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The Shutouts
A brilliant queer dystopian novel from the author of Yours for the Taking, following a cast of characters on the margins of a strange and exclusive new society.
The year is 2041, and it's a dangerous time to be a woman driving across the United States alone. Deadly storms and uncontrollable wildfires are pummeling the country while political tensions are rising. But Kelly's on the road anyway; she desperately needs to get back to her daughter, who she left seven years ago for a cause that she's no longer sure she believes in.
Almost 40 years later, another mother, Ava, and her daughter Brook are on the run as well, from the climate change relief program known as The Inside Project, where they've spent the past 22 years being treated as lab rats. When they encounter a woman from Ava’s past on the side of the highway, the three continue on in a journey that will take them into the depths of what remains of humanity out in the wilderness.
At the same time, way up North, weather conditions continue to worsen and a settlement departs in search of greener pastures, leaving behind only two members, drawn together by a circumstance and a mystery they are destined to unravel together.
Set in the world of Gabrielle Korn's Yours for the Taking, The Shutouts tells the captivating story of those who have been shut out from Inside, their fight to survive, and an interconnectedness larger than all of them.
The year is 2041, and it's a dangerous time to be a woman driving across the United States alone. Deadly storms and uncontrollable wildfires are pummeling the country while political tensions are rising. But Kelly's on the road anyway; she desperately needs to get back to her daughter, who she left seven years ago for a cause that she's no longer sure she believes in.
Almost 40 years later, another mother, Ava, and her daughter Brook are on the run as well, from the climate change relief program known as The Inside Project, where they've spent the past 22 years being treated as lab rats. When they encounter a woman from Ava’s past on the side of the highway, the three continue on in a journey that will take them into the depths of what remains of humanity out in the wilderness.
At the same time, way up North, weather conditions continue to worsen and a settlement departs in search of greener pastures, leaving behind only two members, drawn together by a circumstance and a mystery they are destined to unravel together.
Set in the world of Gabrielle Korn's Yours for the Taking, The Shutouts tells the captivating story of those who have been shut out from Inside, their fight to survive, and an interconnectedness larger than all of them.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published December 3, 2024
121 people are currently reading
23159 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 299 reviews
May 14, 2024
If this were a silent review, it would start with me plopping down in my seat and just staring wide-eyed at the camera for a solid 10 seconds. I'd show you this book, and then I'd just start slamming it on the table and pointing to it repeatedly. I would hug it a few times, I'd affectionately bite it a few times, and then I'd flip through the pages with fervor, expressing just how engulfed i was. Through the lens, I'd extend this book, trying to shove it into your hands. Finally, leaving it upright before the camera, I'd depart from view, leaving its allure lingering.
*End Scene*.
BUT SERIOUSLY, how does the second book rival the first?!
Let me dive right in: "The Shutouts" has instantly claimed a spot among my top reads of 2024. It's staggering how much I adored it, though considering how "Yours For The Taking" captivated me in 2023, maybe not so surprising. This queer dystopia series couldn't have asked for a better follow-up. And you know what? If this installment concludes the saga, I wouldn't feel an ounce of dissatisfaction. It tied up every loose end impeccably. There were moments where I didn't get precisely what I anticipated (which, oddly, enhanced the experience), but goodness, I'm at a loss for words now. I'm eagerly awaiting Gabrielle Korn's next venture. Her writing?! This narrative?! It's on another level. Put this on your TBR immediately. It comes out Dec 3rd, 2024.
A huge "Thank you" to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for providing me with an advanced readers copy so that I may give my honest feedback and review.
*End Scene*.
BUT SERIOUSLY, how does the second book rival the first?!
Let me dive right in: "The Shutouts" has instantly claimed a spot among my top reads of 2024. It's staggering how much I adored it, though considering how "Yours For The Taking" captivated me in 2023, maybe not so surprising. This queer dystopia series couldn't have asked for a better follow-up. And you know what? If this installment concludes the saga, I wouldn't feel an ounce of dissatisfaction. It tied up every loose end impeccably. There were moments where I didn't get precisely what I anticipated (which, oddly, enhanced the experience), but goodness, I'm at a loss for words now. I'm eagerly awaiting Gabrielle Korn's next venture. Her writing?! This narrative?! It's on another level. Put this on your TBR immediately. It comes out Dec 3rd, 2024.
A huge "Thank you" to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for providing me with an advanced readers copy so that I may give my honest feedback and review.
January 21, 2025
Read for The Lesbian Librarians January book pick. All I have to say is I enjoy dystopian queers.
December 6, 2024
The Shutouts is Gabrielle Korn's second novel set in her richly imagined dystopian universe, following her acclaimed debut Yours for the Taking. In this compelling narrative, Korn weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives to create a tapestry of human connection against the backdrop of environmental collapse and societal fragmentation.
Complex Characters in a Collapsing World
The novel follows several interconnected narratives spanning nearly four decades. In 2041, we meet Kelly, a young mother desperate to reunite with the daughter she left behind seven years ago. Her story unfolds through letters written to her daughter Orchid, revealing her involvement with the Winter Liberation Army, a group of climate activists turned survivalist community. Fast forward to 2078, and we follow Orchid herself, now grown, alongside other survivors navigating a world ravaged by climate change.
The strength of Korn's writing lies in her ability to create fully realized characters whose personal struggles resonate deeply despite their extraordinary circumstances. The relationship between Ava and her daughter Brook forms the emotional core of the 2078 timeline, while Max and Camilla's developing connection provides a tender counterpoint to the harsh realities of their world.
Masterful World-Building with Environmental Commentary
Korn's vision of a climate-ravaged future is terrifyingly plausible. The author demonstrates impressive attention to detail in depicting how environmental collapse affects every aspect of daily life, from the scarcity of food and water to the transformation of familiar landscapes. The contrast between the artificially maintained Inside Project and the brutal reality of the outside world serves as a powerful metaphor for current socioeconomic inequalities.
