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A review by imaginarywhatever
Warped State by Jo Miles
5.0
I went into Warped State vaguely expecting a somewhat traditional-ish gay romance, just… in space. This, I can safely say, was incorrect.
There is a sweet, slow-burn romance between two of the main characters, a human acting under the pseudonym Mason Singh, and a reptilian humanoid named Stirring of Small Havoc (Havoc hereafter). Havoc is a devoted company man who is agitating for change from within the company in an attempt to improve rights and working conditions of others at the company. Singh and Havoc have something of a will-they/won’t-they and it was charming to read, even if I couldn’t quite picture how kissing would work with what’s described as a longer lizard face. Beak? Muzzle? Snout? I don’t know, I’m a cat person.
All this is happening, though, in the shade of activist movements on the planet Havoc lives and works at under increasingly repressive capitalist regime run by the Ravel company. The MC’s work together to teach and learn organizing skills, both self-identify as activists, and Miles gives the reader a terrifying vision of what a future of unchecked capitalism and imperialism might yield all while showing how resistance against those regimes will persevere.
The author walks us, not just through the power of being in that moment of protest and resistance, but of the genuine fear that accompanies overt political acts and the ways that institutions - in this instance, the corporation - work to eradicate dissent. The punishment we see Havoc experiencing after rescuing another character at one point is heartbreaking, more so because we see how he has been conditioned to accept that punishment as the inevitable, just response to his actions.
This is all happening alongside an entire ship - one being used by what seems to be a glorified bounty hunter/hit man/crony - to try to track and capture the main characters. A sentient ship who sympathizes with the resistance, begins socializing with other sentient technology once they realize it’s out there, and struggles with gender identity and misgendering themself. Ship - that’s what they call themself - is, if not the star of this book, then definitely one of the most unique and compelling characters. If someone hasn’t sent this to Donna Haraway already… maybe do not do that, since it would be random and impolite, but I imagine she’d have plenty to say about this. And I would read that book, too.
This is the first of a trilogy, so while there’s an HFN it’s not clear what direction things will head (or even if we’ll see these characters in the next book, though I sincerely hope so). Even if they aren’t, I’ll be back for the next two books and just keep my fingers crossed for Ship to make at least one or two cameos.
On an unrelated note, I never know how to end these things.
There is a sweet, slow-burn romance between two of the main characters, a human acting under the pseudonym Mason Singh, and a reptilian humanoid named Stirring of Small Havoc (Havoc hereafter). Havoc is a devoted company man who is agitating for change from within the company in an attempt to improve rights and working conditions of others at the company. Singh and Havoc have something of a will-they/won’t-they and it was charming to read, even if I couldn’t quite picture how kissing would work with what’s described as a longer lizard face. Beak? Muzzle? Snout? I don’t know, I’m a cat person.
All this is happening, though, in the shade of activist movements on the planet Havoc lives and works at under increasingly repressive capitalist regime run by the Ravel company. The MC’s work together to teach and learn organizing skills, both self-identify as activists, and Miles gives the reader a terrifying vision of what a future of unchecked capitalism and imperialism might yield all while showing how resistance against those regimes will persevere.
The author walks us, not just through the power of being in that moment of protest and resistance, but of the genuine fear that accompanies overt political acts and the ways that institutions - in this instance, the corporation - work to eradicate dissent. The punishment we see Havoc experiencing after rescuing another character at one point is heartbreaking, more so because we see how he has been conditioned to accept that punishment as the inevitable, just response to his actions.
This is all happening alongside an entire ship - one being used by what seems to be a glorified bounty hunter/hit man/crony - to try to track and capture the main characters. A sentient ship who sympathizes with the resistance, begins socializing with other sentient technology once they realize it’s out there, and struggles with gender identity and misgendering themself. Ship - that’s what they call themself - is, if not the star of this book, then definitely one of the most unique and compelling characters. If someone hasn’t sent this to Donna Haraway already… maybe do not do that, since it would be random and impolite, but I imagine she’d have plenty to say about this. And I would read that book, too.
This is the first of a trilogy, so while there’s an HFN it’s not clear what direction things will head (or even if we’ll see these characters in the next book, though I sincerely hope so). Even if they aren’t, I’ll be back for the next two books and just keep my fingers crossed for Ship to make at least one or two cameos.
On an unrelated note, I never know how to end these things.