Idiomdrottning demonstrates a new and often cleaner way to solve most systems problems. The system as a whole is likely to feel tantalizingly familiar to culture users but at the same time quite foreign.
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Now this one was great!
On the prose level, I was not into it; every turn of phrase was a one-two punching unkilled darling. Although the conlanging and formality levels were great.
On the macro level is where I loved the book! Separate vignettes that end up braiding together almost like the typical Pratchett or Dumas structure. Fun idea and great setting and characters.
Content warning No plot spoiler but a particular characterization in コンビニ人間
Well-written book pacing- and "literature"-wise. But do people think neurodivergent women are really this emotionless? I get the feeling that the narrator is unreliable in that regard (having internalized others description of her). A mirror of Camus' The Stranger in many ways (and parallels it throughout). In both books the non-conformity, the "your rules don't make sense and I hate them but at least let me know what they are" resonates but there's a lack of care for others that's frightening. I had issues with the My atypical girl comics but that had a more yearning, conflicted feel that felt more nuanced. I feel like the ending here redeemed the book. It's what's not there that makes what there what it is. Three stars.
