transferred to him, that would just be revolutionary. I found the three points of view a bit confusing, especially at the beginning, but the story is really enjoyable. Jarat’s friend has invented a drug that is able to change the person that takes it into a Charismate: if you met one of them you’d just be ready to do everything he wants. The idea is very scary and it has incredible potential, in particular in politics. Indeed Jarat’s friend is killed and the drug stolen and used in the election campaign for the Vice President, who already controls social media and other means of communication. This sounds so incredible, but unfortunately it’s not that far from truth. I have recently watched the Social Dilemma on Netflix and found out how fake news can be spread at incredible speed and the ones that encourage hate and racism are the fastest. Social media are incredibly effective to implant subliminal messages with the result of making everyone as puppets. No one thinks with his own mind anymore and we are encouraged to follow only people that have our same ideas and this is not sane! It is really something we should be aware of and this book is so effective in showing how things could degenerate if moral is set aside and profit is the only goal.
February 12, 2021
The Juice by Janet Stilson is what scifi should be, in my opinion. This is easily five stars. I was absolutely addicted from page one and didn’t get a wink of sleep until I finished.
Janet Stilson‘s writing is so awesome. The world building here is incredible and it would be difficult to not get sucked in. We have themes of media, ccorruption, government control…all sorts of things are happening to create a magnificent novel! The events of the novel sometimes parallel our current day, which makes it even more intriguing.
I am in love with the characters that have been created. As with the world building, Janet Stilson captivates what it means to be human in her characters. No one felt one dimensional.
I loved The Juice and highly recommend checking it out!
*I received a free copy of this book from OTRPR in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
Janet Stilson‘s writing is so awesome. The world building here is incredible and it would be difficult to not get sucked in. We have themes of media, ccorruption, government control…all sorts of things are happening to create a magnificent novel! The events of the novel sometimes parallel our current day, which makes it even more intriguing.
I am in love with the characters that have been created. As with the world building, Janet Stilson captivates what it means to be human in her characters. No one felt one dimensional.
I loved The Juice and highly recommend checking it out!
*I received a free copy of this book from OTRPR in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
April 27, 2025
This was such a good scifi and extremely interesting it had powers and lots of main characters but not too many that you get confused and it kept me on my toes the whole time
June 30, 2025
I wanted to DNF this a lot in the first 1/3 of the book. It felt a little dis jointed and I didn't care for the verbiage the story was using. Also, one of the main characters is a "massage therapist" and it eludes to him having relations with his clients. I am a massage therapist and this pissed me off. Like PISSED ME OFF. To be a massage therapist you have to undergo schooling, get certified, and if you do what this character did, your certification would be immediately revoked. You can also be put on a list as a s**ual ab*ser. Like, it is 100% not okay. It also made reference later on that massage therapists are "paid s*x workers".
ANYWAYS, due to that I did put the book down for multiple weeks. I finally decided to start reading it again because I am doing my best to read the review copies I am sent. So I powered through. This book did not become engaging for me until close to 70% in. At that point I did find the overall story to be intriguing. There was a lot of references to s*x which I did not enjoy / appreciate - especially in the way they were mentioned.
Also, this book eludes a lot to things but never explores them. Like that humanity has colonized space - and yet the politics are only dealing with conflicts on earth - so is there no government for outside of Earth? It mentions them having similar struggles - how? We never saw that at all, only received less than 5 sentences about it throughout the book.
Anyways. The first 1/4 of the book was 0.5/5. The second quarter was 1.5/5. The third quarter was 2/5 and the last quarter was a 3/5. So overall I give this 1.75/5. I almost rated it 3/5 but while writing this review I remembered how much the "massage therapist" plotline pissed me off.
Will I recommend this book? No.
Will I read the next book in the universe? Only if it's not the same author and even then, it's a tossup.
Thank you NteGalley for the ALC.
ANYWAYS, due to that I did put the book down for multiple weeks. I finally decided to start reading it again because I am doing my best to read the review copies I am sent. So I powered through. This book did not become engaging for me until close to 70% in. At that point I did find the overall story to be intriguing. There was a lot of references to s*x which I did not enjoy / appreciate - especially in the way they were mentioned.
Also, this book eludes a lot to things but never explores them. Like that humanity has colonized space - and yet the politics are only dealing with conflicts on earth - so is there no government for outside of Earth? It mentions them having similar struggles - how? We never saw that at all, only received less than 5 sentences about it throughout the book.
Anyways. The first 1/4 of the book was 0.5/5. The second quarter was 1.5/5. The third quarter was 2/5 and the last quarter was a 3/5. So overall I give this 1.75/5. I almost rated it 3/5 but while writing this review I remembered how much the "massage therapist" plotline pissed me off.
