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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
hopeful
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
For anyone looking for the perfect *how-do-we-survive-dystopia* novel, this one is for you! THE SHUTOUTS is the follow-up novel to Gabrielle Korn's YOURS FOR THE TAKING. SHUTOUTS can stand alone or be read after YOURS, and either way you're going to have a compelling, cathartic reading experience.
Korn does two things quite brilliantly in both of her books--first, she positions queerness as a non-negotiable, very visible part of revolution and resistance. Queerness and transness are integral parts of many of Korn's characters, and this doesn't change no matter how dire their situation. Korn faces the fight for reproductive rights and the problems of gender essentialism head-on, and the result is fierce and affirming. Secondly, Korn demonstrates the danger of "progress" when headed by billionaires and when embedded in patriarchy. You know when billionaires fund space missions and it helps no one? And when climate activist bros talk over any woman trying to bring up sexual violence, childcare, or anything related to feminism? Korn knows, and she is angry about it. Reading THE SHUTOUTS was so validating to me--this book understands the frustrations and risks of working for change, and its core determination that human connection is important remains at least adjacent to hopeful, but not hollowly optimistic.
Korn does two things quite brilliantly in both of her books--first, she positions queerness as a non-negotiable, very visible part of revolution and resistance. Queerness and transness are integral parts of many of Korn's characters, and this doesn't change no matter how dire their situation. Korn faces the fight for reproductive rights and the problems of gender essentialism head-on, and the result is fierce and affirming. Secondly, Korn demonstrates the danger of "progress" when headed by billionaires and when embedded in patriarchy. You know when billionaires fund space missions and it helps no one? And when climate activist bros talk over any woman trying to bring up sexual violence, childcare, or anything related to feminism? Korn knows, and she is angry about it. Reading THE SHUTOUTS was so validating to me--this book understands the frustrations and risks of working for change, and its core determination that human connection is important remains at least adjacent to hopeful, but not hollowly optimistic.
Unfortunately I have to DNF for now because my NetGalley copy of the audiobook was not downloading properly. It was missing nearly half the chapters (it's supposed to be 10 hours long but my copy was only 6 hours). Definitely a shame because I loved the start! Will try to pick it up again once it has released.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
This was a perfect follow up to Yours For the Taking! I loved the dual timeline and multiple POV aspect of this. I also loved seeing some characters from the first book and finding out more about the background of the world. This is such a unique climate change science fiction book and I think it is so realistic because it truly exposed how humans can be motivated by greed or by love. I really really loved this one!
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a tough read, especially so close to the aftermath of the U.S. election. The dystopian future felt disturbingly plausible, but that proximity to reality made it a hard start. The shifting timelines and changing protagonists were difficult to follow, keeping me from getting fully immersed. The writing style didn’t pull me in the way I’d hoped. At times it felt more like a checklist of progressive representation - gender, sexuality, social issues - packed in rather than something organically woven into the story. The characters didn’t feel relatable or likable, which made it hard to stay invested. I pushed through despite wanting to DNF and the second half improved for me. I started to care (if only slightly) about how it would all resolve. Ultimately, the ending didn’t satisfy me. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it because it seemed like something I’d enjoy, but it wasn’t for me. I won’t be purchasing a physical copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the early access to this book.
Kindle ARC from Netgalley
The sequel we've been waiting for did not disappoint. I liked that the point of the story was the journey not what happened upon arrival - in either timeline.
Satisfying ending, although bittersweet.
The sequel we've been waiting for did not disappoint. I liked that the point of the story was the journey not what happened upon arrival - in either timeline.
Satisfying ending, although bittersweet.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
The Shutouts is nothing short of a queer dystopian page-turner.
This story has many plotlines woven together to make one well-rounded story. Right away, I was drawn into Kelly's story and her flashbacks. The Inside Project was also intense and interesting.
I really liked the themes and topics about humanity and the world. I liked how the author talked about these topics in a way that's part of the world and not just an essay.
I've read Gabrielle Korn's other book, Yours for the Taking, and liked it. But The Shutouts was one I enjoyed more. I already liked her writing style but The Shutouts made me enjoy her writing style even more. I was lucky to get to take this story in by audiobook and the narrator did such a great job of delivering the drama and intense scene of the book. It's read so well.
A thought-provoking dystopian, queer journey, told in a captivating story.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes