Hench

Few months late on the review —

Great beginning and really enjoyed the premise. Sloggy middle. Picks up about halfway through and then impossible to put down. Took some unexpected turns. Ends a bit abruptly. Setting up for a sequel..?

This was the first time I had read an “action” book, usually a genre I've experienced with film or TV. Lots of weird body horror towards the end.

Many bits are funny and I liked her writing and world building. Lots of themes explored (oppressive and corrupt power systems, law enforcement, collateral damage and how one measures that, wide representation of different identities/relationships/abilities, how misinformation spreads) but some parts fall flat.

Initially I found it easy to sympathise with Anna, our main character (last name Tromedlov — bit on the nose if you read that backwards), but she eventually spirals into depravity and self-obsession and makes terrible excuses for her bad behaviour.

Overall I thought it was a fun and different read but with all the above caveats.