I think this is the first Chloe Gong book I wasn't completely absorbed by. I'm usually enamored by her works and style, but this didn't vibe with me.

I'll give the second book a chance, but I'm going to lower my expectations.

Ready Player One fans better lock in for a wild ride on the Upside.

“Cold wire” sees a future where people escape the risks of the real world in favor of an interactive reality you have to plug into. Lia stands above the rest of her fellow classmates excelling in all this world has to offer but it’s not without some risks and while she struggles to remember what’s real and what’s software she finds herself on a mission to find an old friend of her family with her biggest academic rival. Elsewhere, soldier Eirale is in a race against time to prove the video of her killing a man is a deepfake and joining teams with the enemy proves to be a lot more dangerous than she realizes as loyalties are tested and all she knows could be as fake as the world around her.

An interesting set up with the book switching between two narratives not unlike the feature of plugging in that our characters engage in. The idea of a world on the brink of ruin being abandoned for a virtual is not so far out of reality and it was interesting to see some consequence of that duality with the sickness and the lengths people will go to to control a narrative even if it means messing with people’s lives. It took me a good minute to really understand some of the world but once the story really picks up I found it easy to navigate with it playing almost like a video game which got a nice nod from the characters who felt the same.

Lia and Eirale are interesting characters, both feel strongly about their world and their alliances with those around them making it hard to sway them away danger. Lia strives to be perfect and make her father proud of her but when confronted with the possibility that he is involved with something that could be harmful she keeps looking forward and hoping to prove the real culprit. Eirale too is looking to clear her name and while she’s in a rocky partnership she too becomes protective and willing to take the risks even if it’s at her own peril.

An interesting read and very different than Chloe Gong’s previous work and one I look forward to plugging into again when able!


**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

Coldwire is an ambitious and thought-provoking entry into the world of YA sci-fi, marking Chloe Gong’s striking shift from historical fantasy into cyberpunk dystopia. Set in a fractured future of digital escape and political collapse, the novel alternates between Eirale’s gritty, action-packed storyline and Lia’s academically driven arc, weaving together into a conspiracy that unifies their fates in unexpected ways. The dual POV structure offers strong character arcs and emotional depth. Eirale’s harsh reality and underground resistance work in stark contrast to Lia’s world of military academia and ambition, but both women face moral ambiguity, high-stakes decisions, and the harsh weight of systemic control. Their paths converge in a way that exposes deep societal fault lines—and their own hidden strengths. While early pacing has been described as slower due to dense worldbuilding, the second half surges forward with plot twists, cliffhangers, and a cinematic urgency that leaves readers breathless. Found-family bonds, academic rivals, and ethical dilemmas enrich the drama and elevate the emotional stakes. That said, the worldbuilding-heavy first half does slow momentum, requiring patience as readers are introduced to the intricacies of the tech-based setting and socio-political hierarchy. Additionally, the ending felt rushed or slightly confusing—though it’s clear this was intended to set up the next book in the series, leaving many threads tantalizingly unresolved. Overall, Coldwire is a bold and immersive start to a new series, offering a rich mix of high-concept sci-fi, emotionally resonant characters, and sharp commentary on power, privilege, and rebellion. Fans of dystopian thrillers and layered storytelling will find much to savor here—and plenty to look forward to in book two.

A cutting-edge dystopian thrill that blends cyberpunk aesthetics, raw emotion, and sharp social commentary.

Wow, what a ride! Coldwire by Chloe Gong is a fiercely imaginative, beautifully layered dystopian tale that feels both terrifyingly futuristic and hauntingly familiar. It’s the kind of story that grabs you with sleek worldbuilding and keeps you turning the pages with relentless tension, political intrigue, and characters teetering on the edge of survival.

Set in a fractured future where most of society lives in an immersive virtual “upcountry” while the less fortunate are left to rot in the collapsing “downcountry,” Coldwire plunges us into a world where truth is blurred, loyalties are tested, and rebellion simmers just beneath the surface. From the very beginning, I was struck by how real this world felt—like something that could be waiting for us just a few short decades down the line. The technology, the class divide, the surveillance state—it all felt eerily possible.

