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Reintegration
Streetwise cyborg Lexi Vale brokers deals for gang lords in the anarchic city of Foundation. Her mind-reading implant gives her a crucial edge—but it also makes her brain a hot commodity.
When she’s targeted by an augmented hunter, Lexi joins a group of rebels: a murderous vigilante, a daredevil smuggler, a drug-addled surgeon, and a revolutionary whose shared past with Lexi endangers them all.
When she’s targeted by an augmented hunter, Lexi joins a group of rebels: a murderous vigilante, a daredevil smuggler, a drug-addled surgeon, and a revolutionary whose shared past with Lexi endangers them all.
388 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2015
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350 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 17, 2017
This is for the 2017 YLVA (Queer Pack) version of this book. I don’t know if anything has changed from the 2015 version. The page numbers for this book are all over the map on Goodreads. I can’t tell for sure on my Kindle but I’m guessing this version was around 600 pages, so not sure if the story was added to or not.
I was really excited to read this book. I actually went to purchase this on Amazon months ago, but the book was gone. I was very happy to find YLVA was releasing it. I just love sci-fi and could not wait to dig into this story. However, I’ve come away with some real mixed emotions here. To be honest this was an odd book. I almost don’t know how to review it. For me this book would be considered much more futuristic/dystopian than sci-fi. It’s about a very bleak future where people that chose to conform live richly and those who are different live in squalor.
This book was wonderfully queer, and I am always happy about that; lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, gender fluid, a little bit of everything. I’m a very character driven reader, and I think that was part of my issue with this book. I didn’t really dislike any characters, but I didn’t really connect with them. The one character I enjoyed the most, Mineko, was missing from many parts of the story. I felt like she didn’t really get the chance to shine.
This was a bleak world and I was hoping for at least a little romance, but this book isn’t about romance. One character basically refers to herself as a sex addict, not the relationship type. And the characters hoping for a relationship don’t really get one. There is a lot of bed hopping and people saying they love each other, but not enough for a relationship. And instead of a love triangle, there was actually a love polygon going on which was just a bit too much for me. It all became a little too convoluted for me to be honest.
The cyborg implant one of the mains Lexi had was pretty interesting. I liked the exciting battle scenes, but I could have actually used a bit more exciting parts and less soap opera parts. I also was not crazy about the ending. It was one of those endings that you can’t tell if there will be a book 2, or it just ends open ended like that. Those kinds of endings bother me a bit.
I just really found this book to be a bit odd. Not bad, not good, just okay and different. I am normally a cheerleader when it comes to different, but I just had trouble connecting with this. If there is a book two, I might read it just to find out what happens to Mineko. Hopefully she would have the chance to shine more if there was a sequel.
An ARC was given to me by YLVA (Queer Pack) for a honest review.
I was really excited to read this book. I actually went to purchase this on Amazon months ago, but the book was gone. I was very happy to find YLVA was releasing it. I just love sci-fi and could not wait to dig into this story. However, I’ve come away with some real mixed emotions here. To be honest this was an odd book. I almost don’t know how to review it. For me this book would be considered much more futuristic/dystopian than sci-fi. It’s about a very bleak future where people that chose to conform live richly and those who are different live in squalor.
This book was wonderfully queer, and I am always happy about that; lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, gender fluid, a little bit of everything. I’m a very character driven reader, and I think that was part of my issue with this book. I didn’t really dislike any characters, but I didn’t really connect with them. The one character I enjoyed the most, Mineko, was missing from many parts of the story. I felt like she didn’t really get the chance to shine.
This was a bleak world and I was hoping for at least a little romance, but this book isn’t about romance. One character basically refers to herself as a sex addict, not the relationship type. And the characters hoping for a relationship don’t really get one. There is a lot of bed hopping and people saying they love each other, but not enough for a relationship. And instead of a love triangle, there was actually a love polygon going on which was just a bit too much for me. It all became a little too convoluted for me to be honest.
The cyborg implant one of the mains Lexi had was pretty interesting. I liked the exciting battle scenes, but I could have actually used a bit more exciting parts and less soap opera parts. I also was not crazy about the ending. It was one of those endings that you can’t tell if there will be a book 2, or it just ends open ended like that. Those kinds of endings bother me a bit.
I just really found this book to be a bit odd. Not bad, not good, just okay and different. I am normally a cheerleader when it comes to different, but I just had trouble connecting with this. If there is a book two, I might read it just to find out what happens to Mineko. Hopefully she would have the chance to shine more if there was a sequel.
An ARC was given to me by YLVA (Queer Pack) for a honest review.
March 1, 2016
My favorite science fiction book of the last five years was The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers. It was a beautifully written story based on an ensemble of characters in the distant future. Reintegration is also a beautiful, ensemble-based story set in the distant future. The Long Way focused mainly on the characters rather than the plot. Reintegration also focuses more on the characters than the plot. The Long Way was amazingly inclusive, featuring interesting takes on orientation, gender and personhood. Reintegration is also amazingly inclusive, it also features interesting takes on orientation, gender and personhood. So, what differentiates them? Focus, setting and mood.
Focus. While The Long Way certainly examined issues of orientation and gender, they were not the priority. They existed in the story because they exist in the world, and the author wanted to create an inclusive, better future. The Long Way let readers decide how to feel about these things, but it went out of its way to normalize and destigmatize them. Reintegration, on the other hand, makes gender identity and sexual identity central elements of the story. There is a war of ideology in Reintegration that criminalizes and dehumanizes non-heteronormative identities (among other things), and that backdrop provides an opportunity to show the flaws in exclusionary systems that are not so very different from the conservative ideologies currently being propagated around the world. We get to meet and care about living, breathing people who are more than just their identifiers. While I'm not sure I'd say the book is quite as beautiful in its prose as The Long Way was, it is certainly more personal and powerful in its message.
Setting. The Long Way is set in an optimistic future, a la Star Trek, and primarily takes place in space. Reintegration takes place on a shattered, dystopian Earth and is anything but optimistic. There are only two classes of people: Codists, and everyone else. Codists hoard power, celebrate ambition, discourage individuality, and encourage docility. Everyone else does whatever they can just to eat. The setting of Reintegration is relatively well-described, although, in truth, there's very little of it to describe. The city is a wasteland of crumbling buildings and bunkers. It's the characters that make Reintegration stand out, and they do that well.
Mood. As mentioned above, The Long Way is an optimistic book. There's incompetent bureaucracy, racism and power struggles, but mostly it's a hopeful future. It's a story of adventure and friendship. Reintegration is bleak, but there's a kernel of hope that lives in the central characters. Both books have humor, occasionally laugh-out-loud humor, but Reintegration descends deeper into the gloom of the human condition.
I realize that writing a review for one book that relies upon a comparison to another is probably a terrible idea, made even worse by the fact that the two books, despite their similarities, are as different as night and day. I asked myself over and over again why I needed to frame the review this way, and finally reached an epiphany: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is the future I hope we'll have, and Reintegration is the future I'm afraid we'll have. Both books have beauty, humor and love, both books are populated by wonderful, well-drawn characters and fascinating world-building, but Reintegration has a glimpse of horror that The Long Way lacks--one that is all too easy to imagine. Even so, there's hope in the pages, hope in the characters, and hope in this reader that, just maybe, there will be a sequel.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. Recommended.
Focus. While The Long Way certainly examined issues of orientation and gender, they were not the priority. They existed in the story because they exist in the world, and the author wanted to create an inclusive, better future. The Long Way let readers decide how to feel about these things, but it went out of its way to normalize and destigmatize them. Reintegration, on the other hand, makes gender identity and sexual identity central elements of the story. There is a war of ideology in Reintegration that criminalizes and dehumanizes non-heteronormative identities (among other things), and that backdrop provides an opportunity to show the flaws in exclusionary systems that are not so very different from the conservative ideologies currently being propagated around the world. We get to meet and care about living, breathing people who are more than just their identifiers. While I'm not sure I'd say the book is quite as beautiful in its prose as The Long Way was, it is certainly more personal and powerful in its message.
Setting. The Long Way is set in an optimistic future, a la Star Trek, and primarily takes place in space. Reintegration takes place on a shattered, dystopian Earth and is anything but optimistic. There are only two classes of people: Codists, and everyone else. Codists hoard power, celebrate ambition, discourage individuality, and encourage docility. Everyone else does whatever they can just to eat. The setting of Reintegration is relatively well-described, although, in truth, there's very little of it to describe. The city is a wasteland of crumbling buildings and bunkers. It's the characters that make Reintegration stand out, and they do that well.
Mood. As mentioned above, The Long Way is an optimistic book. There's incompetent bureaucracy, racism and power struggles, but mostly it's a hopeful future. It's a story of adventure and friendship. Reintegration is bleak, but there's a kernel of hope that lives in the central characters. Both books have humor, occasionally laugh-out-loud humor, but Reintegration descends deeper into the gloom of the human condition.
I realize that writing a review for one book that relies upon a comparison to another is probably a terrible idea, made even worse by the fact that the two books, despite their similarities, are as different as night and day. I asked myself over and over again why I needed to frame the review this way, and finally reached an epiphany: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is the future I hope we'll have, and Reintegration is the future I'm afraid we'll have. Both books have beauty, humor and love, both books are populated by wonderful, well-drawn characters and fascinating world-building, but Reintegration has a glimpse of horror that The Long Way lacks--one that is all too easy to imagine. Even so, there's hope in the pages, hope in the characters, and hope in this reader that, just maybe, there will be a sequel.
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. Recommended.
December 2, 2018
Reintegration is a dystopian sci-fi story that paints a grim picture of a very possible future. The gulf between the haves (the Codists—privileged people who follow the Code and live in enclaves where no one wants for anything) and the have nots (everyone who lives outside of the enclaves) is immeasurably huge. Even the Codists who aren’t in the top echelon have more than most of the people who live in the anarchy that is the rest of Foundation. Gangs rule, drugs abound, the flesh trade is alive and well, and for the right price you can have anything, including body modifications that we could only dream of today (gills, anyone?).
Full review (Curve): http://www.curvemag.com/Reviews/Book-...
Full review (Lambda): https://www.lambdaliterary.org/review...
Full review (Curve): http://www.curvemag.com/Reviews/Book-...
Full review (Lambda): https://www.lambdaliterary.org/review...
