🦾 BOOK REVIEW 🦾

Synopsis: Nelah seems to have it all: fame, wealth, and a long-awaited daughter growing in a government lab. But, trapped in a loveless marriage to a policeman who uses a microchip to monitor her every move, Nelah’s perfect life is precarious. After a drug-fueled evening culminates in an eerie car accident, Nelah commits a desperate crime and buries the body, daring to hope that she can keep one last secret.
The truth claws its way into Nelah’s life from the grave.
As the ghost of her victim viciously hunts down the people Nelah holds dear, she is thrust into a race against the clock: in order to save any of her remaining loved ones, Nelah must unravel the political conspiracy her victim was on the verge of exposing—or risk losing everyone.
Set in a cruel futuristic surveillance state where bodies are a government-issued resource, this harrowing story is a twisty, nail-biting commentary on power, monstrosity, and bodily autonomy. In sickeningly evocative prose, womb city interrogates how patriarchy pits women against each other as unwitting collaborators in their own oppression. In this devastatingly timely debut novel, acclaimed short fiction writer Tlotlo Tsamaase brings a searing intelligence and Botswana’s cultural sensibility to the question: just how far must a woman go to bring the whole system crashing down?

Review: After giving this a solid go, it’s unfortunately a DNF @ 17%. The author is clearly a talented writer, particularly capturing the inner dialogue of characters well, and hopefully some of these debut issues will dissolve in their next work. But there’s SO much going on in this book, particularly in terms of the narrative. It was dense and discombobulating, with a lot of world-building. I found it confusing and difficult to keep track of. The themes in the book are undoubtedly important, and I give my praise to her for attempting to tackle them. But reading this book felt like a chore and I just can’t keep up with it anymore.

2/5 stars ⭐️⭐️

A little while ago I read Africa Risen, a collection of short stories featuring authors from Africa focusing on the African Diaspora. It was a wonderful collection with a few authors I wanted to keep track of. One of whom was Tlotlo Tsmaase, who wrote a story called “Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition).” So when I saw that she was writing a novel, I just had to get my hands on it. Womb City is an incredibly dense and discombobulating debut that succeeds at some things while suffering from a few first-novel issues.

In this future, bodies are property and minds are not permanently tethered to the body they are born into. Nelah inhabits the body of another woman. She has no idea who this woman was in a past life, nor does she have many memories of her own life previous to inhabiting this body. She is a rising star within architecture, and she’s about to have a child with her husband who is a government employee. She is living the life, even to the point of having an affair with the charismatic and sexy Jasnith Koshal though that’s becoming more of a problem for her as she tries to settle down. But after winning and award for an architectural design, Nelah goes on a bender with Janith that ends in a hit-and-run. Though she tries to run, a curse starts to haunt her that threatens to expose her misdeeds to her husband and the world around her. It even starts to kill the ones she loves dearest. Who will Nelah become to stop the curse?

Tsamaase is an incredible writer. She captures the mental state of her characters vividly. Tsamaase knows how to place the reader inside the brain of her characters and let it ride. The first few chapters are a haze as Nelah navigates a few days of her life. There are mundane tasks to be completed, birth pods to visits, awkward conversations with family members, and a perceived attempt to steal a baby from a hospital. Tsamaase spends time highlighting how the body swapping technology employed has an insane set of rules that it’s hard to keep track of everything going on, especially mundane tasks. It’s a whirlwind of information that isn’t entirely explained. This isn’t Tsamaase’s fault as much as it seems to be built into the design of the system, Nelah truly doesn’t know what is considered stepping over the line, what is considered a crime, or just an everyday reaction. Throw in the fact that virtual reality machines are employed to predict whether you are someone capable of committing a crime by making you live through whole days at a time similar to a normal day, and it’s a confusing nightmare. I think Tsamaase’s instinct to let it play out is correct even if it causes the reader to bounce off of it initially. Letting the worldbuilding overwhelm the reader without any explanation until later is an immersive experience that lets you live it through Nelah’s eyes.

