Book Review | "The Shutouts" by Gabrielle Korn
A Queer Dystopian Novel: Global Warming Is Coming for All of Us

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The Shutouts is a queer dystopian novel chronicling a fictionalized version of our current and future environmental issues. This global warming tale is right on track with our current real-life trajectory, rooted in science and truth, ringing eerily authentic.

The novel involves parallel storylines nearly 40 years apart: one in 2041 following Kelly’s dangerous trek across the States and the other in 2078 where Max leaves a strict commune searching for a life on the outside.

Kelly’s story is one of a young mother with a history of involvement with resistance movements, mainly aimed at ending global warming and fighting big business and the government choosing money over humanity. Kelly’s path is met with heartache and loss, both romantically and familiarly, all for the greater good.

Max finds themself safe and sound in a commune-type society where technology supports their Earth-saving efforts in a highly regulated and oppressive way but that wasn’t always the case. Max breaks free of their chains and discovers the real world outside.

As the reader flips back and forth in time and narrative, we find out how these stories meet, weaving a tale of the United States’ downfall and status decades later—detailing the normality of intense storms, flooding, wildfires, and heat waves and the repercussions. Sound familiar?

Is there hope for survival or is it too late?

Although The Shutouts is a standalone novel set in the world of Korn’s previous book Yours for the Taking, I can’t help but wonder whether I should have started with the latter. The experience was fraught with moments of disorientation, circling back to discover if I’d missed a chapter. This resulted in a choppy intake of the story, playing catchup consistently throughout.

However, the disorientation was balanced with deep, robust vignettes full of ripe detail, unleashing a cinematic adventure in my brain. Gabrielle Korn’s ability to transplant the reader into her vision is uncanny, delivering pockets of literary joy. In the moments of confusion, Korn’s writing saved the day and reeled me back in.

I was left longing for more, desperately needing the rest of the story to be filled in. The novel felt like it had finished prematurely, leaving more questions than answers. The concept is intriguing but the story development left something to be desired, plagued with gaps between the brilliant pieces. It’s safe to say you will complete the novel wishing you had more of this interesting queer dystopian adventure.

And if you choose to listen to this novel, Narrator Gail Shalan knocks it out of the park, breathing life into each distinctive character. Shalan delivers an engaging and skillful performance, masterfully tackling all voices and narratives.

Gabrielle Korn has created a scary but rich world where our consumption will result in real consequences. Somehow global warming has become a political conversation, becoming controversial in nature—but Korn bakes it in rather than throws it in your face. The topic is the fabric of the novel, set as the foundation on which we build and this is performed beautifully.

Overall, I want to know more about this world and Korn’s characters and I want to continue the journey as I feel we have not reached the end of this story.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First and foremost, I want to note to future readers - Please read Yours for the Taking before reading this book. The one thing I don't see recommended enough in the summary and in promotions for this book, is the fact it truly is a sequel to Yours for the Taking. You can read it by itself but you won't understand the backstory and connections between a lot of the characters and you may not understand how we got to this point and this dystopian future. The summaries I've seen only refer to this as a novel from the author of Yours, but the cast of characters is about 80% of the cast from the previous book and it will assist you in understanding Ava, Orchid, Brook, and others.

The first book focuses on the need for portions of society to enter into The Inside Project since climate change is making living outside hard to manage. Those on the outside, are forced to travel into far northern areas of Canada in order to find climates which are more desirable to live. This second book, concentrates on the survivors on the outside as well as seeing Ava and Brook escaping from Inside, to rejoin with Orchid, a previous love interest of Ava.

I love the story about fighting for survival, finding love amid the chaos and downfall of humanity, and found family. The story gets bigger as we explore some of the issues which lead up to climate change as well as some who leveraged resources to try and ensure survival once the world changed. Overall, a very good follow-up to the first but I do think some readers were unaware this story is really a sequel, and whether intended or not, a lot of the meat of this book does rely on knowing what happened while people were Inside, and what happened before people went Inside.

I requested this title on NetGalley because I listened to the audiobook of Yours for the Taking earlier this year and really enjoyed it. I was pleased to find out there would be another installment in the series, and enjoyed listening to the audiobook of The Shutouts. I thought this was a great continuation of some of the character stories I became familiar with in the first book, and I found the addition of new stories added interesting depth and perspective to the story. Sometimes I find dystopian settings to be so outlandish and that can make it hard to connect with, but the climate and political factors of this dystopian world feel very plausible, making the story feel tangible. The way the different storylines overlapped and intertwined was exciting and kept me looking forward to finding out how characters would continue to be connected.

