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Yours for the Taking
The year is 2050. Ava and her girlfriend live in what's left of Brooklyn, and though they love each other, it's hard to find happiness while the effects of climate change rapidly eclipse their world. Soon, it won't be safe outside at all. The only people guaranteed survival are the ones whose applications are accepted to The Inside Project, a series of weather-safe, city-sized structures around the world.
Jacqueline Millender is a reclusive billionaire/women’s rights advocate, and thanks to a generous donation, she’s just become the director of the Inside being built on the bones of Manhattan. Her ideas are unorthodox, yet alluring—she's built a whole brand around rethinking the very concept of empowerment.
Shelby, a business major from a working-class family, is drawn to Jacqueline’s promises of power and impact. When she lands her dream job as Jacqueline’s personal assistant, she's instantly swept up into the glamourous world of corporatized feminism. Also drawn into Jacqueline's orbit is Olympia, who is finishing up medical school when Jacqueline recruits her to run the health department Inside. The more Olympia learns about the project, though, the more she realizes there's something much larger at play. As Ava, Olympia, and Shelby start to notice the cracks in Jacqueline's system, Jacqueline tightens her grip, becoming increasingly unhinged and dangerous in what she is willing to do—and who she is willing to sacrifice—to keep her dream alive.
At once a mesmerizing story of queer love, betrayal, and chosen family, and an unflinching indictment of cis, corporate feminism, Yours for the Taking holds a mirror to our own world, in all its beauty and horror.
Jacqueline Millender is a reclusive billionaire/women’s rights advocate, and thanks to a generous donation, she’s just become the director of the Inside being built on the bones of Manhattan. Her ideas are unorthodox, yet alluring—she's built a whole brand around rethinking the very concept of empowerment.
Shelby, a business major from a working-class family, is drawn to Jacqueline’s promises of power and impact. When she lands her dream job as Jacqueline’s personal assistant, she's instantly swept up into the glamourous world of corporatized feminism. Also drawn into Jacqueline's orbit is Olympia, who is finishing up medical school when Jacqueline recruits her to run the health department Inside. The more Olympia learns about the project, though, the more she realizes there's something much larger at play. As Ava, Olympia, and Shelby start to notice the cracks in Jacqueline's system, Jacqueline tightens her grip, becoming increasingly unhinged and dangerous in what she is willing to do—and who she is willing to sacrifice—to keep her dream alive.
At once a mesmerizing story of queer love, betrayal, and chosen family, and an unflinching indictment of cis, corporate feminism, Yours for the Taking holds a mirror to our own world, in all its beauty and horror.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published December 5, 2023
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January 9, 2024
Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn is a Sapphic and Dystopian Fiction Story!
In the year 2050, the effects of climate change have impacted the world to the extent that soon being outside will no longer be safe. The one chance of survival is through The Inside Project and is only assured if your application to join is selected.
The Inside Project can offer safety from the elements within structures the size of large cities, stationed around the globe. The Manhattan site will be directed by billionaire and feminist, Jacqueline Millender, who has innovative ideas on how she envisions her location operating.
Jacqueline is quickly realizing her dream for the future...
Yours for the Taking has a premise that is so out there it's distracting and yet, at the same time, it's both thought-provoking and improbable. The writing is good and the storytelling is creative but I had trouble wrapping my head around what's happening because it feels almost too close to watching history repeat itself from the early 20th Century.
It's always a deal breaker for me in the inability to connect with the characters and it was glaring here. I didn't like, feel sorry for, want to share a meal, or have coffee with any of them. The emotional pull towards these characters just wasn't there. Perhaps a bit more character development and a little less plot focus would have made a difference with this.
This story is labeled as Adult Fiction but you can't fool me. This story reeks of Young Adult mixed with New Adult overtones. The characters are immature and I wasn't expecting that in this story as it was described in the synopsis.
This was an immersion reading experience through the gifted Digital Reading Copy and Advanced Listening Copy. The audiobook is narrated by Jasmin Savoy Brown, whose voicing skills are good, however, either format will deliver a satisfactory experience.
I'm an outlier with Yours for the Taking as most reviews are positive with high ratings and I'm glad for this positive support to the author. Dystopian Fiction is one of my favorite genres and I was expecting to love this story but not every book is for everyone and this one is definitely not for me.
2.5⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Gabrielle Korn for a DRC and an ALC of this book through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
In the year 2050, the effects of climate change have impacted the world to the extent that soon being outside will no longer be safe. The one chance of survival is through The Inside Project and is only assured if your application to join is selected.
The Inside Project can offer safety from the elements within structures the size of large cities, stationed around the globe. The Manhattan site will be directed by billionaire and feminist, Jacqueline Millender, who has innovative ideas on how she envisions her location operating.
Jacqueline is quickly realizing her dream for the future...
Yours for the Taking has a premise that is so out there it's distracting and yet, at the same time, it's both thought-provoking and improbable. The writing is good and the storytelling is creative but I had trouble wrapping my head around what's happening because it feels almost too close to watching history repeat itself from the early 20th Century.
It's always a deal breaker for me in the inability to connect with the characters and it was glaring here. I didn't like, feel sorry for, want to share a meal, or have coffee with any of them. The emotional pull towards these characters just wasn't there. Perhaps a bit more character development and a little less plot focus would have made a difference with this.
This story is labeled as Adult Fiction but you can't fool me. This story reeks of Young Adult mixed with New Adult overtones. The characters are immature and I wasn't expecting that in this story as it was described in the synopsis.
This was an immersion reading experience through the gifted Digital Reading Copy and Advanced Listening Copy. The audiobook is narrated by Jasmin Savoy Brown, whose voicing skills are good, however, either format will deliver a satisfactory experience.
I'm an outlier with Yours for the Taking as most reviews are positive with high ratings and I'm glad for this positive support to the author. Dystopian Fiction is one of my favorite genres and I was expecting to love this story but not every book is for everyone and this one is definitely not for me.
2.5⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Gabrielle Korn for a DRC and an ALC of this book through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
December 30, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Gabrielle Korn for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 12.5!**
Ava and Orchid believe their love is strong enough to transcend anything: space, time...and even a rapidly eroding climate. But in 2050, the third factor in this list has started to overtake all else, as their homebase of Brooklyn has passed dangerous and is quickly becoming uninhabitable. Billionaire and self-proclaimed visionary Jacqueline Millender has the possible answer to their problems: The Inside Project. In it, women (and only women, we soon come to find out) will live under a dome of sorts, protected from the unsafe air and the ugly ramifications of a world decimated by men...but just how HONORABLE are Jacqueline's intentions?
Shelby can hardly believe when Jacqueline reaches 0ut to HER to be her personal assistant, and jumps at the chance to be second in command to one of the world's most powerful and influential women. Olympia works on the medical side of the house, and she too is honored to work for Jacqueline at first...until Jacqueline's visions for her own personal progeny come to light, and Olympia begins to wonder exactly WHAT she has signed up for...and if it's too late to escape. As the three perspectives converge, all of the women in Jacqueline's 'orbit' come to one terrifying conclusion...but with the world literally crumbling around them, can they band together to work against the climate crisis? Is their little slice of paradise on the "Inside" really a paradise? Or are they simply cogs in a devastating machine, with wheels TOO far in motion to be stopped now?
This book is marketed as queer and dystopian, and in many respects, these descriptors are accurate. The MCs ARE entrenched in a lesbian relationship from the very beginning, but the book quickly becomes less of a true love story and more of a semi-thesis on the pros and cons of a man-free society, with a disjointed and at times eye-roll worthy plot that tried to tread a LOT of ground...and ended up simply dancing around ideas instead. We bounce from the climate issues, to the pros and cons of 'traditional' feminism, queer relationships, men and the patriarchy and more...but Korn never gives ANY of these ideas full credence and room to breathe...and subsequently, the book suffers because of it.
This is also supposedly adult fiction...but it reads INCREDIBLY YA to the point where I actually stopped and looked it up at one point to confirm that this wasn't the case. The "women" in the book read more like teenage girls, with bubbling insecurities, wanton lust, and a lack of focus and determination you'd expect from much younger people. This became especially difficult when some of the characters had children of their own...and once said women hit their teens/twenties, it became even harder to tell them apart from their parents, who were theoretically FAR older (at least, I hope so 😬).
Which brings me to another one of the book's issues...a timeline that never seemed to end. By the end of the book, some of the characters are literally OLD WOMEN and they certainly did not start off with their AARP cards in hand. With characters who gave me such minimal emotional investment, especially, I did not need to see their lives progress over such a LONG period of time, and it made a plot that already felt slow become interminable. I also am not a fan of timeline jumps in general unless they a) make sense and b) are easy to follow, and in this case? I'm sad to say BOTH boxes were marked.
To cap it off, one of the most distracting and odd things about this book was the dialogue. It felt cheesy, unnatural, and often felt like an info dump about different characters and their motivations. Over and over again we were told WHAT to think about characters rather than being inspired to feel something about them and form a unique opinion as a reader having an individual reading experience. One character in particular is SO one dimensional that by the end, I started to roll my eyes each time they popped up in the narrative: in the words of Radiohead, there were No Surprises here.
Nevertheless, there ARE some interesting concepts and theses buried under a subpar plot and overshadowed by lackluster characters here. If you want to go down the rabbit hole of your own thoughts and speculation about the dystopian picture Korn paints, and the pitfalls of a women-only society...this is your book. For me, however, the only thing that felt like it was MINE for the taking was a generous helping of disappointment.
3 stars, rounded up from 2.5
Ava and Orchid believe their love is strong enough to transcend anything: space, time...and even a rapidly eroding climate. But in 2050, the third factor in this list has started to overtake all else, as their homebase of Brooklyn has passed dangerous and is quickly becoming uninhabitable. Billionaire and self-proclaimed visionary Jacqueline Millender has the possible answer to their problems: The Inside Project. In it, women (and only women, we soon come to find out) will live under a dome of sorts, protected from the unsafe air and the ugly ramifications of a world decimated by men...but just how HONORABLE are Jacqueline's intentions?
Shelby can hardly believe when Jacqueline reaches 0ut to HER to be her personal assistant, and jumps at the chance to be second in command to one of the world's most powerful and influential women. Olympia works on the medical side of the house, and she too is honored to work for Jacqueline at first...until Jacqueline's visions for her own personal progeny come to light, and Olympia begins to wonder exactly WHAT she has signed up for...and if it's too late to escape. As the three perspectives converge, all of the women in Jacqueline's 'orbit' come to one terrifying conclusion...but with the world literally crumbling around them, can they band together to work against the climate crisis? Is their little slice of paradise on the "Inside" really a paradise? Or are they simply cogs in a devastating machine, with wheels TOO far in motion to be stopped now?
This book is marketed as queer and dystopian, and in many respects, these descriptors are accurate. The MCs ARE entrenched in a lesbian relationship from the very beginning, but the book quickly becomes less of a true love story and more of a semi-thesis on the pros and cons of a man-free society, with a disjointed and at times eye-roll worthy plot that tried to tread a LOT of ground...and ended up simply dancing around ideas instead. We bounce from the climate issues, to the pros and cons of 'traditional' feminism, queer relationships, men and the patriarchy and more...but Korn never gives ANY of these ideas full credence and room to breathe...and subsequently, the book suffers because of it.
This is also supposedly adult fiction...but it reads INCREDIBLY YA to the point where I actually stopped and looked it up at one point to confirm that this wasn't the case. The "women" in the book read more like teenage girls, with bubbling insecurities, wanton lust, and a lack of focus and determination you'd expect from much younger people. This became especially difficult when some of the characters had children of their own...and once said women hit their teens/twenties, it became even harder to tell them apart from their parents, who were theoretically FAR older (at least, I hope so 😬).
Which brings me to another one of the book's issues...a timeline that never seemed to end. By the end of the book, some of the characters are literally OLD WOMEN and they certainly did not start off with their AARP cards in hand. With characters who gave me such minimal emotional investment, especially, I did not need to see their lives progress over such a LONG period of time, and it made a plot that already felt slow become interminable. I also am not a fan of timeline jumps in general unless they a) make sense and b) are easy to follow, and in this case? I'm sad to say BOTH boxes were marked.
To cap it off, one of the most distracting and odd things about this book was the dialogue. It felt cheesy, unnatural, and often felt like an info dump about different characters and their motivations. Over and over again we were told WHAT to think about characters rather than being inspired to feel something about them and form a unique opinion as a reader having an individual reading experience. One character in particular is SO one dimensional that by the end, I started to roll my eyes each time they popped up in the narrative: in the words of Radiohead, there were No Surprises here.
Nevertheless, there ARE some interesting concepts and theses buried under a subpar plot and overshadowed by lackluster characters here. If you want to go down the rabbit hole of your own thoughts and speculation about the dystopian picture Korn paints, and the pitfalls of a women-only society...this is your book. For me, however, the only thing that felt like it was MINE for the taking was a generous helping of disappointment.
3 stars, rounded up from 2.5
November 28, 2023
Listen, this was so good that I wanted to just eat my Kindle after I finished it. "Yours For The Taking" has definitely earned a place as one of my favorite distopian sci-fi novels, ever.
The story starts us off in the year 2050. Earth has started to become inhabitable due to severe climate change. One of the main protagonists, Jaqueline Millender, is in charge of creating one of the self sustaining "Inside" communities where humanity can survive...or at least the ones who have been selected to be able to.
"Inside" is as large as a city, and to everyone's surprise, all female. Because frankly, it's because of men that the world even got to this point. War, ruining the environment and the patriarchy are all things that Jaqueline wants to breed out in her "experiment". So she watches and tries to control how it all plays out from her space shuttle where she lives with the other most wealthy and elite.
There was not a single dull moment in this book for me. I connected with or at least totally understood every main character and where they were coming from. This novel was so well planned out, written and goddamn perfect I can't even stand it. The fact that this is the author's first novel is just bonkers to me. I will RUSH to be at the front of the line for any future releases for her now.
I cannot give enough thanks to NetGalley and St. Marten's Press for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The story starts us off in the year 2050. Earth has started to become inhabitable due to severe climate change. One of the main protagonists, Jaqueline Millender, is in charge of creating one of the self sustaining "Inside" communities where humanity can survive...or at least the ones who have been selected to be able to.
"Inside" is as large as a city, and to everyone's surprise, all female. Because frankly, it's because of men that the world even got to this point. War, ruining the environment and the patriarchy are all things that Jaqueline wants to breed out in her "experiment". So she watches and tries to control how it all plays out from her space shuttle where she lives with the other most wealthy and elite.
There was not a single dull moment in this book for me. I connected with or at least totally understood every main character and where they were coming from. This novel was so well planned out, written and goddamn perfect I can't even stand it. The fact that this is the author's first novel is just bonkers to me. I will RUSH to be at the front of the line for any future releases for her now.
I cannot give enough thanks to NetGalley and St. Marten's Press for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 18, 2023
2.5 Stars
As someone always on the lookout for queer fiction, I was looking forward to this one. While I appreciated its representation, the story itself left me underwhelmed.
While marketed as adult fiction, this read young. The characters felt immature. The story felt too simple for being an end of the world story. It felt like a relationship story written with an apocalyptic backdrop.
The story, the motivations and the relationship were just too undeveloped and it left me wanting more.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher
As someone always on the lookout for queer fiction, I was looking forward to this one. While I appreciated its representation, the story itself left me underwhelmed.
While marketed as adult fiction, this read young. The characters felt immature. The story felt too simple for being an end of the world story. It felt like a relationship story written with an apocalyptic backdrop.
The story, the motivations and the relationship were just too undeveloped and it left me wanting more.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher
June 30, 2023
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the ARC.
I hate to give such a poor review to an ARC, but this book just isn't ready to be published. I wanted to like it - sapphic cli-fi sounds very appealing to me. But the science was terrible, the characters poorly developed, the plot meandering & frankly unbelievable. The idea for a great story is here with more character development & a good science editor.
Science errors, especially medical, are a huge pet peeve of mine in fiction. Embryo transfer & intrauterine insemination are a big focus here without a basic understanding of how these work. What are "female eggs"? All eggs are female! How about embryo transfer without any embryo harvest or uterine prep? And a near 100% success rate! Then there's the space shuttles. In the near future, people are living on space shuttles (not habitats or stations) that are large enough for individual housing & recreational spaces. With artificial gravity. Where did this technology come from? Really, these & other science errors should have been caught by basic editing.
The main characters (the book follows 3) are all young women - 2 cis, 1 trans, all lesbian. All seem poorly developed to me. Basic character background in some cases isn't introduced until the latter part of the book. None seem to mature over the course of the book, although over 20 years pass. They're all a bit too naive to be believable.
Jacqueline's whole empire also is poorly fleshed out. What exactly are the Yours! spaces? She's hiring young women, new graduates, and students to fill positions of power & leadership, but none seem prepared for these roles. Doesn't she already have a corporate empire? Where are her personal assistants & staff? How did she manage to rig the Inside space's population acceptance without any oversight or notice? No one challenges what she's doing for over 20 years?
So many ideas in this book could have been expanded to create a great story but overall there was too much going on & too little fleshed out for this book to work.
I hate to give such a poor review to an ARC, but this book just isn't ready to be published. I wanted to like it - sapphic cli-fi sounds very appealing to me. But the science was terrible, the characters poorly developed, the plot meandering & frankly unbelievable. The idea for a great story is here with more character development & a good science editor.
Science errors, especially medical, are a huge pet peeve of mine in fiction. Embryo transfer & intrauterine insemination are a big focus here without a basic understanding of how these work. What are "female eggs"? All eggs are female! How about embryo transfer without any embryo harvest or uterine prep? And a near 100% success rate! Then there's the space shuttles. In the near future, people are living on space shuttles (not habitats or stations) that are large enough for individual housing & recreational spaces. With artificial gravity. Where did this technology come from? Really, these & other science errors should have been caught by basic editing.
The main characters (the book follows 3) are all young women - 2 cis, 1 trans, all lesbian. All seem poorly developed to me. Basic character background in some cases isn't introduced until the latter part of the book. None seem to mature over the course of the book, although over 20 years pass. They're all a bit too naive to be believable.
Jacqueline's whole empire also is poorly fleshed out. What exactly are the Yours! spaces? She's hiring young women, new graduates, and students to fill positions of power & leadership, but none seem prepared for these roles. Doesn't she already have a corporate empire? Where are her personal assistants & staff? How did she manage to rig the Inside space's population acceptance without any oversight or notice? No one challenges what she's doing for over 20 years?
So many ideas in this book could have been expanded to create a great story but overall there was too much going on & too little fleshed out for this book to work.
June 22, 2023
The future is feminine or at least in corporate billionaire Jacqueline Millender’s mind. It is 2050 and the earth is dying from climate change catastrophes. Temperatures have risen, the oceans are polluted, water is rising and living outside has become dangerous to their health. The Inside Project has been adopted worldwide to save those who are chosen to live in a city like equivalent surrounded by a weather safe bubble. Jacqueline Millender’s huge donation to the Inside Project being built on what is left of Manhattan is what gives her the directorship of this bubble. Working contrary to all of the other Inside Projects, Jacqueline creates her environment as an example to her feminist beliefs. The story follows a group of women, all but one of them who are chosen for Inside. In the fifteen years that follows some of these women begin to see faults in Jacqueline’s utopian vision.
Yours for the Taking brought me back to the 1970’s when feminism was on the rise. Women would gather to strategize the fight for equality while quietly whispering their quixotic dream of women only communities. Korn is an impressive writer. She captures the essence of the 70’s feminist movement and projects it forward with lots and lots of imagination added. The story is fast paced with multiple storylines gathering speed to an unexpected but satisfying ending.
I received an advance review copy from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Yours for the Taking brought me back to the 1970’s when feminism was on the rise. Women would gather to strategize the fight for equality while quietly whispering their quixotic dream of women only communities. Korn is an impressive writer. She captures the essence of the 70’s feminist movement and projects it forward with lots and lots of imagination added. The story is fast paced with multiple storylines gathering speed to an unexpected but satisfying ending.
I received an advance review copy from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 15, 2023
3.5-4⭐️ It’s the year 2050, the world is on the verge of destruction and soon, it will no longer be safe to be outside. Hence the creation of the “Inside Project” funded by women’s rights activist Jacqueline Millender. When the lives of three unrelated women converge within Inside, Ava, Shelby and Olivia begin to suspect there is more going on, within the new society, than meets the eye.
This was an interesting take on climate/dystopian fiction that examines multiple ethical issues and what happens when ideas of today, are taken to the extreme in a future society. It really made me think about some of the complex issues discussed, and what a world like the one presented would look like.
My primary issue, and what kept me from loving this one, is that I struggled to connect with the characters. They were very interesting and I loved learning more about their backstory. Yet somehow, they still seemed like just that - characters. Instead of feeling three dimensional, they felt flat, as though they could not exist off the page. This prevented the emotional attachment that I needed to love Yours For the Taking. I also would have preferred a more conclusive ending, versus the nebulous and open ended ending we got.
All of that said, I would still recommend this if you enjoy dystopian or climate fiction. And the audio makes for an easy and pleasant read.
Read if you like:
•dystopian books
•climate fiction
•queer ensemble
•multiple povs
•emotional reads
•ethical debates
Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copies.
This was an interesting take on climate/dystopian fiction that examines multiple ethical issues and what happens when ideas of today, are taken to the extreme in a future society. It really made me think about some of the complex issues discussed, and what a world like the one presented would look like.
My primary issue, and what kept me from loving this one, is that I struggled to connect with the characters. They were very interesting and I loved learning more about their backstory. Yet somehow, they still seemed like just that - characters. Instead of feeling three dimensional, they felt flat, as though they could not exist off the page. This prevented the emotional attachment that I needed to love Yours For the Taking. I also would have preferred a more conclusive ending, versus the nebulous and open ended ending we got.
All of that said, I would still recommend this if you enjoy dystopian or climate fiction. And the audio makes for an easy and pleasant read.
Read if you like:
•dystopian books
•climate fiction
•queer ensemble
•multiple povs
•emotional reads
•ethical debates
Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copies.
January 2, 2024
this surprised me, and then surprised me again, and then kept surprising me.
June 15, 2023
What I was promised: Post Apocalyptic Dystopia with queer themes
What I got: hit over the head with buzzwords with none of the subtlety required to get me to actually think about the ideas presented
The opening is really bad from a technical standpoint. It follows Ava and her realization that her girlfriend isn't going to be able to follow her into the climate change resistant Inside. That's the main conflict of her storyline (one of three), but the novel opens with everything but the main conflict. Instead, before you have a reason to care about this character or even the story as a whole you have to slog through boring prose of how Ava is a teacher, how she acts differently around her students, an entire flashback dedicated to her and Orchid's meetcute, a really brief and uninspired sex scene, the description of their apartment together and how Orchid is a construction worker, AND THEN FINALLY the inciting incident for the character. To make matters worse, the inciting incident just happens and the explanation for what it is and why you, the reader, should care comes after. And then it's immediately dropped to swap to more exposition.
I always feel bad receiving an ARC for a book and then thinking it belongs in the trash, but this novel reads like a second draft. I stuck with it to the 20% mark but by then there were two more point of view characters with chapters that didn't make me care about them either and still no real explanation on what Inside was like. I got bored.
Back to the buzzwords. I could only get myself through the first 20%, but there are way too many ideas presented. The pacing is awful, and the sheer number of complex issues this book attempts to address leaves none of them with enough time to feel meaningful. There's the climate issues, with the Inside and the product line Renewables, to queer relationships, to being trans/nonbinary/poc in spaces where that isn't the norm and how that relates to cooperate offices and spaces, to how much power people with a lot of money have and the consequences of that for everyone else. It's definitely a lot, especially in the opening three chapters (which I repeat are three chapters of exposition because each one follows a different character) and definitely led me feeling overwhelmed.
I'll also critique the Men's Rights protesters the book wants you to believe are bad. It didn't give a reason why? I was pretty confused, all the characters regarded them as scum of the earth but they didn't do anything? Were they protesting a legitimate inequality, like how in the US only men are required to register for the draft, or were they the strawman feminism bad? Honestly, I didn't care enough to find out.
