This book gave me feelings
4 stars
Content warning Ending poiler inside review.
I’d like to start talking about my thoughts regarding LGBT+ disclosures in books, including this one. It's never assumed any character is straight, but still, maybe I'm just old school, but I like disclosures in my books. I want gay characters to tell the reader they are gay. Same for bi characters. I understand the idea is to normalize the concept of LGBT+ relationships and to get readers to believe that heterosexuality isn't the default, but still, I miss disclosures in books.
Onto the book itself. I have many thoughts. Most are very good. I'm gonna spoil the book in this review because it's hard to talk about this book without spoiling it.
The book is a giant metaphor for burying your gays. It works well, especially in the context of this story. Basically, all the characters in this story are resurrected actors, playing for a part forcefully assigned to them by an unknown AI called, Production. Every time, the LGBT+ characters die. Every character in this story is LGBT+, I'm guessing. Production keeps erasing their memories and then casting them in roles again. Doomed to repeat tragedy, never having any agency. Like I said, it's a very clever book, and you have to stick with it, but I also think that's what kept me from giving it five stars.
The first twist is believable. The second twist is a bit more confusing. The third is even more confusing. The fourth is even more confusing. Do you see where I'm going with this? Eventually, the twists become so out there that it's difficult to keep all the twists and concepts in your head. The story is very clever and very well told. I think that the book tried to be too clever towards the end.
This book definitely leaves room for a sequel. I'll certainly pick that up.
This book made me laugh out loud many times. There are so many good things about this book. The writing is exceptionally funny and gripping. At first, the cliché characters seem pointless, but you'll understand why they appear to be cliché characters. You have to stick with it until the very end to get the most out of this book and the story. Even so, though. The twists were pulling me out of the story just enough for me to struggle to make sense of the twists.
Every character captured my heart. I had fun, but I feel like I had to suspend my disbelief a lot more than I should have. I usually don't have a problem suspending my disbelief, but the twists don't make for an easy read, especially when the comedic writing is so gripping.