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Second Chances
It has been four years since the first Travelers came back, and in that time their numbers have grown. There is still no explanation for their existence, but for the most part they have been accepted into society and given special protection under the law. There are those, however, who see these Imposters as a threat to both their lives and their faith. The True Borns believe in "One Body, One Soul" and will do everything and anything in their power to put an end to the Travelers. FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2020
1 person is currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
P.D. Cacek
65 books29 followersOccasionally credited as Patricia D. Cacek.
Patricia Diana Joy Anne Cacek (December 22, 1951, Hollywood, California) is an American author, mostly of horror novels. She graduated with a B.A in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach in 1975.
Patricia Diana Joy Anne Cacek (December 22, 1951, Hollywood, California) is an American author, mostly of horror novels. She graduated with a B.A in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach in 1975.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 20, 2021
Second Chances is the follow-up to P.D. Cacek's 2019 release, Second Lives, which I read and reviewed last year.
In that novel, we learn of a global phenomenon where souls, in some cases a long time dead, are reincarnated into the bodies of recently deceased humans.
There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the bizarre occurrences, but the newly reinvigorated souls are known as Travelers, mostly accepted within society and protected under the law.
In some cases, the families of the recently deceased people, now inhabited by the new souls, agree to take these Travelers in and basically absorb them into their families. This has its complications since these people are essentially strangers, often very different from the original owners of the bodies they are now inhabiting.
It's an odd concept, but definitely creative and also interesting to think about.
In this installment, we are mainly following twins, Jessie and Abbie, whose father is the leader of a religious movement known as True Borns.
Daddy's main area of focus happens to be preaching hate against the Travelers, or Imposters, as he calls them; otherwise known as Imps.
We also follow a mentally unstable teen boy and his equally unstable mother, as well as a few other people related to the Traveler phenomenon.
I'm not sure how I feel about this one, y'all. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first novel.
It was interesting, particularly the overall picture of what is going on in this world. If you think about the ramifications of this, should it actually happen, it's creepy AF.
With this being said, there were also large portions, or storylines, of this book that just didn't sit right with me. Frankly, they made me uncomfortable, but I am having a hard time verbalizing why.
Particularly, Jessie's storyline as a trans character, but also the treatment of mental health for Curtis and his mother. I would definitely be interested in seeing OWN voices reviews, should they come up.
Overall, I just don't think it was a solid match for my tastes.
If you really enjoyed the first book, I would recommend picking it up, just so you have a conclusion to the story.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Flame Tree Press, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. I appreciate the opportunity!
In that novel, we learn of a global phenomenon where souls, in some cases a long time dead, are reincarnated into the bodies of recently deceased humans.
There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the bizarre occurrences, but the newly reinvigorated souls are known as Travelers, mostly accepted within society and protected under the law.
In some cases, the families of the recently deceased people, now inhabited by the new souls, agree to take these Travelers in and basically absorb them into their families. This has its complications since these people are essentially strangers, often very different from the original owners of the bodies they are now inhabiting.
It's an odd concept, but definitely creative and also interesting to think about.
In this installment, we are mainly following twins, Jessie and Abbie, whose father is the leader of a religious movement known as True Borns.
Daddy's main area of focus happens to be preaching hate against the Travelers, or Imposters, as he calls them; otherwise known as Imps.
We also follow a mentally unstable teen boy and his equally unstable mother, as well as a few other people related to the Traveler phenomenon.
I'm not sure how I feel about this one, y'all. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first novel.
It was interesting, particularly the overall picture of what is going on in this world. If you think about the ramifications of this, should it actually happen, it's creepy AF.
With this being said, there were also large portions, or storylines, of this book that just didn't sit right with me. Frankly, they made me uncomfortable, but I am having a hard time verbalizing why.
Particularly, Jessie's storyline as a trans character, but also the treatment of mental health for Curtis and his mother. I would definitely be interested in seeing OWN voices reviews, should they come up.
Overall, I just don't think it was a solid match for my tastes.
If you really enjoyed the first book, I would recommend picking it up, just so you have a conclusion to the story.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Flame Tree Press, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. I appreciate the opportunity!
November 20, 2020
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I loved this book! The storyline is unlike anything I have read, and I did not want it to end.
