A review by nettleviolet
World Running Down by Al Hess

adventurous hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This is a sweet love story about a trans man and an AI who is trapped in an android body. It's a story about identity and finding a way to the body you belong in. It's also a story about honouring personhood, autonomy and agency. 

The romance is really sweet, though the one spice scene was too "in your head" for me. 

What fell short for me is this book started with a LOT of really interesting threads that just went nowhere and brought up some ideas that I thought were really juicy, but then left them dangling in the ether. I feel like this book had a lot of potential but it didn't live up to a lot of it. As well, the dialogue seemed really unnatural at points and some of the conflicts resolved much too easily. 

Despite its shortcomings, I still really enjoyed it. Osric and Valentine are both very lovely, relatable characters and the way they care for one another, and honour each other's identities, is just so sweet to read. 
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