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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
This is a story about mothers and daughters, surviving. Though calling it about daughters excludes the non-binary character, so I suppose a better way to describe this is a story about mothers and their children surviving.
A mother escapes an exploitative dynamic after the men in charge warp it into something unrecognizable. Another mother escapes "paradise" after learning harsh truths, and wanders north in search of closure. A child survives the collapse of civilization, and tries to form community to survive. A child escapes an oppressive paradise, choosing instead to live in the much worse "real world."
Is the book taking a position on how much civilization we should take advantage of? It doesn't seem like it: though the city-bound characters are portrayed as pretty useless in the wilds they don't die immediately as a ham-fisted way to let us know the city-idiots won't survive in the new world order.
The climate and deteriorating natural environment is almost a character alongside the women and their daughters. It evolves adn changes, from mild (relatively speaking) to severe. That it progresses and changes so much within a few generations is shocking (to me, a climate layman). Another sci-fi book might've focused in on the "collapse" part of the climate catastrophe, but Korn doesn't in this one. The collapse happens largely off screen: even though several characters live through it, we only hear about it from them telling other characters and never see it "on screen". That's a good choice, the apocalypse genre has too many entries, and apocalypses seem far more silly when introduced as just the latest problem to overcome. Korn does well to demonstrate the seriousness - a hurricane shatters a small village, the heat is oppressive, the north is the only sanctuary from the nonsense.
That said, if the climate apocalypse gives you palpitations, probably best to stay away from this one. The world was well built enough to give me elevated blood pressure for a while after reading, and I'm definitely not the biggest climate worrier.
Another part that the book skillfully didn't focus on is the nascent conspiracy theory that the world's governments are suppressing scientific research to combat/survive the climate catastrophes. While I hope that isn't happening in today's world, it's a good response to how climate research feels ignored today. Though Korn strikes a hopeful note: the characters throughout value and trust scientific discovery and progress. Even after the "collapse of civilization," research continues and the book seems to be trying to convey that we should never stop researching, and never stop supporting scientists.
The Shutouts is heartwarming and encouraging. If so much humanity can survive the coming apocalypse, then it gives me hope.
A galley copy was provided by publisher St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.
A mother escapes an exploitative dynamic after the men in charge warp it into something unrecognizable. Another mother escapes "paradise" after learning harsh truths, and wanders north in search of closure. A child survives the collapse of civilization, and tries to form community to survive. A child escapes an oppressive paradise, choosing instead to live in the much worse "real world."
Is the book taking a position on how much civilization we should take advantage of? It doesn't seem like it: though the city-bound characters are portrayed as pretty useless in the wilds they don't die immediately as a ham-fisted way to let us know the city-idiots won't survive in the new world order.
The climate and deteriorating natural environment is almost a character alongside the women and their daughters. It evolves adn changes, from mild (relatively speaking) to severe. That it progresses and changes so much within a few generations is shocking (to me, a climate layman). Another sci-fi book might've focused in on the "collapse" part of the climate catastrophe, but Korn doesn't in this one. The collapse happens largely off screen: even though several characters live through it, we only hear about it from them telling other characters and never see it "on screen". That's a good choice, the apocalypse genre has too many entries, and apocalypses seem far more silly when introduced as just the latest problem to overcome. Korn does well to demonstrate the seriousness - a hurricane shatters a small village, the heat is oppressive, the north is the only sanctuary from the nonsense.
That said, if the climate apocalypse gives you palpitations, probably best to stay away from this one. The world was well built enough to give me elevated blood pressure for a while after reading, and I'm definitely not the biggest climate worrier.
Another part that the book skillfully didn't focus on is the nascent conspiracy theory that the world's governments are suppressing scientific research to combat/survive the climate catastrophes. While I hope that isn't happening in today's world, it's a good response to how climate research feels ignored today. Though Korn strikes a hopeful note: the characters throughout value and trust scientific discovery and progress. Even after the "collapse of civilization," research continues and the book seems to be trying to convey that we should never stop researching, and never stop supporting scientists.
