In a corporate-controlled dystopian future, a trans woman from poverty is chosen to give birth to a clone and unexpectedly meets her own replacement, forcing her to confront questions of identity, autonomy, and self-worth. The story explores the complexities of trans embodiment and agency, ultimately landing on a subversively hopeful note about forging one’s own path.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a corporate-controlled dystopian future, the story follows a trans girl who is taken from poverty to serve as a surrogate for a clone, only to meet the person meant to replace her. The narrative explores themes of identity, bodily autonomy, and the relationships trans people have with their own bodies, all within a science fiction context. The book is categorized as a short story and falls under the genres of Science Fiction, LGBT, and Queer literature. It was published on April 2, 2025, by Cameron Reed and is distributed without DRM restrictions.

Readers appreciated the depth of character exploration, particularly the authentic portrayal of a trans protagonist's internal experience. Several reviews noted the story's thoughtful approach to worldbuilding and its ability to provoke reflection on personal and societal issues. The depiction of relationships, especially regarding bodily autonomy and the dynamics between the main character and her clone, was highlighted as a strong point. Some readers also enjoyed the humor and the unexpected, lighthearted elements, especially in the story's conclusion.

Some readers expressed dissatisfaction with the story's ending, describing it as abrupt, unrealistic, or tonally inconsistent with the rest of the narrative. There were comments that the hopeful resolution felt unconvincing or overly optimistic given the story's setup, with concerns that the characters' future might not be as positive as suggested. A few readers compared the work unfavorably to the author's previous writing, particularly noting that the ending felt almost absurd or comical in contrast to the rest of the story.

The book has received a moderate level of attention, with 42 ratings and an average score of 4.0 out of 5, as well as 10 full reader reviews. It has been discussed on external platforms, as indicated by links to reactor magazine in some reviews. The story is relatively short, and some readers wished for a longer or more developed narrative. The publisher's decision to release the book without DRM was also noted in the marketing description.