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Girl Like a Bomb
Autumn Christian's third novel is a dark journey of self-discovery. An existential labyrinth of love, sex, and self-actualization where the only way out is through. When high schooler Beverly Sykes finally has sex, her whole life changes. She feels an explosion inside of her that feels like her DNA is being rearranged, and she discovers a strange power within. After chasing that transcendent feeling and fucking her way through the good, the bad, and the dangerous boys and girls that cross her path, Beverly notices that all of her ex-lovers are undergoing drastic changes. She witnesses them transcending their former flawed selves, becoming self-actualized and strong. Beverly gives herself over and over to others, but can she become who she is supposed to be, with the gift and curse that nature gave to her?
272 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2019
46 people are currently reading
2235 people want to read
About the author
Autumn Christian
15 books336 followersAutumn Christian is the author of the books "The Crooked God Machine," "We are Wormwood", and "Ecstatic Inferno," and has written for several video-games, including Battle Nations and State of Decay 2. When not writing, she is usually practicing her side kicks and running with dogs, or posting strange and existential Instagram selfies.
She's been a freelance writer, a game designer, a cheese producer, a haunted house actor, and a video game tester. She considers Philip K. Dick, Ray Bradbury, Katie Jane Garside, the southern gothic, and dubstep, as main sources of inspiration.
She's been a freelance writer, a game designer, a cheese producer, a haunted house actor, and a video game tester. She considers Philip K. Dick, Ray Bradbury, Katie Jane Garside, the southern gothic, and dubstep, as main sources of inspiration.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
January 1, 2019
A modern day fairy tale (of sorts) focusing on one woman’s journey of self-actualization in a world that’s constantly demanding more and more of her body and soul (in both figurative and literal sense) after she discovers she has the magical power to spiritually "heal" anyone she has sex with. Erotic and human and sad and hopefully, usually all these things at the same time. Autumn Christian is a phenomenal writer and never ceases to amaze me with her ability to find the emotional core in every idiosyncratic turn of phrase.
July 2, 2021
This book was awesome and totally not my normal kind of read. The writing is awesome. This story and the main character drew me in and I blazed through this one fast. Just a good solid read from beginning to end. Enjoyed it way more than I thought I was going to. I would definitely recommend and I will definitely be checking out more from this author.
September 13, 2020
Vaya. Qué viaje más extraño. Sinceramente, este libro no es lo que esperaba.
Me gustó muchísimo la primera mitad. Era como leer una canción de Lana del Rey, la prosa era preciosa, sensual, misteriosa - única. Me intrigaba mucho hacia qué dirección podía tomar la historia. También he de añadir de que no era consciente de que este libro era erótico, ni bizarro. Simplemente me intrigó la sinopsis y fui de cabeza a la lectura.
Dicho esto, aquí es donde viene el descenso de interés. Después de la primera mitad la historia da un giro inesperado, y la dirección que tomó me defraudó bastante. Parece ser que la trama no iba a ninguna parte en particular, y poco a poco iba perdiendo el sentido. También de he añadir de que este libro es muy raro, y que los saltos en el tiempo tampoco ayudaron mucho. Confunde al lector y las acciones ocurren de la nada, sin ningún tipo de explicación ni objetivo. La prosa se empieza a deteriorar un poco, y en general, te sientes desorientado con todo lo que ocurre a continuación. En mi opinión le falta más desarrollo en los personajes, el entorno y en general, la trama. De verdad que hay muchísimas situaciones en las que te quedas totalmente perplejo, es un gran WTF mental.
A pesar de esto, la autora tiene un gran potencial para escribir. Tiene una prosa que parece casi poética en muchas situaciones y aspectos que se plasman en la novela. De nuevo, disfruté mucho de la primera mitad, pero la segunda se me hizo pesada y perdí el interés. También he de añadir de que no estoy acostumbrada a leer novelas tan extrañas, pero también sé reconocer cuando un libro tiene agujeros y fallos en la trama. Sin duda, puede que sea para otro tipo de lector, pero opino que la autora también podría mejorar. Tiene mucho talento y sé que llegará lejos.
¿Lo recomiendo? No lo sé. Esta historia me ha dejado agridulce. Creo que le gustará a un lector muy concreto y definido. Para mí no ha sido, pero le doy 3 estrellas por su prosa y la primera mitad.
