araleith's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book. But between the annoying thing where it took forever to figure out common objects because the author felt the need to rename everything to prove this is not our normal society or something, combined with the completed lack of any sort of satisfying ending (the book just kinda went and ended, without really explaining a lot of stuff) I just couldn't get to where I wanted in terms of liking this book. Frustrating, because I wanted to like it. But if I have to spend the whole book trying to understand the world you created and I still don't get most of it, because no character actually manages to explain any of it in a way that makes it all clear and connected, it's frustratingly bad world building.
theybedax's review against another edition
2.0
Well that was batshit crazy pants weird. I'm pretty sure the book was supposed to either come with a lexicon or a decoder ring. I supremely felt like I was too lucid to actually understand the crazy ramblings and I can't quite put my finger on it, but I didn't completely hate it. I just felt more like a lost soul trying to make sense where there was none.
ciaran_louise's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed how this syfy book tackled issues of gender queerness, non-binary identity, trans identity through the lens of a teenager that doesn't fit the gender standards in a society that has room for trans identities but only within the expectations of a strict gender binary. A strict gender binary that also doesn't allow for gay romance. This book also features beautiful friendships and messy (forbidden) romance.
ceridwyn's review against another edition
3.0
Extremely odd, original in a way that baffled me - not sure if I was missing something?
little_white's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
2.5
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
This wasn't my usual read but I enjoyed in because it was so different. It's a dystopia, set in a near-future world with a powerful government that forces teens to be made into conforming adults. It's here we meet Lizard, who is sent to one of these camps at a very young age, and her challenge is she doesn't conform to a gender. She IDs as female, has female pronouns, but the bulk of the story is about being in that gray area -- of being two things at once. But while it is about gender, it's about ALL things not being binary and about how ALL things are along a spectrum. You aren't good or bad. You aren't a leader or a follower. You're a little of everything. It's how you choose to pursue and identify that matters and it matters only to you as a person.
The writing here is knock-out good. Schmatz can weave killer images, for sure.
I love how weird and yet completely not weird this is. I read a review that compared it to The Summer Prince and from what I know of that book, I'd say this would be a good read alike.
Genderqueerness in this book is hugely important, and it's handled so, so well. I loved the tension with Sully, the is it a romance/is it not a romance tug back and forth.
The writing here is knock-out good. Schmatz can weave killer images, for sure.
I love how weird and yet completely not weird this is. I read a review that compared it to The Summer Prince and from what I know of that book, I'd say this would be a good read alike.
Genderqueerness in this book is hugely important, and it's handled so, so well. I loved the tension with Sully, the is it a romance/is it not a romance tug back and forth.
amyjoy's review against another edition
3.0
I did not like this as much as I wanted to, though I did think it was an interesting look at gender nonconformity in a society with strict gender rules.
Spoiler
Also, for once, I was totally prepared for an "IT WAS ALIENS" ending, but ... it wasn't. There were no aliens.alanaes's review against another edition
3.0
This was a slow burn cruising for 5 stars right up until the abrupt ending--I think the story deserved, and perhaps even needed, more of an ending, but I also recognize that's a "me" thing and not true for everyone. The world building is excellent--orginal without info-dumping--and the characters are nuanced and engaging. Recommend.