I loved the dual narratives of Eirale and Lia. Their perspectives were so different, yet strangely complementary. Eirale’s gritty journey on the ground contrasted powerfully with Lia’s calculated moves in the virtual academy, and watching their stories unfold in parallel—knowing they were destined to collide—made for a gripping experience. Chloe Gong has a gift for tension and timing, and she uses both here to fantastic effect.

That said, there were moments when I struggled to keep up with all the world-specific jargon and complex political layers, especially early on. The pacing could be jarring at times, with quick POV shifts that left me scrambling to reorient. But once I settled into the rhythm of the story, I appreciated the ambition behind it. Gong doesn’t spoon-feed the reader—she trusts us to catch up, and that challenge ended up being one of the book’s strengths.

The emotional beats were subtle, but they landed. There’s a raw, unpolished vulnerability to the characters that really shines through beneath all the chaos. The hints of romance added just enough warmth to balance the darker themes, without ever hijacking the main plot. And the ending? Whew. Let’s just say I’m not emotionally okay and desperately need Book Two.

This book is a bold, smart, and timely addition to the YA dystopian genre. It tackles themes like social inequality, capitalism, climate collapse, and identity with intelligence and nuance—and it never forgets the humanity at its core.

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing | Margaret K. McElderry Books for sharing this exhilarating digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. Coldwire left me breathless, thoughtful, and just a little haunted. Bring on the sequel—I’m ready.

3.75 stars – A shimmering, brutal dystopia with rebellion in its blood

If you told me Chloe Gong wrote a book that felt like Blade Runner had a baby with Red Rising and raised it in a sleek neon-lit hellscape… I’d say: “Yeah, that sounds about right.”

Coldwire drops us into a gritty, tech-saturated future where class warfare hums beneath the city’s holographic gloss, and the air crackles with danger, surveillance, and rebellion. And I mean that literally—this world is wired, cold, and unforgiving. There’s a distinct feeling of pressure, of being watched, of futures stolen before they’re even possible. Gong’s dystopian landscape doesn’t just feel dark—it feels inevitable. Like it’s two policy failures away from our own reality. Comforting, right?

The plot pulses with high-stakes tension: political corruption, survival games, blurred loyalties, and characters teetering on the edge of morality. While it takes a little while to fully ground yourself in this world’s rules and jargon, once you’re in—you’re in. The pace is taut, the tech is plausible, and the tension is always just a chapter away from boiling over.

But what really stands out is the dystopian atmosphere. Gong excels at building societies on the verge of collapse, where every small choice can spark revolution or ruin. She doesn’t romanticize rebellion—she shows its cost. The fear, the paranoia, the numbness of those stuck in the system and the exhaustion of those fighting against it. This isn’t just “down with the oppressors!” YA-lite stuff. It’s messier. More human. More grey.

That said, there were moments where the emotional beats didn’t hit quite as hard as they could’ve—perhaps because the cold, dystopian detachment was a little too effective in certain character dynamics. I found myself craving just a touch more vulnerability to balance the sharp edges. Still, the ambition? Sky-high. And the execution? Mostly nailed.

Final verdict: Coldwire isn’t just a sci-fi thrill ride—it’s a reflection on surveillance, control, and the cost of defiance in a world that doesn’t flinch when it chews you up. If you like your dystopia layered with political scheming, techno-futurism, and morally grey heroines wired for resistance, this one’s definitely worth your time.

3.75 stars and a well-earned “I need to breathe into a paper bag after that ending” stamp of approval.

thank you Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Margaret K. McElderry Books, Netfalley and the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Dystopian is back baby!! This was such a well-developed critique of modern society and its possible outcomes, all told in a wild ride of twists, betrayals, technological chase scenes, and romance. A wild ride from start to finish—will captivate new and old fans of Gong's work alike!

Coldwire is a gripping and imaginative dystopian opener that blends sleek virtual worlds, high-stakes espionage, and razor-sharp character work. Chloe Gong launches this new series with a bold concept: society divided between the privileged living in a polished virtual “upcountry” and the struggling masses trapped in the decaying real world. The tension between these two realities is palpable, setting the stage for a multilayered story that feels both cinematic and timely.
Eirale and Lia are compelling in very different ways. Eirale is a soldier pushed to the edge by a government that sees her as expendable, while Lia is a sharp, determined student who is just starting to realize how deep the cracks run in the system she trusts. Their dual storylines give the book a strong rhythm, switching between grit and strategy, rebellion and loyalty. Gong does a fantastic job making both characters feel real, and watching their paths slowly move toward each other kept me turning pages well into the night.
What stood out to me was how this story explores power and control in a digital age. The virtual reality elements never feel gimmicky. They deepen the story’s emotional weight, especially as characters start to question what’s real, who they can trust, and what freedom really means when everything around them is manufactured. The plot is layered, the tension builds steadily, and the ending sets up book two perfectly without feeling incomplete.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read Coldwire in exchange for my honest review. This book feels like a natural evolution of Chloe Gong’s storytelling: smart, ambitious, and full of heart. If you like dystopias with substance and characters who fight hard for the truth, this one is definitely worth your time.

Although I think some of the explanation/worldbuilding of the AI “upcountry” vs. physical “downcountry” seemed flawed and required some willing suspension of disbelief, I was hooked from the first chapter. Lots of action but also characters I cared about. I appreciated how the two different plots eventually came together.

I'm thinking this is going to be my last Chloe Gong book. Every time I get excited to read one of her books I just end up disappointed. This was so slow for me. It was a struggle just to get through a chapter. I kept checking the progress bar because it didn't feel like I was making. any. progress.

I know this will be a hit to other readers. It's just not my cup of tea.

DYSTOPIAN IS SO BACK!

This gave me a hit of nostalgia I haven't felt in ages. It reminded me of Legend and Warcross in the absolute best way possible. Chloe Gong created a future world that was not only terrifying, but felt entirely possible given the way AI has progressed in our current world.

The storyline follows two sets of characters who seem to be on adventures that are destined to bisect. The world was unique and interesting, and the pacing kept me constantly invested in where things were going. There were a few times when the POV switched and I was screaming at the book because I wanted to stay in Lia or Erale's mind for a bit longer, but that was part of what kept me turning pages at a rapid pace.

The HINT of romance was giving me life and I found myself craving Lia's chapters so I could see how things were going to progress. I loved the way that the romance was a relevant part of the plot without taking it over - it felt relevant without subsuming the actual storyline.

I don't even want to talk about the ending because if I think about it for too long, I'll send a long and embarrassing DM begging Chloe for the next book, and nobody wants that. Just know that it was amazing and devastating.

This would've been 5 stars for me, but I settled on a 4.5 star rating because while I did appreciate how quickly the action picked up, I did spend a lot of time in the beginning of the book confused. Chloe really dropped us right into the action and I was overwhelmed by some of the technology and places mentioned with little explanation. The map helped a lot, but it was a lot of information all at one time, and my brain needed a bit of time to catch up.

THE ENDING?! I'm kind of obsessed with this and I need the next one right now. I'm not going to spoil but that twist?! Chloe Gong's pen is crazy. Lia and Kieran are everything and I love seeing their relationship grow. I feel like theres not much I can say without spoilers because the twist changes everything.

I received an arc through netgalley.

I was intrigued by the idea of this book. Cue: Dystopian YA- humans now living in a virtual reality. It was clear that this story was quite metaphorical in comparison to our actual reality. The plot follows two POVs (Eirale and Lia) as soldiers on different planes as they navigate geopolitical tension between two major countries. The story is rife with its characters dealing with tension, secrets, bias, and prejudice. It also includes a romantic subplot.

Personally, I found the pace of the book to be slow starting. It took a lot to follow the world building, structure and classes presented. It was also difficult to remain engaged until about half-way through the book, but once it picked up towards the end, it became more engaging. The major plot twist was not hard to uncover due to the glaring clues presented throughout the story.

Overall, the ending was intriguing enough to make me look forward to the next book.

If you enjoy dystopian YA with adventure, friendships, romance and fighting against the system, then I recommend this book!