November 29, 2017
Without a doubt this is going to be a series. Loved this for a lot of reasons. First off it's delightfully gender queer. And her 'author voice' is quite intelligent, which is very very endearing. I would put her in the same camp as Watasin easily. But as far as the story goes, dystopian sci fi at it's best. The whole, we're going to @#$%^ up this lovely planet of ours, and here is where we end up. I'll quote a paragraph that sums it up nicely:
"Science fiction? We live in a dystopian nightmare! People traipse around with chips in their spines while a cabal of reclusive ideologues develop evermore sinister technologies to exert their control over the drug-fueled gangsters who run riot in the districts! There is no such thing as science fiction anymore. An alien could land in the street and it would be business as usual. Hell, somebody would try to fix it up with some junk and a hooker."
Pretty much sums it up. The lead, a very non cisgendered Lexi, has a chip in her head that leads to a whole slew of problems to sort out. For the majority of this book I found I lost huge chunks of time. Which to me spells out a really great book. I can't wait to see what happens next.
"Science fiction? We live in a dystopian nightmare! People traipse around with chips in their spines while a cabal of reclusive ideologues develop evermore sinister technologies to exert their control over the drug-fueled gangsters who run riot in the districts! There is no such thing as science fiction anymore. An alien could land in the street and it would be business as usual. Hell, somebody would try to fix it up with some junk and a hooker."
Pretty much sums it up. The lead, a very non cisgendered Lexi, has a chip in her head that leads to a whole slew of problems to sort out. For the majority of this book I found I lost huge chunks of time. Which to me spells out a really great book. I can't wait to see what happens next.
December 2, 2017
I finished this book about two weeks ago. I still can't get my head in to gear to review it. I want to like it because I love sci-fi but something is stopping me. It's on the tip of my tongue but for the life of me I can't find it.
Everyone is saying that this book is a queer sensation. I'll admit I'm not sure what that means but it was good to see the fluidity of sexuality. But I also found the book to be quite bleak. It was kind of like if you agreed you thrived if you didn't well.... The story is well written and the author does have a fluid writing style. I found it a little disjointed at times. None of the characters sprang at me from the pages. I have to say I didn't find any that I wanted to know more about.
Yes the book is interesting. I also think many will really enjoy it. See, that's where I get confused. I did enjoy it.... BUT!!!! I just can't put my finger on it. Don't let me put you off. As I said it's good and yes I would recommend it. Enjoy!
*ARC provided by publisher via Ylva Publishing*
Everyone is saying that this book is a queer sensation. I'll admit I'm not sure what that means but it was good to see the fluidity of sexuality. But I also found the book to be quite bleak. It was kind of like if you agreed you thrived if you didn't well.... The story is well written and the author does have a fluid writing style. I found it a little disjointed at times. None of the characters sprang at me from the pages. I have to say I didn't find any that I wanted to know more about.
Yes the book is interesting. I also think many will really enjoy it. See, that's where I get confused. I did enjoy it.... BUT!!!! I just can't put my finger on it. Don't let me put you off. As I said it's good and yes I would recommend it. Enjoy!
*ARC provided by publisher via Ylva Publishing*
November 21, 2017
Sorry to say this book was not for me.
I couldn't get into the story or characters.
I really tried to enjoy the book
Other fan of this genre and type of book will probably love it.
Give it a try and see for yourself
I couldn't get into the story or characters.
I really tried to enjoy the book
Other fan of this genre and type of book will probably love it.
Give it a try and see for yourself
November 26, 2017
This book has a variety of sexuality. Its quite dark world with divide between privileged and those with nothing living hand to mouth in a brutal world. The writing style was not to my personal taste. The story was promising but I found it a little disjointed. I would have preferred more depth to the characters.
Arc from Ylva for honest review.
Arc from Ylva for honest review.
December 1, 2017
This science fiction adventure is exciting, funny and queer as hell. I had a great time reading it. The protagonist, Lexi Vale, is like a nonbinary lesbian Jack Harkness, and spends the whole book charming the pants off every woman she lays eyes on while also managing to lend her services to the revolution and go through some important personal growth while on the run from a totalitarian regime. She's surrounded by an ensemble of distinct and well-realised characters who all got entangled in this mess for reasons of their own, and there are so many sparks flying in all directions that I ended up pretty much just shipping everyone with everyone. And with this cast, ending up as one big happy polyamorous family actually doesn't seem too far-fetched an outcome if they end up surviving that long (which is, I admit, a pretty big IF). I hope there's a sequel someday, because I want more!
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
November 18, 2017
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
This novel is not your great auntie Edna's les-fic romance. It is one amazing, queer-tastic, cyberpunk, dystopic, roller coaster, thrill ride! I loved every minute of reading it!
The novel is set in a futuristic world of districts controlled by crime lords and a community of enclaves ruled by an authoritarian government. The story opens in the Foundation district bar with Lexi Vale, a sexy, androgynous, cyborg augmented with the "suicide chip" that, unknown to most people, allows her to read minds. While "comforting" a jilted, heartbroken girl, Lexi is interrupted by a university student from one of the enclaves, who claims that Lexi's life is in danger. The university student is Mineko. She is the daughter of two very powerful enclave officials, and she knows about the mind reading and the chip.
Although we meet Lexi and Mineko first and they are ostensibly the two main characters that drive the story, the other characters we meet are far from minor. There is the journalist, Kade, who seems to know more about what's going on in both the districts and the enclave than anyone else. There is the surgeon, Zeke, who performed the successful chip augmentation surgery and the smuggler, Callie, who stole the "suicide chip" in the first place. Their lives may be in as much danger as Lexi's. There are the revolutionary leaders Nikolas and Amity, at odds with each other yet dedicated to the same cause. And then there is Lachlan Reed, the intelligence agent hunting for Lexi and her "suicide chip." And still there are more.
The past and the present as well as the personal and political drive all of these characters in complex and unexpected ways. Eden S. French is given us a fantastic read, full of rich, multilayered, complicated characters. She has given us a wonderfully diverse, non-heteronormative, dystopic yet hopeful future world. I thank her for giving us all a place in that frightening yet vibrant future.
This novel is not your great auntie Edna's les-fic romance. It is one amazing, queer-tastic, cyberpunk, dystopic, roller coaster, thrill ride! I loved every minute of reading it!
The novel is set in a futuristic world of districts controlled by crime lords and a community of enclaves ruled by an authoritarian government. The story opens in the Foundation district bar with Lexi Vale, a sexy, androgynous, cyborg augmented with the "suicide chip" that, unknown to most people, allows her to read minds. While "comforting" a jilted, heartbroken girl, Lexi is interrupted by a university student from one of the enclaves, who claims that Lexi's life is in danger. The university student is Mineko. She is the daughter of two very powerful enclave officials, and she knows about the mind reading and the chip.
Although we meet Lexi and Mineko first and they are ostensibly the two main characters that drive the story, the other characters we meet are far from minor. There is the journalist, Kade, who seems to know more about what's going on in both the districts and the enclave than anyone else. There is the surgeon, Zeke, who performed the successful chip augmentation surgery and the smuggler, Callie, who stole the "suicide chip" in the first place. Their lives may be in as much danger as Lexi's. There are the revolutionary leaders Nikolas and Amity, at odds with each other yet dedicated to the same cause. And then there is Lachlan Reed, the intelligence agent hunting for Lexi and her "suicide chip." And still there are more.
The past and the present as well as the personal and political drive all of these characters in complex and unexpected ways. Eden S. French is given us a fantastic read, full of rich, multilayered, complicated characters. She has given us a wonderfully diverse, non-heteronormative, dystopic yet hopeful future world. I thank her for giving us all a place in that frightening yet vibrant future.
November 23, 2017
Sci-fi fans it is time to get excited. Reintegration is a post apocalyptic novel that does not drag you down by how we did this to ourselves. It begins by introducing Lexi who is augmented by a computer chip.
Then by meeting Lexi’s eclectic mix of friends and through their conversations we see what and who the new world order is.
The characters are unique and intriguing with their secrets to share. Ms French keeps things close to her vest in doling out tidbits of backstories and we follow tight on her heals trying to piece together the full picture.
The writing is superb! The pacing of the story is perfect. I could not put this novel down willingly. When not reading I was thinking about it and trying to figure out how all the characters found each other.
I give this novel 4.5 stars while I leave out tiny presents to the universe that there will be a sequel.
Then by meeting Lexi’s eclectic mix of friends and through their conversations we see what and who the new world order is.
The characters are unique and intriguing with their secrets to share. Ms French keeps things close to her vest in doling out tidbits of backstories and we follow tight on her heals trying to piece together the full picture.
The writing is superb! The pacing of the story is perfect. I could not put this novel down willingly. When not reading I was thinking about it and trying to figure out how all the characters found each other.
I give this novel 4.5 stars while I leave out tiny presents to the universe that there will be a sequel.
November 13, 2017
I didn’t know what to expect when I chose this Queer Pack novel, but it was such a good book I could not put it down. It’s a sci fi dystopia reminiscent of Orwell and Bradbury, especially the Codist enclaves. A large cast of characters of all genders and inclinations makes the story deeper. Everyone is unique and well-drawn. There is danger, adventure, intrigue, sex, a little romance, friendship and growth.
The premise is a society of haves (the Codists) in their gated communities who both fear and want to control the people outside, and the have-nots who in turn fear and loathe the Codists. The Codists have engineered their society into Stepford wives and developed a chip that is supposed to allow the user to control the minds of everyone. Unfortunately for them, everyone who was implanted with it has died. They discover there is one person who survived but she is not a Codist. That starts the action.
I enjoyed the action but I really liked the character growth. Everyone that I cared about grew in one way or another. They also began to care for and accept others who were not initially their friends. There are also some mysteries from the past that the author gradually reveals which made the book even more interesting. I liked this book and I will be reading it again soon, I’m sure.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
The premise is a society of haves (the Codists) in their gated communities who both fear and want to control the people outside, and the have-nots who in turn fear and loathe the Codists. The Codists have engineered their society into Stepford wives and developed a chip that is supposed to allow the user to control the minds of everyone. Unfortunately for them, everyone who was implanted with it has died. They discover there is one person who survived but she is not a Codist. That starts the action.
I enjoyed the action but I really liked the character growth. Everyone that I cared about grew in one way or another. They also began to care for and accept others who were not initially their friends. There are also some mysteries from the past that the author gradually reveals which made the book even more interesting. I liked this book and I will be reading it again soon, I’m sure.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
November 21, 2017
I love sci-fi – it’s my favourite genre. Actually, lesbian sci-fi is my absolute favourite. I also love a good dystopian novel. So, I was really looking forward to reading this book.
