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A review by bucketsjen
Maeve Fly by CJ Leede
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
DNFed after the main character and her love interest rape a woman on-page.
Weirdly, I can still see someone as a troubled or fucked up but still sympathetic protagonist when they've killed. But casually committing sexual assault has made it so I now just don't care what happens to either of these characters. It might seem like an odd difference but it's where it lands for me personally. Extreme violent behavior and murder is rare enough that it just hits a different compared to sexual assault that happens to a disturbingly high percentage of women, somowrhais that's why. I'm not traumatized but I think the book was gearing up for a tragic end and I just can't see myself caring about sorrow falling on them, so it feels pointless to continue reading.
Even before that particular point, I knew that I wasn't enjoying the book as much as I thought I would based on the premise. It tries a little too hard to be unique and edgy (just like its protagonist, who I think would have come off better if she'd been set as a younger age - her Holden Caulfield vibe just hits different when the character is 27). It plays with violence and sexual deviance and taboo in ways that are sometimes interesting but are also sometimes trying too hard to be weird and outlandish.
The detailed description of Southern California were not quite right. It reads like someone who was fascinated with the history and idea of Los Angeles and the surrounding area but was most definitely not from there. I'd say it'd fit the main character since she's not from the area but it didn't read like she was supposed to be seeing things falsely.
I did like that despite being edgelordy, Maeve also did genuinely enjoy things. The strict rules and expectations she maintained in her world was also interesting to see, and it touched her rage in ways that existed even before Gideon started to encourage her.
Overall, though, the book just didn't land for me.
Weirdly, I can still see someone as a troubled or fucked up but still sympathetic protagonist when they've killed. But casually committing sexual assault has made it so I now just don't care what happens to either of these characters. It might seem like an odd difference but it's where it lands for me personally. Extreme violent behavior and murder is rare enough that it just hits a different compared to sexual assault that happens to a disturbingly high percentage of women, somowrhais that's why. I'm not traumatized but I think the book was gearing up for a tragic end and I just can't see myself caring about sorrow falling on them, so it feels pointless to continue reading.
Even before that particular point, I knew that I wasn't enjoying the book as much as I thought I would based on the premise. It tries a little too hard to be unique and edgy (just like its protagonist, who I think would have come off better if she'd been set as a younger age - her Holden Caulfield vibe just hits different when the character is 27). It plays with violence and sexual deviance and taboo in ways that are sometimes interesting but are also sometimes trying too hard to be weird and outlandish.
The detailed description of Southern California were not quite right. It reads like someone who was fascinated with the history and idea of Los Angeles and the surrounding area but was most definitely not from there. I'd say it'd fit the main character since she's not from the area but it didn't read like she was supposed to be seeing things falsely.
I did like that despite being edgelordy, Maeve also did genuinely enjoy things. The strict rules and expectations she maintained in her world was also interesting to see, and it touched her rage in ways that existed even before Gideon started to encourage her.
Overall, though, the book just didn't land for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault