When I saw this book was from the editor of several English solar punk short story anthologies (that I generally liked - including her stories) I was excited to see how she would create this world in a longer format, and I was entirely delighted. 

I think this book is a wonderful example of everything solarpunk can be. I almost always wish this book was longer, but I think it told the story it set out to do, in a way that was interesting, unique, while drawing upon some of the existing solarpunk ideas. (that technological-nature connection) and not whitewashing society. It was diverse in a way that reflects society, it did not act like Indigenous people did not exist and specifically spoke of permission to live on the land being given, in a way that felt entirely natural, and not heavy handed. There was an evolution in characters, and there were challenges they faced with courage, and understanding. 

Also enjoyed the little side story of how they started getting called “solar punks” just delightful. 

There were past life things in the book that initially, I wasn't so sure about - but it *really* worked - I loved the grappling with identity arc within this book - within the semi-plausible, mostly utopian surroundings. I appreciated the authours notes about the likelihood of the setting,

E. G. Condé' has written such a powerful novella of resilience and grace. Anchored around several main characters that feel very much alive - Vero (a trans man) and Dona Margarita (an elder), but also many of the supporting characters as well. I appreciated the different methods of survival and revolution explored in this book. Both the full on fight and battle to the more subtle community of care. 

There is also thoughtful and respectful Deaf representation - Dagüao - being an active and included member of the revolution and community, in both action and technical expertise, 

I was unfamiliar with Taino Arawak, Yucatec Maya languages, and got to encounter many in this text. Most were translated contextually, or within the text in someway, but there is also a helpful glossary at the back of words that might be unfamiliar. I found the language use important and intentional - and it only slightly slowed my pace. 

There is so much love, and compassion within this book, but also anger, grief, and loss - some big topics - challenging re-colonization by foreign powers, the impacts of the climate crisis, the questionable intentions and priorities of aid efforts, the after effects of dictatorships, and collective resistance. I left feeling both energized, inspired, and also curious about the history of the areas mentioned. 

The beautiful cover by Paulina Niño (yes I do occasionally judge books by their cover), curiosity about Tainofuturism, and a precedent of good instincts of the publisher, Stelliform Press made me pick this book up, and I'm glad I did. 

I am grateful to netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC

I loved the premise of the alternative history seeking to answer to that occasionally repeated question of "what if Gore had won?" - would we be in a vastly different circumstance, or would some of the fundamental problems in society linger?

The protagonist of this tale is at times painfully awkward, vacillating between leaning into privilege or the "well intentioned" good white person archetype out in full force, and we know this person or perhaps we've been (or are) this person, and I know it was intentional, but that is not the perspective I generally want to read from.

That said, I still thought the story was extremely compelling in the first half or so of the book and I couldn't put it down. At least in part because I think Sim Kern really captured some of the chaotic and collaborative and complicated energy that can happen while living in communal punkish activistish housing, with shows happening in your living room, because I've been there. At some point I felt somewhat let down by the book, or more accurately dropped off a cliff by the book, along with some themes that I'd probably have preferred some kind of content warning for.

Thank you to NetGallley, Levine Querido, and Sim Kern for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was a fantastic look at the history of plagues and pandemics. It didn't seem too challenging, lots of great stories and asides for more information, with some kid friendly illustrations that complimented the words.

I found the book covered some important details about pandemics and the different ways they spread - including the  failures of many leaders and world governments to take things seriously. Loved the discussion of scientifically sound information, challenging hoaxes, and talking about the connection between climate change, and the increasing potential for pandemics.

My seven year old also enjoyed reading it on his own, so I think it's got a wide range of appeal.

I couldn’t put this book down.

It features a prickly autistic main character (this book is also written by an autistic authour), that inexplicably works in PR, and doesn't particularly like her coworkers or her roommates, and just got dumped. She also has discovered the ability to travel through time. 

Her special interest is in The Classics so there is lots of Greek mythology interspersed in this book in a way which I found endearing and not distracting. 

I actually went into it thinking it was a romance, but I wasn’t sad that it wasn’t - I ended up with the kind of story I deeply enjoy. Found family, reconnected family, and an ending that I wasn't expecting at all, but one that I really enjoyed. 

The beginning is a bit chaotic but in a way that seems intentional and reflects the characters inner life at the time. I loved the letters that dropped by and were immediately tossed in a bin without any explanation.. I loved the miscommunications and misunderstandings and the revelations. It was also very funny, and sometimes absurd in the best ways. 

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. I enjoyed it immensely. 

Didn’t love this one. Unlikable male protagonist/love interest 

I was hoping for something with more depth. 

I think I could have loved this story if it was written with more maturity. The synopsis for me was intriguing, I was hoping for some nuance and grappling with identity and monogamy and polyamory but it just didn’t do it with any seriousness. 

I thought this book was so intriguing and quite delightful. A romantic comedy set during the early days of the covid pandemic , talking about addiction, parental estrangement, parental death, covid, and other serious topics, but it coalesced together in this really beautiful meaningful way. 

It was not explicitly spicy, just a bit of non detailed spice alluded to here and there. 

Love an emotionally mature male protagonist, love the anxious writer lady figuring things out. Really, enjoyed it. It was funny but also had a lot of depth. 

Captured a moment  in time very well too I think. 

I received an e-arc of this book via netgalley for an honest review. 

My kiddo and I enjoyed this story together - I'm familiar with Yoon Ha Lee's work from Ninefox Gambit (and the Machineries of Empire series, which I liked!) and I enjoyed sharing this kid friendly adventurous coming of age tale. 

It also inspired us to read more about Korean mythology and how it was connected to this novel as well. There is also an educator's guide available for this book from Disney Books.