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One of the Boys
A mother knows best... Doesn't she?
Antonia and Bea are sisters. They are both doting mothers to their sons. But that is where their similarities end.
Antonia had her son tested at an early age to ensure her little angel did not possess the 'violent' M gene.
Bea refuses to let her son take the test. His life should not be determined by a positive or negative result.
Both of these women will go to any length to protect their sons.
But one of them is hiding a monster.
And there are going to be fatal consequences for everybody...
Antonia and Bea are sisters. They are both doting mothers to their sons. But that is where their similarities end.
Antonia had her son tested at an early age to ensure her little angel did not possess the 'violent' M gene.
Bea refuses to let her son take the test. His life should not be determined by a positive or negative result.
Both of these women will go to any length to protect their sons.
But one of them is hiding a monster.
And there are going to be fatal consequences for everybody...
400 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2023
About the author
Jayne Cowie
3 books71 followersAn avid reader and lifelong writer, Jayne Cowie also enjoys digging in her garden and making an excellent devil’s food cake. She lives near London with her family.
You can find her on Instagram as @CowieJayne
You can find her on Instagram as @CowieJayne
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
June 2, 2023
4.5🌟
Ready for something just a bit different? A book that will really make you think?
Equal parts dystopian, family drama and a bit of thriller thrown in for good measure!
In the near future scientists have discovered the gene responsible for aggression in men. They call it the M gene. Now all male babies are encouraged to be tested at birth. Soon, all males are expected - I mean strongly encouraged to take the test.
Here’s the rub…should you test positive you’re at risk of being ostracized by society. You’re now required to show your M status to gain access to schools, bars, churches. Basically anywhere.
A slippery slope right?!💁♀️
Anyhoo….
This book examines the parents, the boys and of course our society in general. I felt it was well presented by the author. No political agenda here. Just food for thought. Would you want your child tested? Your boyfriend, brother or husband? What would you do if they came back positive?
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group via Netgalley.
Ready for something just a bit different? A book that will really make you think?
Equal parts dystopian, family drama and a bit of thriller thrown in for good measure!
In the near future scientists have discovered the gene responsible for aggression in men. They call it the M gene. Now all male babies are encouraged to be tested at birth. Soon, all males are expected - I mean strongly encouraged to take the test.
Here’s the rub…should you test positive you’re at risk of being ostracized by society. You’re now required to show your M status to gain access to schools, bars, churches. Basically anywhere.
A slippery slope right?!💁♀️
Anyhoo….
This book examines the parents, the boys and of course our society in general. I felt it was well presented by the author. No political agenda here. Just food for thought. Would you want your child tested? Your boyfriend, brother or husband? What would you do if they came back positive?
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group via Netgalley.
July 11, 2023
BOYS WILL BE BOYS!
In Jayne Cowie’s debut, “Curfew” in a Feminist, near future Dystopian World, the freedom of ALL males is curtailed, after a surge of male violence.
This time, she plays with the theme of male violence in a different way…
A team of Scientists have spent ten years studying the genetic makeup of the male prison system, and they discovered that 97% of men in Prison share something- and it isn’t a difficult childhood, poverty or lack of education, the things which have all been blamed….
It’s the “M gene”.
So a large Pharmaceutical company developed a new, non invasive test, a cheek swab, to identify the gene in infants. If M+ boys, can be identified, they can be treated, in the same way you can treat any other medical condition.
If you could test your son for a violence gene, WOULD YOU?
It isn’t mandatory to do so, but soon enough, proof of a negative test will be required for entry into the best pre-schools…and later on, their results will limit M+ or untested males, in other ways as well.
Boys would be punished for crimes they may never commit.
Antonia and Bea, are sisters who couldn’t be more different from one another.
Antonia has married well, and her husband co-owns a clinic that helps parents cope with their M+ boys, prescribing drugs, and giving these parents tried and true strategies for dealing with the boys. Of course, she believes in the testing, and tested her son Jack early, pleased with his M- result.
“Boys will be Boys” is no longer a valid excuse now that treatment is available.
Bea was unmarried when she found herself pregnant at 23. As a struggling single Mom, she feels the pressure of everyone wanting male infants tested, every day, but she doesn’t want to put her son in a “box”. She finds it abhorrent to classify a baby as good or bad, perfect or imperfect, before they can even walk or talk.
She refuses to test her son, Simon.
Their choices will divide them, and as their sons grow into men, these choices may come back to haunt them.
I really enjoyed CURFEW so, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her latest offering, and I flew through the pages!!
The idea, or the Science behind this interesting premise may seem intimidating but, the story is straightforward and the writing is actually quite SIMPLISTIC, so DON’T let that keep you from reading this one-you won’t be bogged down with any jargon!
Although, I predicted a few of the plot twists, a few others were shocking!!
Review for Curfew: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
AVAILABLE NOW!!
(also released under the title “ I Did It For You” in other markets)
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
In Jayne Cowie’s debut, “Curfew” in a Feminist, near future Dystopian World, the freedom of ALL males is curtailed, after a surge of male violence.
This time, she plays with the theme of male violence in a different way…
A team of Scientists have spent ten years studying the genetic makeup of the male prison system, and they discovered that 97% of men in Prison share something- and it isn’t a difficult childhood, poverty or lack of education, the things which have all been blamed….
It’s the “M gene”.
So a large Pharmaceutical company developed a new, non invasive test, a cheek swab, to identify the gene in infants. If M+ boys, can be identified, they can be treated, in the same way you can treat any other medical condition.
If you could test your son for a violence gene, WOULD YOU?
It isn’t mandatory to do so, but soon enough, proof of a negative test will be required for entry into the best pre-schools…and later on, their results will limit M+ or untested males, in other ways as well.
Boys would be punished for crimes they may never commit.
Antonia and Bea, are sisters who couldn’t be more different from one another.
Antonia has married well, and her husband co-owns a clinic that helps parents cope with their M+ boys, prescribing drugs, and giving these parents tried and true strategies for dealing with the boys. Of course, she believes in the testing, and tested her son Jack early, pleased with his M- result.
“Boys will be Boys” is no longer a valid excuse now that treatment is available.
Bea was unmarried when she found herself pregnant at 23. As a struggling single Mom, she feels the pressure of everyone wanting male infants tested, every day, but she doesn’t want to put her son in a “box”. She finds it abhorrent to classify a baby as good or bad, perfect or imperfect, before they can even walk or talk.
She refuses to test her son, Simon.
Their choices will divide them, and as their sons grow into men, these choices may come back to haunt them.
I really enjoyed CURFEW so, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her latest offering, and I flew through the pages!!
The idea, or the Science behind this interesting premise may seem intimidating but, the story is straightforward and the writing is actually quite SIMPLISTIC, so DON’T let that keep you from reading this one-you won’t be bogged down with any jargon!
Although, I predicted a few of the plot twists, a few others were shocking!!
Review for Curfew: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
AVAILABLE NOW!!
(also released under the title “ I Did It For You” in other markets)
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
April 6, 2023
This book will make your blood run cold! It’s a sharp, unexpected, harsh, dark, thought-provoking, mind-bending, and well-written thriller about how far a mother will go to protect her child and sacrifice her own life.
The story revolves around two sisters who have a toxic and unhealthy relationship, and their two sons, who are polar opposites despite their similar appearances. They live in a universe where all parents of boys aged seven or under can have their sons tested for the M gene by their GP. The test involves swabbing the inside of the cheek and then sending the sample for analysis, which identifies boys who have a particular version of the so-called M gene that has been linked to violent behavior.
Antonia, the elder sister, is married to a successful and wealthy doctor who is one of the partners of a highly efficient clinic that is testing M positive boys. She tests her son Jack, who is luckily M (-), and handles him with kid gloves, as if he’s a porcelain doll who can break into pieces at any moment.
Her sister Bea is raising her son Simon with her partner Alfie in a completely opposite way, with strict rules and rejection of the test. They are financially struggling and working in low-paid jobs. Simon shows some signs of violent tendencies, which makes Bea worry about his well-being in a world where boys have to be M gene minus to receive proper education, health care, and social status. M gene positive boys turn into social pariahs who are forced to live in poor conditions, work at farms, do trashy and menial jobs, and are shunned by the civil community as if they were contagious diseases. Some parents sacrifice their lives to take care of their boys, risking being outcasted by their social circle, as some reject their existences as if they were never born.
The story moves back and forth to help the reader understand how the two sisters’ lives change over the years due to their motherhood and the choices they’ve made for the benefit of their children.
I have to admit that I hate the guts of the two sisters. Bea was too harsh, letting her fears trap her son into the worst and harshest life conditions, and Antonia is privileged, a know-it-all, and obsessed with M positive kids. She rubbed me the wrong way with her extra pretentious, condescending attitudes.
However, I loved both of their sons and deeply cared for them, without considering whether they might carry violent genes. My heart ached for those boys whose lives have been shaped by the flawed, poor, and hypocritical decisions their parents have made.
Owen was no different from those sisters, with his thirst for success, over-ambition, and ruthlessness, seeing children as lab animals instead of living, breathing human beings.
The last third of the book is mind-bending, with events escalating at full throttle, and twists that hit you so hard that you can barely hold yourself together.
This is an unconventional, disturbing, and provocative read, absolutely not for everyone. The bone-chilling ending is extremely earth-shattering! This is one of those books that may haunt your dreams, giving you goosebumps each time you remember its WTH ending!
This is the first time I’ve given a book with detestable characters five stars! It's smart, unique, different, and shocking! It makes you think about the decisions you make for your children and gives an argumentative statement about the nature of caring for your children.
The story revolves around two sisters who have a toxic and unhealthy relationship, and their two sons, who are polar opposites despite their similar appearances. They live in a universe where all parents of boys aged seven or under can have their sons tested for the M gene by their GP. The test involves swabbing the inside of the cheek and then sending the sample for analysis, which identifies boys who have a particular version of the so-called M gene that has been linked to violent behavior.
Antonia, the elder sister, is married to a successful and wealthy doctor who is one of the partners of a highly efficient clinic that is testing M positive boys. She tests her son Jack, who is luckily M (-), and handles him with kid gloves, as if he’s a porcelain doll who can break into pieces at any moment.
Her sister Bea is raising her son Simon with her partner Alfie in a completely opposite way, with strict rules and rejection of the test. They are financially struggling and working in low-paid jobs. Simon shows some signs of violent tendencies, which makes Bea worry about his well-being in a world where boys have to be M gene minus to receive proper education, health care, and social status. M gene positive boys turn into social pariahs who are forced to live in poor conditions, work at farms, do trashy and menial jobs, and are shunned by the civil community as if they were contagious diseases. Some parents sacrifice their lives to take care of their boys, risking being outcasted by their social circle, as some reject their existences as if they were never born.
The story moves back and forth to help the reader understand how the two sisters’ lives change over the years due to their motherhood and the choices they’ve made for the benefit of their children.
I have to admit that I hate the guts of the two sisters. Bea was too harsh, letting her fears trap her son into the worst and harshest life conditions, and Antonia is privileged, a know-it-all, and obsessed with M positive kids. She rubbed me the wrong way with her extra pretentious, condescending attitudes.
However, I loved both of their sons and deeply cared for them, without considering whether they might carry violent genes. My heart ached for those boys whose lives have been shaped by the flawed, poor, and hypocritical decisions their parents have made.
Owen was no different from those sisters, with his thirst for success, over-ambition, and ruthlessness, seeing children as lab animals instead of living, breathing human beings.
The last third of the book is mind-bending, with events escalating at full throttle, and twists that hit you so hard that you can barely hold yourself together.
This is an unconventional, disturbing, and provocative read, absolutely not for everyone. The bone-chilling ending is extremely earth-shattering! This is one of those books that may haunt your dreams, giving you goosebumps each time you remember its WTH ending!
This is the first time I’ve given a book with detestable characters five stars! It's smart, unique, different, and shocking! It makes you think about the decisions you make for your children and gives an argumentative statement about the nature of caring for your children.
May 16, 2023
4.5 rounded up
How far would a mother be prepared to go for a much loved child? What choices would circumstances force you to make? The ‘M’ gene has been discovered and is found in 97% of males in prison for violent crimes. A test is now available for your son to take, so would you? Sisters Antonia and Bea have very different views on that dilemma. Antonia’s son Jack is tested but Bea refuses to allow Simon to have it. What both women have in common is they will go to any lengths to protect their sons. The story is told over the eighteen years of the two boys contrasting lives and from several perspectives which is both fascinating and illuminating.
First of all, THAT premise! Oh boy, it makes your blood freeze in your veins especially those of us who are mothers to boys. It’s so creative yet equally all too plausible and believable. Jayne Cowie writes such intriguing, darkly dystopian, feminist novels and I’m all in, gripped from the get go and utterly absorbed in the storytelling. The characterisation is exemplary although neither Bea or Antonia are especially likeable, perhaps Bea edging it as she’s more down to earth while Antonia strives for perfection in every possible way. Their attitudes towards motherhood couldn’t be more different and their emotions are strongly presented. As for the sons, I’ll leave you to make your own mind up!
Inevitably, this is absolutely chilling in every way, there are some shocking, inhale your breath scenes as all the ramifications of the M test are examined from several points of view. There’s a huge sense of anticipation throughout with much to be revealed, it’s intense and takes unexpected directions. The path to the conclusion is a twisted, tense one, encountering judgements, arrogance, madness, deception and everything in between.
