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geethr75's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
This was quite an enjoyable read. The voice, the prose, the characters and plot, everything was good.
Dalí Tamareia is a changeling or third gender, a human who has been evolved to be without gender but who can assume either gender. They're also an empath who grew up in the planet of Zereid whose natives are highly empathic and telepathic. Even though they practise a martial art, they're a peaceable race who don't believe in killing.
When the story opens, Dalí is lost in a sea of grief and pain following the death of their two partners and unborn child in a terrorist bombing. They're subjected to bullying and hate by some bigots who consider the third genders as abominations. Dalí is also spiralling into addiction, and ignores the people who try to set them right. Changelings like them are disappearing from all over, but Dalí doesn't care.
An encounter with some bigots have Dalí nearly dead, which makes them realise that they doesn't want to die. They're recruited by a group to discover what's happening to the missing changelings, and Dalí realises that the group has links to the bombs that killed her family.
I loved the plot, and Dalí's characterisation as well as that of the minor characters. The world building is done well and the inner workings of various societies are interesting. Even with all my focus issues, I finished the first book in a week and has started the second book of the series.
If you love scifi, space operas, advanced technology, alien civilisations, flawed characters and personal stakes, this is the book for you.
mxsallybend's review
4.0
Dalí is a deep, complex, multi-faceted bit of edgy science fiction from E.M. Hamill. It is a solid genre read, but it is also (and perhaps more importantly) a very exciting QUILTBAG read, a story that does some fantastic things with gender and sexuality.
The story itself starts out edgy and dark, and goes even deeper. There are themes of human trafficking here, corrupt governments, greedy corporations, and despicable villains.
Dalí themself is a member of the second-class, third-gender changeling who is genderfluid. Their natural state is a neuter gender, but they can shift to become fully male or female, and flow between the three genders. Dalí spends most the book in their female form, which (not surprisingly) appealed to me, but I loved that they had the freedom to be whomever they felt like, whenever they felt like it.
Fortunately, Dalí is more than just a gender novelty, they are a strong enough character to hold such a dark, multifaceted story together. They are a sad character, driven by grief to self-destruction, but with a big heart. The other characters are strong themselves, especially Lord Rhix - who, in any other book, would be the most memorable character. Having them together just elevates the story to a whole other level - emotionally, narratively, and erotically.
Although it is a very dark story, marked by violence and cruelty, there are some lighter moments. For instance, the book is rife with Princess Bride references, with character getting designations like Miracle Max, Buttercup, and Fezzik, and 'Inconceivable' being a favorite code phrase. Why? Well, apparently, one of the alien races are big fans.
Dalí was one of those books I took my time with, lingering over, rather than racing through - and that is precisely how it should be enjoyed.
As reviewed by Sally at Bending the Bookshelf
The story itself starts out edgy and dark, and goes even deeper. There are themes of human trafficking here, corrupt governments, greedy corporations, and despicable villains.
Dalí themself is a member of the second-class, third-gender changeling who is genderfluid. Their natural state is a neuter gender, but they can shift to become fully male or female, and flow between the three genders. Dalí spends most the book in their female form, which (not surprisingly) appealed to me, but I loved that they had the freedom to be whomever they felt like, whenever they felt like it.
Fortunately, Dalí is more than just a gender novelty, they are a strong enough character to hold such a dark, multifaceted story together. They are a sad character, driven by grief to self-destruction, but with a big heart. The other characters are strong themselves, especially Lord Rhix - who, in any other book, would be the most memorable character. Having them together just elevates the story to a whole other level - emotionally, narratively, and erotically.
Although it is a very dark story, marked by violence and cruelty, there are some lighter moments. For instance, the book is rife with Princess Bride references, with character getting designations like Miracle Max, Buttercup, and Fezzik, and 'Inconceivable' being a favorite code phrase. Why? Well, apparently, one of the alien races are big fans.
Dalí was one of those books I took my time with, lingering over, rather than racing through - and that is precisely how it should be enjoyed.