As for the dystopian setting, from what I read it never went deeper than a shiny coat of paint. It's hot. Really hot. And the NYC subways stopped. That's about it. I was pretty disappointed that worldbuilding potential was glossed over as actually taking a moment to show how those things changed over 30 years and how they gradually impacted the lives of many would've been interesting. But no, we have to get back to the bumper sticker slogans.
This is the kind of story I would've gladly beta read for someone and help them edit for. But as a finished product the author expects readers to shell out money for? Absolutely not. I'm glad I didn't. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC :)
What I got: hit over the head with buzzwords with none of the subtlety required to get me to actually think about the ideas presented
The opening is really bad from a technical standpoint. It follows Ava and her realization that her girlfriend isn't going to be able to follow her into the climate change resistant Inside. That's the main conflict of her storyline (one of three), but the novel opens with everything but the main conflict. Instead, before you have a reason to care about this character or even the story as a whole you have to slog through boring prose of how Ava is a teacher, how she acts differently around her students, an entire flashback dedicated to her and Orchid's meetcute, a really brief and uninspired sex scene, the description of their apartment together and how Orchid is a construction worker, AND THEN FINALLY the inciting incident for the character. To make matters worse, the inciting incident just happens and the explanation for what it is and why you, the reader, should care comes after. And then it's immediately dropped to swap to more exposition.
I always feel bad receiving an ARC for a book and then thinking it belongs in the trash, but this novel reads like a second draft. I stuck with it to the 20% mark but by then there were two more point of view characters with chapters that didn't make me care about them either and still no real explanation on what Inside was like. I got bored.
Back to the buzzwords. I could only get myself through the first 20%, but there are way too many ideas presented. The pacing is awful, and the sheer number of complex issues this book attempts to address leaves none of them with enough time to feel meaningful. There's the climate issues, with the Inside and the product line Renewables, to queer relationships, to being trans/nonbinary/poc in spaces where that isn't the norm and how that relates to cooperate offices and spaces, to how much power people with a lot of money have and the consequences of that for everyone else. It's definitely a lot, especially in the opening three chapters (which I repeat are three chapters of exposition because each one follows a different character) and definitely led me feeling overwhelmed.
I'll also critique the Men's Rights protesters the book wants you to believe are bad. It didn't give a reason why? I was pretty confused, all the characters regarded them as scum of the earth but they didn't do anything? Were they protesting a legitimate inequality, like how in the US only men are required to register for the draft, or were they the strawman feminism bad? Honestly, I didn't care enough to find out.
As for the dystopian setting, from what I read it never went deeper than a shiny coat of paint. It's hot. Really hot. And the NYC subways stopped. That's about it. I was pretty disappointed that worldbuilding potential was glossed over as actually taking a moment to show how those things changed over 30 years and how they gradually impacted the lives of many would've been interesting. But no, we have to get back to the bumper sticker slogans.
This is the kind of story I would've gladly beta read for someone and help them edit for. But as a finished product the author expects readers to shell out money for? Absolutely not. I'm glad I didn't. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC :)
January 14, 2024
Give me all the end of the world books! This novel was outstanding. We follow several women who are trying to survive after climate change has made the world inhabitable. Why did Earth suffer so badly? Why weren’t American citizens able to combat the effects of climate change and maintain what was theirs? Men were the problem, of course.
Jacqueline Millender’s response to the issue of toxic masculinity is to create Inside, a weather-safe, exclusive community in New York that only the best of the best women will be accepted. Inside was like a crazy episode of Black Mirror. I repeat, crazy!!! Can Jacqueline create a new and improved America in which women will rule?
Jacqueline was an evil, vindictive woman. Every time she appeared, I braced myself for whatever cruelties were going to come out of her mouth. Our other main characters, however, were entirely lovable. Rather than being angry at the ambiguity in the book’s ending, Korn’s writing filled me with hope for each of the characters (except Jacqueline… kick rocks, bitch). 🙏 An amazing story of perseverance and standing up for what is just.
Jacqueline Millender’s response to the issue of toxic masculinity is to create Inside, a weather-safe, exclusive community in New York that only the best of the best women will be accepted. Inside was like a crazy episode of Black Mirror. I repeat, crazy!!! Can Jacqueline create a new and improved America in which women will rule?
Jacqueline was an evil, vindictive woman. Every time she appeared, I braced myself for whatever cruelties were going to come out of her mouth. Our other main characters, however, were entirely lovable. Rather than being angry at the ambiguity in the book’s ending, Korn’s writing filled me with hope for each of the characters (except Jacqueline… kick rocks, bitch). 🙏 An amazing story of perseverance and standing up for what is just.
January 23, 2024
So much potential wasted here — 2.5 stars rounded down.
In theory, this is everything I love: CliFi, gayness, breaking down Big Issues. In reality, it skimmed over the surface of so many of these things that it became nonsensical and kinda pointless. Parts of this book made no sense. It's as if the author came up with certain plot points and then filled in some text around them to fit them in, not thinking of how they'd logically flow. The timeline in the 336 pages spanned literally about 23 years, with little attention paid to years 3-22 whatsoever. We were just thrust forward a couple of decades and expected to go with it.
I get what Korn was trying to do here - breaking down the age-old misandrist fantasy of an all-female world (which other authors have done with a bit more nuance and consideration), discussing motherhood in context of new-wave feminism, yada yada. But these were covered in such flippant ways, without any actual exploration or consideration that they just felt like cheap throwaways. I feel like Korn thought she was making Big Statements here but her fixation on doing so completely negated any meaning you could have really taken from the story here.
Because pretty much every element of this story was a mere tease rather than a considered, complex deep-dive, it was impossible to connect with any of the characters. It didn't help that the very notions Korn seemed to be trying to expel, she actually ended up cementing. Ava [spoiler]being utterly transformed by motherhood and realizing — despite being vehemently against/not wanting kids — that it was her life's purpose was really gross, for one[/spoiler], and July and Brook were caricatures at best, and that's being kind.
As others have mentioned in their reviews, this read VERY YA, but not the good kind. Instead, it felt like a vehicle for Korn to dance around a few edgy topics/ideas (that are actually kinda tired at this point, especially when you have nothing interesting to add to them), and I'm actually shocked this one went to print in this state. Where's the editor here?
I realize I've eviscerated this book, and I actually feel guilty about that — as a writer (who actually hasn't sat down to complete a full novel, so I'm behind in that regard), I realize how hard it is to please everyone and how terrible it must be to read reviews like this on something you put your heart and soul into. However, I can't lie and say I wasn't really disappointed by this one and wished it wasn't a very different book in the end.
In theory, this is everything I love: CliFi, gayness, breaking down Big Issues. In reality, it skimmed over the surface of so many of these things that it became nonsensical and kinda pointless. Parts of this book made no sense. It's as if the author came up with certain plot points and then filled in some text around them to fit them in, not thinking of how they'd logically flow. The timeline in the 336 pages spanned literally about 23 years, with little attention paid to years 3-22 whatsoever. We were just thrust forward a couple of decades and expected to go with it.
I get what Korn was trying to do here - breaking down the age-old misandrist fantasy of an all-female world (which other authors have done with a bit more nuance and consideration), discussing motherhood in context of new-wave feminism, yada yada. But these were covered in such flippant ways, without any actual exploration or consideration that they just felt like cheap throwaways. I feel like Korn thought she was making Big Statements here but her fixation on doing so completely negated any meaning you could have really taken from the story here.
Because pretty much every element of this story was a mere tease rather than a considered, complex deep-dive, it was impossible to connect with any of the characters. It didn't help that the very notions Korn seemed to be trying to expel, she actually ended up cementing. Ava [spoiler]being utterly transformed by motherhood and realizing — despite being vehemently against/not wanting kids — that it was her life's purpose was really gross, for one[/spoiler], and July and Brook were caricatures at best, and that's being kind.
As others have mentioned in their reviews, this read VERY YA, but not the good kind. Instead, it felt like a vehicle for Korn to dance around a few edgy topics/ideas (that are actually kinda tired at this point, especially when you have nothing interesting to add to them), and I'm actually shocked this one went to print in this state. Where's the editor here?
