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theaceofpages's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Have you ever put off reading a book because you were scared of how good it was going to be? That was my experience with this one. I read the first lines months ago but only got to it now.
If you are looking for your traditional sci-fi, filled with cool technology you'll probably be disappointed. That's not to say you can't enjoy it - that is just not what this book is. Instead, this is mostly a book about gender, putting the pain and confusion that those of us who don't fit into the box that was checked at our birth experience into beautiful words. Although the author may have a different gender identity to my own, I still felt so incredibly seen and understood. I feel like this is more a book of emotions and sensations than plot. While this may not be to everyone's taste, I ended up enjoying it and seeing someone else experience the very deeply and often forcefully gendered world we live in, an experience I'm sure most (if not all) other non-cis people relate strongly to.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
If you are looking for your traditional sci-fi, filled with cool technology you'll probably be disappointed. That's not to say you can't enjoy it - that is just not what this book is. Instead, this is mostly a book about gender, putting the pain and confusion that those of us who don't fit into the box that was checked at our birth experience into beautiful words. Although the author may have a different gender identity to my own, I still felt so incredibly seen and understood. I feel like this is more a book of emotions and sensations than plot. While this may not be to everyone's taste, I ended up enjoying it and seeing someone else experience the very deeply and often forcefully gendered world we live in, an experience I'm sure most (if not all) other non-cis people relate strongly to.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Sexual content in chapter 6. Mostly skimmed this part as someone who isn't a big fan of sexual content on account of being asexual but it doesn't shy away from how dysphoria plays a role - something I think isn't all that common in booksmar's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
God. I don't think I have the words to describe how this book made me feel other than "absolute gender catharsis." Cried so hard I got a headache. I think I need to be sent out into the vacuum of space and rotate in silence thinking about it for a couple days. 10/10 would recommend
(A huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!)
(A huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Dysphoria
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Transphobia, Deadnaming, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
elleyena_rose's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dysphoria and Injury/Injury detail
youshouldreadthisif's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria
achillea's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
books that make you feel flayed. books that feel like floating in a lake that's a degree or two colder than your perfect swimming temperature
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
honey_crystals's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
What a fantastic read (I'm typing this with watery eyes because of the endings omg)!! Pluralities is a triumph of gender exploration and trans joy. This story is told from the points of view of two characters going through so many life and psychological changes. To tell it in this way is interesting and made the narrative so much more grounded. I think the thing that stuck out to me the most, and the part that made me the most emotional was the climax of both character arcs. The pain of change before the self actualizing and self realization was a part so beautiful and emotional to me!
What a fantastic read (I'm typing this with watery eyes because of the endings omg)!! Pluralities is a triumph of gender exploration and trans joy. This story is told from the points of view of two characters going through so many life and psychological changes. To tell it in this way is interesting and made the narrative so much more grounded. I think the thing that stuck out to me the most, and the part that made me the most emotional was the climax of both character arcs. The pain of change before the self actualizing and self realization was a part so beautiful and emotional to me!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dysphoria
minervacerridwen's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Wow. This book!
In my experience, it can be very difficult to put the experience of being trans, or nonbinary, or genderfluid, into words. But Pluralities does a magically good job of it, with an honesty and openness and beauty I admire greatly.
From the very first pages, the writing awed me. Avi Silver clearly understands stylistic choices as a means of storytelling and has applied them seamlessly—I will definitely look up their poetry. In fact, this novella often felt like poetry itself, in the way that it deeply touched my core beyond what "regular" prose would do. Of course, this is also because the trans theme is so close to my heart. Pluralities made me feel understood and had several moments that made me go "oh, so I'm not the only one"…even now.
There was so much I loved, so I’ll attempt a short list: I adored how the concept of small talk was presented as a painful betting game, the aromantic representation (I don’t think it’s ever said outright, but I definitely interpreted it that way as an aro reader), the characters in general, and the scene that showed how an accepting conversation with a supportive person can still spike gender anxiety, simply because the conversational partner has not had experiences that could make them understand. It’s a quick read, but the altering perspective does give you the opportunity to process, so it doesn’t feel rushed in any way.
If you want to connect with transgender experiences, either for yourself, for people you love, or to simply understand the world a little better, I would highly recommend this novella.
Full disclosure: I was a proofreader for this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Dysphoria, and Mental illness
Minor: Blood and Misogyny
Publisher's content notes at https://www.atthisarts.com/content/
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