Viral Airwaves

[ Overall Thoughts ]
Henry Schmitt is content enough with a simple life in his tiny, nearly-empty village, until an outlaw pays a ridiculous sum for the use of his bed for the night and ends up bringing all kinds of trouble to his door. As Henry learns more about his father who abandoned him after his mother’s death, their government, and the group of rebels who’ve swept him up in their trouble, he has to decide when and how an ordinary person like him can take a stand.
Viral Airwaves is the author's debut standalone novel. It is unique and enjoyable, and while it didn't feel particularly fast-paced to me, I also had no trouble finding the drive to pick it up and read more. The writing does occasionally feel a bit repetitive, but I didn't find that impeded my enjoyment much. The worldbuilding was mostly conveyed through characters' experiences or dialogue, and I found it came across naturally. I found the story very engaging, and unfortunately relevant as it involves a pandemic, protests, and police brutality.

[ The World ]
Homes, infrastructure, and technology are solar-powered, and National radio and newspapers are the only sources of information. A deadly pandemic caused many setbacks, as well as an oil-destroying engineered microbe that spelled the end of personal transportation and other reliance on oil. I'll be honest: I don't know how feasible the sciencey stuff here is. It occasionally felt a bit far-fetched, but I'm not one to question fantasy science generally, so this setup may work less well for a more scientifically-inclined audience. For me, it worked to set up a story that I found unique and engaging with an interestingly-built world.

[ The Characters ]
The book is split between several POVs and I found each to be an interesting perspective. Though we get lots of pages from other perspectives, I'd argue that Henry Schmitt is the main character. He is an average fellow who just wants to live a quiet life with his supply of instant noodles. As he learns more about the rebellion, he becomes determined to take part somehow. He was a fun character to follow, being timid and uncertain he was a bit different than your typical fantasy hero.
Andeal, Maniel, and Seraphin are the founders of the rebellion and play significant roles as well. Andeal is a staunch pacifist and believer in humane treatment as well as being a skilled engineer. Maniel is badass, a capable leader, and is a fierce protector of those she cares for. Seraphin is the "face" of the rebellion known as the White Renegade, and has a reputation far worse than his reality.
We also get a significant number of chapters from Captain Hans Vermen, a soldier who abandoned his command in order to chase after Seraphin to exact revenge on him for his brother's death.

[ Suggested Audience ]
Readers interested in a solarpunk setting, and fighting against corrupt governments with hot air balloons and radio broadcasts.
Readers who enjoy multi-POV stories, with characters coming together for a common goal.
Readers who like nonviolent, ordinary folk MCs, but also leaders of rebellions and pacifist engineers.

[ TL;DR ]
Viral Airwaves was unlike any other book I've come across, with its solarpunk setting, its ordinary MC, and its unique approach to a rebellion. I really enjoyed it.
Content Warning for pandemic, viruses, protests and police brutality.