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Ideas don’t die: Reviewing There is No Antimemetics Division by qntm

Hello everybody! I hope you are all doing well. This review is going to be…interesting, to say the least. There might be some context that I am unable to fully give to you as the reader. As someone who grew up on internet horror, I have had a long-time fascination with the fictional organization known as the SCP Foundation, which is an organization that controls all sorts of terrifying and strage creatures that are a direct threat to humanity. Essentially, it is an online creative writing project where writers contribute there own SCPs (aka creatures or beings) that have been captured and/or monitored by the SCP organization. It’s adjacent to CreepyPastas, but it has more of a structure to it. I fear I am not explaining this correctly. There’s plenty of videos and podcasts of people reading these entries. It is a fascinating project. The reason I am explaining this is because the author of this book originally published this as an SCP Foundation piece and then turned it into their own novel. I know that this is all chronically online, but the context matters. Now that I have laid out all of the groundwork, its time to get into the horrors of There is No Antimemetics Division.

Content Warning: Disturbing Imagery, Some Strong Language, Violence

The most horrifying things in this world are the ones you can’t remember. Beings exist with the ability to wipe the memories of those that they prey upon. They could be anywhere, even in the room with you right now. Some of these beings are harmless, but others could destroy the world. The only thing that stands in the way of these apocalyptic events is the Antimemetics Division. There is a war being waged every day to save life as we know it. Yes, you are fighting this war. No, this isn’t your first day. Welcome to the Antimemetics Division.

There is no Antimemetics Division is existential, paradoxical, darkly humorous, and one of the best reading experiences I have had in a long time. There are so many moving parts to the novel, and none of them entirely make sense, but that is the charm of this book. It was so wonderfully imaginative and morbid in its exploration of the unexplainable. QNTM (aka Sam Hughes) dances the fine line of ambiguity as he presents many anomalies. There is just enough explanation to make the premise somewhat believable, but not so much that it takes away from the novel’s mystery. Unfortunately, I can’t go in-depth because I would be giving away too much about this book. I will say, though, that this probably isn’t a novel for everyone. I explained what the SCP Foundation is in the beginning, and while you don’t have to be familiar with that, it is still a very bizarre concept to wrap one’s head around. If existensial horror is not your cup of tea, then I fully understand. If you are interested in the unexplainable and enigmatic, then I highly recommend There is no Antimemetics Division.

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Fortunately, some things stay true whether we believe in them or not: Reviewing Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well and reading plenty of good books. I’ve been feeling more motivated to complete a book in one sitting, instead of hopping from book to book. As for this review, this will be the eighth book that I have read by T. Kingfisher. I finally got a copy of What Stalks the Deep, so I can finally wrap up that trilogy. There will probably be more Kingfisher books in the future. I’m just a tad obsessed at the moment. I feel like that’s enough rambling for now. Let’s talk about Snake-Eater.

Content Warning: Mild Sexual Content, Some Strong Language, Discussions of Religious Psychosis, Fantastical Violence, Animal Death

After losing her mom and breaking up with her partner, Selena decides it’s time for a fresh start. With nothing but a suitcase and her loyal dog, she buys a ticket to the small town of Quartz Creek, where she hopes to reunite with her aunt Amelia. Unfortunately, Selena finds out that her aunt has passed away. She is, however, the sole heir to her aunt’s humble home. Selena is hesitant to settle into this unfamiliar land, but she is quickly charmed by the desert landscape and the quirky residents of Quartz Creek. That isn’t the only thing special about this small town. Selena begins to encounter strange beings and has bizarre dreams of a man with strange eyes. Through her aunt’s journals, Selena learns that she had a relationship with a spirit called the Snake-Eater. Now, Snake-Eater has become obsessed with Selena and refuses to let her go.

One thing I love about T. Kingfisher is her ability to take conventional narratives and flip them on their heads. I initially thought that Snake-Eater was going to be a monster/human romance novel. Instead, it’s a story of found family and learning to embrace oneself. Kingfisher consistently writes realistic female characters who have strong character arcs. Selena’s anxious tendencies were relatable and understandable from a reader’s perspective. I also particularly enjoyed the side characters in this novel. Kingfisher effortlessly incorporates a diverse array of characters that feel just as realistic as her main characters. Of course, there’s also the well-crafted fantasy elements. Kingfisher always creates such fun mythologies, and Snake-Eater is no exception. The desert setting is so atmospheric and feels so alive throughout the narrative. I loved this book. I am begging you to start reading T. Kingfisher immediately. Snake-Eater isn’t a bad place to start.

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Power is not given. It is taken: Reviewing I, Medusa by Ayana Gray

Hi everyone! I hope you are doing wonderfully. I don’t have a ton to say before beginning this review. If you have been keeping up with my blog, you might note that this is not the first retelling of the myth of Medusa that I have read. You can check out my review of Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes. It is time, however, for a new take on the classic myth of Medusa. With that being said, it’s time to talk about I, Medusa.

Content Warning: Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny, Sexual Assault, Consensual Sexual Content, Violence, Some Gore, Domestic Abuse

Meddy is the youngest daughter of two minor sea gods. She is also the only mortal in her family. Meddy has spent her whole life on her family’s island, wondering if there was anything for her outside of her sheltered life. When Meddy catches the eye of the goddess Athena, she finds herself presented with an opportunity she had never dreamed of before. She is sent to Athens to train to be one of Athena’s priestesses. Athena, though, is not the only god drawn to Medusa. Poseidon, the king of the ocean, irrevocably alters Medusa’s fate. With snakes for hair and eyes that turn men to stone, Medusa must reckon with her new purpose and decide who she is before anyone else can.

I, Medusa is a refreshing take on a myth that has been told time and time again. Ayana Gray provides an exceptionally crafted narrative that stands out in the sea of Greek myth retellings. Gray’s Medusa is a young woman struggling to figure out where she fits in the world. She is easy to sympathize with and relatable in many of her decisions. The prose is elegant, but painfully honest when it needs to be. This story is a tragic one, with complex characters and characters whom I simply couldn’t stand. That is a testament to Gray’s writing. The best retellings are the ones that make you dread the ending even if you already know it. I was dragging my feet reading this because I didn’t want to be sad, if I’m being honest. With that being said, this was a beautifully written tragedy. I am going to strongly recommend this novel. Go pick it up immediately. You won’t regret it.