Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

World Running Down by Al Hess

1 review

chippyreads's review

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful 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

 
World Running Down

5 stars

-Dual POV
-ADHD rep
-Trans FTM MC
-Queer Romance
-Speculative SciFi/Post apocalyptic
-Found Family
-AI, Robots
-Character driven

‘Wasteland Road Trip’ 

What a wonderful read! 

Valentine, a trans man, dreams of raising enough money to afford citizenship for Salt Lake City in order to gain free gender affirming health care (and lots of food). In this wasteland of a world Valentine and his new bestie (Ace) run errands in their old van, all while avoiding Mormon ‘Pirates’ in the desert. 

Osric is a powerful AI of Salt Lake City who has been forced into an android body and tasked with tracking down Valentine and Ace with an offer they can't resist. Recover the merchandise and they BOTH gain citizenship. Yet the merchandise are android escorts who are becoming self aware, and don’t want to return to their abusive patrons.

As Valentine wrestles between his morals and dreams, a beautiful relationship grows between him and Osric. The way they bond over shared feelings to do with their own bodies is really beautiful to see on page. 

I really loved the way Osric at first saw the world as an AI. He would look at colours as their HTML code and notice the musical pitch of someone's voice. As time goes by he appreciates touch and the use of facial expressions. 

It wasn’t enough to bring the rating down, but I feel like the author left out a whole plot line to do with animals. So we’re presented with this interesting fact: Valentine is shown the problem by another character, but we don’t ever get any answers as to how or why. 

Even though I loved that this book read so quickly, I wish it were longer, just so we could explore the world more and see more interactions between Osric and the sentient androids. 

Considering its a speculative SciFi it was very easy to picture the world and characters. In such an ugly world that Valentine lives in, he finds so much beauty in friendship and community.  If you want a queer book with empathy, found family and adventure, then I highly recommend picking up this book.

Thank you to Angry Robot book and NetGalley for a eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings (from author’s website)
Language, M/M open door sex and sexual elements, brief violence, brief misgendering, body dysphoria

User added
Kidnapping/Trafficking, off page SA, Emotional abuse

How I rate books
1- I disliked this book very much. Highly unlikely to read this author again
2- Eh. I didn't hate it. Might give the author another go
3- It was fun
4- Amazing and would read again
5- I'm in love. Give me more right now!

 
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