Reviews

Ohhh I REALLY enjoyed this! The characters were smart and fun, and the plot was intriguingly addictive. I think the world building could definitely have used some work; I was initially very confused about the time period, and wanted a little more info on governing structures. But still a fun, fast read that I can’t help wish was a full-length novel.

the_lesbrarian's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was a really well done novella. Gailey created more empathetic, complex characters than many authors have accomplished with many more pages.

Content Warnings

pagelikebooks's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring 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

qcamp17's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

camillaforte's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny tense 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? No

4.5

I loved the concept but the world felt REALLY underdeveloped. It’s hard to write a short sharp book and not tell your audience everything, I understand but it needed a bit more time in the oven. This was recommended as a better version of outlawed by Anna North but it had parallel issues to that book, better cast of characters, worse world building.

skyturtles's review against another edition

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4.25

Something I really like about novellas is that not a lot of time is spent explaining the history of the world that you are thrust into, and you instead pick up bits and pieces as you go. If done well, like Sarah Gailey does, my imagination finds it lovely. Imagine the wild west of the past, but in the near future. Books and informative materials are either approved or disapproved by the state, and librarians distribute said materials to towns via wagon chains, since fuel is scarce and horses are apparently cheaper. Not a romance as the main plot, but it has little hints of sapphic cuteness.

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