alexalily's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Torture, Alcohol, Police brutality, and Death of parent
youshouldreadthisif's review
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-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
4.25
I am so glad I read this, and I appreciate it more as I continue to reflect on it. I’ve had it on my TBR forever (story of my life), and I’m really bummed that I let it sit there for so long now that I’ve finally read it. This duology is set in a contemporary AU where the West has fallen, and Southeast Asia is the global epicenter of power.
SPY is very aware of the inherent violence of the world the characters live in, with commentary on capitalism, patriarchy, and ACAB, and relishes allowing the characters to be violent in response. The writing reflects this very clearly and is the main reason why I “Liked” this book instead of “Really Liked” it. This is a capital-R romance, and I prefer romance writing that allows for deeper access to the characters’ emotions. More sentimental, if you will. I want to feel deeply emotionally attached to the developing romance, and I didn’t quite get that with how the authors chose to write this story. As a result, I felt quite distant from Dallas and Olesya’s growing love for much of the book. But while it’s not an overtly soft book, in the end it is quite tender. The section at the end, after Olesya and Dallas finally let go of all the secrets they’ve kept from each other, is perhaps my favorite part of the book. The vulnerability of that conversation, the terror of being truly known by another… For Olesya especially. Do you see me as I am? Can you accept me as I am? Can you accept the many things that I am? Ugh, it guts me still.
I want to be very clear, though: the above discussion of the writing style is not a criticism or even a critique of this book. I think the authors were ultimately very successful in what they accomplished with their writing style. In particular, there’s some really beautiful, really compelling writing in the book, particularly as it pertains to the characters’ gender identities and expressions. Notably, their transness brings them closer together, sparking a moment of connection as Dallas observes that she has found a “kindred spirit” in the woman she does not know is Olesya. A fundamental belief of the book is that nothing is immutable; nothing is sacred; no law or system is safe from violation. And this leaves space for the characters, (femme) Olesya in particular, to shape their worlds and bodies to reflect exactly what they want them to. One of my favorite things about SPY is how much fierce, savage joy Olesya takes in rejecting the “tyranny of [her] genetics” for the sake of a body of her own design. And she provides (butch) Dallas with the means (i.e., access to the necessary hormones) to begin doing the same for her body. I loved this tearing down of the idea of the body as a temple. No, the body is tool that I will design and alter it to suit my desires. Ugh, it is so good. And Olesya applies the same logic to Singapore: she blows it up - literally - and then rebuilds it in her image. All in the name of safety.
This book is deeply, deeply political, both in its criticism of the harm done by social institutions and celebration of trans women, creating space, perhaps violently, to live their self-actualized lives. (Also its overt disdain for the US lol)
In case I haven’t convinced you yet, know that every single character is a woman and a lesbian. Not a single man (or white person, for that matter) in sight. It’s super gay. It’s great. So is being in Olesya’s head during her POVs cause she is SUPER Machiavellian. Manipulating everyone left and right.
Full disclosure: I read this book before I read book 1 in the duology. I can confirm that it can be read as a standalone, but as I haven’t read book 1 yet I cannot confirm if they are best read in order.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Death, and Murder
Minor: Racism and Police brutality
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