Strengths and Notable Elements
- Authentic Queer Representation: The novel seamlessly integrates LGBTQ+ characters and relationships without making their queerness the central conflict
- Intergenerational Dynamics: The exploration of mother-daughter relationships across different timelines adds emotional depth
- Environmental Authenticity: The scientific aspects of climate change and its cascading effects are well-researched and convincingly portrayed
- Character Development: Each protagonist undergoes significant growth while maintaining their core identity
Writing Style and Narrative Structure
Korn employs a sophisticated multi-perspective narrative structure that effectively builds tension while allowing for deep character development. The alternating timelines eventually converge in a satisfying way, though some readers might find the early chapters challenging to follow. Her prose is lean and purposeful, with moments of lyrical beauty that never feel forced.
Areas for Improvement
While The Shutouts is a strong novel overall, there are some aspects that could have been better executed:
- The pacing in the middle section occasionally lags, particularly during the journey sequences
- Some secondary characters could have been more fully developed
- The technical aspects of the Winter Liberation Army's climate solutions sometimes feel underdeveloped
- Certain plot threads, particularly regarding the Inside Project's true nature, could have been explored more thoroughly
Impact and Relevance
The novel's themes of environmental catastrophe, social inequality, and human resilience feel particularly relevant in our current climate crisis. Korn's portrayal of how society fragments and adapts in the face of environmental collapse serves as both a warning and a testament to human adaptability.
Final Thoughts
The Shutouts is a compelling addition to the growing canon of climate fiction that successfully balances intimate character study with broader social commentary. While not without its flaws, the novel's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a worthwhile read for fans of literary science fiction and dystopian narratives.
Complex Characters in a Collapsing World
The novel follows several interconnected narratives spanning nearly four decades. In 2041, we meet Kelly, a young mother desperate to reunite with the daughter she left behind seven years ago. Her story unfolds through letters written to her daughter Orchid, revealing her involvement with the Winter Liberation Army, a group of climate activists turned survivalist community. Fast forward to 2078, and we follow Orchid herself, now grown, alongside other survivors navigating a world ravaged by climate change.
The strength of Korn's writing lies in her ability to create fully realized characters whose personal struggles resonate deeply despite their extraordinary circumstances. The relationship between Ava and her daughter Brook forms the emotional core of the 2078 timeline, while Max and Camilla's developing connection provides a tender counterpoint to the harsh realities of their world.
Masterful World-Building with Environmental Commentary
Korn's vision of a climate-ravaged future is terrifyingly plausible. The author demonstrates impressive attention to detail in depicting how environmental collapse affects every aspect of daily life, from the scarcity of food and water to the transformation of familiar landscapes. The contrast between the artificially maintained Inside Project and the brutal reality of the outside world serves as a powerful metaphor for current socioeconomic inequalities.
Strengths and Notable Elements
- Authentic Queer Representation: The novel seamlessly integrates LGBTQ+ characters and relationships without making their queerness the central conflict
- Intergenerational Dynamics: The exploration of mother-daughter relationships across different timelines adds emotional depth
- Environmental Authenticity: The scientific aspects of climate change and its cascading effects are well-researched and convincingly portrayed
- Character Development: Each protagonist undergoes significant growth while maintaining their core identity
Writing Style and Narrative Structure
Korn employs a sophisticated multi-perspective narrative structure that effectively builds tension while allowing for deep character development. The alternating timelines eventually converge in a satisfying way, though some readers might find the early chapters challenging to follow. Her prose is lean and purposeful, with moments of lyrical beauty that never feel forced.
Areas for Improvement
While The Shutouts is a strong novel overall, there are some aspects that could have been better executed:
- The pacing in the middle section occasionally lags, particularly during the journey sequences
- Some secondary characters could have been more fully developed
- The technical aspects of the Winter Liberation Army's climate solutions sometimes feel underdeveloped
- Certain plot threads, particularly regarding the Inside Project's true nature, could have been explored more thoroughly
Impact and Relevance
The novel's themes of environmental catastrophe, social inequality, and human resilience feel particularly relevant in our current climate crisis. Korn's portrayal of how society fragments and adapts in the face of environmental collapse serves as both a warning and a testament to human adaptability.
Final Thoughts
The Shutouts is a compelling addition to the growing canon of climate fiction that successfully balances intimate character study with broader social commentary. While not without its flaws, the novel's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a worthwhile read for fans of literary science fiction and dystopian narratives.
November 17, 2024
"The Shutouts" alternates between multiple time periods as a group of people grapple with catastrophic climate change and a government conspiracy that keeps humankind from addressing the problem. Human civilization is no longer life as we know it, and small microcommunities (some might say cults) crop up in response to the crisis. The conflict between "tribes" is inevitable.
This is a tough book for me to rate, because I came into it not realizing that it was the second book in a series. Perhaps because of that, I often had trouble keeping track of the characters and how they related to each other. The time jumps were a little difficult to follow on audiobook as well. As is common of speculative clifi fiction, there's a meandering, slow pace to it as the characters nomadically journey from one place to another. It did fine as a standalone, but I would recommend that readers start with book one if possible. There's strong repesentation for nonbinary and LGBTQ, which is always a win in my book but may be jarring for some readers who are not used to they/them pronoun use.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and Gabrielle Korn for an advance copy for honest review.
This is a tough book for me to rate, because I came into it not realizing that it was the second book in a series. Perhaps because of that, I often had trouble keeping track of the characters and how they related to each other. The time jumps were a little difficult to follow on audiobook as well. As is common of speculative clifi fiction, there's a meandering, slow pace to it as the characters nomadically journey from one place to another. It did fine as a standalone, but I would recommend that readers start with book one if possible. There's strong repesentation for nonbinary and LGBTQ, which is always a win in my book but may be jarring for some readers who are not used to they/them pronoun use.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and Gabrielle Korn for an advance copy for honest review.