I love this book and Jayne Cowie is a must read author for me.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK., Cornerstone for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
How far would a mother be prepared to go for a much loved child? What choices would circumstances force you to make? The ‘M’ gene has been discovered and is found in 97% of males in prison for violent crimes. A test is now available for your son to take, so would you? Sisters Antonia and Bea have very different views on that dilemma. Antonia’s son Jack is tested but Bea refuses to allow Simon to have it. What both women have in common is they will go to any lengths to protect their sons. The story is told over the eighteen years of the two boys contrasting lives and from several perspectives which is both fascinating and illuminating.
First of all, THAT premise! Oh boy, it makes your blood freeze in your veins especially those of us who are mothers to boys. It’s so creative yet equally all too plausible and believable. Jayne Cowie writes such intriguing, darkly dystopian, feminist novels and I’m all in, gripped from the get go and utterly absorbed in the storytelling. The characterisation is exemplary although neither Bea or Antonia are especially likeable, perhaps Bea edging it as she’s more down to earth while Antonia strives for perfection in every possible way. Their attitudes towards motherhood couldn’t be more different and their emotions are strongly presented. As for the sons, I’ll leave you to make your own mind up!
Inevitably, this is absolutely chilling in every way, there are some shocking, inhale your breath scenes as all the ramifications of the M test are examined from several points of view. There’s a huge sense of anticipation throughout with much to be revealed, it’s intense and takes unexpected directions. The path to the conclusion is a twisted, tense one, encountering judgements, arrogance, madness, deception and everything in between.
I love this book and Jayne Cowie is a must read author for me.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK., Cornerstone for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
July 11, 2023
WOWZA! I love gripping books that make me think and feel and One of the Boys had me doing those throughout the book. To have your son tested or not, that is the question....
Antonia and Bea are sisters living in a time where there is a test to determine if male infants will grow up to be aggressive. It is called the “M” test and the goal is for the test to be negative. If a male tests positive, everyone will know, and he will be watched and judged closely.
Bea was against testing her son when he was born. She wanted her son to be himself. Not to have a test determine who he was. Antonia had her son tested. She was all for the test and worked alongside her doctor husband in a clinic that provides medication for boys who test positive. Both Bea and Antonia want the best for their son. Each wants their son to have a good life. Both will do what it takes to protect her child.
This was such a thought-provoking book. One test, one simple test can determine not only an individual’s future but the future of the family as well. If you have your child tested, then you know where your son stands. If you don't have your child tested, everyone will question where your child stands. As your son becomes an adult, how will he feel about not being tested? How will he feel about his test results?
This book was captivating, gripping and thought provoking. It sucked me in and did not let go. As a mother to a son, I wondered where I would stand on this issue. What choice would I make?
This was a well written, riveting, original and twist filled book! I enjoyed every page of this book. I had a hard time putting it down as I was fully invested in what was going to happen to all the characters in this book.
This is a book that I will be thinking about for some time.
#OneoftheBoys #NetGalley #JayneCowie #BerkleyPub
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Antonia and Bea are sisters living in a time where there is a test to determine if male infants will grow up to be aggressive. It is called the “M” test and the goal is for the test to be negative. If a male tests positive, everyone will know, and he will be watched and judged closely.
Bea was against testing her son when he was born. She wanted her son to be himself. Not to have a test determine who he was. Antonia had her son tested. She was all for the test and worked alongside her doctor husband in a clinic that provides medication for boys who test positive. Both Bea and Antonia want the best for their son. Each wants their son to have a good life. Both will do what it takes to protect her child.
This was such a thought-provoking book. One test, one simple test can determine not only an individual’s future but the future of the family as well. If you have your child tested, then you know where your son stands. If you don't have your child tested, everyone will question where your child stands. As your son becomes an adult, how will he feel about not being tested? How will he feel about his test results?
This book was captivating, gripping and thought provoking. It sucked me in and did not let go. As a mother to a son, I wondered where I would stand on this issue. What choice would I make?
This was a well written, riveting, original and twist filled book! I enjoyed every page of this book. I had a hard time putting it down as I was fully invested in what was going to happen to all the characters in this book.
This is a book that I will be thinking about for some time.
#OneoftheBoys #NetGalley #JayneCowie #BerkleyPub
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
May 28, 2023
4.5 stars, rounded down. Author Jayne Cowie is certainly establishing herself as the queen of “Feminist Dystopian Thrillers”, which is apparently an appealing genre to me. Her latest, “One of the Boys” while entertaining on it’s own merits also left me thinking about geopolitics for a while afterward & the unintended consequences when a society goes too far in any one direction. At its heart, however, this book is also an ode to motherhood & what some mothers might sacrifice for their children. The “twists” here were pretty easy to anticipate, but that didn’t change my appreciation for how this book succeeds on several levels. Looking forward to her next!
September 18, 2023
One of the Boys was a mixed bag for me. On one hand, the part of me that enjoys an original and thrilling page-turner found much to appreciate. But, on the other hand, my inner overthinker had a few reservations.
The book's premise is intriguing and thought-provoking, complete with well-executed but not surprising twists and turns that keep the story engaging. The suspense drove the story forward, and I eagerly flipped through the pages, searching for answers. However, there was one significant hurdle I had trouble overcoming – the believability factor.
My analytical side struggled to fully immerse in the story because I found it hard to buy into testing boys for a gene that might make them violent. It raises profound questions about choice, knowledge, and ethics, but I couldn't convince myself to engage with them because it felt over the top and too much. The treatment of the boys with and without the gene added an intriguing layer to the story, but even that stretched my ability to suspend disbelief.
One of the Boys had a promising premise, but it ultimately pushed the boundaries too far for me to invest in the narrative entirely.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
The book's premise is intriguing and thought-provoking, complete with well-executed but not surprising twists and turns that keep the story engaging. The suspense drove the story forward, and I eagerly flipped through the pages, searching for answers. However, there was one significant hurdle I had trouble overcoming – the believability factor.
My analytical side struggled to fully immerse in the story because I found it hard to buy into testing boys for a gene that might make them violent. It raises profound questions about choice, knowledge, and ethics, but I couldn't convince myself to engage with them because it felt over the top and too much. The treatment of the boys with and without the gene added an intriguing layer to the story, but even that stretched my ability to suspend disbelief.
One of the Boys had a promising premise, but it ultimately pushed the boundaries too far for me to invest in the narrative entirely.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
April 2, 2024
One of the Boys by Jayne Cowie is a mystery/thriller novel that is set up in a science fiction dystopian world. In this world violence and crime is at a minimum when male children can be tested at birth to determine if they may turn into a criminal with violent tendencies.
Antonia and Bea are sisters who are living completely different lives from one another all thanks to the genetic testing of their sons. At birth Antonia had her son tested for the M gene and was lucky enough that her son came back with a negative test leaving every opportunity open to him in life.
Then on the other hand there is Bea who also had a son born but refused to get her son tested knowing that if there is a positive result her son’s life would be set on a course she wouldn’t be able to stop. Even without having a positive test though the untested are treated just as poorly leaving Bea and her family to scrape by.
