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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can see why this might be considered an important piece of literature right now. It feels more like an alternate history than science fiction. I finished it quickly, yet I found it slow. I think the slow pace is intentional though, to mimic the main character’s life. The cliffhanger ending also didn’t do much for me. It felt like the author didn’t want to share her ultimate thesis. Still, the writing is good. I’d recommend it to more advanced readers.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another tough one to read in the middle of 2025. What is frightening about this is the level of plausibility as similar things have happened before.
Passages that really stood out for me: “But we lived as usual. Everyone dies, most of the time. Whatever is going on is as usual. Even this is as usual, now.”
“Better never means better for everyone, he says. It always means worse, for some.”
“Humanity is so adaptable, my mother would say. Truly amazing, what people can get used to, as long as there are a few compensations.”
The audiobook narrator had an interesting cadence that was somewhat sing-song with a sinister air. It took a bit to get used to at first but I rather liked it.
Passages that really stood out for me: “But we lived as usual. Everyone dies, most of the time. Whatever is going on is as usual. Even this is as usual, now.”
“Better never means better for everyone, he says. It always means worse, for some.”
“Humanity is so adaptable, my mother would say. Truly amazing, what people can get used to, as long as there are a few compensations.”
The audiobook narrator had an interesting cadence that was somewhat sing-song with a sinister air. It took a bit to get used to at first but I rather liked it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Colonisation, War, Classism, Deportation
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was the most subtle dystopian novel I've ever read. There was nothing particularly unbelievable about it and, given the current state of our society, it seemed almost plausible.
Unlike with other dystopian novels, there was no turning point or major uprising. Ultimately, nothing changed, or was fixed. But there was potential, and I love that.
Unlike with other dystopian novels, there was no turning point or major uprising. Ultimately, nothing changed, or was fixed. But there was potential, and I love that.
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No