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This World Is Not Yours
This World is Not Yours by USA Today bestseller Kemi Ashing-Giwa is the perfect blend of S.A. Barnes' space horror and Cassandra Khaw's beautiful but macabre worlds. An action-packed, inventive novella about a toxic polycule consumed by jealousy and their attempts to survive on a hostile planet.
After fleeing her controlling and murderous family with her fiancée Vinh, Amara embarks on a colonization project, New Belaforme, along with her childhood friend, Jesse.
The planet, beautiful and lethal, produces the Gray, a “self-cleaning” mechanism that New Belaforme’s scientists are certain only attacks invasive organisms, consuming them. Humans have been careful to do nothing to call attention to themselves until a rival colony wakes the Gray.
As Amara, Vinh, and Jesse work to carve out a new life together, each is haunted by past betrayals that surface, expounded by the need to survive the rival colony and the planet itself.
There’s more than one way to be eaten alive.
After fleeing her controlling and murderous family with her fiancée Vinh, Amara embarks on a colonization project, New Belaforme, along with her childhood friend, Jesse.
The planet, beautiful and lethal, produces the Gray, a “self-cleaning” mechanism that New Belaforme’s scientists are certain only attacks invasive organisms, consuming them. Humans have been careful to do nothing to call attention to themselves until a rival colony wakes the Gray.
As Amara, Vinh, and Jesse work to carve out a new life together, each is haunted by past betrayals that surface, expounded by the need to survive the rival colony and the planet itself.
There’s more than one way to be eaten alive.
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2024
About the author
Kemi Ashing-Giwa
17 books181 followersKemi Ashing-Giwa is a writer and grad student based in Palo Alto.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
March 7, 2024
This World Is Not Yours reads like a Reddit AITA post. My (33F) partner (35F) has been assigned a husband (32M) to help repopulate our remote settlement outpost on a distant planet after it was sabotaged by a rival political entity. I also have a new husband (34M) who is my best friend, but it's not weird. AITA for hating my wife's new husband? Please reply quickly, The Gray is coming.
I think advertising this as a 'horror with a queer toxic polycule' may be misleading. This World Is Not Yours reads as a domestic drama set in a science fiction setting, following the deeply dysfunctional relationship between Vinh and Amara, newly wedded couple. While the brief moments of horror are really excellent, they're few and far between, and this novella is missing the overall tension and suspense that I think people would expect from the pitch.
That being said, I really did enjoy the story presented here. Vinh and Amara are complex and compelling characters, and I alternated between rooting for them and wanting them to break up and never see each other again. The worldbuilding here is excellent; though we only see a small corner of the universe, it feels expansive and well-realized, and I loved the biological details of the planet itself. Very much Annihilation vibes, if you're in for that sort of thing (I am). I will say that the pacing here is blindingly quick, which may work for some readers and not for others.
I think where I struggled with this book was the execution of its themes. There's largely a focus on environmentalism and conservation, but every now and then it seems like the story is veering towards commentary on colonialism. Through Amara and Vinh, we explore codependency and the tension between loving someone and letting them go. This World Is Not Yours vacillated between focusing on their relationship and the environmental horror, and I wish it was better able to integrate the two. There's a great opportunity here to
Finally, I'm not sure what to think of Jesse. He's Amara's best friend (and Vinh's too, but we see him with Amara more), but his perspective felt underutilized.
Overall, I would recommend this to people who want a quick read with an older science fiction feel, particularly if they have an investment in toxic lesbian relationships. I'm not sure it will find a wide audience, but the people who like it will find an weird, gory, and memorable read.
Please note that I am a Macmillan employee, but opinions are my own. I am not involved in the production of this book.
I think advertising this as a 'horror with a queer toxic polycule' may be misleading. This World Is Not Yours reads as a domestic drama set in a science fiction setting, following the deeply dysfunctional relationship between Vinh and Amara, newly wedded couple. While the brief moments of horror are really excellent, they're few and far between, and this novella is missing the overall tension and suspense that I think people would expect from the pitch.
That being said, I really did enjoy the story presented here. Vinh and Amara are complex and compelling characters, and I alternated between rooting for them and wanting them to break up and never see each other again. The worldbuilding here is excellent; though we only see a small corner of the universe, it feels expansive and well-realized, and I loved the biological details of the planet itself. Very much Annihilation vibes, if you're in for that sort of thing (I am). I will say that the pacing here is blindingly quick, which may work for some readers and not for others.
I think where I struggled with this book was the execution of its themes. There's largely a focus on environmentalism and conservation, but every now and then it seems like the story is veering towards commentary on colonialism. Through Amara and Vinh, we explore codependency and the tension between loving someone and letting them go. This World Is Not Yours vacillated between focusing on their relationship and the environmental horror, and I wish it was better able to integrate the two. There's a great opportunity here to
Finally, I'm not sure what to think of Jesse. He's Amara's best friend (and Vinh's too, but we see him with Amara more), but his perspective felt underutilized.
Overall, I would recommend this to people who want a quick read with an older science fiction feel, particularly if they have an investment in toxic lesbian relationships. I'm not sure it will find a wide audience, but the people who like it will find an weird, gory, and memorable read.
Please note that I am a Macmillan employee, but opinions are my own. I am not involved in the production of this book.
October 24, 2024
The reviews are mixed, but I liked this one. It’s a great mix of horror elements. Are the people the frightening part with all their weird baggage and uncontrolled desires, or is it the indigenous goo that takes care of the planet in an (to human thinking) coldly indiscriminate way?
