TiffyBelle@bookwyrm.social reviewed Dark Mode by Ashley Kalagian Blunt
Excellent
5 stars
This is a thriller that's really quite unique as it delves heavily into the topics of chat rooms, social media, online privacy, and the seedy underbelly of the Internet known as the "dark web." It also touches upon issues of stalking and fear that, unfortunately, won't be foreign to too many women who've used the Internet socially at any point in their lives.
Our protagonist, Raegan, has gone out of her way to avoid using the Internet and doesn't even have a smartphone. She has solid reasons for that, but when faced with a failing business and discovering a potential lifeline in online marketing she sees herself as having little choice but to begin her engagement with the online world, despite making a rather grim discovery near her apartment early one morning...
This is a chilling debut thriller from Ashley Kalagian-Blunt that, despite being a fictional story, shines a light …
This is a thriller that's really quite unique as it delves heavily into the topics of chat rooms, social media, online privacy, and the seedy underbelly of the Internet known as the "dark web." It also touches upon issues of stalking and fear that, unfortunately, won't be foreign to too many women who've used the Internet socially at any point in their lives.
Our protagonist, Raegan, has gone out of her way to avoid using the Internet and doesn't even have a smartphone. She has solid reasons for that, but when faced with a failing business and discovering a potential lifeline in online marketing she sees herself as having little choice but to begin her engagement with the online world, despite making a rather grim discovery near her apartment early one morning...
This is a chilling debut thriller from Ashley Kalagian-Blunt that, despite being a fictional story, shines a light onto the very real problem of radicalized individuals and groups that operate deep within the bowels of the Internet which spew vitriol and hatred towards women in particular. The echo chamber "communities" they create of like-minded people reinforce each other and the group's views, leading to some becoming increasingly radicalized to the point of taking real-world action that they see as furthering their agenda.
I think the main component of the book that made this so chilling for me was its connection to reality. This isn't a far-fetched, contrived piece of fiction that loosely uses the Internet and "dark web" as minor reference points in an otherwise formulaic story. No; it was clear that this was a very well-researched story that could conceivably happen, involving believable and true-to-life references to misogynist communities that, unfortunately, really do exist. The level of dread really does ramp up quite rapidly towards the end, and so did my stress levels when contemplating how realistic the situation for the victims could have been. This can only be praised from a reader's perspective, but this is a heavy read for those who struggle to contemplate the level of misogynic that's out there in some places.
This isn't a story I'll soon forget, and really makes you think about deep topics like your engagement with the Internet, the dangers of radicalization, and how one person's influence can in turn radicalize and inspire others. This seems apropos at my time of reading, when the news is filled with individuals such as Andrew Tate and the sphere of influence he, and others like him, have over young men.
The book's start was slightly slow, but once you get past some of the set up and things start to unravel it's well worth it. It has an excellent premise, some good twists, and pertinent social commentary that will make you think.
I will for sure be checking out more of Ashley Kalagian-Blunt's thrillers in future.