“Outlaw Planet” First Impressions “No Spoilers”

[SFFBC, Ancillary Mod]

Come talk about your initial, general impressions!

Please save all discussion of particulars, details from the story, character choices, plot questions, etc. for the full spoilers thread.

Content warnings for those who want them: (view spoiler)[ Murder/violence, Slavery, Animal Death,Racism, Torture, War, Gun Violence, Sexual Violence, Rape, Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, Abortion, Kidnapping (hide spoiler)]

User-submitted content warnings on Storygraph:
https://beta.thestorygraph.com/books/...

(More about CWs here.)

[DivaDiane]

I absolutely loved this book. I listened to the audio, which is very well done. This story has so many layers that slowly reveal themselves.

[Nastia]

I started reading a few days ago, and stopped. Somehow, the human-animal creatures turned me off.

[Alistair]

Uncanny valley?

[CBRetriever]

Nastia wrote: "I started reading a few days ago, and stopped. Somehow, the human-animal creatures turned me off."

try continuing - I did and managed to get past that and thoroughly enjoyed the book

[Nicol]

Nastia wrote: "I started reading a few days ago, and stopped. Somehow, the human-animal creatures turned me off."

It confused me at first, I kept trying to imagine what they look like and if they are bipedal 😂; but as I kept reading, it didn’t really matter that much. I really enjoyed the book.

[Michael]

I listened to this on audiobook on Libby, and my biggest issue was that it is split into parts. Parts 5 & 6 are both over 3 hours long and could have been split into chapters to allow for a better flow of the story.

[Becky]

I started this yesterday, and agree that the animal-people threw me off a bit at first. Though it was mainly in reference to Dog-Bitch Bess. I assumed it was a kind of Rocket the Not-A-Raccoon situation, you know? Like she was modified somehow to be doglike. But then I read like another whole page and was disavowed of that notion. LOL

I'm curious about the Pugfaces though. Who they are supposed to represent in this dynamic. Maybe that will come clear. I have a theory, but I'm not sure if that's just me grasping at straws.

I'm waiting for her to leave home and the story to begin, but I'm kind of enjoying the alt-universe feel so far.

[Nastia]

CBRetriever wrote: "try continuing - I did and managed to get past that and thoroughly enjoyed the book"

I've forced myself to go through it. As Becky also mentioned, I do believe it's a reference to "Dog-Bitch Bess." At the same time, I see no point in making the animal species human-like.

I'm thinking about the "Rango" and "Zootopia" movies all the time while reading this book.

[Becky]

I'm a little further along in this now (though not much - 9% lol) and I confirmed my suspicion on who the Pugfaces are, but that has only raised more questions now.

I'm also curious about the Dream Towers.

Anyway, I am intrigued, but not wholly invested yet, so I'm hoping that it picks up the pacing soon.

[Kaia]

I am about 40 pages in, and it's definitely a little weird with the animal people on top of the western tropes, though I'm liking it so far. I also have a theory about the Pugfaces, so I'm glad to hear I may find out if I'm right soon. Becky, I'm also very curious about the Dream Towers.

[CBRetriever]

Nastia wrote: "At the same time, I see no point in making the animal species human-like.."

have patience (view spoiler)[- it will be explained (hide spoiler)]

[Becky]

I'm currently 28% into this, and I'm quite enjoying it. Things are starting to come together and answer some of my questions, and I like HOW that's happening, providing enough info for the reader to figure it out but not outright stating "this is what happened". I assume all will be explained by the end as well, but I'm making a lot of "Ohhhh THAT'S why!" notes. LOL

Anyway, I probably would never have picked this up on my own, but I'm enjoying it, so I count that a BOTM win!

[Ellen]

Just started reading this and was also puzzled about the animal people. Came here for some clarification. Other than the puzzlement a great start so far.

[Becky]

Ellen wrote: "Just started reading this and was also puzzled about the animal people. Came here for some clarification. Other than the puzzlement a great start so far."

Just go with it. I'm 40% in, and every reveal of info leads to more questions. LOL I have theories though. >_>

I am really enjoying it.

[Bonnie]

Becky wrote: "...the animal-people threw me off a bit at first. Though it was mainly in reference to Dog-Bitch Bess. I assumed it was a kind of Rocket the Not-A-Raccoon situation, you know? Like she was modified somehow to be doglike. But then I read like another whole page and was disavowed of that notion. LOL

I'm curious about the Pugfaces though. Who they are supposed to represent in this dynamic. Maybe that will come clear."

Same, I looked askance at that name at first.

Is Rocket Not-A-Racoon from a book?

Same, wondering who the Pugfaces are in this dynamic. I imagine them as analog to (our) Native Americans but who are they in this story!

[DivaDiane]

From the movie/comic books Guardians of the Galaxy - one of the characters is Rocket who looks like a raccoon but isn’t one.