Flippin' 'Eck, Reader reviewed Venomous Lumpsucker by Ned Beauman
A fast-paced satire that's all too believable
5 stars
Content warning Review contains minor plot spoilers
This book won the Arthur C Clarke award in 2023 and it's very well deserved.
Set not very many years at all in our future, the book deals with the effects of the ongoing and escalating mass extinction of species on our planet due to climate change and other manmade activities. The author uses the opportunity to make some sharp and well-placed digs at many targets, from carbon offsetting to tech billionaires, and like any good satire it's sometimes too close for comfort.
I've seen other reviews describe the plot as complicated, but I honestly didn't think that was the case at all. The eco-science concepts are well explained and make perfect sense, and the occasional important tech plot point is easy to grasp as well.
The main characters are well-rounded - there are no absolute shades of good or bad in this book, just like in real life. And the writing, although never dumbed down, is snappy and interesting and keeps you turning the pages.
Definitely recommended.