What a complex book with beautiful written characters that have amazing character development and a really good view about religion and getting away from what people want from you, and finding your own wants and needs.

The strongest part of this book, to me, was definitely the characters. I didn’t think much of Ophelia at the beginning, she’s very insecure and devoutes herself completely to her religion, not questioning anything that she’s asked and just following people around her, (she pissed me off a little in the first few chapters, not gonna lie) until she meets Nyatrix, the complete opposite of her and someone that shows her that she has a choice, that she can be free and follow her own path. I absolutely loved Nyatrix and how strong and kind she was, but loved even more how much she cared about Ophelia and gave her everything she didn’t know she could have. She always had a choice, always had a saying in what happened between and around them, and I adored how much they relied on each other.

The plot revolving around the religion and gods, while interesting and with a few plot twists that elevated the story, was at times confusing. It just felt like it was a lot of information thrown at the same time and there wasn’t really time to process it before more plot was introduced. I definitely got lost at times, but still could follow the story nonetheless.

good, but waiting for it to be great 🥀

the religious trauma arc for Ophelia is easily the strongest and most important part of the story, but she is a difficult character for some time, tho it felt realistic to her development. lots of world-building for most of it to feel useless or unstable, plus too much info dumping in the first half that deeply affected the pacing in the last half. i almost wish it was a duology solely bc of how much time was spent building these Ophelia and Nyatrix's stories

outside of the religious trauma plot, the most believable parts were between Ophelia and Nyatrix and their connection. unfortunately, once other characters or the story moved forward, it felt like it stunted their development at times

one note: originally started the audiobook and i've never turned off a narrator as fast. no hate to them, but many posts in the forum complaining about the audiobook and i'm sad to agree. the writing has it's fair share of purple-y prose that typically wouldn't bother me when listening, but switching to eye-reading made it too obvious and at times annoying

first book by Victoria Mier and i think they have tremendously potential as a writer, just didn't fully connect. looking forward to seeing what else they publish

Open Throat is a gorgeous, unique, heart‑wrenching, and thought‑provoking story about displacement, loneliness, and the quiet exhaustion of becoming what others expect you to be simply because you’re tired of proving you deserve to exist - all told through the point of view of a mountain lion.

I adored this book from start to finish. The writing is superb, the societal commentary is sharp, and the mountain lion’s voice is handled with such care that it pulls on every single one of your heartstrings. Even the stranger moments feel grounded because of how clearly the narrative understands its own perspective.

Seeing the world through the mountain lion’s eyes becomes an effective way to examine human behaviour. The story highlights how frivolous - and frankly ridiculous - we can be, how much value we place on things that don’t matter, and how easily judgement and expectation can push someone into a box they never wanted to occupy, only for people to pat themselves on the back for “proving” you must have belonged there all along.

The stream‑of‑consciousness style isn’t just a stylistic choice; it mirrors the mountain lion’s constant negotiation between instinct, observation, and survival. That rhythm gives the book a sense of immediacy that works incredibly well. It might be a smidge weird, but that oddness is part of what makes it memorable.

I loved every moment spent in the mind of this radical mountain lion. Do yourself the favour of reading it. You won’t regret it.