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LOVE the rating idea. I've closed the last few books I've started for the same reason.

Keri, I agree it is fair to say it is teen or adult fiction and an "R" rating may be a way to represent that, however I don't believe that you gave the book a fair chance. The chapter you describe is a limited segment of the story and serves to establish the character of a primary "villain" and does so in a way that specifically associates him with a repugnant side of "youth" counterculture because it also helps support the idea that there is a larger social deficit at play as the story develops further.

I just wanted to echo James's sentiment - I had forgotten this particular section as it is meant only to establish a certain counterpoint to the broad themes of the book. That is the only scene that has any R rated themes in this book and in the sequel - it certainly is not emblematic of his writing as a whole.

I also have to echo the two previous statements. That particular chapter did feel a bit much, but once past it, the book's great.

I didn't really like the book, but this isn't really what it was about. A character was being established as a scum bag. That's all.

To me that whole section came across as an after thought or something that was put in after the fact. It was a real distraction and I think brought the authors credibility into question to many readers. I believe that he could have spent more time finding the right way to convey this characters faults. Still one of the best books I have ever read. I too agree that there should be a way to rate a book.

I think it shows that character is evil pretty well. Sometimes it takes graphic details to get that point across.

I just want to add to the other comments, especially Jason's. I can certainly see how it would make you close the book for good, but that's not representative of the whole book. I had the same impression as Jason: It felt like the rave scene was added after the fact for some reason. Give it another chance!

I guess the morality police shouldn't read this book, but that being said, that one chapter is in no way representative of the book. Your loss I guess, bummer.

It's not a "rape scene", Suzanne Lander - it's a kinky rough sex scene. It might be distasteful to this reviewer, but the sex is clearly consensual....

What Beau said.

@Timothy ... I don't think the reviewer is talking about the scene with the somewhat kinky but entirely consensual sex. I think he's talking about what happened at the rave party.

I wasn't sure what to make of the pseudo-rape (not exactly consensual sex because of the drugs involved but probably not prosecutable as a rape) scene at the rave and it was certainly uncomfortable to read. If the rest of the book had continued in the same vein, I probably would have given up on it as exploitative but it soon became clear that this scene was there to establish the extent to which one particular character was depraved and sociopathic (aspects the character that were important to know later on). Don't let this one unsettling scene stop you from enjoying the book ... it's a good read.

The scene with Loki at the rave was certainly rape, given the girl was slipped a drug she didn't expect to make her have sex with him. However, the scene exists, like the next scene where he sends his druggie partner off to get killed by the crime outfit they stiffed, to establish Loki as an amoral sociopath - somebody who can be used to help destroy the old order, not to help build the new one.

There's a bit in the sequel, FREEDOM(TM), where one of the heroes tells another that the reason he joined The Darknet was to make sure that people like Loki aren't the only ones with access to its power - and by the end of the saga, Loki is shut down by a manifestation of his fellow Darknet members who have had enough of his uncontrolled violence and lack of any "give".

I found that scene very disturbing and I almost closed the book myself. I agree with the consensuses here that the scene is a departure from the overall tone of the book. It is quite possible that the publisher asked for some sex to help sell the book, but I think it would have been better without it.

I found the rape scene disturbing, but that gave the setting a feeling of being realistic, like the author is not pussyfooting to spare the delicate sensibilities of the readers. Date rapists exist and they are scumbags. That is a fact. The shock value of the scene is what emphasizes the depravity of the character and that is essential for character building. Readers are meant to be repulsed by that character. It is not a matter of knowing that the character is a bad guy on an intellectual level, they are supposed to feel that he is a bad guy on a primal level. That is the difference between show and tell. There is no way to achieve that effect while watering down the shock value.

This is not a book for kids. All disturbing scenes are there for a reason, and in my opinion they fit perfectly. About the swearing in the book, that's how normal people talk, this book is meant to deliver some cruel realism, just get over it.

I'm a little worried that a few people have commented that is wasn't actually a rape. People need to learn about the concept of consent, which isn't possible to give when drugged.

Oh no! Sex and swears! Call the PTA! Ban this book!

You just ensured I would read this book.

As someone who says "fuck" a lot, goes to rave parties, knows plenty of women of the night (I don't partake, I just know them), has had first hand experience in kicking the shit out of someone who tried to date rape a friend of mind, and I'm a computer nerd too boot. Sounds like this book was written for me. Thanks for the great review @Keri!

I admit of all the chapters in the book.. I tend to skip this one when I reread it. The point of the chapter was to establish Loki as the necessary evil for the daemon to achieve it's goals. Once I know this.. I have little desire to reread this chapter. So I understand why you stopped reading it. So if you are willing to give the book a second chance.. Just take note that Loki.. is a jerk.

That whole rave/gang rape thing was so out of place in this book. It made no sense at all, and having read the rest of the novel, it was completely unnecessary.

I usually don't mind such content in books, but this was different cause I dont see the point in it. I dont even remember the character who did that. Usually such scenes are trying to establish a culture, as a way of saying "hey this is a regular thing" but such actions were never seen again.

All that nastyness was just to tell us that the guy is a pretty nasty individual. I'm up to chapter 22 now and none of the above or anything of that sort has been repeated and its a HELL of ride. I really really recommend ignoring your initial instinct and giving this another go

It's called real life. Don't be such a mormon.

It’s called capitalizing (selling a book) by leaning into gratuitous sexual violence against another human- a child at that (17).