Retro by Sofia Lapuente and Jarrod Shusterman

What starts off as a light-hearted competition to live without modern technology for a year turns into a fight for survival in this unputdownable young adult thriller by New York Times bestselling author Jarrod Shusterman and debut author Sofía Lapuente.

To save her struggling family, Luna enters a competition offering reward money to anyone who can successfully live without modern technology for a year. But when this social experiment turns sinister and her classmates start disappearing, her family’s livelihood might not be the only thing she’s in danger of losing.

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For some reason, I read the blurb and thought that the contestants would be living on a farm or compound. Instead, they are living their everyday lives, but just - not supposed to use technology. This will be enforced by very accurate lie detectors, apparently.

I also thought - probably influenced by the current trend for murder mysteries - that people were going to be getting killed. Instead, they're going missing with no signs of foul play.

I'm not saying those are bad things! I'm just making a note of how my expectations were overturned. I enjoyed the read very much (although it's a little unrealistic to me that all the bullies would change their ways so meekly.) I love found family, it's one of my favourite tropes, and this is a fantastic example, with friends from various walks of life all coming together to take down Definitely-Not-Facebook.

There were a couple of points where I thought the timing was odd - there's one spot where the narrastion tells us that they were all fired up to find the next clue, but had to wait a week because - reasons? And personally, I'm not a fan of in media res like this one; I find it tends to undercut tension, because every time things start to get good, it cuts away to the character in the future, so we know that whatever happens the character is going to make it to that part. However, that's a personal taste thing and I know some readers really enjoy it.

I did love the sings chosen for each chapter! I'm sure someone has already assembled them into a playlist; when I come to reread this I'll be lining up the songs to go along with it, as they add to the experience.

I love the message, too. It probably wouldn't hurt me to go Retro now and then (I am technically Retro during the days right now as I currently have no data for my phone!) We all need to be more aware of what The Algorithim is giving us, and more aware that there are real people behind the comments and opinions and videos online.

This is a great read I really enjoyed, and I will definitely be recommending it.

Retro publishes on the 24th January, 2023. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.