Alexis:
Happy Pub Day to A Wall is Also a Road!
I’m happy to say that I actually won an ARC of this one in a Goodreads giveaway, so thanks so much to Goodreads and Tor Books for my copy in exchange for a review!
A Wall is Also a Road is a unique sci-fi read that follows Gardenpath, a biology graduate student—who is also an amoeba that lives far away in a place amongst the stars. When Gardenpath decides to study a faraway planet, they find themselves in a place called Pompeii. There, Gardenpath finds themselves far more interested in life than just as part of academic research.
This was such an interesting book that blends multiple different elements that sound bizarre, but ended up working.
In one sense, we have an alien (to the reader, at least) in grad school, and I loved the academic and research aspect of this book.
On the other hand, we have an exploration of Earth from a different species, specially Pompeii (and I’m sure you can guess during what time period). The story explores what it means to be sentient, what it means to be human, language, love, sapphic relationships, gender, power, and academia.
My main critique is that the people of Pompeii speak in pretty modern jargon. Yes, I know they’re technically speaking Latin, but I thought it was one stylistic choice that didn’t quite work and mesh with the rest of the story. The main conflict also wrapped up a little more neatly than I would’ve liked.
It also has some pretty bizarre sex scenes that weren’t my vibe because you know, aliens.
Overall, this was a unique read that sometimes feels cozy and sometimes like dark academia, all swirled in sci-fi. But you can be sure that it’s all quirky.
VERDICT:⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
