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“Maybe we wanted another person to join us while we watched the world burn.��

"I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself," written by Marisa Crane, delves into a dystopian future in which justice is conducted in the form of shadow. In Crane's United States, the Department of Balance executes an unmatched punishment: extra shadows for every violation, creating a visible shame and stripping individuals of their rights and humanity. This speculative backdrop provides a stark space for the exploration of topics like grief, identity, and resilience.

At the centre of the narrative is Kris, a new mother reeling from the recent death of her wife. In this prejudiced and surveiled world, Kris and her daughter, who was born with a second shadow, try to navigate their way. Crane writes Kris's first person account, pulling readers into Kris's suffocating world, where every step is watched and every shadow represents a societal verdict. The novel illustrates Kris's struggle with loss and how to be a new mom in a compassionate and vivid voice. From the depths of Kris's despair to the very edge of hope, the journey is beautifully rendered, with moments of darkness as well as humour splices of connection that feel authentic and earnest.

The strength of the narrative can be found in its sincerity and astonishing prose, which together speak of human perseverance in the face of systemic oppression. Crane crosses genres with grace, combining speculative fiction with a heartfelt story of love, grief, and the fight for dignity. The novel's secondary figures, including Kris's daughter, provide warmth and tenacity to the narrative, illustrating the undying human spirit that resists oppressive force. "I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself" is a striking, beautiful, and ultimately encouraging book that opens a conversation about the shadows of our own world.