francesmthompson's Reviews (976)

 Delicious writing, deliciously dark and a delicious twist... or two. 

I nearly gave up on this as the first half felt very slow and I really couldn't see where it was going but then... then I didn't want it to end. Amazed I know so little (as a Brit living in NL) about the history it touches on. More people should know and reparations need to be made.

4.5 stars. This book prompted so many mixed feelings from me I consider it to be remarkable just for that! But all in all, I really did enjoy Local Heavens and I can imagine that if you like cyperpunk/sci-fi/speculative fiction AND The Great Gatsby this is a wet dream of a book waiting to happen to you. As it is, I don't particularly seek out those genres (although that is changing thanks to books like this!) and I was a little underwhelmed by TGG when I first read it, but I have enjoyed retellings before and this was no different. In fact, I really enjoyed the loyalty to the text while also creating a drastically different setting. That was incredibly clever. My small criticism was that the pacing felt slow at times, and I think what I remember most about TGG was how it was a short and fast-paced and that was somewhat lacking in Local Heavens. But I will absolutely be recommending this book to those who I think will enjoy its many richly woven elements and I am very curious what the author comes up with next. Also EXTRA BONUS POINTS for making this book so deliciously bisexual. 

All-consuming and slickly written. Loved it. But also, do not recommend for anyone who doesn't like Shakespeare. He's everywhere.😉