Me gustó muchísimo la primera mitad. Era como leer una canción de Lana del Rey, la prosa era preciosa, sensual, misteriosa - única. Me intrigaba mucho hacia qué dirección podía tomar la historia. También he de añadir de que no era consciente de que este libro era erótico, ni bizarro. Simplemente me intrigó la sinopsis y fui de cabeza a la lectura.
Dicho esto, aquí es donde viene el descenso de interés. Después de la primera mitad la historia da un giro inesperado, y la dirección que tomó me defraudó bastante. Parece ser que la trama no iba a ninguna parte en particular, y poco a poco iba perdiendo el sentido. También de he añadir de que este libro es muy raro, y que los saltos en el tiempo tampoco ayudaron mucho. Confunde al lector y las acciones ocurren de la nada, sin ningún tipo de explicación ni objetivo. La prosa se empieza a deteriorar un poco, y en general, te sientes desorientado con todo lo que ocurre a continuación. En mi opinión le falta más desarrollo en los personajes, el entorno y en general, la trama. De verdad que hay muchísimas situaciones en las que te quedas totalmente perplejo, es un gran WTF mental.
A pesar de esto, la autora tiene un gran potencial para escribir. Tiene una prosa que parece casi poética en muchas situaciones y aspectos que se plasman en la novela. De nuevo, disfruté mucho de la primera mitad, pero la segunda se me hizo pesada y perdí el interés. También he de añadir de que no estoy acostumbrada a leer novelas tan extrañas, pero también sé reconocer cuando un libro tiene agujeros y fallos en la trama. Sin duda, puede que sea para otro tipo de lector, pero opino que la autora también podría mejorar. Tiene mucho talento y sé que llegará lejos.
¿Lo recomiendo? No lo sé. Esta historia me ha dejado agridulce. Creo que le gustará a un lector muy concreto y definido. Para mí no ha sido, pero le doy 3 estrellas por su prosa y la primera mitad.
March 23, 2020
He leído “Una bomba en mi interior” a sorbos, de cincuenta en cincuenta páginas, para que durara todo el fin de semana. Esto me ha ayudado a disfrutar y comprender la evolución del personaje al mismo ritmo que lo hacía en la novela. “Una bomba” empieza a ritmo desenfrenado, con una adolescente iniciándose en el sexo e incapaz de comprender los cambios profundos que experimenta, pero disfrutando al límite de múltiples experiencias. Autumn Christian sabe llevar a ese personaje a explorar sus límites (que siempre se ensanchan), a enfrentarse a sus miedos y depositar todas sus esperanzas en alcanzar un objetivo que de sentido a su vida. Bev pasará de ser una adolescente de pueblo deprimido a la chica “del coño de oro” y, más tarde, a ser entronizada como diosa mundial del sexo. Una super heroína capaz de cambiar la vida a las personas, pero por el camino se romperá en mil pedazos y deberá encontrarse para renacer de sus cenizas.
“Una bomba en mi interior”, es dolorosa, dulce y divertida de leer y, creo que, cuando acabas el libro, Autumn Christian, al igual que Beverly Skyes, te convierte en mejor persona. O así me siento yo.
“Una bomba en mi interior”, es dolorosa, dulce y divertida de leer y, creo que, cuando acabas el libro, Autumn Christian, al igual que Beverly Skyes, te convierte en mejor persona. O así me siento yo.
August 9, 2023
3.25 stars
———
”This was how religions started, with a cataclysmic bang loug enough to make you believe in God.”
conflicted feelings on this one. the whole idea of this was very eye catching to me and i was so excited to finally read this. and while it was good and super interestingly weird, i was left disappointed at the end.
”You have a face that’s so soft, but it’s a softness like fire.”
i got a lot of teeth, jennifer’s body, and dead zone vibes with this book so do what you will with that. i will say though that this book isn’t for everyone so keep that in mind. the book starts off with bev who’s 15 at the time all the way to her being 30 and when she has sex for the first time, she discovers this “power” which to her feels like an explosion inside of her that rearranges her DNA. anyone who has sex with her goes through life changes for better or for worse. i was kinda worried the book was only gonna be about her having sex and sex only (yes ik it’s a basically a book about a sex goddess but still.) however, the book took many turns and got even more interesting before eventually journeying back into her literally just having sex every page because she wanted to “change the world”. and that’s where i felt the book started lacking imo. it was still very interesting especially since with every new part out of the six bev has gotten older and she’s almost a whole new person each time but still wants to change the world. and obviously she did exactly that why wouldn’t she.
”The First Sacrament wasn’t wine and bread, it’s sex.”
when you’re reading this book im telling you it’s like being transported into a new book but the same universe six times. and sometimes it just did a little too much. for example, a terrorist baby daddy. this book is just insanity and lots of sex. the writing is a bit bad at times but i didn’t care that much. my main problem was that i was very disappointed with the ending and im not quite sure why tbh😭. it just ended so abruptly for me i thought it was gonna go continue but then it didn’t and i guess that’s ok. overall i did enjoy it i just wish there was more and honestly if the book was longer that might’ve help but i was over it towards the end anyways.
TW‼️: this book does contain rape, attempted rape, and suicide x2.
———
”This was how religions started, with a cataclysmic bang loug enough to make you believe in God.”
conflicted feelings on this one. the whole idea of this was very eye catching to me and i was so excited to finally read this. and while it was good and super interestingly weird, i was left disappointed at the end.
”You have a face that’s so soft, but it’s a softness like fire.”
i got a lot of teeth, jennifer’s body, and dead zone vibes with this book so do what you will with that. i will say though that this book isn’t for everyone so keep that in mind. the book starts off with bev who’s 15 at the time all the way to her being 30 and when she has sex for the first time, she discovers this “power” which to her feels like an explosion inside of her that rearranges her DNA. anyone who has sex with her goes through life changes for better or for worse. i was kinda worried the book was only gonna be about her having sex and sex only (yes ik it’s a basically a book about a sex goddess but still.) however, the book took many turns and got even more interesting before eventually journeying back into her literally just having sex every page because she wanted to “change the world”. and that’s where i felt the book started lacking imo. it was still very interesting especially since with every new part out of the six bev has gotten older and she’s almost a whole new person each time but still wants to change the world. and obviously she did exactly that why wouldn’t she.
”The First Sacrament wasn’t wine and bread, it’s sex.”
when you’re reading this book im telling you it’s like being transported into a new book but the same universe six times. and sometimes it just did a little too much. for example, a terrorist baby daddy. this book is just insanity and lots of sex. the writing is a bit bad at times but i didn’t care that much. my main problem was that i was very disappointed with the ending and im not quite sure why tbh😭. it just ended so abruptly for me i thought it was gonna go continue but then it didn’t and i guess that’s ok. overall i did enjoy it i just wish there was more and honestly if the book was longer that might’ve help but i was over it towards the end anyways.
TW‼️: this book does contain rape, attempted rape, and suicide x2.
July 14, 2019
"I wanted the bomb inside of me to go off and I wanted my skin to scream. Again and again and again."
Girl Like a Bomb is the first book I've read by Autumn Christian, and I really loved it! This book is creative, smart, unique, weird, and so entertaining. I tore through the story pretty quickly, and I enjoyed the whole thing.
This book is sort of like a dark bizarro fairy tale, and if that sounds good to you, you must read this one. There's a pretty good chance that it's unlike anything you've read before, and this is a book that's going to stick with me.
This is not something I usually say, but I actually wish this could have been a little longer because I had so much fun reading it. Beverly is such a great character, and I really enjoyed seeing her grow up with her gift / curse. This book grabs onto your heart, and it's a must-read!
Girl Like a Bomb is the first book I've read by Autumn Christian, and I really loved it! This book is creative, smart, unique, weird, and so entertaining. I tore through the story pretty quickly, and I enjoyed the whole thing.
This book is sort of like a dark bizarro fairy tale, and if that sounds good to you, you must read this one. There's a pretty good chance that it's unlike anything you've read before, and this is a book that's going to stick with me.
This is not something I usually say, but I actually wish this could have been a little longer because I had so much fun reading it. Beverly is such a great character, and I really enjoyed seeing her grow up with her gift / curse. This book grabs onto your heart, and it's a must-read!
March 29, 2019
Full Review
Girl Like a Bomb is an explosive work of existential erotica. Autumn Christian's prose is masterful, vivid, and full of amazing imagery. I believe many people will get a lot out of reading this story of the struggles of a woman who discovers her ability to heal through sex. Very highly recommended.
Girl Like a Bomb is an explosive work of existential erotica. Autumn Christian's prose is masterful, vivid, and full of amazing imagery. I believe many people will get a lot out of reading this story of the struggles of a woman who discovers her ability to heal through sex. Very highly recommended.
May 13, 2024
I'm gonna rate this 3.5 stars. I really loved the unique plot, and the prose was excellent. The story I expected to take a much darker turn, and some parts jumped around too much. I'm curious to read more from this author.
February 11, 2020
Autumn Christian is a phenomenal writer, this book was just fantastic.
October 1, 2019
This is a huge departure for this author's work. Probably her most realistic novel (as realistic as a novel about a woman who creates small explosions when she climaxes can be). There were things I appreciated and things I didn't. I felt like the character Beverly treated sex as a weapon in a way that was selfish at times, which is all the more reason that I really enjoyed the idea of her maturing and taking on family responsibilities, without spoiling it. Basically, this is the story of a girl with a snatch that's a ticking time bomb. And when this kind of power is realized, of course she's going to enter the political arena.
I do hope that one day Autumn revisits the surreal whimsy and doom metal atmospherics of novels like Crooked God Machine and We Are Wormwood, but Girl Like a Bomb is definitely an important development in her continued journey to cultivate a signature style.
I do hope that one day Autumn revisits the surreal whimsy and doom metal atmospherics of novels like Crooked God Machine and We Are Wormwood, but Girl Like a Bomb is definitely an important development in her continued journey to cultivate a signature style.
January 8, 2021
GIRL LIKE A BOMB by Autumn Christian is far more expensive than I would have thought. Not a microcosm of a girl and love and relationships in her twenties but a fully fleshed out life. This is like an edgy Forest Gump.
The story of the life of Beverly Sykes is ever evolving. It's weird to be certain, this super-power li,e quality that Bev's vagina possesses. Its through the proverbial eye that we are swept on a years long journey of how that girl grows, navigates and evolves with that singular astonishing power.
Autumn often writes with a flair. Most times it hits the feels, a few times it over dramatic. But there is a deeply thoughtful story at the heart of it all. There are minor, sporadic, technical editorial errors peppered throughout that can pull you out of the story for a moment. Overall the book is engaging enough to constantly rope you back in.
It's taken me far too long to read GIRL LIKE A BOMB. I picked it up, finally, because I believed it was destined to win a prominent book award. Alas, it did not. But, GIRL LIKE ABOMB has plenty of well deserved high-praise from most of its readers. That's all the award it ever really needs.
Smell ya later!
The story of the life of Beverly Sykes is ever evolving. It's weird to be certain, this super-power li,e quality that Bev's vagina possesses. Its through the proverbial eye that we are swept on a years long journey of how that girl grows, navigates and evolves with that singular astonishing power.
Autumn often writes with a flair. Most times it hits the feels, a few times it over dramatic. But there is a deeply thoughtful story at the heart of it all. There are minor, sporadic, technical editorial errors peppered throughout that can pull you out of the story for a moment. Overall the book is engaging enough to constantly rope you back in.
It's taken me far too long to read GIRL LIKE A BOMB. I picked it up, finally, because I believed it was destined to win a prominent book award. Alas, it did not. But, GIRL LIKE ABOMB has plenty of well deserved high-praise from most of its readers. That's all the award it ever really needs.
Smell ya later!
June 11, 2020
What a fantastic book!
November 20, 2019
What would happen if the female vagina were as powerful as men fear it to be?
If you consult judeo-christian mythology, you’ll probably hear a handful of half-baked philosophies about women spoiling the innocence of man, women riding atop magnificent beasts hellbent on the world’s destruction, women whose birth canals must be regulated (typically by men) . . .
If you read this book, you’ll find a much more refreshing theory, one that falls in line with the symbolic depictions of the vagina as an agent of creation rather than destruction. And when the female doesn’t allow her agency to be stripped from her, the world becomes a better place. Unfortunately, the world becomes a better place at her expense.
And for the reason I mention above, I can’t tell if this book is about female empowerment, or if it is about the current state of affairs in our world, and the reality that no matter what women do, no matter what paradigm of empowerment they embrace, somehow society will try to suck them dry. The book is both uplifting and tragic, but that is part of what makes it good.
Simply put, this book is about pussy saving lives, and perhaps saving the world. And before you balk at the idea, just realize that it is already pretty much true.
And it can be a beautiful thing.
This book was not quite what I expected (I thought the protagonist was going to plant a seed of sexual energy in men that eventually caused them to explode), but I enjoyed it a lot. The flowery language of Christian’s early books is replaced by a style that is a bit more spare. High concept takes the forefront, and that concept is explored to considerable depths as we meet others (or one other) with powers similar to her own, only they are channeled through the opposite gender, and therefore carry a different energy.
This is a coming of age story, and the descriptions of birth and early motherhood are particularly poignant. Here, and in several other sections, Christian’s style from earlier works shines through. Her insights into the human condition rise to the surface. She never overwhelms us though. The balance is admirable.
If you consult judeo-christian mythology, you’ll probably hear a handful of half-baked philosophies about women spoiling the innocence of man, women riding atop magnificent beasts hellbent on the world’s destruction, women whose birth canals must be regulated (typically by men) . . .
If you read this book, you’ll find a much more refreshing theory, one that falls in line with the symbolic depictions of the vagina as an agent of creation rather than destruction. And when the female doesn’t allow her agency to be stripped from her, the world becomes a better place. Unfortunately, the world becomes a better place at her expense.
And for the reason I mention above, I can’t tell if this book is about female empowerment, or if it is about the current state of affairs in our world, and the reality that no matter what women do, no matter what paradigm of empowerment they embrace, somehow society will try to suck them dry. The book is both uplifting and tragic, but that is part of what makes it good.
Simply put, this book is about pussy saving lives, and perhaps saving the world. And before you balk at the idea, just realize that it is already pretty much true.
And it can be a beautiful thing.
This book was not quite what I expected (I thought the protagonist was going to plant a seed of sexual energy in men that eventually caused them to explode), but I enjoyed it a lot. The flowery language of Christian’s early books is replaced by a style that is a bit more spare. High concept takes the forefront, and that concept is explored to considerable depths as we meet others (or one other) with powers similar to her own, only they are channeled through the opposite gender, and therefore carry a different energy.
This is a coming of age story, and the descriptions of birth and early motherhood are particularly poignant. Here, and in several other sections, Christian’s style from earlier works shines through. Her insights into the human condition rise to the surface. She never overwhelms us though. The balance is admirable.
May 19, 2019
Autumn delivers her prose like a roundhouse kick to the face. This book is erotic and sexy, but is also about personal growth, the human psyche, and even wades out into the social environment of modern American life.
February 8, 2020
While quite a 180 for the author, I enjoyed the hell out of this book. Quickly paced and fun, it also had me promising to become a better version of myself when I met the final page. I could have easily followed Beverly Sykes for another 100 pages.
May 14, 2021
Wow loved this! Review coming soon!
April 7, 2019
This might look like a pulp novel in concept but it's surprisingly heartfelt and wistful in execution, neither holding back from the darker implications of its heroine's journey nor showing any guilt about the positives. The prose is excellent, too - Autumn Christian is pithy and insightful in her characters, and bluntly poetic in her descriptions, while keeping the whole thing fast-paced and very readable.
In fact my only problem with the book is how lightning-fast it moves - Beverley keeps being bouncing from situation to situation rather than developing them in any detail, when there are several parts of her journey (particularly the small-town religion created around her) I'd have liked to spend a little more time exploring.
A blunt, unapologetic and vivid piece of work.
In fact my only problem with the book is how lightning-fast it moves - Beverley keeps being bouncing from situation to situation rather than developing them in any detail, when there are several parts of her journey (particularly the small-town religion created around her) I'd have liked to spend a little more time exploring.
A blunt, unapologetic and vivid piece of work.
April 22, 2019
The Girl with the Magic Hoo Hah...
So, I'm still actually uncertain what to think of this book.
It's very odd. It's kind of magical realism with graphic sex, violence, and...self-improvement?
I liked that the author didn't keep everything rosy. Things get quite dark and at times, the sex gets boring. The funny/absolutely right part of this is that when the reader gets bored with the sex, so does our main character. When we want something more, so does she.
The book is bold, well written, and absolutely original.
At times I wanted more building of other characters - especially more with the mother. I wanted to explore more about how she learned and how she felt about her daughters...um...special talent.
I think the book is definitely worth reading.
So, I'm still actually uncertain what to think of this book.
It's very odd. It's kind of magical realism with graphic sex, violence, and...self-improvement?
I liked that the author didn't keep everything rosy. Things get quite dark and at times, the sex gets boring. The funny/absolutely right part of this is that when the reader gets bored with the sex, so does our main character. When we want something more, so does she.
The book is bold, well written, and absolutely original.
