In a near-future, class-divided Sofia, a pregnant woman dependent on a neural implant to manage her depression and anxiety must choose between weaning off the device to keep custody of her child or enrolling in a risky clinical trial that would implant similar technology in her newborn. The story explores themes of bodily autonomy, mental health, and the ethical dilemmas of technological intervention, set against a backdrop of societal control and personal trauma.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a near-future Sofia, Bulgaria, the novel follows Valya, a pregnant woman who relies on a neural implant called CASUAL to manage her depression and anxiety. The implant, which functions as a game-like app, has helped her stabilize her mood and even enabled her to conceive after infertility. However, new laws prohibit her from using the device as a sole caregiver for her infant, forcing her to choose between weaning off CASUAL or enrolling in a controversial clinical trial that would place a similar implant in her newborn. The story explores Valya’s struggle with mental health, bodily autonomy, and the pressures exerted by medical professionals, her gaslighting ex, and a society marked by class division, environmental collapse, and pervasive digital augmentation. The narrative is delivered primarily through Valya’s first-person perspective, with flashbacks revealing her life before the implant and the traumas that shaped her.

Readers praised the book’s detailed worldbuilding, particularly its depiction of a stratified society where the wealthy live underground in crystal caves and the poor remain above ground in polluted conditions. The interiority of Valya’s character was frequently highlighted, with several reviewers noting how the writing immerses the reader in her mental state and emotional journey. The ethical dilemmas surrounding mental health technology, motherhood, and government regulation were cited as thought-provoking, and the nuanced portrayal of trauma, memory, and dependency on technology resonated with many. The blending of science fiction and horror elements, as well as the exploration of themes like bodily autonomy, reproductive rights, and the commodification of experience, were also appreciated. Some readers found the depiction of everyday mental health struggles and the subtle, pervasive sense of horror particularly effective.

Some readers expressed dissatisfaction with the pacing, noting that the narrative sometimes lingered too long on Valya’s internal states, which could make the reading experience feel slow or repetitive. There were comments that the exploration of societal and systemic issues, such as class division and the aftermath of environmental catastrophe, was not as deep as it could have been, with the focus remaining mostly on Valya’s personal experience. A few reviewers felt that the handling of Valya’s past trauma was superficial, with insufficient resolution or response from the characters. Additionally, some readers were uncomfortable with the book’s focus on pregnancy and motherhood, or found certain generalizations about relationships and sexuality unrelatable. The resolution of the central ethical dilemma was seen by some as anticlimactic, with the tension dissipating after the main decision was made.

The book has received an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 from 30 readers, with 15 full reviews. It is categorized as science fiction, horror, fiction, and fantasy, and is scheduled for publication in February 2025 by Tenebrous Press. Content warnings mentioned by readers include abusive relationships, addiction, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, PTSD, rape, self-harm, and experimental medical procedures. The narrative incorporates elements of dystopia, romance, and mystery, and features a supporting cast that includes medical professionals, a controlling ex-partner, and a new love interest from Valya’s birthing class. The book’s cover art was also noted by at least one reviewer.