The Big Empty began as a great book, but slowly declined. The characters varied and contrasted, which brought both an interesting, but also frustrating atmosphere. Some characters were not my favorite, like the boring Maggie, but I did really enjoy the smart, code-breaking Keely and her sidekick Amber. I wish that the author had created some kind of confrontation between the teenagers and the radical group The Slash. Throughout the book, the writing made me believe there might be one, but there was not in the end. I felt that the ending was a bit rushed, and I wish the author could have added more descriptions and despair.