At times I wanted more building of other characters - especially more with the mother. I wanted to explore more about how she learned and how she felt about her daughters...um...special talent.
I think the book is definitely worth reading.
September 15, 2022
Por más que me estrujase los sesos no podría encontrarle un «pero» a este libro. La historia es muy buena, los personajes están muy bien trazados y el final me parece magnífico. Ojalá se traduzca más a esta escritora.
January 6, 2022
I want sexual superpowers.
Read
June 5, 2019Beverly Sykes is attracted to bad boys and troubled girls. She begins to notice her past sexual partners seem to be undergoing drastic changes--overcoming their internal struggles and working on becoming the best versions of themselves. After a brutal encounter with a teacher results in him committing suicide, Beverly leaves town to cultivate her power with the hopes of changing the world.
To say Autumn Christian has a way with words feels lazy, but since I can't think of a better turn of phrase (I'm a hack) I'm going to plagiarize the wonderful Zé Burns--she is the undisputed queen of the unexpected metaphor. The imagery and moods are one of a kind and effortless without getting distracting, and for a storyline driven by sex it never felt pornographic (but don't worry, the sex scenes are plentiful). The greatest success for me though was the creation of Beverly Sykes, who is now one of my top 5 favorite protagonists of all time. In fact, I was so impressed by Beverly that this is probably less of a book review, and more of ramble about what a great character she is, so sorry about that (not sorry at all).
Maybe I need to read more widely, but I'm struggling to think of another character like Beverly Sykes. I've seen the badass chick with a chip on her shoulder that can fight anyone, and I've seen the cold but brilliant woman that can outsmart anyone--there are plenty of stoic protagonists that accomplish their goals via violence or manipulation to go around. So seeing a protagonist who's power is sex (but who isn't a femme fatale) use it not to destroy, but to improve and enlighten, was incredible to say the least. That's not say Girl Like a Bomb is without a body count, but change is sought over destruction (but sometimes destruction is inevitable). While Beverly's story follows the typical superhero arc in many ways, it subverts expectations left and right.
This was my first read from Christian, and certainly won't be my last. If you want an actually fresh take on superheroes, this is it.
To say Autumn Christian has a way with words feels lazy, but since I can't think of a better turn of phrase (I'm a hack) I'm going to plagiarize the wonderful Zé Burns--she is the undisputed queen of the unexpected metaphor. The imagery and moods are one of a kind and effortless without getting distracting, and for a storyline driven by sex it never felt pornographic (but don't worry, the sex scenes are plentiful). The greatest success for me though was the creation of Beverly Sykes, who is now one of my top 5 favorite protagonists of all time. In fact, I was so impressed by Beverly that this is probably less of a book review, and more of ramble about what a great character she is, so sorry about that (not sorry at all).
Maybe I need to read more widely, but I'm struggling to think of another character like Beverly Sykes. I've seen the badass chick with a chip on her shoulder that can fight anyone, and I've seen the cold but brilliant woman that can outsmart anyone--there are plenty of stoic protagonists that accomplish their goals via violence or manipulation to go around. So seeing a protagonist who's power is sex (but who isn't a femme fatale) use it not to destroy, but to improve and enlighten, was incredible to say the least. That's not say Girl Like a Bomb is without a body count, but change is sought over destruction (but sometimes destruction is inevitable). While Beverly's story follows the typical superhero arc in many ways, it subverts expectations left and right.
This was my first read from Christian, and certainly won't be my last. If you want an actually fresh take on superheroes, this is it.
May 24, 2020
What a fantastic book!
February 8, 2019
I’m not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but I feel that graphic sex scenes do nothing but distract and weigh down art. Be it a book or a movie, it always feels tacked on and gratuitous, no matter how it’s done. Even if it’s “classy”, or brief. If I wanted to see sex I’d watch pornography (and I hear this internet thing has a little of that floating around).
This book could not exist without a lot of graphic sex. And what’s more: it works. GIRL LIKE A BOMB focuses on a young woman who finds she has the power to make people better, just by having sex with them. From the young thug who first takes her virginity, to world leaders and the events in their wake. Ultimately, she has to answer the question: do you continue to use your powers to help the world, while ignoring yourself? After all, “what she hadn’t mentioned was that a tide was always rising somewhere.”
I am a huge fan of Christian’s other two novels. Her prose is always excellent, darkness and nihilism painted in hopeful strokes. This book reads differently, but in the same engaging way. This is probably the most fluid of the three novels, and certainly the most cheerful (which I mean in the politest and best way). At times I burst out laughing, and read the last few pages with a big smile. Christian’s work just keeps getting better. Despite having a lot of other books stacked up in my too-read pile, I’m already looking forward to reading this again.
This book could not exist without a lot of graphic sex. And what’s more: it works. GIRL LIKE A BOMB focuses on a young woman who finds she has the power to make people better, just by having sex with them. From the young thug who first takes her virginity, to world leaders and the events in their wake. Ultimately, she has to answer the question: do you continue to use your powers to help the world, while ignoring yourself? After all, “what she hadn’t mentioned was that a tide was always rising somewhere.”
I am a huge fan of Christian’s other two novels. Her prose is always excellent, darkness and nihilism painted in hopeful strokes. This book reads differently, but in the same engaging way. This is probably the most fluid of the three novels, and certainly the most cheerful (which I mean in the politest and best way). At times I burst out laughing, and read the last few pages with a big smile. Christian’s work just keeps getting better. Despite having a lot of other books stacked up in my too-read pile, I’m already looking forward to reading this again.
June 19, 2019
Sure, this book is a bout sex.
But it's about much more. About what makes a good life. About balance. About how much you can give before you need to take care of yourself.
Autumn Christian writes prose with an edge, a human quality that's massive in its core. It's unflinching, unforgiving, and unnerving. It's unlike anything you'll ever read.
But it's about much more. About what makes a good life. About balance. About how much you can give before you need to take care of yourself.
Autumn Christian writes prose with an edge, a human quality that's massive in its core. It's unflinching, unforgiving, and unnerving. It's unlike anything you'll ever read.
April 19, 2020
Se trata de un libro acerca del poder tanto hipnótico y peligroso como redentor del sexo. Con una prosa sin florituras, encarnada y sangrante; cada escena cobra vida a través de pinceladas sensoriales que tienen bastante de cinematográfico, como el destello de un cuchillo a la luz de la luna o el tacto de unas sábanas de satén.
Reseña completa: https://libros-prohibidos.com/autumn-...
Reseña completa: https://libros-prohibidos.com/autumn-...
September 20, 2021
A book like no other:
However kinda reminded me of ‘Candy’ by Terry Southern if it was pushed through the science fiction saw mills of Mick Farren and the 70s crime pulp of George C. Chesbro.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
However kinda reminded me of ‘Candy’ by Terry Southern if it was pushed through the science fiction saw mills of Mick Farren and the 70s crime pulp of George C. Chesbro.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
November 1, 2021
Holy shit. This book is different. In all the best ways. We have a young woman who has the need to have sex. An aching to get it out of the way just to say she did it. She does it and the story booms from there.
She discovers she has the ability to change people from her climaxes. A biological bomb detonates and from that we have a fantastic, dark, sexual, magical story.
Absolutely loved it from start to end and I blush when I tell people about the pages within.
She discovers she has the ability to change people from her climaxes. A biological bomb detonates and from that we have a fantastic, dark, sexual, magical story.
Absolutely loved it from start to end and I blush when I tell people about the pages within.
June 1, 2022
Enjoyed the trashy bizarro vibe but could’ve easily traded some of its earthly relatable themes for a bit more of We Are Wormwood’s tripped-out dreamworld imagery. Two completely different books though so not even so much a negative. All in all, a fun fast beach read, which is just what I needed.
January 7, 2023
honestly really disappointed with this book. i think it started off really good but the ending was so anticlimactic. sad.
January 10, 2021
This is definitely one of the weirdest books I‘ve ever read.
And quick disclaimer: If you hate reading explicit sex scenes, don‘t pick this up. I’m actually surprised how generous most reviewers are because I was expecting way more backlash - if not only because this is graphic and the first quarter depicts a teenage girl having, well, a lot of action.
I was expecting this to be a lot like Teeth (2007) and even if I wasn‘t completely wrong, it took a different turn. While Dawn is villainized for her mutation (I‘m team Dawn all the way, but... makes sense), Beverly‘s power helps the people she sleeps with. Like, she literally makes them better people.
This comes with a twist. Not just because it changes her whole life, but because there’s more to it.
I wanted to read this because I immediately enjoyed Autumn Christian’s writing style. I love simple, plot-driven writing with occasional pretty prose. She did that. This book never turns into a showcase about what a great writer she is, it always puts its lead character first. I’m here for that. So many books are written in a way that feels like flexing certain skills more than telling a good story.
Also, I love me a story that’s a little bit bananas. A little bit is an understatement here. But in the end, this is a coming of age story, a story about growing up. And it is a superhero story - checks every necessary box. Girl feels different and realizes she has a great gift. Girl is wronged and traumatized and exploited because of it. She gets famous for it and treated like a goddess/monster. This is superhero 101.
I loved Beverly as a character. Christian takes the the empowered strong girl thing to such interesting levels. Bev is cocky, headstrong and snarky, but she’s not an actual asshole. It’s hard to describe her without spoiling the book because in the end this is completely her story. I love her relationship with her friends in high school, but one of the strongest parts in this book is her relationship with her mom.
Now, I liked this book and 4-stars seem more right for me than 3, because this story could’ve been handled so much worse. I stopped caring about the sex scenes after like, the third and I actually think they were well written - I rather have it simplistic and explicit than overwritten and too romanticized.
I still felt like this book could’ve worked without a sex scene every chapter. Some of them simply weren’t necessary for the plot (though yes, most of them actually were)
But there was a certain twist in this I didn’t like and that twist ate up the last quarter of the story. I still haven’t completely processed this story, but the ending just made me feel a little bit “eh”.
Lots of people would completely hate this and I see why. I enjoyed it and basically read it in two sittings. Give me a weird premise and most of the time, I’ll go for it. I haven’t regret buying this book at all. But I’m not sure I’d ever recommend it to anyone - the same way I wouldn’t tell people to go and watch Teeth. Even if I personally thought that film was hilarious and deserves to be the cult classic it is.
This is already the longest review I ever wrote on here, so I’ll shut up before this turns into a feminist rant.
I’m excited to check out more of Autumn Christian’s work!
And quick disclaimer: If you hate reading explicit sex scenes, don‘t pick this up. I’m actually surprised how generous most reviewers are because I was expecting way more backlash - if not only because this is graphic and the first quarter depicts a teenage girl having, well, a lot of action.
I was expecting this to be a lot like Teeth (2007) and even if I wasn‘t completely wrong, it took a different turn. While Dawn is villainized for her mutation (I‘m team Dawn all the way, but... makes sense), Beverly‘s power helps the people she sleeps with. Like, she literally makes them better people.
This comes with a twist. Not just because it changes her whole life, but because there’s more to it.
I wanted to read this because I immediately enjoyed Autumn Christian’s writing style. I love simple, plot-driven writing with occasional pretty prose. She did that. This book never turns into a showcase about what a great writer she is, it always puts its lead character first. I’m here for that. So many books are written in a way that feels like flexing certain skills more than telling a good story.
Also, I love me a story that’s a little bit bananas. A little bit is an understatement here. But in the end, this is a coming of age story, a story about growing up. And it is a superhero story - checks every necessary box. Girl feels different and realizes she has a great gift. Girl is wronged and traumatized and exploited because of it. She gets famous for it and treated like a goddess/monster. This is superhero 101.
I loved Beverly as a character. Christian takes the the empowered strong girl thing to such interesting levels. Bev is cocky, headstrong and snarky, but she’s not an actual asshole. It’s hard to describe her without spoiling the book because in the end this is completely her story. I love her relationship with her friends in high school, but one of the strongest parts in this book is her relationship with her mom.
Now, I liked this book and 4-stars seem more right for me than 3, because this story could’ve been handled so much worse. I stopped caring about the sex scenes after like, the third and I actually think they were well written - I rather have it simplistic and explicit than overwritten and too romanticized.
I still felt like this book could’ve worked without a sex scene every chapter. Some of them simply weren’t necessary for the plot (though yes, most of them actually were)
But there was a certain twist in this I didn’t like and that twist ate up the last quarter of the story. I still haven’t completely processed this story, but the ending just made me feel a little bit “eh”.
Lots of people would completely hate this and I see why. I enjoyed it and basically read it in two sittings. Give me a weird premise and most of the time, I’ll go for it. I haven’t regret buying this book at all. But I’m not sure I’d ever recommend it to anyone - the same way I wouldn’t tell people to go and watch Teeth. Even if I personally thought that film was hilarious and deserves to be the cult classic it is.
This is already the longest review I ever wrote on here, so I’ll shut up before this turns into a feminist rant.
I’m excited to check out more of Autumn Christian’s work!
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