Reviews
Mr. Marrs is a demonic, evil mastermind, and I hope he never stops writing.As usual, I feel sick reading his books. They hit so close to reality and put a finger on so many societal problems that feel more dangerous and urgent now than ever.(I have to say I hated the whole romance plot — especially chapter 69. What the hell was that? Why? That was just unnecessary and stupid.)
I will read anything John Marrs publishes. His stories make me feel uncomfortable, scared, fascinated. I'm both scared to pick them up and incapable of putting them down. This particular story was much too close to reality for my own comfort.
⭐️4John Marrs has written another great book. After reading 'The Passengers' by John Marrs - a book I loved and hold in high regard - 'The Marriage Act' did not disappoint. I was hooked from the first chapter, just as I was with 'The Passengers'. John Marrs' books are genuinely addictive; it's impossible to put them down once you start reading them.With Marrs' realistic dystopian near-future, which is set in the same "universe" as in The Passengers, Marrs always manages to create an unsettling and fascinating world. There are a multitude of great things going on in this fast-paced thriller/sci-fi crossover (don't be fooled by its length; it's a quick read). From the use of audites monitoring conversations to the disturbing use of deep fakes, this brilliant, unique plot follows couples trying to navigate married life under totalitarian government control. With this plot, the book effortlessly explores love and marriage, political unrest, and power dynamics without detracting from the original story. Overall, it's another thought-provoking book by John Marrs that's well-written and entertaining. After reading this book, I am now intrigued to read The One by John Marrs, which also explores technology's role in society in the same "universe."
⭐️4-4.5The first chapter hooked me and I knew I would love the book from the get-go, and I did. Having never read a John Marrs book before, I wasn't sure what to expect from the book. However, I wasn't disappointed, as it got better and better with each chapter. With a prominent theme of technology and its role in society, the book felt like an episode of 'Black Mirror' inside a book, which I found extremely cool.In this fast-paced thriller book, we have a multitude of great things. A brilliant, unique plot. Several interesting characters are fleshed out in considerable detail. A 'locked in a room' thriller trope is seamlessly infused with dark sci-fi and technology elements, such as hacked autonomous, driverless cars. An alarming, chilling commentary on the reliance on artificial intelligence. An examination of human behaviour and thought processes in the face of danger and when in survival mode. A concept of 'playing God' and technology invading privacy and creating a mob mentality. A cleverly crafted plot, with interesting yet unexpected twists and turns that enhance the story without distracting from the original story.The book lost a star because it started to drag towards the end and it was upsetting to see a few of the passengers die before we able to fully know them as intimately as the others. While I am aware that this was an insignificant and petty reason to lose a star, it took me a while to overlook it. In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For those who want a fast-paced, tense thriller that they can't put down, I would highly recommend this book.