I read The Incandescent, which has gotten decidedly mixed reviews from all of you

[conuly]

I fall very in the middle - I enjoyed it, probably won't read it again.

But - am I supposed to feel most sympathetic towards the Phoenix demon? I mean, geez, it was really trying to Be a Human correctly! It was working so hard, guys, and even following arbitrary rules like "don't kill children" and "don't harm people without a really good reason" and "hey, diet and exercise are good for the body!"

Comments

[crystalpyramid]

Yeah I see what you're saying about the Phoenix. It was consistent and earnest and following its nature. And it didn't sleep with the fucking consultant. I found the main character's willingness to teach the Phoenix everything deeply relatable but the sleeping with the consultant was so obviously a bad idea.

[conuly]

We never got his motive besides “rich asshole” either.

The Phoenix was right, if anybody deserves to be turned into a living battery, it might be him.