What do you think?
Rate this book
Brigade #1
Trans Liberty Riot Brigade
How do you fight for who you are, when the government controls what you are?
Andi knows being born an intersex "Transgressor" and then choosing to stay that way, can have lethal consequences. After all, surgical assignment is mandated by law. But she ain’t going to spend her life hiding from the Society, hooked on Flow, and wanking tourists just to make a few bucks. She's a member of the Trans Liberty Riot Brigade, an underground faction of Transgressors resisting the government’s war on their illegal genitalia.
But it’s not enough to tag their messages on shithouse walls and sniff down the next high. The government has found their headquarters, decimated their ranks, and they’re crushing the resistance. Though Andi might be nothing but a junktard, she embarks on a desperate dash to stay alive and send a call for help before they’re all killed—or worse, surgically assigned.
Andi, together with Brigade leader Elenbar, must get beyond the communications block preventing all radio transmission, which means crossing the seaboard Wall barricading the United Free States borders. It’s designed to keep enemies out and the citizens in, but amid increasing earthquakes and deadly pursuit, Andi will discover there’s a far more dangerous secret hidden deep within the Wall itself.
Andi knows being born an intersex "Transgressor" and then choosing to stay that way, can have lethal consequences. After all, surgical assignment is mandated by law. But she ain’t going to spend her life hiding from the Society, hooked on Flow, and wanking tourists just to make a few bucks. She's a member of the Trans Liberty Riot Brigade, an underground faction of Transgressors resisting the government’s war on their illegal genitalia.
But it’s not enough to tag their messages on shithouse walls and sniff down the next high. The government has found their headquarters, decimated their ranks, and they’re crushing the resistance. Though Andi might be nothing but a junktard, she embarks on a desperate dash to stay alive and send a call for help before they’re all killed—or worse, surgically assigned.
Andi, together with Brigade leader Elenbar, must get beyond the communications block preventing all radio transmission, which means crossing the seaboard Wall barricading the United Free States borders. It’s designed to keep enemies out and the citizens in, but amid increasing earthquakes and deadly pursuit, Andi will discover there’s a far more dangerous secret hidden deep within the Wall itself.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2017
5 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
L.M. Pierce
2 books19 followers“Hey, but what if…?”
Music to Lindsay’s ears. She is an eclectic liberal box of sparks. Friends call her a golden retriever. She is a lover of the new and the old, of asking questions and contemplating possibilities. In addition to the making of words, she is a mental health therapist, anti-oppression trainer, and queer AF.
She lives with her family in Olympia, Washington.
Music to Lindsay’s ears. She is an eclectic liberal box of sparks. Friends call her a golden retriever. She is a lover of the new and the old, of asking questions and contemplating possibilities. In addition to the making of words, she is a mental health therapist, anti-oppression trainer, and queer AF.
She lives with her family in Olympia, Washington.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 18, 2018
Book received from Netgalley for an honest review
Set in a future dystopian world, Andi is a member of the Trans Liberty Light Brigade, a ragtag group of intersex “Transgressors” fighting for their right to remain intersex and not be forced by the government into surgical gender assignment. Elenbar, the Brigade’s leader, knows that Society is closing in on them and needs to get a message out to beyond the United Free States and chooses Andi to go with her. Andi is a junkie but even in her addled state agrees because she and Elenbar have a shared history and come from the same orphanage.
I spent the first 20% percent of this book learning a new language and feeling my skin crawl at the way the characters live in the slums; dirty, hungry, high and subject to brutal contact. The descriptions of the vile surroundings, smells and conditions are interesting and inventive.
While reading this I had a strong sense of the book being a mash-up between ‘A Clockwork Orange’, ‘Trainspotting’ with a dash ‘Stepford Wives’ and an odd flash of ‘The Lorax’ but not in anything tangible like its content or characters, but more in an impressionistic way.
I struggled with the filth and grossness and I think there was only one brief period that anybody was clean. As I felt myself relax I realised that they were in the clutches of the baddies and relief was shortlived. I found Andi an interesting character (the book is written from he/r point of view) but I never felt that I connected. I preferred Elenbar but he/r portrayal was limited by Andi’s vision and knowledge.
What I really liked was that the orphanage, St Aggie’s, where Andi and Elenbar grew up was run by nuns who love and protect the children in their care. They support their right not to be forced into gender assignment.
My enjoyment of this novel was curtailed by the filth and my lack of connection to the main character. The premise was interesting and the action fast-paced. I didn’t mind the language or the swearing.
Set in a future dystopian world, Andi is a member of the Trans Liberty Light Brigade, a ragtag group of intersex “Transgressors” fighting for their right to remain intersex and not be forced by the government into surgical gender assignment. Elenbar, the Brigade’s leader, knows that Society is closing in on them and needs to get a message out to beyond the United Free States and chooses Andi to go with her. Andi is a junkie but even in her addled state agrees because she and Elenbar have a shared history and come from the same orphanage.
I spent the first 20% percent of this book learning a new language and feeling my skin crawl at the way the characters live in the slums; dirty, hungry, high and subject to brutal contact. The descriptions of the vile surroundings, smells and conditions are interesting and inventive.
“The water’s a shade of blotchy underpants, grayish yellow from the repeated wash and piss stains of the world revolvin’ around it.”
While reading this I had a strong sense of the book being a mash-up between ‘A Clockwork Orange’, ‘Trainspotting’ with a dash ‘Stepford Wives’ and an odd flash of ‘The Lorax’ but not in anything tangible like its content or characters, but more in an impressionistic way.
I struggled with the filth and grossness and I think there was only one brief period that anybody was clean. As I felt myself relax I realised that they were in the clutches of the baddies and relief was shortlived. I found Andi an interesting character (the book is written from he/r point of view) but I never felt that I connected. I preferred Elenbar but he/r portrayal was limited by Andi’s vision and knowledge.
What I really liked was that the orphanage, St Aggie’s, where Andi and Elenbar grew up was run by nuns who love and protect the children in their care. They support their right not to be forced into gender assignment.
My enjoyment of this novel was curtailed by the filth and my lack of connection to the main character. The premise was interesting and the action fast-paced. I didn’t mind the language or the swearing.
June 30, 2017
**I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review**
I was completely entranced by the cover, which is breathtakingly gorgeous. What waits behind the cover is also art: dark, disturbing and beautiful all at once.
L.M. Pierce has created a dystopian future that's not terribly hard to imagine in our current climate, but the immersion goes far beyond your usual fare. This book is not an easy read- it took me a while to acclimate to the thick dialect of Andi, the narrator of this tale. It relaxes and becomes a little easier about a third of the way in, or I just mastered the nuance of language.
The story told through Andi's eyes is gritty, obscene, exciting, and thoroughly engaging.
In the shadows of the Wall surrounding the United Free States, increasing numbers of people are born intersex, with both male and female genitalia. Those who refuse or never undergo surgical assignment of gender are known as Transgressors, second class citizens fighting and clawing for survival with other persona non grata the Society deems undesirable. Andi is an addict and a thief, but harbors a burning defiance to be who she is and not who Society thinks she should be. A resistance movement led by Andi's friend Elenbar, known as the Trans Liberty Riot Brigade - the Brigade for short- sows the seeds of rebellion throughout the slums while the Transgressors evade the authorities in order to avoid getting "snipped". But something bigger than Andi- or even Elenbar- realizes is building in the UFS, and the Brigade has gotten the attention of Society in the worst kind of way. Andi and Elenbar risk the loss of their self-identity, their freedom, and their lives for a chance to get to the rumored freedom outside the Wall.
This story has a vibe that makes me think a little bit Handmaid's Tale, a little bit Les Miserables, and some 1984. I loved Andi's character, flawed and struggling and in way over her head.
The book's strongest point, its immersive quality into this grim future, is also a point of concern for me. People need to read this book, and it took a long time to warm up to the slang terms and Andi's jagged flow of dialogue. It might put some readers off--and if they give up, they will miss an otherwise masterful job of storytelling and literary art.
The story ends on an uncertain if hopeful note, and I look forward to seeing what the author has in store for the next chapter.
I was completely entranced by the cover, which is breathtakingly gorgeous. What waits behind the cover is also art: dark, disturbing and beautiful all at once.
L.M. Pierce has created a dystopian future that's not terribly hard to imagine in our current climate, but the immersion goes far beyond your usual fare. This book is not an easy read- it took me a while to acclimate to the thick dialect of Andi, the narrator of this tale. It relaxes and becomes a little easier about a third of the way in, or I just mastered the nuance of language.
The story told through Andi's eyes is gritty, obscene, exciting, and thoroughly engaging.
In the shadows of the Wall surrounding the United Free States, increasing numbers of people are born intersex, with both male and female genitalia. Those who refuse or never undergo surgical assignment of gender are known as Transgressors, second class citizens fighting and clawing for survival with other persona non grata the Society deems undesirable. Andi is an addict and a thief, but harbors a burning defiance to be who she is and not who Society thinks she should be. A resistance movement led by Andi's friend Elenbar, known as the Trans Liberty Riot Brigade - the Brigade for short- sows the seeds of rebellion throughout the slums while the Transgressors evade the authorities in order to avoid getting "snipped". But something bigger than Andi- or even Elenbar- realizes is building in the UFS, and the Brigade has gotten the attention of Society in the worst kind of way. Andi and Elenbar risk the loss of their self-identity, their freedom, and their lives for a chance to get to the rumored freedom outside the Wall.
