Catfishing on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer is a Young Adult novel that features a newly conscious Artificial Intelligence. The AI (who sometimes calls itself CheshireCat) runs an online social media web site named CatNet.
The narration of Catfishing on CatNet alternates between the AI and a smart 16-year-old high school student named Stephanie who deals with a difficulty forming friendships (and getting enough credits to graduate from High School) because her stressed mother moves her from small town to small town at almost random intervals to evade Stephanie’s father who is stalking them.
Unlike the AI in The Terminator series, Kritzer’s AI is helpful and loves cats. Up to this time, the AI has just been supportive of the groups on her web site, but when Stephanie and her mother are threatened, the AI decides to take action.
In addition to dealing with her stalker father, Steph tries to make friends in the Real World. Her friends on CatNet are dispersed throughout the country. Yet, they play important roles when Steph is confronted by danger. Kritzer also provides comedy to break up the tension. Reprogramming the robot intended to teach SEX EDUCATION in a HEALTH class cracked me up!
Catfishing on CatNet presents several important issues within an exciting story. Kritzer captures the angst of teenage life and piles on more tension with an abusive father secretly lurking. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series! GRADE: A
Gag me with a spoon!
Bob, different strokes for different folks.
This book was just nominated for the Lodestar Award, which is the Young Adult award administered by the Hugo committee.
Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book (not a Hugo):
Catfishing on CatNet, by Naomi Kritzer (Tor Teen)
Deeplight, by Frances Hardinge (Macmillan)
Dragon Pearl, by Yoon Ha Lee (Disney/Hyperion)
Minor Mage, by T. Kingfisher (Argyll)
Riverland, by Fran Wilde (Amulet)
The Wicked King, by Holly Black (Little, Brown; Hot Key)
Jeff, thanks for the list. I also have DRAGON PEARL by Yoon Ha Lee (you can read my review here: http://georgekelley.org/dragon-pearl-by-noon-ha-lee/
I tend to avoid YA. Although I have enjoyed some by China Mieville and Patrick Ness. I am not the target audience and besides, I can’t keep up with all the adult books I want to read much less YA books also.
Steve, as Jeff Smith pointed out, CATFISHING ON CATNET is up for an award. Like you, I tend to read books for adults. But I’m willing to read a Young Adult book if the reviews are strong. I enjoyed CATFISHING ON CATNET and I’ll be counting the day until the sequel is published.
She has a new story just posted on Tor.com
Steve, thanks for the heads up! I’ll have to check it out.
So glad I’m not a teenager these days.
Not for me, but then I have review books to last me a few months. More when I consider pg wodehouse, henry cecil, craig rice, lots of rue morgue press oldies I have still to dip into
Maggie, I try to switch things up with my reading. I have a bunch of review books, too. But, I like to keep up with current books that are well reviewed. And, I have plenty of Wodehouse, Cecil, and Rice to read, too!
A stalker father would make me too anxious but other than that it sounds good.
Patti, the stalker father is a small but important part of CATFISHING ON CATNET. The plot revolves around Steph, a troubled teenager, who is trying to figure out why her mother keeps moving from small town to small town. Steph, uprooted many times, struggles to make friends knowing she might be leaving town tomorrow. This is a book Megan might enjoy, too.