Greekchoir's Reviews > This World Is Not Yours

This World Is Not Yours reads like a Reddit AITA post. My (33F) partner (35F) has been assigned a husband (32M) to help repopulate our remote settlement outpost on a distant planet after it was sabotaged by a rival political entity. I also have a new husband (34M) who is my best friend, but it's not weird. AITA for hating my wife's new husband? Please reply quickly, The Gray is coming.

I think advertising this as a 'horror with a queer toxic polycule' may be misleading. This World Is Not Yours reads as a domestic drama set in a science fiction setting, following the deeply dysfunctional relationship between Vinh and Amara, newly wedded couple. While the brief moments of horror are really excellent, they're few and far between, and this novella is missing the overall tension and suspense that I think people would expect from the pitch.

That being said, I really did enjoy the story presented here. Vinh and Amara are complex and compelling characters, and I alternated between rooting for them and wanting them to break up and never see each other again. The worldbuilding here is excellent; though we only see a small corner of the universe, it feels expansive and well-realized, and I loved the biological details of the planet itself. Very much Annihilation vibes, if you're in for that sort of thing (I am). I will say that the pacing here is blindingly quick, which may work for some readers and not for others.

I think where I struggled with this book was the execution of its themes. There's largely a focus on environmentalism and conservation, but every now and then it seems like the story is veering towards commentary on colonialism. Through Amara and Vinh, we explore codependency and the tension between loving someone and letting them go. This World Is Not Yours vacillated between focusing on their relationship and the environmental horror, and I wish it was better able to integrate the two. There's a great opportunity here to (view spoiler)[ discuss gender and sexuality - a lesbian couple need to have physical intimacy with men, in order to have children - that isn't explored at all. In some sense, I think Ashing-Giwa just prioritized discussing jealousy and codependency instead of queerness, which is fine, but it felt like there was a big elephant standing in the corner labeled "LESBIANS?" I think this really would have worked to play into the horror angle as well (hide spoiler)]

Finally, I'm not sure what to think of Jesse. He's Amara's best friend (and Vinh's too, but we see him with Amara more), but his perspective felt underutilized. (view spoiler)[ He seems to want to join Vinh and Amara's marriage, at least in a sexual way, but this is never really elaborated upon, and because he takes no actions concerning it, I wasn't really sure what to make of it. He feels sort of out of place amidst the other, more substantiated drama, and I almost think the story would've been tighter if his perspective/character were removed? (hide spoiler)]

Overall, I would recommend this to people who want a quick read with an older science fiction feel, particularly if they have an investment in toxic lesbian relationships. I'm not sure it will find a wide audience, but the people who like it will find an weird, gory, and memorable read.

Please note that I am a Macmillan employee, but opinions are my own. I am not involved in the production of this book.