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paguroidea's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Definitely a unique take on themes i’ve seen before! I wish it had been a bit longer and more fleshed out, maybe even a start to a series. The ending is really rushed but overall I liked it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Abortion, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Homophobia
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
When She Woke had me thoroughly absorbed from the get-go. It’s set in a dystopian near future where the lines between church and state have been virtually eradicated, and the world-building is fabulous. And all too plausible. It’s almost a cross between The Scarlet Letter and The Handmaid’s Tale. Hannah has been convicted of murder for having an abortion. Her sentence is to be “chromed” - have her skin colour genetically altered for a period of sixteen years and a thirty day period of imprisonment, total isolation in her cell during which her every move is broadcast to the public. I enjoyed following Hannah’s journey, especially because she was proactive, not passive. As always I appreciated seeing religious hypocrisy highlighted. I felt that the first half of the book was the strongest, and I wasn’t convinced by an event or two in the latter third. But overall a fabulous if frightening read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
rebyreadsandwrites's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Body shaming, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Cursing, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Abortion, Homophobia, Infertility, Lesbophobia, Racial slurs, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Vomit, Infidelity, Medical content, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, Grief, Sexual assault, Rape, and Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy and Pedophilia
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