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ceruleanjen 's review for:
Red Clocks
by Leni Zumas
Plot & Pacing
The plot took a while to hook me but once I got to the 30% mark, I became pretty invested in it. The pacing from then on moves at a reasonable speed. The plot is somewhat of a dystopian but also something that I could see happening one day with the entire abortion debate. Even the adoption restrictions seemed realistic as there are many politicians who have deemed even more extreme ones.
I liked how all of the different women in the story connect to the main plot and to one another's subplots. My favorite subplot would probably be that of the daughter, though I found the mender's to be pretty interesting as well. I wasn't really expecting the plot/plots to go the way it/they did so that was a nice surprise.
Setting & World-Building
I felt this world was constructed pretty well and felt like a realistic what-if to our current United States of America.
Characters & Development
Four women have their own POVs in this through the third person and I felt the author did a great job keeping them unique.
I related most to the Daughter and also felt the most for her and her situation. The Mender was a very interesting character and she was also easy to feel for. I had a harder time feeling much for the Biographer, though I liked how her character developed--she probably had the most development out of all of the characters by the end.
I struggled at times with the character of the Wife, though there were moments in which I felt I could even relate to her. Overall, I enjoyed the four characters and their stories. They all felt pretty realistic as well.
The side characters did their part and were decent enough. Yasmine probably interested me the most out of all of them, though.
Character Relationships
Not all of the main characters interact with each other, per say, but they all are involved in the same overarching plot. Out of the ones who interacted, I felt the relationship between the Biographer and the Daughter was the most interesting and dramatic. But I was also intrigued by the Daughter and the Mender as well, especially once the mystery is revealed.
I also liked the relationship the Daughter had with her parents and how that contributed to the feelings she had about her situation.
The relationship between the Biographer and her dad was also sweet.
The author did a great job of creating tension between the Wife and her husband.
Writing & Voice
I honestly struggled with the writing. It was difficult to get into and at times I was a little confused by it and had to re-read. The story of the Arctic Explorer also took me a while to get into. While I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing, I did manage to get used to it enough to enjoy the story and characters. But I do feel that I would have liked this even more had I been able to enjoy and connect to the writing better.
Climax & Ending
I had no idea how the climax would resolve itself but was happy at how it did. I also liked how the overall ending wrapped up for the main characters and also the letter to Yasmine at the end.
Overall, I'd give this one 3.5 stars. Would definitely recommend for anyone who is passionate about reproductive rights.