Reviews

Q by Christina Dalcher

abiimay's review against another edition

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dark reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

isobela0101's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

rachel2408's review against another edition

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dark fast-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

5.0

Very thought provoking, could this be our future?!

richter10's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

frede11's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

lillanaa's review against another edition

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3.0

This book was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had... A lot going on. I wasn't sure about it at first, seeming a little too similar to the tropes played with in so many other similar books. I've never read the other author's book, Vox, but after reading this I think I'm probably going to pass. Dystopia fiction is one of those things that's difficult to nail, and this kind of... Tries? But doesn't hit the mark enough. I'm unsure how society would change that quickly, without checks and balances, the entire concept seems like it's trying to be something but falls flat because it's just so out of the realm of possibility.

There's a lot of things in here that were decent, the characters were okay despite a few of them seeming far too outlandish for something that's supposed to be based in a current reality/realistic world. The protagonist, Elena, is... Okay. She's just alright. Despite being a smart person, she acts like a blank slate for most of the book, and seems to blame her odd behaviors on "just being a mother", using it as a scapegoat for her absurdity. I can handle that, though, considering we have other characters who are more stereotype than character.

Ultimately, this one's definitely going to be popular, but... It's too similar to other things I've read recently. It has the "Handmaid's Tale without the religion" vibe, wanting to be more than what it is, and the fact that they pulled a martyr complex out of it kind of makes me upset.

novelvisits's review against another edition

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4.0

Note: I received a copy of this book from Berkley (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest thoughts.

My Thoughts: I was a huge fan of Christina Dalcher’s last book VOX (my review), so expectations were high for Master Class. Like VOX, Master Class is a story of a time not far in the future where things have gone a little off the rails. In this case, a system has developed where everyone has a “Q” score, based largely on IQ, but also includes test scores, influences of family members and more. These scores determine many things, but most of all the level of schools children will attend and things have moved to the extreme. Children at the lowest level are being taken away to isolated “schools” and their parents can only see them a few times a year, while those at the highest levels are getting a luxury education. It was a fun story, and I appreciate Dalcher’s political leanings.

“It started with fear, and it ended with laws.”

This was clearly written in part as a response to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and her clear love of Charter Schools. Fast, easy and just a little bit scary, I liked Master Class.

Original Source: https://novelvisits.com/april-mini-reviews-a-half-dozen/

joybells's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective tense

4.0

alexisrt's review against another edition

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3.0

This is better than her first one, which I hated. The setup requires a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, but it works pretty well when you think of it not just as eugenics but as a satire of upper middle class striving for perfect families. The eugenics angle, though historically true (everyone in the novel seems to be magically ignorant of it, though!) is hammered a little *too* hard--German grandparents, anyone?

The main character is okay, but not super well drawn. Her concept seems to be that of someone who moved along with the system until it affected her personally. Her husband is a bit of a cartoon villain, a problem Dalcher hasn't conquered. The plot moves briskly and is probably the best part of the book.

chazbats's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0