Shiver inducing!
The Passengers by John Marrs
Genres: Thriller, Sci-Fi
Published: 1st April, 2019
Goodreads
Series: N/A
Rating: 5
You’re riding in your self-driving car when suddenly the doors lock, the route changes and you have lost all control. Then, a mysterious voice tells you, “You are going to die.”
Just as self-driving cars become the trusted, safer norm, eight people find themselves in this terrifying situation, including a faded TV star, a pregnant young woman, an abused wife fleeing her husband, an illegal immigrant, a husband and wife, and a suicidal man.
From cameras hidden in their cars, their panic is broadcast to millions of people around the world. But the public will show their true colors when they are asked, “Which of these people should we save?…And who should we kill first?
Let me tell you guys, I bloody hate driving. When I first heard of self driving cars, I thought it was an amazing idea, pretty much the bee’s knees. Well… Not anymore!
The book describes a premise in which self driving cars are quite common, and some people are against them on principle, simply because there’s a much discussed scenario in which if an accident can’t be avoided and the car would choose to run over one person over mowing down a group of them. You can debate this as much as you like, but just bear one thing in mind. Firstly, this is a very specific scenario, and not every accident results in someone getting run over. Furthermore… An actual driver could be even more unpredictable. Like, if I were driving that car, chances are that neither the single pedestrian, nor the group would be safe should I have an accident, simply because I may panic, and I’m a very inexperienced driver. You see, I probably wouldn’t even think about them, instincts would kick in, and I’d try and not die. Just like anyone else.
So that’s that. Moralizing over, let’s move onto the book. To make things a bit more interesting, a hacker appears out of nowhere, and hijacks eight of these super fancy driverless vehicles, and with them, their unsuspecting passengers. Another note to self: shit with computers in them are possible to hack. But just who is this mysterious individual? What have these passengers done to deserve to die? Especially in a fashion resembling a reality TV show where viewers can vote and essentially save their favourites. Because surely, they must deserve their fate somehow.
As time goes by and more information is revealed about the passengers, the public opinion swayed every few minutes. Your favourite from five minutes ago may now become the most hated person. Who controls this information? Is it true? Does that matter?
It happens quite often in real life as well, that people form an opinion about someone they’ve never met based on whatever rumour or “news” is currently available. The news and social media spread these like wildfire, and there you have it. In a matter of minutes you can become the butt of every joke, or the target of such hatred you’ve never seen before. We’ve all seen it before. This is what makes this story so terrifying. It just hits too close to home.
A high octane, dark thriller, The Passengers is an accurate account of how people turn into sheep at the snap of a finger if given the choice.
Woohoo exciting review. I bought the book yesterday so happy
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Yay, hope you’ll like it too! ❤
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Definitely a book I have to read. Great review, Norrie. 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
Hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
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Well that is a horrifying premise.
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I loved this book. I agree that what made it so terrifying was how realistic it was.
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Kinda like a lot of Black Mirror episodes. Love that show too.
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Great review, Norrie! I’m going to be reading this soon and you’ve made me anxious to start reading😁
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Maan, i’m so excited for you! 😀 Hope you’ll enjoy it too! ❤
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Oh, I totally agree with you on all counts, self driving or with a person behind the wheel, doesn’t make a difference. Those people are a roll of the dice. But back to the book, everyone who has read this is saying the same thing, it’s silly scary because of the loss of control. What would we do? Panic! 😀
Anyway, great review, and yep, already got this one on my radar to buy!
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Yea, pretty much! I mean, i often panic cuz of the smallest things, so don’t even want to imagine being kidnapped and broadcast all over the world 😀
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Exactly! I’d either be Zen insufferable, or the wild woman from Borneo! 😉
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It doesn’t come out in the US for awhile, so I have some time to maybe read this before release. After your review, I definitely think I’ll pick it up.
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Oh, i didn’t realize there’s that much difference in dates.
Hope you’ll like it once you manage to get hold of it 🙂
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This sounds like something out of Black Mirror ! Fantastic
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It would be a great episode on black mirror for sure! 🙂
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This sounds excellent. Would definitely make an exciting film as well! 🙂
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I think so! I mean, i don’t really watch films, cuz i always think they are too short, but i could see it as a mini series or something.
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I’ve been dancing around this book for a bit, waiting to read a review that calls to me. Yours did, Norrie💜 Love it!
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Yay 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!
The audio apparently has multiple narrators, so that should be cool ❤
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Ooh great review… I will never trust self-driving cars. I don’t drive anyway and I don’t like cars
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I kinda like the concept and would love to be able to drive. I mean, i’m able… just don’t feel very confident and so i don’t enjoy it. Haven’t done it for like 10 years.
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This definitely sounds good and all things considered I’d still take the self-driving car. I’m in a panic driving on a good day with my anxiety take the decision making out of my hands in this regard please!
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I think i’d be more inclined to take the ones i can take over when something goes funny. Haven’t actually driven a car for like 10 years, but it used to fray my nerves 😀
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Brilliant review, Norrie! Definitely check this one out. This sounds right up my alley!!
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Thank you 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!
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Terrific review, Norrie! You have me SO excited this one is on my shelf! ♥️
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Yay, nice! Hope you enjoy it too 🙂
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Fabulous review! I love driving, so I can’t imagine letting the car do the work, but I wish some crazy drivers would!
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Great review, Norrie! This one sounds so good! We just got this one!
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Yay, nice! Have fun with it 🙂
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Wonderful review, Norrie! I also don’t like the idea of driverless cars (so many things can go wrong!) and the premise of this book is really interesting so I’ll be adding it to my TBR list.
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Wow this book sounds incredible, and sure to make me philosophize in a book review! I also am unwary of driverless cars, largely because of my hesitance to AI in general and how easy the technology could be hacked. Great review, and this is on my TBR now
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Oh, i think it will fit well into your scary new technology fascination 😀
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Nailed it! 🙂
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This sounds super fun! I like the premise and the thrills that come with it. Glad you enjoyed it! 😀
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There is this self-driving shuttle bus downtown Las Vegas. I totally thought it would be dangerous to ride but even more so now. 😭 Def adding this to my TBR. Cannot wait to read it!
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Great review, Norrie. Like you, I entertained the idea of self-drive cars until Marrs introduced hackers and showed me all that could go wrong 😀 Glad we both enjoyed this one.
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I´m a fan of John Marrs. Loved `The One`. Loved `The Passengers`. You´re totally right about this one hitting too close to home. Books that are like The Passengers really make me think for a few days. Lol
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