Sometimes Beukes really works for me, and when it does, it's a five-star barnburner. But sometimes it doesn't quite work. This is one of those times. I found the story both confusing and disturbing. Of course it's meant to be disturbing, but I guess she's so good it is more disturbing than I can take. I have a strong allergy to horror, and this bordered on it for me. I'm sure some readers will have the barnburner reading experience, though. I just couldn't stick with it.