One of the Boys is actually the second book I’ve read by Jayne Cowie and I’ve really enjoyed them both. I do believe that the thrilling side to the story is more prominent and definitely keeps the pages turning. However, I also really appreciate when a dystopian world is clear in the world building and the author certainly came up with a thought provoking world in which her characters live. I couldn’t help but become engaged in the story wondering how it would all turn out and now look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Antonia and Bea are sisters who are living completely different lives from one another all thanks to the genetic testing of their sons. At birth Antonia had her son tested for the M gene and was lucky enough that her son came back with a negative test leaving every opportunity open to him in life.
Then on the other hand there is Bea who also had a son born but refused to get her son tested knowing that if there is a positive result her son’s life would be set on a course she wouldn’t be able to stop. Even without having a positive test though the untested are treated just as poorly leaving Bea and her family to scrape by.
One of the Boys is actually the second book I’ve read by Jayne Cowie and I’ve really enjoyed them both. I do believe that the thrilling side to the story is more prominent and definitely keeps the pages turning. However, I also really appreciate when a dystopian world is clear in the world building and the author certainly came up with a thought provoking world in which her characters live. I couldn’t help but become engaged in the story wondering how it would all turn out and now look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
July 16, 2023
Antonia and Bea are sisters and also mothers to sons but aside from that, they are complete opposites. Antonia is married to a doctor and she had her son Jack tested to see if he has the violence-causing M gene.
Bea is a single mom that struggles to make ends meet and she refuses to let her son Simon take the test. She believes Simon’s life should not be determined by the results of a test.
Both of these women will go to great lengths to protect their sons but one of them is hiding the truth.
One of the Boys is an addictive, page-turning, twisty thriller. Set in a dystopian future, and centered around motherhood I could not put this one down. As a mom to all boys, I found the entire situation to be absolutely terrifying! The hypocrisy and radical judgment from society would be a nightmare to live through. The book also has short chapters with alternating points of view and timelines so it made for a fast read.
This is one of those books where aside from the children, there truly are no likable characters. But this made the story much more fascinating to me because I couldn’t predict what would happen next. Both of the women in this story were very frustrating and I wanted to shake both of them. Overall I really enjoyed this book and I loved the unique plot and original storytelling.
One of the Boys by Jayne Cowie will be available on July 18. A massive thanks to Berkley Pub for the gifted copy!
Bea is a single mom that struggles to make ends meet and she refuses to let her son Simon take the test. She believes Simon’s life should not be determined by the results of a test.
Both of these women will go to great lengths to protect their sons but one of them is hiding the truth.
One of the Boys is an addictive, page-turning, twisty thriller. Set in a dystopian future, and centered around motherhood I could not put this one down. As a mom to all boys, I found the entire situation to be absolutely terrifying! The hypocrisy and radical judgment from society would be a nightmare to live through. The book also has short chapters with alternating points of view and timelines so it made for a fast read.
This is one of those books where aside from the children, there truly are no likable characters. But this made the story much more fascinating to me because I couldn’t predict what would happen next. Both of the women in this story were very frustrating and I wanted to shake both of them. Overall I really enjoyed this book and I loved the unique plot and original storytelling.
One of the Boys by Jayne Cowie will be available on July 18. A massive thanks to Berkley Pub for the gifted copy!
July 29, 2023
I am not exactly sure why, but this book did not work as well for me as other speculative thrillers I have read recently. There were a few things I loved, i.e. the social commentary and dystopian nature, but overall, this one was a bit of a miss.
I don’t know if it’s because I’ve now read so many thrillers in such a short time, or if it is this particular writing style, but I was able to predict every single twist and turn, which ultimately made each one less fun when I arrived at it. It also has a very slow burn nature, particularly in the first half, which prevented me from ever getting fully hooked into it. I seem to be an outlier here so definitely check out some of the rave reviews on this one.
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
∙slow burn
∙speculative thrillers
∙multiple povs
∙family drama
Thank you Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
I don’t know if it’s because I’ve now read so many thrillers in such a short time, or if it is this particular writing style, but I was able to predict every single twist and turn, which ultimately made each one less fun when I arrived at it. It also has a very slow burn nature, particularly in the first half, which prevented me from ever getting fully hooked into it. I seem to be an outlier here so definitely check out some of the rave reviews on this one.
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
∙slow burn
∙speculative thrillers
∙multiple povs
∙family drama
Thank you Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
July 19, 2023
Jayne Cowie’s newest book ONE OF THE BOYS is the perfect combination of John Marrs meets Black Mirror. ONE OF THE BOYS is a hard book to review because it doesn’t leave a lot in its synopsis for readers to uncover—everything is a mystery! That being said this book dives into the lives of two sisters, Antonia and Bea, two women who have children of their own—sons Jack and Simon—in an alternate reality that could easily become our own someday. In ONE OF THE BOYS, there’s a remarkable development where young men and boys can take a test to see if they have the M+ or M- gene, which is specific trait in male DNA that could possibly determine men’s propensity towards violence. After this breakthrough, the world becomes a classist system of its own—the M+ have-nots—the outsiders, lepers to society, “violent criminals”—and the M- boys and men who can enjoy a newfound privilege.
Both Antonia and Bea have two different outlooks on this discovery—one is marketing herself and profiting off this development—and one is trying to shield her son from the detriment of being possibly M+. ONE OF THE BOYS is a juicy fast-paced dystopian world that I loved to dive into. At times, the story can be a little slow moving, but ultimately one of the more fun books I’ve read this year, one of the boys is my first read by this offer and will definitely not be my last. I hope to read more books just like this one that dives into dystopia, family drama, and suspense—with a believable (although at times predictable) plot. Thank you @robyn_reads1 for recommending this to me and telling me to prioritize this one because it was a total win!
Both Antonia and Bea have two different outlooks on this discovery—one is marketing herself and profiting off this development—and one is trying to shield her son from the detriment of being possibly M+. ONE OF THE BOYS is a juicy fast-paced dystopian world that I loved to dive into. At times, the story can be a little slow moving, but ultimately one of the more fun books I’ve read this year, one of the boys is my first read by this offer and will definitely not be my last. I hope to read more books just like this one that dives into dystopia, family drama, and suspense—with a believable (although at times predictable) plot. Thank you @robyn_reads1 for recommending this to me and telling me to prioritize this one because it was a total win!
July 19, 2023
I binged over half this book in one sitting last night - just couldn't put it down! The short chapters, alternating narrators and timelines, and little twists I didn't see coming just kept me flipping the pages faster and faster!
If you love a novel that feels like present day and real life but also has a touch of futuristic / sci-fi aspects, then One of the Boys is definitely for you! It didn't feel far off that more of the human genome could be tracked to isolate a gene that is predictive of violent and aggressive behaviors. And it definitely didn't feel far-fetched to see how that might play out should that kind of gene be isolated.