Gong blends sci-fi and mystery with her signature lyrical intensity in a world both electrifying and dangerous. It’s an ambitious tale of power, love, and resistance.

Granted I don’t often read sci-fi… but this book was so original! You get thrown straight into the action and are locked in from sentence one. It literally starts with a bang. I loved the characters, I felt the fear, I stayed on the edge of my seat. As always, Chloe Gong blew it out of the water.

3.5

This isn’t bad by any means! I loved the world Chloe built and I was very invested in these characters and the plot! The twists definitely got me!

However, I do think it drags a bit in the middle and that the twists could have been revealed earlier instead of the rushed ending we got! I also felt like we kept teetering at the edge of these characters and their dynamics and it never fully fleshed out? Like I wanted more depth to them and their relationships!

Overall, I think it’s a solid read but I wanted a little more out of it!

Chloe Gong's coldwire is one of the best dystopian books you'll read. set in a cyberpunk world, chloe takes us on a trip of this world she's created, heavily drawing from relevant themes in the current political climate in our real world, touching upon many many conflicts, dilemmas and evolution of the world into scary places. she uses this dystopian world to warn us of the future: a caution bell, exactly as any dystopian novel should intend to.

the cyberpunk aspect of coldwire is not overshadowed by the dystopia. chloe balances both of them excellently, and I look back and feel grateful for immortal longings, because coldwire truly wouldn't exist as good without the false gods trilogy. the plot moves at inconsistent pace at times, focusing to build on the world and downcountry, which admittedly isn't that interesting in the moment but found myself going back to after the ending lol. (always foreshadowing with chloe gong lol)


the four main characters, nik, eirale, lia and kieren, are all lovely, nik and lia a clear standouts because of what he represents, and her character voice, respectively. I found myself captured by both the couples, especially lia and kieren, and praying hard that nothing shall happen to any of them. the situations always kept me on an edge, making me guess what's happening, and despite my brain working at full capacity, I still couldn't guess what chloe had in store for us lollll so be prepared y'all.

and my favourite part of it all, capitalism. this book portrays capitalism as it is, the root of all evil. I couldn't believe how evil some of these things were. none of it was ever graphic or horrific, but you still feel terror and absolute disgust at the hand of capitalism guiding the horrible conditions around that world. I'm in love with it all. we leave the book with an excellent set up, and our main antagonist had an omniscient presence thorought the book, so I'm very very excited to meet him in next book and explore it all from his own words.

in conclusion, coldwire is a book one must not miss. and if you feel like you want to dnf, please remember this review and atleast try to finish it. the beauty of coldwire is in the way chloe wraps it all up. she's improved massively as a storyteller, building upon her already strong writing and eye for foreshadowing. so stoked for coldwire 2!!!! take all the time you want and cook and excellent dish for us chloe 🫶

thank you so much to the publisher simon teen and netgalley for the arc🫶

Coldwire felt like it was written for readers like me. At first, it was mainly the vibe that pulled me in — the moody atmosphere and those neon-lit streets had me hooked. But the more I explored it, the more I realized there’s so much depth to it. I got drawn into the grim reality of mega-corporations running the show in a world wrecked by human greed — seriously chilling stuff. What really gets me is the “high-tech, low-life” contrast, and how, no matter how bleak things look, there’s always some flicker of hope — someone ready to rise up, challenge the system, and fight to make things right.

In the technologically advanced world of 2058, society has created a simulated AI space known as Upcountry, designed to provide psychological and physical refuge from worsening conditions such as global pandemics, ecological degradation, and widespread poverty. Upcountry is structurally identical to its counterpart, Downcountry — the real world. However, access is limited to paying users. Within this context, a geopolitical cold war unfolds between two states, Atahua and Medaluo. Atahua’s dominance is reinforced through NileCorp, a private security contractor working closely with the state. Consequently, Medaluo’s population is compelled to subscribe in order to remain competitive within the system. Orphans from Medaluo, adopted by Atahuan citizens after the conflict, are given little choice: they must join the Nile Military Academy or be deemed enemies of the state.