As reviewed by Sally at Bending the Bookshelf
mattdoylemedia's review
5.0
The Good: When a book is named after the lead character, it seems only fair to start with said character when it comes to critique. So, Dali Tamareia is a third gendered changeling. What this means is that they are naturally neutral gendered, but that they shift to being more recognisably male of female depending on the needs of the situation at hand (or in some cases, the needs of those that they’re close to). Dali is, in many ways, a truly tragic character. When we join them, they’ve already lost their husband, their wife, and their unborn child, and are essentially on a self-destructive path with an unwittingly-assisted-suicide as their final destination. The writing with regards to this is really top notch, and it adds a relatable human element to the intergalactic setting. With all that occurs, you can’t help but root for Dali, and whenever you start to seek something happening that could potentially push them into a different bad situation, you just end up rooting for them even more. Between the fascinating hormone induced gender shifting and the way the character progresses through the tale, E.M. Hamill has created a great lead here.
The intergalactic setting I mentioned is also worthy of praise. The political undercurrent that helps tie the story together is set up in such a way that you’re always aware of its presence, but it never intrudes into the main narrative to such a degree that it becomes your main focus. Instead, it makes sure that you keep it in mind while still looking where you’re supposed to at any given time. This same method is also applied to other parts of the world building: The locations we visit are given plenty of background to flesh them out, and the various alien species that we meet are given enough detail to give you a picture of what they look like while still leaving a little to the imagination. The joy of this is that the book is essentially an intricate balancing act of showing you what you need while keeping you focussed on the important part: the story itself.
And what a story it is! The pacing here is really good, with the action coming just when you need it and the plot heavy sections breezing by thanks to the natural character interactions. I’m making a point of avoiding spoilers here, so I can’t go into too much detail, but there’s certainly enough going on to keep your interest throughout. Oh,and who doesn’t love a good Princess Bride reference or twenty?
The book does feature some erotic scenes. Now, my general rule with such moment sis that I don’t mind if they a) fit with the story, and b) don’t last so long that they force you to feel disconnected from the main plot points. Now, in this case, this was a surprise for me because I honestly wasn’t aware that that there were any erotic scenes in the book. So much for research, eh? They work though. The descriptives never fall into being clinical, and their length is such that they do what they need to and allow you to move on without overstaying their welcome. I also liked that they genuinely served a purpose within the confines of the story. Or several, in fact. Representations of Dali’s gender shifting, an embodiment of their state of mind, espionage … it’s all there and it all makes sense without feeling like the author has just come up with an excuse to thrown them in.
The Bad: There’s really very little to mention here. In terms of content warning, while nothing is shown, there is mention of rape. The trials and tribulations of third gender people may also hit close to home for some, and erotic scenes simply aren’t for everyone.
I would say that you can probably join the dots a little easier than the characters in the book can, but that’s not necessarily something that should put potential readers off. If I’m being really picky, I was left a little conflicted by the end simply because I was torn between wanting to see Dali end up with a particular character that they didn’t while at the same time not wanting them too and instead wanting them to put the ghosts of their past to rest. While this story has a conclusion though, it certainly feels like a sequel or two is possible, so maybe that’ll be revisited anyway.
Final View: Dali is a wonderful piece of science fiction that does a lot of things well while offering an interesting view on gender. The concepts are well conceived, the lead is sympathetic, and the story runs at a pace that avoids getting itself bogged down by unnecessary rambling. In all, a sterling effort that is more than deserving of a full 5 out of 5. Check it out if you’re a lover of sci-fi or simply want something a little different.
Final Score: 5 / 5
The intergalactic setting I mentioned is also worthy of praise. The political undercurrent that helps tie the story together is set up in such a way that you’re always aware of its presence, but it never intrudes into the main narrative to such a degree that it becomes your main focus. Instead, it makes sure that you keep it in mind while still looking where you’re supposed to at any given time. This same method is also applied to other parts of the world building: The locations we visit are given plenty of background to flesh them out, and the various alien species that we meet are given enough detail to give you a picture of what they look like while still leaving a little to the imagination. The joy of this is that the book is essentially an intricate balancing act of showing you what you need while keeping you focussed on the important part: the story itself.
And what a story it is! The pacing here is really good, with the action coming just when you need it and the plot heavy sections breezing by thanks to the natural character interactions. I’m making a point of avoiding spoilers here, so I can’t go into too much detail, but there’s certainly enough going on to keep your interest throughout. Oh,and who doesn’t love a good Princess Bride reference or twenty?
