Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book, with my honest review below.

I read Yours for the Taking and was excited to see The Shutouts, the follow up to that story, coming out. Gabrielle Korn has fascinating ideas that play out well in her books, and The Shutouts was a great revisit back into a screwed up world (that could in some ways be our future). What I found most interesting, outside of the characters, was the insight into the build up to the big climate disaster that cause The Inside to be created. We see a lot about how things may have been prevented with Vero doing what was right, and what his cult like group later became under Len’s leadership. We also see what happens next for Ava and Brook. Most fascinating though was Kelly, who acts as the view into what happened before The Inside. The only thing I couldn’t really get past was Orchid’s disregard for her letters!

I loved this book and would read anything that Korn writes. Climate change, dystopian, queer and survival…yes please!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

As someone who loves Yours For The Taking, I LOVED this book as well. This author has lovely and engaging writing that always makes reading her books an amazing experience.

This may of worked better for me if it was a stand-alone, because i had forgotten the characters as it'd been too long, so I felt confused about some motivations and relationships. Other than that, the story was well written and i enjoyed the characters!

The Shutouts is simultaneously both a sequel and a prequel to Gabrielle Korn’s previous book, Yours For The Taking. This story follows the fall of society due to climate change and the things people do to survive. The Shutouts is an incredible story showcasing all types of queer folks, and imagines how people might try to save society, might try to be selfish with their knowledge, or might retain their empathy to help each other survive and live their best lives despite heartbreaking circumstances. I loved it, and it terrifies me knowing that a future like this could potentially exist not too far from know. A great read for anyone who enjoys dystopian novels.

Ok, so this is partially on me for not realizing that this was a follow up to a previous novel, so I was a bit confused going in but still very intrigued. Unfortunately though this just wasn't for me. I never really found myself connecting with the story or it's characters. Although I will say that I enjoyed Kelly's letters/POV the most, and hated that in the end Orchid never got them/read them.

I quite liked the first book in this series (duology?) so I was glad to get the chance to read this one.

This is a good companion piece to Yours For the Taking - it covers the time before the Inside Project and after, which helped elaborate on the climate crisis and expand the world we were seeing. Unfortunately, I did feel that some of the themes could have used some nuance. I agree wholeheartedly with the authors take on politics and climate change and the problems with power corrupting but it was a bit too on the nose.

Ultimately, it’s a nice - if abrupt - ending the story begun in the first book. I recommend to anyone who enjoys cli-fi, especially with a queer bent. 3.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Climate change dystopian novel told on multiple timelines with mulitple viewpoints, with plenty of queer representation. Well, basically every character was queer. Or queerish? I found the treatment of the subject of domestic abuse to be thoughtfully layered, and appreciated that she domonstrated that anyone can be affected by it, no matter how intellegent and independent they are. I wish there was more balance in gender representation, mostly because every male-identifying character ended up being evil except for one elderly father figure.

I think this officially marks the decision that I will read anything Gabrielle Korn publishes. A five star read, same as <i>Yours for the Taking</i>. Without giving away any spoilers, <i>The Shutouts</i> picks up right from where the previous book left off for some perspectives, but also provides more background by have a perspective in the 2040s. Rather than focusing again on New York, Korn opens the dystopia landscape to encompass the entirety of the United States and explores experiences beyond the Insides.

I appreciate the wrapping up of the storylines without completely closing off this version of Earth's future. I hope that Korn continues with a third installment, but readers will still be satisfied if she chooses not to.

Endless thank yous to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this arc!

i cant believe i got to read ANOTHER queer dystopian book by Gabrielle Korn. this story made the world bigger, and more complex in the best way. i’m craving more.

The sequel we've been waiting for did not disappoint. I liked that the point of the story was the journey not what happened upon arrival - in either timeline.

Satisfying ending, although bittersweet.

There was a ton to love about this one. While it didn't hit as hard as Yours for the Taking IMO it's definitely still a terrific read. Once again, queer, feminist, dystopian, climate-change sci-fi is apparently my jam and I need more in this genre!

I did find the pacing a bit slow due to the back-and-forth of timelines, and there is scene which - while I could tell from context was coming - I wish I had had a trigger warning for at the start of the book. Please authors and publishers... I am BEGGING you for trigger warnings in books!!!!! With this said, I do think that the scene (attempted SA) was poignant as it reflected the differences in life that Brook knew Inside without men and the dangers that are very real outside.

Overall, I'm mostly left wishing I had a group to discuss this book with. Much like the first, Korn has created a novel that begs to be a bookclub book with endless discussion points.

This is part two of the series that starts with Yours For The Taking. I would highly recommend reading it first to understand the timeline and characters.

In this book there are multiple points of view going back to Kelly, an environmental activist in 2040 and jumping to 2071 after the world collapses with Ava, her daughter Brook and Camille, Shelby’’s sister. In book one Shelby was recruited to be executive assistant to Jacquline Millender who develops and orchestrates the Inside project.

Ava and Brook have escaped from Inside and are looking for July, Ava’s other daughter who was abducted and is on the spaceship with Jacquline and Shelby.

Kelly has a daughter Orchid who survives the collapse and is living in the wilderness. It turns out that she and Ava were together at the start of book one and meet again in the second book.

The majority of the book is about Kelly and her activist friends and their plan to expose the government in not stopping global warming.

I liked parts of this book and was curious to get the end and see the connections between all the characters over the 40 year time span. This one did not have as many new inventions or ideas as book one.

ARC received from Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.

The year is 2041, and it's a dangerous time to be a woman driving across the United States alone. Deadly storms and uncontrollable wildfires are pummeling the country while political tensions are rising. But Kelly's on the road anyway; she desperately needs to get back to her daughter, who she left seven years ago for a cause that she's no longer sure she believes in.

Almost 40 years later, another mother, Ava, and her daughter Brook are on the run as well, from the climate change relief program known as The Inside Project, where they've spent the past 22 years being treated as lab rats. When they encounter a woman from Ava’s past on the side of the highway, the three continue on in a journey that will take them into the depths of what remains of humanity out in the wilderness.

At the same time, way up North, weather conditions continue to worsen and a settlement departs in search of greener pastures, leaving behind only two members, drawn together by a circumstance and a mystery they are destined to unravel together. Set in the world of Gabrielle Korn's Yours for the Taking, The Shutouts tells the captivating story of those who have been shut out from Inside, their fight to survive, and an interconnectedness larger than all of them.

I do not understand how this second in the series surpassed the first, which is one of my favorite books of all time. (Okay, I'll admit a lot of books fit that bill, but I loved the first in this series. Be sure to read it first to enjoy this one to the max!)

Excellent writing. Fantastic character development. Fast paced drama every step of the way. There is no time like the present for a climate-induced dystopia to take the reading (educated!) populace by storm. The only thing I can think of to criticize about this book (and it's not really a criticism of the book as much as of society as a whole) is that it's very queer—which I LOVE, don't get me wrong—but I think it limits the market, and more people should read this wonderful book!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

This book gave me nightmares in the best way. It made my brain reach another level. Kudos to Korn.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

If this were a silent review, it would start with me plopping down in my seat and just staring wide-eyed at the camera for a solid 10 seconds. I'd show you this book, and then I'd just start slamming it on the table and pointing to it repeatedly. I would hug it a few times, I'd affectionately bite it a few times, and then I'd flip through the pages with fervor, expressing just how engulfed i was. Through the lens, I'd extend this book, trying to shove it into your hands. Finally, leaving it upright before the camera, I'd depart from view, leaving its allure lingering.
*End Scene*.

BUT SERIOUSLY, how does the second book rival the first?!

Let me dive right in: "The Shutouts" has instantly claimed a spot among my top reads of 2024. It's staggering how much I adored it, though considering how "Yours For The Taking" captivated me in 2023, maybe not so surprising. This queer dystopia series couldn't have asked for a better follow-up. And you know what? If this installment concludes the saga, I wouldn't feel an ounce of dissatisfaction. It tied up every loose end impeccably. There were moments where I didn't get precisely what I anticipated (which, oddly, enhanced the experience), but goodness, I'm at a loss for words now. I'm eagerly awaiting Gabrielle Korn's next venture. Her writing?! This narrative?! It's on another level. Put this on your TBR immediately. It comes out Dec 3rd, 2024.

A huge "Thank you" to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for providing me with an advanced readers copy so that I may give my honest feedback and review.

(This review has been uploaded on my Goodreads and will be enthusiastically. shared with my IG followers.)

This, unfortunately, was not it for me. I LOVED Yours For the Taking so so much, I had been looking forward to The Shutouts since it was announced, so I'm trying to process why/how this book could be such a letdown for me. The ending left me feeling so unsatisfied, and the lead up to it was filled with unnecessary filler.

SPOILERS BELOW

The letters never got to Orchid, but her dad actually listening to her mom was nice, I guess. But to write that Orchid found the letters and just BRUSHED THEM ASIDE. Like what?? The book was about the letters, so many DETAILS, and we get a sentence of Orchid just shoving them aside. I can't.

The cult could have been explored more. Maybe I missed it, but who is the current cult leader? What happened to Madly? What truly happened to the babies? Did Vero really have cancer?

Also more on how other people are surviving, the book is called The Shutouts, so I assumed it was going to be more about how the people "shut out" of Inside were handling things, maybe that's just me?

I feel like the author wanted to do so much, but did nothing really, except maybe tell a story about a mother trying to get back to her daughter.

I will say, I did enjoy all the different queer identities represented, but this book could have been a novella.

This series hits right in a very niche sweet spot for me - sci-fi climate change dystopia with hella queer characters at the end of the world! It was an absolutely excellent follow up to Korn’s dystopian duology. I thought it rounded out the series out very nicely and had great pacing. I read it in a day and I didn’t want to put it down!!

🌈Queer rep: main characters - bi/pan female mcs, nonbinary person (they/them), lesbian female mc, FF relationships, NB/F relationship, NB/NB relationship (AFAB/AMAB). Secondary - pan male and female characters, nonbinary characters, trans poly guy. Queer normative society, polynormative society.