matthewchoi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Indiana has a way with time—not only does the passage of it function as a primary filter through which to view the story, but time is made fluid, a bendable, limbed animal that picks up and toys with the reader. The characters are intense, full-blown beings with much to love and hate in each.
My only complaint was that the shifting of timelines tripped my reading experience often, the intended jarring effect not quite making up for my confusion and inability to track the story’s movement.
My only complaint was that the shifting of timelines tripped my reading experience often, the intended jarring effect not quite making up for my confusion and inability to track the story’s movement.
lilly71490's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
sophiavillanueva's review against another edition
5.0
Es magnífica la manera en la que Rita Indiana desarrolla una historia con un tema tan importante como lo es el cuidado ambiental, a través de elementos tan variados como interesantes, tales como la ciencia ficción, la santería, una especie de viajes en el tiempo, el arte, la política...
Simplemente me encantó lo variada que es está historia, pero sin dejar de ser concisa y puntual; además de lo creativo y fantástico del desarrollo de la historia, pero con un final tan real.
Sin duda, una de las historias más originales que he tenido la fortuna de leer.
Simplemente me encantó lo variada que es está historia, pero sin dejar de ser concisa y puntual; además de lo creativo y fantástico del desarrollo de la historia, pero con un final tan real.
Sin duda, una de las historias más originales que he tenido la fortuna de leer.
hfrancesh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Transphobia, Sexual violence, Rape, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Dysphoria, Colonisation, Murder, and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty
gsroney's review against another edition
2.0
The concept of this book is really interesting, and it tackles weighty themes like ecological disaster, colonialism, and trans lives. The plot involves a magical sea anemone, time travel, and manipulation of an art market. A lot is going on in 130 pages. Perhaps that is why the story is so hard to follow, the characters difficult to follow, the prose rushed and, somehow, still dry and boring. This would make a great tv show, but I don’t recommend it as a book.
leichamoo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
ohnoits_stacy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
patroclusbro's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Queer, raw, naughty, and wildly imaginative: "Tentacle" is set between the 1990s and 2030s Dominican Republic. Playing with parallel time travel (hallucinations?), questions of ecological collapse, gender transition, heritage and spirits, colonialism, shame, power and art, this short novel covers a lot of themes.
While I loved the overall undertaking, I did get increasingly lost. The perspectives and timelines change frequently or are told simultaneously, blending. I do enjoy that in general! But I think I would have needed to stay on track more to understand the final resolve. I kept mixing up the characters (doesn't help that they take over each other's names, too).
In general I think this one is worth a second read though! There is a lot to find.
For fans of Fernanda Melchor's "Hurricane Season", Michelle Tea's "Black Wave" and M. Crane's "I keep my exoskeletons to myself".
While I loved the overall undertaking, I did get increasingly lost. The perspectives and timelines change frequently or are told simultaneously, blending. I do enjoy that in general! But I think I would have needed to stay on track more to understand the final resolve. I kept mixing up the characters (doesn't help that they take over each other's names, too).
In general I think this one is worth a second read though! There is a lot to find.
For fans of Fernanda Melchor's "Hurricane Season", Michelle Tea's "Black Wave" and M. Crane's "I keep my exoskeletons to myself".
conoraflynn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
neugrowf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Reality totally bends and distorts with this book! It asks us to experience multiple timelines at once with manic-dreamlike intensity. I am bruised after reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Homophobia, Violence, Racism, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, and Rape