Book Review | Volatile Memory

Volatile Memory by Seth Haddon is a queer sci-fi thriller that explores transness, personhood, and our relationship to our bodies in a beautiful, thought-provoking way.Bo

First off, I really loved the concept of masks in this book. The biotech masks in this world grant different abilities depending on the type of mask (kind of like in Majora's Mask—albeit with a sci-fi twist). For instance, an ox mask will grant its user extra strength and a rabbit mask heightens your awareness and alerts you to danger.

I’ve also got to applaud the author for taking artistic choices that pay off. The story is actually told from the perspective of the sentient mask, and it switches from I to you to we depending on how integrated the mask is with Wylla at the time. I felt like this works cleverly on a thematic level to show the two characters' growing connection with each other.

All and all, this book turned out to be one one my favorite reads of the year. It’s an inventive and boldly honest sci-fi that packs an emotional punch in a bite-sized novella. Can't wait for the sequel.

Thank you, Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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