DNF at around 12%

Had to write a review because a friend asked me what I didn’t like about it so they could know what to avoid suggesting. So, I reviewed and here are my thoughts:

I went in expecting morally gray characters, psychological tension, and even a complex dark dynamic at some point, sure. We didn’t even get to that point though to see if it aligned me with my tastes or not. Instead:

The main POV came off as immature, unstable and whiny, rather than something more controlled or strategic. His actions felt petty and reactive instead of calculated. It didn’t feel like psychological suspense — it felt like impulsiveness.

There’s an early prank involving water and ruining a hairdryer someone had saved up money for that really lost me. It read as juvenile and inconsiderate, not layered or tense (it was unnecessary, and I can’t even reason it was to benefit the character in a significant way).

That and the “I’m not gay” and “I hate gay people” homophobia that was repeated way too often without development. sigh

I was looking for controlled darkness. This felt chaotic and wimpy instead.

It might develop later, but the early tone didn’t work for me at all.

— If you got this far, and you like danmei/etc+ tell me what you think I should avoid & what’s way better ;)

Another fantastically weird beautiful queer/trans embodied de-bodied, un-bodied, in-bodied, out-bodied, non-bodied -bodily tale full of great bits of criticism, understanding, conceptualizing, sarcasm and fun for everyone.

The well rounded perspective consideration was both curious and thought-provoking. Whether it be a person who’s trans or the people around them who are or aren’t, but engage with them in positive or negatives or some thing in between, speaking to the queerness and the ambiguity and the history and the pain that exists regardless, and in spite of, and before, and after, acknowledgment and shaming and shame and ostracizing and being ostracized…and beyond and within. It’s complicated, but just as simple.

As always, love the style, the poetics, and the chaos.

⭐️ Second-favorite Fox read - check out my first! My Body Unspooling!

Until next time. Happy reading~

Yes. This was excellent. Queer and Trans* and uncomfortable in all the best ways. Weird and familiarly interoceptive and lack there of, and brain messy and chaotic and beautifully poetic. This one remains my top favorite of Leo Fox’s work, far above the others, but likely because I can find my way into this one more personally in its vague existence and familiarity and wonderous trans & autistic metaphors. Sweet! Can’t wait for more. Insta-read author!

⭐️ ♾️ Invisible bonus points for for trans & autistic & author rep!!

⭐️ Inspired me to make an art zine that remains my favorite zine I’ve made so far.

Until next time. Happy reading~