Elise reviewed Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell
It should be my favorite book ever- I think it says a lot that it's not
3 stars
I'm about to be pretty harsh here, but before that, I will say- this book makes for great conversation at book club, and Shesheshen's and Homily's real interactions- what few they have - are heartwarming, and there's rare moments where I felt real connections with the people and world.
Often, though, Wiswell resorts to whedonesque quips, and characters are generally flat and uninteresting. There's some very hamfisted jamming in of modern terminology at times, and the uniqueness of Shesh's perspective is left unexplored and unremarked upon. Most damningly, I get no real sense for the intimacy and connection between Shesh and Homily beyond the barest snippets, and there's a character that's often the butt of jokes that I felt like was making fun of readers like me that wanted more of that.
On paper, I couldn't ask for a concept more directed straight at me (cannibalistic fantasy sapphic romance,) but …
I'm about to be pretty harsh here, but before that, I will say- this book makes for great conversation at book club, and Shesheshen's and Homily's real interactions- what few they have - are heartwarming, and there's rare moments where I felt real connections with the people and world.
Often, though, Wiswell resorts to whedonesque quips, and characters are generally flat and uninteresting. There's some very hamfisted jamming in of modern terminology at times, and the uniqueness of Shesh's perspective is left unexplored and unremarked upon. Most damningly, I get no real sense for the intimacy and connection between Shesh and Homily beyond the barest snippets, and there's a character that's often the butt of jokes that I felt like was making fun of readers like me that wanted more of that.
On paper, I couldn't ask for a concept more directed straight at me (cannibalistic fantasy sapphic romance,) but it's so frustrating how it just misses the mark.
