A toxic polycule on a hostile planet faces jealousy and survival challenges as they navigate a colony's environmental horror and the consequences of forced coupling for reproduction. The novella blends sci-fi elements with themes of codependency, queer relationships, and the struggle for survival in a beautifully but lethally dangerous world.

Reader Review Summary

"This World Is Not Yours" is an ambitious and provocative novella that blends elements of science fiction, horror, and character-driven drama in inventive ways. While some readers felt misled by the marketing description painting it as a straight horror tale, the book deserves praise for its daring exploration of complex themes and concepts.

One of the undeniable strengths is the richly imaginative world-building. The vivid descriptions of the planet New Belaforme and the ominous, self-cleansing mechanism known as the Gray create a palpable sense of dread and wonder. Ashing-Giwa displays an impressive command of scientific concepts, making the alien environment feel disturbingly plausible. The pervasive unease about humanity's ability to coexist with such an indifferent force of nature lends the novella a distinct eco-horror sensibility reminiscent of the Southern Reach trilogy.

However, the heart of the story lies in its intimate character portraits and messy relationship dynamics. Amara, Vinh, and Jesse form a compelling, if dysfunctional trio grappling with jealousy, betrayal, and the ever-shifting boundaries of their bonds in the face of the colony's harsh reproductive policies. Their codependency and reluctance to communicate openly with each other ring painfully true. While some found the relationship drama overshadowing the sci-fi elements, others praised the emotional rawness and nuanced representation of queer identities wrestling with heteronormative pressures.

Ashing-Giwa's unflinching approach to flawed characters making terrible choices in extreme situations is both unsettling and addictively readable. The brisk pacing and non-linear structure keep readers continuously off-balance, mirroring the protagonists' spiral into self-destructive obsession amid existential threats. When the horror elements do take center stage, they land with visceral impact precisely because we've become invested in these complicated figures.

In the end, "This World Is Not Yours" succeeds as a moody, ambiguous exploration of humanity's self-destructive impulses and precarious position in the cosmos. It doesn't provide easy answers, but burrows insistently under the skin and lingers in the imagination like the Gray itself. For readers seeking conventional sci-fi action or straightforward horror, it may prove a frustrating experience. But for those drawn to narratives that defy neat categorization while raising unsettling questions about our place in an uncaring universe, this undeniably gutsy work has much to admire.