Kirkus Review

The nuclear fallout that destroyed most of civilization left room for something new: a society of fees, finally free from inequality and hate, even if they are still surrounded by beasts.Glori's family has a secret: A beast lives with them, born after Glori's mother was kidnapped from their island by beasts and brutalized. Despite the beast's dark conception, to Glori it is just Twofer, and she knows it's goodthere's no way it's like other beasts. When Twofer is also kidnapped, Glori leaves the safety of her community to rescue him. There, she finds the beasts are violent and dangerous, but they are also intriguing and more varied than she could have imagined, just like fees. Which is good, because working with the beasts is the only way to save Twofer. Glori and most others her age are multiracial; there are also some explicitly Chinese characters. Though set in post-apocalyptic America, society has clearly been influenced by several cultures, especially East Asian. The treatment of gender and sexuality also avoids falling prey to overarching generalities: Glori, the beasts, and the readers all have something to learn about gender, difference, and relationships, whether in the present or the apocalypse. Quirky characters offset darker themes, making this a brutal yet optimistic portrayal of a possible future.A post-apocalypse scenario combining ethics and action explores whether society can be taken apart and rebuilt for the better. (Science fiction. 14-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.