January 7, 2025
This book and Yours For The Taking hit a little bit too close to home right now
March 31, 2025
I liked the way that it all came together, but I found that it just was fine, not great or particularly special. Definitely very easy to read and well paced, and I learned some cool climate facts. I would still recommend this if you like climate change scifi AND family mysteries.
July 6, 2024
*I received this ARC through a Goodreads giveaway*
I did not realize this book takes place within the world of a previously published one (Yours for the Taking), but it easily reads as a standalone.
WOW. I’m at a loss for words. I’m cis afab (sorry if I’m not using correct terms, I’m not *super* knowledgeable on the subject), and I’ve never read anything like this. I have some limited experience with gay/queer/nonbinary characters, but usually they are a beloved side character, not the main focus. So this is the very first queer-centric book I’ve ever read. Honestly, it’s probably one of the best introductions to this subgenre I could have hoped for. I already knew the dystopian setting would be right up my alley (that’s why I entered the giveaway in the first place). But the storytelling style, and gradual reveal of information via multiple characters’ viewpoints, meshing past and present, is just so beautifully poignant. My heart hurt in the best possible way by the end of the book.
I did not realize this book takes place within the world of a previously published one (Yours for the Taking), but it easily reads as a standalone.
WOW. I’m at a loss for words. I’m cis afab (sorry if I’m not using correct terms, I’m not *super* knowledgeable on the subject), and I’ve never read anything like this. I have some limited experience with gay/queer/nonbinary characters, but usually they are a beloved side character, not the main focus. So this is the very first queer-centric book I’ve ever read. Honestly, it’s probably one of the best introductions to this subgenre I could have hoped for. I already knew the dystopian setting would be right up my alley (that’s why I entered the giveaway in the first place). But the storytelling style, and gradual reveal of information via multiple characters’ viewpoints, meshing past and present, is just so beautifully poignant. My heart hurt in the best possible way by the end of the book.
did-not-finish
March 22, 2025March 2025, DNF at 15%. As a companion book to the previous offering from Korn, Yours For the Taking, this might work, if you had no issues with the first. However, all the little problems I had (telling vs showing, oversimplified storytelling, etc.) seem amplified in this follow-up, along with a distinct layering of a more juvenile delivery and style than I’d like.
November 18, 2024
Tender-hearted, with an under-current of terror, this novel is a wonderfully inquisitive exploration of how relationships are what carry us through difficulty.
This novel is set in the world of the author’s previous novel, Yours for the Taking, but it stands on its own. I have not read that novel and didn’t even read the jacket copy for that novel until I was more than halfway through this one. I imagine if you have read that novel this one may be even better, but I didn’t feel like anything was missing reading this as a standalone. And that is saying something, because this novel doesn’t really have a whole lot of plot to speak of. This novel is more concerned with the characters and their relationships, and uses a post-climate apocalypse as the background to exacerbate the power of those relationships.
The writing itself is incredibly compelling. There are two narratives, that somehow tell the story of three time periods. The first narrative is an epistolary story, a series of letters written by a woman who is crossing the country to return to her young daughter, who she hasn’t seen for a number of years. In the letters she is telling her daughter her own life story, or at least a part of it, and so these letters tell the story of the woman crossing the country in 2041 but also of her life from when she was a teenager in the late 2020s. These letters are intimate, first-person narratives that are filled with heartbreak and regret but also inspiration and pride, with a low-simmering frantic nature infecting them all as she is afraid of being tracked or monitored and that leaks into her letters. This is paired, in alternating chapters, with a handful of different POV characters telling a story in 2078, characters that seem disconnected at first but whose connections are made clear, as is the connection between their stories and the 2041 story, as the novel progresses. These close third-person POV chapters still give us intimate portraits of the struggles and joys of a number of characters. The writing is straightforward, not overly florid or sentimental, but the character portraits are so vivid, told through their actions as much as in description, that I was always disappointed when leaving any character’s chapter. The epistolary chapters are much more emotional feeling, and this balance between the two writing styles and across the multiple timelines is really smart. It really makes the story feel like it has continual forward momentum, even though there is not a whole lot of plot pulling you through the story.
I mention the story is a little terrifying, and that is because the world-building is really stellar and also bleak. We see a climate apocalypse as it unfurls across the six or so decades that these stories span, and it feels way too real and kind of devastating. We don’t just see the weather and its consequences on human life or habitation, but we see the human decisions that lead to the changing climate, we see when and how greed is prioritized over people. This is not a political thriller; I think some of those elements were heavier in her previous novel in this world. Our characters are in play to make any government-level decisions, they are just the folk who are living with the consequences. The world-building is done across these three timelines and through our characters’ experiences, and it is a robust world that feels genuine and complete. There are countless details of the world we don’t know, it is wide open enough for another half dozen stories in this world, and yet it never feels lacking. The big picture is really clear, and it is through our characters’ actions and traumas that we understand how the world is, which is a smart way to build it.
Which brings me to the characters. The characters are the heart of this novel, and they are wonderful. They are diverse and personal and everything about them feels both very specific and entirely relatable. I was rooting for every character we got to spend time with. All of them are the same, insofar as they are trying to survive this world and maybe eke out a little joy while they’re at it, yet their lives are so different that just what that means takes a different shape in each. There isn’t necessarily a lot of character growth, because we see their potential right from the beginning. Instead, this story is a chance for them to unfurl, a chance for the characters to show us who they really feel they are. The queer representation in this story is great, especially seeing how queer identities are discussed in the different timelines. But more important than any individual character or identity are the relationships they create. Because this novel is all about relationships. The way to survive an apocalypse, Korn is telling us, is through other people. It is through community and connection. Sometimes that can go awry, sometimes expectations aren’t equal, and that community or relationship can become harmful, true. But that is why we need to invest in a complex emotional maturity that centers others’ needs. The relationships here are beautiful and tragic and rocky and tender and spicy and complicated and sometimes painfully simple. We depend on others, and they us, and if we have any hope of anything resembling salvation it is in relationships that we will find it, we will build it, together.
(Rounded up from 4.5)
I want to thank the author, the publisher St. Martins Press, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This novel is set in the world of the author’s previous novel, Yours for the Taking, but it stands on its own. I have not read that novel and didn’t even read the jacket copy for that novel until I was more than halfway through this one. I imagine if you have read that novel this one may be even better, but I didn’t feel like anything was missing reading this as a standalone. And that is saying something, because this novel doesn’t really have a whole lot of plot to speak of. This novel is more concerned with the characters and their relationships, and uses a post-climate apocalypse as the background to exacerbate the power of those relationships.
The writing itself is incredibly compelling. There are two narratives, that somehow tell the story of three time periods. The first narrative is an epistolary story, a series of letters written by a woman who is crossing the country to return to her young daughter, who she hasn’t seen for a number of years. In the letters she is telling her daughter her own life story, or at least a part of it, and so these letters tell the story of the woman crossing the country in 2041 but also of her life from when she was a teenager in the late 2020s. These letters are intimate, first-person narratives that are filled with heartbreak and regret but also inspiration and pride, with a low-simmering frantic nature infecting them all as she is afraid of being tracked or monitored and that leaks into her letters. This is paired, in alternating chapters, with a handful of different POV characters telling a story in 2078, characters that seem disconnected at first but whose connections are made clear, as is the connection between their stories and the 2041 story, as the novel progresses. These close third-person POV chapters still give us intimate portraits of the struggles and joys of a number of characters. The writing is straightforward, not overly florid or sentimental, but the character portraits are so vivid, told through their actions as much as in description, that I was always disappointed when leaving any character’s chapter. The epistolary chapters are much more emotional feeling, and this balance between the two writing styles and across the multiple timelines is really smart. It really makes the story feel like it has continual forward momentum, even though there is not a whole lot of plot pulling you through the story.
I mention the story is a little terrifying, and that is because the world-building is really stellar and also bleak. We see a climate apocalypse as it unfurls across the six or so decades that these stories span, and it feels way too real and kind of devastating. We don’t just see the weather and its consequences on human life or habitation, but we see the human decisions that lead to the changing climate, we see when and how greed is prioritized over people. This is not a political thriller; I think some of those elements were heavier in her previous novel in this world. Our characters are in play to make any government-level decisions, they are just the folk who are living with the consequences. The world-building is done across these three timelines and through our characters’ experiences, and it is a robust world that feels genuine and complete. There are countless details of the world we don’t know, it is wide open enough for another half dozen stories in this world, and yet it never feels lacking. The big picture is really clear, and it is through our characters’ actions and traumas that we understand how the world is, which is a smart way to build it.
Which brings me to the characters. The characters are the heart of this novel, and they are wonderful. They are diverse and personal and everything about them feels both very specific and entirely relatable. I was rooting for every character we got to spend time with. All of them are the same, insofar as they are trying to survive this world and maybe eke out a little joy while they’re at it, yet their lives are so different that just what that means takes a different shape in each. There isn’t necessarily a lot of character growth, because we see their potential right from the beginning. Instead, this story is a chance for them to unfurl, a chance for the characters to show us who they really feel they are. The queer representation in this story is great, especially seeing how queer identities are discussed in the different timelines. But more important than any individual character or identity are the relationships they create. Because this novel is all about relationships. The way to survive an apocalypse, Korn is telling us, is through other people. It is through community and connection. Sometimes that can go awry, sometimes expectations aren’t equal, and that community or relationship can become harmful, true. But that is why we need to invest in a complex emotional maturity that centers others’ needs. The relationships here are beautiful and tragic and rocky and tender and spicy and complicated and sometimes painfully simple. We depend on others, and they us, and if we have any hope of anything resembling salvation it is in relationships that we will find it, we will build it, together.
(Rounded up from 4.5)
I want to thank the author, the publisher St. Martins Press, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 6, 2024
"Queer people at the end of the world," according to the author, is the subject matter for last year's Yours for the Taking and this very, very recent release and sequel, The Shutouts. A powerfully written, character-driven story of the collapse of the world as climate change drives rapid ocean rise and catastrophic storms, this story is much stronger if the first book has already been read. Otherwise, the emotional impact of the characters' decisions and choices won't hit as hard.
Where the first book in the duology focused on the people who escaped the wrath of climate change by going Inside, this book focuses on those who were left outside to face the elements. My favorite character is Kelly "Green", a new character who plays such an instrumental role in this book's story arc.
I am very impressed with this series, and will add Gabrielle Korn to my list of "must read" authors for any new works that she produces. Bravo to an awesome set of books, a story that should be read by all those with anxiety over global warming. I wouldn't have minded if it were longer. (the book, not the global warming!)
Where the first book in the duology focused on the people who escaped the wrath of climate change by going Inside, this book focuses on those who were left outside to face the elements. My favorite character is Kelly "Green", a new character who plays such an instrumental role in this book's story arc.
I am very impressed with this series, and will add Gabrielle Korn to my list of "must read" authors for any new works that she produces. Bravo to an awesome set of books, a story that should be read by all those with anxiety over global warming. I wouldn't have minded if it were longer. (the book, not the global warming!)
December 4, 2024
This was a tough read, especially so close to the aftermath of the U.S. election. The dystopian future felt disturbingly plausible, but that proximity to reality made it a hard start. The shifting timelines and changing protagonists were difficult to follow, keeping me from getting fully immersed. The writing style didn’t pull me in the way I’d hoped. At times it felt more like a checklist of progressive representation - gender, sexuality, social issues - packed in rather than something organically woven into the story. The characters didn’t feel relatable or likable, which made it hard to stay invested. I pushed through despite wanting to DNF and the second half improved for me. I started to care (if only slightly) about how it would all resolve. Ultimately, the ending didn’t satisfy me. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it because it seemed like something I’d enjoy, but it wasn’t for me. I won’t be purchasing a physical copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the early access to this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the early access to this book.
