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abbygarcia's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sfoster2309's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hb6wdy's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kba76's review
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
In this dystopian setting, doctors have discovered something called the M gene. It predicts male violence, and in this setting all male children under the age of seven are offered the test. While many parents take this opportunity; others don’t.
Examining our predisposition to violent behaviour, and whether this can be controlled, is a weighty topic so we’re given a more human angle to focus on. Sisters Bea and Antonia both fall pregnant at similar times. They both give birth to boys. Antonia has her son tested and Bea doesn’t. We then follow the sisters and their children over the course of the next eighteen years, examining the impact their choice has on each of them.
What I found intriguing was the way society reacted to this development. It immediately brought in restrictions for the boys testing positive, curtailing their lives and opportunities. Antonia and her husband, Owen, become wealthy off the back of these changes, setting up a clinic to manage the behaviour of M+ boys. Bea, as a single mother, has a much tougher life. We see how her determination not to test her child impacts them both over the course of time, and arrive at a point where some difficult questions have to be answered.
While the story was engaging throughout, it was once we see the boys as adults that things got interesting. Our assumptions about characters are challenged in ways I wasn’t expecting, and this become much more focused on the mothers and the levels they’ll go to in order to protect their sons.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this prior to publication.
Examining our predisposition to violent behaviour, and whether this can be controlled, is a weighty topic so we’re given a more human angle to focus on. Sisters Bea and Antonia both fall pregnant at similar times. They both give birth to boys. Antonia has her son tested and Bea doesn’t. We then follow the sisters and their children over the course of the next eighteen years, examining the impact their choice has on each of them.
What I found intriguing was the way society reacted to this development. It immediately brought in restrictions for the boys testing positive, curtailing their lives and opportunities. Antonia and her husband, Owen, become wealthy off the back of these changes, setting up a clinic to manage the behaviour of M+ boys. Bea, as a single mother, has a much tougher life. We see how her determination not to test her child impacts them both over the course of time, and arrive at a point where some difficult questions have to be answered.
While the story was engaging throughout, it was once we see the boys as adults that things got interesting. Our assumptions about characters are challenged in ways I wasn’t expecting, and this become much more focused on the mothers and the levels they’ll go to in order to protect their sons.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this prior to publication.
trinny's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Two sisters, two sons and a gene test that could jeopardise any future the boys have. Scientists have discovered a test which could help pinpoint the disruptive M gene in boys
Antonio and Bea are sisters but that's where the similarities end, Antonio is happily married to Owen, a successful doctor, and Jack is their perfect M negative son.
Bea, in a failing relationship is mum to Simon, she doesnt believe in testing for M gene, She's seen what happens to parents who's sons are M positive, they are classed as outcasts with little hope for redemption.
But life for each sister is not easy and cracks soon appear.
I loved this book, its such a fascinating subject and lends itself to the "what would I do" scenario.. Every parent wants the best for their child, it's the interesting lengths that some go to to make this hapoen.
Antonio and Bea are sisters but that's where the similarities end, Antonio is happily married to Owen, a successful doctor, and Jack is their perfect M negative son.
Bea, in a failing relationship is mum to Simon, she doesnt believe in testing for M gene, She's seen what happens to parents who's sons are M positive, they are classed as outcasts with little hope for redemption.
But life for each sister is not easy and cracks soon appear.
I loved this book, its such a fascinating subject and lends itself to the "what would I do" scenario.. Every parent wants the best for their child, it's the interesting lengths that some go to to make this hapoen.
laurajadeslibrary's review
dark
reflective
sad
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
3.0
planwritemeow's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
This book had me hooked right from the beginning. Such an interesting premise that makes you realize this could be a reality in a not too distant future and sadly another form of discrimination in society. The story is told in both the present and some flashbacks. It was a quick read and although I guessed some of the plot twists I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
mama_bookworm_'s review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
This book is so thought provoking and a real conversation starter. It is a dark, dystopian thriller which asks how far a mother will go to protect their child.
The story is set in a society where scientists have discovered a genetic predisposition to violence based on an M+ result. Young boys are tested and their status in society revolves around this result. The book focuses on two sisters who each parent a son; one is an overbearing, married, successful, mother of a mollycoddled M- boy. The other sister is a financially struggling, single parent to a non tested son. It brings the nature vs nurture theory into mind The book timeline moves back and forth throughout so the reader can see how life events, government decisions, society and the relationship between the sisters change.
As a parent I found this book extremely thought provoking and at times heartbreaking. Untested boys are treated as guilty unless proven innocent (with a negative test) and are discriminated against alongside the M+ boys. The segregation was really difficult to swallow.
The book is not like anything I have read before and I have a feeling it’ll stick in my mind for quite some time. I would have liked another chapter/ epilogue about Simon but i understand why the author chose to end the book the way they did.
The story is set in a society where scientists have discovered a genetic predisposition to violence based on an M+ result. Young boys are tested and their status in society revolves around this result. The book focuses on two sisters who each parent a son; one is an overbearing, married, successful, mother of a mollycoddled M- boy. The other sister is a financially struggling, single parent to a non tested son. It brings the nature vs nurture theory into mind The book timeline moves back and forth throughout so the reader can see how life events, government decisions, society and the relationship between the sisters change.
As a parent I found this book extremely thought provoking and at times heartbreaking. Untested boys are treated as guilty unless proven innocent (with a negative test) and are discriminated against alongside the M+ boys. The segregation was really difficult to swallow.
The book is not like anything I have read before and I have a feeling it’ll stick in my mind for quite some time. I would have liked another chapter/ epilogue about Simon but i understand why the author chose to end the book the way they did.
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