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novella42's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Dieselpunk polyamorous rebels in a queernorm world using magic psychedelics to lead a revolution against colonizers? Um. Yes, please!
I'm amazed how well this book depicts a truly sex-positive society, in a way that I've never really seen before. I don't even think "sex-positive" is the right word for it. Maresca treats the worldbuilding around sexual mores in a fascinating way, including thoughtful consent dynamics and respectful asexual rep. I'm writing this review months after reading it, and I still think about it often.
The only reason I took half a star off is that the book gets pretty chaotic at times, and that made it hard to follow. But I respect the risk Maresca took in being so ambitious with everything that went into this world and story. One thing that is very clear to me on reading this is how much fun the author was having. So, yeah, it's chaotic, but it's gloriously chaotic, and it's really fun to read. I would absolutely read more in this world, and in the meantime, I've definitely been recommending it to my extended polycule.
I'm amazed how well this book depicts a truly sex-positive society, in a way that I've never really seen before. I don't even think "sex-positive" is the right word for it. Maresca treats the worldbuilding around sexual mores in a fascinating way, including thoughtful consent dynamics and respectful asexual rep. I'm writing this review months after reading it, and I still think about it often.
The only reason I took half a star off is that the book gets pretty chaotic at times, and that made it hard to follow. But I respect the risk Maresca took in being so ambitious with everything that went into this world and story. One thing that is very clear to me on reading this is how much fun the author was having. So, yeah, it's chaotic, but it's gloriously chaotic, and it's really fun to read. I would absolutely read more in this world, and in the meantime, I've definitely been recommending it to my extended polycule.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Classism, Forced institutionalization, Drug use, Racism, Ableism, Car accident, Toxic friendship, Body horror, Colonisation, Confinement, Genocide, Medical trauma, Police brutality, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: War, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Vomit, Violence, Dysphoria, Slavery, and Gun violence
Minor: Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Infertility, Deportation, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, and Torture
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