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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An especially compelling direction for a second novel in the series. Touches on many different aspects of the dystopian world residing within its pages. Multiple perspectives make it an especially compelling read, and a slow first act of world-building (again) is more than made up for by its entirely gripping second and third acts.
This book was my favorite out of the trilogy! It felt like just when I was sick of Jimmy & his poor choices it switched to 2 strong women trying to manage this late stage capitalist nightmare. The world building is wonderful, every time I got another piece of the puzzle it felt so rewarding and well earned. I’m a little paranoid now that everything she wrote is already in process, but surely that’s the risk you run when reading a Margaret Atwood series, I knew what I was signing up for. Thank you, goodnight.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
First read in 2012: The sequel to Oryx & Crake; the same period of time (roughly) told from the perspective of other characters during the same cataclysm. It's a little jumpier as it switches perspectives between Toby and Ren, but it fleshes out the world nicely and I look forward to seeing how it all ends.
Reread in 2015:
Reread in 2015:
A Strong Sequel That Deepens the MaddAddam World
This second installment in the MaddAddam trilogy is compelling, thanks in large part to its vividly drawn protagonists, Ren and Toby—two strong female characters who each draw strength from very different sources. Their distinct voices anchor the narrative and offer fresh perspectives on a world already sketched in Oryx and Crake.
While the first book was more challenging to enter—dense with world-building and layered concepts—The Year of the Flood benefits from that foundation, allowing the story to shine with clarity and confidence. It masterfully retells parts of the original narrative while feeling entirely new. The points where the plotlines intersect offer a satisfying sense of continuity, weaving familiar lore into a richer, more nuanced tapestry.
Atwood continues to position her dystopia as a stark warning—an unsettling glimpse into what humanity could become if we fail to wield our knowledge responsibly. This novel not only expands the universe but also deepens its moral and philosophical questions.
This second installment in the MaddAddam trilogy is compelling, thanks in large part to its vividly drawn protagonists, Ren and Toby—two strong female characters who each draw strength from very different sources. Their distinct voices anchor the narrative and offer fresh perspectives on a world already sketched in Oryx and Crake.
While the first book was more challenging to enter—dense with world-building and layered concepts—The Year of the Flood benefits from that foundation, allowing the story to shine with clarity and confidence. It masterfully retells parts of the original narrative while feeling entirely new. The points where the plotlines intersect offer a satisfying sense of continuity, weaving familiar lore into a richer, more nuanced tapestry.
Atwood continues to position her dystopia as a stark warning—an unsettling glimpse into what humanity could become if we fail to wield our knowledge responsibly. This novel not only expands the universe but also deepens its moral and philosophical questions.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes