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jethrien ([personal profile] jethrien) wrote2015-06-20 08:21 pm
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2015 Book Review #33: Persona

Title: Persona
Author: Genevieve Valentine
Genre: Very slightly future SF
Thingummies: 3.5

Synopsis: Miss Universe pageant meets UN.

Thoughts: Valentine is the friend of a friend, and I've been reading her blog for some time. I really loved her first two books, but what I particularly enjoy about her blog is her hilarious-yet-on-point analysis of awards shows and beauty pageant costumes. So I was really excited about this book--the scenario is we've gone ahead and made the UN representatives celebrities, with all the craziness that comes with evaluating celebrities on things that have nothing to do with their jobs.

The thing is, an event in basically the first chapter puts the protagonist on the run, which means this fascinating world of backbiting and coded messages through carefully chosen accessories barely appears. I found myself not particularly interested in the ecoterrorists and their plot--I wanted more about people dating by treaty and countries losing status because their stylist didn't pick the right dress. Maybe this is more my problem than hers, but I loved the world--it just wasn't the story I wanted to read about it.