A review by jaimc
Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin

adventurous challenging dark tense 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

3.75

This book is like a feral animal caught in a trap.

It lashes out violently at every subject it touches: trans women, cis women, terfs, men, sexism, fatness, ugliness, the unfairness of life. But all this is in service of developing deeply wounded characters. No one exists in this world without deep shame and anger. The trans protagonists reflect on their bodies and identities with unfiltered cruelty that is often difficult to read.

While I suspect some trans readers will find this raw vulnerability cathartic, I imagine it will be deeply triggering for others. And that's before we even get to the grossness of the splatter-punk gore.

This book will not be for everyone. It boomerangs from brutal violence, to dark humor, to genuinely heartbreaking reflection, to camp, to eroticism, back around to violence. But, it's an interesting read if you have the stomach for it.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings