Challenge Corner discussion

A brilliant queer dystopian novel from the author of Yours for the Taking, following a cast of characters on the margins of a strange and exclusive new society.

The year is 2041, and it's a dangerous time to be a woman driving across the United States alone. Deadly storms and uncontrollable wildfires are pummeling the country while political tensions are rising. But Kelly's on the road anyway; she desperately needs to get back to her daughter, who she left seven years ago for a cause that she's no longer sure she believes in.

Almost 40 years later, another mother, Ava, and her daughter Brook are on the run as well, from the climate change relief program known as The Inside Project, where they've spent the past 22 years being treated as lab rats. When they encounter a woman from Ava’s past on the side of the highway, the three continue on in a journey that will take them into the depths of what remains of humanity out in the wilderness.

At the same time, way up North, weather conditions continue to worsen and a settlement departs in search of greener pastures, leaving behind only two members, drawn together by a circumstance and a mystery they are destined to unravel together.

Set in the world of Gabrielle Korn's Yours for the Taking, The Shutouts tells the captivating story of those who have been shut out from Inside, their fight to survive, and an interconnectedness larger than all of them.

oof, bit late on this one - I might not start until this weekend but I'll try to start earlier!!

still hoping to get to this one - I had a family emergency but am getting caught up. hopefully next week!

I haven't started either, but hopefully this week.

Did you want to pick a date on this one too? And we'll aim to be here again? lol

I'm open to November or December on this one!

Yeah maybe November 22nd? I want to try to finish before pub date on Dec 3rd

Perfect!

2 chapters / 26%

interesting intro
(view spoiler)[ these are the outside people
but I need to look back at my old buddy read because I'm not sure who the people were on the side of the road - Ava and orchid. I need to refresh my memory

I'm assuming we didn't know Vero and that ragtag group but I'll look for them too! lol

the outside sounds terrible and I expect it to get worse - as the society breaks down. running from the climate change sounds so demoralizing - like you can't outrun it.

it was sad what happened to Cory but I wonder why she got so hung on on our MC? It seemed like Cory had gotten tied to people many times, with Vero butting in - I wonder why this one time was different.

interesting to see where it goes from here (hide spoiler)]

5 chapters / 55%

awe, now it's really given me the back stories so I remember everyone again

(view spoiler)[ wow, okay so now we have an update on those left outside

I hadn't anticipated that the letters were going to Orchid. So sad what the mom was pulled into - when young and then again after Orchid was born

I'm sad for Max - the broken leg sounds just awful. But wow! It's Camilla, the sister of the girl inside

and then Ava - I completely forgot about the cutting off of the food source and the leaving. Oh yeah, and going for july! Now I remember!

Yay! I can't wait to see where it goes now! (hide spoiler)]

7 chapters / 77%

(view spoiler)[ so now we definitely have 3 storylines going

I love that they are figuring out Max's injury and whether they can stay. Can they stay for Orchid. I don't think she'll make it back.

Speaking of, Ava and Orchid and Brook in that underground house - Yikes! and that boy attacking her. They gave off a really gross vibe - I was sad when Brook was kind of sassy about it but I'm glad Orchid was getting them out.

and finally, the mom's story to Orchid. I wonder how her story will end. It's so horrifying to imagine how it all went down - the crumbling of society and the earth and the ultimate - Insiders and the space ships. awful to just leave the rest down below (hide spoiler)]

and done!

that was a great conclusion
(view spoiler)[ I was surprised but I'd wondered about the timing of the letters- that the mom was long gone before sending the letters
but I love that we got Orchid's side - that her dad suddenly taught her survival!

and I'm glad Ava forgave her

and wow, they caught up with the group and July and Brook were able to talk again! So sweet! (hide spoiler)]

I started this last night and could not put it down. It's so fascinating.

Chapters 1-2
(view spoiler)[ This is such a cool set up. I had forgotten it took place in two time periods and I'm very interested to see how it all comes together. I really like all of our MCs so far and this world is so cool. (hide spoiler)]

yay!! I hope you love this one too! it was so good!

I did so much so that I almost forgot to come back and add my comments because I binged it and immediately started the first one when I finished.

Chapters 4-5
(view spoiler)[ Ah so this is how it connects, Kelly is Orchid's mom. Her story is so interesting I’m glad we are getting to see it even though it can't end happy. Max and Camilla are super cute and I'm loving this budding romance. Orchid and Ava are really interesting and it's cool to see a different side of all of this. I'm very curious about the place they left and this July they are looking for. While this does work as a standalone I wish I had known about the other one before now so I could have read it first.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 6-8
(view spoiler)[
Oh wow, I hate the Winter Liberation Front, I can't believe they hoarded all of that science and let people die like that. I'm glad Kelly got out. I'm guessing her husband read the letters. That must be why her dad taught her survival skills. I hope Max opens up and shares the information she has because it will be so useful and should be shared. That miltary base with the sister wives was awful. I knew something like that was going to happen, I'm grateful they got out when they did.
(hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
Oh damn, he institutionalized her. That was quite the story. This whole book was amazing I love dystopians and this one was so good. I'm sad they didn't find July, but this new community they have sounds awesome and like a real home. I can't wait to dig into the first one. (hide spoiler)]