#any second

Also I figured it out, when you see it moving Design E doesn't just look generically fascist but in particular it looks like something a monarchist Helghast faction would use in a Killzone game.

This book was a lot to take in. I was immediately intrigued by the premise, but the story ended up taking me somewhere completely unexpected and surprising me consistently along the way. However, while I am not typically one to issue trigger warnings, I believe some may need to proceed with caution when reading this novel. The subject matter can be hard to read at times and it handles mature themes throughout. While it does so with a deft hand and with care, for sensitive readers or those YA readers who may be on the younger end of the targeted age group, I would tread lightly. There is some seriously disturbing imagery on display.

With a title like "Any Second," I was expecting the story to remain in the moment of this almost-tragedy just a bit more, but I ended up being very glad it expanded beyond that. So much time and attention were given to the repercussions of this event and its subsequent re-adjustment period, and the nuance with which it was detailed cannot be overstated. The story handles such things as kidnapping, indoctrination, drug abuse, Stockholm syndrome, and so much more that is seamlessly integrated. While it wasn't the most engaging read, it certainly raised critical and often overlooked questions.

Eli and Maya were interesting characters, and I loved seeing how they developed and how their shared trauma bound them together. They were both highly damaged but handling it in very different ways. However, the brief inklings of romance between the two were very weird and unnecessary. It's important to recognize the connection that was formed between them, but that was just odd and didn't enhance the story at all. The side characters were also very interesting, and surprisingly fully fleshed out. I loved the slow build of suspense they contributed to, as the reader could tell something was seriously off, but the two main characters were so wrapped up in their own trauma that they couldn't see the warning signs. It helped to paint a more tragic picture.

However, the queer representation on display here was sketchy at best. Maya got consistently treated like garbage, and while she evolved past it, I'm not sure if the long, drawn-out sequences of her being mistreated were for good reason. I'm glad Maya developed and came to realize what was good for herself, but it was frustrating and hard to read at times.