One of my personal irritations in fiction is people being dumb (ie “being people” I guess as it’s never a surprise when it happens) in space, or in this case, while making a go at colonizing a new world. If your environment is new or potentially dangerous, or both, don’t gum it up with petty emotional plots and wrangling. I’m not a fan of that apparently inevitable behaviour in real life either, to be honest.
If something finally says, “yeah no I don’t think this behaviour is going to work here and you’re done,” is that actually a bad thing? That’s the main question here.
One of my personal irritations in fiction is people being dumb (ie “being people” I guess as it’s never a surprise when it happens) in space, or in this case, while making a go at colonizing a new world. If your environment is new or potentially dangerous, or both, don’t gum it up with petty emotional plots and wrangling. I’m not a fan of that apparently inevitable behaviour in real life either, to be honest.
If something finally says, “yeah no I don’t think this behaviour is going to work here and you’re done,” is that actually a bad thing? That’s the main question here.
Read
August 31, 2024THIS WORLD IS NOT YOURS is a sci-fi horror family drama set in a beautiful, murderous world. It follows a highly dysfunctional group of feuding scientists and soldiers attempting to colonize a new planet. Unfortunately (for them), their home can and will fight back. It's a story about rage and betrayal and sacrifice and remorse. It's a story about the thin line between willful ignorance and collaborationism. It's a story about how the cushion of privilege and the barricade of power can erase identities and make monsters of anyone. It's a story you're not allowed to read if you know me in real life, ah ha ha. ha.
Goodreads is a space for readers, first and foremost—I don't read your reviews, so if you have any questions/comments/concerns, you can contact me via my website kashinggiwa.com. If you want updates and book recommendations from me, my newsletter is kashinggiwa.com/newsletter, and I'm on Blue Sky @kashinggiwa.bsky.social.
Goodreads is a space for readers, first and foremost—I don't read your reviews, so if you have any questions/comments/concerns, you can contact me via my website kashinggiwa.com. If you want updates and book recommendations from me, my newsletter is kashinggiwa.com/newsletter, and I'm on Blue Sky @kashinggiwa.bsky.social.
Shelved as '2024'
September 5, 2024🎧 Thank you to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio
October 2, 2024
Womp womp. Somehow this is actually a book about a toxic relationship and not a sci-fi horror at all. It should be marketed differently. The whole time we are just reading petty arguments back and forth between these characters. I couldn’t believe each time we just kept going back to the same things over and over again. It’s like people are dying. Your relationship can wait. lol
Shelved as 'quit-dnf'
September 12, 2024DNF at 40%.
I had to verify a few times over the course of my brief reading of This World Is Not Yours that I was, in fact, reading the right book. Over the last few days, I've been inundated with sponsored posts on my Facebook feed advertising this book as "nonstop action." The book's synopsis even describes this work as "action-packed" and promises the threat of an alien goo on a hostile world. Well, dear readers, at 40% in, I am still waiting for the action -- any action at all -- and the alien goo, the Gray, which exists to cleanse the world of invasive organisms, has only been briefly mentioned. The one big action set piece that has been introduced thus far, involving a raid on one colony by another hostile colony, has occurred entirely off-page and described only through exposition.
So, no action, and little to no alien goo thus far, and we're just shy of the half-way mark. The author, Kemi Ashing-Giwa, focuses instead on relationship drama between a dysfunctional polycule that has been mandated by the colony's government and torn apart a lesbian relationship to force our central protagonists into breeding with men. The central concern is whether or not Vinh and Amara's marriage can be saved, set against the lasting memory that Vinh has left Amara once before. I suppose, if one were to view this in a particularly skewed and slanted way, one might consider this a type of action, in much the sense that opening or closing a door is an action, just not a particularly exciting one. I, however, consider the handling of all this to be dull melodrama and boring relationship stuff.
I can't help but feel like there's been a bait-and-switch here between the book I thought I was getting when I requested this review copy, versus the book I actually got. But, one must review a work based on what it is and how well it goes about being that, rather than what one wanted or hoped it to be instead. Yes, I had hoped that This World Is Not Yours would be the next big work of alien horror, but the more I've read of it, up to this point, the more it has resisted and defied those expectations. What it is, then, based only on this book's roughly first half, is a toxic relationship drama that's presented to readers in the most deliberate and least interesting ways possible, despite offering a scenario still brimming with potential within this persistently at-odds and forced-upon dynamic. It's a book that's easy to set down and forget about, and that's exactly what I'm going to do now. I do like the cover, though, but even that promises more interest than the book can deliver.
I had to verify a few times over the course of my brief reading of This World Is Not Yours that I was, in fact, reading the right book. Over the last few days, I've been inundated with sponsored posts on my Facebook feed advertising this book as "nonstop action." The book's synopsis even describes this work as "action-packed" and promises the threat of an alien goo on a hostile world. Well, dear readers, at 40% in, I am still waiting for the action -- any action at all -- and the alien goo, the Gray, which exists to cleanse the world of invasive organisms, has only been briefly mentioned. The one big action set piece that has been introduced thus far, involving a raid on one colony by another hostile colony, has occurred entirely off-page and described only through exposition.
So, no action, and little to no alien goo thus far, and we're just shy of the half-way mark. The author, Kemi Ashing-Giwa, focuses instead on relationship drama between a dysfunctional polycule that has been mandated by the colony's government and torn apart a lesbian relationship to force our central protagonists into breeding with men. The central concern is whether or not Vinh and Amara's marriage can be saved, set against the lasting memory that Vinh has left Amara once before. I suppose, if one were to view this in a particularly skewed and slanted way, one might consider this a type of action, in much the sense that opening or closing a door is an action, just not a particularly exciting one. I, however, consider the handling of all this to be dull melodrama and boring relationship stuff.
I can't help but feel like there's been a bait-and-switch here between the book I thought I was getting when I requested this review copy, versus the book I actually got. But, one must review a work based on what it is and how well it goes about being that, rather than what one wanted or hoped it to be instead. Yes, I had hoped that This World Is Not Yours would be the next big work of alien horror, but the more I've read of it, up to this point, the more it has resisted and defied those expectations. What it is, then, based only on this book's roughly first half, is a toxic relationship drama that's presented to readers in the most deliberate and least interesting ways possible, despite offering a scenario still brimming with potential within this persistently at-odds and forced-upon dynamic. It's a book that's easy to set down and forget about, and that's exactly what I'm going to do now. I do like the cover, though, but even that promises more interest than the book can deliver.
September 9, 2024
Thank you Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me an audiobook arc of this book. Unfortunately, the premise sounded very interesting, but ultimately was very dull. It took about 50% into the audiobook for anything interesting to happen as the first half was mainly about the two women's relationship and the drama that ensued from repopulation measures. Even when something interesting happened after the 50% mark, the melodrama found its way back to the forefront to take anything interesting away. The characters were also dull, with not enough personality to really develop any care about them. I know this is a short book, but it could really be changed to be more action-packed in a tiny amount than just focus on the drama for most of the book.
Shelved as 'dnf'
September 3, 2024DNF @ 46%
The only thing scary about this book is how easily things could have been solved if Vinh said one (1) sentence to her wife. I did not sign up for ridiculously contrived domestic drama; I signed up for space horror. If your colony is on the verge of potential failure, why do you have fancy restaurants and vacation destinations? Why is literally the only thing of concern to anyone sexual reproduction between partners of the opposite biological sex? There was no chemistry or even warmth between Vinh and Amara - just Amara being insecure/paranoid/jealous and Vinh not telling her WIFE about any of her trauma.
Amara also randomly mentions her privilege (like the dress made from a long-extinct species or essentially being a princess of at least one galaxy) but since Vinh never actually confronts her about said privilege, nothing is ever done.
Even the guy giving into an intrusive thought that was literally “please swim naked in some alien goo that has the capability to systematically delete entire species - and don’t forget to breathe some in your lungs for good measure” didn’t pay off with anything in the first HALF of the book?
I was expecting at least SOME horror in almost 100 pages, but that’s not what I got
{Thank you Tor Nightfire for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review}
The only thing scary about this book is how easily things could have been solved if Vinh said one (1) sentence to her wife. I did not sign up for ridiculously contrived domestic drama; I signed up for space horror. If your colony is on the verge of potential failure, why do you have fancy restaurants and vacation destinations? Why is literally the only thing of concern to anyone sexual reproduction between partners of the opposite biological sex? There was no chemistry or even warmth between Vinh and Amara - just Amara being insecure/paranoid/jealous and Vinh not telling her WIFE about any of her trauma.
Amara also randomly mentions her privilege (like the dress made from a long-extinct species or essentially being a princess of at least one galaxy) but since Vinh never actually confronts her about said privilege, nothing is ever done.
Even the guy giving into an intrusive thought that was literally “please swim naked in some alien goo that has the capability to systematically delete entire species - and don’t forget to breathe some in your lungs for good measure” didn’t pay off with anything in the first HALF of the book?
I was expecting at least SOME horror in almost 100 pages, but that’s not what I got
{Thank you Tor Nightfire for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review}
October 8, 2024
You say "toxic polycule in space" and I am there; I'm just a simple person like that. This novella by Ashing-Giwa is more like a 3.5 but I rounded up because I appreciate the bravery of making every single character in your story (including the space ooze) just fucking selfish bastards. I read this in a day, shaking my head the whole time, watching-a-trainwreck style.
Story is that Vinh, Amara and Jesse are on settler planet New Belaforme, part of a group trying to start a successful colony there. Amara and Jesse are biologists, studying the native life forms, which include a "self-cleaning" ooze they call "the Gray" that inexorably surrounds, dismembers and consumes biological agents it determines are invasive. Vinh, meanwhile, is concerned with a much more quotidian threat: she's head of security dealing with a rival colony of humans that New Belaforme is in conflict with.
Vinh and Amara are in capital LOVE with each other, but they have a rocky past and some terrible communication problems, to put it lightly. Jesse orbits around them, devoted to being in their lives, but not sexually. Short story shorter, Vinh and Amara are forced apart and it upsets their whole tripod setup. They become so distracted by their interpersonal conflicts, they may just miss when the Gray's "perception" of humans on its surface takes a turn for the worse...
Y'ALL. No one in this story is good! And hooray, I suppose, for BIPOC and sexual minority characters being allowed to be fully messed up. But don't come to this book expecting any ray of light, lol. Also, the use of "polycule" as a descriptor is a bit of a misdirect; these three have interconnections for sure, but one of the main story points (and sources of conflict) is just how you-and-only-you Vinh and Amara are.
Broadly, there's also some interesting threads in there about having to (try to) live in harmony with your host planet, and what would happen if the planet had a mechanism for giving the final say. It's a bit predictable, what's gonna happen to the humans on New Belaforme (and when that moment comes it is VISCERALLY described, be forewarned). But I would say the drama between Vinh, Amara and Jesse dominates. So if you like a bunch of flawed people doing absolutely the worst to each other, this one's for you. *mwah* Enjoy!
Story is that Vinh, Amara and Jesse are on settler planet New Belaforme, part of a group trying to start a successful colony there. Amara and Jesse are biologists, studying the native life forms, which include a "self-cleaning" ooze they call "the Gray" that inexorably surrounds, dismembers and consumes biological agents it determines are invasive. Vinh, meanwhile, is concerned with a much more quotidian threat: she's head of security dealing with a rival colony of humans that New Belaforme is in conflict with.
Vinh and Amara are in capital LOVE with each other, but they have a rocky past and some terrible communication problems, to put it lightly. Jesse orbits around them, devoted to being in their lives, but not sexually. Short story shorter, Vinh and Amara are forced apart and it upsets their whole tripod setup. They become so distracted by their interpersonal conflicts, they may just miss when the Gray's "perception" of humans on its surface takes a turn for the worse...
Y'ALL. No one in this story is good! And hooray, I suppose, for BIPOC and sexual minority characters being allowed to be fully messed up. But don't come to this book expecting any ray of light, lol. Also, the use of "polycule" as a descriptor is a bit of a misdirect; these three have interconnections for sure, but one of the main story points (and sources of conflict) is just how you-and-only-you Vinh and Amara are.
Broadly, there's also some interesting threads in there about having to (try to) live in harmony with your host planet, and what would happen if the planet had a mechanism for giving the final say. It's a bit predictable, what's gonna happen to the humans on New Belaforme (and when that moment comes it is VISCERALLY described, be forewarned). But I would say the drama between Vinh, Amara and Jesse dominates. So if you like a bunch of flawed people doing absolutely the worst to each other, this one's for you. *mwah* Enjoy!
March 20, 2024
I love me some science fiction horror, and this novella delivers! There is a new planet with lots of life forms, including the mysterious and intimidating The Grey - sort of the planet’s self-cleansing/resource balancing system? There is a lot going on here - fraught (toxic?) relationships, terrible decisions by the council that remake families, feuding settlements. This is a creeping, tense family drama at the heart of it all, but the horror and sci-fi elements shine bright, too. Who are the real monsters?
Really enjoyed this, and I hope the author gives us more great sci-fi horror mashups in the future!
Really enjoyed this, and I hope the author gives us more great sci-fi horror mashups in the future!
September 13, 2024
Do you like toxic relationships? Ok well I mean reading about toxic relationships? Do you like new worlds with dangerous goop which could be more aware than we think? Do you like the idea of colonization getting stomped immediately!?
Same. Same. This novella drops you in right where two people are really reaching difficult points in their relationship and then they decide, psh, this is totally cool. We’re so good right now. Let’s travel literally hundreds of years away from here and settle a new world! We are security and biologist so it’s cool, we’re needed. And we can bring our bestie Jessie who is totally not over involved in our relationship to the point where he might think we are a polycule but jk we’re not. (Right?) The planet here has a big ol blob we call The Grey which is kind of like the planet’s trash system/cleaner. So nothing could go wrong with some colonization amirite?!
lol please forgive the style of this review. You really need to just dive in and go with it. There are jumps in time which seem a little much at first but it does come together. Trust. I really enjoyed this and this is author is an auto-buy for me! I also appreciate the queer rep and discussion of pronouns in this! 🖤
Same. Same. This novella drops you in right where two people are really reaching difficult points in their relationship and then they decide, psh, this is totally cool. We’re so good right now. Let’s travel literally hundreds of years away from here and settle a new world! We are security and biologist so it’s cool, we’re needed. And we can bring our bestie Jessie who is totally not over involved in our relationship to the point where he might think we are a polycule but jk we’re not. (Right?) The planet here has a big ol blob we call The Grey which is kind of like the planet’s trash system/cleaner. So nothing could go wrong with some colonization amirite?!
lol please forgive the style of this review. You really need to just dive in and go with it. There are jumps in time which seem a little much at first but it does come together. Trust. I really enjoyed this and this is author is an auto-buy for me! I also appreciate the queer rep and discussion of pronouns in this! 🖤
September 6, 2024
This audiobook was made available for me to listen to and review by Kemi Ashing-Giwa, HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley.
This audiobook is narrated by Catherine Ho. Catherine sets a creepy atmosphere with her narration of this haunting story. This is told from multiple points of view, and the narration seemed to fade into the background. It was exactly what I wanted with this novella.
I quite liked this. It's definitely science fiction, and I wished I had more time on New Belaforma. I truly loved the descriptions of the planet and the 'Grey'. I liked the premise of the story, which I don't want to spoil here. The science aspects of the story are unique and incredible. The relationship aspects of the story felt forced. Perhaps due to the limitations of the novella format. 🤷🏾♀️
Thank you to Kemi Ashing-Giwa, HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
This audiobook is narrated by Catherine Ho. Catherine sets a creepy atmosphere with her narration of this haunting story. This is told from multiple points of view, and the narration seemed to fade into the background. It was exactly what I wanted with this novella.
I quite liked this. It's definitely science fiction, and I wished I had more time on New Belaforma. I truly loved the descriptions of the planet and the 'Grey'. I liked the premise of the story, which I don't want to spoil here. The science aspects of the story are unique and incredible. The relationship aspects of the story felt forced. Perhaps due to the limitations of the novella format. 🤷🏾♀️
Thank you to Kemi Ashing-Giwa, HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
July 13, 2024
This would make a kick-ass short story, or potentially a devastating novel, but it struggles as a novella. The format is unusual: dozens of vignettes, each 1-4 pages long. It’s like a story told by strobe light. I found it made the plot hard to follow, and didn’t give the main characters space to do much, although a lot of work clearly went into their origins (poor, Vietnamese-influenced colony nearly abandoned by its corporate sponsors; an icy moon where children are sacrificed to keep population numbers at corporate-approved levels; and a vast, gender-fluid dynasty wielding an unimaginable amount of wealth and power).
I love everything about the idea of a self-cleansing planet, and how that might work. Scenes where the Gray is doing its thing are fascinating. Beyond that, there’s a pretty basic love triangle (quadrangle?) plot with some contrived problems. It’s unfortunate, because as richly imagined as the characters are, their interactions feel stilted.
In short: sci-fi elements, great; people stuff, eh. I want to read a novel-length version, just so the world-building and character development have an opportunity to catch up with the rad premise.
I love everything about the idea of a self-cleansing planet, and how that might work. Scenes where the Gray is doing its thing are fascinating. Beyond that, there’s a pretty basic love triangle (quadrangle?) plot with some contrived problems. It’s unfortunate, because as richly imagined as the characters are, their interactions feel stilted.
In short: sci-fi elements, great; people stuff, eh. I want to read a novel-length version, just so the world-building and character development have an opportunity to catch up with the rad premise.
August 17, 2024
Nope. Got 42% of the way in and I want out. I usually love Tor titles but this one just isn't doing it for me. It's too heavily focused on the lives of two married women and the men their home colony "pairs" them with in order to propagate and keep the human species going after a rival settlement stole their genetic regeneration whatevers. Ugh. It oozes toxic relationship stuff when I thought it was going to ooze pissed off alien goop stuff.
There's a strong part of me that wants to continue pushing through just in case the focus shifts and crazy alien stuff starts happening because you know, DNFing is such a hard thing for me. But I'm going to try to fight the urge to keep picking it up...
... ... ... ... ... ... ...
... Ok, I am a weak DNFer. I picked it back up and finished it. It got better. Not immensely so, but right after the place I was going to DNF, the book did what I thought it was going to do and shifted focus.
Was it worth not DNFing? Eh. Am I glad I went back to it? Eh. But at least it's finished and I don't have to worry about whether I DNFd too soon and didn't give it a fair shot, right?!
There's a strong part of me that wants to continue pushing through just in case the focus shifts and crazy alien stuff starts happening because you know, DNFing is such a hard thing for me. But I'm going to try to fight the urge to keep picking it up...
... ... ... ... ... ... ...
... Ok, I am a weak DNFer. I picked it back up and finished it. It got better. Not immensely so, but right after the place I was going to DNF, the book did what I thought it was going to do and shifted focus.
Was it worth not DNFing? Eh. Am I glad I went back to it? Eh. But at least it's finished and I don't have to worry about whether I DNFd too soon and didn't give it a fair shot, right?!
Read
September 22, 2024DNF at 26%
I was hesitant to pick this one up do to the cover looking like it’s AI generated, but the synopsis sounded so intriguing that I had to give it a try! But, sadly I couldn’t get into this one.
This just can’t catch my attention. I’m simultaneously bored and confused. I found so many of the descriptions confusing to the point where I couldn’t keep up with what was going on. The time jumps, switching POVs, and non-linear storytelling also added to that confusion. And It definitely doesn’t feel like horror, but more of a character driven science-fiction novella. And by character driven, I mean nothing sci-fi or horror is happening, it’s just the characters interacting with each other in ways that don’t feel like they’re particularly pushing the story forward.
This was such a great premise. I found the concept of The Gray to be very intriguing. But, I have no desire to pick it back up. I would recommend it to someone who enjoys character driven sci-fi though, just don’t go in expecting horror or any action right away.
Thank you Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.
I was hesitant to pick this one up do to the cover looking like it’s AI generated, but the synopsis sounded so intriguing that I had to give it a try! But, sadly I couldn’t get into this one.
This just can’t catch my attention. I’m simultaneously bored and confused. I found so many of the descriptions confusing to the point where I couldn’t keep up with what was going on. The time jumps, switching POVs, and non-linear storytelling also added to that confusion. And It definitely doesn’t feel like horror, but more of a character driven science-fiction novella. And by character driven, I mean nothing sci-fi or horror is happening, it’s just the characters interacting with each other in ways that don’t feel like they’re particularly pushing the story forward.
This was such a great premise. I found the concept of The Gray to be very intriguing. But, I have no desire to pick it back up. I would recommend it to someone who enjoys character driven sci-fi though, just don’t go in expecting horror or any action right away.
Thank you Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.
Read
July 28, 2024Gotta love a slowly rising sense of inevitable doom with occasional flashes of gruesome and uncanny - it's an uncomfortably relevant mood, these days.
September 22, 2024
(3.75) if a grey sludge offered to rebirth me and unlock the secrets and powers of the planet and nature i would do it too!
April 27, 2024
This book was such an interesting premise, and an absolutely stunning and vivid world with a couple of flaws and execution for my personal taste.
As far as the things that I loved about this book, it was extremely well written. The prose was lush and rich, and gave wonderful imagery for the planet and the characters. I love that the characters were flawed from the beginning, and their flaws played a major part in the storyline. I feel like a whole lot was accomplished within this shorter story and I feel like, this could definitely have been made into a longer book and I still would've read it. I was very interested in the Gray and I wish we had gotten more explanation of what that was.
I stuck through this book simply because the characters in the story were so well done that I had to know what happened at the end. But getting through it was difficult due to the numerous POV changes with literally no warning and the flashbacks to different points in time within the book that were just thrown in there with absolutely no warning as well. It made it very hard Whose point of view was from as well as whether or not I was reading the current timeline or in an alternate.
I was also surprised by some of the content that was in the book that was not depicted in the synopsis. I had no idea it was a forced poly relationship that was against the wants of the characters. I kind of wish that had been described better in the synopsis it made it sound like it was consensual. Overall, I was able to get past that, but it was kind of surprising.
Despite these inconsistencies within the writing, I really enjoyed the story and the characters and easily finished novel. I'd read more by the author.
As far as the things that I loved about this book, it was extremely well written. The prose was lush and rich, and gave wonderful imagery for the planet and the characters. I love that the characters were flawed from the beginning, and their flaws played a major part in the storyline. I feel like a whole lot was accomplished within this shorter story and I feel like, this could definitely have been made into a longer book and I still would've read it. I was very interested in the Gray and I wish we had gotten more explanation of what that was.
I stuck through this book simply because the characters in the story were so well done that I had to know what happened at the end. But getting through it was difficult due to the numerous POV changes with literally no warning and the flashbacks to different points in time within the book that were just thrown in there with absolutely no warning as well. It made it very hard Whose point of view was from as well as whether or not I was reading the current timeline or in an alternate.
I was also surprised by some of the content that was in the book that was not depicted in the synopsis. I had no idea it was a forced poly relationship that was against the wants of the characters. I kind of wish that had been described better in the synopsis it made it sound like it was consensual. Overall, I was able to get past that, but it was kind of surprising.
Despite these inconsistencies within the writing, I really enjoyed the story and the characters and easily finished novel. I'd read more by the author.
May 27, 2024
3.5 stars.
I love codependency to a toxic degree!! Tied up with environmental horror and I’m sold.
I did enjoy the concepts here, but as I feel with many a novella, I could use more. Loved Vinh and Amara being absolutely awful for each other, recognizing that, and committing to each other even harder. Hot and cool, frankly. Jesse being the aroace addition to round out their group made for a fascinating dynamic. I, for one, don’t mind that the focus here is mostly on interpersonal relationships rather than the Gray. Overall though, do I know these people? Do I care about why they care about each other? Mm, meh, maybe. I know it’s hard to accomplish in this shorter format, but it end up just contributing to the “I-want-more”-ness of it all.
I kind of want more science stuff. I know the author is an actual genius scientist, but constructing an entirely new fictional ecosystem and biohazard undoubtedly makes it hard to flesh out 100%, but I’m SO interested in the aftermath. Will keep an eye out for more of her releases in the future regardless, as this hit so many things I crave in my reading.
Thanks NetGalley again ♡
I love codependency to a toxic degree!! Tied up with environmental horror and I’m sold.
I did enjoy the concepts here, but as I feel with many a novella, I could use more. Loved Vinh and Amara being absolutely awful for each other, recognizing that, and committing to each other even harder. Hot and cool, frankly. Jesse being the aroace addition to round out their group made for a fascinating dynamic. I, for one, don’t mind that the focus here is mostly on interpersonal relationships rather than the Gray. Overall though, do I know these people? Do I care about why they care about each other? Mm, meh, maybe. I know it’s hard to accomplish in this shorter format, but it end up just contributing to the “I-want-more”-ness of it all.
I kind of want more science stuff. I know the author is an actual genius scientist, but constructing an entirely new fictional ecosystem and biohazard undoubtedly makes it hard to flesh out 100%, but I’m SO interested in the aftermath. Will keep an eye out for more of her releases in the future regardless, as this hit so many things I crave in my reading.
Thanks NetGalley again ♡
September 14, 2024
The first half of this was not looking good, but it did pick up in the last third or so. This is a SF horror/thriller/drama that focuses on a couple living on a space colony. The couple run into some relationship strain in the midst of a colony crisis, and things fall apart from there.
The whole scenario for the relationship drama felt bizarre and extreme to me. Like why would this level of upheaval be necessary to achieve the colony’s goal? I don’t know. It did end up mattering in the end, so I liked it more for what it did for the story at that point. Still doesn’t make a lot of sense to me though.
I also felt like the characters and people of the colony didn’t always react as much as seemed appropriate for the dire circumstances. They’re quite chill and calm and unfazed. The tone felt off.
I liked the ending! Dark and weird.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The whole scenario for the relationship drama felt bizarre and extreme to me. Like why would this level of upheaval be necessary to achieve the colony’s goal? I don’t know. It did end up mattering in the end, so I liked it more for what it did for the story at that point. Still doesn’t make a lot of sense to me though.
I also felt like the characters and people of the colony didn’t always react as much as seemed appropriate for the dire circumstances. They’re quite chill and calm and unfazed. The tone felt off.
I liked the ending! Dark and weird.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
September 30, 2024
This book does not deliver on its promise.
October 6, 2024
Reviewed on Lili Lost in a Book
In my neverending quest to find some good sci-fi horror, I came across this one. And I was so excited I stumbled upon it because right in the synopsis it compared it to the space horror novels by S.A. Barnes , novels that I have really enjoyed. However, I didn’t end up loving this novella as much as I thought I would.
I LOVED the concept of this novella though! People fighting for their lives on a planet that is fighting back?? That is just SO cool! But my problem with this book stems from the fact that the horror aspect of this sci-fi horror didn’t really start until about the 51% mark.
This book felt a lot more like a domestic drama and that is just NOT what I signed up for. I was wondering if this was my fault for thinking this book was something it wasn’t. But reading back the synopsis, no! I wish it would’ve clarified that the drama played a much bigger role in the novella than is actually mentioned. It was just disappointing because instead of the horror I was expecting, I got jealousy, pettiness, and just non-stop family drama. And the synopsis does mention jealousy and a toxic polycule, which is all well and good. But it’s NOT all well and good when that’s all I got in the first 50% of the freaking book!
And speaking of toxic relationships, good god did I dislike following Vinh and Amara. And the reason why is because we are told SO much that they love each other and this and that, and I just didn’t see it!! Why? Because we were told not shown. Amara may be a biologist, but she had no chemistry with her wife 😆
There was nothing but toxicity and hiding things from one another... it was wild! And their friend Jesse was... weird. I did not understand him or his intent with the girls AT ALL.
All that being said, I did not hate this book. I thought it was fine, if not a bit frustrating. The little horror we got was good, but there was a lot more that could’ve been done with it! There was so much potential there! I also loved the premise of the story and I really liked the concept of the Gray and how this planet was “self-cleansing.” All that was very interesting. But because of all the unexpected domestic drama, I was just kinda hoping the planet with get rid of all the humans by the end because they were annoying 😆
This world is as brutal and unforgiving as it is beautiful.
In my neverending quest to find some good sci-fi horror, I came across this one. And I was so excited I stumbled upon it because right in the synopsis it compared it to the space horror novels by S.A. Barnes , novels that I have really enjoyed. However, I didn’t end up loving this novella as much as I thought I would.
I LOVED the concept of this novella though! People fighting for their lives on a planet that is fighting back?? That is just SO cool! But my problem with this book stems from the fact that the horror aspect of this sci-fi horror didn’t really start until about the 51% mark.
This book felt a lot more like a domestic drama and that is just NOT what I signed up for. I was wondering if this was my fault for thinking this book was something it wasn’t. But reading back the synopsis, no! I wish it would’ve clarified that the drama played a much bigger role in the novella than is actually mentioned. It was just disappointing because instead of the horror I was expecting, I got jealousy, pettiness, and just non-stop family drama. And the synopsis does mention jealousy and a toxic polycule, which is all well and good. But it’s NOT all well and good when that’s all I got in the first 50% of the freaking book!
And speaking of toxic relationships, good god did I dislike following Vinh and Amara. And the reason why is because we are told SO much that they love each other and this and that, and I just didn’t see it!! Why? Because we were told not shown. Amara may be a biologist, but she had no chemistry with her wife 😆
There was nothing but toxicity and hiding things from one another... it was wild! And their friend Jesse was... weird. I did not understand him or his intent with the girls AT ALL.
All that being said, I did not hate this book. I thought it was fine, if not a bit frustrating. The little horror we got was good, but there was a lot more that could’ve been done with it! There was so much potential there! I also loved the premise of the story and I really liked the concept of the Gray and how this planet was “self-cleansing.” All that was very interesting. But because of all the unexpected domestic drama, I was just kinda hoping the planet with get rid of all the humans by the end because they were annoying 😆
September 12, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This little novella is an action packed space horror about a toxic polycule consumed by jealousy and their attempts to survive in a failing colony on a hostile planet. But it’s actually SO much more than that.
Kemi Ashing-Giwa is extremely skilled at sci-fi worldbuilding. As a scientist herself, Kemi has some of the most unique and believable alien worlds you can find in sci-fi books. Just the descriptions of the flora and fauna on her planets are breathtaking.
This is definitely a captivating read. I love the blend of sci-fi, horror, and toxic sapphic romance. Kemi’s characters are always extremely multifaceted, one of my favorite parts of her writing.
Perfect for fans of SA Barnes and complex sci-fi politics!
This little novella is an action packed space horror about a toxic polycule consumed by jealousy and their attempts to survive in a failing colony on a hostile planet. But it’s actually SO much more than that.
Kemi Ashing-Giwa is extremely skilled at sci-fi worldbuilding. As a scientist herself, Kemi has some of the most unique and believable alien worlds you can find in sci-fi books. Just the descriptions of the flora and fauna on her planets are breathtaking.
This is definitely a captivating read. I love the blend of sci-fi, horror, and toxic sapphic romance. Kemi’s characters are always extremely multifaceted, one of my favorite parts of her writing.
Perfect for fans of SA Barnes and complex sci-fi politics!
July 17, 2024
Review later
July 18, 2024
I wouldn't actually describe this book as much of a toxic polycule and I think both the horror aspect and the toxicity could have been played up More. Mildly fun little read. The hints of worldbuilding about the wider world were very interesting.
September 18, 2024
2.25/2.50 rounded down
I’m not entirely sure what to make of this novella, I didn’t enjoy it nor did I find it particularly horrifying or scary. Confusing and focused, in my opinion , on all the wrong things. Jesse…was a character whose role I cannot begin to comprehend! I wanted to love this, I simply didn’t. Like someone else said, this would’ve made a better short story or full novel but struggles as a novella.
I’m not entirely sure what to make of this novella, I didn’t enjoy it nor did I find it particularly horrifying or scary. Confusing and focused, in my opinion , on all the wrong things. Jesse…was a character whose role I cannot begin to comprehend! I wanted to love this, I simply didn’t. Like someone else said, this would’ve made a better short story or full novel but struggles as a novella.
August 24, 2024
*chefs kiss* I loved this! I want to read more space horror so this felt like dipping my toes in. The description had me at “world fights back against humans”. While it seems like that would be the main plot point, I felt like the relationship between Amara and Vihn really stole the show. It seemed so human that they were focused on relationship issues when they’re sharing a world with a pretty, shiny goo that could decide to murder them at any point (relatable amirite).
I was initially going to rate this 4 stars because the pacing felt rushed. I did want the plot to develop a little more and really delve in Amara and Vihns past and possibly into the neighboring settlements history. However, the last few pages had me floored which bumped this up to a 5 star read for me. I will say, don’t take this novella too seriously. It’s not super sci-fi and from a horror aspect it is pretty straight forward eco horror. If you’re looking for a fast read featuring a toxic queer relationship then I highly recommend. Thanks Tor Nightfire for the ARC!
I was initially going to rate this 4 stars because the pacing felt rushed. I did want the plot to develop a little more and really delve in Amara and Vihns past and possibly into the neighboring settlements history. However, the last few pages had me floored which bumped this up to a 5 star read for me. I will say, don’t take this novella too seriously. It’s not super sci-fi and from a horror aspect it is pretty straight forward eco horror. If you’re looking for a fast read featuring a toxic queer relationship then I highly recommend. Thanks Tor Nightfire for the ARC!
October 13, 2024
This book is not what I expected (“Alien” but everyone is having sex with eachother) but I still liked what it was (L'amica geniale meets Annihilation). For those who don’t feel like it’s a horror novel because it doesn’t have tense passages with the alien gray matter lurking around every corner, I feel like you’ve never experienced the horror of losing someone close to you to heteropatriarchial relationship expectations, watching them slowly become someone you barely recognize in order to better fit into the role society has put them in. Giving up parts of themselves for a man who doesn’t care to truly know or appreciate them. People talk about “jealousy” being the main component of driving character action in this book but I think it’s deeper than this. It’s the queer fear that not only does your partner secretly want to live a het existence, but that they would be happier and better off playing their assigned role in a heteropatriarchal system, and that you will be left behind and lonely unable to adapt to the world unsuited to you. Truly a book for the “Good Luck, Babe!” “Love Lies Bleeding” times we are living in.
And viewed through this lens the ending seems right.
And viewed through this lens the ending seems right.
September 10, 2024
⭐ - 2/5 - ⭐
Amara finds herself and her wife, Vihn, on a new planet, in a new colony, New Belaforme. There Amara, a biologist, studies the planet and an cleansing system called 'The Gray', with her best friend Jesse. For now, the scientists are convinced that the Gray only attacks and consumes invasive organisms. While on the planet, a neighboring colony attacks New Belaforme leaving them struggling. In the wake of the attack, the governing bodies of New Belaforme call an required coupling to sustain the population. This leads to jealousy, resentment, and angry from Amara and Vihn. While Amara deals with an ever problematic dynamic change, she and Jesse discover there's more to the Gray than meets the eye.
This book was super intriguing to me. I love a good space horror, unfortunately horror took the back seat on this journey. The forefront of the plot involved Amara, her marriage to Vihn, and her relationship with Jesse. And even that was done rather clunkily. However, the horror, when it did happen, had some very Annihilation vibes. It was pretty spectacular.
Honestly, if horror had taken the front and the interpersonal relations taken the back, it would have been an excellent book.
I rated this so low because so much of the book was focused on the relationships. It got rather boring after a while and ended up zoning out through most of it. The good stuff gets going in the last 20% of the book, which is the only reason why it's not a DNF.
Thank you #netgalley and #highbridgeaudio for the ARC of this book!
Amara finds herself and her wife, Vihn, on a new planet, in a new colony, New Belaforme. There Amara, a biologist, studies the planet and an cleansing system called 'The Gray', with her best friend Jesse. For now, the scientists are convinced that the Gray only attacks and consumes invasive organisms. While on the planet, a neighboring colony attacks New Belaforme leaving them struggling. In the wake of the attack, the governing bodies of New Belaforme call an required coupling to sustain the population. This leads to jealousy, resentment, and angry from Amara and Vihn. While Amara deals with an ever problematic dynamic change, she and Jesse discover there's more to the Gray than meets the eye.
This book was super intriguing to me. I love a good space horror, unfortunately horror took the back seat on this journey. The forefront of the plot involved Amara, her marriage to Vihn, and her relationship with Jesse. And even that was done rather clunkily. However, the horror, when it did happen, had some very Annihilation vibes. It was pretty spectacular.
Honestly, if horror had taken the front and the interpersonal relations taken the back, it would have been an excellent book.
I rated this so low because so much of the book was focused on the relationships. It got rather boring after a while and ended up zoning out through most of it. The good stuff gets going in the last 20% of the book, which is the only reason why it's not a DNF.
Thank you #netgalley and #highbridgeaudio for the ARC of this book!
Read
September 10, 2024Unfortunately, this book was not for me and I was unable to finish listening to the audiobook and DNF’d it.
The oscillation between the past and the present was confusing with how the plot is currently structured. The chapters were shorter so to swap to a different time period, especially in the beginning while building the story, character, and the world, it took me out of the story. If the book had been longer and more time was given to developing the story more, this would maybe not be an issue.
One thing I did like though was the depiction of Amara and her matter-of-fact way of understanding the world, environment, and people around her. Also, the way she understood emotions was done well in my opinion. I found it endearing and relatable.
However, the toxic relationship she had was disconcerting, which is totally okay, but almost half of the book was spent on that part specifically and that took me out of the story as well.
With that said, this book is for somebody but, that somebody wasn’t me and that is okay.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the access to this book.
The oscillation between the past and the present was confusing with how the plot is currently structured. The chapters were shorter so to swap to a different time period, especially in the beginning while building the story, character, and the world, it took me out of the story. If the book had been longer and more time was given to developing the story more, this would maybe not be an issue.
One thing I did like though was the depiction of Amara and her matter-of-fact way of understanding the world, environment, and people around her. Also, the way she understood emotions was done well in my opinion. I found it endearing and relatable.
However, the toxic relationship she had was disconcerting, which is totally okay, but almost half of the book was spent on that part specifically and that took me out of the story as well.
With that said, this book is for somebody but, that somebody wasn’t me and that is okay.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the access to this book.
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