clarke's review against another edition
2.0
The premise of this book was intriguing, but unfortunately I didn't gel with the writing style. It was quite flowery and fantastical, and whilst this is a short book, it felt long. I think the style suited the story, but it just wasn't for me. I think the narrator suited the story too, but again, wasn't for me. People who enjoy streams of consciousness and flowery writing will probably enjoy this.
Thanks to net galley for the arc.
Thanks to net galley for the arc.
2treads's review
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I am a Premee fan. This is my 3rd read of hers and I am just always intrigued by the aay she crafts her stories. She tends to write in a shorter form and I think that works for her. It intensifies the story and how her readers engage with the themes and topics she explores.
In a futuristic, yet dystopic world, where no surprise, wealth grants supreme power and immunity, a courtesan is granted her wish to punish the ones who used and broke her. The world surrounding our characters isn't fleshed out wholly in the narrative, but enough detail is given for the reader to be fine moving from lace to place.
What is important is each character, although told from the perspective of Jewel, her connection to Win and Nero is sufficient for is to be able to understand their friendship.and position in the House where they work. I could feel the disdain and contempt held for those who are sex workers, the power that the clients so carelessly world over them, as if they are no longer of value because credits have been exchanged to indulge in their bodies and other talents.
Mohamed does a great job of presenting a story that is quite familiar in tone and place, giving us a character who has through her death taken back her power, is seeking vengeance, and freedom for those like her, who are scorned and abused; to the narrator who although aware of where and what her station garners her, still wants some semblance of safety in the familiar, who understands the hierarchy of the world, but believes she has no influence to enact change.
A lot is done in so little a package.
In a futuristic, yet dystopic world, where no surprise, wealth grants supreme power and immunity, a courtesan is granted her wish to punish the ones who used and broke her. The world surrounding our characters isn't fleshed out wholly in the narrative, but enough detail is given for the reader to be fine moving from lace to place.
What is important is each character, although told from the perspective of Jewel, her connection to Win and Nero is sufficient for is to be able to understand their friendship.and position in the House where they work. I could feel the disdain and contempt held for those who are sex workers, the power that the clients so carelessly world over them, as if they are no longer of value because credits have been exchanged to indulge in their bodies and other talents.
Mohamed does a great job of presenting a story that is quite familiar in tone and place, giving us a character who has through her death taken back her power, is seeking vengeance, and freedom for those like her, who are scorned and abused; to the narrator who although aware of where and what her station garners her, still wants some semblance of safety in the familiar, who understands the hierarchy of the world, but believes she has no influence to enact change.
A lot is done in so little a package.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Death, and Physical abuse
Minor: Blood and Body horror
alanathehangry's review against another edition
5.0
Premee Mohamed's writing stabbed me in the heart repeatedly. It's so hauntingly beautiful, it makes you ache. The first page catches you whether you like it or not. The rest of the book takes you by the hand and shows you the nastiness of the world and the strength of individual's hearts. I'm still in shock.
mmmmmmmbooks's review
5.0
Great story, vivid world that I'm still thinking about months later. Bonus points for being a short and easy read, definitely something easy to slide into a packed TBR :)
mweis's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.5
*I received an audio review copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I’ve been wanting to read this novella since it was nominated (and won) best novella in the 2022 Nebula and World Fantasy Awards, so I couldn’t request this audio review copy faster when I saw it available on NetGalley. Unfortunately, I think audio was not the way to go for me with this story. I liked the narrator, Elana Dunkelman; however, I think the writing itself was best suited to be read physically.
This novella is incredibly short (under 80 pages) and it packs a punch. It follows a courtesan named Jewel after her friend is murdered by a client and somehow comes back to life. It’s a great exploration of exploitation and the failures of capitalism in a bleak dystopian future. The writing was lush and atmospheric but something about the reading experience just didn’t stick with me as much as I wanted it to. I will definitely be rereading this with my eyes at some point, and I will continue to check out work by Premee Mohamed.
I’ve been wanting to read this novella since it was nominated (and won) best novella in the 2022 Nebula and World Fantasy Awards, so I couldn’t request this audio review copy faster when I saw it available on NetGalley. Unfortunately, I think audio was not the way to go for me with this story. I liked the narrator, Elana Dunkelman; however, I think the writing itself was best suited to be read physically.
This novella is incredibly short (under 80 pages) and it packs a punch. It follows a courtesan named Jewel after her friend is murdered by a client and somehow comes back to life. It’s a great exploration of exploitation and the failures of capitalism in a bleak dystopian future. The writing was lush and atmospheric but something about the reading experience just didn’t stick with me as much as I wanted it to. I will definitely be rereading this with my eyes at some point, and I will continue to check out work by Premee Mohamed.
_diana_'s review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
eruanntiell's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
3.0
This novella didn’t quite work for me in some aspects, though I did also like some things. The world-building was really intriguing to me and I liked how we regularly got some more snippets about it all throughout. I would’ve loved more details but understand that that’s difficult in such a short amount of time together. I also liked that there was a mystery and a goal for the characters right from the start. It was exciting in its unexpectedness. Sadly, that excitement didn’t last for me though. Too many things stayed unexplained and I never really got attached to the characters in any way either as I struggled to stay connected to their thoughts and motivations. I do like books that are a bit out there though and am planning to try more works by this author.
mrsjackflash's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75