This story has a vibe that makes me think a little bit Handmaid's Tale, a little bit Les Miserables, and some 1984. I loved Andi's character, flawed and struggling and in way over her head.
The book's strongest point, its immersive quality into this grim future, is also a point of concern for me. People need to read this book, and it took a long time to warm up to the slang terms and Andi's jagged flow of dialogue. It might put some readers off--and if they give up, they will miss an otherwise masterful job of storytelling and literary art.
The story ends on an uncertain if hopeful note, and I look forward to seeing what the author has in store for the next chapter.
June 19, 2017
This is a cross between Clockwork Orange and Tank Girl. Freaking awesome!
August 10, 2017
First off, let me say that NineStar Press is becoming my go-to for LGBTQ+ science fiction. Most of my favorite science fiction stories of the year have been published by this press, and Trans Liberty Riot Brigade is another favorite. Their page is definitely worth a looksie if you haven’t already.
Trans Liberty Riot Brigade is as edgy as the title suggests. Taking place in a dystopian future, where intersex people are being persecuted by the government, and the United Free States is at war with the rest of the world, it’s not surprising our protagonist, Andi, grows up in rough times. She’s equally rough because of it.
The voice of Andi and the people of the time—the late 21st century—hits you within the first few sentences. The slang is tough to decipher, with an almost A Clockwork Orange feel. To highlight the setting, within the first chapter Andi’s almost raped, is repeatedly assaulted and battered, and overdoses on one of the local street drugs, Flow. And it gets worse. Between the lingo and the oppressive setting, it took me a while to pick through this story, but man was it powerful and definitely worth it.
The main theme of the novel centers around oppression by society and the ways it hurts everyone in every class, not just those in the lower classes, and, therefore, is self-destructing. Through Andi, we’re certainly exposed to how the government fucks over the lower class—holy crap. Because she’s intersex, her life is pretty much forfeit from the get-go. Her body is literally illegal for her to have. She talks about prostitution, being raised by nuns, drugs, rape, and physical and mental abuse—all because she is who she is. A little over halfway through the novel, we also get a glimpse of how the government oppresses the middle class and those it pretends to support. It eats its own tail. A lose-lose for everyone, the examples bring Pierce’s message home nicely.
Although I struggled with the creative diction, it was also probably my favorite part of the entire book. The words were believable and added to a feel that I was in a time and place that was not my own, despite the country being called the United Free States. I definitely had a Wizard of Oz moment.
The characters were also fantastic, and remarkably consistent. They…consistently beat the crap out of each other, lol. But seriously, even though they were kinda shitty people sometimes, they stuck to their guns and I respected that. If I haven’t already made this clear (along with the warning in the blurb itself) this is a pretty violent book, and the characters aren’t Captain America, Ironman, or even Batman. Andi is a part of this revolutionary Trans Riot Brigade, but it becomes pretty clear that she doesn’t really perform her brand of social activism out of a sense of responsibility to society or goodness to her heart. What is perhaps surprising is that she does have a very strong sense of loyalty and family, even if she demonstrates it poorly at times.
My one criticism of the story was that it seemed to meander off course a bit, but I must confess while I was a bit murky on where it was headed during those parts, I was still thoroughly entertained. Andi goes through significant personal evolution, so the lack of a romantic storyline or some of those other types of side plots was barely noticed by me. If this is going to be series, however, I’d like to see her form more emotional connections.
Read this if you like gritty science fiction and dystopian lit, and you’re not afraid of violence and an inventive curse word or two—ha! More like five hundred.
Reviewed by Ben for The Novel Approach
Trans Liberty Riot Brigade is as edgy as the title suggests. Taking place in a dystopian future, where intersex people are being persecuted by the government, and the United Free States is at war with the rest of the world, it’s not surprising our protagonist, Andi, grows up in rough times. She’s equally rough because of it.
The voice of Andi and the people of the time—the late 21st century—hits you within the first few sentences. The slang is tough to decipher, with an almost A Clockwork Orange feel. To highlight the setting, within the first chapter Andi’s almost raped, is repeatedly assaulted and battered, and overdoses on one of the local street drugs, Flow. And it gets worse. Between the lingo and the oppressive setting, it took me a while to pick through this story, but man was it powerful and definitely worth it.
The main theme of the novel centers around oppression by society and the ways it hurts everyone in every class, not just those in the lower classes, and, therefore, is self-destructing. Through Andi, we’re certainly exposed to how the government fucks over the lower class—holy crap. Because she’s intersex, her life is pretty much forfeit from the get-go. Her body is literally illegal for her to have. She talks about prostitution, being raised by nuns, drugs, rape, and physical and mental abuse—all because she is who she is. A little over halfway through the novel, we also get a glimpse of how the government oppresses the middle class and those it pretends to support. It eats its own tail. A lose-lose for everyone, the examples bring Pierce’s message home nicely.
Although I struggled with the creative diction, it was also probably my favorite part of the entire book. The words were believable and added to a feel that I was in a time and place that was not my own, despite the country being called the United Free States. I definitely had a Wizard of Oz moment.
The characters were also fantastic, and remarkably consistent. They…consistently beat the crap out of each other, lol. But seriously, even though they were kinda shitty people sometimes, they stuck to their guns and I respected that. If I haven’t already made this clear (along with the warning in the blurb itself) this is a pretty violent book, and the characters aren’t Captain America, Ironman, or even Batman. Andi is a part of this revolutionary Trans Riot Brigade, but it becomes pretty clear that she doesn’t really perform her brand of social activism out of a sense of responsibility to society or goodness to her heart. What is perhaps surprising is that she does have a very strong sense of loyalty and family, even if she demonstrates it poorly at times.
My one criticism of the story was that it seemed to meander off course a bit, but I must confess while I was a bit murky on where it was headed during those parts, I was still thoroughly entertained. Andi goes through significant personal evolution, so the lack of a romantic storyline or some of those other types of side plots was barely noticed by me. If this is going to be series, however, I’d like to see her form more emotional connections.
Read this if you like gritty science fiction and dystopian lit, and you’re not afraid of violence and an inventive curse word or two—ha! More like five hundred.
Reviewed by Ben for The Novel Approach
September 8, 2017
3 Stars
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book from the author. This has not influenced my review.*
The book was very gritty, grungy, and dirty (literally dirty, like with dirt and sweat and other bodily fluids). The main character lived in the slums. The book was filled with drug addiction and lots of mentions of prostitution and rape (though no explicit scenes—well, except one scene in which Andi and some others were touched without consent). There were graphic descriptions of various sorts of disgusting things, including injuries and dead bodies. Every other word in Andi’s head or out of her mouth was some sort of guttermouth slang. So basically, it is not a book for the easily offended or weak-stomached.
Speaking of Andi’s voice though, it was very different from the usual that you find in books, which was refreshing. It was full of slang and completely colored by her life and situation. I can’t really explain it, but I recommend reading a preview of the book on Amazon (or somewhere) to get a feel for it if you’re unsure about whether you’ll like it or not. (Reading a preview will also show you how gritty the book is.)
There was also a great message in this book not just about being intersex but about being who you are and letting people be who they are. The main characters didn’t want to be assigned a binary gender, they were happy just being themselves with the bodies they were given, and all they wanted was to be given the option to keep those bodies.
The plot/pacing was where I think the book lost me though. I didn’t understand/believe/see the point of some things (for example, I felt like there was no way Andi wouldn’t have died of infection after everything her body went through), and I just wasn’t gripped. Also, the timeline for how their society came to be the way it was didn’t make sense, unless I just misunderstood (which is possible because I was confused). And to be honest, I think the language and Andi’s voice got to be a little bit too much for me after a while.
However, overall, it had a somewhat unique premise, it included representation of a part of the LGBTQIA+ community that you don’t see often in books, and the writing had a deep POV with a unique voice.
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes dystopian, gritty books, unique character voices, and non-binary characters.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book from the author. This has not influenced my review.*
The book was very gritty, grungy, and dirty (literally dirty, like with dirt and sweat and other bodily fluids). The main character lived in the slums. The book was filled with drug addiction and lots of mentions of prostitution and rape (though no explicit scenes—well, except one scene in which Andi and some others were touched without consent). There were graphic descriptions of various sorts of disgusting things, including injuries and dead bodies. Every other word in Andi’s head or out of her mouth was some sort of guttermouth slang. So basically, it is not a book for the easily offended or weak-stomached.
Speaking of Andi’s voice though, it was very different from the usual that you find in books, which was refreshing. It was full of slang and completely colored by her life and situation. I can’t really explain it, but I recommend reading a preview of the book on Amazon (or somewhere) to get a feel for it if you’re unsure about whether you’ll like it or not. (Reading a preview will also show you how gritty the book is.)
There was also a great message in this book not just about being intersex but about being who you are and letting people be who they are. The main characters didn’t want to be assigned a binary gender, they were happy just being themselves with the bodies they were given, and all they wanted was to be given the option to keep those bodies.
The plot/pacing was where I think the book lost me though. I didn’t understand/believe/see the point of some things (for example, I felt like there was no way Andi wouldn’t have died of infection after everything her body went through), and I just wasn’t gripped. Also, the timeline for how their society came to be the way it was didn’t make sense, unless I just misunderstood (which is possible because I was confused). And to be honest, I think the language and Andi’s voice got to be a little bit too much for me after a while.
However, overall, it had a somewhat unique premise, it included representation of a part of the LGBTQIA+ community that you don’t see often in books, and the writing had a deep POV with a unique voice.
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes dystopian, gritty books, unique character voices, and non-binary characters.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
October 15, 2017
Now more than ever, books like Brigade are vital—both as gritty, brutal warnings of a dystopic society not too far out of reach, and as beautiful, fierce affirmations of self-identity and hope.
Put in a less obnoxious way, this book is not an easy read but it will make you feel things I think are important. Relax into the dialect and get lost in the best possible way.
Put in a less obnoxious way, this book is not an easy read but it will make you feel things I think are important. Relax into the dialect and get lost in the best possible way.
February 21, 2018
Copy provided by Ninestar Press through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
DNF'd @5%
Review CN: homophobic slurs, quotes from the book concerning transphobic comments and genitalia
Let me just start off by saying that I took a risk in picking up this book but I was really curious to see if the author could carry off writing about such a sensitive issue, especially in speculative fiction. I don't usually pick up books with trans or intersex characters anymore from authors I'm not certain are trans and/or intersex themselves, as too often I've found the books to end up being offensive, no matter how well-researched. In the past, I've read speculative fiction that explores the 'what if...' gender and sex questions that are written by cis people and, in my experience, it never turns out well. I'm not saying that non #ownvoice writers shouldn't write diverse characters, that's not what I'm saying at all, but in my experience, the characters and story come off as inauthentic and, often, offensive. So I knew there was a likelihood that I wasn't going to enjoy this but I wanted to give it a chance.
I also want to say that I usually wait a lot longer before DNF'ing a book but I really couldn't endure TLRB for much longer. The voice of the narrator is incredibly strong and brash. It's one of those narrative voices that you're either going to love or hate, and it was definitely a hate for me. It's full of slang swearing, constantly calling people 'faggers', talk about drugs, and is incredibly abrasive in a way which makes the entire narrative voice seem really forced.
I found it really hard to follow because it just stuck out like a sore thumb to me and was really distracting. There have been books with narrative voices that I've hated but that I still forced myself through (hello Catcher in the Rye, but TLRB also had a few other things that I took issue with straight away.
As someone who is trans, I really took issue with the language that the narrator and other characters use to talk about gender and sex. It made me really, really uncomfortable reading it. I get that the characters are supposed to be Super Edge Lords but really... In the society which TLRB takes place, the Trans Liberty Riot Brigade is made up of a bunch of intersexed people, "Transgressors", who staunchly refuse to have sex reassignment surgeries which is required by law. I was super excited to read a book in which characters actively fought against being assigned a legal sex and/or gender and team up to form a cool riot brigade. But that is not the experience I got. To be honest, the way that the TLRB spoke about people who had had this surgery was absolutely disgusting.
In a particular scene, the scene which caused me to DNF the book so fast, our MC and another member of the TLRB stumble across a former member called "Lucky Lips" who had gone missing some months earlier. But there is clearly something different about Lips and it appears that difference is that she has elected to have reassignment surgery. As our MC remarks, "I've never seen Lips look this way, with tits like this, and in a dress too". After it's revealed that Lips has had reassignment surgery, the way that the TLRB treat her is absolutely disgusting and just made my skin crawl.
Regardless of whether these characters change their tune later on in the book, this is definitely not something that I want to read.
DNF'd @5%
Review CN: homophobic slurs, quotes from the book concerning transphobic comments and genitalia
Let me just start off by saying that I took a risk in picking up this book but I was really curious to see if the author could carry off writing about such a sensitive issue, especially in speculative fiction. I don't usually pick up books with trans or intersex characters anymore from authors I'm not certain are trans and/or intersex themselves, as too often I've found the books to end up being offensive, no matter how well-researched. In the past, I've read speculative fiction that explores the 'what if...' gender and sex questions that are written by cis people and, in my experience, it never turns out well. I'm not saying that non #ownvoice writers shouldn't write diverse characters, that's not what I'm saying at all, but in my experience, the characters and story come off as inauthentic and, often, offensive. So I knew there was a likelihood that I wasn't going to enjoy this but I wanted to give it a chance.
I also want to say that I usually wait a lot longer before DNF'ing a book but I really couldn't endure TLRB for much longer. The voice of the narrator is incredibly strong and brash. It's one of those narrative voices that you're either going to love or hate, and it was definitely a hate for me. It's full of slang swearing, constantly calling people 'faggers', talk about drugs, and is incredibly abrasive in a way which makes the entire narrative voice seem really forced.
Heh. Andi's going wonky. Dr Chambers'll take it outta your ass, for effing sure, you wanker.
I found it really hard to follow because it just stuck out like a sore thumb to me and was really distracting. There have been books with narrative voices that I've hated but that I still forced myself through (hello Catcher in the Rye, but TLRB also had a few other things that I took issue with straight away.
As someone who is trans, I really took issue with the language that the narrator and other characters use to talk about gender and sex. It made me really, really uncomfortable reading it. I get that the characters are supposed to be Super Edge Lords but really... In the society which TLRB takes place, the Trans Liberty Riot Brigade is made up of a bunch of intersexed people, "Transgressors", who staunchly refuse to have sex reassignment surgeries which is required by law. I was super excited to read a book in which characters actively fought against being assigned a legal sex and/or gender and team up to form a cool riot brigade. But that is not the experience I got. To be honest, the way that the TLRB spoke about people who had had this surgery was absolutely disgusting.
In a particular scene, the scene which caused me to DNF the book so fast, our MC and another member of the TLRB stumble across a former member called "Lucky Lips" who had gone missing some months earlier. But there is clearly something different about Lips and it appears that difference is that she has elected to have reassignment surgery. As our MC remarks, "I've never seen Lips look this way, with tits like this, and in a dress too". After it's revealed that Lips has had reassignment surgery, the way that the TLRB treat her is absolutely disgusting and just made my skin crawl.
Society slut, you're just an effing Society slut. Gonna take that dick along with the poke...
Hope you choke on a bucket of dicks
Regardless of whether these characters change their tune later on in the book, this is definitely not something that I want to read.
July 16, 2017
The title and cover of “Trans Liberty Riot Brigade” told me the book was going to be something special. The teaser on the back was further evidence supporting that theory. The novel did not disappoint. Once I started reading, I had to finish in one sitting.
At first, the slang made it hard for to engage with the character. I had to stop and figure out what some of the words meant. They were familiar enough, that between context, and remembering how my friends from high school used to talk, I could figure them out. They were foreign enough to feel like they were part of a true future. Once I got through the first few chapters and learned their rhythm, I flew through the book.
The truth that potential future holds is the most terrifying part of the book. The dark, gritty, dystopian landscape portrayed seems all to possible in today’s political climate. There was just enough truth to make it seem plausible.
The world building was good - but the main character was amazing. I always find myself complaining that the characters in some of my favorite books are too binary, but this one featured two who truly transcended the binary idea gender.
I can forgive the occasional moments of preachy-ness, and the work I had to do to learn the language of the book. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat. I could really engage with the characters, and I believed the world.
If I had to compare it other books, I say it’s a mix of Christina Henry’s Alice, Veronica Roth’s Divergent, and George Orwell’s 1984.
Read it!
Note: I received a free ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.
At first, the slang made it hard for to engage with the character. I had to stop and figure out what some of the words meant. They were familiar enough, that between context, and remembering how my friends from high school used to talk, I could figure them out. They were foreign enough to feel like they were part of a true future. Once I got through the first few chapters and learned their rhythm, I flew through the book.
The truth that potential future holds is the most terrifying part of the book. The dark, gritty, dystopian landscape portrayed seems all to possible in today’s political climate. There was just enough truth to make it seem plausible.
The world building was good - but the main character was amazing. I always find myself complaining that the characters in some of my favorite books are too binary, but this one featured two who truly transcended the binary idea gender.
I can forgive the occasional moments of preachy-ness, and the work I had to do to learn the language of the book. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat. I could really engage with the characters, and I believed the world.
If I had to compare it other books, I say it’s a mix of Christina Henry’s Alice, Veronica Roth’s Divergent, and George Orwell’s 1984.
Read it!
Note: I received a free ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2017
Background: Washington based L.M. Pierce is a speculative fiction author and self-confessed nerd, living happily with her husband and four fur-babies. Trans Liberty Riot Brigade was released on July 17 2017, and is the first book in the Brigade series.
The story is set in a world where people born intersex are labelled as ‘transgressors’ and are legally mandated to be assigned a gender. One such transgressor, Andi, is part of the titular Brigade, an underground group standing against the Government and their stance on intersex individuals. When the Brigade’s headquarters are targeted, things start going to Hell. Can Andi, a self-confessed junkie, and the Brigade’s leader Elenbar infiltrate the Wall along the border of her country and get a call out for help?
The Good: OK, so I want to mention the tone of the book here. With the United Free States, Lindsay has created a dystopian society that is more than a little chilling. Even without the barbaric treatment of intersex citizens, there are plenty of other things going on that would be viewed as travesties by most people, and each and every single one of them has roots in the current world struggles faced by many. Honestly, while the socio-political landscape of the book is extreme, it’s one that’s so deeply linked to our own that you can’t help but wonder if we’re heading in a similar direction at times. It’s difficult to achieve that feeling, so this deserves some applause.
