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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I think I went into this one with high expectations that just couldn't be met.
I don't know how to talk about such a short book without giving everything away. I did find it intriguing enough to read it in one sitting; all the little hints and twists along the way helped. The pacing is amazing for a novella (Tor books kill it in this aspect). The plot is interesting, but I'm not sure how Molly's situation (an allegory for mental health?) relates to the world situation that's alluded to. In the end I only engaged with Molly in an intellectual, rather than an emotional, sense.
I don't know how to talk about such a short book without giving everything away. I did find it intriguing enough to read it in one sitting; all the little hints and twists along the way helped. The pacing is amazing for a novella (Tor books kill it in this aspect). The plot is interesting, but I'm not sure how Molly's situation (an allegory for mental health?) relates to the world situation that's alluded to. In the end I only engaged with Molly in an intellectual, rather than an emotional, sense.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a ride. What a delightfully bizarre concept this novella revolves around: every time the main character bleeds, a clone of herself is formed and it wants to murder her. And it works: I was thoroughly engrossed in the story throughout. There were some slower parts as Molly tries to navigate her life trying to bleed as less as possible, but her "condition" always catches up to her, leading to a lot of dread as we anticipate it, and bloody action once it happens.
I thought Molly herself was pretty interesting. She was raised in a sort of survivalist environment because she had no choice, and she grew up very isolated, lonely and on the fringe of society, barely able to interact with it until her teens. She changes a lot as she ages, going through various phases of anger or acceptance, which in turns changes the way clones act towards her (although the murderous intents remain). She remains detached from others, sometimes by choice but mostly not. Her life visibly exhausts her because it is barely her own at times.
This story felt like a rough coming of age story with the theme of how one's change through their life, and how they might have conflicted feelings towards those changes. We often oppose resistance to change, or we enter different stages of denial, clinging to the comfort of what we know and the illusion of being in control all the time. We are also under the pretense that we know ourselves well at any time. Then, there's also the influence other people have on us, especially as children. Molly's parents are the one teaching her to combat her clones because they don't want them to replace their daughter; they want her to remain the same. Now I don't know if that was the author's intent, but I think it works well as a metaphor. I think there's definitely something interesting in the very concept of choosing to kill yourself repeatedly.
The ending was a tad ambiguous: choices are made and something major happens, but we are left in the dark as to where all of it will lead. There's a sequel though, and I've yet to read it, but I hope it takes us even further down this weird, thrilling path.
I thought Molly herself was pretty interesting. She was raised in a sort of survivalist environment because she had no choice, and she grew up very isolated, lonely and on the fringe of society, barely able to interact with it until her teens. She changes a lot as she ages, going through various phases of anger or acceptance, which in turns changes the way clones act towards her (although the murderous intents remain). She remains detached from others, sometimes by choice but mostly not. Her life visibly exhausts her because it is barely her own at times.
This story felt like a rough coming of age story with the theme of how one's change through their life, and how they might have conflicted feelings towards those changes. We often oppose resistance to change, or we enter different stages of denial, clinging to the comfort of what we know and the illusion of being in control all the time. We are also under the pretense that we know ourselves well at any time. Then, there's also the influence other people have on us, especially as children. Molly's parents are the one teaching her to combat her clones because they don't want them to replace their daughter; they want her to remain the same. Now I don't know if that was the author's intent, but I think it works well as a metaphor. I think there's definitely something interesting in the very concept of choosing to kill yourself repeatedly.
The ending was a tad ambiguous: choices are made and something major happens, but we are left in the dark as to where all of it will lead. There's a sequel though, and I've yet to read it, but I hope it takes us even further down this weird, thrilling path.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Suicide, Murder
Moderate: Body horror
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
This is a very short story about a girl named Molly who has a condition when she bleeds another Molly is born and that Molly wants to kill the original Molly.
Molly’s parents have taught their daughter how to fight so when ever Molly comes in contact with another Molly she knows how to kill and dispose of the body.
This story was extremely short but enjoyable.
Molly’s parents have taught their daughter how to fight so when ever Molly comes in contact with another Molly she knows how to kill and dispose of the body.
This story was extremely short but enjoyable.
An attention-grabbing concept that's executed well. The ending leaves a little to be desired in my opinion, and doesn't particularly tempt me to read the sequel. Therefore I'm content with just having read this first novella, but will most likely read more from Tade Thompson in future.
I really enjoyed this novela. I should not have read it right after The Cabin at the End of the World. Too much gore for my tastes. It was still enjoyable. Very well written and quite the different and unique story.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Blood, Death of parent, Murder
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes