I'm getting closer and closer to my first 5 star read of 2024. This was really close For a novella, the steady progression from joy to tragedy was magnificent. Untethered was beautiful and a welcome SF palate cleanser to 30 scifi books and shorts in 20 days.

Plot/Storyline/Themes:
So lush and velvety going through the Roc-Ruhker training process and on the exact opposite of this experience, the closer I got to Ester's childhood memories with Arnan, the deeper my sense of dread and foreboding.

Two Sentences or less - Characters:
Both Roc (Zahra)and Rukher(Ester) were meant for each other:
Ester: Either she would become a ruhker, or she would die trying.
Zahra:Her sister tried to kill her, to push her out of the nest, but she hung on.
Darius: He had his arm broken by a roc while he was tethering it. He fed his Roc with one hand while the other lay limp and probably in excrutiating pain.

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene: :
Manticore horrorshow of Ester's childhood. This memory coupled with the birth and near death of Zahra solidifies the idea that this Roc and this Ruhker are soulfriends.

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
🖤 “A roc is always a wild thing, always God’s monster alone.” (majestic)
🖤 “A monster can’t love you back, so there’s none of the guilt of a reciprocal relationship. You’re already subjugated.” (Roc and Ruhk love)
🖤 “People have short memories, but nature is patient and implacable” (On false sense of security)

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
■ The Deceiver
■Manticore Frenzy
■Rocs
■Rukhers
■ Sensory Deprivation Training

StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Speculative Fiction Books by 2025