"With opened eyes, found at last, every second is a joy." Just finished reading Induction not long ago, couldn't put it down after chapter 7. I went into this book not knowing exactly what to expect. I knew of the Korps setting and this was highly recommended by multiple people when asking about where to start exploring it. I don't often have the time to read, but I made time for this one, because its subject matter is something special to me. As soon as it started, I was instantly hooked. Character writing is, to me, the key to an instant hook, and the characters all felt REAL. Some in ways that their experiences mirrored some of my own experiences, some I felt like were the ones I needed most years ago and still need--notably, Carmen. And some felt like exactly who I tend to be surrounded by, most days. This book is a hard read, but not in a cynical way. And it is WELL worth even the most tear-jerking moments that wracked my heart so badly that I HAD to binge and get all the way through. I couldn't put it down. I can't describe just how much I NEEDED this book, this story, this experience. Every second is a joy, something this book helped to remind me. Syntax Takes has made something incredibly special here, and I can't sing its praises enough. Please buy and read this beautiful story, not just for the action, but also for a tale of personal growth, questioning the status quo, finding real family, and facing hard truths with opened eyes.

This book was incredible. It was a bit harrowing at times, being a scenario built around some of my worst nightmares, but ultimately being about getting out of that situation and choosing to live for your own happiness despite your trauma and *to* spite the people responsible for that trauma who sought to control you. ↵ It runs the gamut on emotional highs and lows, and I was drawn the hell in when they got to some of those and could not put it down, even if I had to keep reading through tears. ↵ One potential criticism I could see of the work that I had to debate myself on is that its sociopolitical messaging is pretty on-the-nose and in-your-face--the fact that one of the characters makes a joke directly referencing the quote from Garth Marenghi, "I know writers who use subtext and they're all cowards," hardly seems incidental. But ultimately? I thought it was refreshing as fuck. Trans and queer narratives, narratives hostile to the real life status quo we live under right now, are so often relegated to subtext because they wouldn't be allowed to exist otherwise. This one just blatantly says the "good guys", from cops to superheroes, are *at best* useful idiots for an evil, oppressive system, and more or less ends on the note of, "Fuck yeah, you're a supervillain now!" And it's fucking great.

Induction is an extremely powerful story of a character struggling to find her place in a world that doesn't accept her. Volta's story feels so visceral and real and is instantly recognizable to so many queer and trans readers. Syntax is incredibly capable of capturing the emotion and creating rich, nuanced characters. If you are queer, questioning, or just want to understand the inner struggles of those that are, you owe it to yourself to read this book.

I went through a whole wealth of feelings following Volta’s journey of self-discovery as she reckons with both others and herself. Moments of tension and elation, at times playful and at others heart-wrenching…there’s truly so much to appreciate here. Also includes a handy glossary with extra details on the universe!