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ellen5525's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
pickyreader23's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
My favourite part of the book is near the end, where in rage, Belle punched the school mirror and look at her reflection in the mirror parts, realising all the parts there is to her.
I do like that Vanessa was Chosen at the Ceremony, being chosen has profound meaning for her.
I also do like the fact that in the end neither Belle nor Joni got the scholarship- this is life, it isn't fair. Just because an Awakening happened to one person, everything should go smoothly for that person, and I love how the author captured that.
I do like that Vanessa was Chosen at the Ceremony, being chosen has profound meaning for her.
I also do like the fact that in the end neither Belle nor Joni got the scholarship- this is life, it isn't fair. Just because an Awakening happened to one person, everything should go smoothly for that person, and I love how the author captured that.
home_in_books's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Even though I gave 5 stars to this book, I cannot say that reading it has been an enjoyable experience. In fact, this novel made me often feel uncomfortable and sometimes it hit too close to home. In fact, even though I believe that everyone should read it at least once in their lifetime, I must warn you to check the trigger warnings before getting into it. Personally, if I had read it a couple years ago, I would’ve been destroyed by it.
The book should become a feminist manifesto because, as the author said at the end, that is not dystopia but our sad reality. It centres body and beauty standards in our society, it questions our way of viewing women, sex, love and many other things. It’s not just a beautiful story of two girls finding themselves, but also an invitation to consider how many of the things they say seem exaggerated but are actually part of our culture.
The author writing also really struck me and her way to represent perfectly how girls feel everyday.
I’m really looking forward to reading another of her books, but I have to wait to be in the mood for it otherwise I won’t be able to stand the read.
The book should become a feminist manifesto because, as the author said at the end, that is not dystopia but our sad reality. It centres body and beauty standards in our society, it questions our way of viewing women, sex, love and many other things. It’s not just a beautiful story of two girls finding themselves, but also an invitation to consider how many of the things they say seem exaggerated but are actually part of our culture.
The author writing also really struck me and her way to represent perfectly how girls feel everyday.
I’m really looking forward to reading another of her books, but I have to wait to be in the mood for it otherwise I won’t be able to stand the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Body shaming, and Sexism
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Upsetting but empowering YA for fans of Atwood/O'Neill.
Good lord, I was riled reading this!
We've seen worlds like this before, indeed our own parallels it only too well. But here the Bad Times are over, equality has been achieved, and the Doctrine 'advises' girls and women on their choices: to be as Pretty as possible, to take male attention as a compliment, to portray perfection.... or face being called an Objectionable. Or later in life if signs of aging dare show themselves - an Invisible.
Like a Black Mirror episode, Belle is intent on retaining her top spot as prettiest girl at school, through daily Rankings, three-hour Masking sessions and expensive Looks. But when a man tries to abduct her on the way to school and she doesn't feel flattered, fellow schoolmate Joni helps her escape (on tottering heels) and the two are thrown together in all their chalk-and-cheese glory.
With one mother hiding her aging self from a mostly-absent husband, and the other revelling in her post-absconding abusive husband's, the two girls and their backgrounds may be at odds, but they are competing for the same Educational opportunities.
This world is absolutely horrific. It doesn't feel so far from the one we find ourselves in. The attitudes towards women are repulsive, the talk of Smut (read that for 'porn') is both timely and very worrying.
While I loved the main twosome's two-handed narration, I found near the end I wanted to have heard more from some of the minor characters who didn't really get a chance to shine - Vanessa, a Pretty who has her own issues with the Doctrine due to her race. And Joni's friends also felt a little too background.
Couldn't stop myself reading this. Definitely a perfect choice for teens who need to consider their own attitudes to beauty, compliance, education and sex. And I mean boys AND girls here. If this leads readers to Uglies, Only Ever Yours, The Handmaid's Tale and the huge range of dystopia feminist literature out there, so much the better.
I've read several Holly Bourne novels now, this one felt personal and very heartfelt. Powerful stuff.
For ages 14 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley and Usborne for providing a sample reading copy.
Good lord, I was riled reading this!
We've seen worlds like this before, indeed our own parallels it only too well. But here the Bad Times are over, equality has been achieved, and the Doctrine 'advises' girls and women on their choices: to be as Pretty as possible, to take male attention as a compliment, to portray perfection.... or face being called an Objectionable. Or later in life if signs of aging dare show themselves - an Invisible.
Like a Black Mirror episode, Belle is intent on retaining her top spot as prettiest girl at school, through daily Rankings, three-hour Masking sessions and expensive Looks. But when a man tries to abduct her on the way to school and she doesn't feel flattered, fellow schoolmate Joni helps her escape (on tottering heels) and the two are thrown together in all their chalk-and-cheese glory.
With one mother hiding her aging self from a mostly-absent husband, and the other revelling in her post-absconding abusive husband's, the two girls and their backgrounds may be at odds, but they are competing for the same Educational opportunities.
This world is absolutely horrific. It doesn't feel so far from the one we find ourselves in. The attitudes towards women are repulsive, the talk of Smut (read that for 'porn') is both timely and very worrying.
While I loved the main twosome's two-handed narration, I found near the end I wanted to have heard more from some of the minor characters who didn't really get a chance to shine - Vanessa, a Pretty who has her own issues with the Doctrine due to her race. And Joni's friends also felt a little too background.
Couldn't stop myself reading this. Definitely a perfect choice for teens who need to consider their own attitudes to beauty, compliance, education and sex. And I mean boys AND girls here. If this leads readers to Uglies, Only Ever Yours, The Handmaid's Tale and the huge range of dystopia feminist literature out there, so much the better.
I've read several Holly Bourne novels now, this one felt personal and very heartfelt. Powerful stuff.
For ages 14 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley and Usborne for providing a sample reading copy.
kfeyer's review against another edition
5.0
Best book I have read this year. A dystopian novel about the everyday life of women and girls set in the actual world. It’s written in such a clever way highlighting inequalities in a way that is just so accurate yet the dystopian language highlights just how extreme the society standards for women and girls still are!
lilith_spawn's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
viviantara_22's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Absolutely phenomenal!!!!!!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I will be recommending this book to literally anyone and everyone! It genuinely exceeded all my expectations.
Holly Bourne has absolutely nailed it!!! She crafted this book sooo well! Couldn't stop reading. I loved the characters and their development, there were sooo many immensely important and powerful conversations and messages weaved into the story and it perfectly portraits what it's like being a woman... It's so sad HOW close to reality it all is. It's sad what our world has become in so many aspects and it's also terrifying that that's what we just have to deal with in this society.
I felt so connected to Joni and Belle and I felt all their internal battles and worries and also their rage...
They are both such strong characters and the ending had me in chills. The world could be a much better place If we as women at least all stuck together instead of adding even more fuel to the fire by going against one another in a world that already makes it so incredibly hard an uncomfortable to exist as a woman 🌸
EVERYONE needs to read this!!!
beckee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0