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princessdelrey's review against another edition
5.0
I devoured this book in less than a day. I can’t talk about it too much in a review as it will take the story away. All I’ll say is, read if you love dystopian worlds, creative story telling, aged main character and backstories that will make you gasp.
I loved every second of this and I hope I can hold out till the next one is out!!
I loved every second of this and I hope I can hold out till the next one is out!!
pastagoblin666's review against another edition
5.0
I finished the book in a few sittings, it was genuinely hard to put it down. The story is compelling, and though some plot hooks are predictable it still manages to be gripping. One of the dystopian stories I've enjoyed the most in the past while
crustyplush's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
grimalkin28's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
mimosaeyes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.5
Interesting!
This book imagines a matriarchal dystopia where the only surviving men are kept in facilities, their role in post-apocalyptic society being whatever you get if you triangulate between prisoners, patients, and prostitutes. The ways in which they are disempowered and infantilised bear striking parallels to the position of women in our own, patriarchal civilisation. For this reason, unlike <i>The Power</i> for instance, which I detested, I'd argue that this book is rightfully marketed as feminist. You just have to dig a little for the ideas it's bringing up. There's also the specific flavour of psychosis that the moths' toxins induce in half of men (the half that don't die immediately) - always charged with gendered violence and sexist language. As premises go, this is well put together.
Having the protagonist be a woman in her 70s is uncommon in fiction, and I liked that decision here. It makes perfect sense for the story, giving Mary a layered perspective on how things have changed within her lifetime. I also appreciate that the author does not gloss over what happens with queerness in this new world order. Heteronormativity essentially gets left behind with patriarchy, while homosexual couples become the new normal. Additionally, no sooner had I wondered, "But what about trans people, can they get infected?" than my question was answered. I like that these things were considered and thoughtfully addressed in the plot.
I'll have to ponder about the implications of that final moth imagery...
This book imagines a matriarchal dystopia where the only surviving men are kept in facilities, their role in post-apocalyptic society being whatever you get if you triangulate between prisoners, patients, and prostitutes. The ways in which they are disempowered and infantilised bear striking parallels to the position of women in our own, patriarchal civilisation. For this reason, unlike <i>The Power</i> for instance, which I detested, I'd argue that this book is rightfully marketed as feminist. You just have to dig a little for the ideas it's bringing up. There's also the specific flavour of psychosis that the moths' toxins induce in half of men (the half that don't die immediately) - always charged with gendered violence and sexist language. As premises go, this is well put together.
Having the protagonist be a woman in her 70s is uncommon in fiction, and I liked that decision here. It makes perfect sense for the story, giving Mary a layered perspective on how things have changed within her lifetime. I also appreciate that the author does not gloss over what happens with queerness in this new world order. Heteronormativity essentially gets left behind with patriarchy, while homosexual couples become the new normal. Additionally, no sooner had I wondered, "But what about trans people, can they get infected?" than my question was answered. I like that these things were considered and thoughtfully addressed in the plot.
I'll have to ponder about the implications of that final moth imagery...
gjenn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kara_oak'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? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thereckoning's review against another edition
medium-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
4.0
ninevehthecat's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this! I love dystopian novels and I thought this was a pretty good one. Bonus points because I happen to love moths too lol. It was like Handmaids Tale and Brave New World had a little dystopian baby but I think it lacked a bit of finesse to make it truly amazing.
beq3's review against another edition
2.0
This is ok. The writing is a bit flat. It didn't really come to life but the ideas were interesting. I personally found the whole premise a bit hard to believe in also.