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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
fast-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
Nino Cipri's writing was so fun and accesible. I had such a good time with this book!
I wasn't expecting the conversation about mental health and gender identity. But, despite the serious topics, this book was just plain fun to read!
I wasn't expecting the conversation about mental health and gender identity. But, despite the serious topics, this book was just plain fun to read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Transphobia, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
Who wouldn’t want a story about portals to parallel dimensions popping up in your faviourite Definitely-Not-IKEA store? This is a neat little sci-fi adventure with a generous dollop of emotion, humanity and anti-capitalism, topped off with some really nice queer and nonbinary representation just the way it should be - totally normal, with just a nod to how difficult it is navigating a world that doesn’t want you to exist. My only negative is that there isn’t a whole series of epics chronicling their further adventures!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Transphobia
Moderate: Death, Violence
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was just such a fun read.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
As a university student most of my friends have sought furniture from the Swedish founded big box store IKEA, the endless maze of showrooms I find it easy to imagine that there are hidden passages that lead, not to a secret shortcut to an exit, but to another world entirely.
Nino Cipri’s Nebula Award-nominated novella Finna (2020) takes that concept adds to it a timely set of social concerns, ranging from gender identity to the evils of capitalism generally and low-wage retail jobs in particular and wormholes.
The story is that of Jules and Ava to coworkers who are trying to resolve what they are to each other after a breakup. Jules explains to Ava why they volunteered for task. "A soccer mom enlisted me to help harangue her husband into shelling out money for a new bathroom vanity. She managed to misgender me four times in two minutes,” Jules said. They bent down to pick up the books they’d knocked off the shelf. “Two different pronouns, completely ignored my nametag, eventually settled on calling me ‘the kid.’
During one exchange the LitenVärld manager Tricia, (described as “Midwestern manager-class haircut” with blond highlights (could anything indicate a “Karen” more clearly?), practiced plastic facial expressions, and an utter disregard for the wellbeing of the workers she manages" after barely trying and completely failing to address Jules by their preferred pronouns decries 'It's too difficult, I guess I'm just a grammar Nazi" leading A to wonder, "not for the first time, why anyone would so proudly declare themselves to be any kind of nazi". Good question Ava
The descriptions Ava gives for the different show room set ups conjured the images for me The Nihilist Bachelor Cube, Coked-out Divorcée, Parental Basement Dweller, Newly Retired Swinger, the goth spinster room and others.
But it’s the compassion that describes these two modern people badly treated and exploited by our society that seems to say a 'better world isn't possible, but a worse on is" when they finally face wy Ava broke up with Jules that tugged my heart.
"“Because I don’t trust you to come back!” Ava hissed. “You always do this. You ignore inconvenient realities like your girlfriend is fucked up in the head and there are giant spiders in other worlds! Then when the problems get too big to ignore, you run.” “ … You dumped me,” Jules said numbly. “Because you never would,” Ava answered. “I would have just woken up and you’d be gone.”
Contemporary horror done well.
Interesting premise but idk abt execution. It’s a short story but just long enough that I don’t think it has the pacing or structure necessary and could have been maybe longer or something.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-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
I heard about this book from my local, independent bookstore a while back. Two weeks ago, I saw it at the library and, even though I was in the middle of several other books and expecting another on hold, I picked it up. The fact that is was so small and also published by Tor.com pushed me to take it home. I'm so glad I did! What a romp!
The story makes light of many things: working in retail, IKEA, young queer love and heartbreak, being a confused 20-something. It also has a lot of heart. It's clear that the author values self-determination in their characters. Yes, it's an adventure quest but it's also a heartfelt story about flipping the script and choosing for yourself, even when the world is uncertain, even when the world you're in looks nothing like your own. It's a powerful metaphor and it's one I'll take with me. Also, what a love letter to grandmothers!
The story makes light of many things: working in retail, IKEA, young queer love and heartbreak, being a confused 20-something. It also has a lot of heart. It's clear that the author values self-determination in their characters. Yes, it's an adventure quest but it's also a heartfelt story about flipping the script and choosing for yourself, even when the world is uncertain, even when the world you're in looks nothing like your own. It's a powerful metaphor and it's one I'll take with me. Also, what a love letter to grandmothers!