A review by passionyoungwrites
The Birth Yard by Mallory Tater

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I had no idea this book was categorized as a YA and Thriller until I was halfway down. 

This book was similar to The Handmaids Tale. Women living under the control of men, with little to no value other than to mother, cook, and basically be servants. And on their 18th birthday, they have reached the stage of breeding. 

They are matched according to family class. Impregnated by their matches in a tent 😔 with a midwife nearby. One their pregnancy is confirmed, they are sent to the Birth Yard. There they are supposed to learn how to be submissive and work towards becoming wives, and mothers.



The main character, Sable, and her friends are rebels. They don’t follow the rules and finally get tired of the BS that comes from “The Den” and its rulers. Rebels. And most importantly loyal to the ones they love. 

I enjoyed this read. But the thing that threw me was the fact that they are given medicine in every step of their lives. They didn’t get to really whose which Man they would match with, or even allowed to have friendships - not openly anyway. They aren’t safe within their community, or their homes. 

The ending was perfect though, even though I didn’t expect what happened to actually happen. 

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