Book Review: Q by Christina Dalcher

“Patriotism doesn’t require turning a blind eye to the darker chapters of our country’s history; if anything, the opposite.”

Published in 2020, Q by Christina Dalcher is set in a world where the education system is moulded to benefit everyone. It began as a way to make things fairer, at least. This is what Elena believed. As a teacher in one of the government’s elite schools for children with high ‘Q’ scores, she witnessed the advantages first-hand. But when Elena’s own daughter scores lower than expected, she is taken away.

Elena follows her to her new home. A government institute. What she finds there makes Elena question everything. Because this world is about perfection – and that comes at a terrible price.

Book Review: Vox by Christina Dalcher

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Published in 2018, Vox by Christina Dalcher follows Jean McClellan who spends her time in almost complete silence, limited to just one hundred words a day. Any more, and a thousand volts of electricity will course through her veins. Now the new government is in power, everything has changed. But only if you’re a woman.

Almost overnight, bank accounts are frozen, passports are taken away and seventy million women lose their jobs. Even more terrifyingly, young girls are no longer taught to read or write. For herself, her daughter, and for every woman silenced, Jean will reclaim her voice. This is only the beginning…