A review by balberry
The Shutouts by Gabrielle Korn

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

This was a tough read, especially so close to the aftermath of the U.S. election. The dystopian future felt disturbingly plausible, but that proximity to reality made it a hard start. The shifting timelines and changing protagonists were difficult to follow, keeping me from getting fully immersed. The writing style didn’t pull me in the way I’d hoped. At times it felt more like a checklist of progressive representation - gender, sexuality, social issues - packed in rather than something organically woven into the story. The characters didn’t feel relatable or likable, which made it hard to stay invested. I pushed through despite wanting to DNF and the second half improved for me. I started to care (if only slightly) about how it would all resolve. Ultimately, the ending didn’t satisfy me. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it because it seemed like something I’d enjoy, but it wasn’t for me. I won’t be purchasing a physical copy. 

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the early access to this book.