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kj468's review
Honestly, I should have checked the content warnings before I read this book and I didn’t, and then I kept on reading for some reason, even when I realized how triggering it was for me. I paused at around 50% for over a week, and then came back to it, and promptly realized it was triggering. I skimmed the last half because I wanted to see what became of eke and kyp. I don’t have much to say about the content of this book, and I don’t think I would be a fair reviewer of it anyway.
Tw: animal cruelty, self harm, multiple (AI, but conscious AI) suicide attempts, graphic bullying, discrimination, substance abuse, slurs, violence, systemic discrimination and hunting of marginalized folks, background eating disorder
Tw: animal cruelty, self harm, multiple (AI, but conscious AI) suicide attempts, graphic bullying, discrimination, substance abuse, slurs, violence, systemic discrimination and hunting of marginalized folks, background eating disorder
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Bullying, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Eating disorder, Addiction, Self harm, and Panic attacks/disorders
atlastheninth's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
5.0
”I used to think that people like us would never be allowed to have dreams or go places.”
This was wonderful. I believe that this book was written specifically for my little nerd heart, I cried so much.
This book is based on the questions “What rights should AIs have? At what point are they not objects anymore but people?” And for me the answer seems obvious: If I can’t tell anymore if they are aware or not, if I can’t differentiate between them and a /normal/ living being, then they should be treated as such. But of course the world isn’t such a nice place. People already dehumanise other people, why should they care about robots?
Here the MC Eke, an AI, lives with a family that is white, rich and privileged in every way imaginable. The perfect example of people who do not give a shit about what’s going on around them and only care about themselves. And when I say he lives with them I mean he’s their slave. And even though you hate that family for their behaviour towards Eke, you still can't help but feel sorry for (at least some of) them.
And Eke is the literal sweetest. He is kind and caring and just wants to live and be happy and have a friend, but he is alone and stuck in this cruel life. And against everything, he still dreams of a better life, he doesn’t lose hope.
(I don‘t even want to know what it says about me that I‘ve related to him more than to any other character in while.)
And Kyp just wants to survive, until he meets Eke. He wants to protect Eke and I get that.
And the writing reflects these things so well. There is a dual POV: Eke’s chapters, his inner monologue, feel almost a bit childlike. They are the thoughts of someone innocent and kind and too good for this world.
And Kyp’s chapters are filled with thoughts of survival, of protecting Eke at all costs.
And I also love how the book points out that they’re not human! They feel and experience life differently but they still do feel and want. They aren’t human but they are people and they should be treated as such.
Also the chapters are really short, which I’m a fan of.
Did I mention that I cried a lot? Because I did. I cried so much, both sad and happy tears.
"You're not broken," Kyp repeats, and to my astonishment, he smiles a small smile. "You're just becoming alive."
Does it have a happy end?
Yes!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Animal death
spelledlikesleigh's review
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Murder, Animal cruelty, Eating disorder, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Self harm, Hate crime, Bullying, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Gun violence, and Confinement
cammaleahh's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Physical abuse, and Gun violence
Moderate: Eating disorder
canyoncurl's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 ⭐️ (6.29 CAWPILE)
A twisting tale of kindling hope found even during harrowing, unrelenting hardship! Self-blurbed as a love letter to the Matrix, Us, Et Cetera tells the story of Eke and Kyp, two AIs whose worlds collide when they become property of the Kensworths, and their perilous journey towards freedom, acceptance and a purpose beyond servitude. From a stifling suburban enclave near Boston to the California coast, Vincent takes readers on an expansive, action-packed adventure in search of an unknown future.
So much of this book was undeniably, indelibly charming. From Eke's preoccupation with trinkets and love for Buster Keaton, to Kyp's protectiveness and knowledge of constellations, to the sentimental, sweet pseudo-sex they shared, I was pleasantly surprised by how many pockets of joy were packed into such a melancholic story. Kit Vincent has a great knack for writing loveable characters, flaws and all, who you wish the very best for.
This is a wonderful book for those who are just starting out in the genre, or who crave sci-fi vibes without heavy lore or suspension of disbelief. Both Eke and Kyp, in many ways, expressed more humanity and emotional intelligence than the humans within the narrative did. Whilst it works with the larger plot, it would've been nice to see their struggle to understand 'human' concepts/emotions more deeply explored, and perhaps from a slightly more detached viewpoint.
I implore readers to read trigger and content warnings before heading into this one, especially since it's marketed towards the YA and NA market. There are some heavy themes explored here, often without relief and quite bluntly. Dani's character struggles with an unspecified eating disorder which, at times, appeared under-researched and easily solved to fit the narrative. If you are in a vulnerable place, enter with caution and kindness.
I would recommend this for fans of T. J. Klune, Buster Keaton diehards, and anybody who likes a lot'a angst with a soft ending. I look forward to seeing what Kit Vincent releases into the world next - and keep my fingers crossed that a follow-up finds its way onto the shelves!
🌈: MLM representation (there are no explicit sexuality labels used).
* content warnings: animal death, implied animal torture (off-page), eating disorders, suicide attempt (unsuccessful), power imbalance, gore & violence.
Many, many thanks to Netgalley, Sky House Publishing and Kit Vincent for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
A twisting tale of kindling hope found even during harrowing, unrelenting hardship! Self-blurbed as a love letter to the Matrix, Us, Et Cetera tells the story of Eke and Kyp, two AIs whose worlds collide when they become property of the Kensworths, and their perilous journey towards freedom, acceptance and a purpose beyond servitude. From a stifling suburban enclave near Boston to the California coast, Vincent takes readers on an expansive, action-packed adventure in search of an unknown future.
So much of this book was undeniably, indelibly charming. From Eke's preoccupation with trinkets and love for Buster Keaton, to Kyp's protectiveness and knowledge of constellations, to the sentimental, sweet pseudo-sex they shared, I was pleasantly surprised by how many pockets of joy were packed into such a melancholic story. Kit Vincent has a great knack for writing loveable characters, flaws and all, who you wish the very best for.
This is a wonderful book for those who are just starting out in the genre, or who crave sci-fi vibes without heavy lore or suspension of disbelief. Both Eke and Kyp, in many ways, expressed more humanity and emotional intelligence than the humans within the narrative did. Whilst it works with the larger plot, it would've been nice to see their struggle to understand 'human' concepts/emotions more deeply explored, and perhaps from a slightly more detached viewpoint.
I implore readers to read trigger and content warnings before heading into this one, especially since it's marketed towards the YA and NA market. There are some heavy themes explored here, often without relief and quite bluntly. Dani's character struggles with an unspecified eating disorder which, at times, appeared under-researched and easily solved to fit the narrative. If you are in a vulnerable place, enter with caution and kindness.
I would recommend this for fans of T. J. Klune, Buster Keaton diehards, and anybody who likes a lot'a angst with a soft ending. I look forward to seeing what Kit Vincent releases into the world next - and keep my fingers crossed that a follow-up finds its way onto the shelves!
🌈: MLM representation (there are no explicit sexuality labels used).
* content warnings: animal death, implied animal torture (off-page), eating disorders, suicide attempt (unsuccessful), power imbalance, gore & violence.
Many, many thanks to Netgalley, Sky House Publishing and Kit Vincent for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Eating disorder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Vomit, and Adult/minor relationship
chippyreads's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this book as an eARC thanks to NetGalley.
This book was rough! Poor Eke goes through so much because of that family. Please check the trigger warnings if you want to read this one. It deals with a lot of abuse on page.
I loved how it explored what it means to be alive/human. The romance was sweet, definitely cheering for them the whole time. Eke seemed so kind and caring but it was difficult to tell how Kyp feels due to most of the POV being from Eke.
Why not a 5 star read? For a book where I was promised ‘they run away’, it just took a bit too long to get there. I really wish we spent less time with the abusive family and more time out in the world meeting other AI and humans. Which did happen and I loved it but I wanted more. The ending felt a bit rushed compared to the slow start.
Do I recommend it? Definitely. But I highly suggest checking to content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Gun violence
Moderate: Eating disorder, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Minor: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, and Confinement
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