As always, Gabrielle Korn does a beautiful job weaving diversity into their stories without making it feel performative or forced. I love the natural feeling of the inclusion of characters with various identities, and always appreciate seeing this represented in my reads. These characters have diverse identities, but that is not their whole identity, and I hope to see that represented more in the publishing industry.

The only big drawback for me was that it was difficult at times to keep the different timeframes and individual characters separated in my mind. This may have had to do with the format in which I was consuming the book (audio versus ebook or physical). Either way, the difficulty to follow did pull me back from being as engaged as I would have liked to be in the story. Overall, I find this series to be a unique take on dystopian fiction that is highly enjoyable. I look forward to reading future works by this author if they are to publish more in this series or otherwise.

I rated this book at 4 out of 5 stars.

I’ve also recommended this book to both personal friends and library patrons.

I noted in my response that my library is unlikely to purchase this audiobook because our audiobook budget is quite limited, and Yours for the Taking has not been purchased on audiobook. However, my library does have Yours for the Taking in both regular and large print, and we have placed an order for The Shutouts in hard copy. Both titles appear on our Pride Month Collection list as well.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio for this Audio ARC!

4.5 stars - thanks to NetGalley, St.Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy.

My first book of 2024 was Yours for the Taking and I knew it was going to be a good reading year! Then, I learned this book was coming out and was really excited for a companion novel to one I already loved and this lived up to my expectations and then some! Both novels fall into a perfect niche for me with a well built, captivating dystopian landscape and so many interesting characters - many of whom are queer.

Korn does such a wonderful job of crafting an engaging story that I didn't want to put down (finished in less than 24 hours) while weaving in strong social commentary in a way that feels real, raw and honest, without filling myself as a reader, with a sense of dread.

While I believe this can function as a stand alone novel, I heavily recommend first picking up Yours for the Taking so that you have even richer background knowledge about the world this story takes place in, and more appreciation and excitement for the connections our characters have between each other (within both novels and across them)!

Already craving more queer dystopian reads (as per usual)!!

I had really liked Korn’s previous novel and had really appreciated the questions it raised with the “utopia” it built. Korn continued to excel in the intersection of strong queer representation and unsettling cli-fi dystopia in this one. Where Yours For the Taking had more of a conventional plot, this one focuses more on character exploration and subtly building the bleak situation the world is in. There are 2 perspectives but it tells a story of three different timelines and the characters are compelling and well built. I think having the background Yours For the Taking really made me appreciate the deeper worldbuilding here and I personally wouldn’t recommend skipping it, they complement each other very well.
I enjoyed the narration by Gail Shalan for this one and found it to be easy to follow for me. It might be a bit confusing as an audiobook initially for people not used to the format or for someone who has trouble keeping up with multiple timelines.

This story is somewhat related to an earlier novel by this author, Yours For the Taking. It's set in the same world and features some of the same characters. I plan to read this novel but haven't read it before I jumped into this.
This is a complete story even without reading the other related novel. However, I think I would've understood more what was being offered in this novel if I had. Honestly, I think it only really mattered at the end. I think the conclusion probably hits harder if the reader has also read the first novel.

This story has 2 alternate timelines: 2041 and 2078. It's a kind of circular story about motherhood, climate change, and the challenge of creating meaningful but free communities.

Ultimately, it's a dystopian novel for our times, and it left me filled with a sense of peace. This is both surprising and extremely well done. This focuses on LGBTQIA+ peoples within communities. The characters' gender or sexuality isn't the focus of the story and mostly fades into the background. I particularly loved how the trans characters' concerns weren't over their identity. So, it was a story full of people who happened to be from marginalized genders.

I also liked the call out or call in about how anarchist communities can too often mirror the same power structures as our present society. And how that leads to the same oppression we are fighting. Of course, these communities aren't truly anarchist. They wear their beliefs as a costume. Still, that's far too present in our current society as well. This is a fine balance, and the novel never feels preachy.

The narrator of this novel is Gail Shalan. Her voice was perfect for this story. She didn't use different voices the characters. Instead, her narration mostly inhabits the background, allowing the reader to immerse themselves wholly into the story. I loved the effect of this choice.