The author immediately draws you in with various characters with different storylines and how they connect. Jessie is my favorite character. As a trans person who fights against the Travelers with her family, I loved seeing her conflicting emotions in a difficult situation. At times I got angry at her for playing with her life and risking it just for Carly. But at times, I also felt terrible for whatever she goes through. Moreover, I love her conversations with Abigail. Both of them share a special bond, and it was interesting to see how they connected.
Simultaneously, the author also keeps the story fresh by narrating the tale from different perspectives. Millie is also fascinating as she Travels across centuries. However, I wish she was more prominent, as she only appears sporadically. Similarly, Eva and Curtis were all right. While I wouldn’t say I liked their storyline initially, I enjoyed it once Jessie came into the picture. At the same time, Jess is also impressive as the potential ‘villain’ fighting against the Travelers.
However, there were times when I felt the story was slow and repetitious in the beginning. But I still give this book five stars only because of its concept. It surpassed my expectations and turned out to be a very memorable read. I loved the word of the Travelers and the idea of how they survive. Overall, “Second Chances” is an excellent book if you are in the mood for an eerie, fascinating tale of death and resurrection.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
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September 9, 2020P. D. Cacek wonderfully spins another engaging tale that expands upon the same concept from her previous novel, "Second Lives". People are dying and their body is being taken over by another soul ... a transmigration of a soul that is met with both wonder and disdain. Some refer to these "new" individuals as Travelers or Newcomers, while others call them Imposters ... an abomination to the Lord. World governments have accepted their presence, and adopted new laws protecting their rights ... and, even supplying structured support to pave their way into general society. However, there are the "True Borns" whose dogma espouses "One Body, One Soul" who are adamant in putting an end to the Travelers. They even have come up with a kit to stop the process ... within three minutes of death a syringe full of sodium hypochlorite ( common bleach) is injected through the ear into the brain.
Cacek proves to be a masterful storyteller in this stand alone novel ... weaving together a complex tale of worthy "second chances" ..... Jessie a transgender twin caught in a girl's body, and after a suicide finds herself in Curtis's body ( a so-called genius schizophrenic ).... Ms Samuels , a teacher who runs the high school LGBTQ meetings (who actually in another life was a deeply troubled George Samuels ... who was brutally murdered while cross-dressing) .... Millie Benezet - Guzman whose life purpose now is to help in the transition of fellow Newcomers ( after being brutally murdered by bigots). These stories and more are effortlessly woven together in an exploration of faith, gender, identity , friendship and love. A wonderful example of gestalt, where the whole of this tale is much greater than the sum of its parts.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for supplying an Uncorrected Proof of this gem in exchange for an honest review. Thankfully the Epilogue hints at another tale in this Universe ... which I readily would welcome.
( at readersremains.com )
Cacek proves to be a masterful storyteller in this stand alone novel ... weaving together a complex tale of worthy "second chances" ..... Jessie a transgender twin caught in a girl's body, and after a suicide finds herself in Curtis's body ( a so-called genius schizophrenic ).... Ms Samuels , a teacher who runs the high school LGBTQ meetings (who actually in another life was a deeply troubled George Samuels ... who was brutally murdered while cross-dressing) .... Millie Benezet - Guzman whose life purpose now is to help in the transition of fellow Newcomers ( after being brutally murdered by bigots). These stories and more are effortlessly woven together in an exploration of faith, gender, identity , friendship and love. A wonderful example of gestalt, where the whole of this tale is much greater than the sum of its parts.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for supplying an Uncorrected Proof of this gem in exchange for an honest review. Thankfully the Epilogue hints at another tale in this Universe ... which I readily would welcome.
( at readersremains.com )
April 9, 2021
If you haven't read Second Lives - the first book in this two part series - you will still find that Second Chances reads well as a standalone, but do go and read that first book as well. You'll thank me!
In the four years that have elapsed since Second Lives, more and more dead people have been waking up in the recently deceased. Their spirit has entered the body in less than three minutes after the life of their new corporeal host has expired. Most of these Newcomers or Travellers, as they are variously called, have lived their previous lives decades or more before. The period of adjustment is hard for everyone. In some ways it is even harder for the twin who is 'reborn' mere minutes after her first life has expired. Not only that, she died as a physical girl and is reborn as a boy.