A story of good versus bad, punishment before the crime, and a total disregard of nature versus nurture -- this novel is incredibly thought provoking and would be a tremendous choice for a book club. Ethical and moral questions and dilemmas abound, this book definitely had me considering my personal feelings and stance on several societal issues that are present even now.
There were many times I felt like I was reading a novel by John Marrs, so if his works are your style, this is one you cannot miss!
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the copy of this awesome read!
If you love a novel that feels like present day and real life but also has a touch of futuristic / sci-fi aspects, then One of the Boys is definitely for you! It didn't feel far off that more of the human genome could be tracked to isolate a gene that is predictive of violent and aggressive behaviors. And it definitely didn't feel far-fetched to see how that might play out should that kind of gene be isolated.
A story of good versus bad, punishment before the crime, and a total disregard of nature versus nurture -- this novel is incredibly thought provoking and would be a tremendous choice for a book club. Ethical and moral questions and dilemmas abound, this book definitely had me considering my personal feelings and stance on several societal issues that are present even now.
There were many times I felt like I was reading a novel by John Marrs, so if his works are your style, this is one you cannot miss!
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the copy of this awesome read!
July 13, 2023
A dystopian thriller focused on motherhood.
Two sisters, Bea and Antonia, have children close together. They live during an era where children are tested for the M gene, a gene that leads to troublesome behavior.
Antonia has her son Jack tested, he is negative. Bea refuses to test her son Simon.
Eighteen years later and Simon is still not tested, yet he is treated as if he is positive, and sometimes behaves that way as well. Animosity still exists between the sisters due to Bea's refusal to get Simon tested.
I enjoyed this complex look at motherhood. I have always been a strong believer that children live up to their labels. Is Simon being labeled without all the facts and therefore treated differently? Or is he truly M positive.
I enjoyed how the story was told, from multi POVs, and dual timelines. Classified as a dystopian fiction, not a genre I am typically drawn to, Just One of the Boys will stay with me for a while and I am glad I read outside my comfort zone. And you better believe I'm going to go back and read her debut Curfew!
Two sisters, Bea and Antonia, have children close together. They live during an era where children are tested for the M gene, a gene that leads to troublesome behavior.
Antonia has her son Jack tested, he is negative. Bea refuses to test her son Simon.
Eighteen years later and Simon is still not tested, yet he is treated as if he is positive, and sometimes behaves that way as well. Animosity still exists between the sisters due to Bea's refusal to get Simon tested.
I enjoyed this complex look at motherhood. I have always been a strong believer that children live up to their labels. Is Simon being labeled without all the facts and therefore treated differently? Or is he truly M positive.
I enjoyed how the story was told, from multi POVs, and dual timelines. Classified as a dystopian fiction, not a genre I am typically drawn to, Just One of the Boys will stay with me for a while and I am glad I read outside my comfort zone. And you better believe I'm going to go back and read her debut Curfew!
July 15, 2023
**4.5 rounded to 5**
Thank you #partners @Berkleypub & @prhaudio for my gifted finished copy and audiobook
𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘆𝘀
𝗝𝗮𝘆𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗲
𝟳/𝟭𝟭
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
📖 In this suspenseful dystopian thriller, a test is developed that can determine whether male babies carry a violence gene called m-gene. That positive or negative result will shape their futures. Sisters Antonia and Bea aren't close, but they both have sons around the same time. While Antonia basks in the glory of an m-negative child, Bea refuses to have her son tested. As they get older, and Bea's son begins showing signs of violence, this family's loyalty will be put to the test.... literally.
💭 This was such a twisty, entertaining, unique read! I binged it in one day! I LOVE the subtle exploration of Labeling Theory and the nature vs. nurture debate, as well as the symbolism at play here. I read my print copy while listening to the audiobook. The narration of Clare Corbett and Josh Akehurst was perfectly paced, and they complimented one another beautifully.
Thank you #partners @Berkleypub & @prhaudio for my gifted finished copy and audiobook
𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘆𝘀
𝗝𝗮𝘆𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗲
𝟳/𝟭𝟭
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
📖 In this suspenseful dystopian thriller, a test is developed that can determine whether male babies carry a violence gene called m-gene. That positive or negative result will shape their futures. Sisters Antonia and Bea aren't close, but they both have sons around the same time. While Antonia basks in the glory of an m-negative child, Bea refuses to have her son tested. As they get older, and Bea's son begins showing signs of violence, this family's loyalty will be put to the test.... literally.
💭 This was such a twisty, entertaining, unique read! I binged it in one day! I LOVE the subtle exploration of Labeling Theory and the nature vs. nurture debate, as well as the symbolism at play here. I read my print copy while listening to the audiobook. The narration of Clare Corbett and Josh Akehurst was perfectly paced, and they complimented one another beautifully.
August 10, 2023
3.75 stars.
For fans of Christina Dalcher's books - Vox or Master Class (both of which I really enjoyed and recommend).
If you could test your son for a gene that predicts violence, would you do it?
A solid book club read and especially thought-provoking for mothers.
I listened to this on audio. Its around 8 hours and narrated by Clare Corbett and Joshua Akehurst.
A few good twists and an enjoyable listen.
For fans of Christina Dalcher's books - Vox or Master Class (both of which I really enjoyed and recommend).
If you could test your son for a gene that predicts violence, would you do it?
A solid book club read and especially thought-provoking for mothers.
I listened to this on audio. Its around 8 hours and narrated by Clare Corbett and Joshua Akehurst.
A few good twists and an enjoyable listen.
July 22, 2023
This dystopian thriller is set in a near future world where a newly discovered M gene has been proven to exist in those males who exhibit violent tendencies. Male babies can now be tested at birth and those who are found to be M-positive can be treated early to try to control their violent behavior throughout their lives.
Unfortunately, those children who do test positive for the gene are also ostracized as outsiders and are no longer welcome in most pre-schools, or any schools, or anywhere actually. They’re treated almost as sub-humans and many end up in prison or living at farms where they are worked hard for barely any pay.
Unless the male children can show proof of being M-negative, they really have no chance at a decent life.
In One of the Boys, two sisters have sons within months of each other. One son tests negative and the other never has the test done. Their lives are so completely different from each other and both mothers will go to any length to protect their sons.
I found this world to be fascinating and horrendous and it hits hard that this scenario could be a probable future. The POVs go back and forth betweeen the sisters and the two sons.
The twists at the end were crazy and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
*Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the early copy and for including me in the Blog Tour!*
Unfortunately, those children who do test positive for the gene are also ostracized as outsiders and are no longer welcome in most pre-schools, or any schools, or anywhere actually. They’re treated almost as sub-humans and many end up in prison or living at farms where they are worked hard for barely any pay.
Unless the male children can show proof of being M-negative, they really have no chance at a decent life.
In One of the Boys, two sisters have sons within months of each other. One son tests negative and the other never has the test done. Their lives are so completely different from each other and both mothers will go to any length to protect their sons.
