readwithmak's review
4.0
Let me start with saying that I loved the writing style of this book. It was beautiful and descriptive, albeit rather terrifying at times.
The book begins with a couple named Norah and Art being "matched up" and beginning to date. As their relationship progresses, we start to learn more and more about the circumstances of their relationship, as well as the kind of world they are now living in, a true dystopian future. When Nut is introduced, more and more comes to light about the purpose of this animal and what it means for their future.
This book was a slow start for me. It took quite a while to really settle into the groove of the story but once it did I was very pleased with the direction it went. However it was very confusing at times and often left me frustrated with the extremely slow paced reveal of what was actually happening. It definitely forced you to think. By the end, it all came together into one crazy explanation of events that are hopefully in a future far far away from anything we will ever experience. I have thought about this book a lot since I finished it a few days ago and have a feeling it will stick with me for quite a while.
*I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
The book begins with a couple named Norah and Art being "matched up" and beginning to date. As their relationship progresses, we start to learn more and more about the circumstances of their relationship, as well as the kind of world they are now living in, a true dystopian future. When Nut is introduced, more and more comes to light about the purpose of this animal and what it means for their future.
This book was a slow start for me. It took quite a while to really settle into the groove of the story but once it did I was very pleased with the direction it went. However it was very confusing at times and often left me frustrated with the extremely slow paced reveal of what was actually happening. It definitely forced you to think. By the end, it all came together into one crazy explanation of events that are hopefully in a future far far away from anything we will ever experience. I have thought about this book a lot since I finished it a few days ago and have a feeling it will stick with me for quite a while.
*I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
55_sallymander's review
1.0
Composite Creatures by Caroline Hardaker
I was unable to get interested in this novel. I tried multiple times, the description made it seem like something that I would enjoy, but it never engaged.
Basically, it's about a man and woman who move in together and live their lives. They adopt a pet that is some sort of genetically modified creature. Maybe resembling a cat, possibly has gray or purple fur. The book went on and on about their love and care for their pet.
I received a complimentary copy from #netgalley @netgalley of #compositecreatures and was under no obligation to post a review.
I was unable to get interested in this novel. I tried multiple times, the description made it seem like something that I would enjoy, but it never engaged.
Basically, it's about a man and woman who move in together and live their lives. They adopt a pet that is some sort of genetically modified creature. Maybe resembling a cat, possibly has gray or purple fur. The book went on and on about their love and care for their pet.
I received a complimentary copy from #netgalley @netgalley of #compositecreatures and was under no obligation to post a review.
aidareads's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
louisek's review
3.0
It was OK but I don't think it worked for me. If it wasn't so short I probably wouldn't have kept up with it. But I loved its world building and liked that Hardaker doesn't immediately tell you what is happening. Also wtf was Nut supposed to look like I just couldn't imagine it at all. But yh its OK for a quick read.
clara_kowalski's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
annienothall's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cassidee_omnilegent's review
4.0
My Rating: 7/10
Synopsis:
In a society where self-preservation is as much an art as a science, Norah and Arthur are learning how to co-exist in their new little world. Though they hardly know each other, everything seems to be going perfectly – from the home they’re building together to the ring on Norah’s finger.
But survival in this world is a tricky thing, the air is thicker every day and illness creeps fast through the body. And the earth is becoming increasingly hostile to live in. Fortunately, Easton Grove is here for that in the form of a perfect little bundle to take home and harvest. You can live for as long as you keep it – or her – close.
Review:
Composite Creatures is such a hard novel for me to rate, as it is one of the most peculiar books that I’ve ever read. I’m glad that I slept before I wrote this review and gave myself time to process it. I was pulled in right away with the melancholic prose. Caroline Hardaker is brilliant beyond words and this slow process of revelation melted my brain a little bit. It was a mental workout to unravel what was happening in this novel. That’s not a bad thing, as I like a read that challenges me.
The first half the novel was filled with description and a puzzling build of the state of Norah’s world. There’s a shortage of fresh air, animals have died off, the health system is crumbling and expensive when you can get treatment, diseases are running rampant, and life spans have shortened greatly. The second half of the novel was filled with more dialogue and advancement of the plot.
This novel was gut wrenching; watching Norah balance her natural maternal instinct vs what Easton Grove’s guidelines are when it comes to Nut was tough. I would have found myself in the same predicament. Composite Creatures will leave you with a sense of dysphoria long after you finish it. It’s a creepy and masterful observation of the potential destruction and tragedy caused by humans, furthered by privatized healthcare associations. I can’t go into the plot or into what Nut actually is without ruining the book experience for other people. Just know that this dystopian novel is a slow-building examination of Norah’s life in a society on the verge of collapse; it’s a call for fulfillment in a brutal world that doesn’t nurture, it manufactures. Softness is weakness in this life, everything is carefully calculated and nothing is provided without a cost.