May 4, 2024
This series hits right in a very niche sweet spot for me - sci-fi climate change dystopia with hella queer characters at the end of the world! It was an absolutely excellent follow up to Korn’s dystopian duology. I thought it rounded out the series out very nicely and had great pacing. I read it in a day and I didn’t want to put it down!!
🌈Queer rep: main characters - bi/pan female mcs, nonbinary person (they/them), lesbian female mc, FF relationships, NB/F relationship, NB/NB relationship (AFAB/AMAB). Secondary - pan male and female characters, nonbinary characters, trans poly guy. Queer normative society, polynormative society.
🌈Queer rep: main characters - bi/pan female mcs, nonbinary person (they/them), lesbian female mc, FF relationships, NB/F relationship, NB/NB relationship (AFAB/AMAB). Secondary - pan male and female characters, nonbinary characters, trans poly guy. Queer normative society, polynormative society.
dnf
December 29, 2024DNF’d at 54%. This book is not pitched or marketed as a sequel to this author’s previous book, Yours for the Taking, but I’d argue that it should be. This near-future dystopian book follows a few characters that were introduced in that previous book and definitely spoils some plot points and reveals that I personally wouldn’t want to read out of order. I’m glad I had read Yours for the Taking so I could identify that information as a reviewer, but I wasn’t interested in a sequel and am not invested in the characters we follow in this second book enough to stick it out to the end.
December 3, 2024
While I’ve seen some say this is a standalone novel, I would have to disagree. This is very much a sequel and without reading Yours for the Taking, you will be missing a lot of nuances and shared history between the characters. It adds depth and emotional connection to the story, so I highly recommend reading it first.
The world building in this novel and its predecessor is starting to hit close to home with climate change ramping up right before our eyes. The government and billionaires not doing anything to curb the change, women’s rights, trans rights, etc. It’s all very relevant and thought provoking to the world we live in. I think the events here are slightly exaggerated to add more tension and dread to the whole experience. It’s nicely done overall, but I found a few nitty gritty things that probably wouldn’t work in real life.
With that said, I quite enjoyed this book. Even more so as the stakes are much higher and I really grew to like these characters, even though they sometimes annoyed and frustrated me to bits! All the different POVs really came together and I started looking forward to Kelly’s letters or how Ava and Brook’s journey to find July progressed. This was more emotional and poignant because of the time jumps and how the story unfolded. All the details about the survivalist cult really made my blood boil. The government’s/rich people’s selfishness and that whole subplot really was a mind trip. I thought the ending wrapped up a bit abruptly, a bit sad but still hopeful for the characters surviving and adapting to their new world.
Narration by Gail Shalan was effortless, the perfect amount of emotion and great pacing to keep me enthralled in the story.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the review copies.
The world building in this novel and its predecessor is starting to hit close to home with climate change ramping up right before our eyes. The government and billionaires not doing anything to curb the change, women’s rights, trans rights, etc. It’s all very relevant and thought provoking to the world we live in. I think the events here are slightly exaggerated to add more tension and dread to the whole experience. It’s nicely done overall, but I found a few nitty gritty things that probably wouldn’t work in real life.
With that said, I quite enjoyed this book. Even more so as the stakes are much higher and I really grew to like these characters, even though they sometimes annoyed and frustrated me to bits! All the different POVs really came together and I started looking forward to Kelly’s letters or how Ava and Brook’s journey to find July progressed. This was more emotional and poignant because of the time jumps and how the story unfolded. All the details about the survivalist cult really made my blood boil. The government’s/rich people’s selfishness and that whole subplot really was a mind trip. I thought the ending wrapped up a bit abruptly, a bit sad but still hopeful for the characters surviving and adapting to their new world.
Narration by Gail Shalan was effortless, the perfect amount of emotion and great pacing to keep me enthralled in the story.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the review copies.
December 15, 2024
Yours for the Taking was one of my favorite books of 2023. A sci-fi dystopian story that hooked from the start. This is book 2, a breakdown of what happened Outside of the ultra elite survival community. As the world breaks down, this one has 3 different groups with POV.
We have a mom writing to a child, detailed how the world broke down and what broke first, how it crumbled. The 2nd POV is a group that has made it through the worst and is trying to survival. The third group has left one spot and is making their way to another - all to search and hope that someone is still there.
It was a great mix, the reveal of how it first started out and the more now POV that showed just how far it had all gone. It was a great story of survival but also the push to understand what surviving meant and what we would want to live for. It was still characters I loved and a story I could fall into, even if it was sad and broken. It was a great conclusion and I loved being back in this world. I definitely look forward to more from this author!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
We have a mom writing to a child, detailed how the world broke down and what broke first, how it crumbled. The 2nd POV is a group that has made it through the worst and is trying to survival. The third group has left one spot and is making their way to another - all to search and hope that someone is still there.
It was a great mix, the reveal of how it first started out and the more now POV that showed just how far it had all gone. It was a great story of survival but also the push to understand what surviving meant and what we would want to live for. It was still characters I loved and a story I could fall into, even if it was sad and broken. It was a great conclusion and I loved being back in this world. I definitely look forward to more from this author!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
June 23, 2024
Thank you netgalley and st martin for this gorgeous gorgeous arc
queer dystopia!! in this economy!! on the nose i loved it.
this explored themes i’ve been thinking about for a while
with lots of lovable characters honestly it was mind boggling at times
very slay!
queer dystopia!! in this economy!! on the nose i loved it.
this explored themes i’ve been thinking about for a while
with lots of lovable characters honestly it was mind boggling at times
very slay!
December 2, 2024
4 Solid Stars
This story is somewhat related to an earlier novel by this author, Yours For the Taking. It's set in the same world and features some of the same characters. I plan to read this novel but haven't read it before I jumped into this.
This is a complete story even without reading the other related novel. However, I think I would've understood more what was being offered in this novel if I had. Honestly, I think it only really mattered at the end. I think the conclusion probably hits harder if the reader has also read the first novel.
This story has 2 alternate timelines: 2041 and 2078. It's a kind of circular story about motherhood, climate change, and the challenge of creating meaningful but free communities.
Ultimately, it's a dystopian novel for our times, and it left me filled with a sense of peace. This is both surprising and extremely well done. This focuses on LGBTQIA+ peoples within communities. The characters' gender or sexuality isn't the focus of the story and mostly fades into the background. I particularly loved how the trans characters' concerns weren't over their identity. So, it was a story full of people who happened to be from marginalized genders.
I also liked the call out or call in about how anarchist communities can too often mirror the same power structures as our present society. And how that leads to the same oppression we are fighting. Of course, these communities aren't truly anarchist. They wear their beliefs as a costume. Still, that's far too present in our current society as well. This is a fine balance, and the novel never feels preachy.
The narrator of this novel is Gail Shalan. Her voice was perfect for this story. She didn't use different voices the characters. Instead, her narration mostly inhabits the background, allowing the reader to immerse themselves wholly into the story. I loved the effect of this choice.
Thank you to Gabrielle Korn, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
This story is somewhat related to an earlier novel by this author, Yours For the Taking. It's set in the same world and features some of the same characters. I plan to read this novel but haven't read it before I jumped into this.
This is a complete story even without reading the other related novel. However, I think I would've understood more what was being offered in this novel if I had. Honestly, I think it only really mattered at the end. I think the conclusion probably hits harder if the reader has also read the first novel.
This story has 2 alternate timelines: 2041 and 2078. It's a kind of circular story about motherhood, climate change, and the challenge of creating meaningful but free communities.
Ultimately, it's a dystopian novel for our times, and it left me filled with a sense of peace. This is both surprising and extremely well done. This focuses on LGBTQIA+ peoples within communities. The characters' gender or sexuality isn't the focus of the story and mostly fades into the background. I particularly loved how the trans characters' concerns weren't over their identity. So, it was a story full of people who happened to be from marginalized genders.
I also liked the call out or call in about how anarchist communities can too often mirror the same power structures as our present society. And how that leads to the same oppression we are fighting. Of course, these communities aren't truly anarchist. They wear their beliefs as a costume. Still, that's far too present in our current society as well. This is a fine balance, and the novel never feels preachy.
The narrator of this novel is Gail Shalan. Her voice was perfect for this story. She didn't use different voices the characters. Instead, her narration mostly inhabits the background, allowing the reader to immerse themselves wholly into the story. I loved the effect of this choice.
Thank you to Gabrielle Korn, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
January 10, 2025
WOOF. Reading this while we have multiple feet of snow in the midwest and LA is dealing with massive fires was quite a doozy. Korn shows you the horrors that could come from climate change in THE SHUTOUTS. After I started reading this one, I realized it is a follow up to her first book YOURS FOR THE TAKING which I've now added to my TBR. I really liked how the storyline alternated between the past, 2041 and the future, 2070s. Korn includes queer representation that I found to be a great addition to the story. The descriptions of what the world could look like gave me nightmares but I also found it motivated me to try and take action where I can. This is a book that will definitely stick with me for years to come.
Thanks to SMP for the gifted copy.
Thanks to SMP for the gifted copy.
May 30, 2024
i cant believe i got to read ANOTHER queer dystopian book by Gabrielle Korn. this story made the world bigger, and more complex in the best way. i’m craving more.
thank you to the publishers for the ARC!
thank you to the publishers for the ARC!
July 5, 2024
The moral of the story here is that queer people will ALWAYS persevere……
I feel so grateful to have had the chance to revisit this world so soon after reading Yours For the Taking; thank you to both NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Shutouts!
I feel so grateful to have had the chance to revisit this world so soon after reading Yours For the Taking; thank you to both NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Shutouts!
December 17, 2024
Author Gabrielle Korn returns to her dystopian world, and follows six different women in two different time periods, 2041 and 2078:
-Max: Born into a cult, the Winter Liberation Army, which started as a group of activists attempting to live totally independently of everyone and everything then devolved into the men holding all the power, in 2078 Max attempts to escape with their crush, but gets hurt and abandoned. They eventually encounter Camilla, who had been living with her father, Orchid and others.
-Orchid: In 2078, she left her settlement to find Ava (they were lovers in book one years earlier) in New York City. She finds Ava and Brook outside of their Inside Project compound, and they begin travelling back to Orchid's home together, encountering difficulties and some dangers.
-Kelly: She left her young daughter Orchid behind to join a group of people, the Winter Liberation Army. She becomes disenchanted with their behaviour and changed aims eventually, and attempts to return home in 2041. We learn about her through a series of letters she sent to young Orchid.
-Camilla: Shelby's (from book one) sister, cares for Max, and waits alone for Orchid to return, with the intention of them all reuniting with the others, who have moved to a safer location to settle after storms made it too difficult to stay.
-Ava: Back in the world, and finding it hard to adapt, but is also glad Orchid is with them. The three women travel the long, hard road back to reunite with Camilla.
-Brook: Eager to find a way to reconnect with July, who is living in New Zealand after the shuttle carrying the wealthy landed there.
The writing is compelling, fleshing out our understanding of Orchid, Ava, Brook and Camilla, and introducing new characters, who are equally well drawn.
-Orchid's independence and behaviours (in book one)become clearer with information about Kelly, and how Orchid manages the trip back to her home with a struggling Ava and naïve Brook.
-Kelly's letters are a combination of exciting revelations as she works with the activists, and gradually show a woman full of regret whose choices took her far from the daughter she loves.
-Max must learn to overcome the prejudices of her cult and open themselves to new experiences, ideas and relationships.
-Camilla has become incredibly resourceful, and it's great to see Shelby's younger sister come into her own.
Korn shifts perspectives repeatedly, and each person's section is full of drama, intimacy, pain, and wonderfully brought to life as we see the climate continuing to devolve over the thirty year timespan of the novel. Korn does a wonderful job of making us care about each character, and we see the importance of connection and community in a hard, unforgiving world.
I switched back and forth between the prose and the audiobook, and enjoyed both. Gail Shalan does a great job voicing all the different characters, so that I always knew whose perspective I was listening to. Shalan conveys each person's emotions beautifully, while also bringing the damaged world to life as they make their way through it.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for these ARCs in exchange for my review.
-Max: Born into a cult, the Winter Liberation Army, which started as a group of activists attempting to live totally independently of everyone and everything then devolved into the men holding all the power, in 2078 Max attempts to escape with their crush, but gets hurt and abandoned. They eventually encounter Camilla, who had been living with her father, Orchid and others.
-Orchid: In 2078, she left her settlement to find Ava (they were lovers in book one years earlier) in New York City. She finds Ava and Brook outside of their Inside Project compound, and they begin travelling back to Orchid's home together, encountering difficulties and some dangers.
-Kelly: She left her young daughter Orchid behind to join a group of people, the Winter Liberation Army. She becomes disenchanted with their behaviour and changed aims eventually, and attempts to return home in 2041. We learn about her through a series of letters she sent to young Orchid.
-Camilla: Shelby's (from book one) sister, cares for Max, and waits alone for Orchid to return, with the intention of them all reuniting with the others, who have moved to a safer location to settle after storms made it too difficult to stay.
-Ava: Back in the world, and finding it hard to adapt, but is also glad Orchid is with them. The three women travel the long, hard road back to reunite with Camilla.
-Brook: Eager to find a way to reconnect with July, who is living in New Zealand after the shuttle carrying the wealthy landed there.
The writing is compelling, fleshing out our understanding of Orchid, Ava, Brook and Camilla, and introducing new characters, who are equally well drawn.
-Orchid's independence and behaviours (in book one)become clearer with information about Kelly, and how Orchid manages the trip back to her home with a struggling Ava and naïve Brook.
-Kelly's letters are a combination of exciting revelations as she works with the activists, and gradually show a woman full of regret whose choices took her far from the daughter she loves.
-Max must learn to overcome the prejudices of her cult and open themselves to new experiences, ideas and relationships.
-Camilla has become incredibly resourceful, and it's great to see Shelby's younger sister come into her own.
Korn shifts perspectives repeatedly, and each person's section is full of drama, intimacy, pain, and wonderfully brought to life as we see the climate continuing to devolve over the thirty year timespan of the novel. Korn does a wonderful job of making us care about each character, and we see the importance of connection and community in a hard, unforgiving world.
I switched back and forth between the prose and the audiobook, and enjoyed both. Gail Shalan does a great job voicing all the different characters, so that I always knew whose perspective I was listening to. Shalan conveys each person's emotions beautifully, while also bringing the damaged world to life as they make their way through it.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for these ARCs in exchange for my review.
May 20, 2024
This is part two of the series that starts with Yours For The Taking. I would highly recommend reading it first to understand the timeline and characters.
In this book there are multiple points of view going back to Kelly, an environmental activist in 2040 and jumping to 2071 after the world collapses with Ava, her daughter Brook and Camille, Shelby’’s sister. In book one Shelby was recruited to be executive assistant to Jacquline Millender who develops and orchestrates the Inside project.
Ava and Brook have escaped from Inside and are looking for July, Ava’s other daughter who was abducted and is on the spaceship with Jacquline and Shelby.
Kelly has a daughter Orchid who survives the collapse and is living in the wilderness. It turns out that she and Ava were together at the start of book one and meet again in the second book.
The majority of the book is about Kelly and her activist friends and their plan to expose the government in not stopping global warming.
I liked parts of this book and was curious to get the end and see the connections between all the characters over the 40 year time span. This one did not have as many new inventions or ideas as book one.
ARC received from Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.
In this book there are multiple points of view going back to Kelly, an environmental activist in 2040 and jumping to 2071 after the world collapses with Ava, her daughter Brook and Camille, Shelby’’s sister. In book one Shelby was recruited to be executive assistant to Jacquline Millender who develops and orchestrates the Inside project.
Ava and Brook have escaped from Inside and are looking for July, Ava’s other daughter who was abducted and is on the spaceship with Jacquline and Shelby.
Kelly has a daughter Orchid who survives the collapse and is living in the wilderness. It turns out that she and Ava were together at the start of book one and meet again in the second book.
The majority of the book is about Kelly and her activist friends and their plan to expose the government in not stopping global warming.
I liked parts of this book and was curious to get the end and see the connections between all the characters over the 40 year time span. This one did not have as many new inventions or ideas as book one.
ARC received from Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2024
Gabrielle Korn's "The Shutouts" is a masterful queer dystopian novel set in a near-future America ravaged by climate change and political turmoil. In this compelling sequel to "Yours for the Taking," Korn weaves a complex narrative that follows characters on the fringes of society as they navigate a treacherous landscape in search of safety and connection.
Set in 2041, the story revolves around multiple timelines and perspectives. Kelly, a mother desperate to reunite with her daughter after seven years, braves deadly storms and wildfires to return to a family she left behind for a cause she no longer believes in. Simultaneously, Ava and her daughter Brook flee from a climate change relief program, the Inside Project, where they have been treated as lab rats for over two decades. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they meet a woman from Ava's past, leading to a profound exploration of survival and humanity in a desolate world.
"The Shutouts" brilliantly intertwines these narratives with another storyline set in the far North, where worsening weather conditions force a settlement to seek greener pastures, leaving behind two members bound by circumstance and mystery. Korn's ability to create a richly detailed world filled with diverse and deeply human characters is impressive. The novel is a poignant reflection on the struggles of those left outside the perceived safety of society, their resilience, and their interconnectedness.
This novel is a standout in the dystopian genre, blending themes of climate change, survival, and queer identity with remarkable skill. Korn's writing is both captivating and thought-provoking, making "The Shutouts" a must-read. Whether you're drawn to the dynamic characters, the intricate plot, or the pressing themes of environmental and social justice, this book delivers on all fronts. It’s an exceptional follow-up to "Yours for the Taking" and a powerful conclusion to Korn’s dystopian saga.
I received an advanced copy through Goodreads giveaways. This is my honest review
Set in 2041, the story revolves around multiple timelines and perspectives. Kelly, a mother desperate to reunite with her daughter after seven years, braves deadly storms and wildfires to return to a family she left behind for a cause she no longer believes in. Simultaneously, Ava and her daughter Brook flee from a climate change relief program, the Inside Project, where they have been treated as lab rats for over two decades. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they meet a woman from Ava's past, leading to a profound exploration of survival and humanity in a desolate world.
"The Shutouts" brilliantly intertwines these narratives with another storyline set in the far North, where worsening weather conditions force a settlement to seek greener pastures, leaving behind two members bound by circumstance and mystery. Korn's ability to create a richly detailed world filled with diverse and deeply human characters is impressive. The novel is a poignant reflection on the struggles of those left outside the perceived safety of society, their resilience, and their interconnectedness.
This novel is a standout in the dystopian genre, blending themes of climate change, survival, and queer identity with remarkable skill. Korn's writing is both captivating and thought-provoking, making "The Shutouts" a must-read. Whether you're drawn to the dynamic characters, the intricate plot, or the pressing themes of environmental and social justice, this book delivers on all fronts. It’s an exceptional follow-up to "Yours for the Taking" and a powerful conclusion to Korn’s dystopian saga.
I received an advanced copy through Goodreads giveaways. This is my honest review
February 9, 2025
They had me at queer dystopia. At first the commentary was a bit heavy handed and a little too real but by the end I was impressed with the nuanced takes on climate change activism and the politics of it all. I did struggle to keep up with the changing perspectives and lost track of some of the characters but I LOVED the way the author portrayed so many types of love and connection throughout the course of the story. Made me think and also made me feel emotions so a win for sure
March 26, 2025
St. Martin’s Press eARC
I have mixed feelings about this book. It’s definitely a sequel, so if you haven’t read Yours for the Taking, go back and read it first. I liked seeing a bit more of the outside world, since the first book was focused on the Inside. But there was a lot going on here, and sometimes I had a hard time keeping everyone straight. But it’s definitely a novel that will make you think about climate change and what’s going to happen once the point of no return is hit.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It’s definitely a sequel, so if you haven’t read Yours for the Taking, go back and read it first. I liked seeing a bit more of the outside world, since the first book was focused on the Inside. But there was a lot going on here, and sometimes I had a hard time keeping everyone straight. But it’s definitely a novel that will make you think about climate change and what’s going to happen once the point of no return is hit.
June 26, 2025
GABRIELLE KORN YOUVE DONE IT AGAIN!!!!!
Please write another 500 books… I will read them all! I savored the last hour of this book for the entire morning.
I loved how these characters intersected, I loved the grief and the hope that all of these characters shared.
Kelly’s story was so tumultuous and I felt for her so deeply.
Please write another 500 books… I will read them all! I savored the last hour of this book for the entire morning.
I loved how these characters intersected, I loved the grief and the hope that all of these characters shared.
Kelly’s story was so tumultuous and I felt for her so deeply.
June 29, 2024
I received a free advance reader copy of this book as the result of a Goodreads Giveaway win and would like to thank anyone who had a hand in making that happen!
This is a sequel to Yours for the Taking which I did not realize until I received the arc. I ordered the first book and read it before starting this and I would highly, highly recommend anyone else to do the same! Both books are amazing and this one picks up right where the first one left off, while also exploring events leading up to where the first book started. I loved the world-building in both near-future dystopian books, it is terrifyingly realistic and provides so much food for thought! I also loved the way this tied up loose ends from the first book and while the ending provided a sense of closure, I would love to read another book set in this world!
This is a sequel to Yours for the Taking which I did not realize until I received the arc. I ordered the first book and read it before starting this and I would highly, highly recommend anyone else to do the same! Both books are amazing and this one picks up right where the first one left off, while also exploring events leading up to where the first book started. I loved the world-building in both near-future dystopian books, it is terrifyingly realistic and provides so much food for thought! I also loved the way this tied up loose ends from the first book and while the ending provided a sense of closure, I would love to read another book set in this world!
December 17, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the arc. This was so so good. I loved it so much. I was hooked right from the beginning and could not put it down. This sequel can definetly be read as a standalone, I ended up reading the first one after I finished this, and I wasn't confused when reading it. Gabrielle Korn is now an autobuy author for me. This was so creative and all the characters were rich and vibrant. It was set in such an interesting world, and the world building was so well done. I loved that nearly everyone was queer, and seeing how the different stories all came together. I highly recommend this, one of my best reads of the year.
December 3, 2024
I absolutely loved Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn because I’m an inside person. The Shutouts is about a difficult journey told in two timelines with alternating chapters. This is a companion novel to Yours for the Taking but can also be read as a stand alone book. I nearly cried at the end. This future is heartbreaking. Audiobook is wonderfully narrated by Gail Shalan. ARC was provided by St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley. ALC was provided by Macmillan Audio. I received an advance review copy and an advance listening copy for free and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
November 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I won an advanced reader copy of this book and while it isn't a genre that I often read, once I got into the story, I enjoyed it. I tend to be a reader who likes to read to escape into different worlds, so I found the dark realities of this story a little challenging (the dystopian nature of this hit a little too close to home) but I enjoyed the characters in the story and the representation that was included throughout.
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