Robert Jackson Bennett

Robert Jackson Bennett's Vigilance is a dark science fiction action parable from an America that has permanently surrendered to gun violence. The United States. 2030. John McDean executive produces "Vigilance," a reality game show designed to make sure American citizens stay alert to foreign and domestic threats. Shooters are introduced into a "game environment," and the survivors get a cash prize. The TV audience is not the only one that's watching though, and McDean soon finds out what it's like to be on the other side of the camera. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Vigilance

Sarah Escorsa

Okay, so I don't know how to rate this story. First I thought I'd go for 3 miserable little stars. Then I said to my little self, "how can you bloody shrimping do this to Robert Jackson Bennett of The Lusciously Divine Cities?! This cannot be! This will not do!" And decided to go for 3.5 stars instead. (Go me and stuff.) But then I talked to Kateblue, who said she both loved and hated the book, and rated it 4 stars despite “really not liking it.” And that’s when I had an a-ha moment (yes, it hurt).



The thing is, I love this story because the idea behind it is as horribly scrumptious as it is scrumptiously horrible. Sorry, what? You want me to recap it for you? Isn’t that what blurbs are for? Don’t you know how to read, my Little Barnacles? Ha! Anyhoo and stuff, great concept and stuff. (It kinda sorta reminds me of Jennifer Government, too, which is not never a bad thing and stuff.) I also loved this story because it’s brilliantly written, which is DUH because RBJ wrote is, so DUH. 

So why the initial, despicably low rating, you ask your Tiny Arthropodic Selves? Because the story is disturbing as fish and depressing as shrimp. (It’s even bleaker than Bleak Seasons, which should tell you something and stuff.) And left me feeling like a teensy little bit this:



So much so that it prompted me to read this. (Which, as those who know me will tell you, is quite very worrying indeed.) Because YES, Vigilance is that good bad. And so four bloody shrimping stars it is.

➽ Nefarious Last Words (NLW™): this book should be mandatory reading for every bloody shrimp living in our seriously fished up society. Also, said shrimp should make sure to have a revoltingly fluffy lined up for when he/she/they/whatever finish reading this story. This would obviously be the best candidate, but I guess this this could work pretty well, too. 

P.S.





[Pre-review nonsense]

So this is me right now:



Full review to come and stuff.

Robert Jackson Bennett's Vigilance is a dark science fiction action parable from an America that has permanently surrendered to gun violence. The United States. 2030. John McDean executive produces "Vigilance," a reality game show designed to make sure American citizens stay alert to foreign and domestic threats. Shooters are introduced into a "game environment," and the survivors get a cash prize. The TV audience is not the only one that's watching though, and McDean soon finds out what it's like to be on the other side of the camera.

Vigilance

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