We got an advanced copy of this book at work, so I picked it up because it sounded right up my alley. The premise reminded me a lot of The Handmaid's Tale; but maybe even more realistic, given the current political climate. Parts of this book made me so angry--and I think that was the point. In many of these dystopian texts, the characters regret not stepping in when they had a chance, not stepping in before things became drastic. The message here: speak up while your voice can still be heard.

While the pacing of the book felt a bit off to me, overall I was invested in the story right until the very end. Jean's reliability as a narrator is questioned at times, but the supporting characters were interesting and I felt they were what drove the plot forward. Everything was a tied up a bit too neatly at the end; more neatly than most dystopian texts, but what's life without a little hope?

3.5/5 stars

Read more at between-the-shelves.com!