Thank you to Gabrielle Korn, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

"The Shutouts" is a captivating dystopian novel set in the intriguing world of Korn's "Yours for the Taking." The story unfolds in 2041, immersing readers in a gripping narrative about survival and connection. At first glance, the survivors appear isolated, but their intertwined fates are revealed in unexpected and unbelievable ways as the plot develops. The pacing is generally strong, keeping you engaged while exploring the complexities of each character's journey. The world-building is impressive, with a well-crafted atmosphere that draws you into this bleak yet thought-provoking landscape. The themes of connection and resilience resonate strongly and leave a lasting impression. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read that I recommend for fans of the genre. 4 out of 5 stars!

The Shut Outs by Gabrielle Korn, once again I read the Kindle and listen to the audio narrated by Gail Shallen and I must admit I preferred the Kindle version much better but overall really didn’t like the book. I always start with the audio and in the beginning it was Max and Sterrett it was in this very first chapter that I started thinking OMG this is part of the series because what the hell is B3K throughout the book it takes many different forms from food to cloth to wild weeds, that cannot be contained but I digress it’s a minor point just something that irritated me. Then it’s Kelly‘s turn writing to her youngest daughter about things I would never share with any of my children then we also get a POV from a ragtag group of political vigilantes then a POV from Ava and Brooke and I think headed been a story about Ava and Brooke an orchid I would’ve enjoyed it much better the things that were said or said with such intensity is if I too should be feeling this Grand momentum that this moment belies. Sometimes you read a second book in a series and you can easily catch on catch up and enjoy but I don’t feel that is the case with this book. Throughout the book they talk about things is it I should already be in the know and I wasn’t, maybe had I read the first book I would’ve enjoyed it much much better but I DK. I also want to say I found it so hard to keep track of who is talking to who. When there’s two non-binary people conversating with each other I just recently got my brain to recognize that they is not more than one person and so to throw two N-B’s people together having a conversation and constantly referring to them as them and they almost made my head explode. Maybe I am just too old for this content lol! #NetGalley, #McMillanAudio,#GailShallen, #GabrielleKorn, #TheShutOuts,

THE SHUTOUTS is an interesting and dark dystopian featuring a diaspora of queer characters. I've heard this is the second book in the series, and maybe that explains some of the disconnect I felt from it, even though ultimately THE SHUTOUTS is a book about missed connections themselves. Would I have liked this more if I realized it were connected to another book? Perhaps. 3 star territory for now.

I enjoyed the audio production and felt like our narrator was a fantastic choice for the diverse voices we were exposed to. I had a bit of a time keeping track with the dual timelines in the beginning but once the story got going I was set. Overall, I enjoyed the premise and the alternate-universe setting. Overall, I found myself more interested in the world than the actual characters. I love dystopian type stories— so for me, even if I wasn’t as invested in the characters I enjoyed the story.

The Shutouts is a very interesting thought experiment (hopefully just that!) that downplays a reveal of elites purposefully slow-rolling climate change response in order to reduce the population and then save the day.
We first see descendents of this - in an enclave reliant on reconstructed technology while others are in primitive states and/or constant fear of floods, fires, and other disasters. Then we see the flashbacks of people rebelling against and then coopted by these groups via well-connected political families.
The main focus is on the bonds of people in these communities, often focused on those drawn together because of gender fluidity or other differences. Of course even in the utopian world there are abuses of power, leading to a journey of found camaraderie.
It's an interesting view of how humanity shapes and adapts to circumstances.

This was a good dystopian book. I enjoyed the twist throughout this book and I found the character to be very interesting. Overall this was an okay read. I would have liked it to be a hit longer so it had more explanation about the world but still this was a good book.

Once again…not sure what I just finished?!

I guess it might’ve helped to know that this was book #2…although that is not mentioned anywhere that I see. So, MAYBE, if I’d read book #1 (which is not even listed as part of this series on Goodreads, BUT, according to some other reviews, the worlds/characters in this story stem from that story…. ?????

And, MAYBE, if I was able to keep track of the huge cast in this story, that might have also helped.

Add to that that Max is referred to as they/them/their throughout the story…so each time Max is mentioned as, eg… ‘they came to the store…well, I kept wondering who was with Max…. I know, that’s a ME problem…but a problem all the same.”

Again, these are all MY opinions, so don’t take them too much to heart…

This one also has alternating timelines…2041 and 2078…
And mothers and daughters…and a kind of dictatorship / leadership undertone…as well as mistreatment of young (teenage) girls by the much older men in charge.

And, because I felt totally confused at times, as well as the fact that the story kept branching out all over the place, I am giving it 2 1/2 ⭐️⭐️💫, rounded up to 3.

#TheShutouts by #GabrielleKorn and narrated nicely by #GailShalan.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which is due to be released IN ABOUT ONE WEEK, on 12/3/24! So, look 👀 for it then!!

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I truly love queer dystopian books. I love the friendships, the personal development, the themes and tropes - it all hits so hard throughout the whole book.

While there are a lot of important themes that The Shutouts is setting up, this is unfortunately a DNF at 18% for me. The Shutouts centers around climate crisis and corporate adaptations to the crisis, with an Inside and an Outside, where those inside have access to safety and security in a way those outside do not. The early stages of the book focused too much on personal traumas for me to enjoy the setup. It will be a good read for those who perhaps see themselves in young queer characters - but for me I need something other than young-20-somethings-against-the-world trauma. I suspect this will read well for Gen Z's and young Millennials passionate about climate change. For this jaded elder millennial, the framing of the story just didn't click.

It’s 2041, and the U.S. is a dangerous place for a woman traveling alone, with deadly storms, wildfires, and rising political tensions. Still, Kelly’s on the road, desperate to reunite with the daughter she left behind seven years ago for a cause she no longer believes in. Meanwhile, Ava and her daughter Brook have spent 22 years as unwilling participants in The Inside Project, a climate change relief program, and are now on the run. Their paths cross with someone from Ava’s past, setting them on a journey through the wilderness, just as up North, worsening weather drives a settlement away, leaving two people to unravel a shared mystery.

This book is highly politically driven and I really resonated with this book a lot. It's a bit of a slow burn, but I think this book takes on serious issues dealing with climate change and the political actions of corruption and greed. I think if you have been triggered by the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, this book would also trigger you as well but also give you the urge to continue to fight for human rights and climate change action. This book is the follow up to the author's last book, but I didn't read that one nor had any issues following this one. The non-binary and LGBTQ+ representation in this book was a great addition to the storytelling. I really enjoyed the audiobook of Gabrielle Korn's writing style and would definitely be interested in seeing what this author has for readers next.

There were multiple sections of this book missing from the audiobook. I only know this because I won a giveaway of the print copy ARC so I was following along. It made the audiobook very disjointed and I feel badly for anyone who only listens to this version of the audiobook because there is so so so much missing that leaves context and important events out of the story. I enjoyed the full story but I can’t say I enjoyed this audiobook for this reason. This dystopian novel feels a bit too real in the face of our current world. Climate change deniers, men’s rights activists, and the patriarchy still run rampant in a dystopian world. The book touches on cults and the rich that horde information that could save the whole world and the entire population. But somehow love still shines through and thrives in a world like this.

This audio kept me HOOKED!
The TWISTS! GASP out loud! Shook me. Loved the ending.
Excellent found family, leaving home, dystopian and queer.
At times the timeline confused me - and keeping with all the characters. I could have used a graph lol.

Thank you so very much to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and Gabrielle Korn. This book is for sure one of my favorites of the year! Maybe it's the parallels to reality (yikes), or to some of my other favorite dystopian novels, or maybe it's the focus on climate change and F the Patriarchy vibes... but whatever it is, I loved it. This is one i'll definitely recommend to everyone I know!

"The Shutouts" alternates between multiple time periods as a group of people grapple with catastrophic climate change and a government conspiracy that keeps humankind from addressing the problem. Human civilization is no longer life as we know it, and small microcommunities (some might say cults) crop up in response to the crisis. The conflict between "tribes" is inevitable.

This is a tough book for me to rate, because I came into it not realizing that it was the second book in a series. Perhaps because of that, I often had trouble keeping track of the characters and how they related to each other. The time jumps were a little difficult to follow on audiobook as well. As is common of speculative clifi fiction, there's a meandering, slow pace to it as the characters nomadically journey from one place to another. It did fine as a standalone, but I would recommend that readers start with book one if possible. There's strong repesentation for nonbinary and LGBTQ, which is always a win in my book but may be jarring for some readers who are not used to they/them pronoun use.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and Gabrielle Korn for an advance copy for honest review.