The book does feature some erotic scenes. Now, my general rule with such moment sis that I don’t mind if they a) fit with the story, and b) don’t last so long that they force you to feel disconnected from the main plot points. Now, in this case, this was a surprise for me because I honestly wasn’t aware that that there were any erotic scenes in the book. So much for research, eh? They work though. The descriptives never fall into being clinical, and their length is such that they do what they need to and allow you to move on without overstaying their welcome. I also liked that they genuinely served a purpose within the confines of the story. Or several, in fact. Representations of Dali’s gender shifting, an embodiment of their state of mind, espionage … it’s all there and it all makes sense without feeling like the author has just come up with an excuse to thrown them in.
The Bad: There’s really very little to mention here. In terms of content warning, while nothing is shown, there is mention of rape. The trials and tribulations of third gender people may also hit close to home for some, and erotic scenes simply aren’t for everyone.
I would say that you can probably join the dots a little easier than the characters in the book can, but that’s not necessarily something that should put potential readers off. If I’m being really picky, I was left a little conflicted by the end simply because I was torn between wanting to see Dali end up with a particular character that they didn’t while at the same time not wanting them too and instead wanting them to put the ghosts of their past to rest. While this story has a conclusion though, it certainly feels like a sequel or two is possible, so maybe that’ll be revisited anyway.
Final View: Dali is a wonderful piece of science fiction that does a lot of things well while offering an interesting view on gender. The concepts are well conceived, the lead is sympathetic, and the story runs at a pace that avoids getting itself bogged down by unnecessary rambling. In all, a sterling effort that is more than deserving of a full 5 out of 5. Check it out if you’re a lover of sci-fi or simply want something a little different.
Final Score: 5 / 5
qalminator's review
4.0
Very engaging story, but rather dark, and with more sex than I thought was necessary. While it made sense to use sex scenes establish that Dalí truly had no fixed physical gender characteristics, once it was established, I found them an annoying interruption of the plot. YMMV
This is one that I put down for a few weeks to read lighter fare, but with every intention of finishing, and I did finally get back to it this week. The "third gender" device works well, and Batterson and his ilk read as a stand-in for every testosterone-fueled-asshole who has decided that people who don't fit the norm don't deserve to exist. I probably wouldn't have been as captivated by it pre-2016, but at this moment in time, our political scene is at least as toxic as the one presented here.
Mostly recommended.
This is one that I put down for a few weeks to read lighter fare, but with every intention of finishing, and I did finally get back to it this week. The "third gender" device works well, and Batterson and his ilk read as a stand-in for every testosterone-fueled-asshole who has decided that people who don't fit the norm don't deserve to exist. I probably wouldn't have been as captivated by it pre-2016, but at this moment in time, our political scene is at least as toxic as the one presented here.
Mostly recommended.
rebl's review
5.0
Dalí is a beautifully written exploration of ethics, gender, grief, and SPACE! 5 Stars.
___________________________________________
Author: E.M. Hamill
Release Date: August 7, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-947139-57-2
Format: ePub, Mobi, PDF
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Category: Literary/Genre Fiction
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Word Count: 85200
Pages: 253
Sex Content: Explicit
Orientation: Pansexual
Identity: Genderqueer
Warning: Depictions of violent death
___________________________________________
Between space rescues, ship battles, gladiatorial bouts, and the sexually charged hand-to-hand-combat scenes, if you're after adventure and action, this book won't disappoint. Dalí is a little more action-packed than what I'd normally read, but it worked well for me.
The writing is fabulous and the world-building is even better. Rich, complex, and totally believable, the galaxy of the future mirrors many of the political and social concerns of our own time -- which is always the case with good science fiction. I highly recommend this novel for fans of science fiction and/or adventure.
This novel works beautifully as a stand alone story, but I can also see how it would easily become a series if the author has that in mind. The rest of my review contains spoilers - delving into aspects of the novel that I wanted to discuss.
SPOILERS AHEAD
*
*
*
No, really....SPOILERS
*
*
*
This book is definitely not a romance, which is not a comment I make as a negative, but something to be aware of. That's part of why this novel is great - it doesn't follow the same old formula that quite a lot of traditional LGBTIQ+ tends to abide by. Anyone who has read my previous reviews knows that I'm not a fan of sci-fi being background for a romance plot. A sci-fi romance is a great story (heck - it's what I myself tend to write) but the genre elements shouldn't be, in my opinion, a convenient backdrop for a story that could've been set anywhere or anytime. That isn't the case with Dalí.
The relationships were interesting - particularly between the main character and the other changelings - Kai and Dru. Something about Dru really got to me and I found myself hoping she'd get something of a satisfactory ending to her kidnapping journey.
My favourite relationship - and this is totally subjective - was between Dalí and Tella Sharpe. I felt that Tella was the only character Dalí slept with who didn't expect them to be whatever sex or gender suited her, unlike the other people Dalí slept with - who wanted them to be only either male or female. I definitely understood why they became so frustrated with Tella and felt so betrayed, given her role in kidnapping the changelings, but I was surprised by how deep that animosity seemed to go. Dalí questioned Rhix's ethics, but continued to (mostly) trust him and kept sleeping with him after knowing he traded in goods that could facilitate mass murder, yet she remained so angry with Tella, whose crimes were pretty awful, but also much smaller scale than Rhix's. Again, this is not a criticism! Humans are like that - we aren't logical in who we do or do not tolerate or forgive.
The complexity of these relationships is still on my mind well after I've finished reading the book. I love books that make me keep thinking, and even make it hard to start the next book I want to read.
On a totally inane note, I loved the Princess Bride references, and surely that comment about "My mother is a lizard" has to be a reference to another 80s cult classic, Willow, right? My only comment here, though, is that I did question characters who were living so far in the future being that obsessed with such films. It felt a bit like Tom's fascination with the 20th Century on Star Trek - Voyager...more of a way for someone on the crew to explore their own love of cars and music? It was harmless, though, and even though my amusement about the references had worn off by about the mid-way point, as a fan of the movie who can quote the whole thing, it was a little bit of fun, even if I did think they didn't suit the context.
So if the only less-than-positive thing I have to say is about inter-textual references, that's definite nit-picking! I'm really pleased that books like this are being written and published.
___________________________________________
Author: E.M. Hamill
Release Date: August 7, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-947139-57-2
Format: ePub, Mobi, PDF
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Category: Literary/Genre Fiction
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Word Count: 85200
Pages: 253
Sex Content: Explicit
Orientation: Pansexual
Identity: Genderqueer
Warning: Depictions of violent death
___________________________________________
Between space rescues, ship battles, gladiatorial bouts, and the sexually charged hand-to-hand-combat scenes, if you're after adventure and action, this book won't disappoint. Dalí is a little more action-packed than what I'd normally read, but it worked well for me.
The writing is fabulous and the world-building is even better. Rich, complex, and totally believable, the galaxy of the future mirrors many of the political and social concerns of our own time -- which is always the case with good science fiction. I highly recommend this novel for fans of science fiction and/or adventure.
This novel works beautifully as a stand alone story, but I can also see how it would easily become a series if the author has that in mind. The rest of my review contains spoilers - delving into aspects of the novel that I wanted to discuss.
SPOILERS AHEAD
*
*
*
No, really....SPOILERS
*
*
*
This book is definitely not a romance, which is not a comment I make as a negative, but something to be aware of. That's part of why this novel is great - it doesn't follow the same old formula that quite a lot of traditional LGBTIQ+ tends to abide by. Anyone who has read my previous reviews knows that I'm not a fan of sci-fi being background for a romance plot. A sci-fi romance is a great story (heck - it's what I myself tend to write) but the genre elements shouldn't be, in my opinion, a convenient backdrop for a story that could've been set anywhere or anytime. That isn't the case with Dalí.
The relationships were interesting - particularly between the main character and the other changelings - Kai and Dru. Something about Dru really got to me and I found myself hoping she'd get something of a satisfactory ending to her kidnapping journey.
My favourite relationship - and this is totally subjective - was between Dalí and Tella Sharpe. I felt that Tella was the only character Dalí slept with who didn't expect them to be whatever sex or gender suited her, unlike the other people Dalí slept with - who wanted them to be only either male or female. I definitely understood why they became so frustrated with Tella and felt so betrayed, given her role in kidnapping the changelings, but I was surprised by how deep that animosity seemed to go. Dalí questioned Rhix's ethics, but continued to (mostly) trust him and kept sleeping with him after knowing he traded in goods that could facilitate mass murder, yet she remained so angry with Tella, whose crimes were pretty awful, but also much smaller scale than Rhix's. Again, this is not a criticism! Humans are like that - we aren't logical in who we do or do not tolerate or forgive.
