ile94's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Read it in Italian. A dystopian story with interesting points of reflection on our concept of society, gender disparity and power (ab)use. I found some common elements with The Handmaid's tale (Margaret Atwood). In general, very recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Rape
rebecca_arch_art's review against another edition
5.0
What starts as a gentle agitation of gender experiences, builds to an world-upending conclusion. The author captures a centuries old voice of women, spoken in a man’s voice, as they find themselves increasingly threatened and frightened by the emergence of women as the physically dominant gender. The absurdity of the situation somehow feels more real when transposed to a male-voice. What later becomes apparent is that no one gender is actually “right” or more suited to leadership; an imbalance of power corrupts all.
As an archaeologist, the subtle brilliance of the final challenges to male “warrior” burials, pre-cataclysm had me laughing despite the horrific events of the closing chapters. This book is and will be a very difficult read for anyone who has experienced sexual violence. I was left wondering how often this wheel has turned, with each sex repeatedly destroying their universe, in turn. There are too many sexist tropes, turned on their head, to mention but I was particularly stuck by the comments that the rape scenes in the book were just porn, in the way that too many programmes depict sexual violence against women for “historical accuracy” and sexposition. I found nothing but disgust and horror at the depiction, whoever the victim.
The book is a stark warning that it doesn’t really matter what body we are born into, we are all capable of cruelty and violence in the right/wrong circumstances. It very much underlined my feminism for me, that I want equity, not revenge or a wholly female-led society. We should look for the better human, the compassionate and empathetic among us, gender is irrelevant. There is no natural order that we should all be subscribing to, based on which sex is stronger or larger.
As an archaeologist, the subtle brilliance of the final challenges to male “warrior” burials, pre-cataclysm had me laughing despite the horrific events of the closing chapters. This book is and will be a very difficult read for anyone who has experienced sexual violence. I was left wondering how often this wheel has turned, with each sex repeatedly destroying their universe, in turn. There are too many sexist tropes, turned on their head, to mention but I was particularly stuck by the comments that the rape scenes in the book were just porn, in the way that too many programmes depict sexual violence against women for “historical accuracy” and sexposition. I found nothing but disgust and horror at the depiction, whoever the victim.
The book is a stark warning that it doesn’t really matter what body we are born into, we are all capable of cruelty and violence in the right/wrong circumstances. It very much underlined my feminism for me, that I want equity, not revenge or a wholly female-led society. We should look for the better human, the compassionate and empathetic among us, gender is irrelevant. There is no natural order that we should all be subscribing to, based on which sex is stronger or larger.
madkatrob's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Drug abuse, War, Torture, and Drug use
agmaynard's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tour de force category. Narrator Adjoa Andoh does an amazing job capturing the flavor of a sprawling cast of characters. All sorts of power examined and played out in dystopian hellscapes. Juggled a number of characters' narratives mostly successfully. Flirted a bit with the men-with-skeins that I wondered whether could have played out by examining how trans folks might fit in--was not apparent, unless I missed it. Thankfully, some dry humor now and again, and connections made here and there. Glad I didn't read when all the rage; better to be a few years beyond its buzz.
hannahhc81's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jkloza205's review against another edition
3.0
pretty interesting read- definitely makes you think about all the contradictions in the gender binary. A bit dry at times
gladys_enmarte's review against another edition
fast-paced
1.5
The worst book I've read this year.
All over the place and overrated. Also, the analogies are bland, the jokes are not funny, the writing is prosaic and characters keep "licking" their lips and raising their eyebrows in disdain. I felt like I was reading a YA novel.
Plus, apparently you can't write a contemporary book these days without including unnecesary s3x scenes 🙄.
All over the place and overrated. Also, the analogies are bland, the jokes are not funny, the writing is prosaic and characters keep "licking" their lips and raising their eyebrows in disdain. I felt like I was reading a YA novel.
Plus, apparently you can't write a contemporary book these days without including unnecesary s3x scenes 🙄.
kaylstew's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
Incredibly well written. An interesting concept that draws you in before you realize the danger of it. It almost starts as a revenge fantasy of sorts before you realize the harm being done. This is very effective narratively— I’m just not sure I share the same view of what would happen in this situation. It’s a pessimistic view, but wryly done. I also didn’t love the framing device, but the last line gave me a chuckle.
ambercristofaro's review against another edition
dark
tense
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
karmapen's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Child abuse, Violence, Torture, Police brutality, Murder, Misogyny, Drug use, Bullying, Rape, Sexual violence, War, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
Moderate: Blood, Ableism, Body shaming, and Abandonment
Minor: Child death