A review by catmech
The Unraveling by Benjamin Rosenbaum

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

5.0

Ever since I read this last summer I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. My brain keeps leading me back to thinking about all the gender shenanigans and coming-of-ageness that happens and how much I love it. Also, every so often I am reminded of these lines: 

But we have existed so long, you and I, accumulating so many layers of memory and interpretation... what do I know, really, of who we once were? All I have left is myth. And surely you've now drifted even farther. What might you have become, Siob, in all these centuries since we last met? Even if I found you again, would you know me? Could we still decipher each other?

GAHHH!!!! 

My experience reading this book was actually much smoother than I thought it would be. The pronouns weren't too much of an issue, and I was a big fan of how the book drip-fed world building piece by piece, in a way that wasn't overwhelming but left just enough mystery to compel me to read on. The way Rosenbaum wrote Fift's emotions, and especially how ze felt towards Shria, was just. Gah. I can't describe it. Tender????? 

This book is great for those who love character-driven books. The plot is a bit all over the place. Also, if I had to criticize something, Fift had so many parents and I could not keep track of them. But it was okay. This book is so good. Thank you to Ann Leckie for recommending it on her Tumblr. Everyone go read Translation State too. (It matches thematically with this book!)