Reviews with content warning for Pedophilia - No Gods, No Monsters

I really liked the overall storyline and how Turnball used the narration to keep me on my toes. I found myself learning more and more in a very organic way as I kept reading. The switching in point of view and how details came out kept me interested and fascinated in how Turnball came up with the story. I am definitely interested in reading more of his works in the future. I also thought the cast of characters were interesting and dynamic. Each character was specifically flawed and detailed enough to be invested.

That said, I did feel a bit lost in some of the way the plot worked itself out. I felt like the book fell into the "first book in a series trap" where everything was set up with incredibly little payoff. Although I think Turnball's writing is unique, I would have preferred a longer story with more plot or details other than merely introducing us to the characters. I also thought that the beginning was a bit slow for me. I kept moving over to other books instead of being truly captivated by this book.

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challenging mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

There is some serious world-building mindfuckery on display in this book. The writing is spare and stunning, drawing up images, emotions, and philosophical questions with apparent ease. The narration style confused me at first, not because it is poorly done but because it intends to obscure. We have a seemingly invisible observer as a first-person narrator popping in and out of third-person narration surrounding interconnected but distinct people and plots. I found this an intriguing approach, especially because each person was magnetic even as they were enigmatic. My favorite character was Ridley, an anarchist and worker-owner of a co-op bookstore, who also happens to be an ace trans man. The different characters lead us through the moments where they are pivotal actors or key witnesses in a historic shift for humanity. There is something more natural about this multifaceted approach than following in the wake of a single hero who sees and does everything herself.

I'll keep the discussion of plot brief because I don't want to ruin the experience of seeing the mysteries unfold as the author intends. The gist is this: in the near future, humanity fractures open at the revelation of monsters among us, leading to violence, hatred, and the unveiling of long-pursued secret agendas. The conflicts among many factions will sow chaos on a massive scale.

This eerie fantasy has elements of physics and monster lore spread across a vast landscape, only the first tentative venture in what will require greater exploration. It covers harsh and relevant topics of structural violence, capitalism, abuse, and drug addiction while also peering into philosophical debate about choice and meaning that will take significant time and thought to percolate.

Thanks to Blackstone and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this cleverly woven tapestry of a book, out 9/7.

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