I found this world to be fascinating and horrendous and it hits hard that this scenario could be a probable future. The POVs go back and forth betweeen the sisters and the two sons.
The twists at the end were crazy and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
*Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the early copy and for including me in the Blog Tour!*
July 10, 2023
Two sisters.
Two baby boys.
There's an M gene, that if male babies have it, will make them destined towards violent behavior.
Bea never wanted her son, Simon, tested. She thought it would only matter how she raised him.
Antonia had her son, Jack, tested. Luckily for her, he tested negative. These two choices have divided the sisters their whole lives. Now, when Simon is eighteen years old, all of their choices may ruin them.
Wow. This book is so good! So interesting! I loved that we got four points of view- Bea, Antonia, Jack and Simon. Things are not what they seem for everyone. I couldn't stop reading this book. I had a hunch on one thing and needed to know if I was correct. (I was.)
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Two baby boys.
There's an M gene, that if male babies have it, will make them destined towards violent behavior.
Bea never wanted her son, Simon, tested. She thought it would only matter how she raised him.
Antonia had her son, Jack, tested. Luckily for her, he tested negative. These two choices have divided the sisters their whole lives. Now, when Simon is eighteen years old, all of their choices may ruin them.
Wow. This book is so good! So interesting! I loved that we got four points of view- Bea, Antonia, Jack and Simon. Things are not what they seem for everyone. I couldn't stop reading this book. I had a hunch on one thing and needed to know if I was correct. (I was.)
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 30, 2023
Would you do it if you could test your son for the violent M gene?
That is the question I kept asking myself. While I was reading this book, my answer kept changing. I'm the mother of a boy and a firm believer in nurturing nature, but there was this niggling thought in the back of my head. What if? What if he had a predisposition to violence? Aren't we all capable of violence? What makes men prone to violence compared to women? Well, in ONE OF THE BOYS, the answer is, it's in the genes.
The book focuses on the tumultuous relationship between two sisters. Antonia had her baby Jack tested at birth, but Bea refused to rest her Simon. Antonia lives a life of luxury while Bea struggles. After years of not speaking, Bea shows up on Antonia's doorstep, and their lives take a sharp left turn. They both have nothing in common besides the fact that they will go to any lengths to protect their children. The story moves POVs, past and present, building up like a Jenga tower. All fall down.
This chilling dystopian had me swiping pages so fast; I needed to know what happened! While I did figure out the twist, it didn't take away from the story. The idea of being able to test for a violent gene is especially terrifying. While it could be helpful, it creates a lot of problems systematically. The author touches upon stores and preschools where you cannot enter if you are M + and it felt so scary. This thought-provoking book will go down in history with The Handmaid's Tale and Bird Box (in my own head, of course), both books that had me wide-eyed and dry-mouthed.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group via Netgalley and my Berkley reading club.
That is the question I kept asking myself. While I was reading this book, my answer kept changing. I'm the mother of a boy and a firm believer in nurturing nature, but there was this niggling thought in the back of my head. What if? What if he had a predisposition to violence? Aren't we all capable of violence? What makes men prone to violence compared to women? Well, in ONE OF THE BOYS, the answer is, it's in the genes.
The book focuses on the tumultuous relationship between two sisters. Antonia had her baby Jack tested at birth, but Bea refused to rest her Simon. Antonia lives a life of luxury while Bea struggles. After years of not speaking, Bea shows up on Antonia's doorstep, and their lives take a sharp left turn. They both have nothing in common besides the fact that they will go to any lengths to protect their children. The story moves POVs, past and present, building up like a Jenga tower. All fall down.
This chilling dystopian had me swiping pages so fast; I needed to know what happened! While I did figure out the twist, it didn't take away from the story. The idea of being able to test for a violent gene is especially terrifying. While it could be helpful, it creates a lot of problems systematically. The author touches upon stores and preschools where you cannot enter if you are M + and it felt so scary. This thought-provoking book will go down in history with The Handmaid's Tale and Bird Box (in my own head, of course), both books that had me wide-eyed and dry-mouthed.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group via Netgalley and my Berkley reading club.
September 7, 2023
4.5. I loved this clever intriguing book. It’s a little sci-fi but just enough to make you wonder if it could really happen. DNA testing is so rampant right now and genetic testing so available. What if a test could determine if you had a propensity to violence? And if you did, could medications help? Great right? Well but what if then schools wouldn’t allow you if you had the gene? What then? Such an interesting book. I loved it.
August 4, 2023
loved the concept and premise, wish it was a bit more twisty or surprising, halfway through i could guess the rest of the book
August 21, 2023
This book has a really interesting theme, very unique. The story is told from different perspectives and the viewpoints are very different. Each character stands alone and is well defined and easy to recognise. Some books the characters merge as too similar.
Two sisters, Antonia and Bea are very different from each other, both with sons they love. The world has discovered a test for the M Gene. A gene that predicts unsociable, violent and dark behaviour in boys, testing can be done at birth. A moral dilemma.
Would you get your son tested?
Each sister has very different views on it. One refuses to test her son despite society locking out those untested or with this gene. They are blocked from nursery, school, colleges, you name it. Seen as dangerous even as babies and toddlers.
The other sister has set up a clinic with her husband where positive M Gene parents pay a lot to access a treatment program designed to help them manage these sons. This would make a good book club read.
Their backgrounds are brought into play. Totally different lifestyles and one sister is running from something with her son whom she has never tested. Both sons reconnect after years and the relationship between them and their Mothers are played out. But one son is very different from the other.
The book definitely held my interest and the reveal and twist I did not see coming and added an edge to the plot. Really well done. I wonder if you’d predict it? An original read that I enjoyed right to the end. Easy to read in one sitting. 4 stars from me.
Many thanks to Random House, Cornerstone, Penguin for my review copy. Published 31 August 2023.
Thanks so much for reading my review of this book. Join me as a friend or follower and feel free to browse my shelves for your next great book! I love to connect with other readers.
Two sisters, Antonia and Bea are very different from each other, both with sons they love. The world has discovered a test for the M Gene. A gene that predicts unsociable, violent and dark behaviour in boys, testing can be done at birth. A moral dilemma.
Would you get your son tested?
Each sister has very different views on it. One refuses to test her son despite society locking out those untested or with this gene. They are blocked from nursery, school, colleges, you name it. Seen as dangerous even as babies and toddlers.
The other sister has set up a clinic with her husband where positive M Gene parents pay a lot to access a treatment program designed to help them manage these sons. This would make a good book club read.
Their backgrounds are brought into play. Totally different lifestyles and one sister is running from something with her son whom she has never tested. Both sons reconnect after years and the relationship between them and their Mothers are played out. But one son is very different from the other.
The book definitely held my interest and the reveal and twist I did not see coming and added an edge to the plot. Really well done. I wonder if you’d predict it? An original read that I enjoyed right to the end. Easy to read in one sitting. 4 stars from me.
