I really enjoyed Catfishing on CatNet (2019) which won an Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery (you can read my review here). Chaos on CatNet has just been published and I enjoyed this sequel just as much as the original novel.
Naomi Kritzer puts teenager Steph and her programmer mother in danger in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Steph meets a new friend at school, Nell, whose mother is an ardent follower of a religious cult. The cult’s social media encourages destructive and violent acts. Steph and Nell, with the help of their Artificial Intelligence ally, CheshireCat, try to discover the source and strategy behind the rioting.
Once again, the teenagers are way ahead of the adults in investigating the strange conspiracies swirling around the cult and the social media app. If you’re in mood for following a group of intrepid teenagers threatened by mysterious forces as they penetrate the secrets that have national implications, Chaos on CatNet amps up the suspense and thrills! GRADE: A
I have no memory of your previous review – AI? Cats? – but that was when I was dealing with medical issues last year I have read many YA books over the years, but I don’t think I will be adding these to that list.
As always, I applaud your wide ranging taste.
Jeff, both CATFISHING ON CATNET and CHAOS ON CATNET have garnered strong reviews. I’ve a fan of plucky teenagers since I read THE HARDY BOYS, NANCY DREW, TOM SWIFT, JR., and RICK BRANT series as a kid.
I can’t get through all the adult books I want to read much less add YA books to the pile. The last YA book I read was Railsea by China Mieville. Great book.
Steve, I’m a fan of China Mieville, too. RAILSEA is around here somewhere…
Interesting, yet maybe too close to the depressing news stories of the day. Maybe someday if the library has it, and the first one.
Rick, I like the way Naomi Kritzer ratchets up the suspense as her teenage characters confront conflicts. The action moves beyond the depressing news stories of the day and offers some Hope.
Not for me but I am glad you enjoyed the books. The last YA I read was Asylum which had got some strong reviews but found it too kiddish for my liking.
Neeru, maybe I’m just a Teenager at heart. I enjoy reading about young characters placed in suspenseful–even terrifying–situations. And, both CATFISHING ON CATNET and CHAOS ON CATNET both have mysteries that must be solved. Those are fun, too!