Scan barcode
kcernugel's review against another edition
3.0
had a super interesting premise and kept me entertained for the first two-thirds but i felt it fell apart in the last third. a lot of really interesting topics for the author to explore in this one but i felt a lot of it was surface level. definitely could have gone deeper into some really really fascinating questions of identity and sexuality. but overall a really fun read!
anagraham's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ljotritabaugh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bme244's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ajnsmiths's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
Interesting premise - if a married couple switch bodies how does that change their relationship?
ginagirlgenius's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
cstefko's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Super mixed feelings on this one. I did find the prose engaging and some of the ideas it explores were intriguing, but it didn't go quite as far in the direction of queerness as I was expecting/hoping for. Maybe that's an unfair ask, but whatever; the jacket copy misled me either way. There are also too many themes at play to make the novel feel cohesive in the end.
To say the book's plot is discursive would be putting it mildly. The final part has a change of POV that in my opinion wasn't necessary and didn't work. It felt like another book entirely, one that was definitely in conversation with the main novel, but still separate.
I wish I found the characters more believable, especially the secondary characters. But I did not.
Still, I found it an interesting read and occasionally a page-turner. I can't fault McElroy for the risks they took, just wish there had been more of them.
To say the book's plot is discursive would be putting it mildly. The final part has a change of POV that in my opinion wasn't necessary and didn't work. It felt like another book entirely, one that was definitely in conversation with the main novel, but still separate.
I wish I found the characters more believable, especially the secondary characters. But I did not.
Still, I found it an interesting read and occasionally a page-turner. I can't fault McElroy for the risks they took, just wish there had been more of them.
lexibot's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
softanimal's review
mysterious
reflective
5.0
Wild, brilliant, sexy, unique, disquietingly relatable, and very cerebral in my favorite way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Abandonment
Moderate: Mass/school shootings
supervocalic's review against another edition
3.0
A great premise with interesting perspective on gender roles in society and in family. But I was left with unanswered questions and unfinished character arcs.