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dljmsw's review against another edition
2.0
I may need to create a DNF shelf, as this may be my third for 2019. I'm definitely not a fan of dystopian, science fiction, futuristic novels and this was a very slow start for me. I made it through about half for my book club discussion tonight. After the discussion, I'm calling it quits. Not for me.
robinorozco's review against another edition
4.0
While in the thick of it, I found this story to be terrifying, amazing, crazy, and kept me guessing how it would end. I needed to keep reading. The characters I both enjoyed and despised, needless to say I was convinced this was going to be my favorite book of the year. However, the ending of this book left me for want. It flopped at the end, it was dry and made the rest of the greatness in this novel, much less great. If I were to rate the first 3/4 of the book, i would give it 5 stars, no questions asked. The last 1/4th, 2-3 stars, maybe even one. So I settle on 4, but really give it 3.5-4.
ammbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Ms King’s novel about a society which opts for a form of polyandry as a solution to a shortage of women was interesting. I was intrigued by her world in which though one would think that the shortage would empower women it seemed to have made little difference other than saddling women with more than one husband at a time.
laurazdavidson's review against another edition
3.0
Not exactly what I expected, but it was still an interesting look at China's "One Child" policy and what might happen in the future to the structure of Chinese families because of the imbalance between the male and female population.
gabrielleint's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A really good dystopian novel and a StoryGraph recommendation! I fell in love with the characters and was fascinated by the societal structure and its gender politics.
calville's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at about 20%. Did not like any of the characters, and they weren't even unlikable in interesting ways. I just could not make myself care about a single one of them.
elzabetg's review against another edition
3.0
It could stand to be WAY less tedious toward the end. Without giving anything away, everything that you expect to happen happens. The unsung hero is the unsung hero, the persecution and all the evilness of being in that sort of repressive dystopic society happens. I do wish Mei Ling hadn't been so flat. She seems like she could have had an interesting story but there was not a lot of focus on her. She was just whiny and unbearable almost to the end. I was not crazy about the kid but I'm not fond of kids at that age level. The ending also fell flat for me; it could have gone a different way but I guess if we're going for verisimilitude and continuity what happened makes the best sense, but I still didn't like it.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
ajcoops's review against another edition
4.0
a legal science fiction book that i liked??? such distinctive voices, dense worldbuilding — only the ending wasn’t great. overall, a surprise hit.
jmsutterley's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
ninj's review against another edition
5.0
Great story and wonderful characters in this take on China 2030 and the implications of too many men, not enough women. When women are taking a second husband, or starting to look at a third, what does this mean for men and their role in the family unit, and in society. Cycles between viewpoints throughout as a 40yo man looks like he'll get a chance to join an established family of a wife, two husbands and a kid.