Dark Matter

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

** I received an ARC for an honest review **

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Description

When the world ends, chaos begins–

 –for feral Bunny Graves, playing life like a high-stakes game, where the only way to win is to smash the board to bits– 

–for Max Caspar and Charmskool the scholar, chasing ancient myth all the way to the real world–      

–and for Ari Regon, caught between dangerous jealousy and passionate love, corporate war and ambition so intense that failure is death, making the party to end all parties, a party that never ends.  

Dark times.

Dark dreams.

DARK MATTER

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Summary

I received an arc of the third book Dark Matter (Dark Factory, #3) by author Kathe Koja. I have not read previous works in the trilogy which might affect my review but this was my first exposure to Koja’s work and a positive one.

Review

Dark Matter is the third and final volume in the Dark Factory trilogy by Kathe Koja.

Koja builds a fascinating world where her writing provides a strong sense of immersion and is a sensory delight. Dark Matter blends cyberpunk and speculative fiction. Not only is the world-building strong, the characters are well-developed and serve to drive the conflict between creative ambition and personal relationships. Of the main four characters, Ari’s story is one of jealousy, love, and ambition; Bunny’s story reflects her wildness and choices; Max is driven towards the distinctions between fiction/myth and reality.

Dark Matter has a unique world-building and narrative style where myth, virtual reality, statement, identity, art, and the cost of fame are woven together to force the characters, and ultimately the reader, what might one sacrifice for creation? For recognition? Or for love?

While I struggled with the narrative style which was dense and complex, it is part of a technique Koja uses to help build the sensation of blurring between the virtual world and reality, love and hate, power and notoriety.

Conclusion

A recommended read for fans of speculative fiction, character-driven narratives and cyberpunk with blending fiction with reality. A complex and emotionally charged novel that’s well worth investigating the trilogy and getting out of your comfort zone.

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**This review is my personal opinion and does not reflect any potential judging decisions **