Reviews

At once very confusing and super compelling. There was something about it which made me want to keep reading even as I got very lost in much of it. I am hesitant to call it 'weird' because I think it belongs to a culture I don't have experience of, but there definitely is that hazy blending of futurism, dystopia, religion, sex, and questions about gender. Multiple characters have multiple lives going on at the same time to the point where you aren't ever quite sure what's real or who is who. Some of this becomes obvious as you read, but it does leave you quite confused at times.

I wonder how much more would be clear if you had an understanding of orishas and Dominican traditional religion, and how much was lost on me as an outsider. I'm definitely glad I read it but I probably wouldn't rush back to it again.

Content Warnings

raquelmozart_123's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

waterbear0821's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Well. I didn’t really enjoy this. It was too filthy and distressing and literary. It was deeply unpleasant and full of slurs and violence and harm. But the story is brilliant and bizarre and I know it will stick with me and I’ll probably want to read it again.
Pros:
-well-executed, unique sci-fi time travel
-twisty and brain-expanding
-captivating description of dystopian future; good world-building
Cons:
-truly how many racial slurs and homophobic slurs and how much violent misogyny must I read?
-so, so many content warnings
-the author is a musician and the droning, pretentious descriptions of the songs and music characters are playing or listening to throughout the book are cringe and insufferable
-high on aesthetics, light on plot. I’m curious what this author will write in the future

Content Warnings

django018's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious reflective sad fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

Much to think about.

pkiwi's review against another edition

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4.0

Highly intriguing novella that touches on, but never delves into, a myriad of themes concerning gender, social inequality, the impact of technology on our daily lives, sexuality, biodiversity, natural disasters, race, time travel, african religions, art, and chemical weapons.

mechashark's review against another edition

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1.5

weirdly transmedicalist and a pretty unenjoyable read, the ending did not feel earned

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