I did like the worldbuilding, but the thing is that usually she's much better with basing her stuff in reality. I mean, the argument with the cages is exactly turned around and doesn't make scientific sense that way around. (I mean, even the turtles in The Kingdoms were had at least the sheen of being based in science.) But still, I think there's something to work with (like hey, propaganda is a thing).

Yeah, I know what you mean. With Valery K and also Mars House I made an effort to tackle them, because the odds were good I'd like them and also they'd at least get me reading again in my slump. Always a plus. (And then Valery K sort of came up again this year and I had to write an actual ficlet.)