I think I would have given this book a even higher rating if I hadn't been listening to the audiobook, which makes me unable to skim. It lost a star for a few missteps of the "male writer writing female character" and the "white man writing minorities" sort. Also, the narrator of the audiobook... well...
The thing I liked best about this book (and there's a lot to like) is how much of an ass Lyda is. She is a truly unlikable person, but very compelling. She's flawed, and irritatingly self-absorbed, and above all she is COMPLICATED. A very well-written addict.
The world building was nice, a short jump into the future and a longing look at DIY drugs. I'll read more by the author for certain. ( )

My expectations for this one did not match the depth of the thriller it became. :) What was I expecting? Biopunk social ramifications for new designer drugs a bit more designed than what we're used to. Maybe a little tragedy, more interesting developments in a thriller-ish drug-company evil mastermind kind of way.

But what I got was a good tale of redemption, working through the crazy, drug addiction, and responsibility. It's filled to the brim with great flawed characters across the board and a rather special LGBT relationship that pulled on my heartstrings.

But what really got me was the implications of this particular drug. It stimulates the emotion of the numinous. More than any other kind of drug, it threatens to replace churches for the feeling it produces.

The novel could have gone the way of PKD's Ubik for this but it didn't. It stayed a thriller and let the ramifications seep in while our MC tried to put a STOP to the manufacturer. Going off the drug is like losing your God. Existential loss. Meaninglessness. You might think you're prepared, but once you KNOW and then you get it taken away... that's when the suicides... or worse... start happening.

Honestly, I didn't realize this would be so good. :) Maybe I should just start trusting that Daryl Gregory knows what he's doing and just go ahead and read everything he's ever written in blind trust. This is my fourth and I should have learned that by now. :) ( )

Wizard of Oz on drugs. ( )

I really enjoyed this book! It has a very interesting premise, and raises a lot of intriguing questions. I loved the characters and the plot was twisty and fun. I would recommend it. ( )

Ce roman de Daryl Gregory est son quatrième et il est paru trois ans après L'Éducation de Stony Mayhall qui était un véritable ovni littéraire, bijou d'inventivité et d'originalité. Sans atteindre ce résultat, l'auteur s'en approche d'assez prêt car Afterparty est vraiment très original dans son intrigue de départ ainsi que dans son personnage principal toujours affublé de son ange acolyte. Le déroulement de l'intrigue est lui un peu plus classique ainsi que son dénouement où encore une fois le personnage le plus sympathique se retrouve être celui qui a manigancé un plan assez machiavélique dès le départ. L'auteur choisit de ne pas donner toutes les explications relatives à certains phénomènes dont l'ange du personnage principal se trouve être à la base, ce qui est un peu dommage. Mais cela n'entache en rien le plaisir que l'on prend à la lecture de ce livre. ( )