Happy Monday, book friends! Today I have a review of the much-buzzed about dystopian Vox, publishing tomorrow by Berkley.
My Thoughts:
I don’t usually read dystopian books, and to be honest, I’m not that familiar with the genre. Upon reading the premise of Vox, I knew it would have a place on my reading list because of its timeliness and the bravery of the author in taking on this fictional topic.
If you have not heard already, Vox is set in the United States at a time when a new president has been elected, and a mandate has been declared by the government: females may only speak 100 words a day. If they go over their allotment, they will receive an electric shock from a band installed on the arm. In a place founded on freedom, women and girls no longer have theirs.
Since women can no longer talk, they can no longer work. Girls are only taught math in school, and reading and writing is for boys only. The ramifications of this are overarching, and the author does an impeccable job delineating it all.
The main character, Dr. Jean McClellan, is a married mother of four children; however, only one of her children is a girl. How far will Jean go to demand a voice for her and her daughter?
Vox has a strong start. The writing is flawless, and the set-up of the premise feels completely authentic. I was anxious at times wondering if something like could actually happen. The pacing was stronger in the first two-thirds, but I was invested in what was happening, terrifying as it was, so that did not keep me from reading on. The ending was completely satisfying. I could see this as a movie, and I think it is a wonderful choice for book club discussions. Now that I know more about what comprises a dystopian novel, Vox checks all the boxes.
Thank you to Berkley for the physical ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
Set in an America where half the population has been silenced, VOX is the harrowing, unforgettable story of what one woman will do to protect herself and her daughter.
On the day the government decrees that women are no longer allowed more than 100 words daily, Dr. Jean McClellan is in denial–this can’t happen here. Not in America. Not to her.
This is just the beginning.
Soon women can no longer hold jobs. Girls are no longer taught to read or write. Females no longer have a voice. Before, the average person spoke sixteen thousand words a day, but now women only have one hundred to make themselves heard.
But this is not the end.
For herself, her daughter, and every woman silenced, Jean will reclaim her voice.
Have you read Vox, or do you plan to? Any other favorites from the dystopian genre you would recommend for me? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
No, I haven’t read it. Though I am hearing about it quite a lot. I have to check this out. Thank you
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Thank you, Shalini! I just found several of your comments in my spam box. I am so sorry. I will do my best to check it more often, and I truly appreciate your comments. ♥️ xo
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They are removed from spam… These were old comments I think… That’s fine.. I am glad you found them
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Yes, this was the most recent one from Monday, so hopefully I’ll see them all going forward. 😘
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100 words per day? I say that many before I even get out of bed and usually I’m talking to myself! Haha 🤪Happy Monday Jen!
Lovely picture and review my friend!♡♡
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Crazy, right, Sus?! And thank you! I took the pic back in the spring when my azaleas were blooming, but they have buds on them now- sometimes they show off more than once a year! ♥️ Happy Monday to you! 💗
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I’m listening to this next month so I’m really pleased you liked this, especially as a neophyte to the genre. It’s one I find fascinating. Great review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Jonetta! It was fascinating to experience reading it as well. Over and over again, I kept thinking, could this happen? It feels very real. I look forward to your thoughts on it!
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I am not much for dystopian novels but I do see this one cropping up a lot on gr. Sooo….maybe I will give it a whirl. Wonderful review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! Yes, it’s getting lots of notice and discussion. I hope you enjoy it, too, if you pick it up.
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This one sounds very creepy!! Thanks for sharing this book, I have heard a few things about it, and I do love your reviews! ☀️
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Thanks, Lana! That means a lot to me that you enjoy my reviews! ♥️ You know I love yours too! I don’t think this one is creepy in the normal creepy way. More frightening on the level of what if something like this really happened- could it happen, is it really that far out there. She writes it in a real way, so it feels possible when you are reading it. Hope your Monday has been amazing!
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Heard about this a lot ! 😍
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It’s getting a bunch of buzz, Sassy! I love it! ♥️
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Awesome review. It could happen? Happy Monday!🙊
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Thanks, Virginia! It feels real when you are reading it like it really could be happening! I hope you have had a wonderful Monday! 💗
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I could see this as a movie as well! Fingers crossed 🤞 I’d watch it
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Me, too! Even a tv series! I’d definitely watch!
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Thank you, Jennifer! Really appreciate your taking the time to review VOX! 🙂
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My pleasure, Christina! As you can tell, I loved your book! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and happy pub day tomorrow!
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Wonderful review Jennifer! This book is everywhere today! I thoroughly enjoyed this as well cannot imagine being limited to 100 words!
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Thanks, Berit! It’s getting lots of love today, isn’t it? I can’t wait for your review! 100 words would definitely be impossible for me, too. ♥️ 💜
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I will be writing my review today, I got a little sidetracked yesterday, LOL I was going to try to review and only 100 words, but that might be impossible!
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Great review as always! I’m still torn – I’m intrigued by all the (mostly) positive reviews I’ve seen, but I’m not overly enthusiastic for books that make all men out to be baddies. That’s not what feminism started out as…
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Thanks, FF! You are absolutely right about feminism. I didn’t read this as making ALL men out to be bad. The ones in control who made the decision were obviously … bad, but then there were these fluid dynamics of how the regular men in families would adjust to the change, advocate (or not) for their wives and daughters, have difficulty adjusting to their new roles; an interesting push-pull. 😊
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Great review, need to pick this one up.
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Thank you, Kevin! I think you have more experience than me in this genre, and I really look forward to what you think of it!
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I just tagged you for the sunshine blogger award! Congrats! https://theatreandart.wordpress.com/
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Thank you for the nomination! ♥️
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I really liked it too! Great review, Jennifer!!
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Thanks so much, Dee! I’m so happy we both enjoyed it! ♥️
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Been seeing this one a LOT today and I’m glad to see it lives up to expectations! I also kind of worry, with stories like this and The Handmaid’s Tale, that this is a thing that can happen in the future. Real life events in the past year or so have been rather…disconcertingly close to dystopians.
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So true, Kathy. These are definitely strange times we are living in, that’s for sure. I think books like this are important- they keep you thinking and aware. ♥️
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I want to read this even more now, Jennifer!!! Great review!!!
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Thanks, Mack! Yes, you definitely need to read it! 💗
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Awesome review! I’m glad you liked it! ❤
I'm planning to read this real soon 😀
Dystopia is one of my favourite genres. This one totally reminds me of Handmaid's Tale (love it) and also All Rights Reserved (didn't like it at the end), both of which has a good concept, and i'm pretty sure i'll love this one too.
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Thanks, Norrie! This is totally in your wheelhouse then, and I cannot wait to hear what you think of it. I started Handmaid’s Tale but didn’t finish it. I need to give it another chance. Great to know about All Rights Reserved. ♥️
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I’m waiting for my copy to arrive at the library! The Handmaid’s Tale is a must, in my humble opinion. There are so many dystopian novels on the market, and I start to feel like a lot of them tread the same ground. I enjoyed the concepts behind When She Woke by Hillary Jordan (riffing off of The Scarlet Letter), although some parts were better than others. In YA literature, I just read my son’s summer reading, Scythe by Neal Shusterman, and thought it was terrific. The Power by Naomi Alderman is also interesting, but I had some issues with it.
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I’m excited to see what you think of this one, Lisa, and thank you for the recs! I abandoned The Handmaid’s Tale years ago, but I will definitely give it another shot. I LOVED another book from Hillary Jordan (Mudbound), and of course, Scarlet Letter, so definitely taking note. I recently bought Scythe, so I’ll have another dystopian to try! (I don’t think I realized it was dystopian!) I think I may have picked up The Power on a recent daily deal for Kindle. I had read mixed reviews, but the concept sounds good. Thanks again- so helpful!
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Lovely review Jen I really, really fancy this book, even more so after reading your thoughts! Have you read The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin? It’s not dystopian but it has a sort of edge that reminds me of dystopia! 😂
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Thank you, Beth! I loved that I tried something different with this one and I was just reminded by another blogger than Scythe is dystopian, so I’ll be reading another dystopian, too, thanks to you! YES, I LOVED The Immortalists, and I can see what you mean by that. There was a heavy somberness and bad things kept happening. I need to read your review of it! I hope you enjoy Vox if you are able to fit it in. Xo 😘
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Great review! I enjoyed this one but felt like the ending tied up a little too nicely. Otherwise, this was a pretty terrifying story because the general idea doesn’t seem so far-fetched in this era.
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Thanks, Kyra! I agree- it felt real as I read, and it most definitely felt possible. I think it’s important to believe it could happen to keep our awareness up. I understand about the ending, too.
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