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A review by bookaneer
Annex by Rich Larson
4.0
I rarely read YA speculative fiction due to various reasons. I am glad I took a chance for this one. The author is mostly known for his short fiction and I did enjoy one of his works.
The sympathetic main characters, one a trans teenager and the other a small Nigerian boy, really drew me in, as well as their individual struggles. Violet, especially, I loved her a lot. I read a review by someone (trans) in GR who said this book had it right. (Let me know if that's accurate). Nevertheless, the book expanded my view, gave me a new perspective and made me empathize with it, which is the trait of a good SF.
While this was set in a post-apocalyptic world following an alien invasion, there were undercurrent themes that make the book really endearing. No, I'm not talking about the [b:Lord of the Flies|7624|Lord of the Flies|William Golding|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327869409s/7624.jpg|2766512] feel. It is deeper than that, it's the sense of belonging (in this case, a family, in a broader sense). If you ever feel like an outsider, or ever had the struggle to feel like you belong in any particular place, this book is for you. Or, if you're an Animorphs fan. The author is also one of us, and I believe this is an homage.
The pacing is really good, quite action-packed, the dialogue flows naturally and some even genuinely funny despite the stark situation. I was also intrigued by one of the aliens, a shape-shifting man with a bowler hat and his super useful motes.
Definitely will continue with the series. Rich Larson, welcome to my watch list.
The sympathetic main characters, one a trans teenager and the other a small Nigerian boy, really drew me in, as well as their individual struggles. Violet, especially, I loved her a lot. I read a review by someone (trans) in GR who said this book had it right. (Let me know if that's accurate). Nevertheless, the book expanded my view, gave me a new perspective and made me empathize with it, which is the trait of a good SF.
While this was set in a post-apocalyptic world following an alien invasion, there were undercurrent themes that make the book really endearing. No, I'm not talking about the [b:Lord of the Flies|7624|Lord of the Flies|William Golding|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327869409s/7624.jpg|2766512] feel. It is deeper than that, it's the sense of belonging (in this case, a family, in a broader sense). If you ever feel like an outsider, or ever had the struggle to feel like you belong in any particular place, this book is for you. Or, if you're an Animorphs fan. The author is also one of us, and I believe this is an homage.
The pacing is really good, quite action-packed, the dialogue flows naturally and some even genuinely funny despite the stark situation. I was also intrigued by one of the aliens, a shape-shifting man with a bowler hat and his super useful motes.
Definitely will continue with the series. Rich Larson, welcome to my watch list.