I really enjoyed this mystery/thriller novel. Thank you so, so much to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this title!

Blurb:
A group of employees and their CEO, celebrating the sale of their remarkable emotion-mapping-AI-algorithm, crash onto a not-quite-deserted tropical island.

Luckily, those who survived have found a beautiful, fully-stocked private palace, with all the latest technological updates (though one without connection to the outside world). The house, however, has more secrets than anyone might have guessed, and a much darker reason for having been built and left behind.

Kristen, the hyper-competent "chief emotional manager" (a position created by her eccentric, boyish billionaire boss, Sumter) is trying to keep her colleagues stable throughout this new challenge, but staying sane seems to be as much of a challenge as staying alive.

Being a woman in tech has always meant having to be smarter than anyone expects--and Kristen's knack for out-of-the-box problem-solving and quick thinking has gotten her to the top of her field. But will a killer instinct be enough to survive the island?

Oof I gave it my best effort, and I just couldn’t do it anymore. I got 7% into it and I didn’t like any of the characters. They were so self centered and there was nothing redeeming about them. I couldn’t route for anyone on the island, I needed too!

It could have been better. This is just my opinion. I also am not a huge fan of sci-fi novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this advanced copy. Because of my own lateness with this review, I bought a physical copy and read that version of this book. It was a quick and thrilling read. I don't know that I can say that I liked it because all of the characters were kind of unlikeable. But it was definitely thought provoking and well written. I think some science fiction readers will like this one but also if you like horror, give this one a chance.

I was really interested in this book, but it wasn't for me. There were a lot of parts that confused me. I dodn't typically read sci- fi, but this one caught my interest. I now know to stick with what I know I like.

# Glass House by Madeline Ashby
⭐️⭐️½ | 🏝️ Silicon Valley meets Survivor, but make it confusing

Glass House wants to be a tech thriller with big ideas about AI, surveillance, and human emotion, but never quite finds its focus. The premise is juicy - tech startup crew crashes on an island with a mysterious AI mansion - but the execution feels like watching through a smudged window.

The dual timeline structure (before/after crash) should build tension, but instead creates a disjointed experience that keeps you at arm's length from truly connecting with these mostly unlikable characters. Our protagonist Kristen tries to hold everything together as the "chief emotional officer," but even she becomes less compelling the more we learn.

The vibes we're tracking:
🤖 AI anxiety but make it architectural
🔍 Not-quite-a-mystery mystery
📱 Tech bros behaving badly
🏠 Smart home horror potential (unrealized)

When the book focuses on the "WHAT is happening" question, it briefly shines, but spends too much time elsewhere. By the final twist, you might find yourself caring less than when you started. Not the tropical tech getaway you were hoping for.

Wow! Glass Houses by Madeline Ashby was a really good read. It was unfortunately quite believable. Definitely made me want to check out Madeline Ashby's other novels.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Glass Houses by Madeline Ashby!

It took me a minute to get into this one. The premise sounds interesting, and I still think it was but there was something lacking to make the depth feel there. I enjoyed it enough to keep reading and I will read more by this author.

This was an enjoyable read, it just left me wanting more I guess. I would give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars for the fact that it kept me reading even though I wasn't feeling the story always. I think there is promise in this novel, it just missed the mark for me.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the early read. This one was more of a sci fi thriller, heavy on the suspense aspects. It was a fun page turner that was easy to fly through. I wish it had been more focused on the sci fi elements because they fell into the background. An enjoyable read, but not as memorable as I would have liked.

Even though I loved the premise, for some reason the beginning failed to draw me in. Perhaps it was the banter between the characters at the beginning that just didn’t garner my sympathy? Either way, it’s a cool concept!

Sci-fi is not my typical genre, so take my review with a grain of salt. For a book that seems to be marketed like a sci-fi thriller, this was slowwwww, which immediately puts me on alert that this might not work for me. Going into a book with certain expectations (due to marketing) only to get something different is a pet peeve. The people in this are MESSED UP, but to what end? It was also fairly predictable. It was short, and got me out of my comfort zone, so I'm not mad I read it but I'm not sure if I'll read more in this genre.