Unfortunately, I found Reintegration disappointing. There were some aspects I absolutely loved, and then I’d read parts that annoyed me so much I had to put the book down and walk away from it for a while. It therefore took me much longer to read than it should have.
Aspects I liked: it was extremely queer friendly, addressing different sexualities and gender identifications; the ‘suicide chip’ and project Sky; and the concept of two very distinct environments, one of haves and one of have-nots.
Aspects I didn’t like: the narrative and the dialogue did not always gel, it wasn’t very smooth and sometimes seemed a bit contradictory – almost as if some of the events and characterisations had not been planned but were tacked onto the book as writing progressed; the almost unrelenting bleakness of both cultures – the Codists were very 1984 and the other society was very Mad Max; the lack of depth of relationships between the main characters – they all seemed quite superficial.
In some ways this was a very good book, so it kept drawing me back in, but it was also very annoying and kept repelling me. That makes is difficult to accurately rate and review. I waited several days to mull it over before posting this review, but my opinion neither changed nor gelled into a consistent perspective.
I’ve therefore given it three stars and would recommend it if you have patience and like to read something a bit different.
Note: I was given an advance copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I found Reintegration disappointing. There were some aspects I absolutely loved, and then I’d read parts that annoyed me so much I had to put the book down and walk away from it for a while. It therefore took me much longer to read than it should have.
Aspects I liked: it was extremely queer friendly, addressing different sexualities and gender identifications; the ‘suicide chip’ and project Sky; and the concept of two very distinct environments, one of haves and one of have-nots.
Aspects I didn’t like: the narrative and the dialogue did not always gel, it wasn’t very smooth and sometimes seemed a bit contradictory – almost as if some of the events and characterisations had not been planned but were tacked onto the book as writing progressed; the almost unrelenting bleakness of both cultures – the Codists were very 1984 and the other society was very Mad Max; the lack of depth of relationships between the main characters – they all seemed quite superficial.
In some ways this was a very good book, so it kept drawing me back in, but it was also very annoying and kept repelling me. That makes is difficult to accurately rate and review. I waited several days to mull it over before posting this review, but my opinion neither changed nor gelled into a consistent perspective.
I’ve therefore given it three stars and would recommend it if you have patience and like to read something a bit different.
Note: I was given an advance copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2017
I always like a good Queer Sci-Fi book as there are so few out there. Ylva also is usually consistent with the quality of the work it puts out. is somewhat of a disappointment - it is a fun sci-fi book with tons of queer characters that also uses its Sci-Fi nature to talk about the systematic oppression of people. It was a great concept to work with, there's a religious group called the Foundation that wields its power through a group of elites called the Codists. The Codists interpret the Foundation's texts and creates laws to systematically oppress those outside their walls and brainwash those within.
I enjoyed most of the motley gang of outsiders that hit just about every letter on the LGBTQ spectrum. They are ambiguous characters at best, and at worst, highly unlikable. For example, the non-binary lead cyborg, Lexi, is really, really hard to like. Even when she holds the narrative, she tends to have a one track mind, and nothing really deeper to motivate her. It isn't until later that we can really begin to emphasize with her - and that is only because she opens up to the sweet Riva.
The dialog at the beginning of the book was a little stilted and forced, but French found the rhythm near the middle. The book was simply okay, but there are easily parts that stood out to me (like the merry band of misfits that save the day). I hope we see more from the author and from Queer Pack in the future.
*I received this ARC from YLVA in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed most of the motley gang of outsiders that hit just about every letter on the LGBTQ spectrum. They are ambiguous characters at best, and at worst, highly unlikable. For example, the non-binary lead cyborg, Lexi, is really, really hard to like. Even when she holds the narrative, she tends to have a one track mind, and nothing really deeper to motivate her. It isn't until later that we can really begin to emphasize with her - and that is only because she opens up to the sweet Riva.
The dialog at the beginning of the book was a little stilted and forced, but French found the rhythm near the middle. The book was simply okay, but there are easily parts that stood out to me (like the merry band of misfits that save the day). I hope we see more from the author and from Queer Pack in the future.
*I received this ARC from YLVA in exchange for my honest review.
January 14, 2016
I loved how gender and the whole queer concept was managed on this book. Maybe the dystopian world setup was a bit simplistic but I guess its purpose is to label as bigots mindsets and reactions that in our current society would have been defined as normal.
The characters had depth. In most of the lesbian books I have read so far it is sometimes difficult to distinguish the gender. Most of the times I know the couples are women because it says so, not because they act in a specific way. In this book this does not happen and I appreciated it
The characters had depth. In most of the lesbian books I have read so far it is sometimes difficult to distinguish the gender. Most of the times I know the couples are women because it says so, not because they act in a specific way. In this book this does not happen and I appreciated it
November 25, 2017
Reintegration is a book that I really enjoyed reading. I would hate it every time life got in the way and I would have to put the book down.
The book is about a group of people living in a dystopian type of world. One of them, Lexi, is being hunted by the Codist for the chip implant that she has in her head. She is warned by Mineko, a Codist who wants to help. In order to get away Lexi along with others including, Kade, Callie, Zeke, Amity, and Riva work together to try to get to safety. They experience some troubles along the way, but band together to protect one another.
Eden French did a brilliant job at creating characters that were all different and interesting to read about. There's Lexi a genderqueer character who loves women in all their forms. Lexi comes off as shallow person who doesn't care and works for gangsters. But in reality she cares a great deal and is a good person. There's Kade a trans-man who is a writer that tries to get people to see the realities of the world they live in and fight for the revolution. He is a thoughtful and caring man. There is Callie who is a loner who isolates herself with taking things apart and putting them back together. She is a sweetheart who just needs some friends and love in her life. Zeke is a fun character who does body modifications and has some of his own. Amity is a true badass. She comes off as an uncaring ice queen, but beneath the surface she cares about the people she allows into her life. She has had a hard life and has come out the better for it. Riva is a woman with a secret that she is scared to tell people because of how they will react. She is very caring and kind person. There is also Mineko. Mineko is the daughter of two high ranking Codists, but she sees the things that are wrong with the life they live and the things they are taught. She struggles with the idea she may have feelings for women when her society says that is something that is not permitted. She tends to keep to herself and has a quiet strength about her. She is also a very intelligent person. All the characters in the book are well thought out and make the book so much more entertaining to read.
One of the things I loved about this book is that it had so many queer characters. It had genderqueer characters and transgendered characters. We don't get a lot of book with characters like this and it made me enjoy the book so much more.
Another thing I loved is that even when I didn't like what a character was doing in the book, I still liked the characters. There wasn't a character in the book that I could really say I hated or really didn't like. That's unusual for me. So that says a lot about the author's writing and characters.
I would definitely recommend this book.
The book is about a group of people living in a dystopian type of world. One of them, Lexi, is being hunted by the Codist for the chip implant that she has in her head. She is warned by Mineko, a Codist who wants to help. In order to get away Lexi along with others including, Kade, Callie, Zeke, Amity, and Riva work together to try to get to safety. They experience some troubles along the way, but band together to protect one another.
Eden French did a brilliant job at creating characters that were all different and interesting to read about. There's Lexi a genderqueer character who loves women in all their forms. Lexi comes off as shallow person who doesn't care and works for gangsters. But in reality she cares a great deal and is a good person. There's Kade a trans-man who is a writer that tries to get people to see the realities of the world they live in and fight for the revolution. He is a thoughtful and caring man. There is Callie who is a loner who isolates herself with taking things apart and putting them back together. She is a sweetheart who just needs some friends and love in her life. Zeke is a fun character who does body modifications and has some of his own. Amity is a true badass. She comes off as an uncaring ice queen, but beneath the surface she cares about the people she allows into her life. She has had a hard life and has come out the better for it. Riva is a woman with a secret that she is scared to tell people because of how they will react. She is very caring and kind person. There is also Mineko. Mineko is the daughter of two high ranking Codists, but she sees the things that are wrong with the life they live and the things they are taught. She struggles with the idea she may have feelings for women when her society says that is something that is not permitted. She tends to keep to herself and has a quiet strength about her. She is also a very intelligent person. All the characters in the book are well thought out and make the book so much more entertaining to read.
One of the things I loved about this book is that it had so many queer characters. It had genderqueer characters and transgendered characters. We don't get a lot of book with characters like this and it made me enjoy the book so much more.
Another thing I loved is that even when I didn't like what a character was doing in the book, I still liked the characters. There wasn't a character in the book that I could really say I hated or really didn't like. That's unusual for me. So that says a lot about the author's writing and characters.
I would definitely recommend this book.
November 13, 2017
Reintegration
By Eden S. French
Not for everyone
I know, I will be in the minority here. Reintegration did not draw me in. I found it beige, bland. I must admit that generally, Sci-Fi is not my cup of tea, though I have fallen in love with some books in this genre.
The story itself is interesting, so fans of the genre might like it more. It is a creative take on bigotry. It is worth trying the sample.
There was just too much info dump and too little depth for my taste.
ARC Review.
By Eden S. French
Not for everyone
I know, I will be in the minority here. Reintegration did not draw me in. I found it beige, bland. I must admit that generally, Sci-Fi is not my cup of tea, though I have fallen in love with some books in this genre.
The story itself is interesting, so fans of the genre might like it more. It is a creative take on bigotry. It is worth trying the sample.
There was just too much info dump and too little depth for my taste.
ARC Review.
May 17, 2023
This book is haunted by a dead character and sometimes the world feels void of life outside of the main characters' interactions. But the concept is interesting and there's a whole lot of action involved! Anyone that enjoys a good dystopian sci-fi book will be happy with this, I believe.
... and, uh, it's also very horny. Just so you know.
... and, uh, it's also very horny. Just so you know.
November 28, 2017
Queer sci-fi, cyborgs and dystopia. Perfection for my kind of story. Great characters and well written. It had the perfect ending so I’m torn. I want to imagine the rest, but at the same time I want a sequel. Either way, more from this author please.
November 27, 2017
wow. what a world ms. french created! the characters were dark and gritty, and light and hope. There was so much going on in this book that i really hope this turns into a universe that has several stories running throughout it in the future. very great story that i will read through again!
November 22, 2017
So this was an interesting book. My biggest issue was in a story such as this, more dystopian than SciFi you have to really build the world. However, I felt as the reader that we were just plunked right down in the middle of the world and left to figure out what the heck was going on. I felt as lost as some of the characters. I was expecting a bit of romance, but that wasn't really anywhere to be seen. The first character we meet Lexi was pretty cool, but she was also a bit of a cad. The adventure of them on the run and the battles were also very good and written well, but again, I still felt like I was trying to figure out who was who and why they all didn't like each other. I'm sure I'll give the author another try and if she does a sequel this story I'd read it, now that I feel like I have a bit more a grasp on the world.