Eirale, a recent graduate of Nile Military Academy, is assigned to a mission in the physical realm of Downcountry to apprehend Atahua’s most wanted anarchist, Nik Grant. However, she is deceived by Nik, who successfully frames her for the assassination of the Secretary of Defense. Subsequently imprisoned, Eirale is unexpectedly rescued by Nik—not out of goodwill, but as a tactic to manipulate her. He blackmails her into assisting with the retrieval of an AI program known as Project Wit, which is believed to be hidden across three major cities in Medaluo. Complicating matters further, Eirale vaguely recalls being dispatched to Kunlun—a state that exists solely within the virtual world of Upcountry—during her final academy assignment. Yet, she cannot remember anything about that mission or the individuals she encountered. Now, Eirale is forced to unravel the secrets of Project Wit while contending with memory loss and an uneasy alliance.

Lia, a senior cadet at Nile Military Academy, has dedicated her academic career to earning the title of valedictorian, a position that would guarantee her a prestigious role working alongside her adoptive father. Despite her consistent academic excellence, she faces a major obstacle: Kieren Murray, whose father is the academy’s headmaster. Aware of the political favoritism in play, Lia doubts she’ll ever be recognized for her merit. For her final assignment, she is unexpectedly partnered with Kieren for a classified mission in Upcountry. Their objective is to locate Chung Yin, a former ally of her father, now suspected of leading Operation Coldwire — an initiative involving sentient AI capable of manipulating Upcountry’s reality through language. The duo is tasked with tracking him down and terminating the program before Medaluo can gain dominance over Upcountry and undermine Atahua’s control.

Chloe’s storytelling brilliance truly shines in how she weaves a cyclical narrative, carefully holding back the major twists until the very end. The slower pacing in the early chapters serves a clear purpose: meticulous character development and subtle foreshadowing, all building toward a well-earned twist. Her prose, characters, and thematic focus are consistently compelling, offering readers both emotional resonance and intellectual depth. Coldwire paints a chilling vision of the future — one that feels disturbingly plausible. With the rise of AI and the ongoing exploitation of human lives for power or science, the scenarios in this book feel less like fiction and more like prophecy. It echoes the warnings we once saw in Shatter Me, which now reads more like a reflection of our current world. I really think everyone should read this book. Easily one of the best reads of 2025.
Thanks Netgalley, Simon and Schuster for giving me an eARC for honest review exchange.

I will read anything Chloe Gong writes, and Coldwire did not disappoint! I thought the worldbuilding was expertly woven into the story, and the characters nuanced and well developed. Whenever I thought I could predict a twist ahead, the story still managed to surprise me and catch me off guard. If you love dystopian and cyberpunk, you must read this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

can i give this more than 5 stars???

i think that was one of the best books ive ever read. i am genuinely reeling and just feel broken and empty and i just i don’t know how to survive until book two without lia and eirale when this book isn’t even out yet. i haven’t been affected this strongly by a book since like i can’t even remember. i’m just an incoherent ball of flesh. what the fuck. that was insane. chloe gong is the biggest genius to ever exist like. everything about this book was perfect, the characters, the relationships, the world building that was so fascinating but didn’t feature the dreaded info dump, the plot???!!! like hello every single pov switch i didn’t want to leave the previous pov but then as soon as i remembered what was happening in the next pov i got so invested and excited like the pacing was just AHHHHH and even the fact that i literally guessed the plot twist like what 44% in but i was still FLABBERGASTED and SOBBING in this plane seat as i read the last 15% like i haven’t shed tears like this over a new book in genuinely ages. this was so incredibly rambly so i’ll wrangle this and more thoughts i have into a better review to come lol but in the meantime im going to go offer chloe gong my firstborn child for any single scrap of book two she has written

thank you so much to simon & schuster for an ARC!! all thoughts and opinions are my own :)

There’s something about reading a dystopian in current times but jeez was this well done. I feel like the author really shines in her YA writing and this feels like her strongest book yet. The characters and world building just pulled me in. The parallels to current events were frightening and made it hard to look away. Excited to see where the story goes with book two.