And while Tsamaase did a lot of heavy lifting to keep me interested, the beginning did flounder a little bit as the pace slowed. A lot of time is spent detailing Nelah’s life, the people she interacts with, what she thinks of them, what she thinks they think of her, and all that good internal stuff. It really solidifies who Nelah is, how she wants to be seen, and how the world is stacked against her (and any non-male really). It’s a brutal life, and Tsamaase delivers it wholesale. But it does drag a little bit because you are watching Nelah just face bullshit at every turn, and the inciting incident is still a little ways away. It helps that Nelah herself is a bit flawed, it drew me in. While we understand these systems as encompassing the entirety of her world, she takes it as a personal slight against her. This becomes a problem later in the book for me on a thematic level, but it feels like a good character choice.

The plot is a hurricane, with blasting winds of events and a calm but furious eye that passes over sporadically. Things really begin to kick off after the hit and run as an evil force begins to haunt Nelah and Jasnith. The horror elements are brilliant and terrifying. The ghost that follows Nelah is powerful and relishes the strength they have achieved in death. Tsamaase really digs into the gore, painting disgusting pictures of bodies and the ways they can be torn apart. It’s not so much revelry as it feels like a fact of life. Placed in a story about minds that can hop bodies over generations and the mortality becomes ultra clear. Even in a world that has transcended the flesh; pain, harm, and death are still very real. It was a great way to ground the threat to Nelah and Jansith. And the mysteries and conspiracies that are unraveled by the duo are as fun as they are daunting. But the lulls occur when the characters are forced to wait something out. And they aren’t bad lulls, but they are a bit noticeable. Especially when the ending becomes a speedrun for all of the reveals. Again, great reveals, but they came hard and fast.

Tsamaase explores some pretty heavy themes when it comes to bodily autonomy and who gets to exert power over whom. The gender relations (as in the real world) are totally fucked, and the body-swapping system cements some of the greater problems into a nigh unbreakable caste system that tracks the movement of every woman. Crimes are tracked by the physical flesh too, not just the mind that inhabits it. If you inhabit the body that has participated in a crime previous to your possession of it, then you’re on a special list. By the way, you don’t really get to choose the body you inhabit. If you don’t have a body, you exist in a sort of limbo until one becomes available. This leads to seems pretty fucking terrible stuff involving unwanted children and their bodies becomes products after the age of 18, sold to the next person in line, while those children are shunted into limbo. The use of virtual reality to test for crime potential to the point where it distorts your perception of reality was a terrifying thought, that I wish it was expanded upon a little more through the story. It serves as a nice shock in the beginning that isn’t really brought up again besides the threat of it happening. The story didn’t need more active suffering on Nelah’s part, but I think showing that sort of system in a broader fashion would have brought a deeper sense of unease to the world, though it would have been hard to pull off without “it was all just a dream,” every damn time it occurred.

And I think this is where a couple of my complaints rear their head the most. Nelah, while an interesting character, had a very limited perspective on the situation. The narrative slowly unravels more and more of the world to her, but so much of the suffering is focused on her position within society. There were discussions of the system as it affects everyone, but so much of it was internalized through Nelah’s thoughts, that they got lost within her own personal concerns. This also confused the rapid pace of the conclusion for me specifically. While I enjoyed the final act, it brought together some of the characters for a reckoning and a revelation by Nelah, so much of the pain and retribution felt personalized. I think it would have been an interesting contradiction, but it didn’t feel that purposeful.

Overall, I enjoyed Womb City despite its wonky nature. Tsamaase’s writing is some of my favorite recently and I will pick up anything she does. The world was dark, and filled with both Christian and African religions. The dystopia was terrifying even if it felt a little lop-sided. It explored the ramifications of such a system, and how it would control the increasing number of minds, while the body stock was limited. The people in charge of it are who you would expect, giving the “conspiracy” a realness to it. I am glad to have finally read it. If you’re curious, I don’t think you should turn away. It’s a good showcase of Tsamaase’s writing ability, and I’m even more interested in what she will bring to us in the future which is rapidly becoming her nightmare.

