Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase is definitely out of this world or, in our world, in the far, far, future- where consciousnesses can be floated between bodies. However when it (the body or, more definitively, the person in the body) has committed a crime, the worth of it (the body), is much less to the person going into it. Whether you are the original owner of the body or the next person in it (or the third or fourth user), the government has you keep the family of the original owner, no matter who exactly is in it now- be it man, woman, elder, or youth. And it seems like you have a few cycles which last around sixty or seventy years in each body you get. A very unique tale indeed-

In the time and place of Womb City, women are locked up, outpacing men at a rate. They are also subject to daily reviews by their husbands of everything they do and say- unable to have any secrets, made to be the "perfect" woman, something that, in the end, I am sure, most can never live up to. Men can choose to have their consciousness put into a woman’s body, if it is their choice (or if one thinks that kind of thing is even a choice), but they are then subject to their thoughts, everything they do, to be seen and used against them.

Then there is the yearly review which is how the main character of Womb City, Nelah, how her world finally crumbles. Because while Nelah has done everything she can to be perfect, especially after being in a body used twice before her, the first owner having been a convicted criminal, with a bionic arm that no one will tell her about (why it was lost from the previous owner), it is her future crimes that get her into trouble. And all this happens right as Nelah and her husband have obtained an artificial womb and their baby is to be born in several months. But, without Nelah’s freedom, who will pay for the rental of the artificial womb for her child? And if her husband won’t or can’t, will her child lose the perfect body she has been given only to be subject to a body that, like her own, has many things wrong with it and is judged harshly for it by the establishment? Have her consciousness ejected and subjected to something lesser because of parents who couldn't give her what she is due? Her own body?

Womb City is definitely a book set apart from others, an exciting and compelling read, set in future Botswana- where privacy is forgotten, forbidden for women, and bodies are interchangeable, but only for the wealthy. Womb City leaves readers with many questions and helps them find answers, as the book proceeds. Also, it deals with the issues of putting the cart before the horse when Nelah is deemed criminal because of a crime she would commit in the future, well, how can anyone say what a person might or might not do? Especially after it is made known to them that they could commit a future offense?

Thought provoking and adventurous, Womb City is a definite must read!

This isnt a book that I wouldn't normally pick up but I'm glad I did because this book blew me away. I love each moment of this book. I didnt want to put it down. It was such a fast and enjoyable read.

Wow, wow, wow. This is a powerful depiction of how deeply oppressive systems devastate every member of society, acting as a curse that orchestrates the self-destruction of each generation, well hidden by those who falsely believe they benefit from these systems.

The world and concepts in this book are so intriguing. I especially loved what the author did with the concept of reincarnation.

My only two points of criticism are concerning the writing. I loved it for the most part, but there were quite a few times where I didn’t feel the scene was being explained very well and I had a hard time following. There were also quite a few grammatical errors. I think the book could use one more round of editing, but I’m still going to give it a 4.5/5.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, publishers, and Tlotlo Tsamaase for an advanced copy of Womb City in exchange for an honest review.

"In our city, everyone lives forever. But murder hangs in the air like mist."

This book is described as a horror novel blended with The Handmaid's Tale and Get Out - it does EXACTLY that. This book explores themes of motherhood, racism, bodily autonomy, feminism, child loss, and the lengths the patriarchy will go to in order to pit women against each other. Tlotlo does not hold back - xer writing is utterly raw and honest. I would highly suggest checking out the trigger warnings before reading this book but if you are comfortable with the tragic themes it explores you will not be disappointed.

"I want it all like my husband wants it all-only he gets applauded, and I get condemned for wanting too much."

I was very excited to dive into this book, but as I worked through the beginning I felt a little unsure. There was a lot of world building and info-dumping, particularly involving the workings of how the people in this dystopian world can move from body to body if they have the right amount of money. This resulted in a lot of repetition and moments were I felt like "didn't I just read this?". But as I settled into the world and the plot I was hooked.

"The hate for the Black identity is infinite, and ocean of wrath forever raging."

If you liked the body horror elements that P. Djèlí Clark brought in his book Ring Shout, I don't think you'll be let down by this one. There are elements that may feel a bit convoluted, but I couldn't bring myself to care because once the story started going it was SPRINTING full speed ahead and there was no looking back.

"Our bodies are wombs to bear murder."

I feel that I can't say much about the plot without giving too much away, this is truly a book where the less you know the better. There are many horrors and twists and turns. It was a rocky start but the ending and themes it explores are worth every bit of your time.

This is a wild sci-fi, afro-cyberpunk story. Due to world building at the beginning it felt a little slow but still a cool story. Thanks for this ARC!

Wow, wow, wow. This is a powerful depiction of how deeply oppressive systems devastate every member of society, acting as a curse that orchestrates the self-destruction of each generation, well hidden by those who falsely believe they benefit from these systems.

The world and concepts in this book are so intriguing. I especially loved what the author did with the concept of reincarnation.

My only two points of criticism are concerning the writing. I loved it for the most part, but there were quite a few times where I didn’t feel the scene was being explained very well and I had a hard time following. There were also quite a few grammatical errors. I think the book could use one more round of editing, but I’m still going to give it a 4.5/5.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the tone and the writing style in this! The opening was a bit slow – I felt like I had to slog through 70 pages of the same things being told over and over again. Nelah’s pain and helplessness in the face of her reality are raw and palpable, and I felt for her in a visceral way.

Overall, I think this was a very good book, just not for me.

Body-hopping, microchips, murder

Wow, what a wild ride this book was!
A slow-burn to start while introducing the characters and building the storyline however from the 30% mark it became harder and harder to put down.

We follow Nelah who is a microchipped woman married to a policeman who feels intimidated by her success. After becoming unhappy in her marriage she finds warmth and excitement in another man. One drug-fuelled night together ends in an accident that takes away an innocent life. A life that does not die when the victim’s heart stops.

The author’s beautiful writing captures what it is like to be a woman in a male’s world with all odds stacked against you. With elements including horror and gore it also depicts the impact of race, class and privilege and holds the readers attention until the very end.

This is a story that you will be thinking about even afterward you’ve closed the book.

“I only want to be free. To live freely”

The content notice at the start of the book is much appreciated as this story depicts some topics that may be a trigger to some.

Mind bending sci-fi! There is a lot going on in this book.

I just reviewed Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase. #WombCity #NetGalley

Completely mesmerized with the world building and characters! The dystopian feel this book has is incredible. The Story takes place in a world where humans can body-hop as a method of immortality, we follow protagonist, Nelah, who is microchipped and kept watched by her Policeman of a Husband.
She’s not content with her marriage therefore she’s having an affair and it results in her having a pregnancy outside of her body. The novel touches topics such as racism, feminism, misogyny, and how a power hungry society would act. Just add a ghost, a murder and Nelah’s strong willfulness and it makes one extraordinary and unique book. Tlotlo Tsamaase’s world building was captivating and i cant wait for this book to be out to recommend this to sci-fi/ dystopian loving book readers!

3.5 stars rounded up. What a crazy ride this book.

We follow a woman who is microchipped and monitored for crime in a world where people can body-hop as a means of immortality. She’s in a loveless marriage, having an affair, and growing a baby outside her body. Throw in a ghost, a murder, and heavy feminist themes, and you’re looking at quite a novel.

This took so many twists and turns. I predicted a couple things, but for the most part was surprised. I thought the writing was fairly good, but the imagery specifically was top-notch. I loved loved loved the multiple discussions of women being seen as lesser than, easily discarded, and of no purpose. The author (xe/xim) does a fantastic job of looking at this sexist thinking and turning it on its side. Xe’s also touches on the effects of privilege, class, race, and even nationality. There’s so much going on in the book, but the author finds a way to insert important commentary about their world that highly reflects our own reality.

The book is a bit far-fetched and borderlines on being convoluted, however I had an enjoyable time reading it. I wasn’t blown away, but I was invested in the characters and their outcome. I do think it could use another round or two of editing as some parts read like a rough draft. Like parts would seem to stretch out longer than necessary and there were moments I had to re-orientate myself in the story to figure out what was going on. Overall, I do think this is really enjoyable and unique. I’d recommend to sci-fi readers who love government controlled worlds in which people fight back. I’d also recommend to anyone looking for a unique ghost story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the eARC. All opinions are my own and freely given. Publication date: Jan. 23, 2024

Here's me being cliche: "It's me. Hi, I'm the problem. It's me."

Sci-fi is a hit or miss for my brain: sometimes I can click right into a story, and other times my brain says "ah! too much technology!" and dashes away. This, obviously, is a total me thing and in no way a criticism of this book. But because of my brain's weird relationship with heavy technology in stories, I couldn't get into the story like I really wanted to.

But god, what an incredible premise, and such a richly-imagined world, and there's these insane moments of prose-gah! (I really wish my brain had cooperated with this book. ) All of this wrapped up with that sharp, feminist edge Tsamaase delivers so well? I feel confident recommending this book to my sci-fi-reading friends.

Mind bending dystopian science fiction. Contains many extraordinary elements of what a misogynistic power hungry society could look like. Then a hit and run with severe repercussions. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

I was absolutely mind blown with this one! It takes it time to build up the world and introducing characters before we get to the event that works as the catalyst for the plot. After that the author throws everything and the kitchen sink to the plot, and yet it still works. There's so many big twists and plot points that the story constantly balances on the edge of becoming ridiculous, but by the seer talent of the author and by xer writing skills I'm willing to believe everything she tells me. Honestly by the end of the book xe could have been like "The government is actually dinosaurs cosplaying as humans to overthrow humanity." and I would have been like that makes total sense!

Body hopping feminist science fiction ghost story about racism and misogyny what more can you want from a book?

I will be recommending this to everyone I come across and will definitely be checking out all of the authors future work. Womb City already has a place on my favorite works of fiction.

Ps. Who ever approved my NetGalley request to read this book I hope you're getting your ass ate tonight.