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A review by naomireadsworld
Otaku by Chris Kluwe
4.0
3.5/5 stars
Kluwe’s debut novel, Otaku, follows Ashley. resident of Ditchtown. Ash is also Ashura the Terrible, leader of the SunJewel Warriors and the scoreboards within Infinite Game, a virtual world requiring physical prowess and militant excellency. Stumbling upon a conspiracy that threatens to bring the virtual and the real worlds violently crashing and collapsing into each other, Ash and her team set out to save the world.
Some Notes
The first chapters of the novel felt a bit like Kluwe ranting. I enjoy a feminist rant as much as the next angry feminist killjoy, but I felt like the points he was having Ash state (over and over again) could have been woven in more eloquently. The conflict within the first portion of the novel consists of a lot of men attempting to unsuccessfully sexually assault the protagonist. Ash kicking their asses (among other body parts) is fun, but it got a little redundant. The protagonist is a queer woman of color, and sometimes while reading, I was very aware of the author’s white, straight and male identities.
I think I was a little disappointed in the villain behind the nefarious plan. Perhaps I wanted something bigger? The various bad guys throughout the novel were often made to look like bumbling idiots, which I suppose is accurate, but it doesn’t make for as interesting of a read.
I was also a bit confused by the last few paragraphs - someone tell me who it is!
Overall, Otaku is a feminist, kick-in-the-groin response to #gamergate, and a nod to gamers everywhere. Kluwe has a talent for description and for action-packed storytelling. If you’re into unapologetic female protagonists who can take care of themselves and save the world this may be your next sci-fi read.
Warning
This book doesn’t shy away from graphic violence, language, and difficult topics like sexual assault.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Kluwe’s debut novel, Otaku, follows Ashley. resident of Ditchtown. Ash is also Ashura the Terrible, leader of the SunJewel Warriors and the scoreboards within Infinite Game, a virtual world requiring physical prowess and militant excellency. Stumbling upon a conspiracy that threatens to bring the virtual and the real worlds violently crashing and collapsing into each other, Ash and her team set out to save the world.
Some Notes
The first chapters of the novel felt a bit like Kluwe ranting. I enjoy a feminist rant as much as the next angry feminist killjoy, but I felt like the points he was having Ash state (over and over again) could have been woven in more eloquently. The conflict within the first portion of the novel consists of a lot of men attempting to unsuccessfully sexually assault the protagonist. Ash kicking their asses (among other body parts) is fun, but it got a little redundant. The protagonist is a queer woman of color, and sometimes while reading, I was very aware of the author’s white, straight and male identities.
I think I was a little disappointed in the villain behind the nefarious plan. Perhaps I wanted something bigger? The various bad guys throughout the novel were often made to look like bumbling idiots, which I suppose is accurate, but it doesn’t make for as interesting of a read.
I was also a bit confused by the last few paragraphs - someone tell me who it is!
Overall, Otaku is a feminist, kick-in-the-groin response to #gamergate, and a nod to gamers everywhere. Kluwe has a talent for description and for action-packed storytelling. If you’re into unapologetic female protagonists who can take care of themselves and save the world this may be your next sci-fi read.
Warning
This book doesn’t shy away from graphic violence, language, and difficult topics like sexual assault.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.