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mabs_grace's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Mackintosh makes it really easy to hate all the characters for most of the book. I both read the physical book and listened to the audiobook of this story; I have to admit that I probably would have DNF’d this one if I didn’t have to audiobook.
I really hated Calla pretty well until she gave birth. The fact that she constantly acknowledged that she knew that drinking and smoking is dangerous while pregnant, but stamped down her guilt by saying that her blue ticket destined her to be a bad mother so there was nothing she could do. Really made me angry, but I think that was Mackintosh’s goal. .
This book was much more sexual than I though it was going to be. I thought Calla would have been more of a heroine like Katniss is the Hunger Game, but that was absolutely not the case.
The society created in this novel was interesting in how it reflects modern day society. Highlighting and building off of the most sexist forms of oppression that exist. Though I appreciated how sexuality was so not an issue. the sexuality of all of the characters was never explicitly stated nor was there any sexual confusion/enlightenment; the characters just seemed to “fuck” whom every they wanted to, man or woman.
This book was much more sexual than I though it was going to be. I thought Calla would have been more of a heroine like Katniss is the Hunger Game, but that was absolutely not the case.
The society created in this novel was interesting in how it reflects modern day society. Highlighting and building off of the most sexist forms of oppression that exist. Though I appreciated how sexuality was so not an issue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Gore
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Death, Child death, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and Murder
whimsicalish's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
I am child-free and will (hopefully) always have a choice to be child-free. The main character has the opposite wish from myself. She desperately wants a child and it's heartbreaking to see her struggle.
This book is heavy and depressing. It's a dystopian world, but honestly not far off if you live in the US.
Women are stripped of the choice on morherhood. You get a lottery ticket that says either you will have to be a mother or not. While the book never fully gives a reason or world building to how or why society functions this way, I didn't see it as an issue. It focuses on our character, Calla, as she refuses to accept her blue ticket. It opens discussion on women's advocacy to their bodies. You might think we wouldn't need to discuss this but here we are in 2023.
This book is heavy and depressing. It's a dystopian world, but honestly not far off if you live in the US.
Women are stripped of the choice on morherhood. You get a lottery ticket that says either you will have to be a mother or not. While the book never fully gives a reason or world building to how or why society functions this way, I didn't see it as an issue. It focuses on our character, Calla, as she refuses to accept her blue ticket. It opens discussion on women's advocacy to their bodies. You might think we wouldn't need to discuss this but here we are in 2023.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Minor: Miscarriage and Physical abuse
gabforshort's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Violence, Physical abuse, Rape, and Pregnancy
britt_zonnebloempit's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Let's start with the quotation marks. Or lack thereof. They exist for a reason - please use them!
Another issue I have is the lack of world building. There is a lottery, okay! But why? What part of the world is this set in? Is it even in this world or is it somewhere else entirely. Until the cabin I had a hard time imagining anything about Calla'a surroundings.
I just wish there was more to the world. I want more of a background as to why this lottery exists! What happened to put this into the world? What is going on? Where the hell on earth are they?
I was going to give this 1 star, but then they reached the hospital after Nova was born and it turned out Marisol had betrayed her - a plot twist I didn't see coming. The only reason it was worth more than 1 star.
Calla was extremely unlovable. It read like the brain of a fourteen year old misunderstood teenager who feels like the whole world is against them. You're a grown woman, please act like it.
Unfortunately, Calla wasn't the only unlovable character. Marisol, Lila, Therese and Valerie were all equally unlovable, much like Calla's friend in the beginning whose name ove forgotten. The men are especially unlovable, but maybe that's just because they're not even allowed to have full names. Hard to feel anything for someone referred to as "R" or "Doctor A." (See? Quotation marks are helpful!)
She goes through all the trouble of running away so she can have the baby she so desperately wants, but then, when she's close to the border and has a chance, she gets caught. In the hospital Marisol lets her see Nova and Calla decides to GIVE the baby she's done all this for away to a woman who betrayed her? IT JUST MAKES NO SENSE.
The whole book makes no sense, when I really think about it. It was honestly a waste of my time and I'm almost sorry I read it.
Another issue I have is the lack of world building. There is a lottery, okay! But why? What part of the world is this set in? Is it even in this world or is it somewhere else entirely. Until the cabin I had a hard time imagining anything about Calla'a surroundings.
I just wish there was more to the world. I want more of a background as to why this lottery exists! What happened to put this into the world? What is going on? Where the hell on earth are they?
Calla was extremely unlovable. It read like the brain of a fourteen year old misunderstood teenager who feels like the whole world is against them. You're a grown woman, please act like it.
Unfortunately, Calla wasn't the only unlovable character. Marisol, Lila, Therese and Valerie were all equally unlovable, much like Calla's friend in the beginning whose name ove forgotten. The men are especially unlovable, but maybe that's just because they're not even allowed to have full names. Hard to feel anything for someone referred to as "R" or "Doctor A." (See? Quotation marks are helpful!)
She goes through all the trouble of running away so she can have the baby she so desperately wants, but then, when she's close to the border and has a chance, she gets caught. In the hospital Marisol lets her see Nova and Calla decides to GIVE the baby she's done all this for away to a woman who betrayed her? IT JUST MAKES NO SENSE.
The whole book makes no sense, when I really think about it. It was honestly a waste of my time and I'm almost sorry I read it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexism, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
kimschneider's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Abortion
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