Many thanks to Random House, Cornerstone, Penguin for my review copy. Published 31 August 2023.
Thanks so much for reading my review of this book. Join me as a friend or follower and feel free to browse my shelves for your next great book! I love to connect with other readers.
July 8, 2023
Thank you to PRHAudio, Berkley and Janice Cowie for the complimentary audiobook!
How far would you go to protect your son?
Bea and Antonia are sisters. Antonia had her son tested at birth, to ensure he didn’t have the “M” gene, which has been shown to cause propensity for violence in boys. Bea refuses to have her son tested, on the belief that his life should not be determined by this test. Both of these women would do anything to protect their boys, even if it means there are devastating consequences. Antonia works for her husband’s clinic, where boys can be medicated and “managed” if they possess the M gene, and public places (such as schools) can refuse M positive boys. Bea and Antonia both think they know what is best for their sons, as any mother would, and do everything possible to ensure they have good lives.
Wow wow wow! What a truly chilling story. As a mother of boys myself, I could feel my heart in my throat for many parts of this story. I can understand both Antonia and Bea’s perspectives, why they did what they did, and wanting to make their sons’ lives the best they could be. I loved how this book explored nature vs nurture; for instance, are you destined to behave a certain way because of your genetics? Or is the environment you grow up in truly what makes you a monster? While the mothers’ love was fierce and warm, the undertone of this story was cold, borderline dystopian, in the way boys were automatically discriminated against if they possessed the M gene. I really appreciated how the author really made me think, just because you COULD do something (ie: have your child tested), SHOULD you do it? Or is life going happen anyway? Does the good (managing the behavior), outweigh the bad (the side effects from the medication)? Overall, this was such a truly entertaining, thought-provoking story that will stay with me for a long time. Clare Corbett and Joshua Akehurst brought the audio version perfectly to life.
“One of the Boys” releases July 18th! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly.
How far would you go to protect your son?
Bea and Antonia are sisters. Antonia had her son tested at birth, to ensure he didn’t have the “M” gene, which has been shown to cause propensity for violence in boys. Bea refuses to have her son tested, on the belief that his life should not be determined by this test. Both of these women would do anything to protect their boys, even if it means there are devastating consequences. Antonia works for her husband’s clinic, where boys can be medicated and “managed” if they possess the M gene, and public places (such as schools) can refuse M positive boys. Bea and Antonia both think they know what is best for their sons, as any mother would, and do everything possible to ensure they have good lives.
Wow wow wow! What a truly chilling story. As a mother of boys myself, I could feel my heart in my throat for many parts of this story. I can understand both Antonia and Bea’s perspectives, why they did what they did, and wanting to make their sons’ lives the best they could be. I loved how this book explored nature vs nurture; for instance, are you destined to behave a certain way because of your genetics? Or is the environment you grow up in truly what makes you a monster? While the mothers’ love was fierce and warm, the undertone of this story was cold, borderline dystopian, in the way boys were automatically discriminated against if they possessed the M gene. I really appreciated how the author really made me think, just because you COULD do something (ie: have your child tested), SHOULD you do it? Or is life going happen anyway? Does the good (managing the behavior), outweigh the bad (the side effects from the medication)? Overall, this was such a truly entertaining, thought-provoking story that will stay with me for a long time. Clare Corbett and Joshua Akehurst brought the audio version perfectly to life.
“One of the Boys” releases July 18th! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly.
October 12, 2023
I don’t read many dystopian novels, but ONE OF THE BOYS has now made me question my life decisions.
It focuses on Motherhood and the lengths that a mother will go for her child to protect them.
WHAT TO EXPECT
-dual timelines
-dystopian
-multiple POVs
-great pacing
*many thanks to Berkley, PRH Audio for the gifted copy for review
It focuses on Motherhood and the lengths that a mother will go for her child to protect them.
WHAT TO EXPECT
-dual timelines
-dystopian
-multiple POVs
-great pacing
*many thanks to Berkley, PRH Audio for the gifted copy for review
June 24, 2023
One of the Boys by Jayne Cowie. Thanks to @berkleypub for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two sisters, each with a son of their own. Antonia had her son tested as a baby to make sure he didn’t have the M gene that causes violence and aggression in boys. Bea refuses to have her son tested. Their decisions will test their sisterhood and those around them.
I enjoy these type of “contemporary fantasy” where they take the current problems in our society and reimagine them into problematic systems that could be. This one was super interesting, especially to me as a mother of two boys. There were a few twists that I expected, and a few I didn’t. The story shows the lengths mothers will go to to protect their children, at all and others expense.
“The test had fixed a lot but it hadn’t fixed everything. At least everyone knew who the dangerous boys were now, and you could mostly avoid them.”
One of the Boys comes out 7/11.
Two sisters, each with a son of their own. Antonia had her son tested as a baby to make sure he didn’t have the M gene that causes violence and aggression in boys. Bea refuses to have her son tested. Their decisions will test their sisterhood and those around them.
I enjoy these type of “contemporary fantasy” where they take the current problems in our society and reimagine them into problematic systems that could be. This one was super interesting, especially to me as a mother of two boys. There were a few twists that I expected, and a few I didn’t. The story shows the lengths mothers will go to to protect their children, at all and others expense.
“The test had fixed a lot but it hadn’t fixed everything. At least everyone knew who the dangerous boys were now, and you could mostly avoid them.”
One of the Boys comes out 7/11.
July 27, 2023
Pretty good, the beginning was slow for me, it definitely picked up a little over 50% through!
Unfortunately I was able to guess the twists on my own but the book did keep you interested and the concept was intriguing!
Unfortunately I was able to guess the twists on my own but the book did keep you interested and the concept was intriguing!
July 18, 2023
Thank you to @berkleypub @prhaudio @netgalley @letstalkbookspromo for the #gifted copy of the book! I enjoyed this #buddyread
One of the Boys by Jayne Crowie
Genre: Thriller/Dystopia
Publisher: @berkleypub
Pub Date: July 11, 2023
If you are looking for your next book club pick, choose this one. Guaranteed to have a great discussion. Two sisters have boys. Imagine having to decide if your child should be tested for the M gene or not. This is what happens to Bea and her sister, Antonia. One chooses to do it and one chooses not to do it. Their whole lives center around this test. How for would you go to protect your child?
One of the Boys by Jayne Crowie
Genre: Thriller/Dystopia
Publisher: @berkleypub
Pub Date: July 11, 2023
If you are looking for your next book club pick, choose this one. Guaranteed to have a great discussion. Two sisters have boys. Imagine having to decide if your child should be tested for the M gene or not. This is what happens to Bea and her sister, Antonia. One chooses to do it and one chooses not to do it. Their whole lives center around this test. How for would you go to protect your child?
