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challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Suicide
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Transphobia, Abandonment, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Drug use
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
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.
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
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feedback are my own.
Let me begin by saying this is a queer science fiction book with great rep and an interesting premise of a climate dystopian world. I feel like all my sentences about how I feel after reading this book follow the structure of "I really wanted to like x, but y...". To prove my point, a list:
I could keep going. Some things were certainly done well and I enjoyed myself enough overall. This book just needed another two or so passes by an editor to tighten up some character development and motivations. I liked the questions and thoughts the themes of this book provoked, and the concept was pretty different from most things I've read recently. Pretty 50/50 on this one, but would be interesting in reading Korn's sophomore novel for sure!
- I really wanted to like the sapphic romances, but they felt too shallow and poorly developed for us to value them as much as we were seemingly meant to.
- I really wanted to like the premise of the elite leaving the planet behind and living on space ships, but the science seemed too poorly thought-out (How are these people going from space to earth to space to earth? Where are they getting the fuel? I have too many questions.)
- I really wanted to like the plot twist about Jacqueline's Inside development strategy, but it seemed a little too mustache-twirling evil and obliviously ignorant to be believable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Transphobia, Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed most of this book, except for its ending which left me dissatisfied due to the unresolved plotlines. The book concluded on a frustrating cliffhanger, and while I have questions, I won't delve into them to avoid spoiling the experience for potential readers.
Several issues stood out to me. The initial concepts introduced in the beginning weren't consistently developed throughout the story. Some monologues were overly lengthy and felt unnecessary. The book featured an abundance of different points of view (POVs), including four women highlighted in the synopsis and an additional three introduced later on. This accumulation of seven distinct POVs lacked clear labeling, making it confusing to follow. Moreover, the portrayal of perspectives from transgender and black women felt underdeveloped, particularly concerning the challenges they might face, such as the amplified backlash a black woman might encounter compared to a white woman in a position of power. Proper research into these experiences, particularly within corporate America, would have enhanced authenticity. Additionally, certain conflicts were resolved too hastily.
Despite these criticisms, I found several intriguing aspects. The book effectively weaved in satirical elements, providing a thought-provoking exploration of feminism and the essence of womanhood. As someone who identifies as a feminist, I found my understanding evolving while reading, thanks to the author's impactful influence. The author possesses a remarkable command of language, crafting immersive settings and evoking genuine emotions from the characters. Even the perspectives of the antagonists were engrossing, prompting me to reflect on my own notions of feminism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Transphobia, Pregnancy, Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Medical content, Medical trauma
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse
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
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
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a really thought-provoking look at a near-future world and how the goals of creating a community without the patriarchy is a more complex problem than it originally appears. Korn does a good job of really breaking down the simplistic view from the billionaire funding the project - an older, wealthy, cis-hetero, white female - about how to create this reality by just eliminating men from the picture. Touching on topics such as the gender spectrum, power imbalances, trans-rights, bodily autonomy, and more, this book probably isn't for everyone who isn't ready for that kind of political statement along with their speculative/climate fiction. It can be at times a little simple and obvious with the themes, but overall I think it would make a great book club read to open discussions on these topics.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, Grief, Lesbophobia, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Drug use, Medical content, Pregnancy, Alcohol