In a near-future art world fractured by class divisions and technological upheaval, struggling artist Enka becomes obsessively entangled with her brilliant friend Mathilde, ultimately resorting to a controversial empathy-enhancing technology that allows one person to inhabit another’s mind and absorb their trauma. Exploring themes of artistic ambition, jealousy, authorship, and the ethical limits of technology, the novel interrogates the boundaries between love and possession, creativity and exploitation.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a near-future society sharply divided by class and technological advancement, the novel follows Enka, a struggling artist from the marginalized 'Fringe,' who gains entry to an elite art school and forms an intense, codependent friendship with Mathilde, a prodigiously talented and troubled artist. As Mathilde's fame grows, Enka becomes increasingly desperate to maintain their connection, eventually marrying into a billionaire family whose company is developing a technology that allows one person to inhabit another's mind and absorb their trauma. The narrative explores the competitive, often pretentious world of contemporary art, the commodification of pain and genius, and the ethical implications of AI and mind-sharing technology. The story is told from Enka's perspective, using a structure that alternates between 'Then' and 'Now' timelines, and incorporates elements of horror, science fiction, and literary fiction, with themes including jealousy, bodily autonomy, trauma, and the blurred boundaries between love and possession.

Readers praised the book's exploration of the art world, particularly its depiction of artistic ambition, envy, and the commodification of creativity and trauma. Many found the speculative technology—especially the mind-sharing device and its implications for empathy and authorship—thought-provoking and timely, given current debates about AI and originality. The writing style was frequently described as sharp, atmospheric, and well-suited to the subject matter, with several reviewers highlighting the vivid descriptions of avant-garde art installations and the psychological depth of Enka's character. The book's handling of complex themes such as class division, the ethics of technological innovation, and the dynamics of toxic, obsessive friendships resonated with readers, as did its willingness to tackle difficult topics like self-harm, grief, and the impact of trauma on creativity.

Some readers expressed dissatisfaction with the book's pacing, noting that key plot developments—such as the introduction of the mind-sharing technology and Enka's marriage—occurred late in the narrative or were not as central as the marketing suggested. Several reviews mentioned that the world-building, particularly the details of the dystopian society's class system and technological landscape, felt underdeveloped or served more as background than as fully integrated elements. Others found the prose detached or flat, which, while matching Enka's character, made it difficult to connect emotionally with the characters or their relationships. There were also comments that the book attempted to address too many themes, resulting in a lack of depth or resolution for some plotlines and secondary characters. A few readers felt the relationships, especially outside of Enka and Mathilde, were superficial or lacked sufficient development.

The book has been compared to works like 'Black Mirror,' 'Yellowface,' and 'Sirens & Muses,' and is classified across multiple genres including horror, science fiction, thriller, and literary fiction. It contains mature and potentially triggering content, such as self-harm, child death, racism, depression, and references to sexual assault. The average reader rating is 4.1 out of 5, based on over a thousand ratings and hundreds of reviews, with responses ranging from high praise for its ambition and thematic complexity to critiques of its execution and emotional impact. The novel is the follow-up to the author's previous work, 'Natural Beauty,' and has generated significant discussion about the intersections of art, technology, and human connection.