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A review by britreads
Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This didn't leave me with any strong feelings one way or another. As someone who enjoys Western films, I really liked the old school, True Grit, dusty, dirty feel of the story. We didn't spend too much time with Bet or Leda, but what we did get of them was also enjoyable. And I loved Amity.
I wasn't a fan of the instantaneous attraction between Esther and Cye. The timeline in the story was a bit confusing to me. But it seemed like Beatriz, Esther's best friend and lover, was killed just days before Esther decided to run away with the Librarians. It was strange to me that Esther seemed to get over her grief and consider her possibilities with Cye. So their dynamic was off-putting.
I also thought the world wasn't as fleshed out as I'd like. We're never given an explanation why society seems to have reverted back to an old west setting. The book blurb says it's a 'future American Southwest' and there's some war occurring in the background that's never explained. Is that what caused society to regress the way it did? There were also little details that made me pause and go 'huh??" For example, there was mention of latex gloves and Esther expressed amazement at the doctor who used them. It clashed with the western feel that the author spent so much time building up.
I also was unsure about the Librarians' position in this world. It seemed like they were sanctioned by the State to hand out 'approved materials.' But unapproved material is also being given out...so why aren't the Librarians immediately suspected by the State?
I'm glad I finally read this. It has been sitting on my shelves for a while. This certainly is an okay read for me, but I would be interested in reading more from the author in the future.
I wasn't a fan of the instantaneous attraction between Esther and Cye. The timeline in the story was a bit confusing to me. But it seemed like Beatriz, Esther's best friend and lover, was killed just days before Esther decided to run away with the Librarians. It was strange to me that Esther seemed to get over her grief and consider her possibilities with Cye. So their dynamic was off-putting.
I also thought the world wasn't as fleshed out as I'd like. We're never given an explanation why society seems to have reverted back to an old west setting. The book blurb says it's a 'future American Southwest' and there's some war occurring in the background that's never explained. Is that what caused society to regress the way it did? There were also little details that made me pause and go 'huh??" For example, there was mention of latex gloves and Esther expressed amazement at the doctor who used them. It clashed with the western feel that the author spent so much time building up.
I also was unsure about the Librarians' position in this world. It seemed like they were sanctioned by the State to hand out 'approved materials.' But unapproved material is also being given out...so why aren't the Librarians immediately suspected by the State?
I'm glad I finally read this. It has been sitting on my shelves for a while. This certainly is an okay read for me, but I would be interested in reading more from the author in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: War