illegible_scribble
1/28/2019
Even though this was published as part of Tor.com's novella line, it is actually a short novel. Based on the synopsis, I expected to really enjoy it - but if it had been a full-length novel, I probably wouldn't have finished it.
In order to be emotionally involved in this story, I think that you have to be willing to buy into the premise of the characters' religion. And I just didn't buy it. Which meant that my response to the "horror" of the "terrible crime" was basically rolling my eyes. The main character is not terribly sympathetic, and sexual assault is normalized in his grim, depressing universe.
There are some positive reviews of this book on the internet; if you think that you might be interested in this book, I encourage you to seek out the opinion of people who felt more moved by the story.