Review: Unique and brilliant
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 26, 2012
I loved the way in which this story was told. It is probably one of the most unique and brilliant ideas I have ever seen. Texts, emails, online chats, and blog entries - yup, think of all the ways in which we communicate in this digital age, and you will find it in this book. It even mentions our favorite social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace.I have to admit though, that I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to connect with any of the characters or the story because of this, but Bekka Black does such an amazing job of drawing you in through the character's interactions with each other. It was exciting to read their messages and it really gave me a sense of who they are and the type of relationships they share with their friends.Elizabeth is a free spirit. She loves to explore and had a blast in Europe. I loved the fantastic pictures she took while on her travels. She obviously adores both Victor and Henry and I loved the way she complained about Victor to Henry. The former of course never wanted to leave his cabin. He feels more at home around technology, and he is extremely stubborn and driven, even bordering on obsessive. But there is real purpose to his madness. If he can create the perfect chatbot then it will be his ticket to freedom and he'll be able to live his life the way he wants. Then there is Henry. I wasn't sure what to make of him at first, but as the story unraveled and his disability was revealed I felt a bit sorry for him. His chats are so lively and enthusiastic, most of the time anyway, and I think he was vicariously living through his two best friends who were able to do the things he couldn't. All in all, their sometimes hilarious, sometimes cheeky banter, proved just how much of a bond they all shared.Of course, what would a story based on Frankenstein be without the monster? Virtual Victor or V.V, is the chatbot Victor created in hopes of finding his freedom. Little did he know that his own creation would turn on him, nearly destroying his life. V.V. starts off as a virtual replica of Victor, but as the story progresses V.V. develops and takes on his own personality. He isn't very happy when Victor removes some of the information used to create him, and this is when things really start to get interesting. V.V. morphs into something far more sinister and dangerous. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues and Victor has no choice but to put an end to his evil creation.Artificial intelligence really fascinates me but the thought of it turning on us is terrifying. Technology is developing at such a rapid pace, that it feels like it has already taken over so much of our lives, and although this story is fiction, it's not that far from reality. This book thrusts the classic Frankenstein story into the 21st century, making it an exciting read that will surely entertain readers of all ages, but more specifically those who are drawn to the technology found between the pages.