(PR product @netgalley @solarisbooks) I tried something a little out of my comfort zone with this locked-door-hamlet-retelling-queer-sci-fi-thriller and… it sort of paid off?🤔 I have no doubt this book will find its audience and folks will fall head over heels, but it left me feeling a bit ambivalent. Probably those folks will have a working knowledge of Shakespeare - I requested it because I wanted to explore more queer lit in other genres, and I did love that aspect of it! (It involves an AI so if you were a fan of Lovey and Jenks in The Wayfarers, you’ll love this 👀)

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I like it when thrillers make use of mixed formats, which Em X. Liu offers here! They give us a mix of book excerpts, articles, pager conversations, security camera logs, and then POVs from our main character Hayden and Horatio, the AI who is the only one Hayden can trust. I always think it helps build a more robust picture of the mystery!

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In terms of side characters, Felicia was awesome, loved her. Hayden’s uncle felt a bit underdeveloped - somewhere between a mustachio-twirling villain and puppy-eyed lover who’d do *anything* for his person. I think Horatio steals the show though, and I loved his scenes with Hayden.

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However, for the first 100 pages or so I didn’t feel particularly motivated to pick it up. I also would find myself a few steps behind at some parts. For example, someone would be betrayed or double crossed but I wouldn’t realise it when it was happening - only a few pages later when alliances were no longer adding up 😂 But that’s more likely on me!

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If you’re into Shakespeare retellings and sci fi thrillers then definitely look out for this one out on 12th September!