This book was so fun--a slightly futuristic whodunit that had me hooked from the first disastrous page. A real treat for mystery fans.

Glass Houses by Madeline Ashby is a gripping, high-stakes sci-fi novel that delves into the complexities of surveillance, power, and human resilience. Set in a near-future society where technology has drastically reshaped the way people live and communicate, the story follows a protagonist caught in a web of societal control and personal vendettas. Ashby skillfully blends fast-paced action with thought-provoking social commentary, exploring the ethical ramifications of living under constant observation.

The novel’s strength lies in its well-crafted world-building and the nuanced depiction of characters grappling with the blurred lines between freedom and security. Ashby’s writing is sharp and engrossing, keeping readers hooked as the plot builds toward a tense and satisfying climax. Glass Houses is a compelling read for fans of speculative fiction that challenges both personal and societal boundaries.

Glass Houses by Madeline Ashby is a thought-provoking exploration of technology, ethics, and the blurred lines between humanity and artificial intelligence. Ashby's narrative is both engrossing and intellectually stimulating, making it a must-read for fans of speculative fiction.

One particularly compelling moment in the book is when the protagonist, Amy, interacts with an advanced AI system named Verity. This scene not only highlights Ashby's ability to create believable and complex characters but also delves into the nuanced relationship between humans and AI. Amy's struggle to understand and empathize with Verity, despite its non-human nature, raises important questions about consciousness, identity, and what it means to be truly alive.

Throughout the novel, Ashby skillfully weaves together elements of suspense, ethical dilemmas, and emotional depth. Amy's journey from a skeptical technician to someone who questions the very foundation of her beliefs is both relatable and inspiring. The author's ability to seamlessly integrate futuristic technology with timeless human concerns makes the story both relevant and captivating.

This is a masterful blend of science fiction and philosophical inquiry. Madeline Ashby has crafted a story that challenges readers to think deeply about the future of technology and our place within it. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

This book instantly caught my attention and left a lasting impression. Overall, it’s a solid read with well-executed character development that adds depth and makes the characters relatable. The steady pacing kept me engaged without feeling rushed or overly drawn out. While the narrative leaned more toward thriller than sci-fi, it still delivered a compelling story. It may not be a standout favorite, but it’s a worthwhile addition to my library.

A plane crash on a desert island with a creepy house of glass and people dying one by one? SIGN ME UP!

This had such a fascinating premise, but I could not get into it. The beginning was slow and disjointed, with time jumps and lots of clunky jargon in the dialog. It's definitely a dark futuristic thriller and maybe I could have gotten into it at another time, but right now it was just "too much". I guess I was looking for more thriller, less "high tech". But overall, a fun read!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

We are in such a good era for horror that allows us to delight in the suffering of out of touch tech billionaires. Expertly placed and plotted, mercilessly lampooning the excesses of Silicon Valley, and subverting all our expectations with that ending.

The comp titles call this a whodunit meets Black Mirror and, as is so often the case, I think this does this book a disservice. Yes, there is a science-fiction thriller element to this book but to go in with the expectations that a comp title sets it up for failure. Unfortunate, because this worked for me in a way that a book hasn't worked in a hot minute.

I loved the tension. I loved the way the tech mentioned feels like it's a half step to the left of what we already have. I think the flashback chapters were perfectly interspaced into the rest of the narrative, it wasn't so much that I think you could really call this a fully nonlinear storyline, but it helped keep things interesting. Kristen isn't going to be a character everyone likes, but I always like an MC who's kind of a bitch and hates everyone near her with the exception of like two people.

My only real complaint is that I don't think the ending fully stuck the dismount. I enjoyed it, but it felt like it was a half step away from where I really wanted it to end. But this was still really solid and I can't believe it took me so long to get to. It's definitely a read that if it doens't work for you in the first chapter or two it probably just isn't going to work at all but I skipped my planning period to finish this book so obviously I was obsessed.

I unfortunately DNF's this book AT 20%. At this time, I could not get into the voice of the book and some of the themes were laid on too think. I really loved the idea of the story and I think I will have to try this one again at some point because it truly is intriguing.