Review of Severed Roots
Posted: 27 Oct 2024, 05:07
[Following is a volunteer review of "Severed Roots" by Nego Huzcotoq.]
“Severed Roots” by Nego Huzcotoq is a very reflective dystopian novel written in a humiliated world where women govern and men known as ''mankeys" are subordinate and closely restrained. In the book, through the protagonist Nick Wong, readers know a world that is dark, conformist, and highly prescriptive, where laws and conformist patterns dominate all aspects of human life, including identity, interaction with others, and control of one’s own body.
In the book Severed Roots, we follow Nick, a magician, whose early fascination with magic dates back to a childhood that has shaped his life so far. First called Nick's magic "lying," and then they realized Nick's magic was an art form, one he used to bring joy to kids. Nick finds himself embroiled in a high-stakes mission for the Island House. Mrs. Fullerfaith grants big kudos to Nick’s integrity, but the rules and secrecy are heavy, too heavy.
The dystopian idea in the book allowed me to reimagine familiar ideas such as gender, power, and freedom. The dark satire is interlaced with testimony to moments of tenderness: Nick’s friendship with Beatrice, one of a few characters in the world who dares not to accept the norms of the world and yearns for a life that thwarts what is dictated to him. I could not help but think about the real-world values and freedoms the book’s sharp social commentary critiqued, namely family and government control. That's why the book deserves 5 out of 5 stars from my point of view.
So, it was the world-building that was the most fun, strange, and intriguing, even hauntingly plausible. Indeed, Huzcotoq uses small details (like pink slippers being mandatory for men) as he skillfully shows a society can reshape identity while forcing individualism to suppress it. The setting is bleak, so 'Severed Roots' is weighty and powerful; it attracts you to read; it will force you to feel good. The book's editing was of top-notch quality; it had no errors.
Perfect for sci-fi lovers alike, any kind of equity warrior, as well as people questioning world relationships. This book raises questions about the roles of society and control, which can be interesting and stimulating for all critical and utterly receptive readers. Ultimately, I did not meet any dislikes in this book.
******
Severed Roots
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
“Severed Roots” by Nego Huzcotoq is a very reflective dystopian novel written in a humiliated world where women govern and men known as ''mankeys" are subordinate and closely restrained. In the book, through the protagonist Nick Wong, readers know a world that is dark, conformist, and highly prescriptive, where laws and conformist patterns dominate all aspects of human life, including identity, interaction with others, and control of one’s own body.
In the book Severed Roots, we follow Nick, a magician, whose early fascination with magic dates back to a childhood that has shaped his life so far. First called Nick's magic "lying," and then they realized Nick's magic was an art form, one he used to bring joy to kids. Nick finds himself embroiled in a high-stakes mission for the Island House. Mrs. Fullerfaith grants big kudos to Nick’s integrity, but the rules and secrecy are heavy, too heavy.
The dystopian idea in the book allowed me to reimagine familiar ideas such as gender, power, and freedom. The dark satire is interlaced with testimony to moments of tenderness: Nick’s friendship with Beatrice, one of a few characters in the world who dares not to accept the norms of the world and yearns for a life that thwarts what is dictated to him. I could not help but think about the real-world values and freedoms the book’s sharp social commentary critiqued, namely family and government control. That's why the book deserves 5 out of 5 stars from my point of view.
So, it was the world-building that was the most fun, strange, and intriguing, even hauntingly plausible. Indeed, Huzcotoq uses small details (like pink slippers being mandatory for men) as he skillfully shows a society can reshape identity while forcing individualism to suppress it. The setting is bleak, so 'Severed Roots' is weighty and powerful; it attracts you to read; it will force you to feel good. The book's editing was of top-notch quality; it had no errors.
Perfect for sci-fi lovers alike, any kind of equity warrior, as well as people questioning world relationships. This book raises questions about the roles of society and control, which can be interesting and stimulating for all critical and utterly receptive readers. Ultimately, I did not meet any dislikes in this book.
******
Severed Roots
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon