Leopoldo Gout

Such a difficult book to rate. The plot was there, the premise was awesome!

Carmen and Luna... they leave much to be desired. They come off as stereotypical caricatures of people one might find in a cheap B-movie. Nobody talks like that.
Carmen - I've never met a Mexican mother who acted the way she did. She always claimed to care so much, but never did anything to actually show she cared. She deserved to be taken off the job site with the way she didn't care to stand up for herself, her job or her family.
And Luna? Don't even get me started, the way she acted and spoke was like a four year old, so spare me with the "old soul" garbage.
It makes me wonder if the book was originally written in Spanish and the translation just didn't do it justice.

Despite these flaws, the story had its merits, with compelling side characters and memorable moments. Like the Priest at the end! I was shook!

The descriptive details added a grotesque depth I loved, although the end felt rushed.

Overall, while the book has potential, perhaps its true calling is for the big screen rather than the page.… (plus d'informations)

Told in alternating chapters from the perspective of three ultra-smart teens, Rex, Tunde, and Painted Wolf, this is a thriller with plenty of technology, coding, and hacking...All of it described so someone can easily understand what's going on. Rex desperately wants to find his brother, Teo, who vanished two years ago, Tunde is being threatened by a despot African general. He either builds a piece of technology the general wants, or his family will face horrible consequences. Painted Wolf has made sneaking into places where she can record and photograph corrupt politicians and businessmen, then outing them on the internet, her mission.
Two are selected for a dream competition in Boston, the other hacks his way in. The action at the competition is fast and fierce, leading to a dandy setup for the sequel which I just ordered.… (plus d'informations)