The Survival of Molly Southbourne by Tade Thompson Also by this author: The Murders of Molly Southbourne
Published by Tom Doherty Associates on July 9, 2019
Genres: Dark Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror
Pages: 128
Format: Paperback
Source: personal copy
Molly Southbourne is still alive. She thinks she's uncovered a way to stop the cycle of the mollys, her identical clones that form when she bleeds. All of the rules she has been forced to live by have been broken. The only connection to her previous life is the phone number tattooed on her arm. Calling that number provides her with safety, an escape. Or does it?
In fleeing her home, Molly meets Tamara, a young woman who suffers from the same affliction as Molly. Unlike mollys, however, tamaras are able to co-exist in a healthy and safe relationship with their prime. Unlike the existence Molly is used to, she must confront the horrific history that gave her this ability, and to put an end it, forever.
*Note: this is a sequel to The Murders of Molly Southbourne. Spoilers contained within this review.*
Just when I thought I got a grasp on the world Thompson has crafted, everything is once again upended. The source of Molly’s ailment is revealed and it’s certainly a complex one! Uncovered, too, are the vast side-effects and symptoms of this…condition…and they exist beyond Molly’s own being.
This sequel definitely had more of a horror meets sci-fi feel to it. There are some pretty horrific scenes involving one of the secondary characters. It’s all done in good taste, however, and only graphic to suit the storyline and not just to be graphic.
The effects of this second book definitely have more of a lasting and lingering effect on me. It really delves deep into the concept of identity, of nature versus nurture, and much more. Molly’s character continues on her quest for survival, but it far exceeds the challenges that were presented in the previous title. Now that I know more about her, I found myself rooting even more for her success and safety, for the answers to the questions she’d been searching for all her life.
All in all, a magnificent follow up to a truly tremendous little book that packs a big punch. Highly, highly recommended.
