dasnessie's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
justfoxie's review
3.0
Read for Housman's Feminist Sci Fi Book Club - the last book in our exploration of the different waves of feminism. I for one really enjoyed the book and wish that it had been picked up by a publisher to have helped Lieffe refine the story and the characters further. As it stands, it's an interesting (plot driven!) exploration of what a more intersectionally feminist rebellion looks like. I really hope that we hear more from this author in future.
fancyfroggie's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
caseythecanadianlesbrarian's review
3.0
Unfortunately although there are some great concepts that went into this novel, it would need work to be a successful work of fiction. The writing suffers from the classic too much telling and not enough showing, like reading the author's notes about what the characters are like instead of them just being.
The plotting is a bit messy, with mostly a 'this happened and then this happened' structure with major action sometimes happening off screen and an unclear purpose at times for certain scenes. The narrative also has weird asides explaining leftist political thought that feel like insertions of non-fiction into fiction; sometimes characters' thoughts function that way too. They always brought me out of the story and brought my attention to the fact that I was reading a dystopian story written by someone today, which is never something you want a reader to feel.
Aside from Ash and Pinar who are the main characters and relatively fleshed out, the characters seemed more like types or people to fill certain roles rather than full dimensional people. The character who was the villain was especially one dimensional and the character who betrays her girlfriend, well, I could see it coming a mile away and I'm terrible at guessing that kind of thing.
Ultimately I think the book suffers from a mindset where its function as a political tool overshadows the fact that it's a work of fiction. Of course novels can and have been very politically powerful that way but they have to be powerful STORIES. Does anyone like reading a novel that feels like it wants to be a persuasive essay, even if you're on board with the politics already?
All that said, I did like what I could see was a lot of the thinking behind the book. I really appreciated that the friendship between Pinar and Ash was really at the centre of the story; yay women friendships! I also thought it was great how many sex worker characters there were. It's one of the few novels I've read where queer sex workers are front and centre, which is pretty amazing. Please, more books with them starring! And of course I can't forget Ash, who's probably the only trans woman character in her 70s who I've ever seen in fiction, and a non-cis-passing one to boot!
A few of the details of the dystopian world building were great too. I loved things like references to the "coffee wars" which was why coffee was so scarce and expensive; the fact that a sign language version of English had come into common usage as part of the resistance but had been co-opted; the "femme riots"! Some tidbits of how things work in activism circles (like arguing about whether a space has to be vegan or TERFs complaining about the inclusion of trans women) were also bang on.
In short, I wish this book had had the care and attention of an editorial team to help transform it into the great novel I think it could be with revisions.
The plotting is a bit messy, with mostly a 'this happened and then this happened' structure with major action sometimes happening off screen and an unclear purpose at times for certain scenes. The narrative also has weird asides explaining leftist political thought that feel like insertions of non-fiction into fiction; sometimes characters' thoughts function that way too. They always brought me out of the story and brought my attention to the fact that I was reading a dystopian story written by someone today, which is never something you want a reader to feel.
Aside from Ash and Pinar who are the main characters and relatively fleshed out, the characters seemed more like types or people to fill certain roles rather than full dimensional people. The character who was the villain was especially one dimensional and the character who betrays her girlfriend, well, I could see it coming a mile away and I'm terrible at guessing that kind of thing.
Ultimately I think the book suffers from a mindset where its function as a political tool overshadows the fact that it's a work of fiction. Of course novels can and have been very politically powerful that way but they have to be powerful STORIES. Does anyone like reading a novel that feels like it wants to be a persuasive essay, even if you're on board with the politics already?
All that said, I did like what I could see was a lot of the thinking behind the book. I really appreciated that the friendship between Pinar and Ash was really at the centre of the story; yay women friendships! I also thought it was great how many sex worker characters there were. It's one of the few novels I've read where queer sex workers are front and centre, which is pretty amazing. Please, more books with them starring! And of course I can't forget Ash, who's probably the only trans woman character in her 70s who I've ever seen in fiction, and a non-cis-passing one to boot!
A few of the details of the dystopian world building were great too. I loved things like references to the "coffee wars" which was why coffee was so scarce and expensive; the fact that a sign language version of English had come into common usage as part of the resistance but had been co-opted; the "femme riots"! Some tidbits of how things work in activism circles (like arguing about whether a space has to be vegan or TERFs complaining about the inclusion of trans women) were also bang on.
In short, I wish this book had had the care and attention of an editorial team to help transform it into the great novel I think it could be with revisions.
zluke's review against another edition
5.0
It's refreshing to read something so positive, centering trans women. I loved getting to know each of the characters slowly throughout the book, with the different threads coming together towards the end. It's a story about struggles against oppression and seeing the collectives and resistance to this is quite inspiring. Its something we're seeing play out in the world at the moment so it very timely.
zalesbian's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the book that takes the best of all the dystopian stories and makes it better.
It queer and centered around activism to fight against the oppression.
Think 1984, but make it more relatable and relevant, because queer sex actually was/is illegal. Makes the story far more interesting.
It queer and centered around activism to fight against the oppression.
Think 1984, but make it more relatable and relevant, because queer sex actually was/is illegal. Makes the story far more interesting.
neurodivengeance's review against another edition
5.0
THIS IS SO FUCKING GOOD. Right from the beginning I knew it was going to be excellent - the writing is clear, the narrative gripping, the characters compelling. I especially loved Ash and her relationship with Pinar, and her journeying really spoke to me (I have a few half-formed ideas about the crossover between traumatic flashbacks and time travel and it was so great to see this idea expanded on - and also roundly dismissed by Ash <3 ). It is such an important work, it invigorated me to read. I am so glad it was written and I read it. Will definitely be reading this again, and I can't wait to attend the book tour later this month :)
sarahcax's review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
emiliepichot's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
claudiearseneault's review
This book is incredible. It's so very fiercely trans and rooted in activism and resistance. I loved it. It also comes with strong tw for state brutality, rape and sexual coercion, transphobia and homophobia. (there are others, but I need to rest my head and think through to catch most. these are the things you'll be very actively engaging with though)
More thoughts to come. <3
More thoughts to come. <3
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