Reviews

I had such high hopes for this book! The story could have been so great, sadly it wasn’t anything like I expected. The characters were so immature and frustrating. I could barely connect to them, I literally skipped paragraphs the last half of the book. I was going to stop reading about 50 pages in but the reviews were decent and I hoped it would pick up. The ending was better than the entire book in my opinion. Just read the handmaids tale.

booksalexreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

As much as I enjoyed the story, I honestly wish there was more, even just a few more chapters. The ending felt rushed and almost cliffhanger-y.

kj8s's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

siobhanward's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I'll be honest, I went in to this book ready to dislike it. The topic of women's bodies being entirely controlled by government is just too real right now. I understand that's the point, but considering what's happened since Tater wrote this book (particularly the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the States), it was just a bit much. However, as I kept reading, the strength of the plot and of Sable really did make it worth the read. While it didn't tell an entirely new story, I liked a lot of it, particularly how Tater chose to end it.

Content Warnings

passionyoungwrites's review

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I had no idea this book was categorized as a YA and Thriller until I was halfway down.

This book was similar to The Handmaids Tale. Women living under the control of men, with little to no value other than to mother, cook, and basically be servants. And on their 18th birthday, they have reached the stage of breeding.

They are matched according to family class. Impregnated by their matches in a tent 😔 with a midwife nearby. One their pregnancy is confirmed, they are sent to the Birth Yard. There they are supposed to learn how to be submissive and work towards becoming wives, and mothers.

The main character, Sable, and her friends are rebels. They don’t follow the rules and finally get tired of the BS that comes from “The Den” and its rulers. Rebels. And most importantly loyal to the ones they love.

I enjoyed this read. But the thing that threw me was the fact that they are given medicine in every step of their lives. They didn’t get to really whose which Man they would match with, or even allowed to have friendships - not openly anyway. They aren’t safe within their community, or their homes.

The ending was perfect though, even though I didn’t expect what happened to actually happen.

Content Warnings

rcanjar's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

saradow's review

Go to review page

dark sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

More...