A review by luckykosmos
Docile by K. M. Szpara

dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Sure did blow through this in less than 24 hours, huh.

I'll say straight up that when I first saw the announcement for this book, I was immediately pulled in, but didn't realize the use of sexuality and sexual content until later. That all being said, up until the last 100 pages, I was ready to make the argument this was a psychological horror. Because it was horrifying, watching Elisha change and live with his new traumas, watching Alex justify every punishment, watching the fear and hostility toward Empower's workers (side note: support your local union and mutual aid group). 

So the .25 off is purely because the last act, while still amazingly crafted, went a slightly different direction. Szpara still did a phenomenal job showing Elisha's reconstruction, re-learning how to communicate and set boundaries. And while it had a very ACAB-style resolution (
Spoilerthat is, the bastard rich stay rich, and the non-bastard rich lose their status in standing up to the system
), the ending still felt too kind to Alex, despite his development and acknowledgement of his faults. 

Tread with caution. This book isn't bloody, but it's violent, and as shining as the blurbs are, I wish they reflected the violence and abuse. 
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