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justwanna2read's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
sweetpavement's review
4.0
I found this short novel to be an interesting riff on the dystopian genre. It reminded me in many ways of [b:The Handmaid's Tale|38447|The Handmaid's Tale|Margaret Atwood|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1294702760s/38447.jpg|1119185] viewed through the eyes of someone other than a Handmaid. (Disclaimer: Handmaid's tale is in my top five books of all time, and I reread it once a year!)
The protagonist in this book was well defined and an actual strong woman character. Not strong because she had to "fight," but because there was a full characterization with emotions and motivations that really allowed you to slip into her skin. I was scared when she was scared and hopeful when she was hopeful.
The book's focus on reproductive rights was wonderful, it really allowed you to consider the issue without jamming an opinion down your throat. I really appreciated that it handled the concepts of bodily autonomy and relationships in a way that is appropriate for the YA genre without dumbing them down or removing the power of talking about them. In addition, the book did everything it could not to vilify mothers, but rather the oppressive society surrounding them. (I can't really say more without spoiling the plot.)
I also really enjoyed that rather than being about a girl and her love interest, this was the story of two young women who are best friends, and how their lives in an oppressive regime affect that friendship...and how that friendship affects their lives. While there is a young man introduced at one point in the story, he's not the "love interest" and there's no sense that the story is lacking without one. It feels full and complete while focusing on these two women.
If you're into feminist dystopian novels, this may be a good summer read for you. It's not too heavy and reads fast, but will leave you with lots to think about. I hope Ms. Birch gives us another novel set in the world of the Union. (I also wish Goodreads would let us give half stars.)
The protagonist in this book was well defined and an actual strong woman character. Not strong because she had to "fight," but because there was a full characterization with emotions and motivations that really allowed you to slip into her skin. I was scared when she was scared and hopeful when she was hopeful.
The book's focus on reproductive rights was wonderful, it really allowed you to consider the issue without jamming an opinion down your throat. I really appreciated that it handled the concepts of bodily autonomy and relationships in a way that is appropriate for the YA genre without dumbing them down or removing the power of talking about them. In addition, the book did everything it could not to vilify mothers, but rather the oppressive society surrounding them. (I can't really say more without spoiling the plot.)
I also really enjoyed that rather than being about a girl and her love interest, this was the story of two young women who are best friends, and how their lives in an oppressive regime affect that friendship...and how that friendship affects their lives. While there is a young man introduced at one point in the story, he's not the "love interest" and there's no sense that the story is lacking without one. It feels full and complete while focusing on these two women.
If you're into feminist dystopian novels, this may be a good summer read for you. It's not too heavy and reads fast, but will leave you with lots to think about. I hope Ms. Birch gives us another novel set in the world of the Union. (I also wish Goodreads would let us give half stars.)
scarletcorset's review
4.0
**4 STARS**
Deliver Me was such an intriguing read! I really enjoyed this story from beginning to end. Within the last few chapters, the suspense was insane! I can't believe it ended like that though... oh. my. god. Talk about a cliffhanger! This is a great book if you're looking for a thrilling, quick read. I would definitely recommend this!
Deliver Me was such an intriguing read! I really enjoyed this story from beginning to end. Within the last few chapters, the suspense was insane! I can't believe it ended like that though... oh. my. god. Talk about a cliffhanger! This is a great book if you're looking for a thrilling, quick read. I would definitely recommend this!
chllybrd's review
4.0
I gave it 3.5 stars
DELIVER ME reminded me a little of the Eve Series by Anna Carey, but instead the girls WANT to be be used for their uterus and live in luxury. When Wynne doesn't make it as one of the revered carriers she is crushed. She soon finds out being chosen isn't all its cracked up to be and is intent on helping her best friend Odessa escape the life before its to late.
I liked the characters and I liked the pace of the story but there was a lot of background to cover and it felt like it ended just as it was starting to begin. I very much hope there will be a book 2 because the ending would be a horrible let down instead of a cliffhanger.
* This book was provided free of charge from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
DELIVER ME reminded me a little of the Eve Series by Anna Carey, but instead the girls WANT to be be used for their uterus and live in luxury. When Wynne doesn't make it as one of the revered carriers she is crushed. She soon finds out being chosen isn't all its cracked up to be and is intent on helping her best friend Odessa escape the life before its to late.
I liked the characters and I liked the pace of the story but there was a lot of background to cover and it felt like it ended just as it was starting to begin. I very much hope there will be a book 2 because the ending would be a horrible let down instead of a cliffhanger.
* This book was provided free of charge from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
intorilex's review
3.0
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I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. I wouldn't recommend this book, but I wasn't annoyed enough while reading to not finish. As a huge fan of A Handmaid's Tale, I thought this would explore feminism, religion and power. However this was too short and and there was little to no world building. This made the oppressive government appear less believable and more like a caricature of itself.
There were moments which connected with me emotionally, so the writing wasn't all of the problem. The author just wrote too little and shied away from exploring enough of this world to leave a lasting impression. Our protagonist Wynne was free thinking enough to land her in trouble, but was still far too naive after she saw the ideology around her unravel. In the end I was left with too many questions for this to be a stand alone novel. For example, why are sexes segregated? I assumed in a book of this nature that would at least be explored, but no.
Despite my disappointment, will I continue reading novels with these themes in hopes of finding something as great as a Handmaid's tale sequel?
"Her mind pulled her forward, even though her body ached to stop. To live."
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. I wouldn't recommend this book, but I wasn't annoyed enough while reading to not finish. As a huge fan of A Handmaid's Tale, I thought this would explore feminism, religion and power. However this was too short and and there was little to no world building. This made the oppressive government appear less believable and more like a caricature of itself.
There were moments which connected with me emotionally, so the writing wasn't all of the problem. The author just wrote too little and shied away from exploring enough of this world to leave a lasting impression. Our protagonist Wynne was free thinking enough to land her in trouble, but was still far too naive after she saw the ideology around her unravel. In the end I was left with too many questions for this to be a stand alone novel. For example, why are sexes segregated? I assumed in a book of this nature that would at least be explored, but no.
Despite my disappointment, will I continue reading novels with these themes in hopes of finding something as great as a Handmaid's tale sequel?
jdebari's review
2.0
Very predictable. Seemed like a take-off of The Handmaid's Tale. I liked her trilogy Perfected, but this book seemed very basic.
maudebs's review
2.0
There I was, chugging along and vaguely enjoying this perfectly inoffensive - if not immensely original - YA dystopian entry when 70 percent of the way through we're introduced to a male character (with floppy hair!) for the sole purpose of 'no homo'-ing the protagonist and her relationship with her best friend. She talks to him for about two pages, thinks about wanting to touch his face, and then mentally recalls him every time a character discusses love for the rest of the book just so her strong friendship with her childhood friend isn't called into question. It was the most inane addition to what was a perfectly okay novel about railing against society and fighting for freedom, and I felt sort of personally disgusted that the author felt the need to so clearly flag a reminder that This Book Is Heterosexual in case any poor young girls reading it might be led to believe anything else is okay.
We can have books with no romance, even! Or maybe the ideal future doesn't have to be a husband and kids? I didn't think these concepts were so revolutionary but they must be, if they don't even make it into a book about balking against the norms.
2 stars because I liked the babies.
We can have books with no romance, even! Or maybe the ideal future doesn't have to be a husband and kids? I didn't think these concepts were so revolutionary but they must be, if they don't even make it into a book about balking against the norms.
2 stars because I liked the babies.
krystala's review
5.0
I get so disappointed when I read a great book and there is no sequel in sight! This was a quick read but left me wanting more!!!!!