A review by jnzllwgr
Occupy Me by Tricia Sullivan

mysterious 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? Yes

3.0

I write this a significantly greater distance from the work than I usually do. There’s been almost 2 books read since I finished this. 

This book seemingly was linear, but I’m not sure if I took my eye off the ball in the first 20% of the book or what. Eventually things got sorted and the remaining balance was fine, but I feel like I either overlooked something and have a lack of appreciation. But it could have been the way the author obscured some of the details. Curious what others might think. There were some aspects of the story that reminded me of the pseudonymous author qntm’s stories, but lacking in the snappy Chandleresque momentum with the text.  It also lacked a strong philosophical/ontological foundation and just became an amusing story. Well, perhaps it was there, but it was buried within a relatively conventional spy/mystery/thriller plot arc. There is something epic that underlies the simple story, but it because a footnote to the main thrust.The pace as brisk and it kept me wanting to know what would happen next but, ultimately, I found it a bit pedestrian. I think this will catch conventional readers off their guard and they will find it unique. If you already have spent some time reading Herbert, qntm, PKDick, Bradbury, Vonnegut, Vandermeer, etc., you might skip this.