This book felt like an event horizon to me, every story grazed some dark, dangerous edge but never quite fell into full on peril. I always felt like I was a moment away from danger. Machado is skilled at creating a mood - and she does it again and again. Even when the story takes an uplifting tender turn, it's like a tender bruise and I wait for blooming back to the dark.

The ending was a little too tidy for me.

so, so good.

very simple principles to guide tough conversations

dnf