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A review by rorikae
The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
4.75
'The Genesis of Misery' by Neon Yang is a well crafted mech story that centers around faith.
A retelling of Joan of Arc, the story follows Misery Nomaki, a person who believes they are going mad thanks to the same voidsickness that killed their mother. But this voidsickness provides them with incredible gifts, like the ability to manipulate holystone and pilot giant mechs. When a hallucination comes to Misery telling them that their abilities are divinely sent, Misery gets pulled into the war raging between the Heretics and the Faithful. As she tries to determine if her visions are delusions from her sickness or the sign of divine intervention, she starts to have far reaching affects on the conflict.
Neon Yang's writing is sublime. They craft exquisite sentences that expand the reader's understanding of the world and place them squarely in Misery's lived experience. They have crafted a fully immersive sci-fi world that balances faith and technology. Misery is a messy character but she's easy to care for. Some parts of this story definitely made me feel like I was peeking through my fingers, trying to see how Misery was going to cause destruction and problems next while still rooting for her. It's important to know going in that this story hinges greatly on religion and faith and that is explored extensively throughout the story. I think Yang has a lot of fascinating things to say about faith and both the destruction and beauty that it can bring. This story is also deeply queer, which was wonderful. If you are interested in a story that feels akin to The Locked Tomb Series by Tamsyn Muir but with more religion thrown in and a slightly more concrete world, I would highly recommend The Genesis of Misery. I also think that this book would be good for book club discussion because there are some revelations at the end that put the story in a different light that is well worth dissecting.
A retelling of Joan of Arc, the story follows Misery Nomaki, a person who believes they are going mad thanks to the same voidsickness that killed their mother. But this voidsickness provides them with incredible gifts, like the ability to manipulate holystone and pilot giant mechs. When a hallucination comes to Misery telling them that their abilities are divinely sent, Misery gets pulled into the war raging between the Heretics and the Faithful. As she tries to determine if her visions are delusions from her sickness or the sign of divine intervention, she starts to have far reaching affects on the conflict.
Neon Yang's writing is sublime. They craft exquisite sentences that expand the reader's understanding of the world and place them squarely in Misery's lived experience. They have crafted a fully immersive sci-fi world that balances faith and technology. Misery is a messy character but she's easy to care for. Some parts of this story definitely made me feel like I was peeking through my fingers, trying to see how Misery was going to cause destruction and problems next while still rooting for her. It's important to know going in that this story hinges greatly on religion and faith and that is explored extensively throughout the story. I think Yang has a lot of fascinating things to say about faith and both the destruction and beauty that it can bring. This story is also deeply queer, which was wonderful. If you are interested in a story that feels akin to The Locked Tomb Series by Tamsyn Muir but with more religion thrown in and a slightly more concrete world, I would highly recommend The Genesis of Misery. I also think that this book would be good for book club discussion because there are some revelations at the end that put the story in a different light that is well worth dissecting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Violence, Death, Blood, War, and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, and Death of parent