December 23, 2017
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
This book was not my taste. There was a lot of information dumbed on the reader that was important for the story but a little too much. I think for SciFi fans this book would be good but I'm not big into the SciFi genre.
For me the characters felt a little superficial and there was not a lot of depth in the story.
This book was not my taste. There was a lot of information dumbed on the reader that was important for the story but a little too much. I think for SciFi fans this book would be good but I'm not big into the SciFi genre.
For me the characters felt a little superficial and there was not a lot of depth in the story.
November 28, 2017
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I'm a huge fan of sci-fi so I was excited to get my hands on this one. I enjoyed reading this novel, but still have few mixed feelings.
I'll start with the pros of this novel:
1- I absolutely love the queer representation! Very diverse and have lesbian, nonbinary/gender fluid, trans, some hints of polyamory, etc. Very impressive and I feel like all identities were well respected.
2-All of the characters' personalities are well developed and nobody is the "pure good hero" nor "pure evil villain." Everyone has flaws and reasons why they are the way they are.
3- I am a big fan of dystopian setting and the writer creates a world in near future with two societies existing next to each other. I dig it although it's bit simple and I think it needs bit more "worldbuilding" to make me feel like I am in the world she created.
4- Not traditional romance. Definitely NOT traditional person meet a person and fall in love. There's some romance and some sex, but mostly people having feelings for each other but too busy keeping themselves alive.
Now the cons-
1-I really wish the writer would develop more complexity or something regarding the relationship between the Codists and the people living outside of the Codist society. I know that the book is already really long as it is, but I'm really curious about that relationship and I feel like that wasn't explored enough.
2- The beginning of the novel. To be honest it was little tough to get into the book at first. It took me a while to start caring about the characters and understand what is the point of this story. Once I get that, the story became more interesting.
Overall, it is a good scifi dystopian novel and I would recommend it for anyone who is into that type of novels.
Trigger warning: graphic violence, rape mention, drugs, body/gender dysphoria, transphobia, and homophobia.
I'm a huge fan of sci-fi so I was excited to get my hands on this one. I enjoyed reading this novel, but still have few mixed feelings.
I'll start with the pros of this novel:
1- I absolutely love the queer representation! Very diverse and have lesbian, nonbinary/gender fluid, trans, some hints of polyamory, etc. Very impressive and I feel like all identities were well respected.
2-All of the characters' personalities are well developed and nobody is the "pure good hero" nor "pure evil villain." Everyone has flaws and reasons why they are the way they are.
3- I am a big fan of dystopian setting and the writer creates a world in near future with two societies existing next to each other. I dig it although it's bit simple and I think it needs bit more "worldbuilding" to make me feel like I am in the world she created.
4- Not traditional romance. Definitely NOT traditional person meet a person and fall in love. There's some romance and some sex, but mostly people having feelings for each other but too busy keeping themselves alive.
Now the cons-
1-I really wish the writer would develop more complexity or something regarding the relationship between the Codists and the people living outside of the Codist society. I know that the book is already really long as it is, but I'm really curious about that relationship and I feel like that wasn't explored enough.
2- The beginning of the novel. To be honest it was little tough to get into the book at first. It took me a while to start caring about the characters and understand what is the point of this story. Once I get that, the story became more interesting.
Overall, it is a good scifi dystopian novel and I would recommend it for anyone who is into that type of novels.
Trigger warning: graphic violence, rape mention, drugs, body/gender dysphoria, transphobia, and homophobia.
November 4, 2017
*ARC for review*
The setting is best described from a character in the book:
Meanwhile the main protagonists - a bunch of queer (in all meanings of the word) people - try to live through the hunt for the only survivor of an implant that enables mind-reading. And while they play hide and seek with each other they (re-)discover their shared history.
One thing I found over the top was that the author tried to include almost everyone. We have: lesbians, gays, bi, trans men, trans women, non-binaries. All packed into the handful of main characters. There is the oppressive pseudo-christian dictatorship in their enclave and around them the gang ruled streets.
One "shut-in" (as these enclosed are called on the streets outside) finds she can't live the lie any longer and seeks to escape. And finally they ride into the sunset. Well, while this may technically be true (the direction is not really revealed), it's definitely no HEA ending but merely an end of a chapter in life.
While the characters are neither heroes nor pushovers, they have their strengths and weaknesses. In the progress of the story their motivations get revealed and we find they are bound together by their common history. A bit too much of tough love is permeating the story, but it's bearable.
So, if you want to read about some queer people living after an unspecified apocalypse, you are welcome to this book.
The setting is best described from a character in the book:
We live in a dystopian nightmare. People traipse around with chips in their spines while a cabal of reclusive ideologues develop evermore-sinister technologies to exert their control over the drug-fueled gangsters who run riot in the districts!
Meanwhile the main protagonists - a bunch of queer (in all meanings of the word) people - try to live through the hunt for the only survivor of an implant that enables mind-reading. And while they play hide and seek with each other they (re-)discover their shared history.
