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torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Stalking, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
gummifrog's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I had the wrong expectations for it. By the summary, I thought it might be more of a sci-fi thriller pageturner. Instead, it's a very literary, thoughtful, and internal novel with very little thriller or mystery content. Any semblance of a mystery is only brought up halfway through the book, and the most intense suspense only lasts a few pages.
So if you're looking for a thoughtful, literary read about serial killer culture, post-partum depression, and coming to terms with your sense of self, this book may be a good read for you! The touch of mystery was interesting and compelling, although there wasn't enough of it. I really liked this near-future earth, where everyone games in VR and people can be cloned to come back to life. There was some fun commentary on capitalism and marketing distraction from the sins of certain big-name companies. There was also somewhat of an ensemble cast element, with five women in total having been murdered and meeting up regularly in a support group. Their relationships were really fun, and I would have actually liked to see more of them talking as a group and working together as a team.
The prose is a bit detached and clinical, although we follow the protagonist, Louise, through much of her childhood and her conflicted feelings about her murder, partner, and child. The idea of being cloned and having another body that is fully *you* rotting somewhere in the ground is really chilling. I think the author captured that element of horror really well.
Still, it wasn't quite the book I was looking for at this moment! I think maybe I read this book at the wrong time, or I should have looked deeper into it first.
So if you're looking for a thoughtful, literary read about serial killer culture, post-partum depression, and coming to terms with your sense of self, this book may be a good read for you! The touch of mystery was interesting and compelling, although there wasn't enough of it. I really liked this near-future earth, where everyone games in VR and people can be cloned to come back to life. There was some fun commentary on capitalism and marketing distraction from the sins of certain big-name companies. There was also somewhat of an ensemble cast element, with five women in total having been murdered and meeting up regularly in a support group. Their relationships were really fun, and I would have actually liked to see more of them talking as a group and working together as a team.
The prose is a bit detached and clinical, although we follow the protagonist, Louise, through much of her childhood and her conflicted feelings about her murder, partner, and child. The idea of being cloned and having another body that is fully *you* rotting somewhere in the ground is really chilling. I think the author captured that element of horror really well.
Still, it wasn't quite the book I was looking for at this moment! I think maybe I read this book at the wrong time, or I should have looked deeper into it first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Body horror, Violence, Blood, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual violence, Medical content, and Alcohol