Will I recommend this book? No.
Will I read the next book in the universe? Only if it's not the same author and even then, it's a tossup.
Thank you NteGalley for the ALC.
April 17, 2021
Overall, I felt this book was entertaining and explored some interesting themes and ideas. It was a new and creative take on a dystopian society novel, and it really benefitted from the author's personal experience in the media industry. I also liked how the story progressed from the point of view of several different characters and we slowly got to see how they were related.
That being said, I felt the pace was a little rushed with too many things going on that were not explained, and the writing style was a little awkward at times. Some events happened abruptly without much context and at times it felt like the plot was being pushed along too quickly. There were so many interesting themes and questions to explore that I wish the author had turned it into 2 or 3 books instead. And lastly, this may just be personal preference, but I did not particularly like the random teenager-y words like "amaz" and "ridic" that were getting thrown around as I found them a little distracting.
I still enjoyed this book and would be interested in reading other books by this author.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook for free through a Goodreads giveaway.
That being said, I felt the pace was a little rushed with too many things going on that were not explained, and the writing style was a little awkward at times. Some events happened abruptly without much context and at times it felt like the plot was being pushed along too quickly. There were so many interesting themes and questions to explore that I wish the author had turned it into 2 or 3 books instead. And lastly, this may just be personal preference, but I did not particularly like the random teenager-y words like "amaz" and "ridic" that were getting thrown around as I found them a little distracting.
I still enjoyed this book and would be interested in reading other books by this author.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook for free through a Goodreads giveaway.
May 4, 2021
I’m not a huge fan of Science Fiction but I was pleasantly surprised whilst reading this book. I really enjoyed it. A very unique Read, and there is a little bit of many genres in this story. A Dystopian, thriller, fantasy and even romance thrown in. Extremely entertaining. I found it to be well written, a clever plot line. A thought provoking novel!
Can you imagine there being some sort of substance that affects a persons charisma, making them irresistible and even influencing them to do good or bad? At times this book had me on the edge of my seat with all the twists and turns. It’s not very often I read something completely different. I loved this book and if your a Science Fiction fan you will love it too but hey even if your not a fan of Science Fiction I believe you will still enjoy it because I did.
I won this book in a ‘Goodreads Giveaway’ and even thought I am not obligated to leave a review I am more than happy to do that knowing how much work these authors put into their books just for us readers. Most definitely a five star read but don’t take my word for it. Read it yourself.
May 5, 2021
An Intelligent and Riveting Story in a Likely Future!!
The Juice is a captivating story of three very different characters whose stories eventually intertwine in a far-off, but very probable future of ours. The unique futuristic places, terms and descriptions take time to understand and to formulate into a full picture, but will soon paint a very convincing and likely world, and are worth digesting slowly. Concepts that we already see in our present world, such as human genetic engineering, the growing gap between the rich and poor, growing human infertility, wide spread surveillance, increased exposure to advertising, business influence on the government, and so forth, are even more prominent in this story. The characters are unique, with a spirit and a voice of their own. You will soon be committed to following each character through the book. Every detail has been painstakingly thought out and woven to create an engaging story that delivers to the end. I was not disappointed!
The Juice is a captivating story of three very different characters whose stories eventually intertwine in a far-off, but very probable future of ours. The unique futuristic places, terms and descriptions take time to understand and to formulate into a full picture, but will soon paint a very convincing and likely world, and are worth digesting slowly. Concepts that we already see in our present world, such as human genetic engineering, the growing gap between the rich and poor, growing human infertility, wide spread surveillance, increased exposure to advertising, business influence on the government, and so forth, are even more prominent in this story. The characters are unique, with a spirit and a voice of their own. You will soon be committed to following each character through the book. Every detail has been painstakingly thought out and woven to create an engaging story that delivers to the end. I was not disappointed!
April 6, 2025
(3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 for audio)
Thanks to #NetGalley for making this title available for reading and review.
I read the audiobook version of this book narrated by Emily Woo Zeller and Ron Butler. Both are great narrators and do well with giving each character a voice.
The book itself is almost two different stories, and I liked one of them a lot more than the other, but both were good, and they did join up into a single arc near the end.
The story is part cyberpunk, part conspiracy theory, part techno thriller, and part social commentary.
There isn't really much world-building. You are thrown into a future that is like most futures of this genre, and the author relies on stereotypes for both the world and for a lot of the characters. The character development is fair, but the real strength of this book lies in a compelling story with good dialog and a unique plot. I did like it
Thanks to #NetGalley for making this title available for reading and review.
I read the audiobook version of this book narrated by Emily Woo Zeller and Ron Butler. Both are great narrators and do well with giving each character a voice.
The book itself is almost two different stories, and I liked one of them a lot more than the other, but both were good, and they did join up into a single arc near the end.
The story is part cyberpunk, part conspiracy theory, part techno thriller, and part social commentary.
There isn't really much world-building. You are thrown into a future that is like most futures of this genre, and the author relies on stereotypes for both the world and for a lot of the characters. The character development is fair, but the real strength of this book lies in a compelling story with good dialog and a unique plot. I did like it
June 3, 2025
I was provided an ARC of the audiobook from netgalley in exchange for a review.
The narrators for this audiobook are excellent and do their level best to rein in this story which is all over the place. The novel is set in a fairly stereotypical cyber/dystopia future where technology is taking over all aspects of the world and control of the media is crucial to power. There were several nifty ideas for future-tech, but they felt sort of disjointed and tossed into the story willy-nilly.
The central plot surrounding the creation of a charisma potion wasn't interesting enough to hold the story together for me and having three character perspectives often made transitions confusing, particularly in audio format.
I'd read more from this author--I think she has potential to tighten up the narrative and delve more deeply into her exploration of social issues. This book just didn't quite get there.
The narrators for this audiobook are excellent and do their level best to rein in this story which is all over the place. The novel is set in a fairly stereotypical cyber/dystopia future where technology is taking over all aspects of the world and control of the media is crucial to power. There were several nifty ideas for future-tech, but they felt sort of disjointed and tossed into the story willy-nilly.
The central plot surrounding the creation of a charisma potion wasn't interesting enough to hold the story together for me and having three character perspectives often made transitions confusing, particularly in audio format.
I'd read more from this author--I think she has potential to tighten up the narrative and delve more deeply into her exploration of social issues. This book just didn't quite get there.
January 14, 2021
Janet Stilson’s debut science fiction novel “The Juice” is a shocking thrill-ride through a dark near-future in which media is controlled by government and people’s dreams are invaded by that same media. Mega corps—maybe just a little more mega than we have now—dominate news and entertainment, injecting political messages into “dreamisodes” over which subscribers believe they have control. They’re wrong. Charisma comes out of bottle—a needle really—and creates superpowered humans who can drive millions to do evil on a global scale. Only three people, unknown to each other, can end the media-tech tyranny. As Stilson is a veteran media journalist, she brings frightening realism to a future that could be heading our way. Sci-fi mystery, romance and the cautionary tale we need right now, “The Juice” is for fans of “Neuromancer,” “Snow Crash” and other novels of dystopian worlds.
April 17, 2025
This was such a wild adventure. Charisma in a bottle!
The plot is a bit loose, the world-building a bit underdone, and the point a little hard to follow ... this is more like a carnival ride through contemporary issues centred on a magical, transformative technology that makes us into the epic being we're all led to think we want to be, that will solve all our problems and raise us up from mere society ... the two characters pull us along through media tyranny and the clash of the classes in a near-future where threats to humanity, like fertility, are becoming a reality, but we're still not focusing on the right things.
I loved the narration by Emily Woo Zeller and Ron Butler ... particularly Zeller, who nailed the small town country gal accent that really brought me into story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dragon Moon Press for the advance copy of the audiobook.
The plot is a bit loose, the world-building a bit underdone, and the point a little hard to follow ... this is more like a carnival ride through contemporary issues centred on a magical, transformative technology that makes us into the epic being we're all led to think we want to be, that will solve all our problems and raise us up from mere society ... the two characters pull us along through media tyranny and the clash of the classes in a near-future where threats to humanity, like fertility, are becoming a reality, but we're still not focusing on the right things.
I loved the narration by Emily Woo Zeller and Ron Butler ... particularly Zeller, who nailed the small town country gal accent that really brought me into story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dragon Moon Press for the advance copy of the audiobook.
February 10, 2021
As an admittedly newbie to the cyberpunk genre, I had no expectations of what I was I getting into. Set in New York City, the tale is strange, visionary, funny, and SEXY. The author has created an alternate world that feels full and highly intelligent with cinematic flair. As a former New Yorker, I was totally engrossed in the dystopian view of the city in the not so distant future.
The central character Jarat Ellington is an exile from an Elite society, leading a simpler and just life but is pulled into a cat and mouse thriller upon learning of the demise of an old pal who created a substance called the Juice which turns ordinary people charmingly irresistible. An insightful exploration of media power run amok and class warfare with flirty romance.