Rating: Womb City – I liked it despite its unevenness
-Alex

I just have to be honest with myself - I am not enjoying this book, and at the 52% mark I think I’ve given it enough of my time. Life is too short to read books that feel like a chore.

The positives:
- This is wildly creative, with really rich world-building that incorporates a lot of unique elements.
- The prose itself is well done. There is some great tension building and a lot of vivid description.

The not so positive:
- There is WAY too much going on in this book. The story and the world it’s set in is so convoluted. I found myself really struggling to keep everything straight, and just when I felt like I had my footing, the author added in some new element.
- The main character is so unlikable to me, which is fine - unlikable characters can be fun to observe - but she just…isn’t fun at all. I was just irritated with her nonstop, and found myself not caring at all what happened to her.
- The pacing is very inconsistent. There is no real flow to the story, and when that is paired with intense info dumps about world building, it really drains my desire to read

So that’s that - I’m quitting at 52%. I’m sure some folks will love this and find it brilliant; I am just accepting that I am not one of those people.

2 Stars

An intriguing premise that, unfortunately, doesn’t fully deliver. The book's surreal and dystopian setting was compelling, and the writing is solid, but that's where my praise stops.

The narrative feels disjointed, the characters seem paper thin, and as a result nothing in the story feels authentic. This book is trying to tackle profound topics, but the heavy-handedness of the author made it entirely too convoluted. Rather than exploring these concepts in a nuanced way, the plot feels over packed with ideas that simply don't support each other. Ideas that range from novel and interesting to completely derivative. We didn't need them all.

The pacing is another issue that made it hard to continue on. I am not a reader who wants every book to be fast paced. I want the pacing to work with the story, but here I felt that the pacing was actually working against the narrative. Plot elements were introduced with great importance only to be discarded shortly after; when one thread feels like it's finally gaining momentum, we switch gears into some new cumbersome plot...

I appreciate what this author was trying to do and the many great ideas introduced, but this felt like five novel ideas being shoved together.

Tlotlo Tsamaase’s debut novel, *Womb City*, unfolds in a dystopian Botswana where the intertwining of science fiction and horror offers a haunting exploration of societal oppression, identity, and the struggle for autonomy. Drawing comparisons to Margaret Atwood's *The Handmaid's Tale*, this novel tackles themes of female oppression, racial injustice, and the complexities of motherhood in a meticulously crafted, albeit grim, future.

The narrative centers on Nelah, a successful architect navigating a world steeped in technological surveillance and societal expectations. Living in a society where individuals can pay to extend their lives by transferring their consciousness into new bodies, Nelah grapples with infertility and an unhappy marriage to a controlling police officer. The stakes rise when she and her partner opt to use an artificial womb to conceive, leading to a tumultuous series of events following a tragic accident that forces Nelah to confront her fears and fight for survival.

*Womb City* shines in its thematic richness, particularly in its portrayal of female autonomy. Tsamaase poignantly depicts the societal shame placed on women who cannot conceive through “acceptable” methods, creating a visceral connection with readers who may relate to these struggles. The novel’s portrayal of a world where women's bodies are controlled and surveilled reflects deep-seated misogyny, classism, and colorism, echoing contemporary concerns about bodily autonomy and reproductive rights.

The intersectionality in Tsamaase's work is notable; the author thoughtfully incorporates race, gender identity, and sexuality into the narrative. Nelah is not just a woman facing societal pressures; she is a multifaceted character who embodies the complexities of identity in a world that often reduces individuals to their perceived societal roles.

Tsamaase's writing style is a blend of vivid imagery and emotional resonance, though it occasionally suffers from heavy-handed exposition. While the initial passages are beautifully crafted, establishing the novel's dark and oppressive tone, the narrative sometimes devolves into lengthy information dumps that disrupt the pacing. This could be attributed to the challenges of debut novel writing, where an author is still honing their craft.

The pacing issues detract from an otherwise gripping plot. As the story escalates into chaos following the pivotal accident, the tension builds effectively, leading to a climax that ties together the narrative threads. However, the foundation of world-building can feel overwhelming at times, with an encyclopedic approach that may alienate readers seeking a more streamlined experience.

Nelah is a deeply flawed protagonist, making her relatable despite her imperfections. The complexities of her character—her ambitions, insecurities, and desires—paint a portrait of a woman navigating an unjust society. Some readers may find her difficult to empathize with, but Tsamaase does not shy away from portraying the messiness of humanity. The supporting characters, including Nelah’s husband and her colleagues, add depth to the narrative, embodying various facets of the oppressive systems at play.

*Womb City* is a thought-provoking debut that challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about society, identity, and bodily autonomy. While it may not be perfect—grappling with pacing issues and occasionally uneven writing—the novel's exploration of profound themes, coupled with its imaginative world-building, makes it a compelling read. Tsamaase’s ability to weave together personal struggles with broader societal critiques is commendable, and this book will resonate with those who appreciate speculative fiction that doesn't shy away from hard truths.

For readers interested in dark dystopian narratives that tackle significant social issues through a speculative lens, *Womb City* is a must-read. Its emotional depth and challenging themes ensure that it will linger in the minds of its audience long after the final page is turned.

This one fell in the good not great range for me sadly. Will give this author another shot in the future though as the writing was pretty strong

Ebook received for free through Netgalley

I wanted to like the book and love the premise but I just couldn't get into it. I got 32% through the ebook before finding the audiobook and hoping that would let me continue the story. It stalled out at 50%. I like it but just keep putting it down and forgetting about it.... though I do hope to finish the story but can't keep holding the review hostage.

Tlotlo Tsamaase’s Womb City is a dark dive into dystopian science fiction, drenched in horror elements that unsettle and disturb. Set in a future where women are reduced to mere vessels for reproduction, the novel explores themes of infertility and societal acceptance of various fertilization methods. Fans of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale will find echoes of its grim vision here, as Tsamaase paints a world where autonomy is a distant memory, and humanity is a concept twisted beyond recognition.

The science in Womb City isn't grounded in reality as we know it, but that’s not the point. This isn’t hard science fiction. Instead, Tsamaase uses a blend of speculative concepts to craft a narrative that’s more concerned with the implications of its world than the mechanics. The speculative technology and biology serve as a backdrop to a story that’s more about control, power, and the crushing weight of a dystopian regime.

However, the story’s pacing is an issue. It takes until almost halfway through the book for the narrative to truly take off. The world-building, while rich and immersive, dominates the first half to such an extent that it often feels like not much is happening. This slow burn might turn off some readers, as the plot takes a backseat to the detailed but sometimes overwhelming setting. Additionally, much of the world-building is conveyed through character dialogue, which can become tedious and disrupt the flow of the story.

The main character is another contentious point. She’s not designed to be likable, and many readers might find her difficult to connect with. But that seems intentional—Tsamaase doesn’t want us to admire her protagonist; she wants us to understand the crushing reality of her existence. This choice, while bold, may leave readers divided.

In conclusion, Womb City is a harrowing exploration of a dystopian future that will resonate with readers who appreciate dark, thought-provoking narratives. However, the slow start and heavy reliance on dialogue for world-building might make it a challenging read for some. Despite its flaws, it’s a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned, a chilling reminder of what could be.

Really neat concept, but I could not really follow the plot. So many different themes came up and it felt like the story switched every 1/4 of the book. I unfortunately spent a lot of time generally confused. I did appreciate the diversity in characters, but also felt that so many of the themes about racism, classism, misogyny, etc were so bluntly and repeatedly stated it felt like it took away from dialogue or plot.

Womb City is a dystopian horror about a woman being haunted by the woman she killed.
Trying to prevent her family from being hunted and killed, she must first determine why and how this is happening.

This was a creepy read. It had the potential of being really good, but the pacing was off for me.
I found the beginning slow and a little boring, then a lot started happening all at once, and then the ending slowed right down again.
There were some twists that redeemed it a bit, but in the end I didn't think this was an amazing read.

Thank you for the copy of this title. This one was a hard one for me to finish only because I am not a fan of domestic issues I should have thought of that before. I can appreciate this book for its uniqueness and the concepts. If your wanting a book different from anything you read this is a great book to pick up.