The author takes this original concept and explores the attitudes of people and society in general towards these Travellers. Needless to say, there are many who do not welcome them, who see them as Imposters, unnatural beings who have no right to live and should be disposed of. The rigid opinions of these people coalesce and find their expression in the True Borns, whose slogan is 'One Body One Soul. The result is a witch hunt, with tragic consequences.
This is a suspenseful and gripping story that I just wanted to keep on reading. Tearing myself away from it was hard and I couldn't wait to dive right back in again. The characters, atmosphere, plot all combined to deliver on all fronts. A great story from an exceptionally gifted storyteller.
In the four years that have elapsed since Second Lives, more and more dead people have been waking up in the recently deceased. Their spirit has entered the body in less than three minutes after the life of their new corporeal host has expired. Most of these Newcomers or Travellers, as they are variously called, have lived their previous lives decades or more before. The period of adjustment is hard for everyone. In some ways it is even harder for the twin who is 'reborn' mere minutes after her first life has expired. Not only that, she died as a physical girl and is reborn as a boy.
The author takes this original concept and explores the attitudes of people and society in general towards these Travellers. Needless to say, there are many who do not welcome them, who see them as Imposters, unnatural beings who have no right to live and should be disposed of. The rigid opinions of these people coalesce and find their expression in the True Borns, whose slogan is 'One Body One Soul. The result is a witch hunt, with tragic consequences.
This is a suspenseful and gripping story that I just wanted to keep on reading. Tearing myself away from it was hard and I couldn't wait to dive right back in again. The characters, atmosphere, plot all combined to deliver on all fronts. A great story from an exceptionally gifted storyteller.
November 14, 2020
This is the sequel to Second Lives in which lives that were cut short return from the dead, not as newborns and not with new lives, but in the bodies of the recently deceased.
They are called the Travelers, and although there are more of them than ever, and they have been given more rights and protections, there are still those who believe they are an abomination.
I loved the start of the story when we first meet the soon to be "traveler" but as the book progressed she was less of a main character than I had hoped. The plot mostly moves on to a group of religious zealots and a woman who is willfully ignorant of her child's mental instability. I was not nearly as emotionally invested in this sequel and it's new characters. This was just an ok read for me when compared to my love for the first book.
I received an advance copy for review
They are called the Travelers, and although there are more of them than ever, and they have been given more rights and protections, there are still those who believe they are an abomination.
I loved the start of the story when we first meet the soon to be "traveler" but as the book progressed she was less of a main character than I had hoped. The plot mostly moves on to a group of religious zealots and a woman who is willfully ignorant of her child's mental instability. I was not nearly as emotionally invested in this sequel and it's new characters. This was just an ok read for me when compared to my love for the first book.
I received an advance copy for review
November 9, 2020
Review: SECOND CHANCES by P. D. Cacek
Quite some time ago I read and admired Ms. Cacek’s novel SECOND LIVES. SECOND CHANCES is more of a continuation than a sequel. Perhaps it is due to reading in late 2020, a year distraught with a global pandemic, civil unrest, human rights violations, and political chaos, that this novel I found tremendously disturbing. At several points I was impelled to stop reading till I could regain my composure. From the very beginning the novel is heart-wrenching. I felt the author struck on so many aspects of human cruelty and evil, of closed-mindedness and prejudice and blind unthinking bigotry. I predict nightmares.
Quite some time ago I read and admired Ms. Cacek’s novel SECOND LIVES. SECOND CHANCES is more of a continuation than a sequel. Perhaps it is due to reading in late 2020, a year distraught with a global pandemic, civil unrest, human rights violations, and political chaos, that this novel I found tremendously disturbing. At several points I was impelled to stop reading till I could regain my composure. From the very beginning the novel is heart-wrenching. I felt the author struck on so many aspects of human cruelty and evil, of closed-mindedness and prejudice and blind unthinking bigotry. I predict nightmares.
November 14, 2020
This review of Second Chances by P.D. Cacek is part of a Blog Tour organised by Random Things. I received a free copy of the paperback. Second Chances is published by Flame Tree Press in November 2020.
Wow. Just … wow.
I haven’t read the first novel. But this one works well as a standalone – though I’m now inspired to get the first!
It’s an engaging premise – that random souls can inject themselves into the recently dead and reanimate the bodies. The old soul has to realise they’re not who they were – every look in the mirror is jarring and the feel of a ‘new’ body takes some getting used to. Not to mention, families of the recently deceased have issues too, seeing their relative alive, but totally different …
And there’s an intolerance angle – a fundamentalist group full of anger and hate, the True Born. True Born despise the Travelers, attacking them at every opportunity. There’s even plans to damage the recently dead so they can’t be inhabited. But that doesn’t mean that True Born souls are blocked from emerging into other bodies …
To be honest, Second Chances worried me in the beginning. It seemed a little slow and, although I was curious, I found I had to push myself. It was only after the first third that I couldn’t put it down. And I couldn’t – I was up til 2am.
No issues at all with the writing – Ms Cacek has a talent, to be sure. Characters are believable and fleshed, neuroses and foibles clear. I would have liked to know more about Dr Ellison and Millie, but I’m guessing that’s all in the first book.
To me, this is urban fantasy with a dash of the supernatural/macabre, and a frustratingly accurate portrayal of fundamentalism. But it leaves you curious – and it leaves you wanting more.
And I do! I want more. I want to know what happens next.
Second Chances by P.D. Cacek is highly recommended. Get in.
Wow. Just … wow.
I haven’t read the first novel. But this one works well as a standalone – though I’m now inspired to get the first!
It’s an engaging premise – that random souls can inject themselves into the recently dead and reanimate the bodies. The old soul has to realise they’re not who they were – every look in the mirror is jarring and the feel of a ‘new’ body takes some getting used to. Not to mention, families of the recently deceased have issues too, seeing their relative alive, but totally different …
And there’s an intolerance angle – a fundamentalist group full of anger and hate, the True Born. True Born despise the Travelers, attacking them at every opportunity. There’s even plans to damage the recently dead so they can’t be inhabited. But that doesn’t mean that True Born souls are blocked from emerging into other bodies …
To be honest, Second Chances worried me in the beginning. It seemed a little slow and, although I was curious, I found I had to push myself. It was only after the first third that I couldn’t put it down. And I couldn’t – I was up til 2am.
No issues at all with the writing – Ms Cacek has a talent, to be sure. Characters are believable and fleshed, neuroses and foibles clear. I would have liked to know more about Dr Ellison and Millie, but I’m guessing that’s all in the first book.
To me, this is urban fantasy with a dash of the supernatural/macabre, and a frustratingly accurate portrayal of fundamentalism. But it leaves you curious – and it leaves you wanting more.
And I do! I want more. I want to know what happens next.
Second Chances by P.D. Cacek is highly recommended. Get in.
August 2, 2020
WOWZERS!!! What an amazing story!! I read the first book in the series. The good news for those who haven't read the first book... no worries!! Both books totally stand apart! I honestly didn't see a sequel coming... but, DANG!!! I'm so glad I got to read, SECOND CHANCES early having received an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) from the publisher.
SECOND CHANCES focuses more on just a few of the "travelers or imps". I love that the author thought to include a set of twins who can speak to one another telepathically! Total genius!! The whole story from beginning to end was a helluva ride!! I totally enjoyed every morsel! This is one of those rare gems that one rarely runs across. The author thinks so far out of the box that the reader has no idea there is a box! lol.
I highly recommend SECOND CHANCES to anyone who wonders what would happen if the body dies and POOF... a person who passed away previously... their soul finds it's way into the body of the recently deceased. The author actively engages folks to think about transgender and what would happen if someone suddenly found themselves in a body that is not the gender they were originally born within their "first" life.
A very thought-provoking adventure that those who like to think and explore the deep recesses of humanity will totally enjoy!
SECOND CHANCES focuses more on just a few of the "travelers or imps". I love that the author thought to include a set of twins who can speak to one another telepathically! Total genius!! The whole story from beginning to end was a helluva ride!! I totally enjoyed every morsel! This is one of those rare gems that one rarely runs across. The author thinks so far out of the box that the reader has no idea there is a box! lol.
I highly recommend SECOND CHANCES to anyone who wonders what would happen if the body dies and POOF... a person who passed away previously... their soul finds it's way into the body of the recently deceased. The author actively engages folks to think about transgender and what would happen if someone suddenly found themselves in a body that is not the gender they were originally born within their "first" life.
A very thought-provoking adventure that those who like to think and explore the deep recesses of humanity will totally enjoy!
May 20, 2023
Second Chances (2020) 294 pages by P.D. Cacek
Second Lives focused on the first four travelers, people who had died earlier were reborn into bodies that had just died. Now the novelty has worn off and this has become commonplace.
Reverend Pathway and his twin daughters live in Colorado. Jess joins the UCUA (One Body, One Soul) and starts pushing people in that direction. They feel the travelers are not miracles, but rather abominations. Meanwhile Jessica is dealing with gender identity issues. She confides in her sister, but in no one else. She has a crush on her best friend Carly which doesn't end well. In Pennsylvania Eva thinks her Curtis is a genius rather than schizophrenia. She doesn't heed the doctor's advice and it doesn't end well. Those two story lines culminate, then intersect. We still follow both groups.
When travelers come into the life of the characters they have to deal with their beliefs. Any more details would be spoilers. Millie is mentioned at the start of the book, she dies in 1872 and wakes in 2017, but only makes token appearances in the second half of the book as a counselor to newcomers. Such a prominent mention at the beginning of the book made me curious about her. Fizzle. Instead we focus on the Pathways and Steinars.
Melodrama. It was interesting through out, though I could have done with less Eva and Curtis, the Jessie bits made up for it. 4.6 stars.
Second Lives focused on the first four travelers, people who had died earlier were reborn into bodies that had just died. Now the novelty has worn off and this has become commonplace.
Reverend Pathway and his twin daughters live in Colorado. Jess joins the UCUA (One Body, One Soul) and starts pushing people in that direction. They feel the travelers are not miracles, but rather abominations. Meanwhile Jessica is dealing with gender identity issues. She confides in her sister, but in no one else. She has a crush on her best friend Carly which doesn't end well. In Pennsylvania Eva thinks her Curtis is a genius rather than schizophrenia. She doesn't heed the doctor's advice and it doesn't end well. Those two story lines culminate, then intersect. We still follow both groups.
When travelers come into the life of the characters they have to deal with their beliefs. Any more details would be spoilers. Millie is mentioned at the start of the book, she dies in 1872 and wakes in 2017, but only makes token appearances in the second half of the book as a counselor to newcomers. Such a prominent mention at the beginning of the book made me curious about her. Fizzle. Instead we focus on the Pathways and Steinars.
Melodrama. It was interesting through out, though I could have done with less Eva and Curtis, the Jessie bits made up for it. 4.6 stars.
November 15, 2020
In this second book we again follow a few of the lives of people that will die shortly and those that have died long ago. Main characters involve a twin that shares a very special bond and are the sole daughters of a reverend that is one of the leading influencers on the ´One Body, One Soul´ movement.
The thing with change is, is that you will always have people embracing the change and people resisting. If one thing history has shown us, is that people who are against something speak louder than people who accept the change. What with these newcomers? These old souls taking over the bodies of someone who just died?
Again, a book that I read with tears in my eyes, left me rooting for some people and trying to find out if there was a way to put humanity back in the people who lost sight of what makes a living being , a living being.
I can highly recommend both books as they will take hold of your emotions, mental state and make you think deeper about what the impact is when someone you love dies but the body will live on.
I want to thank Flame Tree press for offering me a review copy as part of a blogtour in exchange for my honest review.
Read more about this on my blog
The thing with change is, is that you will always have people embracing the change and people resisting. If one thing history has shown us, is that people who are against something speak louder than people who accept the change. What with these newcomers? These old souls taking over the bodies of someone who just died?
Again, a book that I read with tears in my eyes, left me rooting for some people and trying to find out if there was a way to put humanity back in the people who lost sight of what makes a living being , a living being.
I can highly recommend both books as they will take hold of your emotions, mental state and make you think deeper about what the impact is when someone you love dies but the body will live on.
I want to thank Flame Tree press for offering me a review copy as part of a blogtour in exchange for my honest review.
Read more about this on my blog
November 18, 2020
Thank you Flame Tree Press for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Second Chances
By: P. D. Cacek
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆☆
This book, y'all. Wow! Second Chances is kind of mind blowing and definitely heart breaking all in one fell swoop. I've never read P. D. Cacek prior to this book, but I intend to seek out more of her work, particularly Second Lives. Cacek has constructed a complex, harrowing and way out of the box plot that manages to remain grounded and emotionally devastating. Told through several perspectives and different points in time, nothing is really confusing about the story, rather, it is riveting, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I don't give spoilers, so I can't say much about the details. But, trust me, you've never read anything quite like this.
