Goodreads blurb: “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.”
My Review
I’ve been wanting to read this book for ages after seeing all the hype on social media with #100words everywhere. I finally got a copy from the library managed to find a moment to sit down and read it.
I was hooked from the beginning and was horrified from the first few pages as the American setting of this dystopia became more like Nazi Germany rather than a futuristic world. The way the population believed all the lies and submitted to the propaganda was frightening. Why were they believing this nonsense about women needing to be silenced and returning to Victorian values? Of course as I read on I discovered how it happened and started to feel very angry. I was particularly angry with Steven the main character’s eldest son that I ended up calling him all sorts of names out loud. Fortunately I was home alone so I didn’t have to worry about who heard me.
There is no way that I would survive the hundred words limit, as apart from being quite chatty with family, friends and complete strangers, I also talk out loud to myself, sometimes without realising it!
I’m quite torn with my feeling about this book as I loved the first part of the book, which sets the whole scene of how America came to be in this state, and how Jean the main character is acclimatising . I didn’t really enjoy the next part when she is asked by the government to go back to the laboratory to work on her old research. The book seemed to change for me and became more of a mystery then a dystopian.
Have you read it? I’d love to know what you thought of it and if I’m missing something?
I haven’t read it yet but I have bought an ecopy not long ago! I’m very interested and I like to think I wouldn’t have any problems with 100 words a day. I’m curious about the struggles and obstacles it poses for the characters though. I’ll let you know when I read it! Great review Nicki!
Thanks! I’m really interested to see what you think of it.
I really enjoyed it although there were issues. I particularly liked Steven. It showed how young people can be influenced so easily and it reminded me of stories I’ve read of German parents who were afraid to speak their mind in front of children who had bought into the ideals of the Hitler Youth.
I agree with everyone’s comments about the ending. It was more like reading a newspaper report than experiencing events through the characters.
The one thing that really irritated me about the book was the love triangle. I couldn’t see any need for it at all and it lessened my sympathy for Jean. She didn’t seem to have any consideration for Patrick or his feelings. It was also clear that she didn’t even know Lorenzo as she hadn’t realised he had been married. Whilst Lorenzo was necessary to the plot, I think the story would have worked better without Patrick.
I love mysteries/thrillers so that aspect of it didn’t bother me at all.
Yes the love triangle bothered me as well it didn’t seem to fit the story.
Interesting review which makes me want to read Vox and decide for myself. I talk to myself all the time by the way!
Thanks! I’d love to know what you think!
I had got this book I think… I seem to have forgotten… Gawd I need to buddy read to get to my TBR list
I’d love to know your thoughts when you get to it!
Reblogged this on The Bookwormery and commented:
This is on my list to read…sounds good
Wow thanks for the mention!
Haven’t read it yet! When it first came out I was super interested in it and then I read reviews and felt so unsure. I think I might have similar feelings to yours on this one! I’m on the fence. Thanks for the review! ❤
You’re welcome hope it helps 😀
It’s more the concept of this that intrigued me and how it could happen. I read and enjoyed. My 14yo D and her buddy loved it.
Yes the concept was brilliant!
haven’t read it, but would like to! Sorry the last half wasn’t as good for you.. I feel intrigued now!
Thanks hope you enjoy it when you get to it.
I felt very mixed about it – the first half had more impact than the second for me. I didn’t like the way the ending came about, it let the book down a bit more me. Fab review 🙂
Thanks I’m so glad I’m not the only one that feels this way!
great review! I’m with you about enjoying the first half more – I think it felt like it tried too hard by the end to do too much and be a bit of everything!
Thanks! Yes there was an awful lot going on in the second half.
I have this on audio and am looking forward to listening to it. As I love mystery even more than dystopia, it will probably be more appealing to me than it was for you, Nicki. Glad the first half worked, though.
Thanks hope you enjoy it on audio.
For me the first half was brilliant, but the second half felt rushed.
Yes especially towards the end!
The concept was good but the writing wasn’t. I DNFed it (which is rare for me) because I wasn’t even interested in how it ended. Massively overhyped!
It was a very good marketing campaign that’s for sure!
Oh yes, I agree! The 100 word thing is good. And the concept is scary because it could happen. The writing didn’t live up to the hype.
I loved the first half of the book felt it had great potential and then it all just felt very flat for me and went a bit downhill from there, so you’re not alone.
So interesting! I only remember seeing all the rave reviews. It just goes to how social media works! 😀
I do think a lot of people enjoyed it and the concept was good so worth a go but yes I think quite a few felt it fell flat, perhaps having read other dystopians that were more engaging
Fab review! I’ve been planning to read VOX somewhere during the next few months and you have made me even more curious about it.
Thanks I’m really interested to see what you think of it!
I haven’t read it yet but it’s on my list, I’ve seen many mixed reviews and that is why I’m hesitant to read it.
I hadn’t seen the mixed reviews so I think that will probably will be better for you.
I thought this was a brilliant concept! Like you, though, the first half worked better for me than the second half.
Yes the concept was brilliant and so scary!
Hi Nicki, great review! I haven’t read this yet but have heard some very mixed reviews. Maybe I’ll have to check it out and see what I think? 🤔
Thanks! Yes that would be good so we could compare notes.
This was one that just didn’t appeal to me. Lots of mixed reviews. Glad you enjoyed parts of it and were able to finish even though it changed for you. Nice, honest review Nicki.
Thanks Carla.
I have yet to read this book, too… although I am familiar with the hype! Great review and I hope to pick this up soon myself 🙂
Thanks I can’t wait to hear what you think of it!