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veganheathen's review
5.0
I picked this up from the library on a whim as it was on the shelf of books recommended by the librarians. I had so many different emotions while reading this. I can see this becoming a very accurate portrayal of a potential parallel universe. The characters are all complex and interesting. They are very well-rounded and feel like they could be real people, doing these very real things. The last few pages of the book, including the author's note really got me thinking about way history is told and who is telling it.
There was a line in the book, and I wish I had thought to copy it at the time and didn't, so I'm likely not getting this exactly right, but it sticks with me and likely will for a long time. This woman, upon having her power awakened was thinking how everything feels like a summer afternoon. Everything is good, and full of promise. This must be the way men feel all of the time.
Highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
There was a line in the book, and I wish I had thought to copy it at the time and didn't, so I'm likely not getting this exactly right, but it sticks with me and likely will for a long time. This woman, upon having her power awakened was thinking how everything feels like a summer afternoon. Everything is good, and full of promise. This must be the way men feel all of the time.
Highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
annikthegaycat's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
melodys_library's review
4.0
Women gain power, women abuse power, women force men to experience fear, pain, shock, shame, and humiliation in ways that women have under men’s power for centuries....I tossed back and forth between feelings of pride, anger, sympathy and embarrassment throughout the stories. Well done.
ahenrick's review
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.5
zoboomafoo9's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
This was riveting. It’s terrifyingly funny at times and really puts a lens up to society. The gender flipping and the way the world responds felt so real and intense. It’s a difficult read in some ways, definitely some hard scenes to read. But wow, that was something I’ll think about for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Gore
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Superb. From the bookends that offer a kick in the guts to the meat of the novel itself, this is a tour-de-force of 'reimagined' social history, complete with historical artefacts and a timeline of a new world order that starts as any new leadership seems to - with hope.
A male writer sends his work to a publisher, asking for benefaction. His story, the one we read, tells of what really happened when women and girls around the planet began developing powers that allow them to break out of old moulds, positions and roles in society.
Told through several narrators, one male, the others female, the reader sees a society radically transform, from small changes as the new power is seen as a blip, a phenomenon, to how its impact spreads and takes hold worldwide.
Role-reversal has been used before to terrific effect (Malorie Blackman's Noughts and Crosses), in books and films, and here it is particularly effective and shocking.
There are graphic scenes that almost hurt to read, as a woman. The narrative builds up a picture of how a world can change, how power can change hands (no pun intended) when something alters in society.
We see the point of view of a politician, a reporter, a young girl who grows up the daughter of a gangster, a foster child who reinvents herself as her powers grow. The 'Power', at first a novelty, not understood or fully respected, develops along with the characters and worms into society.
The cleverness of the artefacts becomes clear as the story progresses and their meaning is made more explicit, and the whole makes for a perfectly compelling dystopia.
Incredibly hard to put down, and a rather important book. Stands up next to 1984, The Handmaid's Tale, and other noted works in the genre as a book that needs reading, that will not leave you unaffected.
Some very graphic sexual and violent scenes, but highly recommended. Just get a copy. You won't regret it.
A male writer sends his work to a publisher, asking for benefaction. His story, the one we read, tells of what really happened when women and girls around the planet began developing powers that allow them to break out of old moulds, positions and roles in society.
Told through several narrators, one male, the others female, the reader sees a society radically transform, from small changes as the new power is seen as a blip, a phenomenon, to how its impact spreads and takes hold worldwide.
Role-reversal has been used before to terrific effect (Malorie Blackman's Noughts and Crosses), in books and films, and here it is particularly effective and shocking.
There are graphic scenes that almost hurt to read, as a woman. The narrative builds up a picture of how a world can change, how power can change hands (no pun intended) when something alters in society.
We see the point of view of a politician, a reporter, a young girl who grows up the daughter of a gangster, a foster child who reinvents herself as her powers grow. The 'Power', at first a novelty, not understood or fully respected, develops along with the characters and worms into society.
The cleverness of the artefacts becomes clear as the story progresses and their meaning is made more explicit, and the whole makes for a perfectly compelling dystopia.
Incredibly hard to put down, and a rather important book. Stands up next to 1984, The Handmaid's Tale, and other noted works in the genre as a book that needs reading, that will not leave you unaffected.
Some very graphic sexual and violent scenes, but highly recommended. Just get a copy. You won't regret it.
mummybear_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
noomlum's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.25
A really interesting take on sexism, feminism, and power. The world devolves in a power struggle based in fear and revenge, with the concept of innate softness and the maternalistic nature of women being flipped on its head. The writing makes this all so easy to digest and visualise, and I was hooked to the characters throughout. A must read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Violence
charlottehuddle's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0