The Shutouts is heartwarming and encouraging. If so much humanity can survive the coming apocalypse, then it gives me hope.
A galley copy was provided by publisher St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.
“Like something from the past; humans returned to their most wild state. How ironic that it was not the past but the present, as though the age of advanced technology was simply a detour from some sort of true purpose, from living in harmony with the earth.”
Gabrielle Korn first crossed my radar with her NF… Everybody Else is Perfect. So when the release Yours For The Taking was announced I immediately added it to my TBR… fast forward and spoiler… I LOVED THAT BOOK! Make sure to circle back around and check out my review for that one because in it I said… I could have taken 100 more pages but loved the short novel length and would love a follow up and here my friend is The Shutouts!
It’s not often a follow up is just as good as the first but Gabrielle wrote the heck out of this Queer dystopia series! Will this be the last? I’m not sure. Did it give me what I wanted? Yes!!! The story, timeline, buildup, back history… all there with a neat little bow that is dysfunctionally curled on the ends.
An author on my auto read list and one I recommend to many.
Thank you St. Martins Press for the free advanced copy.
Releases 12/3
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.Andthebookshelf/
Gabrielle Korn first crossed my radar with her NF… Everybody Else is Perfect. So when the release Yours For The Taking was announced I immediately added it to my TBR… fast forward and spoiler… I LOVED THAT BOOK! Make sure to circle back around and check out my review for that one because in it I said… I could have taken 100 more pages but loved the short novel length and would love a follow up and here my friend is The Shutouts!
It’s not often a follow up is just as good as the first but Gabrielle wrote the heck out of this Queer dystopia series! Will this be the last? I’m not sure. Did it give me what I wanted? Yes!!! The story, timeline, buildup, back history… all there with a neat little bow that is dysfunctionally curled on the ends.
An author on my auto read list and one I recommend to many.
Thank you St. Martins Press for the free advanced copy.
Releases 12/3
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.Andthebookshelf/
You know that feeling of contentment when you return home after a long trip? That’s how I felt being back in the world of Yours For The Taking. If you missed my review of that book, I gave it 5⭐️ and it’s one of my favorite reads of the year. Even my husband read and loved it!
But I’m here to talk about The Shutouts. It’s a wonderful gift from Gabrielle Korn that expands the story of Yours For The Taking. With two timelines, it functions a bit like a prequel and a sequel. Korn weaves a ton of political discourse into the narrative; the world building is so strong that it feels completely natural. It's a dystopian, speculative fiction that doesn't feel so speculative. It tackles climate change, power + greed, LGBTQ+ rights, misogyny, bodily autonomy, the list goes on.
This was a captivating read. If you love books about the future of our planet and about our individual rights, this book is for you. But I strongly suggest you read Yours For The Taking before jumping into The Shutouts. Much of my enjoyment of the book derived from the way it built upon Yours For The Taking.
I found the overall tone of the The Shutouts to be a slower build and more quiet than Yours For The Taking. It is less suspenseful, it is more of an exploration of characters and their interpersonal relationships. It's about how they face extreme circumstances and make impossible decisions, how it changes them. This is all good stuff and great storytelling, but I think it is the first book that will actually hook readers' buy-in to this story and make them care about these characters. For me personally, I wish The Shutouts had covered less ground and instead delved deeper into some of the more central characters.
The Shutouts will be out 12/3. Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
But I’m here to talk about The Shutouts. It’s a wonderful gift from Gabrielle Korn that expands the story of Yours For The Taking. With two timelines, it functions a bit like a prequel and a sequel. Korn weaves a ton of political discourse into the narrative; the world building is so strong that it feels completely natural. It's a dystopian, speculative fiction that doesn't feel so speculative. It tackles climate change, power + greed, LGBTQ+ rights, misogyny, bodily autonomy, the list goes on.
This was a captivating read. If you love books about the future of our planet and about our individual rights, this book is for you. But I strongly suggest you read Yours For The Taking before jumping into The Shutouts. Much of my enjoyment of the book derived from the way it built upon Yours For The Taking.
I found the overall tone of the The Shutouts to be a slower build and more quiet than Yours For The Taking. It is less suspenseful, it is more of an exploration of characters and their interpersonal relationships. It's about how they face extreme circumstances and make impossible decisions, how it changes them. This is all good stuff and great storytelling, but I think it is the first book that will actually hook readers' buy-in to this story and make them care about these characters. For me personally, I wish The Shutouts had covered less ground and instead delved deeper into some of the more central characters.
The Shutouts will be out 12/3. Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The best sci-fi always feels possible and it's scary how possible this version of our future seems. I appreciate the growth within the characters across this duology, and the way the author was able to balance harsh realities with a sense of hope.
I always feel discouraged when dystopian literature holds such a negative view of humanity, assuming that we might devolve into only the worst of human nature, that our most base needs will control everyone who's left; but this story, instead, felt like a love story to humanity and a desperate plea to weigh human life over capitalistic gain. A little slow at times, but I really enjoyed it.
I always feel discouraged when dystopian literature holds such a negative view of humanity, assuming that we might devolve into only the worst of human nature, that our most base needs will control everyone who's left; but this story, instead, felt like a love story to humanity and a desperate plea to weigh human life over capitalistic gain. A little slow at times, but I really enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Second novels can be a doozy of a situation for authors, especially when their debut novel hits a high note. Unless you are Gabrielle Korn, and not only match the intensity of your debut novel but create a second in series book that, in my opinion, exceeds the first. I absolutely loved The Shutouts and secretly hope we get to visit the characters again in a third book. Hint, hint. Told in a dual timeline dystopian future the novel focuses on what it looks like when select groups of people are shut out of the elite society and left behind to fend for themselves. While not advertised as a second book in a series I do think there is a benefit to reading Yours For the Taking first to get a better background of the characters. As The Shutouts is almost a prequel and sequel built into one novel. Well written, smooth and easy pace, and queer centric characters. This novel makes you feel good even if the plot isn't the fuzzy feeling inducing type of storyline. You will find yourself intrigued, frustrated and rooting for the characters as they venture through a climate ravaged world. I highly recommend to those that love a sci-fi dystopian end of the world kind of novel.
Thank you to netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy.
Thank you to netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy.
Weird that this isn't marketed as the sequel to Yours for the Taking.
Hopeful conclusion to a hopeless scenario (that might just come true). Dystopian cli-fi set in the near future when the world goes to shit bc of the climate crisis.
Set in the US so very little focus on how the global south will be impacted sooner and worse than the global north.
CW: death, injury, cults, sexual assault, absent parent, toxic relationships, abusive relationships, sexism, deadnaming, misgendering, arrest, juvie,
Hopeful conclusion to a hopeless scenario (that might just come true). Dystopian cli-fi set in the near future when the world goes to shit bc of the climate crisis.
Set in the US so very little focus on how the global south will be impacted sooner and worse than the global north.
CW: death, injury, cults, sexual assault, absent parent, toxic relationships, abusive relationships, sexism, deadnaming, misgendering, arrest, juvie,
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Crying as I read the final pages of this one. An incredible follow up to Yours for the Taking; it was such a pleasure to revisit these characters and learn to love new ones. It’s a rare situation where a multiple POV novel doesn’t draw you towards one more than the other, but I felt equally excited for each new chapter. The pacing was incredible, the hope reassuring.
adventurous
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
This definitely picks up where Yours for the Taking leaves off - I would not recommend dipping into the story without having read that first since there is almost no recap. This was a great insight into the backstory of the Inside and touched on a lot of interesting ideas about capitalism, climate change, and social issues. The combination of climate migration with the epistolatory background of the years leading up to Yours creates a layered and thought provoking narrative that would be great for book clubs.
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, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Kidnapping, Pregnancy
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Sexual content, Grief, Abortion, Gaslighting
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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:
Yes