2021 EDIT: How could I have forgotten about Ara, the South Asian nonbinary teen? They're awesome! How could I have also forgotten about Freya, the evil little shit?
Just as good and thought-provoking as the first read. All at once sweet and horrifying - it's humanity in its constant, contradictory flux. There's nice symbolism added here; the littlest details mean so much.
I still mean everything I wrote about this dystopia novella in my original review.
Final Score: 4/5
Original Review:
'Welcome To Orphancorp' is a welcome surprise in my current reading slump. It's a dystopia novella set in an industrial orphanage that is tough, biting and gets to the point quickly, and is narrated by a wonderful protagonist.
'Welcome To Orphancorp' is short and sweet, with the events taking place within a week. The voice of the daring, snarky, funny and instantly sympathetic Mirii brings to life the realism and humanity taking place in the horrible prison (for that's what the orphanage actually is) called Verity House. The novella is packed with:
• Perfectly-timed-and-written character action and reaction passages.
• Memorable children of all ages.
• Warm, tender and sad touches as well as tense and truly heinous, hateful moments.
• And the non-white female lead gets into a polygamous LBGTQ relationship. ‘Nuff said.
In such a short time 'Welcome To Orphancorp' seems to have captured what it means to be human; specifically the need for compassion, for communication - for release - when trapped in a confined and fear-mongering environment. That the oppression is happening to orphaned children makes the experience all the more harrowing.
Though because it is such a short book, very little is explained in terms of worldbuilding, and at the end there are things left unanswered and there seems to be a set-up for drama for a sequel. There isn't much that can be said of a plot beforehand.
But the characters - especially the spirited, talented, opinionated and indomitable Mirii - and their relationships with one another feel real enough that I would want to hang out with them whatever happens. Or doesn't happen.
‘Welcome To Orphancorp’ - a cracking gem I thought would bore me like many other books of its ilk have done in the past. I'm glad that a friend of mine on Goodreads recommended it to me. Thank you.
Final Score: 4/5
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