Scan barcode
nessynoname's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Some incredible worldbuilding and intriguing sociopolitical circumstances with a really irritating central character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Gore, Pregnancy, and Classism
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Drug use, Racism, Vomit, and Trafficking
Almost the entirety of this book takes place within a living organism, which the humans surgically exploit for their livelihood. Body systems/functions are explicitly described and manipulated often to the harm of the creature. If bodily description/body horror is not your thing you really need to sit this one out. Furthermore, there is a sequence later on that does intersect with the whole parasite/pregnancy/tentacles trope but its... not played for horror per se? Its supposed to be unsettling but its purpose in the plot is not harmful or disturbing to the character it happens to and they are fine after the situation is dealt with. The society that primarily features in the book is matriarchal and numerous characters including the main character until she gets character development, think of men as lesser. Class struggle, whether it be sexism against men, or the upperclass oppressing the working class are strong themes in this book. Additionally, the main character becomes engaged to a man and struggles with her fear of consummating that relationship, as she seems to have exclusive preference for women partners. This never culminates in any kind of sexual assault but the main characters anxiety about the pressure to be sexually involved with her fiance is a recurring topic.