[4.5 stars] Mood Swings feels like a love letter to the chronically online millennials raised by Tumblr. It achieves the perfect blend of speculative storytelling so closely rooted in realism it hardly feels like fiction. It’s satirical, campy, and barmy in the best of ways; I had high expectations going in, and was certainly not disappointed in the slightest!

The novel takes place in a pre-apocalyptic and desolate society where animals have rebelled against humanity and forced a mass lockdown of society. From there, Barnet weaves through hallmarks of modern society: the gig economy, climate change, cancel culture, and zealous billionaires. She voices a lot of valid criticisms of power structures and society without feeling academic or direct, which is hard to pull off.

The book loosely follows four central characters navigating the changing world, and how their paths intertwine. Central to all their narratives is the invention of a time machine which offers humanity the ability to undo their mistakes. We learn how each character intends to capitalize on this, but also the broader societal implications. A rebel/activist group known as the Moon Bethlehems emerges and becomes a central focus in the latter half of the book.

Mood Swings encapsulates so much of the disenchantment and apathy most of us feel in late-stage capitalism but does it with such craft. Taking a bleak topic and embedding humor (my personal favourite was Montreal being listed as a trigger warning 💀) is a welcome departure from other dystopian novels. Several excerpts had me laughing out loud!

My only critique is the ending, which felt a bit abrupt. Maybe that’s just me selfishly wanting to more read of Barnet’s world, but I wouldn’t have been mad if this was 50 pages longer. Nonetheless, it is a very solid debut I’d broadly recommend you pre-order in time for the May 21st, 2024 release! Thank you to Astra House for sending this to me (after I shamelessly asked for an ARC, no less) - y’all are the best!

DNF - Whether it was a mixture of the format of the ebook or the story itself, I didn't find myself enjoying this story. The premise sounded like my cup of tea but I ultimately felt unable to immerse myself.