Lynnie 
fiction
In MJ Wassmer's debut novel, Zero Stars Do Not Recommend, slacker Dan Foster and his girlfriend
Mara are on vacation at an isolated island resort. When the sun
explodes, the guests panic (obviously) and shenanigans ensue. Trapped on
the island for at least two weeks until the planes return to fetch them
(will the planes even be able to fly without the sun?), the guests
devolve into a grown-up version of Lord of the Flies as they fight for
control and resources. Who better to grab the reins of control than the
leader of a huge multi-level marketing company. I mean, of COURSE she's a
villain! The other guests have to decide if they will fall in line or
risk their health and safety to rebel against the resort elite.
This was an interesting idea and I really enjoyed the set up and the ending. It's in the middle of the story where things got a little slow, however. There were times I was simply bored by machinations of the resort guests. It was weird to think that the end of the world might be that predictable. I was rarely surprised by the action of the resort guests, whether they were at their worst or their best; people are people and stressful situations bring out the extremes in their morals, values and behaviors.
I liked all the characters, even the villains, and felt that Wassmer understood who he was writing about. There are clues about the ending along the way for readers who look for them, but I think you can also read this book and be completely surprised where the story takes you. Fortunately, this book is not worth zero stars; I'll give it three stars with the warning that if you read this while on vacation, stay alert!
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Net Galley, and M.J. Wassmer for the early release. This book will be released to the public on August 6, 2024.
This was an interesting idea and I really enjoyed the set up and the ending. It's in the middle of the story where things got a little slow, however. There were times I was simply bored by machinations of the resort guests. It was weird to think that the end of the world might be that predictable. I was rarely surprised by the action of the resort guests, whether they were at their worst or their best; people are people and stressful situations bring out the extremes in their morals, values and behaviors.
I liked all the characters, even the villains, and felt that Wassmer understood who he was writing about. There are clues about the ending along the way for readers who look for them, but I think you can also read this book and be completely surprised where the story takes you. Fortunately, this book is not worth zero stars; I'll give it three stars with the warning that if you read this while on vacation, stay alert!
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Net Galley, and M.J. Wassmer for the early release. This book will be released to the public on August 6, 2024.
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