I realize I've eviscerated this book, and I actually feel guilty about that — as a writer (who actually hasn't sat down to complete a full novel, so I'm behind in that regard), I realize how hard it is to please everyone and how terrible it must be to read reviews like this on something you put your heart and soul into. However, I can't lie and say I wasn't really disappointed by this one and wished it wasn't a very different book in the end.
July 11, 2023
Wow, this was one of the most engaging, thought-provoking, and relevant books I’ve read in a long time. If you like dystopian fiction novels, especially with queer representation, you need to read this one. Yours for the Taking follows the stories of three young queer women in the not-so-distant future when the global climate change crisis is so severe that around the world, selective, climate-resistant communities known as “The Inside” are created. The Inside that is built where Manhattan used to be is run by an elitist power-hungry billionaire feminist who has extreme ideas on how to select and curate the “perfect” community in the Inside - starting by not accepting any men.
I found myself hooked in this story. It moved very fast, although I felt connected to all of the characters. This novel covers a very wide range of topics, including but not limited to toxic (and non-toxic) feminism, capitalism, transphobia, gender norms, eugenics, queer belonging and family, consent, and motherhood. It made me ask myself a lot of questions about equality and will leave me thinking for a while.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s press, and Gabrielle Korn for allowing me to read this ARC - do yourself a favor and read this one.
I found myself hooked in this story. It moved very fast, although I felt connected to all of the characters. This novel covers a very wide range of topics, including but not limited to toxic (and non-toxic) feminism, capitalism, transphobia, gender norms, eugenics, queer belonging and family, consent, and motherhood. It made me ask myself a lot of questions about equality and will leave me thinking for a while.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s press, and Gabrielle Korn for allowing me to read this ARC - do yourself a favor and read this one.
July 3, 2023
i went into this book excited based on the description, but it really fell flat for me. i was intrigued by the concept of a post-apocalyptic, near future, queer sci-fi that explores gender roles and identity politics taken to their extreme. but i was hoping that this would lead to a fulfilling gateway to some kind of post-catastrophe method of organizing, and it didn't really explore that at all except a brief mention at the end. not that endings need to fulfil my own desires, but the lead up to it never really engaged me either, so by the end it felt like i was just trying to get the book over with.
i think this book has a lot of good ideas in it, but the character development could have used a *lot* more work, and there were parts of the story that never felt believable. the plot jumped sporadically from POVs and timelines, moving pretty slow in some uninteresting parts and then too fast in others. the dialog also felt dull and rough, and not natural sounding at all. i never emotionally connected to any of the characters or felt like i could imagine what anything looked like, so it just felt kind of cartoonish. the whole book felt like an outline of a story written on a napkin more than the story itself.
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an early copy of the book in return for an honest review.
i think this book has a lot of good ideas in it, but the character development could have used a *lot* more work, and there were parts of the story that never felt believable. the plot jumped sporadically from POVs and timelines, moving pretty slow in some uninteresting parts and then too fast in others. the dialog also felt dull and rough, and not natural sounding at all. i never emotionally connected to any of the characters or felt like i could imagine what anything looked like, so it just felt kind of cartoonish. the whole book felt like an outline of a story written on a napkin more than the story itself.
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an early copy of the book in return for an honest review.
July 26, 2024
3.5 stars
Yours for the Taking is a feminist speculative fiction novel set in the near future, starting in 2050 with an impending climate crisis looming ahead. In an attempt to save humanity, The Inside Project is underway to house those accepted into weather-safe, domed city structures in various parts around the world. While many books out there address this issue (especially recently), in Yours for the Taking, Korn approaches the typical failsafe solution with a critical and timely question: What role is considered for the LGBTQIA people in a survivalist approach to humankind?
Korn's queer representation is fantastic, and the core of the story is a direct hit to the "save the humans" approach we've seen in the past. If the sole mission of survival is simply to take a select group, continue with the status quo, and focus on repopulating the earth, how does that set up the future to be anything different? But Korn's attack method goes beyond a simple and antiquated idea of feminist ideals.
The Inside in New York is funded and headed by a women's rights advocate, Jacqueline Millender. Her billionaire status comes from both family money and because of her own pursuits in a too-late-to-the-game solution called Refillables, a direct answer to address the damage inflicted on the planet with our overflowing landfills and plastic-laden oceans. Additionally, she penned a self-help book about female empowerment, elevating her to icon status. Under her leadership, Millender lays out a plan where the future is just female.
As of 2023, we find ourselves in what appears to be the fourth wave of feminism. The struggle seems endless, and Millender's creation of a city exclusively for women mirrors this ongoing battle. This concept, which might seem inevitable to some, especially considering the misunderstandings by angry men during the second wave, actually stems from outdated notions of feminism, equality, and inclusivity. Millender's influence is pervasive throughout the city, yet doubts arise among key figures: her assistant, the lead medical adviser, and a resident named Shelby, Olympia, and Ava, respectively. Their growing concerns and suspicions follow a story that subverts the typical expectations of a communal, survivalist narrative, turning it completely on its head.
Korn has tackled cisgender corporate feminism fully head on, and the concepts seen in Yours for the Taking are what we've all been waiting on, but this was held back and overshadowed by an issue I had with the book and its voice, pacing, and character development.
Yours for the Taking lands in the realm of adult fiction, but it's mired in a disappointing simplicity. The huge conflicts that bubble up are swiftly smoothed over with solutions too simple to be satisfying. The characters, who should realistically evolve over three decades, seem frozen in time, their growth stunted and their dialogue clipped by stilted language. And to add another layer of frustration, the writing almost exclusively resides in the realm of telling, not showing. Also, the narrative is shadowed by a peculiar point of view, flitting in and out, seemingly torn between a future perspective and an omniscient narrator's indecision about where to plant its feet in the timeline.
Also, if we take a step back from the story for a moment, Korn's take on addressing the larger issue seems to be a humans-only approach. Though it certainly would've overwhelmed the novel, it was disappointing to have this much focus on the coming-soon effects of climate change and not address the flora or fauna.
Korn's Yours for the Taking grapples with contemporary themes, boldly questioning the role of LGBTQIA individuals in humanity's survival and challenging the norms of cisgender corporate feminism. Despite this, the book falls short of its potential for a deep and excavative exploration of humanity, lacking the nuance I really expected from such a rich premise. While the pacing is on point, the predominance of a 'tell, not show' approach detracts from the depth and complexity that could have been a much stronger and more impactful narrative. The characters, stagnant across time, and a narrative voice wavering between different perspectives, add layers of frustration. Nonetheless, Korn's novel is a step in the right direction, stirring necessary conversations and reflection.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This affected neither my opinion of the book nor the content of my review.
Yours for the Taking is a feminist speculative fiction novel set in the near future, starting in 2050 with an impending climate crisis looming ahead. In an attempt to save humanity, The Inside Project is underway to house those accepted into weather-safe, domed city structures in various parts around the world. While many books out there address this issue (especially recently), in Yours for the Taking, Korn approaches the typical failsafe solution with a critical and timely question: What role is considered for the LGBTQIA people in a survivalist approach to humankind?
Korn's queer representation is fantastic, and the core of the story is a direct hit to the "save the humans" approach we've seen in the past. If the sole mission of survival is simply to take a select group, continue with the status quo, and focus on repopulating the earth, how does that set up the future to be anything different? But Korn's attack method goes beyond a simple and antiquated idea of feminist ideals.
The Inside in New York is funded and headed by a women's rights advocate, Jacqueline Millender. Her billionaire status comes from both family money and because of her own pursuits in a too-late-to-the-game solution called Refillables, a direct answer to address the damage inflicted on the planet with our overflowing landfills and plastic-laden oceans. Additionally, she penned a self-help book about female empowerment, elevating her to icon status. Under her leadership, Millender lays out a plan where the future is just female.
As of 2023, we find ourselves in what appears to be the fourth wave of feminism. The struggle seems endless, and Millender's creation of a city exclusively for women mirrors this ongoing battle. This concept, which might seem inevitable to some, especially considering the misunderstandings by angry men during the second wave, actually stems from outdated notions of feminism, equality, and inclusivity. Millender's influence is pervasive throughout the city, yet doubts arise among key figures: her assistant, the lead medical adviser, and a resident named Shelby, Olympia, and Ava, respectively. Their growing concerns and suspicions follow a story that subverts the typical expectations of a communal, survivalist narrative, turning it completely on its head.