All of the characters experience tragedy and heartbreak in different ways, and even though this is fictional, it's not hard to imagine the idea of this story being a horrific reality. In the story, there are those who accept the circumstances and those who do not, and they are at war with each other. But, what's at stake is something worth fighting for. I know this book will stay with me for a long time. Second Chances is uniquely chilling, fascinatingly disturbing and dangerously thought provoking. I highly recommend reading this unforgettable book today!
Second Chances
By: P. D. Cacek
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆☆
This book, y'all. Wow! Second Chances is kind of mind blowing and definitely heart breaking all in one fell swoop. I've never read P. D. Cacek prior to this book, but I intend to seek out more of her work, particularly Second Lives. Cacek has constructed a complex, harrowing and way out of the box plot that manages to remain grounded and emotionally devastating. Told through several perspectives and different points in time, nothing is really confusing about the story, rather, it is riveting, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I don't give spoilers, so I can't say much about the details. But, trust me, you've never read anything quite like this.
All of the characters experience tragedy and heartbreak in different ways, and even though this is fictional, it's not hard to imagine the idea of this story being a horrific reality. In the story, there are those who accept the circumstances and those who do not, and they are at war with each other. But, what's at stake is something worth fighting for. I know this book will stay with me for a long time. Second Chances is uniquely chilling, fascinatingly disturbing and dangerously thought provoking. I highly recommend reading this unforgettable book today!
July 29, 2020
Review Copy 4.5 stars
I was so excited to see a novel by author PD Cacek that I simply grabbed it and started reading without looking at any of the information provided. On opening the cover I ound it was a first draft. Ok, that's fine, that means I have to buy the final copy when it it's published. Poor me. Hope I like it. Ha!
It's been a year and a half since I read SECOND LIVES and with roughly 150 books since it was tough remembering details. I'll be rereading it - just because. But it's not necessary t to read in order. Purists may want to, but you really can walk into SECOND CHANCES and enjoy it on it's own.
The thing I liked most about CHANCES is that it's a book for our times. It's about today's issues as well as family issues. There are so many people that should read this to try to understand other people's points of view. I hope readers don't get bored and dnf because they can't relate to the characters.
The reason I didn't give this 5 stars was because it was a first draft. It was in need of editing and I could see where changes and probable cuts would be made. I'd love to update this review after reading the final version. Hope I remember! I bet it goes to 5 stars.
Add this to your tbr now.
I was so excited to see a novel by author PD Cacek that I simply grabbed it and started reading without looking at any of the information provided. On opening the cover I ound it was a first draft. Ok, that's fine, that means I have to buy the final copy when it it's published. Poor me. Hope I like it. Ha!
It's been a year and a half since I read SECOND LIVES and with roughly 150 books since it was tough remembering details. I'll be rereading it - just because. But it's not necessary t to read in order. Purists may want to, but you really can walk into SECOND CHANCES and enjoy it on it's own.
The thing I liked most about CHANCES is that it's a book for our times. It's about today's issues as well as family issues. There are so many people that should read this to try to understand other people's points of view. I hope readers don't get bored and dnf because they can't relate to the characters.
The reason I didn't give this 5 stars was because it was a first draft. It was in need of editing and I could see where changes and probable cuts would be made. I'd love to update this review after reading the final version. Hope I remember! I bet it goes to 5 stars.
Add this to your tbr now.
October 16, 2020
This is a bit different to the book it follows on from, and would probably be capable of being read as a standalone. Reading the first would help set the scene but the story is its own entity. There are quite a few different threads but they weave together nicely as the book progresses. An interesting exploration of mortality and loss, and how a change to these confronting realities could affect individuals and society in general.
July 14, 2023
I was really impressed by P.D. Cacek's ability to capture the experience of being a trans person raised in a conservative Christian family to be a bigot, and the complicated process of self-examination and repair that comes along with undoing that. The kindness of open-minded others, who invest in challenging relationships to help the main character make space for self-examination and self-acceptance, is very authentic.
November 16, 2020
An interesting and engrossing story that can be read as a stand alone.
I liked the style of writing, the world building and the character development.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I liked the style of writing, the world building and the character development.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews