The Seep

This is a strong novel, yet not necessarily defined by a single genre. In fact, Porter brings a type of novel I haven't yet read to the table, and for that I admire her. The protag. is a Native American trans woman - which you don't usually see in fiction regardless of genre - and the writing and plot, though different from the usual fantasy books I find myself drawn to, had me mulling over the pages as it explored grief and deep emotion that we tend to turn away from. If you want a different, yet emotional read, I would recommend The Seep. Yes, it's strange at parts, and yes, there is no defining it, but that's what makes it refreshing and emotional.

1st read (2019):

Wow. This is one that I will want to reread over and over again. It is quiet and moving. How this book explores grief and loss is so excellent. Go into this with as little as possible so you devour every word on your own.

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2nd read (2021):

I was curious how this book would make me feel now so I figured it was worth a reread. As I expected it left me feeling very comforted. Still love this book so much.

They would soon realize that The Seep had already infiltrated their city's water supply. They were already compromised, already bodily hosts to their new alien friends. It was through that connection they could hear one another's thoughts, feel the same emotions, overlaid with the all-consuming adage that Everything Will Be All Right, No Matter What. The softest invasion had begun.

I feel like I've read this one before but it's just part of certain brand of queer fiction that I maybe don't really vibe with all that much. There are some interesting topics and some cool ideas but I never manage to fully get into it because nothing ever seems to get quite there if that makes any sense?

The Seep is a fascinating take on an alien invasion that is as poignant as it is hopeful. Porter conjures nostalgia and wonder in this novel about a future in which aliens known as “The Seep” have solved humanity's problems. Violence, economic inequality, and even death itself have given way to a world where anyone can have whatever they want. Is such a world a utopia or dystopia? How does suffering characterize what it means to be human? These are some of the questions Porter explores in the book, and perhaps the greatest compliment I can give this novel is that after finishing I am pondering these existential questions.

The Pros:
-Short read, yet highly evocative
-Great audiobook narrated by Shakina Nayfack
-Highly original science fiction
-Great protagonist
-Trans representation

The Cons:
-Because this is such a short book, I felt the plot sometimes took a back seat to the ideas the book was striving to explore.
-The book felt slightly heavy-handed at times, as the themes of the book came across very strongly.

For me, this was 4 stars! I'd recommend it!