I don't know if this book was really for me. I think there was a point in my life I would have eaten it up, but I guess not now. I listened as an audiobook, and then actually switched to an e-book around 80% because I didn't necessarily want to DNF it but I wanted to get through it quicker.

The worldbuilding was interesting enough, and part of me enjoyed the vague bits we learn of it through Klara's limited perspective, but also found it to be a little frustrating. This felt like a novel that wanted to have a discussion on the ethics of AFs and "Lifted" children but then didn't give it room to know more about either. Did Lifted children commonly experience health issues? How many people tried to make replacements of those children? Those are questions I won't get answered.

I did actually enjoy the fantastical elements of the Sun and his special nourishment. This is where Klara's perspective added charm - there could have been a scientific element she didn't understand but that made sense in this world.

Or, knowing that she was altered after trying to sabotage the Cootings machine and we are being told this as the story of Klara's life, we can wonder how much of the story is truly reliable, as Klara knows she is not fully functional after losing those fluids. (Could no one refill them or anything? Dang.) The sun's special nourishment could be anything, or nothing at all but the random occurrence of Josie getting better with no known reason, and our need to seek for one. I do enjoy the open endings that let me keep wondering about things like that.

I think the loveliest part of this story was just getting to see Klara's observations of the small moments - her complicated relationship with her mom, the awkwardness with her dad, the joy her relationship with Rick brings her. I did truly get the feeling that Klara was special and I loved her for that. But also, what did that bull ever do to anyone? Just getting flack for existing.