The harshness of the world also means that our protagonists are, by both nature and necessity, never going to be comic book superheroes. Indeed, if we want to make a pop culture comparison, the Brigade are less ‘The Avengers’ and more ‘Tank Girl’ and her crew, both in terms of activism and general behaviour. Andi in particular gives off that vibe, though with more of a self-depreciating edge. That’s important though. Andi knows that she’s a drug addict, she knows that she’s a screw-up, and she knows that she makes bad decisions. At the same time, her situation dictates that she never had a fair shot at leading what society would deem to be a ‘normal life’. Yes, her nature makes her an incredibly frustrating character to read at times, but you’re always going to be so aware that this is the best person that she has been allowed to be, that it’s hard not to get behind her. As the book went on, even when she was stumbling regularly, I still found myself wanting to see Andi succeed in dragging herself out of the gutter.
That’s not to say that Andi is the only character worth noting though. While we don’t get near as much time with some other members of the supporting cast, Elenbar is a great addition to the narrative. While the way she acts towards others is at times more than a little aggressive, when you apply the same reasoning to her as you do to Andi, it soon becomes apparent how much she is a product of society’s unacknowledged (at least by those not on the receiving end of it) dysfunction. Her presence is a driving force for Andi too though, and Elenbar is both a pillar for her to lean on, and a dose of reality ready smack her across the face when needed.
Finally, the book is full of slang which, though it takes a few chapters to get used to, adds to the overall feel of the story. It becomes easy enough to pick up on most meanings after a while, and having its own enclosed language really adds to the authenticity of the world.
The Bad: Beginning with the customary content warnings, there is plenty that should be noted. Andi and her fellow Brigade members swear a lot. If that’s something that puts you off, you’re going to struggle here. The same can be said for some the things that Andi and co get up to or are put through. Violence, drug use, attempted sexual assault, mental abuse, and prostitution all form a part of daily life, and the book is a tough read because of this. The same can be said of Andi’s habit of acknowledging her flaws and poor decisions, but continuing to do them anyway. Everything is dealt with in a satisfactory manner, so it will all come down to your own tolerance levels as to whether this is going to put you off.
Outside of this, I do think that it’s a little hard to figure out what the brigade are actually planning. By the end of the book, I wasn’t certain whether I’d missed the overall plan (other than ‘call for help’), or if they simply weren’t certain what to do themselves. It’s not a major flaw at all, and it doesn’t really disconnect you from the story, especially knowing that a second book will be coming, but it did cause me to scratch my head a little.
Final View: Clocking in at a sturdy 80,800 words, Trans Liberty Riot Brigade has plenty of room to breathe, and uses this space well. If you’re up for a dystopian world that’s a little too close to reality to be comfortable, and a lead forced to desperately kick back at the world that created her, you can’t go far wrong. Harsh, but worthwhile.
Final Score: 4.5 / 5
The story is set in a world where people born intersex are labelled as ‘transgressors’ and are legally mandated to be assigned a gender. One such transgressor, Andi, is part of the titular Brigade, an underground group standing against the Government and their stance on intersex individuals. When the Brigade’s headquarters are targeted, things start going to Hell. Can Andi, a self-confessed junkie, and the Brigade’s leader Elenbar infiltrate the Wall along the border of her country and get a call out for help?
The Good: OK, so I want to mention the tone of the book here. With the United Free States, Lindsay has created a dystopian society that is more than a little chilling. Even without the barbaric treatment of intersex citizens, there are plenty of other things going on that would be viewed as travesties by most people, and each and every single one of them has roots in the current world struggles faced by many. Honestly, while the socio-political landscape of the book is extreme, it’s one that’s so deeply linked to our own that you can’t help but wonder if we’re heading in a similar direction at times. It’s difficult to achieve that feeling, so this deserves some applause.
The harshness of the world also means that our protagonists are, by both nature and necessity, never going to be comic book superheroes. Indeed, if we want to make a pop culture comparison, the Brigade are less ‘The Avengers’ and more ‘Tank Girl’ and her crew, both in terms of activism and general behaviour. Andi in particular gives off that vibe, though with more of a self-depreciating edge. That’s important though. Andi knows that she’s a drug addict, she knows that she’s a screw-up, and she knows that she makes bad decisions. At the same time, her situation dictates that she never had a fair shot at leading what society would deem to be a ‘normal life’. Yes, her nature makes her an incredibly frustrating character to read at times, but you’re always going to be so aware that this is the best person that she has been allowed to be, that it’s hard not to get behind her. As the book went on, even when she was stumbling regularly, I still found myself wanting to see Andi succeed in dragging herself out of the gutter.
That’s not to say that Andi is the only character worth noting though. While we don’t get near as much time with some other members of the supporting cast, Elenbar is a great addition to the narrative. While the way she acts towards others is at times more than a little aggressive, when you apply the same reasoning to her as you do to Andi, it soon becomes apparent how much she is a product of society’s unacknowledged (at least by those not on the receiving end of it) dysfunction. Her presence is a driving force for Andi too though, and Elenbar is both a pillar for her to lean on, and a dose of reality ready smack her across the face when needed.
Finally, the book is full of slang which, though it takes a few chapters to get used to, adds to the overall feel of the story. It becomes easy enough to pick up on most meanings after a while, and having its own enclosed language really adds to the authenticity of the world.
The Bad: Beginning with the customary content warnings, there is plenty that should be noted. Andi and her fellow Brigade members swear a lot. If that’s something that puts you off, you’re going to struggle here. The same can be said for some the things that Andi and co get up to or are put through. Violence, drug use, attempted sexual assault, mental abuse, and prostitution all form a part of daily life, and the book is a tough read because of this. The same can be said of Andi’s habit of acknowledging her flaws and poor decisions, but continuing to do them anyway. Everything is dealt with in a satisfactory manner, so it will all come down to your own tolerance levels as to whether this is going to put you off.
Outside of this, I do think that it’s a little hard to figure out what the brigade are actually planning. By the end of the book, I wasn’t certain whether I’d missed the overall plan (other than ‘call for help’), or if they simply weren’t certain what to do themselves. It’s not a major flaw at all, and it doesn’t really disconnect you from the story, especially knowing that a second book will be coming, but it did cause me to scratch my head a little.
Final View: Clocking in at a sturdy 80,800 words, Trans Liberty Riot Brigade has plenty of room to breathe, and uses this space well. If you’re up for a dystopian world that’s a little too close to reality to be comfortable, and a lead forced to desperately kick back at the world that created her, you can’t go far wrong. Harsh, but worthwhile.
Final Score: 4.5 / 5
July 2, 2017
"I ain't a man neither. I mean, what are we really?"
"Well...what do ya feel?"
"I'm me. I'm just-Andi. Whatever that means."
Unique, bold and intriguing. Overall, a fantastic book. The social and political themes are woven into the story quite well, though there were some parts where I found myself wanting more. But, given that this novel is the first in a series and the author is busily working to get Book II into our hands, it makes sense some elements need to be withheld for future exploration.
Our main character is an intersex 'Transgressor' who holds tightly onto her identity in a society that wants nothing more than to assign her to a binary sex. The world building is excellent and the narrator comes up with the most astounding, and sometimes HILARIOUS, ways of describing the places she finds herself in as she navigates a harsh and restrictive world. I love a character who swears even more than I do.
There's no romance in this novel, if that's what you're looking for. This is first and foremost a speculative fiction book, which is something I personally approve of. Not that I don't love a romantic sub-plot...but I do feel that the LGBTIQ+ market for novels tends to be flooded with romance stories and, fairly often, the 'genre books' don't embrace their genres as much as they could, but rather use genre settings (eg. the future, space etc.) as yet-another-backdrop for romance. As such, I was really pleased to read a science-fiction novel that does what sci-fi is meant to do: it delves into the deepest parts of our social, political, and personal identities and holds a mirror up so we can better explore the vices and hopes of humanity. Sexual and gender identities were a key part of the landscape because they're relevant to those themes, not because they facilitate a central relationship between two romantically involved characters.
Andi speaks a futuristic style of English that some readers may found difficult at first, but I got used to it within about 30 pages or so (especially when I worked out the difference between 'the brass' and a 'clunker'). The author did an amazing job of using situations, settings, and tone to help us understand the colloquialisms without intruding and just outright telling us what things meant. Two other characters (Puddin' and Boy) challenged me though, and I had to re-read some of their sentences to work out what they were saying. To be fair though, that was the whole point. Different people spoke with different dialects because of their social situations, so though it was challenging and I did get frustrated (very) briefly, it was also authentic and made sense for the context of the story.
My only real quibble was that I finished the book still not really sure what the Brigade was up to, aside from being a kind of group where Transgressors could feel more accepted. I never felt clear on what their 'missions' were (aside from the graffiti/general public menace stuff mentioned in the prologue) and how it was that there could be more than one branch. This is probably something that'll make a lot more sense as the series continues and I definitely plan on reading the next one when it comes out - I'm guessing in about a year, perhaps.
I recommend this book - especially to those who genuinely love science fiction and fantasy.
***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review***
"Well...what do ya feel?"
"I'm me. I'm just-Andi. Whatever that means."
Unique, bold and intriguing. Overall, a fantastic book. The social and political themes are woven into the story quite well, though there were some parts where I found myself wanting more. But, given that this novel is the first in a series and the author is busily working to get Book II into our hands, it makes sense some elements need to be withheld for future exploration.
Our main character is an intersex 'Transgressor' who holds tightly onto her identity in a society that wants nothing more than to assign her to a binary sex. The world building is excellent and the narrator comes up with the most astounding, and sometimes HILARIOUS, ways of describing the places she finds herself in as she navigates a harsh and restrictive world. I love a character who swears even more than I do.
