OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Scaevola Conspiracy" by Timo Bozsolik-Torres.]

Luke thought joining Swoop, the most notorious tech company in the world, was his perfect chance to help out his family back in Belarus while doing what he loved. Overcoming his crippling social anxiety, he makes friends with Ada and Clark and even finds a way to enjoy his seemingly lackluster work assignment. But things take a turn for the worse when tech higher-ups start dropping dead from brain cancer. Is it all a coincidence, or is there something sinister behind it? Will Luke and his friends survive the rollercoaster ride that awaits them behind Silicon Valley's pristine facade? The Scaevola Conspiracy is, as far as I'm concerned, the technological thriller of the year.

The character development is outstanding. My favorite character was Ada, a smart-mouthed genius ex-hacker. The choice of main character was interesting since Luke is a reluctant hero and an unremarkable one at times, which makes him all the more relatable. Diving into the origin story of the antagonists provided a more rounded perspective to the narrative. The author seemingly alternates timelines, and the pacing is perfect, without a single boring moment in it.

Readers who are technologically challenged, fear not. Bozsolik-Torres made the dialogue both believable and understandable. It is to be expected that colleagues in a big tech company use jargon, but it's all clear, and I even learned a couple of cool industry secrets.

While never preachy or boring, The Scaevola Conspiracy raises important questions about how we connect to technology and the ethics of the companies behind our inseparable devices. Are our devices, using the author's words, just "novocaine for the soul"? While this all seems gloomy, The Scaevola Conspiracy is full of witty humor, cinematic descriptions, and even a little romance to balance things out.

This is a perfect novel except for one odd description (I think "bulimic-looking" was a poor choice of words to describe a thin man). I rate The Scaevola Conspiracy by Timo Bozsolik-Torres 5 out of 5 stars because of the intriguing plot, outstanding character development, organic dialogues, and relevant topics.

Thriller lovers, tech enthusiasts, and anyone who's questioned what's happening behind the memes and the reels will love this book. Anyone who likes challenging the status quo and not taking everything at face value will love this story. Will you dare put your phone down and pick up this book?

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The Scaevola Conspiracy
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A thriller that addresses some important questions about the use of technology and how we're driven to certain uses of technology is certainly interesting to me. Thank you for your great review!

NetMassimo wrote: ↑13 Sep 2023, 14:56 A thriller that addresses some important questions about the use of technology and how we're driven to certain uses of technology is certainly interesting to me. Thank you for your great review!

I hope you add it to your TBR list; it's worth it . Thank you for your comment.

Whoa! A book about technology, its advantages and disadvantages! A very interesting book. I would love to read it!

We need more books like this one in today's generation. An amazing book for the people having interest towards technology!

Personally, technology impresses me the most, and a book mixed with technology and mysteries is another level of enjoyment for me. Your review was an excellent view of what the book could possibly be about. The characters also seemed exciting. I enjoyed reading your review. Thank you, Maria!

Cherrie Rosaldo wrote: ↑14 Sep 2023, 00:31 Whoa! A book about technology, its advantages and disadvantages! A very interesting book. I would love to read it!

I hope you enjoy it

Sadama wrote: ↑14 Sep 2023, 07:33 We need more books like this one in today's generation. An amazing book for the people having interest towards technology!

I agree. Even I, and I'm not young, find myself a bit too reliant on my phone.
Thank you for your comment.

Sahoor wrote: ↑14 Sep 2023, 09:21 Personally, technology impresses me the most, and a book mixed with technology and mysteries is another level of enjoyment for me. Your review was an excellent view of what the book could possibly be about. The characters also seemed exciting. I enjoyed reading your review. Thank you, Maria!

Thank you for your kind words!

I wonder if the thin man also exhibited signs of bulimia- like loss of hair, bad oral hygiene, and skin issues? This is a great review. Technology seems to empower some people to mindless ramblings without realizing what they are doing. I believe that children should be limited on their screen time; however, I notice a lot of parents use computers, phones, and other devices as babysitters.

Stephanie Runyon wrote: ↑24 Sep 2023, 17:53 I wonder if the thin man also exhibited signs of bulimia- like loss of hair, bad oral hygiene, and skin issues? This is a great review. Technology seems to empower some people to mindless ramblings without realizing what they are doing. I believe that children should be limited on their screen time; however, I notice a lot of parents use computers, phones, and other devices as babysitters.

It's quite alarming. Our nonstop use of devices messes with our brain's chemicals, particularly our dopamine pathways. About the description...it was meant to describe an Indian ascetic. I find it a bit distasteful both for Indian beliefs and for people suffering from bulimia. But it's a minor issue in a great novel. Thank you for taking the time to answer.

I am a decade behind when it comes to social media and tend to stay away from the chaos of reals and memes, but what goes behind their creation is a curious question. From what I read in this review, I believe I would definitely enjoy The Scaevola Conspiracy. Thank you for the review.