Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn

16 reviews

bugle's review against another edition

2.5

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

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As a leftist nonbinary trans person, I was intrigued by the premise of this book but absolutely hated the execution. So many of the author’s decisions about the plot and behavior of the characters didn’t fit with how the world and people work today and simply weren’t supported by enough context for them to make sense in the story setting. The first third read like a horror novel, and I spent the last third just wanting it to be over already after realizing what the author’s angle was. I wish this had been written by someone else.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gaslighting

hflh's review against another edition

3.75

tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Ok. I really enjoyed this book, BUT I think it will disappoint a lot of readers. 

It’s simple and on-the-nose (buzzwords included), has flat characters with a tidy plot, and you have to suspend some disbelief. If you’re looking for a nuanced, in-depth critique on climate, gender, capitalism, and white feminism — you’ll be disappointed. 

BUT sometimes you need just want to turn off your brain and jump in and this did that for me. There are some really interesting and fucked up elements in this dystopian world that kept me engaged and

the cartoonishly evil billionaire

was a good laugh.

I’d encourage readers to go in blind, but the villain reads like a

bossbabe trying to build a paradise created by J.K. Rowling and a beige mom

.

NOTE: while there’s lots of queer rep, one of the blurbs on the book says it’s found family but I don’t think this will scratch your found family itch.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Transphobia, Vomit, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Classism

Minor: Ableism, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Death of parent, Alcohol

doxxing, forced pregnancy, overdose

kestrel_of_the_pages's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This need to be on every #GirlBoss book shelf...

A lite scifi criticism of white femme power spaces, the danger of trans exclusion and generalization of gender, and how the future must be inclusive for humanity's survival. Dashes of romance, mystery, thriller, and corporate intrigue. The story switches perspectives between a handful of characters, each experiencing different facets of The Inside, over the time span between 2050-2078. There are some steamy sapphic moments, but mostly the romance element is slow burn.

It was refreshing to see a white author tackle these subjects with care, earnestness, and precision. This type of call-out should not always fall onto non-white, non-cis/het folks!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Transphobia, Medical trauma

Moderate: Ableism, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, Gaslighting

Minor: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol

dykebakery's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Classism

wornpagesandendlesscoffey's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Yours for the Taking takes sapphic novels and redefines them. I can imagine its characters asking 'Bechtel test? How primitive.' This book asks the question 'What if a white feminist is given supreme power and authority'- and the results are as disastrous and disturbing as you can imagine. In a world ravaged by climate change, a world destroyed by raging storms and too high temperatures, innovators create "Inside"; a safe zone for the select few financed by the world's billionaires. The story follows a group of women as they navigate this new world, the betrayals, love, and heartache they experience; and how dangerous a lack of intersectionality can be. This one is one to watch, and an important commentary on our social and personal dynamics in an ever changing world that never truly has our best interests at heart. A gripping narrative about power, race, and identity- and how even at the end of the world we divide and oppress each other. And what happens when we say enough is enough.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Classism

bootsmom3's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Dysphoria

Moderate: Ableism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Alcohol

Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic