Beatriz Blair

Just finished this one! A lovely thoughtful story with characters that felt so real. Super wholesome. Even though there is some sadness and tragedy, I would still class this as a wonderful feel-good read that captures the nuance of life and what we go through. You can feel each of the characters going on an internal journey but also sharing that growth and development with each other. This novel is set in London with many day-to-day details, which for me was special because as a Londoner who lives abroad, it was nice to be able to visualise every small reference and feel immersed in the familiarity. It made it all the more vivid to remember my own British summer days, and to also have had an attachment to my local library at different points in my life. The old man Mukesh was the most adorable character.

I think I read this all in one sitting. It’s a super quick read, more of a short story really, but a very efficient and evocative bit of dystopian fiction. Its main theme is the concept of collectivism versus individuality, and how sacrificing one for the other can have such grave repercussions. What do we live for? What does equality really mean, and how can we strive for it in a way that truly does justice to humanity? How can people be capable of putting certain mechanisms in place in the name of fairness and compassion, but actually be committing the greatest evil against the soul of the individual? I think this book is written beautifully and brings up so many ideas worth pondering. Sobering read. Ignorance is not bliss.

Great sequel, keeps you on edge even more than the first one.

Loved this book. Such a multi-faceted story and the characters grew on me. At first I wondered if the correspondence-style of writing would get tiring, but it only grew more clever and interesting as the story pieced together. Each character plays a surprising role in it all, as the events begin to layer on. At the end, I was so pleased. Idk if every person would like this book, it depends on your taste and personality, but for me it was greatly satisfying and a feel-good read.

One of the best modern dystopian books I’ve read lately. Would love to find more books/trilogies that are just as good but it’s hard to find. Imaginative concept with insightful commentary. Not cheesy or predictable. Surprising turns constantly. I breezed through this book and went straight to the second, which I also read extremely fast. Started reading the third one. I really enjoy this author’s writing style, how smoothly he shifts between different perspectives and presents many intricacies to this imagined society and the people/structures that contribute to it.

One of those books that really makes your brain work, think and reflect. You can analyse it over and over again. It’s clear why it’s a classic in the genre.

This was one of my favourite books for a while. Not necessarily because the story is mind-blowing but because of how it made me feel. Something about it, the differences between the sisters and where each one is in their life, their disconnected bookish family, gave it a cosy nostalgic atmosphere. Some people may think the sisters’ characters are slight stereotypes, but the dynamic worked for me. There was a lot of symbolism behind each of their personalities. Especially if you have sisters it makes you reflect and wonder who fits where, how complex the roles within a family can be and how everyone is affected. I read it quite a few years ago so it’s a book I’d like to re-read at some point and re-review. It has lots of Shakespeare references and has a literary feel. I’ve read other reviews say that even if you’re not totally familiar with all of Shakespeare’s plays, you can still enjoy the story and get into it, and I would agree.