There's no romance in this novel, if that's what you're looking for. This is first and foremost a speculative fiction book, which is something I personally approve of. Not that I don't love a romantic sub-plot...but I do feel that the LGBTIQ+ market for novels tends to be flooded with romance stories and, fairly often, the 'genre books' don't embrace their genres as much as they could, but rather use genre settings (eg. the future, space etc.) as yet-another-backdrop for romance. As such, I was really pleased to read a science-fiction novel that does what sci-fi is meant to do: it delves into the deepest parts of our social, political, and personal identities and holds a mirror up so we can better explore the vices and hopes of humanity. Sexual and gender identities were a key part of the landscape because they're relevant to those themes, not because they facilitate a central relationship between two romantically involved characters.
Andi speaks a futuristic style of English that some readers may found difficult at first, but I got used to it within about 30 pages or so (especially when I worked out the difference between 'the brass' and a 'clunker'). The author did an amazing job of using situations, settings, and tone to help us understand the colloquialisms without intruding and just outright telling us what things meant. Two other characters (Puddin' and Boy) challenged me though, and I had to re-read some of their sentences to work out what they were saying. To be fair though, that was the whole point. Different people spoke with different dialects because of their social situations, so though it was challenging and I did get frustrated (very) briefly, it was also authentic and made sense for the context of the story.
My only real quibble was that I finished the book still not really sure what the Brigade was up to, aside from being a kind of group where Transgressors could feel more accepted. I never felt clear on what their 'missions' were (aside from the graffiti/general public menace stuff mentioned in the prologue) and how it was that there could be more than one branch. This is probably something that'll make a lot more sense as the series continues and I definitely plan on reading the next one when it comes out - I'm guessing in about a year, perhaps.
I recommend this book - especially to those who genuinely love science fiction and fantasy.
***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review***
January 21, 2018
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The dystopian novel is not a new concept. But few dystopian books have trans and intersex characters at the heart of their novels. Enter Trans Liberty Riot Brigade, the first book in what will be a promising series.
Andi is a Transgressor, an intersex person who doesn’t want surgery or drugs to define her as a person. Unfortunately, in this society, the media has scared people into believing everyone should either be defined as male or female. Sex reassignment surgery for those that don’t fall neatly along the gender binary is mandated by law.
Andi and her allies, including Elenbar, a woman with a bionic arm, make up the Trans Liberty Riot Brigade, a group of rebels that refuse to go under the knife. But they’re still underground. Andi is performing sexual favors for money and she’s a drug addict. She knows she can’t keep doing it forever. She agrees to infiltrate a facility that prepares people for sex reassignment surgery, and from there, Andi’s battle against the cruel society she lives in begins.
The novel is told in first person, and it doesn’t gloss over how awful this dystopian landscape is. Andi gets sick because of her drug use. She blacks out often in the novel. You get to experience how terrifying life is in the world of this novel is, even as Andi’s fighting it.
Dystopian novels are often seen as a response to the current state of the world as these novels were written, and sometimes past that. Trans Liberty Riot Brigade is a dystopian book that highlights the prejudices and fears around trans and intersex people. Most mainstream media involving trans and intersex people either involves making them villainous or have them talking at length about transitioning through drugs, surgery, or something else. Rarely do you get to see fictional trans and intersex people as they are—as people. Even though the society in Trans Liberty Riot Brigade is hell-bent on trying to make everyone fit on a binary gender spectrum, the Transgressors here are happy with the bodies they’re born with, and they’ll fight until they’re free to live in a society that values them.
The dystopian novel is not a new concept. But few dystopian books have trans and intersex characters at the heart of their novels. Enter Trans Liberty Riot Brigade, the first book in what will be a promising series.
Andi is a Transgressor, an intersex person who doesn’t want surgery or drugs to define her as a person. Unfortunately, in this society, the media has scared people into believing everyone should either be defined as male or female. Sex reassignment surgery for those that don’t fall neatly along the gender binary is mandated by law.
Andi and her allies, including Elenbar, a woman with a bionic arm, make up the Trans Liberty Riot Brigade, a group of rebels that refuse to go under the knife. But they’re still underground. Andi is performing sexual favors for money and she’s a drug addict. She knows she can’t keep doing it forever. She agrees to infiltrate a facility that prepares people for sex reassignment surgery, and from there, Andi’s battle against the cruel society she lives in begins.
The novel is told in first person, and it doesn’t gloss over how awful this dystopian landscape is. Andi gets sick because of her drug use. She blacks out often in the novel. You get to experience how terrifying life is in the world of this novel is, even as Andi’s fighting it.
Dystopian novels are often seen as a response to the current state of the world as these novels were written, and sometimes past that. Trans Liberty Riot Brigade is a dystopian book that highlights the prejudices and fears around trans and intersex people. Most mainstream media involving trans and intersex people either involves making them villainous or have them talking at length about transitioning through drugs, surgery, or something else. Rarely do you get to see fictional trans and intersex people as they are—as people. Even though the society in Trans Liberty Riot Brigade is hell-bent on trying to make everyone fit on a binary gender spectrum, the Transgressors here are happy with the bodies they’re born with, and they’ll fight until they’re free to live in a society that values them.
July 16, 2017
This was brilliantly written, with flavor and style in an imaginative world that the author immersed you in with slang and grit.
I'll be the first to admit that this isn't generally the sort of book I run to read, but I enjoyed it. I struggled with the heavy slang, and some characters I never did understand, but as much as that was a problem for me, it may not be for others and I admire the authors dedication in writing like this through the entire novel.
If dystopian worlds with small glimmers of hope for a better future is your bag, you should pick this up and have a read.
I'll be the first to admit that this isn't generally the sort of book I run to read, but I enjoyed it. I struggled with the heavy slang, and some characters I never did understand, but as much as that was a problem for me, it may not be for others and I admire the authors dedication in writing like this through the entire novel.
If dystopian worlds with small glimmers of hope for a better future is your bag, you should pick this up and have a read.
December 13, 2017
I received a free edition of this book through Story Cartel in exchange for my review, which is very, very late. This hasn't affected my review or rating in any way. In fact, this book is so awesome that I wish I'd paid for it.
I was incredibly excited about this book. Intersex characters in a dystopian future with the most beautiful cover I've ever seen? Oh, I was *in*.
Despite my lofty expectations, this book did not disappoint. At all.
Let me start at the beginning. So Andi, the protagonist of this book, is an intersex "Transgressor". She (Andi uses she/her pronouns) won't let the Society assign her because to do so would be to strip away her identity and deny half of herself. She spends her life in the gutter, addicted to Flow, and gets dragged into a plot that will upturn everything she knows. She doesn't choose revolution: her existence *is* revolution, something that we get to see again and again. All Andi wants is to be herself in a world that wants to forcibly assign her based on rigid gender stereotypes and roles.
One thing that I really loved about this book is that typically protagonists are special in some way: they have powers, or incredible intelligence, or wealth. Andi has none of that. All she has is grit and stubbornness. She's uneducated, she's a drug addict, she's a prostitute, existing on the fringes of society. And yet, she makes a difference nonetheless simply by being herself and refusing to conform.
The writing is incredible. Andi's voice adds an incredible flavor to the world, her story told in a gutter-slang that often has to be decoded by context. She's direct and forthright, sparing nobody's feelings. At times the heavy dialect makes Trans Liberty Riot Brigade a challenging read, but making you work for it makes the story that much more engaging: this isn't just a book you can browse on autopilot, but it's worth the extra work to be sucked into this incredibly detailed world with characters that are fresh and interesting. I read it in two sittings spaced apart by a few weeks: while it seemed daunting to go back to, once I was back in I just couldn't put it down until I reached the final page.
This book won't be for everyone. The author doesn't hold back on description, doling out graphic details of death, drugs and sex which really bring home how grim the Society is. I loved it, but some readers might find it to be a little too much. Likewise, not everyone will be able to parse the heavy slang that perpetuates Andi's thoughts. Those are do, however, are in for a treat.
I couldn't recommend this book highly enough, and the sequels will be auto-buy for me. L.M. Pierce is an author to watch, because if this is her debut novel, I absolutely cannot wait to see what she will write next.
I was incredibly excited about this book. Intersex characters in a dystopian future with the most beautiful cover I've ever seen? Oh, I was *in*.
Despite my lofty expectations, this book did not disappoint. At all.
Let me start at the beginning. So Andi, the protagonist of this book, is an intersex "Transgressor". She (Andi uses she/her pronouns) won't let the Society assign her because to do so would be to strip away her identity and deny half of herself. She spends her life in the gutter, addicted to Flow, and gets dragged into a plot that will upturn everything she knows. She doesn't choose revolution: her existence *is* revolution, something that we get to see again and again. All Andi wants is to be herself in a world that wants to forcibly assign her based on rigid gender stereotypes and roles.
One thing that I really loved about this book is that typically protagonists are special in some way: they have powers, or incredible intelligence, or wealth. Andi has none of that. All she has is grit and stubbornness. She's uneducated, she's a drug addict, she's a prostitute, existing on the fringes of society. And yet, she makes a difference nonetheless simply by being herself and refusing to conform.
The writing is incredible. Andi's voice adds an incredible flavor to the world, her story told in a gutter-slang that often has to be decoded by context. She's direct and forthright, sparing nobody's feelings. At times the heavy dialect makes Trans Liberty Riot Brigade a challenging read, but making you work for it makes the story that much more engaging: this isn't just a book you can browse on autopilot, but it's worth the extra work to be sucked into this incredibly detailed world with characters that are fresh and interesting. I read it in two sittings spaced apart by a few weeks: while it seemed daunting to go back to, once I was back in I just couldn't put it down until I reached the final page.