The central character Jarat Ellington is an exile from an Elite society, leading a simpler and just life but is pulled into a cat and mouse thriller upon learning of the demise of an old pal who created a substance called the Juice which turns ordinary people charmingly irresistible. An insightful exploration of media power run amok and class warfare with flirty romance.
February 9, 2021
What a fun ride! Full of shining characters, that although set in the distant future, trigger universal struggles--loyalty, love, hubris, and greed, to name a few, that captivate from page 1, and keep you connected until the character threads all intersect. I feel like I probably would have grown up in the small hamlet of Pompey, and would be a chav of some sort, but you can't help but think where you would land in this new vision of the class system. Although the storytelling is intricate, it's not heavy, and you'll end up reading with a feverish pace, trying to keep up with all the characters, and the winding arcs.
April 28, 2021
I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway... This was a very interesting book and a good read. It reminded me of a mash up of The Hunger Games and Limitless (aka The Dark Fields). It setting was very descriptive and made it easy to imagine. I love the character Luscious, she is so real and someone you would love to meet in real life. I would definitely read this book again. It was a delight and a surprise. Recommended for anyone who is into futuristic and/or Sci-Fi novels. Great read!
April 17, 2021
Thought-provoking
Normally I don't read this genre. But this book held my attention from page one. I found the main characters magnetic and the storyline thought-provoking. It's a cautionary tale of government and the media becoming one and the same. It explores the ever-widening wealth gap. And it pushes one to consider how and why we can be so easily influenced by the media.
Normally I don't read this genre. But this book held my attention from page one. I found the main characters magnetic and the storyline thought-provoking. It's a cautionary tale of government and the media becoming one and the same. It explores the ever-widening wealth gap. And it pushes one to consider how and why we can be so easily influenced by the media.
May 9, 2025
3.75⭐
There is a priceless chemical substance causing "mildly charming" people into an almost "godlike" presence called "The Juice".
Two Problems:
1. 'The Juice' has been stolen.
2. The Creator of 'The Juice' has been murdered.
Thank you NetGalley and Dragon Moon Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
There is a priceless chemical substance causing "mildly charming" people into an almost "godlike" presence called "The Juice".
Two Problems:
1. 'The Juice' has been stolen.
2. The Creator of 'The Juice' has been murdered.
Thank you NetGalley and Dragon Moon Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 22, 2021
This book grabbed me from the first page, and was hard to put down right to the very end! Ms. Stilson has created some interesting characters and uses them to explore questions that are pertinent in today's society. HIghly recommend this read.
June 6, 2021
Loved it! grabbed me right from the beginning and held my interest all the way to the end. Good character development, plot was reasonable (for a dystopian YA book), and it was a great, satisfying story. Ms. Stilson has quite an imagination & I look forward to more of her work!
December 5, 2020
3.5/5 RTC :)
May 26, 2021
Not a bad story, really interesting concept but the language got on my nerves, found myself skim reading the second half just to find out what happened.... full review ro follow
April 13, 2021
Good book
I loved reading the juice and I think other people will like reading this too. Good book. Good title too
I loved reading the juice and I think other people will like reading this too. Good book. Good title too
May 6, 2025
The Juice takes place in a futuristic type of America with media at the heart and corruption in its soul. Technology has had its boom, creating incredible feats, and with it, even larger spans between the classes in society.
The storyline follows three vastly different characters: Jarat, who knows the truth of The Juice and its origin, and wants to do what is right. Petra, a media exec with aspirations for moving even higher, but is also on a very personal journey that she feels she cannot share with others. Then there is Luscious, a teenager that grew up as one of “the poors” that happens to meet the right people at the right time & becomes a Charismite herself.
I really enjoyed this Audiobook. I found the author’s creativity with determining what the future would look like was interesting, but not so wild that it wasn’t believable. The government corruption was completely believable with the way they were using the media. I liked all three main characters, and the “villain,” was really easy to hate.
Ultimately, I had a couple of questions in the end and still was a little uneasy about how Lucious’s storyline went, but overall had a good time and enjoyed the ride.
The storyline follows three vastly different characters: Jarat, who knows the truth of The Juice and its origin, and wants to do what is right. Petra, a media exec with aspirations for moving even higher, but is also on a very personal journey that she feels she cannot share with others. Then there is Luscious, a teenager that grew up as one of “the poors” that happens to meet the right people at the right time & becomes a Charismite herself.
I really enjoyed this Audiobook. I found the author’s creativity with determining what the future would look like was interesting, but not so wild that it wasn’t believable. The government corruption was completely believable with the way they were using the media. I liked all three main characters, and the “villain,” was really easy to hate.
Ultimately, I had a couple of questions in the end and still was a little uneasy about how Lucious’s storyline went, but overall had a good time and enjoyed the ride.
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