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sisters26's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Sexism
paguroidea's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The concept is interesting but it could’ve been fleshed out so, so much more. Ending wrapped up a little too quickly and neatly to really make sense but overall I liked the story enough.
I do have to add, I really wish there was a way to respond to some of these other reviews like on GoodReads, cause some of y’all seriously missed the entire point of the story and apparently have had the good fortune of not meeting a religious (especially evangelical) fanatic/nationalist IRL before. Yes, they are *actually* like the men in power in this book. They think the Earth is flat, 6,000 years old, and that women have to “submit” to men. It’s pure delusion.
Reducing this book down to “anti-christian” without even acknowledging or so much as understanding that these kinds of extremists exist and are actively trying to destroy society as we know it is just…yikes.
I do have to add, I really wish there was a way to respond to some of these other reviews like on GoodReads, cause some of y’all seriously missed the entire point of the story and apparently have had the good fortune of not meeting a religious (especially evangelical) fanatic/nationalist IRL before. Yes, they are *actually* like the men in power in this book. They think the Earth is flat, 6,000 years old, and that women have to “submit” to men. It’s pure delusion.
Reducing this book down to “anti-christian” without even acknowledging or so much as understanding that these kinds of extremists exist and are actively trying to destroy society as we know it is just…yikes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Gun violence, and Homophobia
ellieworm's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
A book that maybe had an interesting enough version of feminist dystopian fiction but was largely spoiled by a quite lazy plot. Everything that unfolds in the story is the result of a series of coincidences, each less believable than the last. The plot twist could be spotted a mile away . I had a fine enough time reading it but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Physical abuse
greenan26's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
eilidhcan's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence and Gun violence
danimacuk's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Religious bigotry, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Sexism
Moderate: Dementia, Gun violence, Death, Homophobia, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Abortion, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Confinement, and Cursing
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I'll be totally honest, when I first looked at this I was pretty sure I wouldn't enjoy it. But actually, it's another one of those terrifying dystopian novels that, if you squint, isn't actually that outlandish at all. Imagine that every woman you know is prevented from working, every girl's education is limited to basic maths and home economics (no reading or writing), and every female is limited to speaking just 100 words per day on pain of electrocution. How do you even begin to start fighting back?
The plot feels like quite a slow burn; it's certainly not an action packed storyline, but even within the fairly domestic setting there is something about the way this is written that keeps you engaged. In my opinion, it's actually the stories of the main character's oldest and youngest child that really cry out to you as a reader; seeing a teenage boy influenced into 'drinking the Kool-Aid', not just through peer pressure but through educational indoctrination and media bias feels so real and relatable, particularly considering the issues the US are currently experiencing. And the instinct to scream at the unfairness of a little girl suffering a nightmare and not being able to call out for her mummy then celebrating when she wins an award for saying the fewest words in a day... it's heartbreaking.
The book reads like the author looks at those of a religious persuasion and is genuinely perplexed at how their beliefs lead to such fanatical behaviour. Now, clearly that is not reflective of every person of faith, but the author has done a very good job at illustrate the 'extreme' end of Christian conservatism in the US (at least, it's recognisable from a Brit's POV!) It's also a great social commentary on the importance of using your voice when you can; vote when you have the opportunity, stand up for your rights and the rights of others and take an interest in current affairs, politics and the world around you so you can try to make a difference, rather than getting stuck in a situation you don't like without ever having said a word.
This book is very much the author writing ehat she knows; her accreditation as a neurolinguist is stated in the 'About the Author' section. While it does make for interesting reading, at the same time her knowledge does shine through in the use of technical jargon and other elements. As it is quite a niche field of interest, it does make the book a little hard to follow in places and a little 'mad scientist-y' in the resolution. But overall it's still a very readable and understandable book.
I was also slightly disappointed by the ending. I appreciate that the story is told from one character's perspective, but that does mean that the denouement isn't witnessed firsthand and so the key scene is actually just referred to in a vague conversation between two characters. After that slow build, it would have been nice to see the outcome firsthand .
Pleasantly surprised by this!
The plot feels like quite a slow burn; it's certainly not an action packed storyline, but even within the fairly domestic setting there is something about the way this is written that keeps you engaged. In my opinion, it's actually the stories of the main character's oldest and youngest child that really cry out to you as a reader; seeing a teenage boy influenced into 'drinking the Kool-Aid', not just through peer pressure but through educational indoctrination and media bias feels so real and relatable, particularly considering the issues the US are currently experiencing. And the instinct to scream at the unfairness of a little girl suffering a nightmare and not being able to call out for her mummy then celebrating when she wins an award for saying the fewest words in a day... it's heartbreaking.
The book reads like the author looks at those of a religious persuasion and is genuinely perplexed at how their beliefs lead to such fanatical behaviour. Now, clearly that is not reflective of every person of faith, but the author has done a very good job at illustrate the 'extreme' end of Christian conservatism in the US (at least, it's recognisable from a Brit's POV!) It's also a great social commentary on the importance of using your voice when you can; vote when you have the opportunity, stand up for your rights and the rights of others and take an interest in current affairs, politics and the world around you so you can try to make a difference, rather than getting stuck in a situation you don't like without ever having said a word.
This book is very much the author writing ehat she knows; her accreditation as a neurolinguist is stated in the 'About the Author' section. While it does make for interesting reading, at the same time her knowledge does shine through in the use of technical jargon and other elements. As it is quite a niche field of interest, it does make the book a little hard to follow in places and a little 'mad scientist-y' in the resolution. But overall it's still a very readable and understandable book.
I was also slightly disappointed by the ending. I appreciate that the story is told from one character's perspective, but that does mean that the denouement isn't witnessed firsthand and so the key scene is actually just referred to in a vague conversation between two characters. After that slow build, it would have been nice to see the outcome firsthand .
Pleasantly surprised by this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Medical content, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Homophobia, Alcohol, Lesbophobia, Death, Animal death, Gun violence, and Infidelity
Minor: Racism, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Abortion, and Blood
sanikaaa___'s review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Medical content, and Sexism
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Abortion and Infidelity
eveningreverie's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Engaging book with a somewhat overused premise. Thrilling action with a subtly disappointing lack of unpacking the nuanced and traumatic themes. Lovely writing style and great narrative concept with short chapters, though. Very readable!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
delta1juliet's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A true horror novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Gun violence, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Vomit, Alcohol, Murder, and Genocide
Minor: Sexual content, Abortion, and War