There Is No Antimemetics Division

Gordon Ramsay voice

“Finally some good fucking cosmic horror”


I didn't know this was an SCP book going in, and I'm glad I didn't because I definitely wouldn't have given it the chance it deserves.

There's a complex balancing act that is underway in this book and I don't think it lands it completely successfully, but it sure gets close.

The set-up/payoff for the emotional/human story is perfect. I loved the characters and qntm absolutely nailed their arcs.

At the same time though, this is a high concept plot driven scifi narrative, with one of the strongest and most interesting set-ups I've ever come across. A set-up/thought experiment that's going to be bouncing around inside my head for the rest of my life alongside other info hazards like Roko's Basilisk. This set-up gives this book 5 stars alone. I can't overstate how monumentally into this concept I am.

That said, the payoff was a bit disappointing. I was really hoping for a final third that matched the conceptual density of the opening third, but I don't think it really got there for me. It gave me the emotional catharsis and satisfaction of a well told character drama, but with it being so plot driven I was excited for and anticipating a surprising and/or interesting and/or thought provoking plot resolution and didn't really get that.

I think maybe telling this story within the confines of the SCP universe hamstringed the author a little. Might have gone better with the serial numbers filed off?

Either way, 5 fucking stars. I seriously loved it and am hype for anything qntm puts out in the future.