Rabbits is one of those novels that’s difficult to explain without sounding confusing or giving something away. It’s definitely a thriller, with people literally being chased throughout the entire story. The basic plot involves a mysterious, real world game dubbed Rabbits (though, much like fight club, the first rule is to not talk about the game). It’s about finding patterns in seemingly innocuous things and solving puzzles. No one knows what the prize is and you can’t be sure you’re playing until you come across something that’s obviously related to the game because there’s no other explanation for it.

But there’s much more behind the game and the stability of reality is at stake. The protagonist, named only K, has always been fascinated with the game and feels a connection to it; he’s drawn into the latest version for reasons he needs to figure out. The reader slowly discovers what’s going on along with K and the mystery is prolonged for the entire novel.

The overall concept is great and the writing definitely draws you in, almost making you feel like you’re playing the game along with K. It’s a weird, interesting journey with plenty of twists. It incorporates multiple strange conspiracies and scientific concepts, like the mandala effect and multiverse theory. K experiences these things as reality and tries to explain what’s happening, but can’t always get people to believe him. There are lots of pop culture references too, which adds to the novel’s geek cred.

Though I enjoyed it overall, the story could have been a bit tighter. It didn’t drag at all, but the plot device of chasing weirdness after weirdness got repetitive, as did one character having to explain a concept or conspiracy theory to another. One mention of any theory is typically enough for a reader of this type of fiction.  Confusion is an integral part of the storytelling in Rabbits, so if you’re the type who likes a relatively straightforward thriller you will be frustrated. And it’s not really a “techno thriller” as it’s being described; technology does play a role, but it’s not the focus. I would say it’s more of a conspiracy science thriller.