Korn has tackled cisgender corporate feminism fully head on, and the concepts seen in Yours for the Taking are what we've all been waiting on, but this was held back and overshadowed by an issue I had with the book and its voice, pacing, and character development.
Yours for the Taking lands in the realm of adult fiction, but it's mired in a disappointing simplicity. The huge conflicts that bubble up are swiftly smoothed over with solutions too simple to be satisfying. The characters, who should realistically evolve over three decades, seem frozen in time, their growth stunted and their dialogue clipped by stilted language. And to add another layer of frustration, the writing almost exclusively resides in the realm of telling, not showing. Also, the narrative is shadowed by a peculiar point of view, flitting in and out, seemingly torn between a future perspective and an omniscient narrator's indecision about where to plant its feet in the timeline.
Also, if we take a step back from the story for a moment, Korn's take on addressing the larger issue seems to be a humans-only approach. Though it certainly would've overwhelmed the novel, it was disappointing to have this much focus on the coming-soon effects of climate change and not address the flora or fauna.
Korn's Yours for the Taking grapples with contemporary themes, boldly questioning the role of LGBTQIA individuals in humanity's survival and challenging the norms of cisgender corporate feminism. Despite this, the book falls short of its potential for a deep and excavative exploration of humanity, lacking the nuance I really expected from such a rich premise. While the pacing is on point, the predominance of a 'tell, not show' approach detracts from the depth and complexity that could have been a much stronger and more impactful narrative. The characters, stagnant across time, and a narrative voice wavering between different perspectives, add layers of frustration. Nonetheless, Korn's novel is a step in the right direction, stirring necessary conversations and reflection.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This affected neither my opinion of the book nor the content of my review.
June 10, 2023
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am not quite certain what this book is trying to be. Speculative fiction generally focuses on either ideas primarily or plot and characters primarily. With the way this book starts off and its narration style, it seems to be a book that is trying to focus on ideas. And the ideas that it presents/attempts to challenge initially are promising. It could have been a interesting thought experiment about corporate feminism, gender essentialism, and the climate crisis.
However, somewhere along the way it shifts from exploring ideas with regards to climate fiction and feminism to just the exploits of one megalomaniacal woman. It's says less about the bigger ideas and more about how narcissistic Jacqueline is. It tries to shift to be a more character focused work on occasion as well, but all it leads to is a lack of cohesion in the narrative and ideas that feel very surface level. The attempts to focus on character/plot also falls flat in isolation as there isn't really any tension and the eventual resolution is very anticlimactic.
There has been a significant amount written with regards to feminist theories and climate change. This novel could have addressed or be in conversation with that, but instead it focuses on things that are overdone and contrite. It doesn't even take a strong stance on anything. Yes, billionaire bad, but I think we all know that at this point, so what else?
There is another aspect that was a pet peeve of mine, but is removed from my general critique of the narrative. Going a bit on the spoiler territory, .
Overall, a pretty disappointing read from something that had a lot of potential.
I am not quite certain what this book is trying to be. Speculative fiction generally focuses on either ideas primarily or plot and characters primarily. With the way this book starts off and its narration style, it seems to be a book that is trying to focus on ideas. And the ideas that it presents/attempts to challenge initially are promising. It could have been a interesting thought experiment about corporate feminism, gender essentialism, and the climate crisis.
However, somewhere along the way it shifts from exploring ideas with regards to climate fiction and feminism to just the exploits of one megalomaniacal woman. It's says less about the bigger ideas and more about how narcissistic Jacqueline is. It tries to shift to be a more character focused work on occasion as well, but all it leads to is a lack of cohesion in the narrative and ideas that feel very surface level. The attempts to focus on character/plot also falls flat in isolation as there isn't really any tension and the eventual resolution is very anticlimactic.
There has been a significant amount written with regards to feminist theories and climate change. This novel could have addressed or be in conversation with that, but instead it focuses on things that are overdone and contrite. It doesn't even take a strong stance on anything. Yes, billionaire bad, but I think we all know that at this point, so what else?
There is another aspect that was a pet peeve of mine, but is removed from my general critique of the narrative. Going a bit on the spoiler territory, .
Overall, a pretty disappointing read from something that had a lot of potential.
December 5, 2023
Before I begin my review, I will strongly urge you to go into this reading experience blindly. When I received the eARC, I instantly started reading it without looking up the summary or any pre-reviews and I am so glad I did. So, go read the book and then come back, read my review, and discuss your thoughts with me because I really loved this book.
In 2050, the planet is in a state of crisis. Climate change has wrecked the environment beyond repair and people are beginning to look elsewhere for living arrangements and a way out. And so, The Inside Project is born. Inside is an elite, weather-safe city structure set on all the major continents, in which you are only allowed entry upon having your application selected. Each continent is running their Inside differently and North America’s has flaws from the get-go. This mesmerizing story follows three main characters, Ava, Olympia, and Shelby, and how their paths cross in the Inside. Once they begin to see the cracks in the system, there is no going back.
With the introduction of each of the main characters, I was instantly drawn into them, connecting with their strife or cheering them on. The way in which Gabrielle chose these characters from three very different walks of life and converged their storylines together throughout the plot was unmatched. I understood their sorrow, their confusion, and their hope for the future so easily. Their growth and development built so smoothly that it couldn’t be anything but sincere.
This book was not only an incredibly enjoyable read, it was also thought-provoking. It took a mirror to the way we view the patriarchy in our society. I was completely enthralled from page one of this book and the pacing and structure was phenomenal. I would love to hear Gabrielle’s planning process because the plot felt so genuine and fluid throughout the book, I would imagine she had to plan extensively. Props to her! I am still in awe that this is her first book, and you better believe I will be a life-long reader now!
Big thank you again to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Gabrielle Korn for sending me an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
In 2050, the planet is in a state of crisis. Climate change has wrecked the environment beyond repair and people are beginning to look elsewhere for living arrangements and a way out. And so, The Inside Project is born. Inside is an elite, weather-safe city structure set on all the major continents, in which you are only allowed entry upon having your application selected. Each continent is running their Inside differently and North America’s has flaws from the get-go. This mesmerizing story follows three main characters, Ava, Olympia, and Shelby, and how their paths cross in the Inside. Once they begin to see the cracks in the system, there is no going back.
With the introduction of each of the main characters, I was instantly drawn into them, connecting with their strife or cheering them on. The way in which Gabrielle chose these characters from three very different walks of life and converged their storylines together throughout the plot was unmatched. I understood their sorrow, their confusion, and their hope for the future so easily. Their growth and development built so smoothly that it couldn’t be anything but sincere.
This book was not only an incredibly enjoyable read, it was also thought-provoking. It took a mirror to the way we view the patriarchy in our society. I was completely enthralled from page one of this book and the pacing and structure was phenomenal. I would love to hear Gabrielle’s planning process because the plot felt so genuine and fluid throughout the book, I would imagine she had to plan extensively. Props to her! I am still in awe that this is her first book, and you better believe I will be a life-long reader now!
Big thank you again to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Gabrielle Korn for sending me an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
September 19, 2023
I'm trying to figure out where to start with talking about this book, but at the very least, I can safely say that this one had such a chokehold on me and I'm going to be screaming at people to read it when it comes out in December. This is my favorite kind of sci fi - one that is terrifying because it feels so close to being a reality.
This book asks a lot of questions - are men the biggest issue with society, and therefore the cause of climate change? Would life be better in a society with all women? What would that look like for trans women, trans men, and nonbinary people? How does this proposed society treat women of different wealth classes and educational backgrounds? What happens when we let a billionaire have control over the future of humankind?
None of these questions have simple or easy answers, and while the future of Gabrielle Korn's world has some ideas, it doesn't claim to solve for them. Instead, it challenges the reader to answer these for themselves while seeing how this might unfold through the eyes of a handful of characters. It all sounds very daunting, but it ends up being a very fast paced, accessible story.
I don't think it's perfect - the book spans years, and there are many times that I wish we could have spent more in or learned about more characters in them. I also found the ending a little too neatly wrapped up, but it still had me begging for a sequel. It still manages to be a 5 star read for me, though, because my experience reading it was just so good. I found this alternate future (or not alternate? Like I said, it feels so close to what might actually happen) endlessly fascinating and impressive. I want more of these characters and more from Gabrielle Korn!
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC!
This book asks a lot of questions - are men the biggest issue with society, and therefore the cause of climate change? Would life be better in a society with all women? What would that look like for trans women, trans men, and nonbinary people? How does this proposed society treat women of different wealth classes and educational backgrounds? What happens when we let a billionaire have control over the future of humankind?
None of these questions have simple or easy answers, and while the future of Gabrielle Korn's world has some ideas, it doesn't claim to solve for them. Instead, it challenges the reader to answer these for themselves while seeing how this might unfold through the eyes of a handful of characters. It all sounds very daunting, but it ends up being a very fast paced, accessible story.
I don't think it's perfect - the book spans years, and there are many times that I wish we could have spent more in or learned about more characters in them. I also found the ending a little too neatly wrapped up, but it still had me begging for a sequel. It still manages to be a 5 star read for me, though, because my experience reading it was just so good. I found this alternate future (or not alternate? Like I said, it feels so close to what might actually happen) endlessly fascinating and impressive. I want more of these characters and more from Gabrielle Korn!
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC!
May 23, 2023
Rating: 4.5
This book is really good! It’s paced well, with interesting characters and fascinating themes. It takes place several decades in the future and shows what a world even more damaged by climate change might look like. I don’t want to reveal too much about the turns the plot takes, but just know that it’s a bit intense! The story follows a few main character perspectives and each of the main characters has a different type of role in society so you’re able to see the impacts on various groups. Most of the characters are queer as well.
The biggest theme in this book is highlighting the problems and dangers of white cishet feminism, and it explores different aspects of this topic. The only reason this book didn’t get a full five stars from me is that I thought these themes were presented a little too directly on the page; there seemed to be a little lack of trust in the reader to understand the main points.
I think this would make a good book to read with a friend or a group because there’s a lot to talk about!
There’s a few heavy topics in this book, but I’d especially like to note a TW for forced pregnancy.
I’m excited to read more from this author in the future!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This book is really good! It’s paced well, with interesting characters and fascinating themes. It takes place several decades in the future and shows what a world even more damaged by climate change might look like. I don’t want to reveal too much about the turns the plot takes, but just know that it’s a bit intense! The story follows a few main character perspectives and each of the main characters has a different type of role in society so you’re able to see the impacts on various groups. Most of the characters are queer as well.
The biggest theme in this book is highlighting the problems and dangers of white cishet feminism, and it explores different aspects of this topic. The only reason this book didn’t get a full five stars from me is that I thought these themes were presented a little too directly on the page; there seemed to be a little lack of trust in the reader to understand the main points.
I think this would make a good book to read with a friend or a group because there’s a lot to talk about!
There’s a few heavy topics in this book, but I’d especially like to note a TW for forced pregnancy.
I’m excited to read more from this author in the future!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
July 11, 2023
BIG thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Publishing Group for letting me get my hands on this book early!
Yours For The Taking is a story of feminism, gender structures, climate change, family, and queerness. It challenges readers to think about what equality truly is. The characters hooked me and I fell in love with almost all of them (except you, Jacqueline…).
This is a book that will hook you FAST and force you to just keep reading one more chapter. My advice? Pre-order it. Read it. Get your hands on it. You won’t regret it!
Also, a big shoutout to the queer representation in this book. So well done.
Yours For The Taking is a story of feminism, gender structures, climate change, family, and queerness. It challenges readers to think about what equality truly is. The characters hooked me and I fell in love with almost all of them (except you, Jacqueline…).
This is a book that will hook you FAST and force you to just keep reading one more chapter. My advice? Pre-order it. Read it. Get your hands on it. You won’t regret it!
Also, a big shoutout to the queer representation in this book. So well done.
January 9, 2024
Although I was briefly excited about some of the ideas raised by this book, I could not get over the dullness of the narrative voice. The criticism that an author is “telling, not showing” has become a bit of a cliche amongst book reviews in itself, but it absolutely applies to the style exhibited in this book. I need more life in my characters in order to invest.
July 23, 2023
*** I received a free ARC from Goodreads. My review is mine and mine alone***
This was terrible. I feel like I’ve been catfished by books recently but this one takes the cake. Like I’m usually very easy to please with books. Was I entertained while reading? Yes? Okay 3/4 stars minimum. I’d give this 0 if I could.
I was promised queer love in a dystopian setting. What I got felt more like a checklist of buzzwords and social issues.
Despite all the feminist talking points thrown around in the book I honestly do not believe the author understands feminism at all. It feels a true disservice to any queer person out there along with anyone that identifies as female. She also seems very much like a gold star lesbian that doesn’t even have a place for bisexuals in her utopia.
The author had so many good idea and plot points that were dropped for man hating, straight bashing, evil capitalism rhetoric. And even those weren’t fully delved into. And along those lines JM was built up to be this evil that is already so fleshed out in media. when we could have really had an evil villain that was evil in a more female? Way.
There is a quote in the beginning of the book that felt very much like the author was projecting. “…always neglected to factor in anything other than their own identity.” Now I get we want more representation and stories told from our own communities. However, when the premise of the book and conflict is so global and impacts everyone in the way the author wanted it feels very one dimensional.
Nothing feels fleshed out. The characters feel flat. It reads like poor y/n fan fiction the author wrote and made every character herself. Which is funny because sometimes it reads as self-aggrandizing and other times more self hating.
This wasn’t good. Don’t waste your time. Anything that feels similar was done 10x better. This isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. There isn’t even any point talking about the plot or characters because it truly doesn’t matter.
There is no connection to anyone, everything that feels like it could possibly be significant is thrown out the window during the last 5? Chapters anyways. Nothing matters.
The characters are flat, the world building is almost non existent. The science doesn’t make sense (girl eggs? Wtf). The climate disaster is only described as hot HoT HOT with everything except New York flooded. Anything that managed to feel marginally significant actually really isn’t and gets thrown out.
This was terrible. I feel like I’ve been catfished by books recently but this one takes the cake. Like I’m usually very easy to please with books. Was I entertained while reading? Yes? Okay 3/4 stars minimum. I’d give this 0 if I could.
I was promised queer love in a dystopian setting. What I got felt more like a checklist of buzzwords and social issues.
Despite all the feminist talking points thrown around in the book I honestly do not believe the author understands feminism at all. It feels a true disservice to any queer person out there along with anyone that identifies as female. She also seems very much like a gold star lesbian that doesn’t even have a place for bisexuals in her utopia.
The author had so many good idea and plot points that were dropped for man hating, straight bashing, evil capitalism rhetoric. And even those weren’t fully delved into. And along those lines JM was built up to be this evil that is already so fleshed out in media. when we could have really had an evil villain that was evil in a more female? Way.
There is a quote in the beginning of the book that felt very much like the author was projecting. “…always neglected to factor in anything other than their own identity.” Now I get we want more representation and stories told from our own communities. However, when the premise of the book and conflict is so global and impacts everyone in the way the author wanted it feels very one dimensional.
Nothing feels fleshed out. The characters feel flat. It reads like poor y/n fan fiction the author wrote and made every character herself. Which is funny because sometimes it reads as self-aggrandizing and other times more self hating.
This wasn’t good. Don’t waste your time. Anything that feels similar was done 10x better. This isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. There isn’t even any point talking about the plot or characters because it truly doesn’t matter.
There is no connection to anyone, everything that feels like it could possibly be significant is thrown out the window during the last 5? Chapters anyways. Nothing matters.
The characters are flat, the world building is almost non existent. The science doesn’t make sense (girl eggs? Wtf). The climate disaster is only described as hot HoT HOT with everything except New York flooded. Anything that managed to feel marginally significant actually really isn’t and gets thrown out.
August 26, 2023
Excellent, fast-paced and character-driven science-fiction (and climate-fiction) novel. Beginning in the year 2050, it is a fascinating exploration of the all-too-realistic effects of the climate crisis and especially of the capitalist powers that co-opt both the environmental struggle and feminism.
