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ethnographchic's review
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book is disgusting in a way that only queer science fiction can manage to be. Its vivid descriptions of body horror made me physically recoil, at the same time I found myself delighting in some moments of the narrator playing jury judge and executioner. There are a lot of angles this book can be examined and it is if nothing else very interesting. I do think some of the poignancy and existential musings does get overshadowed by the ridiculously vivid depravity. Personally I don’t really like sci-fi or super violent books, but despite that I got through this very quickly and would recommend to anyone who wants something a little off beat
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Cannibalism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Ableism, and Rape
lbelow's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
If not for the fatphobia, (it is one thing to have an unlikeable main character compare a fat female-coded character they see as prey to large mammals, and quite another for said character to be unbathed in such a way as to be described as being covered in sweat and shit that transfers to the main character during sex) , I would have given this book 5 stars. For one thing, it is really f***king weird and I love that. For another, the themes of gender performativity and transness are top notch. And so many passages make my little disabled heart glad. I related SO MUCH to this journey of invisible disability, chronic pain, and an uncooperative body. For these reasons, I consider it well worth the read (though check the content warnings).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Gore, Body horror, Murder, Cursing, Mental illness, Cannibalism, Blood, Fatphobia, Death, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual assault, and Body shaming
Minor: Ableism and Misogyny
I added Cannibalism as a content warning, but it's not really cannibalism so much as an alien wearing a human disguise to hunt and eat humans post-sex.poisoned_icecream's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Body horror and Sexual assault
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