This book won't be for everyone. The author doesn't hold back on description, doling out graphic details of death, drugs and sex which really bring home how grim the Society is. I loved it, but some readers might find it to be a little too much. Likewise, not everyone will be able to parse the heavy slang that perpetuates Andi's thoughts. Those are do, however, are in for a treat.
I couldn't recommend this book highly enough, and the sequels will be auto-buy for me. L.M. Pierce is an author to watch, because if this is her debut novel, I absolutely cannot wait to see what she will write next.
September 25, 2017
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
2.5 stars
I’ve recently developed an interest for Science Fiction with non-binary protagonists, so when I saw the blurb for “Trans Liberty Riot Brigade” I just had to read the book. Sadly, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
The biggest problem for me was the language. This book is written in dialect all the way through and the author apparently came up with a bunch of new slang words too. At times, it felt like there was a real language barrier for me. There were some characters I didn’t understand at all because of their extreme dialect. Even when I did understand what was being said, it was just extremely jarring.
Maybe it’s because of the language barrier, but for a large part of the book I was simply confused. There was barely any world building or back story for the most part. There was a little bit of a history lesson toward the end, but that wasn’t nearly enough to answer all my questions.
Then there was Andi. I never did warm up to her. She never seemed to actually do anything, unless she had no other choice but to act. And even then, she had to be forced by somebody else. Mostly, she was just complaining and wallowing in self-pity.
That brings me to the next issue: pronouns. Everybody makes such a big deal out of having both male and female bits, and yet all “transgressors” always used female pronouns. It just didn’t ring true to me.
I did like where the story seemed to go toward the end. But it took a long time to get there and the plot was a bit all over the place.
You should be aware that this is a piece of literary/genre fiction. As such, there was barely a hint of romance. Personally, I didn’t mind that one bit. I don’t always need romance and love in my books. The book also has some pretty graphic scenes of drug use. Our MC is a junkie. Also, there are some pretty gory scenes. The gore was a tad too much for me at times, tbh.
This is part one of a new series. While I am sort of interested how this story will continue, I definitely won’t read the rest of the series. The slang was just too thick for me and I formed no real emotional connections to any of the characters. I liked the idea behind “Trans Liberty Riot Brigade”, but I was mostly disappointed by how the book actually turned out. It just wasn’t for me.
The cover by Natasha Snow is lovely. It’s definitely an eye-catcher.
2.5 stars
I’ve recently developed an interest for Science Fiction with non-binary protagonists, so when I saw the blurb for “Trans Liberty Riot Brigade” I just had to read the book. Sadly, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
The biggest problem for me was the language. This book is written in dialect all the way through and the author apparently came up with a bunch of new slang words too. At times, it felt like there was a real language barrier for me. There were some characters I didn’t understand at all because of their extreme dialect. Even when I did understand what was being said, it was just extremely jarring.
Maybe it’s because of the language barrier, but for a large part of the book I was simply confused. There was barely any world building or back story for the most part. There was a little bit of a history lesson toward the end, but that wasn’t nearly enough to answer all my questions.
Then there was Andi. I never did warm up to her. She never seemed to actually do anything, unless she had no other choice but to act. And even then, she had to be forced by somebody else. Mostly, she was just complaining and wallowing in self-pity.
That brings me to the next issue: pronouns. Everybody makes such a big deal out of having both male and female bits, and yet all “transgressors” always used female pronouns. It just didn’t ring true to me.
I did like where the story seemed to go toward the end. But it took a long time to get there and the plot was a bit all over the place.
You should be aware that this is a piece of literary/genre fiction. As such, there was barely a hint of romance. Personally, I didn’t mind that one bit. I don’t always need romance and love in my books. The book also has some pretty graphic scenes of drug use. Our MC is a junkie. Also, there are some pretty gory scenes. The gore was a tad too much for me at times, tbh.
This is part one of a new series. While I am sort of interested how this story will continue, I definitely won’t read the rest of the series. The slang was just too thick for me and I formed no real emotional connections to any of the characters. I liked the idea behind “Trans Liberty Riot Brigade”, but I was mostly disappointed by how the book actually turned out. It just wasn’t for me.
The cover by Natasha Snow is lovely. It’s definitely an eye-catcher.
February 2, 2018
I really wanted to like this, but I think I am entirely the wrong reader for it. I will not belabor the point, but there were several issues for me.
One, the entire book is written in a made-up language/dialect that I struggled with. It is hard to immerse yourself in a story when you are struggling to figure out what somebody just said. I thought it would get easier, but there were some characters I simply found incomprehensible. All the credit in the world to L.M. Pierce for the imagination and literary skill invested in the telling, but I do not want to work that hard to decipher a story.
Two, this is a book that is so consumed with drug abuse that it almost becomes more about drugs than gender. I do not want to read about how characters get their drugs, how those drugs make them feel, or how they struggle with coming down or withdrawal. Again, I think Pierce conveyed that aspect of their lifestyle incredibly well, but it is something I have zero interest in and cannot tolerate when it is so prevalent/predominant.
Three, this is a dirty story. I am not talking dirty in the sense of erotic or pornographic, but in the literal sense of dirt and filth and decay. It made me itchy to read. Seriously, I came away from each chapter wanting a shower and a delousing. I know it is a reality for homeless youth, and I know it feeds the drug abuse culture that bothered me so, but I look to escape into science fiction and fantasy - I do not want to feel a panicked urge to escape from it.
Finally, and this was the breaking point for me, I had no empathy and no connection to any of the characters. I desperately wanted to find one that I could love and/or admire, just one that made me feel compelled to follow their journey and see how (or if) they came out of it, but I was unable to make that connection. The characters will reasonably well-drawn, each with their own personality, but that alone does not make them relateable.
I am sure other readers will say that I missed the point. They will insist that this is an allegory for the suffering of homeless youth, and for the oppression of the transgender community. They are absolutely right. I do not deny that, and I do not want to take away from the important story Pierce has told here. None of that changes my enjoyment of the story, however, and the simply truth is that what I might endure in non-fiction is very different from what I am willing to suffer in fiction.
One, the entire book is written in a made-up language/dialect that I struggled with. It is hard to immerse yourself in a story when you are struggling to figure out what somebody just said. I thought it would get easier, but there were some characters I simply found incomprehensible. All the credit in the world to L.M. Pierce for the imagination and literary skill invested in the telling, but I do not want to work that hard to decipher a story.
Two, this is a book that is so consumed with drug abuse that it almost becomes more about drugs than gender. I do not want to read about how characters get their drugs, how those drugs make them feel, or how they struggle with coming down or withdrawal. Again, I think Pierce conveyed that aspect of their lifestyle incredibly well, but it is something I have zero interest in and cannot tolerate when it is so prevalent/predominant.
Three, this is a dirty story. I am not talking dirty in the sense of erotic or pornographic, but in the literal sense of dirt and filth and decay. It made me itchy to read. Seriously, I came away from each chapter wanting a shower and a delousing. I know it is a reality for homeless youth, and I know it feeds the drug abuse culture that bothered me so, but I look to escape into science fiction and fantasy - I do not want to feel a panicked urge to escape from it.
Finally, and this was the breaking point for me, I had no empathy and no connection to any of the characters. I desperately wanted to find one that I could love and/or admire, just one that made me feel compelled to follow their journey and see how (or if) they came out of it, but I was unable to make that connection. The characters will reasonably well-drawn, each with their own personality, but that alone does not make them relateable.
I am sure other readers will say that I missed the point. They will insist that this is an allegory for the suffering of homeless youth, and for the oppression of the transgender community. They are absolutely right. I do not deny that, and I do not want to take away from the important story Pierce has told here. None of that changes my enjoyment of the story, however, and the simply truth is that what I might endure in non-fiction is very different from what I am willing to suffer in fiction.
May 13, 2021
I don't even know where to start with this book. I felt blind-sided by every plot point in a not-good way, the general storyline was quite repetitive and the motivations for characters actions were very unclear. In fact, I found most of the characters were incredibly 2-dimensional - they seemed to encompass just one trait and nothing else. I'm not a massive fan of writing in the person's accent, which definitely added to my gripes with this book.
In addition, the characterisation of trans and intersex characters was very much not good. It framed undergoing surgery as something the Society forced upon them - there was no one who underwent "assignment" who came out feeling good/not awful about it.
Overall, I was disappointed and reading this book very much felt like a chore. Also, all of the apparent action seemed to happen in like the last forty pages, and it came out of literally nowhere? I felt almost hysterical at the end.
In addition, the characterisation of trans and intersex characters was very much not good. It framed undergoing surgery as something the Society forced upon them - there was no one who underwent "assignment" who came out feeling good/not awful about it.
Overall, I was disappointed and reading this book very much felt like a chore. Also, all of the apparent action seemed to happen in like the last forty pages, and it came out of literally nowhere? I felt almost hysterical at the end.
December 4, 2017
2017 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Trans Liberty Riot Brigade L.M. Pierce
1) I loved the voice of our protagonist and looking at the world through her eyes. The stark and colorful language characterized the entire piece beautifully.
2) Brutal and gritty, the story is very well written. It grabs you from the start and holds you until the end.
