by Agustina Bazterrica

A Science Fiction, 2017 by Scribner, 209 Pages

What I Didn’t Like:

Content warnings seem obsolete when you’re talking about a book of this particular topic … but cannibalism and one graphic sexual scene.
There’s so many questions left (not ones that ruin the ending) about intention or meaning because of that time jump for Part 2. It’s needed for this book to skip those but, man, I would really like those thrown in at the end or in a sequel.
Some readers (who like everything tied up with a bow and solved) will hate this ending. Call it a content warning. This one is intended to linger and leave you thinking.

An opening that grabs your attention and makes it very clear what you’re getting into right from the first page. It’s clear, concise, and absolutely terrifying.
No other main character would’ve worked for this story. He remembers “before” well enough to fill you in, has a front row seat thanks to his job, and yet is numb to parts of the process. This is something we can’t fathom, becoming numb to this kind of life, which makes him the PERFECT narrator.
The author here has managed to capture every aspect of this gruesome idea. It’s rare to find someone who puts this much thought into WHY their civilization turned to this future and then also consider the extended consequences. From hunting to debt bartering, illegal killing to slaughtering, the author has considered it all.
The ending works for this story. By that I mean it gives you something to think about (and discuss). It’s terrifying and dark, but that’s the story you’re being told.

Dystopian fans who can handle a dark concept if it’s handled well. This isn’t horror, not really. The killing is controlled, the gore contained. It’s written to explore a dystopian idea and packs lessons.