I stayed confused in this book. I never really understood what they were doing and trying to accomplish. I am not sure that I would recommend this book.

The author writes what she is knowledgeable of and this is a fast paced thriller that roars to the end. Very good!
Many thanks to Indies United Publishing House and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A USA university scam, the dark web with vivid writing but sadly it was too confusing for me..

After about a quarter of the book I gave up, sadly.

Thanks to Net Galley and Indies United Publishing House for the chance to read and review.

This is a my first book by this author which I enjoyed from beginning to end. It is a suspenseful story that has twist and turns that kept me turning pages to the end. I enjoyed the author's writing style as well as her attention to details that made the story realistic. The characters are not only relateable but also made the story entertaining to read. This is a well written story about the darkweb and the crimes that are linked to it. As Zak's past comes crashing into his present, he finds there is no where to hide. What will happen to him? Will the people hunting him find him? I enjoyed the growth of the plot throughout as well as how supporting the characters were of each other. This was a great pick up and I highly recommend it.

Lisa Towles has previously published books under her former name Lisa Polisar. Ninety-Five is promoted as a crime book and features two college lads who are the best of friends. It begins with Zak and Riley interviewing for two different fraternities in Chicago, having recently transferred from New York University. They then get caught up in an adventurous gambol of a tale. The initial narrative is enticing and captures campus life really well but then things begin to get peculiar and increasingly complicated. This book may not be for all, but if magical realism is your thing it will be an enjoyable read. With its exploration of the dark web and scamming of the American economy this read makes for a three-star-rating. With thanks to Indies United Publishing House and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and are made without fear or favour.

To me, this book reads like a thriller, propelling me to be perpetually perched on the edge of my chair with anxiety streaking my gut regions for Zac's safety. With the many twists and turns, Zac was also kept on his feet and on the run never knowing whom to trust, or who was his true ally; at least, his faithful friend Riley? Everything was so weird, smacking of danger and illegal enterprize, geeks, nerds and threats to the psyche. Certainly, this has been an engaging, suspenseful, mysterious and seemingly, unending series of adventures for Zac, Riley and others to navigate and make sense of.

There is quite a strong plot but I add words of caution on two accounts. One, some of the language used is objectional to me. Secondly, this book may need parental governance for younger folks as readership seems targeted at university student level (and above). No doubt the university niche will love this book, though, despite my dislike of some of its composites.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

November 2021

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

This is a difficult book to review. This book was kind of like reading the Matrix - you are invested, but you are not sure what's going on

I liked the book a lot at first. Then it started getting crazier and crazier and more and more technical, and I kept getting lost. The dark web came to life in a real place that's "off the grid" - but normal grid. And there are groups and groups of people after the main character - who is good, who is bad, who can he trust? Throw in a confusing description of the maze, add in some mathematical terms I have never heard of and you have this book.

There is a real audience for this book, but it was not my cup of tea. Too confusing for me.. That being said, I think it is a really interesting story and an interesting concept (from what I understood of it), and I think people who are really into movies like the Matrix or have an understanding of the dark web would really like this. It just wasn't for me.

I do want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.

3.5 stars

The writing is solid and well paced for a thriller, and Towles uses nice detailing, which is occasionally graphic. I liked Zak, who was smart and perceptive and knows what his limits are. He was fun to follow. There's some overdetailing that made it difficult to stay engaged at times, but it balanced out overall. This was a bit different than others I've read, as it seemed like a mix of fantasy and crime fiction and thriller all rolled into one. Fans of authors like Dan Brown will likely enjoy this book.

The first 20% of thus book was hard for me. I'm not a math/science/codes fan by ANY means, however after finally getting a grasp on the beginning with help from a friend, I THOROUGHLY enjoyed the rest of the story. It was such a rollercoaster. You didn't know what was real or who to trust. It kept my brain constantly searching for answers. I wondered if something like this could truly be happening somewhere and if the technology used is real. The story would stop and turn in an opposite direction with the drop of the hat.
I am now afraid to start a journal and will never look at a receipt the same way. Watch out for the Campus Police!!!!
Thanks for the opportunity to read this.