Author: Teshelle Combs
Spice: 🌶 🌶 🌶
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Length: 501 pages
Format: Digital, Via Kindle
Genre: Dystopian Fantasy
Started: 04/01/2024
Finished: 04/08/2024
This is my second readthrough of Slit Throat Saga (STS) and honestly I love it more and more each time. There are so many reasons I love this book (as usual with Teshelle Combs novels, let’s be honest here).
“The easiest way to remedy ignorance is information.” (ep43)
Slit Throat Saga addresses important issues like how problematic propaganda, the government taking more control than it should have over individuals, segregation, discrimination, unfounded sentencing/execution, the death penalty, and more. The foundation of the book stands on misinformation about Meta (metal movers) and how they are dangerous to society. Once someone is suspected of being Meta, they are taken, tortured, and publicly executed. If someone is found not to be Meta, it is covered up. In actuality, Meta need metal to survive; without metals in their bodies, they will die a slow agonizing death. We find out later on that the City is actually segregated off from the rest of the world with literal walls to protect the world from the depravity that occurs amongst those in the City.
Not only are the Meta tortured if they are suspected, but the societal powerholders have instated metatoxin (a chemical that poisons Meta) in all the food and drinks as well as implanted everyone with sensors that will cause Meta extreme pain and possibly death if they have metal in their bodies. What is truly mind-blowing to me is that companies in real life dispose of toxins in our drinking water daily. Look at Flint, Michigan and the incredible harm such toxins and covering it up has done to the citizens.
“Why does the City get to say who walks free and who gets their throats slit? Why does Heim get to decide who gets to be home and who’s too dangerous to have one? Why does Shuǐ get to pick the ones with enough to eat and the ones who starve? And why does Auon get to choose the nature of another human’s soul? They tell me I’m a Ruler, but I can’t make any rules? Tell me, does that make any sense to you?” (ep75)
Fine , I thought. If fate wants to tempt me, I’ll bite its face off. (ep14)
STS has one of the most loveable, relatable main characters I’ve read. Nexus isn’t perfect, but she tries her best. She has anxiety, knows she’s different, and sometimes dwells in her shortcomings. Yet, she is admirable. She continuously stands up for others, speaking for those who cannot advocate for themselves. She can always be found doing what she thinks is right in the face of adversity, trying to correct what those in charge have corrupted. Sometimes throughout the day I think how I can be more like Nex.
“I thought I would be alone. Turned out, love had a way of following me.” (ep54)
One of the things I love about TC’s books is how well written each of the side characters are throughout her novels. It feels as though almost as much care, if not more even, has been put into these side characters to truly bring them to life and help the story move along. STS is no exception in having incredible side characters. You know it’s a good story when the side characters have the power to make you cry and let me tell you I sure did cry over at least three side characters in STS.
“Someone should have warned me.” (ep59)
I thought it important to mention that although not a major point of the story that in Episode 74, specifically on page 439 I felt seen and represented as someone who is both neurodivergent and living with chronic pain in a world curated for neurotypical able-bodied folk. This so accurately portrays how it feels to exist without comforts and aids, as well as how it feels to be overstimulated by the discomfort.
“You should request more clarity if you do not understand,” (ep8)
Pages 129 and 130 reveal an absolutely wild way to explain one of Newton’s laws of physics and I am here for it!
I truly love how vulnerable Tess is in her writing. Everything she writes has meaning, purpose, and relatability to the world we live in today. I can’t believe I just happened across her on Facebook, of all places, and have found one of my all-time favorite authors. As always, I eagerly awayt what happens next in the world(s) Tess has in store for us.
In closing I’ll leave you with probably the most relatable quote I’ve ever read: “I did not thrive in multiple conversation scenarios. I did not thrive in most scenarios.” (ep17)
XOXO
La Biblio-Fille 