The Shutouts

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.

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!

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 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.

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.

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 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.

When I reviewed the story's first book, Yours for the Taking, I expressed hope for the story once the extensive (but excellent!!) world-building was established. Thrilled to say Gabrielle Korn delivered, beautifully delving into the characters that had to take a backseat to the plot in the first book. With a slower pace, The Shutouts gives a more complete story of how the world we know now shatters into the devastation of the book's timeline just a few decades into the future -- and systematically lays down how the answer to avoiding such a terrible fate lies in everyday people coming together to save us. Korn wraps this story with a bow that made me emotional and hopeful.

This was one of the only sci fi series I’ve read and enjoyed! While the first book was definitely better, I was happy to read this follow up!

The moral of the story here is that queer people will ALWAYS persevere……

I feel so grateful to have had the chance to revisit this world so soon after reading Yours For the Taking; thank you to both NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Shutouts!

"The Shutouts" is such a perfect follow-up to "Yours for the Taking", Korn's first novel, and is a gorgeous standalone as well. I devoured the book when I first got my hands on it and was (and continue to be) so excited about the characters, both old and new, that make their way through this book. As with YFFT, "The Shutouts" explores ideas--climate change, extremism, idealism, sexism, queerness as both profoundly liberatory and mundane, and so many more--that I love reading about in fiction. An incredible novel, and I can't wait for whatever Korn writes next!

*Full review to be posted closer to publication*

Wow, was this a ride! I have been really enjoying the uptick is sci-fi climate change dystopia/thrillers/etc. that have been popping up in the past couple years, and The Shutouts is no exception. I previously read Yours for the Taking and really enjoyed it, and this book takes place in the same world, though I think you could read it as a standalone and be just fine. There's tons of amazing rep found throughout this book and I loved how the author managed to include so many important messages and themes in ways that felt natural and fitting to the story. The characters were vibrant and brought this entire world and story to life. I will continue to recommend Gabrielle Korn's books to people and also continue to look forward to whatever she writes next!

Gabrielle Korn has another winner on her hands! This is what I would consider a somewhat indirect sequel of "YOURS FOR THE TAKING". You could certainly read it as a standalone though. In terms of being a sequel, there are continuations with favorite characters, but not everyone. About half of the book is devoted to new characters and storylines. They do merge beautifully, though.
Many readers have gone on record saying this book eclipses the first. Much like a survivor after a few years into the apocalypse, this book is leaner and meaner. It knows what it wants to say and gets to the point. I love them both so much! #MoreQueerPostapocalypseStories
#NetGalley

Oh. My. Gosh. First, let me say how thrilled I was to get this ARC (big thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Publishing Group). I've recently discovered how much I love dystopian novels. Add to that the terrifying theme of climate change-related disasters and a group of queer characters, it had to be good, right? BUT...this was so much better than I anticipated! I felt nearly every emotion throughout my reading - excitement, sadness, anger, frustration, happy tears, hopefulness - it was A LOT, and very worth it.

One of my favorite things about this book was how wonderfully the author constructed issues between characters. Even when there characters that made you want to reach through the book and shake them (Rick, I'm looking at you), in a way, you could still understand where they were coming from & why they made certain decisions. It made the characters feel so much more real & relatable. I noticed this multiple times, with multiple conflicts.

I can't believe this was my first introduction to Gabrielle Korn, but I'm so glad it was! I'll now be going backwards and reading Yours for the Taking, along with literally anything else she writes. This is one of those books that will stick with me & make me think of it often.

The next installment by Korn following her outstanding first novel, Yours For The Taking.

In 2041 we meet Kelly as she drives across the country to find her daughter. 40 years later, we follow another woman doing much of the same. The individuals are connected tangentially and the story is tense between the flashbacks and the knowledge of what a wreck the country (world) is.

I love that the characters were varied and the queer characters were not subdued or sidekicks. I didn't love the ending, but perhaps this will be touched upon in the next story? A trilogy or more would be brilliant. Korn has created a scary and believable world filled with all too memorable and dangerous individuals.

Join Kelly as well as Ava as they trek across a United States that may be shocked to encounter!
#stmartinspress #gabriellekorn #theshutouts

This was hard to read because of how good it is. It is so plausible that this could be our reality, and that is absolutely terrifying. Great writing and a really interesting and engaging plot!

I LOVED this book. It can best be described as a non-linear, post-apocalyptic, dystopian queer romance. Sounds ambitious, but it really works amazingly well.

I spent half the book getting to know the various characters, timelines and locations without having any idea how they were connected. I was so engrossed in the storytelling and compelling characters that the anticipation of learning how everything intertwined was just delicious. Sometimes it’s annoying to jump between different POVs and time periods like the author does here, but this one was such fun despite the subject matter. I loved how the story unfolded and my only complaint is that I want more of what happens to these characters, who were all both believable and relatable, beyond the book’s ending. I also applaud the queer representation, which felt very authentic without condescending the audience.

The world the author has built is equal parts vivid, terrifying and believable. There isn’t much suspension of belief needed for those of us who believe in climate change, and it’s an eerie sort of look into our future should we choose to continue to ignore its effects. It’s not a totally different world, it’s what ours will become. I got some serious The Last of Us vibes, those of you who also watched that great series will get what I mean.

I had no idea this book was part of a series, and it didn’t feel to me as though I was missing anything that wasn’t answered in the course of the narrative. I will go back and read the first book, and wonder how my perception of both books will now change.

Wholeheartedly recommend this book, and can’t wait to read more by this author.

The Shutouts by Gabrielle Korn is a gripping and imaginative queer dystopian novel that expands on the world introduced in Yours for the Taking. Set in 2041, the story follows characters navigating a ravaged America due to climate change and societal collapse. With its intricate plotlines and rich queer representation, Korn delivers a powerful sequel that blends intense survival drama with profound character development. An excellent follow-up that surpasses expectations, it's a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and queer narratives.

“Like something from the past; humans returned to their most wild state. How ironic that it was not the past but the present, as though the age of advanced technology was simply a detour from some sort of true purpose, from living in harmony with the earth.”

Gabrielle Korn first crossed my radar with her NF… Everybody Else is Perfect. So when the release Yours For The Taking was announced I immediately added it to my TBR… fast forward and spoiler… I LOVED THAT BOOK! Make sure to circle back around and check out my review for that one because in it I said… I could have taken 100 more pages but loved the short novel length and would love a follow up and here my friend is The Shutouts!

It’s not often a follow up is just as good as the first but Gabrielle wrote the heck out of this Queer dystopia series! Will this be the last? I’m not sure. Did it give me what I wanted? Yes!!! The story, timeline, buildup, back history… all there with a neat little bow that is dysfunctionally curled on the ends.

An author on my auto read list and one I recommend to many.

Thank you St. Martins Press for the free advanced copy.
Releases 12/3

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The Shutouts skillfully weaves together themes of climate change, survival, and queer identity. Korn's writing is both engaging and thought-provoking, making this novel a compelling follow-up to "Yours for the Taking." (I was unaware that this was part of a series so I had to read the previous novel before jumping into this one.) The world-building is very vivid which adds to the depth of the narrative.

Character development is an important part of any novel for me, and I think Korn shows her talents in this area. The characters were crafted very well and did a great job of portraying complex relationships and internal conflicts. The resolution of the plot offers a satisfying sense of closure, yet it leaves readers wanting more from this richly imagined world.

Overall, I think "The Shutouts" strongest points were the dynamic characters and pressing themes of environmental/social justice.

Gabrielle Korn has done it again with The Shutouts. This is her follow up to her novel, Yours for the Taking (2023.) I really enjoyed Yours for the Taking, but truth be told I liked the Shutouts even more.

The Shutouts takes place in several timelines, which is something I liked a lot. I also appreciated the way in which Korn told the stories that take place after Yours for the Taking (YFTT,) and especially the stories of before. The backstories were fantastic and have made me appreciate the YFTT world even more.

This book explores the creation of a dystopia and those working to survive in it. The characters are rich and diverse. The cast is composed of both queer and non-queer characters living in a climate-ravaged world while dealing with everything that makes them human: Love, family, basic survival, etc. Korn’s description of climate change in The Shutouts is particularly frightening and her description of the world leadership around it is even more horrifying.

This book is perfect for any lover of dystopian, speculative and/or climate fiction. Korn’s storytelling is excellent and the pace of this book is top-notch.

The Shutouts seals the deal - Korn is now a must-read author for me!

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Gabrielle Korn for the opportunity to read and review an advanced e-copy.

This is an absolutely incredible book. I was so happy to return to the world Korn created in 'Yours For the Taking.' 'The Shutouts' handles a lot of difficult topics that are unfortunately relevant to today's society: climate change, queerness, politics, etc. If I had my way, I would make this book required reading.

I highly recommend reading YFTT first as it sets the scene for 'The Shutouts.'

Thank you to the publisher for the e-copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book seems extremely relevant for our current world. This was a very thoughtful and intelligent book about what will most likely happen to the world if the government keep refusing to deal with climate change. A very good read.

So I picked the absolute worst (or best?!) week to read Korn’s newest queer dystopian novel following fringe groups of people attempting to survive a world destroyed due to climate change. The best way to describe the fantastic prose across dual timelines (2041 and 2078) is claustrophobic with an undercurrent of horror. The government’s refusal to slow down climate change in tandem with corporations who stand to benefit from societal collapse was just way too relevant to today, as was the rise of extremist ideologies threatening queer people and women’s rights. Korn does a great job creating characters that included a wide span of ages, genders, and sexualities. I particularly enjoyed the way Korn highlighted how the climate crisis defined and changed relationships; parenthood, friendships, neighbors, and lovers. Part of the novel was epistolary, revealing flashbacks and establishing mystery that propelled the plot forward. There is danger, action, character growth, and hope. I didn’t realize this was a second stand alone book to follow up Korn’s Yours For the Taking, and now I plan to go back and read that one as well!

Thank you to MacMillan audio for my complimentary audiobook; narrator, Gail Shalan, did a wonderful job capturing the diverse characters as well as the intense sense of danger. The audiobook had my heart racing and my attention complete captivated.