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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
I found out about this book from a random rabbit-hole I had descended to on the internet. From there, I saw there were two copies on Amazon, with different "seeds." That intrigued me, being familiar with the idea of random number generators in software engineering, and in searching other retailers I saw the numbers. I needed to know if what I thought they were was what they actually were, and it was not long before I found the author's website. My mind was blown away, because my suspicion was true.
Here, I was staring at a book whose premise was that it changed based on what seed you had and that astounded. Immediately my brain started to think along the lines of how that would work and what it could mean. I also saw on his site that I could have my own seed, my own personal copy of this book, a version of the story that no one else could have. Ever.
I was sold three times over by that point, and ended up ordering a copy directly from the author. I love the idea of having my own personal version of this book, and I have to say it did not disappoint.
That's a heck of a review so far, and I have yet to even touch on the contents of the book itself. Those I am still contemplating, still chewing on and mulling over, and I am still recovering from what I read. It left me shaken at points, and feeling like I was right there in that basement with the two main characters. They felt alive, they felt like someone I knew, they reminded me entirely too much of parts of myself.
I love this book, and I wish I could experience it again for the first time. I may need to reread my copy, and I might have to pick up another seed. Just to see, just to experience another version.
And then another, and another, and another.
Here, I was staring at a book whose premise was that it changed based on what seed you had and that astounded. Immediately my brain started to think along the lines of how that would work and what it could mean. I also saw on his site that I could have my own seed, my own personal copy of this book, a version of the story that no one else could have. Ever.
I was sold three times over by that point, and ended up ordering a copy directly from the author. I love the idea of having my own personal version of this book, and I have to say it did not disappoint.
That's a heck of a review so far, and I have yet to even touch on the contents of the book itself. Those I am still contemplating, still chewing on and mulling over, and I am still recovering from what I read. It left me shaken at points, and feeling like I was right there in that basement with the two main characters. They felt alive, they felt like someone I knew, they reminded me entirely too much of parts of myself.
I love this book, and I wish I could experience it again for the first time. I may need to reread my copy, and I might have to pick up another seed. Just to see, just to experience another version.
And then another, and another, and another.
incredibly interesting concept, but did not catch my attention. Some of the twists seemed forced.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love the concept of this book, and I will forever cherish my copy. <3
ummmmmm yeah i will be thinking about this for the rest of my life
insanely creepy, i loved it
POOR NIKO…wtf…i am so sad knowing orion ended up without him even though that was the point of the book lol. my only complaint is i wish we had gotten more development and insight into niko
v excited to re read and i expect i will enjoy it even more the next time.
loved how the format of the book tied into the ending…truly stunning
edit: just read the info page about my book…IS THERE a copy where orion swims through with niko lol?? or keeps his original niko?? now very interested in the possible endings.
insanely creepy, i loved it
v excited to re read and i expect i will enjoy it even more the next time.
edit:
An inventive and creepy queer horror thriller about a gay college student and his straight(ish?) best friend who find a baffling, neverending world accessed through the floor of their house. At first they think it's just a weird second basement with empty rooms and appliances and floor angles that don't make sense, but they soon discover that it's much more dangerous. At the same time their complicated friendship is tested to a breaking point.
Very cool meta-narrative details: given that the book deals with themes of parallel universes and alternate timelines, the author has published the book as various copies that slightly differ from each other. My copy, for example, had a note at the end explaining some of the differences, such as the way my narrator expressed himself (more wordy and less slang), that the final fight took place in a certain room, and the characters found a certain space in the "Downstairs", etc. What a fascinating, unique spin!
Very cool meta-narrative details: given that the book deals with themes of parallel universes and alternate timelines, the author has published the book as various copies that slightly differ from each other. My copy, for example, had a note at the end explaining some of the differences, such as the way my narrator expressed himself (more wordy and less slang), that the final fight took place in a certain room, and the characters found a certain space in the "Downstairs", etc. What a fascinating, unique spin!
I recently finished my side-by-side reread of Subcutanean. The differences between two versions can be so subtle and so huge - such significantly different moments of characterisation. Both my copies had overall a very similar plot but, judging from the info provided at the end about my copies, it seems there's versions out there with drastically different backstory and endings. I really want to seek these out, and would genuinly consider buying another copy just to see what's different.
It's amazing that even on a reread of a book where I generally knew what to expect, I couldn't put this book down (again). I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the next big difference and I couldn't put it down. Both times I read through this book I think it took me less than a week, I was so engrossed.
Also I can't get over how great the writing here is in relation to Ryan's sexuality and the complexity of his and Niko's relationship. One of my absolute favourite depictions of a gay protagonist in any media I've seen.
I would 110% recommend this book to anyone who is even a little bit interested in reading it.
It's amazing that even on a reread of a book where I generally knew what to expect, I couldn't put this book down (again). I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the next big difference and I couldn't put it down. Both times I read through this book I think it took me less than a week, I was so engrossed.
Also I can't get over how great the writing here is in relation to Ryan's sexuality and the complexity of his and Niko's relationship. One of my absolute favourite depictions of a gay protagonist in any media I've seen.
I would 110% recommend this book to anyone who is even a little bit interested in reading it.
This took me a long time to finish... Version 42780 "This is something you probably won't understand unless you've lost a parent. You have to put things away when that happens. Something is gone and parts of you went with it, in ways that aren't always obvious."
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia, Outing
Minor: Self harm, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced