The Female
I actually really enjoyed this book. The writing was engaging, and the premise was intriguing from the start. The story grips you with its dark, dystopian setting where women have suddenly stopped being born, throwing society into chaos and leaving the remaining women vulnerable to the growing aggression of men. I found the world-building to be well-done, and the tension throughout the plot was palpable.
Charlotte, the protagonist, was compelling and relatable in her struggle to navigate this brutal new reality, even as she was thrust into a life of captivity. I liked her resilience and how she evolved throughout the story. However, I do feel that the emotional depth could have been stronger. The narrative touches on some heavy themes, but it doesn’t quite delve into them as deeply as I’d hoped. I found myself wanting more of the emotional stakes to be explored, especially in Charlotte’s relationships with other characters and the death of her father.
I’m also disappointed by the lack of plot. The entire book feels like nothing really happens. It’s mostly just the protagonist’s inner monologue and the guys’ thoughts about why they can’t like each other, but there’s no real progression. It’s frustrating, especially because I genuinely think this concept has the potential to be a great story.
Despite this, I’m still intrigued by the series and will definitely be continuing to see where the story goes. There’s potential for more character development and emotional depth as the plot progresses, which is something I’m looking forward to. Overall, it’s a solid start to a series, and I’m curious to see what comes next.