Review: The Anti-Social Network

The Anti-Social Network by Sadie Hayes

Episode 2 in The Start Up series

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Description: The Dory twins grew up with nothing. Now on the verge of having everything, their fledgling company—built on Amelia’s intellect and Adam’s ambition—threatens to be torn apart by new, powerful enemies and old, malicious ones.

The Anti-Social Network is the second episode in The Start-Up series, a fast-paced and exciting serial story.

Review: The Start Up was my favorite novella this year. It was definitely a work of literature that stood out from the rest, and something that I will always remember. One of the reasons I enjoyed it so much was because of my love of all things having to do with corporate greed and young adults. The Start Up included all these things, and more. And the sequel, The Anti-Social Network, continues from that story, and adds it own flavor.

In The Start Up, twin siblings Amelia and Adam Dory start a business from Amelias invention of an iPhone app that controls things such as your garage, TV, and radio. Adam is the business head, while Amelia is solely involved in furthering the invention. Also included in the story is T.J Bristol, a Silicon Valley prince whose main goal is to become CEO, no matter the cost; Patty, who had a one-night makeout session with her future brother-in-law, but he still wants to continue it. Together, these teens find out the hard way that everyone has a secret past, and that some are not always looking out for your best intentions.

In The Anti-Social Network, Amelia finds herself the center of attention when TechCrunch, a technology magazine interviews her about the upcoming gadget. She gets a feel of the celebrity life, and thrives in it. But she doesn't get too carried away, especially when a company offers her 8 million to buy her out. Amelia has to be my favorite character. She is headstrong, brave, and outspoken. She's also down to earth. She doesn't let the fame get to her, and still finds time to chill out with other coders, and maybe even start a relationship with one of them.

Adam, being the business head of the company, isn't always the smartest. In the previous novella, when Doreye (their company name) gets an offer, he jumps at it, and expects Amelia and the others to feel the same way. He is so quick to sell the company, and make money. He's not even a business major!He doesn't understand how important it is to Amelia. It's her child! She created it out of thin air, Adam! Adam is abrasive, and acts without thinking. Adam is also i a relationship with Lisa, T.J Bristol's sister. That makes her a member of the Bristol, who kinda sorta hate the Dori. So, there's a Romeo-Juliet thing there. But I don't like it. I don't see the chemistry, and it's like a lovesick puppy dog feeling whenever the chapter is about Adam.

I think my favorite relationship in this book is with patty and Chad. Now, normally I'm not one for cheating with my sister's fiance, but Patty and Chad click, more in a lust sort of way. It's cute. I find myself looking forward to their scenes more than Adams. I thought I wasn't going to like Patty, because I rarely like annoying background characters, but she I can handle. I hope that Sadie Hayes furthers the relationship between Amelia and Patty (they're roommates). I really want to see Amelia have a girlfriend she can trust and just go out for slurpies with.

In conclusion, I am very anxious to see how this series goes. The way that this series works is that each month, a new episode comes out. So, I'm psyched. Especially with that cliffhanger. Oof. Did not see that one coming.

As for a real in conclusion:

I very much enjoyed this book. The characters make you want to come back for more, and the storyline is just keeping your on the edge of your seat. Or maybe it's that way for me because I live in a suburban city and am not exposed to these sorts of things.

"but the bonds you form playing beer pong at three a.m. are indestructible."

-The Anti-Social Network; Sadie Hayes