One thing I found over the top was that the author tried to include almost everyone. We have: lesbians, gays, bi, trans men, trans women, non-binaries. All packed into the handful of main characters. There is the oppressive pseudo-christian dictatorship in their enclave and around them the gang ruled streets.
One "shut-in" (as these enclosed are called on the streets outside) finds she can't live the lie any longer and seeks to escape. And finally they ride into the sunset. Well, while this may technically be true (the direction is not really revealed), it's definitely no HEA ending but merely an end of a chapter in life.
While the characters are neither heroes nor pushovers, they have their strengths and weaknesses. In the progress of the story their motivations get revealed and we find they are bound together by their common history. A bit too much of tough love is permeating the story, but it's bearable.
So, if you want to read about some queer people living after an unspecified apocalypse, you are welcome to this book.
November 27, 2017
This is the Ylva publication of an earlier release by Ms. French, which I have maintained mixed reactions to since completing, then revisiting it repeatedly throughout the month. While I greatly admire the attempt made by the author to capture queer figures as cultural mainstays whose right to exist will still confront immense contestation in the near future, when circumstances, planetary and otherwise, are more dire, I was often left without the grounding necessary to focus fully on the plot. Lexi is a vigorous, deeply intelligent character whose position in the tale was muddled by her interactions with Mineko and the other supporting figures. There was too little world building, exposition on the "Codists" and the queer antipathy and a lack direction for a possible sequel. I was left wanting more from Ms. French, in what was a lengthy novel which seemed more rife with battles, fleeing and uncomfortable dialogue than a fully realized story. Greater context and perhaps, a more focused journey concentrating on a single protagonist's experiences would be more effective.
I was kindly furnished with an ARC by Ylva and the author, which was appreciated.
I was kindly furnished with an ARC by Ylva and the author, which was appreciated.
November 27, 2017
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Set in a post apocalyptic dystopian future.
This book kept me engaged thoughout. The dystopian world was interesting and well drawn out.
The ensemble cast of characters were engaging. The pace of the book was good with new layers to the story and characters introduced throughout.
The plot was not predictable. I enjoyed the many different queer characters and their struggles.
I'd definately recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sci-fi/cyberpunk.
I'll definately read any other books by this author and hope this book has a seque;.
Set in a post apocalyptic dystopian future.
This book kept me engaged thoughout. The dystopian world was interesting and well drawn out.
The ensemble cast of characters were engaging. The pace of the book was good with new layers to the story and characters introduced throughout.
The plot was not predictable. I enjoyed the many different queer characters and their struggles.
I'd definately recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sci-fi/cyberpunk.
I'll definately read any other books by this author and hope this book has a seque;.
November 28, 2017
I liked the premise of the book. Cyborg has a chip in her head that allows her to read minds, etc. Everyone else who had the implant dies except for Lexi. Somehow she was found out and they are hunting her to reintegrate her. Lexi goes on the run to survive. Great premise but the pacing was really slow for me. This is a book I put down several times. I lost interest and really had trouble finishing it. I like SF books but this one seemed to need a better flow. I would try this author again but this book did not work for me.
I received a free copy from the publisher for an unbiased review.
I received a free copy from the publisher for an unbiased review.
December 20, 2017
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I choose this book cause the story did sound so intresting to me but it took me a while to finish it, cause while it had a rather cool story, enviroment and characters, there was just THAT pull missing, it didnt skyrocket for me but just flatlined and i find myself feeling that the book was OK and at the same time not liking the book.
A huge plus that i have to mention is the lgbtq+ representation, this book truely had it all :)
I choose this book cause the story did sound so intresting to me but it took me a while to finish it, cause while it had a rather cool story, enviroment and characters, there was just THAT pull missing, it didnt skyrocket for me but just flatlined and i find myself feeling that the book was OK and at the same time not liking the book.
A huge plus that i have to mention is the lgbtq+ representation, this book truely had it all :)
November 30, 2017
Hmm, hmm. What to say?
I found myself up and down with this book. Was that Reintegration or me?
The characters were diverse, flawed and genuine. The dystopian setting was fascinating. Why then did I fluctuate from enjoyment to disinterest and occasionally to cringe? Partly I think it was because of that diversity that it's no doubt difficult to build a book of one size fits all.
Overall I think it's a splendid book and well worth reading with an open mind.
I found myself up and down with this book. Was that Reintegration or me?
The characters were diverse, flawed and genuine. The dystopian setting was fascinating. Why then did I fluctuate from enjoyment to disinterest and occasionally to cringe? Partly I think it was because of that diversity that it's no doubt difficult to build a book of one size fits all.
Overall I think it's a splendid book and well worth reading with an open mind.
December 6, 2017
I usually like futuristic books and looked forward to reading Reintegration. However, it was hard for me to really get into the book. The characters were difficult to relate to and I was left wondering who the main characters were. Not that much romance (which was what I was hoping for) and too many secrets - alluded to sometimes, revealed at times and on other occasions, I was left guessing as to the secrets some people held.
I really could not get invested into the characters nor the story.
I really could not get invested into the characters nor the story.
November 24, 2017
ARC copy. I found this book really hard to get into.. Don't get me wrong I commend the authors vision in creating a different world but I found it very hard to empathise with lexi, one of the main characters and maybe it's because I don't normally read sci fi. If you're a fan then you may enjoy it more.
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