In recent years I dnfed very few books. Unfortunately this storyline wasn't just for me. The pace, the non linear narrative everything I just didn't enjoyed from the very first. As i haven't finished the book, I am not giving it lower than three but I wished so. Whatever. But there was promise in the beginning. Maybe it could be better for other readers.

This book was sadly not as I had hoped it would be based on the amazing cover art. The book started of very very slow, where we were just bombarded with lots of world-building for the first 20-30% I wanna say. Then once we got more into it and certain things happened it got more interesting. However, at about 60% in I felt like it was starting to drag a bit too much.

The author also started throwing so much different things and stories and plots into the book after dragging us through all the world-building. It was as if the author wanted to tell us so many different things and instead of narrowing it down, it was just all thrown in there.

A lot of the writing was unnecessarily convoluted and felt dense in a way. I’d say a lot of the writing was not that reader friendly. If this book was 100 pages shorter, and instead of having long convoluted passages this could’ve been a really interesting dystopian book that would have me sitting by the edge of my seat. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

The ending was also very rushed in my opinion and just absolutely insane but not in a good way. Had it not been as rushed and maybe a bit more “realistic” it would have been more satisfactory.

DNF, but I am rating based on what I read.

The premise of this book was fantastic, but ultimately what I read did not live up to it. There were too many things going on and it was hard to keep track of. It felt disjointed and, as much as I tried to get into it, I had to give up.

3.75

I've read several of Tlotlo Tsamaase's short stories so I thought I knew what to expect with this debut novel but wow did it still take me by surprise. The book starts slowly, dropping the reader into this dystopian futuristic Botswana and then transitions into a thriller-esque paced story where Nelah (and the reader) are constantly questioning what's real and what's not.

This is a fascinating world where people can pay to move their consciousness into new bodies, and I loved how this technology highlighted the colorism and classism that still exists in this future world. Nelah is also micro-chipped to record her every thought and interaction, which her husband can review, and there is interesting commentary on family through Nelah's relationship's with her host body's biological family. There is a lot going on here, and to be completely honest, I think I need to reread to fully digest everything I read because there are so many interconnected concepts in this world but I loved the imagination.

The writing is beautiful, which contrasts with the dystopian nature of the world in a really interesting way. This definitely won't be a book for everyone, and I have mixed feelings on it, but I think it'll be a book that really strikes a chord with certain readers.

I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. The concept of body hopping by use of microchips and body monitoring was really interesting and made me want to read it. But the plot got very convoluted at times and I found myself skimming through a lot of the book.

Three stars for the intriguing synopsis. I may try to reread this in the future.

Female Rage. It was so satisfying at the end, and for the inner turmoil this book put me through from monitoring a woman's body, to fertility issues, to abusive relationships, that ending had to be satisfying to make the suffering worth it. Blood and rage.

I was disappointed in this book and I think that says more about me than it does about the book. I try over and over to read and love sci-fi. Theoretically, it should be a home run for me. I love technology and politics and epic stories.... but I can never get into it. This book was no different. It felt almost too complicated and maybe would've been better as a series or even a series of graphic novels.

A very fascinating concept that was not executed well. The rules of this world was very confusing, even though they kept be constantly explained.

I enjoyed reading this book but I have to say it is a lot. This book is science fiction with some horror elements and takes place in futuristic Botswana. It is a place where a person's consciousness can body hop to extend that their life and some are controlled with microchips to eliminate crime. The story follows Nelah, a successful woman living in a new body and controlled by a microchip because the body had previously committed a crime. Nelah and her husband have not been able to have a child and opt to buy an artificial womb. Nelah is not happy in her marriage and has an affair, a choice that will change her life forever.

I like that the book dealt with gender roles, classism, racism, motherhood and women's issues while navigating this future world. There were many twists in the story that surprised me and worked well. I did think that there was a lot of information especially about the rules of body hopping and microchipping. A few times I was rather confused. Definitely check out this book if you are looking for a sci-fi/horror read.