The complexity of these relationships is still on my mind well after I've finished reading the book. I love books that make me keep thinking, and even make it hard to start the next book I want to read.
On a totally inane note, I loved the Princess Bride references, and surely that comment about "My mother is a lizard" has to be a reference to another 80s cult classic, Willow, right? My only comment here, though, is that I did question characters who were living so far in the future being that obsessed with such films. It felt a bit like Tom's fascination with the 20th Century on Star Trek - Voyager...more of a way for someone on the crew to explore their own love of cars and music? It was harmless, though, and even though my amusement about the references had worn off by about the mid-way point, as a fan of the movie who can quote the whole thing, it was a little bit of fun, even if I did think they didn't suit the context.
So if the only less-than-positive thing I have to say is about inter-textual references, that's definite nit-picking! I'm really pleased that books like this are being written and published.
iam's review
5.0
Dalí is an awesome SciFi novel with a non-binary protagonist featuring complicated and sometimes dismal politics, dangerous deep cover missions, cool aliens and a vast cast of interesting characters.
Read the full review on the blog.
Content warnings include: violence, slavery, abduction, human trafficking, cannibalism, sex on-page, transphobia and trans-excluding language, slurs, racism, discrimination of marginalized groups, denial of reproductive rights, suicide attempts, grief after death of family, substance addiction, death, assassination; mentions of rape, abuse, terrorism, death of pregnant woman.
The main character, Dalí, is a third-gender changeling, meaning they are (a fantastical version of) intersex with the ability to assume male or female secondary sexual characteristics at will, which they do when the situations demands it (mostly during fights, sex, intimidation or manipulation). Without outside influence in either direction, Dalí is neither female nor male, but nonbinary outside of the binary spectrum.
Dalí is an ambassador and diplomat, who after the death of their husband, wife and unborn child, has lost their will to live. But after an encounter that almost leaves Dalí dead, they realize other changelings and third-gender rights are at risk and decide to take part in a risky mission.
The mood changes throughout the book is rather heavy, following Dalí's emotional development through numbness, grief, anger, sadness and more. Even as they find something other to focus on than their grief, the book is never really happy, though as Dalí gets distracted by their mission, so did I.
I loved Dalí as protagonist. Even filled with grief I found them a great main character, with their sarcasm and quiet competence, but it is under stress and in dangerous situations that they truly bloom. I loved reading about how they negotiated (pun intended) danger after danger, and their empathic abilities was another touch, that, while almost overly convenient, added a new dimension to Dalí's calculations that I found fascinating.
Another facet I found intriguing was their high sex drive - which was particularly high given that Dalí doesn't just like sex, but has what boils down to a danger-kink. Because they were in danger and encountered dangerous people a lot.
However, despite Dalí's preferrence for casual sex, the book is not erotica, and most definitely not a romance. There is no romantic subplot, though Dalí does form several emotional connections.
The book is very well written and I had trouble putting it down again. I enjoyed it immensely, it was engaging, exciting and emotional in all the right ways.
Bonus points for tons of Princess Bride references!
Read the full review on the blog.
Content warnings include: violence, slavery, abduction, human trafficking, cannibalism, sex on-page, transphobia and trans-excluding language, slurs, racism, discrimination of marginalized groups, denial of reproductive rights, suicide attempts, grief after death of family, substance addiction, death, assassination; mentions of rape, abuse, terrorism, death of pregnant woman.
The main character, Dalí, is a third-gender changeling, meaning they are (a fantastical version of) intersex with the ability to assume male or female secondary sexual characteristics at will, which they do when the situations demands it (mostly during fights, sex, intimidation or manipulation). Without outside influence in either direction, Dalí is neither female nor male, but nonbinary outside of the binary spectrum.
Dalí is an ambassador and diplomat, who after the death of their husband, wife and unborn child, has lost their will to live. But after an encounter that almost leaves Dalí dead, they realize other changelings and third-gender rights are at risk and decide to take part in a risky mission.
The mood changes throughout the book is rather heavy, following Dalí's emotional development through numbness, grief, anger, sadness and more. Even as they find something other to focus on than their grief, the book is never really happy, though as Dalí gets distracted by their mission, so did I.
I loved Dalí as protagonist. Even filled with grief I found them a great main character, with their sarcasm and quiet competence, but it is under stress and in dangerous situations that they truly bloom. I loved reading about how they negotiated (pun intended) danger after danger, and their empathic abilities was another touch, that, while almost overly convenient, added a new dimension to Dalí's calculations that I found fascinating.
Another facet I found intriguing was their high sex drive - which was particularly high given that Dalí doesn't just like sex, but has what boils down to a danger-kink. Because they were in danger and encountered dangerous people a lot.
However, despite Dalí's preferrence for casual sex, the book is not erotica, and most definitely not a romance. There is no romantic subplot, though Dalí does form several emotional connections.
The book is very well written and I had trouble putting it down again. I enjoyed it immensely, it was engaging, exciting and emotional in all the right ways.
Bonus points for tons of Princess Bride references!
jemzero's review
5.0
Couldn't have loved it more
such beautiful writing, skillful detail without dragging the story. characters were dynamic and interesting and I was invested in all of them, even some unexpected ones! very tastefully handles serious topics. this story got me through a hard time and I highly recommend it!
such beautiful writing, skillful detail without dragging the story. characters were dynamic and interesting and I was invested in all of them, even some unexpected ones! very tastefully handles serious topics. this story got me through a hard time and I highly recommend it!
ladyzbyrd's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
WOW! Aliens, spies, and heartstrings, oh, my! Staying with the main character, the author dives deep into trauma, relationships, and determination. A reasonably quick action-filled read that leaves me wanting more!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The details are amazing, the world-building phenomenal! The characters are realistic (for aliens), and the connections between characters is completely believable. And you can’t miss the enjoyment of today’s amazing geeky references for a touch of humor!
Disclaimer: There are several graphically described scenes of intimacy and violence.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The details are amazing, the world-building phenomenal! The characters are realistic (for aliens), and the connections between characters is completely believable. And you can’t miss the enjoyment of today’s amazing geeky references for a touch of humor!
Disclaimer: There are several graphically described scenes of intimacy and violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Gore, Confinement, Cursing, Classism, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Trafficking, Death, Biphobia, Grief, Homophobia, Murder, Blood, Bullying, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail
veryreaderie's review
4.0
There's a part of me that wants to call this a sci-fi romp for all the high-paced, high-stakes action, including ship infiltration and undercover missions, but that would ignore the more poignant, introspective side of the story. The book opens with Dalí reeling from grief, still shattered from the terrorist attack that killed their family. Dalí's grief is beautifully depicted, and will be familiar to anyone who's experienced huge loss—but while that pain carries through, it's not the be-all, end-all of the book. We soon find ourselves flying by the seat of our pants in deadly places alongside Dalí, in a hotbed of danger where trust is important—and dangerous—currency.
The main draw of this book for me (at least at the start) was Dalí's gender: a third-gender changeling who can take on different sexual characteristics at will but isn't beholden to any gender. It was a great experience, and while the conflict included other people not accepting changelings, you could feel throughout the book how comfortable Dalí was in their own identity, despite other characters' attempts to push Dalí in one direction or another. Huge rec for anyone experiencing complicated gender feelings (though mind the genre-typical violence). Additionally, fans of the Sirantha Jax series will love Dalí. Give it a go!
The main draw of this book for me (at least at the start) was Dalí's gender: a third-gender changeling who can take on different sexual characteristics at will but isn't beholden to any gender. It was a great experience, and while the conflict included other people not accepting changelings, you could feel throughout the book how comfortable Dalí was in their own identity, despite other characters' attempts to push Dalí in one direction or another. Huge rec for anyone experiencing complicated gender feelings (though mind the genre-typical violence). Additionally, fans of the Sirantha Jax series will love Dalí. Give it a go!
jselliot's review
4.75
Bias disclaimer: I read this book as a proofreading pass for re-publication, so I probably picked at it more than the average reader would have. That being said, I really did enjoy it. If you can swallow the one unscientific "gimme" that every scifi book seems to have (switching physical, chromosomal sex presentation on the fly), the rest of it was thoroughly engrossing. Characters were phenomenal, twists were fun, and I deeply empathized with the mid-book antagonist who turned out to be more of a monkey in the middle than true antagonist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Grief
Moderate: Trafficking, Alcoholism, Body horror, Alcohol, Death, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Xenophobia
Minor: Dysphoria, Rape, Kidnapping, and War