1) I loved the voice of our protagonist and looking at the world through her eyes. The stark and colorful language characterized the entire piece beautifully.
2) Brutal and gritty, the story is very well written. It grabs you from the start and holds you until the end.
June 20, 2017
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. I'm not generally a dystopian reader, so keep that in mind.
General-
Trans Liberty Riot Brigade tells the story of Andi, an intersex nonbinary teenager, struggling to exist and be safe within a dystopian society hell bent on making sure all of its residents are either 'male' or 'female'.
The year is...uncertain. Somewhere not too far off our own timeline. The place is the USA, except now under a much more sinister name. Society is deeply stratified and in some type of event reminiscent of the Outpost occurrences in 'Santa Olivia', the US border has been closed and a huge wall erected. Nobody goes in, nobody comes out.
We don't get a lot of motivation for the US doing this, other than basic power hunger and control, and something about a bomb which I wasn't clear on. The set up is very 'Hunger Games' in the way the population is kept deeply in check. Of utmost importance in this country is population control, and there's a big problem, in that the female babies keep coming out with ambiguous genitalia.
Most are reassigned and have surgery at birth, but those born outside a license, or to the very poor, live in the slums and form a band of revolutionaries - the Trans Liberty Riot Brigade.
World Building -
This was probably my favorite part. The description of the slums, and the world in general, was very clear. The language was never excessive (in terms of being beaten with adjectives), and the reader was given just enough information for flavor, without being bored to death with pages of description. I really did feel like I was in the slums, at the farm, in the wall. To the author, well done!
Plot Elements-
The set up was good, and the world sufficiently outlined to make it believable. The plot...wandered in places. I didn't feel like I was given quite enough information to know why people were doing the things they were doing (outside of the 'don't want to get your dick cut off' motivation, which is, in itself, highly compelling). I just never felt like I had a clear line of direction for Andi, nor for the Brigade. Yes, getting people to stop cutting bits off of babies is an excellent goal, but very large. I do know that some people prefer plots without clear direction (more of a 'character wander and explore' type). If this is you, then you will enjoy this book!
Characters-
Generally the characters were well done. Andi is well rounded, however distinctly lacks agency. Andi only ever seems to do things in response to other people's prodding or begging, even at the very end. I didn't see a large character arc for Andi. I kept thinking at the end, when Andi has to keep the baddies from detonating a bomb, that the character would take the lead, but this didn't happen. It might be set up for future books (from the ending it does seem that there is a lot more to do), but I'm not certain. Andi acts more like a bobber on the waves than the hook, if you're into fishing metaphors. Other characters did not suffer from a similar deficiency, and I enjoyed the secondary characters a great deal.
The one thing that did trip me up was the dialect writing. Those who have read 'Karen Memory' will be familiar with this style of writing, although TLRB takes it a step further. There were some sections and some characters that I simply could not parse what was being said. Other times I became frustrated because the text was too tiring to read. If dialect-style writing works for you, this book is an excellent choice! If not, just be warned. It's worth getting through, but it was a struggle.
Gender Politics
Interesting questions were brought up in the book that are well worthy of a book club discussion. Descriptions of intersex genitalia, and variations in gender identity and expression were tastefully done, and show a strong understanding of the community. I was, however, caught on two instances of the use of 'she' to describe Andi, who several times in the book is adamant about not being a man or a woman. As there was no incidence where Andi chooses a pronoun or has a discussion about them, these two instances, while in Andi's POV (book is in first person), rang a bit false. Those are pretty minor quibbles, however, and no reason to not read the book.
Overall, I was entertained and fascinated by the world presented. Fans of dystopian fantasy, and fans of queer fantasy, will enjoy this book.
General-
Trans Liberty Riot Brigade tells the story of Andi, an intersex nonbinary teenager, struggling to exist and be safe within a dystopian society hell bent on making sure all of its residents are either 'male' or 'female'.
The year is...uncertain. Somewhere not too far off our own timeline. The place is the USA, except now under a much more sinister name. Society is deeply stratified and in some type of event reminiscent of the Outpost occurrences in 'Santa Olivia', the US border has been closed and a huge wall erected. Nobody goes in, nobody comes out.
We don't get a lot of motivation for the US doing this, other than basic power hunger and control, and something about a bomb which I wasn't clear on. The set up is very 'Hunger Games' in the way the population is kept deeply in check. Of utmost importance in this country is population control, and there's a big problem, in that the female babies keep coming out with ambiguous genitalia.
Most are reassigned and have surgery at birth, but those born outside a license, or to the very poor, live in the slums and form a band of revolutionaries - the Trans Liberty Riot Brigade.
World Building -
This was probably my favorite part. The description of the slums, and the world in general, was very clear. The language was never excessive (in terms of being beaten with adjectives), and the reader was given just enough information for flavor, without being bored to death with pages of description. I really did feel like I was in the slums, at the farm, in the wall. To the author, well done!
Plot Elements-
The set up was good, and the world sufficiently outlined to make it believable. The plot...wandered in places. I didn't feel like I was given quite enough information to know why people were doing the things they were doing (outside of the 'don't want to get your dick cut off' motivation, which is, in itself, highly compelling). I just never felt like I had a clear line of direction for Andi, nor for the Brigade. Yes, getting people to stop cutting bits off of babies is an excellent goal, but very large. I do know that some people prefer plots without clear direction (more of a 'character wander and explore' type). If this is you, then you will enjoy this book!
Characters-
Generally the characters were well done. Andi is well rounded, however distinctly lacks agency. Andi only ever seems to do things in response to other people's prodding or begging, even at the very end. I didn't see a large character arc for Andi. I kept thinking at the end, when Andi has to keep the baddies from detonating a bomb, that the character would take the lead, but this didn't happen. It might be set up for future books (from the ending it does seem that there is a lot more to do), but I'm not certain. Andi acts more like a bobber on the waves than the hook, if you're into fishing metaphors. Other characters did not suffer from a similar deficiency, and I enjoyed the secondary characters a great deal.
The one thing that did trip me up was the dialect writing. Those who have read 'Karen Memory' will be familiar with this style of writing, although TLRB takes it a step further. There were some sections and some characters that I simply could not parse what was being said. Other times I became frustrated because the text was too tiring to read. If dialect-style writing works for you, this book is an excellent choice! If not, just be warned. It's worth getting through, but it was a struggle.
Gender Politics
Interesting questions were brought up in the book that are well worthy of a book club discussion. Descriptions of intersex genitalia, and variations in gender identity and expression were tastefully done, and show a strong understanding of the community. I was, however, caught on two instances of the use of 'she' to describe Andi, who several times in the book is adamant about not being a man or a woman. As there was no incidence where Andi chooses a pronoun or has a discussion about them, these two instances, while in Andi's POV (book is in first person), rang a bit false. Those are pretty minor quibbles, however, and no reason to not read the book.
Overall, I was entertained and fascinated by the world presented. Fans of dystopian fantasy, and fans of queer fantasy, will enjoy this book.
February 21, 2018
Andi's world is very different from our own, living day to day on the run, part of a resistance group and trying to keep her head on straight and not lose herself to the local popular drug. To prove herself she's pulled into a mission to get over the wall blocking off her world from the rest and she has no idea what she's really getting into. As different and dystopian as this world seems, somewhere in the process of the book it eventually begins to feel very real and very familiar, especially with the things happening politically in our world right now. What starts as a job she's pulled on eventually turns into a full on quest and Andi must make a lot of decisions. The most important of which is that she needs to finally make a decision and not just let herself be pulled around by events and people around her.
Full review from my blog:
Andi's world is very different from our own, right? Her life consists of hiding from the police, living with a freedom fighting group and trying to keep her head straight between drug fixes. Young and foolish, she is still incredibly loyal to those around her and when a new mission comes up, she'll easily go along and do what needs to be done. Andi's life in the walled up United Free States is a lot of following and doing what she's told and still messing it up. But she's going to have to learn to make decisions on her own, because there aren't always going to be people helping her out of situations. Eventually she's going to have to help all of them.
Thoughts:
My partner and I picked up this book from the author at a convention in Portland. I would have to say the first thing that caught me was the character's world, and the very specific queer dystopia that made up her life. In her world, which seems so wildly different from ours, there are very real and uncomfortable parallels. Sure, there's a wall, much like the one that Trump wants to build, but it's so much more then that and the book uses these qualities to suck you in right away.
Andi's voice and slang in the book is striking and takes a bit of time to get used to. It's so wildly different from what I'm used to reading that it took me some time to get into. However, the author has obviously paid attention to this because it's very consistent and it's a great tool to suck you into Andi's world whether you want to be or not. Her struggles and trials are that much more sincere and real when you read her expressions and can still understand them even when you aren't given a glossary to explain all the terms. Nope, not needed, the author has paid enough attention to basically create a whole slang language and it feels real. I really appreciate that.
My only hesitation with the book is that Andi spends most of it as a passive observer. Sure, she's running with the others, on missions and trying to escape. However in that, most of her actions are not taken until someone tells her what to do. It can be infuriating because the book is told in first person and her 'wants' are quite absent save for general survival and drugs and not being snipped. After a while I wanted to grab Andi and shake her, but I couldn't exactly blame her for acting the way she did, so it ended up not being a bad thing, just a bit frustrating. Someone else's mileage may differ, but that quality stuck out to me.
Final Thoughts:
Overall I ended up loving this book, though it is a gradual love that it built as you read each chapter and the characters burrow more into your head. Getting into the world and the vocabulary takes a bit, but the journey is worth it and I am looking forward to the second volume and how Andi's journey will progress.