I was particularly interested in the new architectural object presented to deal with climate change: the “Insides” are large spaces of a city covered and built-over so that they’re completely indoors; people chosen to join Inside never again have to engage with the outside world, which is increasingly ravaged by frequent storms, the heat, etc. The North American Inside project (built in New York) is financed and planned by a multibillionaire, “feminist” businesswoman, and she decides to make her Inside an exclusive, misguided, all-women utopia. Like most utopias, of course, it fails – but the conclusion is still much more optimistic and hopeful than I expected.
And I bought into this novel’s hope, mostly because I grew to love and believe in its characters. Built of short chapters from eight different POVs (with some characters more central than others), the narrative's focus is much less on dreary technical details (although personally I would have loved even more architectural descriptions of the Inside space!) and much more on the characters, their relationships, their personal struggles, quirks, and drives. That, and the fact that the novel recounts events spanning over two decades, makes for an incredibly readable and immersive text.
This novel comes out December 2023 and I was very lucky to receive an early copy. Can’t wait for its official release – and for the sequel!
I was particularly interested in the new architectural object presented to deal with climate change: the “Insides” are large spaces of a city covered and built-over so that they’re completely indoors; people chosen to join Inside never again have to engage with the outside world, which is increasingly ravaged by frequent storms, the heat, etc. The North American Inside project (built in New York) is financed and planned by a multibillionaire, “feminist” businesswoman, and she decides to make her Inside an exclusive, misguided, all-women utopia. Like most utopias, of course, it fails – but the conclusion is still much more optimistic and hopeful than I expected.
And I bought into this novel’s hope, mostly because I grew to love and believe in its characters. Built of short chapters from eight different POVs (with some characters more central than others), the narrative's focus is much less on dreary technical details (although personally I would have loved even more architectural descriptions of the Inside space!) and much more on the characters, their relationships, their personal struggles, quirks, and drives. That, and the fact that the novel recounts events spanning over two decades, makes for an incredibly readable and immersive text.
This novel comes out December 2023 and I was very lucky to receive an early copy. Can’t wait for its official release – and for the sequel!
July 24, 2023
This is story that starts out in 2050 amidst global warming and extreme climate change. Jacqueline Millender is a wealthy businesswoman and inventor. She uses her wealth, prestige and genius to create a utopian sealed city. Jacqueline sends out questionnaires and applications to the US citizens to apply for admission to the “Inside”. Secretly she only selects educated feminist women to become new residents.
Ava, a scientist, is one of the new residents who leaves her girlfriend behind when only she is selected. Shelby leaves her poor family behind also after being selected to be Jacqueline’s assistant. Olympia is a new doctor and is also one of the chosen.
This book had several innovations and plot twists that I found very entertaining after getting past the beginning chapters. Korn describes a very realistic and scary future for humanity. And as a debut author she did a great job with this book.
I recommend this book to people who enjoy dystopian stories with a bit of romance thrown in.
ARC received for an honest and voluntary review.
Ava, a scientist, is one of the new residents who leaves her girlfriend behind when only she is selected. Shelby leaves her poor family behind also after being selected to be Jacqueline’s assistant. Olympia is a new doctor and is also one of the chosen.
This book had several innovations and plot twists that I found very entertaining after getting past the beginning chapters. Korn describes a very realistic and scary future for humanity. And as a debut author she did a great job with this book.
I recommend this book to people who enjoy dystopian stories with a bit of romance thrown in.
ARC received for an honest and voluntary review.
September 9, 2023
(enormous vape rip) Imagine that the richest, whitest feminist you know girlbosses her way to creating a post-climate disaster utopia, totally separated from the rest of the gen pop, where she believes she can at last eliminate patriarchy but, instead, essentially ends up recreating eugenics and white supremacy.
August 23, 2024
3.5 stars.
The small mindedness of corporate feminism and white supremacy come together in a dystopian world falling apart thanks to worldwide climate disasters.
An extremely wealthy, reclusive and prominent feminist, Jacqueline Millender decides to create a series of enclosed safe harbours for people approved by The Inside Project. Those who qualify are the only ones guaranteed safety in a world falling apart. What no one knows is that the Inside Project is a way for Jacqueline to test out her hypotheses that a world without men will be a better world (e.g., no war, no more environmental destruction, etc.)
Two people are pulled into Jacqueline's orbit: Shelby, a trans woman who gives up everything to support Jacqueline as her personal assistant, and Olympia, a doctor who signs up to manage medical services in one particular Inside enclave. We also meet Ava, who is accepted inside, but her lover Orchid is not.
Things initially seem to be going well at Inside, but the longer time goes on, Olympia wonders what Jacqueline's real intent is, as the women inside are monitored constantly, drugged, and assigned roles and responsibilities sometimes contrary to their inclinations. Jacqueline grows increasingly hardline as time passes, and I was pulled along in as things went from bad to worse outside, but Shelby's, Olympia's and Ava's eyes are all opened to the terrible costs of Jacqueline's dreams and plans.
The novel has rough spots, and sometimes it wasn't always believable, but I liked Olympia and Shelby.
The small mindedness of corporate feminism and white supremacy come together in a dystopian world falling apart thanks to worldwide climate disasters.
An extremely wealthy, reclusive and prominent feminist, Jacqueline Millender decides to create a series of enclosed safe harbours for people approved by The Inside Project. Those who qualify are the only ones guaranteed safety in a world falling apart. What no one knows is that the Inside Project is a way for Jacqueline to test out her hypotheses that a world without men will be a better world (e.g., no war, no more environmental destruction, etc.)
Two people are pulled into Jacqueline's orbit: Shelby, a trans woman who gives up everything to support Jacqueline as her personal assistant, and Olympia, a doctor who signs up to manage medical services in one particular Inside enclave. We also meet Ava, who is accepted inside, but her lover Orchid is not.
Things initially seem to be going well at Inside, but the longer time goes on, Olympia wonders what Jacqueline's real intent is, as the women inside are monitored constantly, drugged, and assigned roles and responsibilities sometimes contrary to their inclinations. Jacqueline grows increasingly hardline as time passes, and I was pulled along in as things went from bad to worse outside, but Shelby's, Olympia's and Ava's eyes are all opened to the terrible costs of Jacqueline's dreams and plans.
The novel has rough spots, and sometimes it wasn't always believable, but I liked Olympia and Shelby.
June 17, 2023
In the sapphic sci-fi book Yours for the Taking set in the near future, climate change and capitalism are killing the world. Inside, the solution created to save as many people as possible, turns out to be nowhere near the feminist utopia it set out to be.
It's extreme feminism gone wrong, a white cis woman thinking she can create a society built on equality by eliminating men. However, Inside can't avoid reproducing power hierarchies, only now it's CIS women who're at the top instead of men, and scientists are constantly watching to make sure everyone adheres to the rules that reinforce this.
One of the most fascinating things is that this isn't necessarily done intentionally - just about everyone has good intentions but that turns out to cause a big blind spot when things turn from "theoretically ideal" to something quite different.
Yours for the Taking is a really interesting and thought-provoking read. It deals with issues of gender, power, (in)equality, eugenics, free choice, reproductive rights, surveillance, capitalism, climate change, and feminism, and it'll have you thinking about it long after you've finished reading.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. Yours for the Taking is out December 5.
It's extreme feminism gone wrong, a white cis woman thinking she can create a society built on equality by eliminating men. However, Inside can't avoid reproducing power hierarchies, only now it's CIS women who're at the top instead of men, and scientists are constantly watching to make sure everyone adheres to the rules that reinforce this.
One of the most fascinating things is that this isn't necessarily done intentionally - just about everyone has good intentions but that turns out to cause a big blind spot when things turn from "theoretically ideal" to something quite different.
Yours for the Taking is a really interesting and thought-provoking read. It deals with issues of gender, power, (in)equality, eugenics, free choice, reproductive rights, surveillance, capitalism, climate change, and feminism, and it'll have you thinking about it long after you've finished reading.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. Yours for the Taking is out December 5.
December 5, 2023
SO. GOOD. PREORDER IT.
March 9, 2024
1.5 ⭐️ - Good premise but really didn’t like how this was executed. Annoying plot holes, no character development and hated the ending.
March 19, 2024
My take on Jacqueline is I DON'T support women's wrongs. Hehe
Loved this book.
Loved this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2023
Cli-fi ought to be included as a Goodreads Choice Awards category next year
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