4.5 stars.

Whoa. This one will stick with you. Do not go into this book unprepared. There is extremely explicit violence in this novel with graphic descriptions of the butchering process as well as cannibalism. This was extremely difficult to read, yet at the same time totally engrossing. I couldn't look away though several scenes made my stomach turn.

The composition of this work is exceptionally well done. The writing is incredibly blunt while still being atmospherically descriptive. The translation seems to be very well done. The world building is well executed and I could fully envision all of the scenes.

I found the novel particularly interesting as I am a part of the meat industry. We raise beef cattle and hogs and this novel explores the slaughterhouse process in detail, really making the reader consider things from a different angle when the animals being processed are humans. It was incredibly interesting to read, sometimes difficult to analogize, and seriously caused me to contemplate the possibilities of humanity. (Let's face it, things are weird in our world right now and who knows what could happen.) While I admit that the slaughtering process is something I have always struggled with, I still left the story feeling okay with how our personal animals are handled. There is a large difference between small farm processing and commercial plants and I think that makes it easier for me to tolerate, knowing that my animals have a good quality of life. I will continue to both raise animals for and eat meat.

Such a powerful read and one that just continues to somewhat haunt me. Oh...and that ending. Wow.

* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *