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CATFISHING ON CATNET

Naomi Kritzer

A thought-provoking near-future thriller that could not be more timely as it explores issues of online privacy, artificial intelligence, and the power and perils of social networks.

Because her mom is always on the move, Steph hasn't lived anyplace longer than six months. Her only constant is an online community called CatNet - a social media site where users upload cat pictures - a place she knows she is welcome. What Steph doesn't know is that the admin of the site, CheshireCat, is a sentient A.I.

When a threat from Steph's past catches up to her and ChesireCat's existence is discovered by outsiders, it's up to Steph and her friends, both online and IRL, to save her.

A surprising, heartfelt near-future YA thriller by award-winning author Naomi Kritzer, whose short story "Cat Pictures Please" won the Hugo Award and Locus Award and was a finalist for the Nebula.

Sequel CHAOS ON CATNET announced for April 2021.
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Published 2019-08-01 by Tor Teen

Comments

Back in 2016, Naomi Kritzer won the Hugo award for her brilliant, endearing story Cat Pictures Please, in which an AI with an insatiable craving for cat pictures explains its view on the world and the way that it makes humans' lives better; now Kritzer has adapted the story into her new novel, the equally brilliant, superbly plotted YA thriller Catfishing on CatNet...an absolutely charming and incredibly gripping, superbly plotted YA thriller. -- Boing Boing

[...] The characters offer positive, realistic LGBTQIA+ representation?especially nonbinary identities and characters still exploring their identities. Refreshingly, the characters also feel like generally-woke-but-still-imperfect humans. Wickedly funny and thrilling in turns; perfect for readers coming-of-age online. -- Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

[...]This book is an engaging blend of tech thriller, mystery, and teen drama that kept me up reading way later into the night than was strictly wise...the teen drama aspect is heartfelt and relatable, the mystery has enjoyable and sometimes shocking twists and turns, and the trajectory of the thriller plot is quite frankly bonkers...[a] wild, rollicking ride. -- NPR

Smart, sly, scary, and irrepressibly good fun, this novel has everything I've ever wanted from a story: it is a cerebral, funny, tender, big-idea delight. I can't wait for you to read it. -- ?Kelly Barnhill, Newbery Award-winning author of The Girl Who Drank the Moon

[...] In this thoughtful near-future techno-thriller, a sentient AI that secretly runs an online community dedicated to animal pictures befriends a lonely young woman who's spent her life fleeing her violent stalker father...An entertaining, heart-filled exploration of today's online existence and privacy concerns. -- ?Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

China (simplified): Guomai; Russia:Albus Corvus; Korea: East Asia;

Readers will root for Steph and her inclusive CatNet cohort to succeed. An intriguing concept that is a good pick for larger libraries and readers captivated with unique AI tales. ?School Library Journal

An absolutely charming and incredibly gripping, superbly plotted YA thriller. ?Cory Doctorow, New York Times bestselling author of Little Brother

Minnesota Book Award for Young Adult Literature Read more...

Korean rights to the adult short story collection, CAT PICTURES PLEASE, which includes the eponymous story that inspired CATFISHING ON CATNET, have sold to Forest Books.

Winner of the 2020 Edgar Award for Young Adult fiction. Read more...