Benighted
I've officially worked through my backlog of books to read. Time to start considering what's next. The last in the pile was Benighted, which came by way of Christmas gift.
It's an intriguing concept: a modern-day world where a vast majority of humans are born as werewolves (well, "lunes" or other nicknames, they don't use the term "werewolf" in the book). And this is the normal most of the time, but feral beasts on the night of the full moon variety of werewolves. So it puts the non-lune minority in a very odd position. They's so precious and necessary to keeping the world safe that one day out of the lunar month that they are basically drafted into government service and given allowances above "normal" law in many cases. But they're at a huge social disadvantage, largely viewed as disabled, because they're a minority and they're resented/hated/feared for what power they have. As an group, the non-lunes border on scary-powerful with their ability to make people disappear and get away with it. As individuals, they tend to be scarred (physically and emotionally) second-class citizens.
It makes for a fascinating examination of a what-if world, with a lot of details I never would have considered (though I question some of the statements about silver bullets). But as a story, it's also pretty brutally depressing. You get knee-deep in what is basically extreme police brutality and the main character herself is... well, "world-weary" would probably be a euphemism. The setting is harsh, and you get to see that impact on the characters. Realistic, probably, but rather depressing.
It's an intriguing concept: a modern-day world where a vast majority of humans are born as werewolves (well, "lunes" or other nicknames, they don't use the term "werewolf" in the book). And this is the normal most of the time, but feral beasts on the night of the full moon variety of werewolves. So it puts the non-lune minority in a very odd position. They's so precious and necessary to keeping the world safe that one day out of the lunar month that they are basically drafted into government service and given allowances above "normal" law in many cases. But they're at a huge social disadvantage, largely viewed as disabled, because they're a minority and they're resented/hated/feared for what power they have. As an group, the non-lunes border on scary-powerful with their ability to make people disappear and get away with it. As individuals, they tend to be scarred (physically and emotionally) second-class citizens.
It makes for a fascinating examination of a what-if world, with a lot of details I never would have considered (though I question some of the statements about silver bullets). But as a story, it's also pretty brutally depressing. You get knee-deep in what is basically extreme police brutality and the main character herself is... well, "world-weary" would probably be a euphemism. The setting is harsh, and you get to see that impact on the characters. Realistic, probably, but rather depressing.
Cat thought you would like it, because it's a deep, world-building book. It isn't my kind of book, but I thought it might be something you would have found an interesting read. Sorry if it wasn't your sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. The more I think about it... the more I think about it. Interesting, fascinating, through-provoking... all that those fit. It's just depressing too, so it's hard for me to say I "enjoyed" it. I feel, perhaps, a little bit enriched by having read it, and thus I don't regret having done so.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's good then. :) We were a bit concerned.
ReplyDeleteThe author's written another one, involving merfolk and the British monarchy. Apparently it isn't as bleak. Would you like that one?
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm glad you found it a worthwhile read. BTW, if you see a listing for Bareback, also by Kit Whitfield, it's not a sequel -- it's the original UK title for Benighted. In Great Waters, which features merfolk deepsmen, is not without some unpleasant episodes but has a surprisingly happy ending.
ReplyDelete