Full review from my blog:
Andi's world is very different from our own, right? Her life consists of hiding from the police, living with a freedom fighting group and trying to keep her head straight between drug fixes. Young and foolish, she is still incredibly loyal to those around her and when a new mission comes up, she'll easily go along and do what needs to be done. Andi's life in the walled up United Free States is a lot of following and doing what she's told and still messing it up. But she's going to have to learn to make decisions on her own, because there aren't always going to be people helping her out of situations. Eventually she's going to have to help all of them.
Thoughts:
My partner and I picked up this book from the author at a convention in Portland. I would have to say the first thing that caught me was the character's world, and the very specific queer dystopia that made up her life. In her world, which seems so wildly different from ours, there are very real and uncomfortable parallels. Sure, there's a wall, much like the one that Trump wants to build, but it's so much more then that and the book uses these qualities to suck you in right away.
Andi's voice and slang in the book is striking and takes a bit of time to get used to. It's so wildly different from what I'm used to reading that it took me some time to get into. However, the author has obviously paid attention to this because it's very consistent and it's a great tool to suck you into Andi's world whether you want to be or not. Her struggles and trials are that much more sincere and real when you read her expressions and can still understand them even when you aren't given a glossary to explain all the terms. Nope, not needed, the author has paid enough attention to basically create a whole slang language and it feels real. I really appreciate that.
My only hesitation with the book is that Andi spends most of it as a passive observer. Sure, she's running with the others, on missions and trying to escape. However in that, most of her actions are not taken until someone tells her what to do. It can be infuriating because the book is told in first person and her 'wants' are quite absent save for general survival and drugs and not being snipped. After a while I wanted to grab Andi and shake her, but I couldn't exactly blame her for acting the way she did, so it ended up not being a bad thing, just a bit frustrating. Someone else's mileage may differ, but that quality stuck out to me.
Final Thoughts:
Overall I ended up loving this book, though it is a gradual love that it built as you read each chapter and the characters burrow more into your head. Getting into the world and the vocabulary takes a bit, but the journey is worth it and I am looking forward to the second volume and how Andi's journey will progress.
February 8, 2018
Before reading my review, I'd just like to note that I'm not much of a reader of Dystopian books but upon reading the blurb I found this novel peaked my interests, which was the reason I requested and got approved to read it.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the book as much as I hoped to, although, I might pick it up myself one day and try to reread it as to see if the second time would help change my mind but for now here are my thoughts and review of the book.
For most of the time, I found this book hard to read (partially due to the language created and used throughout the story) and difficult to connect with it's characters, although, I did appreciate how the mentions and use of drugs, gender and the state of the city and it's occupants reflected and allowed the reader to imagine the world these characters were living in and how terrible their lives may have been and what they'd have to face and put up with to survive.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the book as much as I hoped to, although, I might pick it up myself one day and try to reread it as to see if the second time would help change my mind but for now here are my thoughts and review of the book.
For most of the time, I found this book hard to read (partially due to the language created and used throughout the story) and difficult to connect with it's characters, although, I did appreciate how the mentions and use of drugs, gender and the state of the city and it's occupants reflected and allowed the reader to imagine the world these characters were living in and how terrible their lives may have been and what they'd have to face and put up with to survive.
July 26, 2017
What a ride! I almost put it down because I don't like reading heavy dialect, but the dialect was readable, and I got used to it. It also took me a while to start caring about the characters. But I'm glad I stuck with it. For a thriller full of perilous situations in a sad dystopian world, this book was funny in clever ways. I kept thinking at some point she'd run out, but fresh wacky descriptions just kept coming like clowns out of a VW bug at a circus. What the heck is a hopscotch newt? I particularly enjoyed her description of new car smell.
There were a few gory parts that turned my stomach unhelpfully, but I loved when the parrot screeched helpfully and I loved the "anatomy lesson on terror."
Reading this book reminded me of the Knife of Never Letting Go, except I thought the ending to Riot Brigade was much more satisfying. Considering there were aspects of this book that aren't exactly my cup of tea, the fact that it kept me up late the night I finished it is a testament to the quality of the story and the writing.
There were a few gory parts that turned my stomach unhelpfully, but I loved when the parrot screeched helpfully and I loved the "anatomy lesson on terror."
Reading this book reminded me of the Knife of Never Letting Go, except I thought the ending to Riot Brigade was much more satisfying. Considering there were aspects of this book that aren't exactly my cup of tea, the fact that it kept me up late the night I finished it is a testament to the quality of the story and the writing.
January 6, 2021
The premise here offers a lot to love. Picture your favorite YA dystopia, then focus it on queer issues, particularly for the trans & intersex communities. As a cis person, I can't speak to the trans and intersex rep, but I really enjoyed seeing the dystopian, intersex perspective as opposed to the oft-used "trans is bad" worldbuilding basics.
Unfortunately, Andi's voice didn't quite work for me--it's definitely a voice that you react strongly to! I was confused as well, because when spoken aloud, it almost sounds like a northern Irish accent, but the book was clearly set in post-apocalyptic America. Some of the accents were exceedingly difficult to understand, to the point where I skipped the character's lines because I couldn't make out what was meant to be said.
I did find the pacing a bit uneven, and would've liked larger worldbuilding throughout. I'm curious to read any sequels, as the ending offers a really interesting premise for an extended series.
Unfortunately, Andi's voice didn't quite work for me--it's definitely a voice that you react strongly to! I was confused as well, because when spoken aloud, it almost sounds like a northern Irish accent, but the book was clearly set in post-apocalyptic America. Some of the accents were exceedingly difficult to understand, to the point where I skipped the character's lines because I couldn't make out what was meant to be said.
I did find the pacing a bit uneven, and would've liked larger worldbuilding throughout. I'm curious to read any sequels, as the ending offers a really interesting premise for an extended series.
March 7, 2024
this book tried too hard to do way too much, and it ultimately faltered. it was segmented so strangely, with so many characters, so i really didn't care about any of them. i honestly didn't really even care about andi or elenbar by the end of the story, because nothing was really done to make any of the secondary and tertiary characters have any depth. each location of this story should have been fleshed out into its own book. plus, the way the characters spoke made it nearly impossible to understand. i love a good creation of a linguistic system, but the strange language used by the characters really followed no structure and was used for the sake of showing the streetwise nature of the characters.
September 8, 2018
If Andi couldn’t engage me emotionally as a character, the plot couldn’t make up the gap. - Matt
The writing in this story is visceral, and while it may take most readers some time to get used to the rhythms of speech and the slang, once they have, they will find themselves immersed in the world that is being painted here. - GD
Read our full reviews here
The writing in this story is visceral, and while it may take most readers some time to get used to the rhythms of speech and the slang, once they have, they will find themselves immersed in the world that is being painted here. - GD
Read our full reviews here
July 29, 2020
This book was BRILLIANT!
I got it straight from the author when I went to a con in Portland, I read it and I'm awaiting the second book already.
The plot, the characters and the development of Andi is amazing.
I CANNOT wait until the second book comes out!
I got it straight from the author when I went to a con in Portland, I read it and I'm awaiting the second book already.
The plot, the characters and the development of Andi is amazing.
I CANNOT wait until the second book comes out!
March 15, 2018
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in return for review consideration.
This book had a lot of elements that I don't usually like - dialect, a ton of swearing, and lots of graphic description of bodies, bodily fluids, and other delights. And yet, I ended up really enjoying it. As a character, it took me a while to get used to Andi's voice. I found the cadence of both her speech and thought difficult at first, but after the first few chapters, I got into it and just let her take me through her world. The world building in this book is incredibly gritty and detailed. The Slumland, the area where Andi and the rest of the brigade live, is grimy, miserable, and dangerous, and I felt that in every line of the book.
The last section of the book is where the action really gets going, as Andi heads towards the Wall, to try and get the radio transmission through. At this point, I was completely into the book and couldn't put it down. By the end of the book, I was already wishing that there was a sequel ready for me to pick up straightaway.
Without doubt, this is a graphic and sometimes difficult book to read. But Pierce's world building is stellar and Andi is a complex, well-drawn character. If you like your dystopias with a rough edge, a diverse cast, and a focus on the true breadth of humanity, you should definitely give Trans Liberty Riot Brigade a go.
You can check out my full review of this book at Books at the End of the Alphabet
This book had a lot of elements that I don't usually like - dialect, a ton of swearing, and lots of graphic description of bodies, bodily fluids, and other delights. And yet, I ended up really enjoying it. As a character, it took me a while to get used to Andi's voice. I found the cadence of both her speech and thought difficult at first, but after the first few chapters, I got into it and just let her take me through her world. The world building in this book is incredibly gritty and detailed. The Slumland, the area where Andi and the rest of the brigade live, is grimy, miserable, and dangerous, and I felt that in every line of the book.
The last section of the book is where the action really gets going, as Andi heads towards the Wall, to try and get the radio transmission through. At this point, I was completely into the book and couldn't put it down. By the end of the book, I was already wishing that there was a sequel ready for me to pick up straightaway.
Without doubt, this is a graphic and sometimes difficult book to read. But Pierce's world building is stellar and Andi is a complex, well-drawn character. If you like your dystopias with a rough edge, a diverse cast, and a focus on the true breadth of humanity, you should definitely give Trans Liberty Riot Brigade a go.
You can check out my full review of this book at Books at the End of the Alphabet
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews