I'm not sure I'm going to make it through this book (at 60% ish).
I was looking forward to Ignatias' story, but Kasi is the most annoying heroine yet. She is TSTL. I can't comprehend her level of selfishness, stupidity/naivety, and impulsiveness. She puts her probably hundreds if not thousands of Human and Talin lives in jeopardy, because she can't keep her promise not to visit her hobby gardening field. Even though she knows that they are days away from an inspection by the Committee for Pet Welfare. And that all the humans need to be model pets. Knows that it means wearing the collar and pet outfit, being with a Talin at all times, etc.
Instead she's just like, well I'm gonna do what I want, I'm sure it'll be fine. My damn hobby plants and anxiety thoughts are more important than the risk to everything.
And then her dumbass inability to speak up and communicate that she was not being abused. Just kinda of giving up and doing those I'll deal with that later.
Later learning that despite what the people of the Wimol colony agreed to, to move to Talin space and the warnings and instruction they were given on the Talin and the laws around Humans, you didn't bother to fully pay attention and listen or believe what you were being told.
This is why Humans are considered TSTL in this universe. People like her. You'd expect growing up a second class citizen and knowing how bad Humans had it out in the universe, that you would pay attention to anything that had to do with your safety. But no.
3 Chapters in and I'd throw this book across the room if I wasn't reading it on my phone.
Poor Ignatias, no wonder he doesn't believe her with his indoctrination.
And then as it progresses, he has this sudden personality shift, because he "gave in" to his lust and had sex with Kasi. Something he had just a few days ago said the other Talin's should be killed for and was the worst abuse.
Suddenly sex, made all the little doubt we didn't know about come forward and resolve in his mind to be pro Human/Talin pairings. Like fuck that, you don't have a fundamental shift like that in less that a day. Apparently Kasi has a magical vag, that can undone years of programming.
The only thing making this book bearable is the through story and Ignatias. Although he has been done dirty.
I wish a Gorg had eaten Kasi. And I thought Isla was a dumbass. Even with a Neuro-divergent brain you should have some critical thinking skills and self preservation.
What pisses me off the most about Kasi, is that she put 2 colonies and tons of beings at risk of horrible devastating outcomes, so she wouldn't feel "uncomfortable".
Like girl if you had to check your field, put your damn collar on, wear an omni over your work clothes and bring a Talin with you. You can be inconvenienced for a few days.
SO annoyed I'm writing a damn novel myself.
I'll probably finish for the through line and my own ND brain. Helps that I know it'll "work out".
Finished the book for the through line. That, the cameos of previous couples, and Ignatias was what got me through. Kasi never got at critical thinking, impulsivity, or anything really. She stayed TSTL and needs to be locked away on Sorana and kept away from all other Talin's. She's going to get someone killed, disowned, or sold. She is a completely childish, lalala girl.
I did like Ignatias' kids and the hope they represent for the future.
But still they have military oversight for at least a solar. Which means everyone on the colony is living on edge and it all goes back to Kasi. If she had done what she was supposed to have done and said she would. Ignatias' would have done his visit, wrote his report, and then gone off with his ship, leaving the colony alone to continue prospering.
Anything that comes about because of the military being at Sorana, is on Kasi's head.
Such a stupid, thoughtless, selfish, and childish woman. She will have no Ancestor's waiting for her!