Angry Robot always has the most unique books and this is no different. Composite Creatures will have people thinking about this read ages after they’ve read it. I have no doubt that this book will land itself in the hearts of many; its poignant, smart prose and chilling atmosphere will leave you disoriented long after you’ve finished. Thank you again to Angry Robot and Caroline Hardaker for the opportunity to read this and take part in the blog tour.
Synopsis:
In a society where self-preservation is as much an art as a science, Norah and Arthur are learning how to co-exist in their new little world. Though they hardly know each other, everything seems to be going perfectly – from the home they’re building together to the ring on Norah’s finger.
But survival in this world is a tricky thing, the air is thicker every day and illness creeps fast through the body. And the earth is becoming increasingly hostile to live in. Fortunately, Easton Grove is here for that in the form of a perfect little bundle to take home and harvest. You can live for as long as you keep it – or her – close.
Review:
Composite Creatures is such a hard novel for me to rate, as it is one of the most peculiar books that I’ve ever read. I’m glad that I slept before I wrote this review and gave myself time to process it. I was pulled in right away with the melancholic prose. Caroline Hardaker is brilliant beyond words and this slow process of revelation melted my brain a little bit. It was a mental workout to unravel what was happening in this novel. That’s not a bad thing, as I like a read that challenges me.
The first half the novel was filled with description and a puzzling build of the state of Norah’s world. There’s a shortage of fresh air, animals have died off, the health system is crumbling and expensive when you can get treatment, diseases are running rampant, and life spans have shortened greatly. The second half of the novel was filled with more dialogue and advancement of the plot.
This novel was gut wrenching; watching Norah balance her natural maternal instinct vs what Easton Grove’s guidelines are when it comes to Nut was tough. I would have found myself in the same predicament. Composite Creatures will leave you with a sense of dysphoria long after you finish it. It’s a creepy and masterful observation of the potential destruction and tragedy caused by humans, furthered by privatized healthcare associations. I can’t go into the plot or into what Nut actually is without ruining the book experience for other people. Just know that this dystopian novel is a slow-building examination of Norah’s life in a society on the verge of collapse; it’s a call for fulfillment in a brutal world that doesn’t nurture, it manufactures. Softness is weakness in this life, everything is carefully calculated and nothing is provided without a cost.
Angry Robot always has the most unique books and this is no different. Composite Creatures will have people thinking about this read ages after they’ve read it. I have no doubt that this book will land itself in the hearts of many; its poignant, smart prose and chilling atmosphere will leave you disoriented long after you’ve finished. Thank you again to Angry Robot and Caroline Hardaker for the opportunity to read this and take part in the blog tour.
theirresponsiblereader's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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“The Back of the Book”
I’m pretty sure I’d end up ruining something if I tried to summarize this myself, so let’s use the description from the Publisher’s site:
In a society where self-preservation is as much an art as a science, Norah and Arthur are learning how to co-exist in domestic bliss. Though they hardly know each other, everything seems to be going perfectly – from the home they’re building together to the ring on Norah’s finger.
But survival in this world is a tricky thing, the air is thicker every day and illness creeps fast through the body. The earth is becoming increasingly hostile to live in.Fortunately, Easton Grove have the answer, a perfect little bundle of fur that Norah and Arthur can take home. All they have to do to live long, happy lives is keep it, or her, safe and close.
The World Building
This is a terrifying look at an entirely possible not-that-future world for us. I’m not going to get into the details, but this is an England (and we can assume the rest of the world is a lot like it) devastated by pollution, climate change, and humans messing around with genetics and other experimental medicine.
The effects of all that are seen in nature—flora and fauna—and in the health of just about everyone in the novel.
Some things never change, however, those with money—or a way to get it—have a better shot at whatever slim advantages there are to be had.
And Hardaker absolutely sells this world—the choices she made in constructing, depicting, and revealing the details of this world were perfect. I cannot say enough for the setting and the way she showed it.
So, what did I think about Composite Creatures?
Sadly, the world that Hardaker portrayed was the only part of this book that resonated with me.
I was pretty sure of two things within the first 50 pages (less than that, but I wasn’t keeping score):
- This was a fantastically written book, it’s wonderfully conceived, prescient, and haunting.
- This was not a book for me.
This wasn’t a case of me disliking it—it was too good for that. But I just didn’t care, I wasn’t invested—I never got more than mildly curious. If I’d been forced to return this to the library before I finished, I don’t know that I’d have bothered to check it out again. I did keep waiting for that moment—the one that changed everything and made the whole thing worthwhile—and it didn’t come.
I’m giving this 3 stars—the writing/worldview/etc. deserves at least 4, but my experience was a big ol’ “meh” and probably would’ve gotten a 2 if a lesser writer had been responsible for it. So we’ll average the two.
Now, I think I’m the exception—Hardaker’s a great writer and this combination of too-likely dystopia and environmental collapse is the kind of thing that I can see a lot of people really getting into. I’d recommend you do. When Paul recommended Composite Creatures to me, he said something like he couldn’t stop thinking about it—I don’t blame him, it’s going to be a long time before I stop thinking about it. Incidentally, you should read Paul’s post about the novel for a different and very positive take.