July 20, 2023
If you could test your son for a gene that predicts violence, would you? Antonia and Bea are sisters who have different thoughts on whether or not to have their sons tested. Antonia wants to make sure her son isn’t positive for the M gene, while Bea doesn’t want her son’s future predetermined by his result. One of them is negative while the other is positive, but which one is it, and how will it affect all of them?
Wow! This book was amazing! I didn’t know what to expect while reading it, and it had me engrossed from page one all the way to the shocking ending. Written in multiple timelines and perspectives, this book was a surprise hit for me.
I loved the writing style and how we get both of the mothers and sons’ perspectives throughout. It was tough reading at times because the topic was so dark and serious, but it made me think about if this could really happen and how it would affect our lives. The author did a great job of showing what a mother will do to protect her child.
I didn’t want to put this book down, and although I figured some things out early, it was a fantastic read. I look forward to reading more from Cowie.
I went back and forth between the ebook and audiobook and highly recommend listening to this one. Dual narrators, Clare Corbett and Joshua Akehurst did a fantastic job with all of the perspectives. With such a dark theme, they were able to bring all of the emotions of these characters to life.
Thank you Berkley Publishing, PRH Audio, and NetGalley for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.
Wow! This book was amazing! I didn’t know what to expect while reading it, and it had me engrossed from page one all the way to the shocking ending. Written in multiple timelines and perspectives, this book was a surprise hit for me.
I loved the writing style and how we get both of the mothers and sons’ perspectives throughout. It was tough reading at times because the topic was so dark and serious, but it made me think about if this could really happen and how it would affect our lives. The author did a great job of showing what a mother will do to protect her child.
I didn’t want to put this book down, and although I figured some things out early, it was a fantastic read. I look forward to reading more from Cowie.
I went back and forth between the ebook and audiobook and highly recommend listening to this one. Dual narrators, Clare Corbett and Joshua Akehurst did a fantastic job with all of the perspectives. With such a dark theme, they were able to bring all of the emotions of these characters to life.
Thank you Berkley Publishing, PRH Audio, and NetGalley for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.
April 21, 2023
This book is so thought provoking and a real conversation starter. It is a dark, dystopian thriller which asks how far a mother will go to protect their child.
The story is set in a society where scientists have discovered a genetic predisposition to violence based on an M+ result. Young boys are tested and their status in society revolves around this result. The book focuses on two sisters who each parent a son; one is an overbearing, married, successful, mother of a mollycoddled M- boy. The other sister is a financially struggling, single parent to a non tested son. It brings the nature vs nurture theory into mind The book timeline moves back and forth throughout so the reader can see how life events, government decisions, society and the relationship between the sisters change.
As a parent I found this book extremely thought provoking and at times heartbreaking. Untested boys are treated as guilty unless proven innocent (with a negative test) and are discriminated against alongside the M+ boys. The segregation was really difficult to swallow.
The book is not like anything I have read before and I have a feeling it’ll stick in my mind for quite some time. I would have liked another chapter/ epilogue about Simon but i understand why the author chose to end the book the way they did.
Thank you to Netgalley @netgalley for this e-ARC. Publishing date 31/08/2023.
The story is set in a society where scientists have discovered a genetic predisposition to violence based on an M+ result. Young boys are tested and their status in society revolves around this result. The book focuses on two sisters who each parent a son; one is an overbearing, married, successful, mother of a mollycoddled M- boy. The other sister is a financially struggling, single parent to a non tested son. It brings the nature vs nurture theory into mind The book timeline moves back and forth throughout so the reader can see how life events, government decisions, society and the relationship between the sisters change.
As a parent I found this book extremely thought provoking and at times heartbreaking. Untested boys are treated as guilty unless proven innocent (with a negative test) and are discriminated against alongside the M+ boys. The segregation was really difficult to swallow.
The book is not like anything I have read before and I have a feeling it’ll stick in my mind for quite some time. I would have liked another chapter/ epilogue about Simon but i understand why the author chose to end the book the way they did.
Thank you to Netgalley @netgalley for this e-ARC. Publishing date 31/08/2023.
July 18, 2023
4.5*
One of the Boys was both delightfully messed up and incredibly thought-provoking, and I absolutely devoured it! In this story, we meet sisters Bea and Antonia. They live in a world in which new technology has emerged that allows doctors to test for a gene that makes males more susceptible to violent behavior. They each have a son as this test is becoming more prominent. Bea does not like the idea of the test and wants her son to be judged on his own actions, not his genetics. Antonia, however, is married to a man who has made his whole career into developing treatment for boys who test positive, so she is a proponent of the test and has her son tested.
Bea and Antonia’s lives could not be more different, but whether that is because of the test can (and will be!) debated. Bea is barely scraping by, constantly moving and trying to find jobs to support her and her son Simon. Her partner Alfie has long since taken off, and she is pretty much on her own, and as Simon grows, there is quite the stigma around untested males, which makes arranging schooling and childcare all the more difficult. Antonia, however, leads a pretty swanky life. She’s the wife of a doctor who eventually earns a role in the practice herself. Their son Jack is reaping the benefits of a negative male, which means all the best in schools and activities. They are very financially well-off, due to the clamoring for the treatment for kids who test positive. So to say they are living in two different worlds is not a stretch. And when Bea emerges back into Antonia’s life, things go off the rails in a hurry as all kinds of long-hidden secrets and mysteries come to light.
Now, while I loved the characters and the mysteriousness, my favorite aspect has to be the questions this book led me to ponder. First, it certainly brings up the concept of nature-versus-nurture. Are people hardwired from the womb to do terrible things? Is there nothing that can be done to change that trajectory? Bea, of course, thinks that there is more to a person than their genetics, and I certainly hope that is true! How depressing it is to think that we have no agency over our actions, and our paths are formed from the moment we are. It also raised a lot of relevant concerns about how society was treating male children who were either positive or untested. Was it a self-fulfilling prophecy? Did society, by marking these boys as “wrong” instead make them into monsters? These are questions that Bea and Antonia, as well as the reader, will certainly be forced to consider.
Bottom Line: So yes, this book will make you think. It will also entertain, and keep you guessing, which is a pretty tall order from a single novel, but it accomplishes it beautifully!
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
One of the Boys was both delightfully messed up and incredibly thought-provoking, and I absolutely devoured it! In this story, we meet sisters Bea and Antonia. They live in a world in which new technology has emerged that allows doctors to test for a gene that makes males more susceptible to violent behavior. They each have a son as this test is becoming more prominent. Bea does not like the idea of the test and wants her son to be judged on his own actions, not his genetics. Antonia, however, is married to a man who has made his whole career into developing treatment for boys who test positive, so she is a proponent of the test and has her son tested.
Bea and Antonia’s lives could not be more different, but whether that is because of the test can (and will be!) debated. Bea is barely scraping by, constantly moving and trying to find jobs to support her and her son Simon. Her partner Alfie has long since taken off, and she is pretty much on her own, and as Simon grows, there is quite the stigma around untested males, which makes arranging schooling and childcare all the more difficult. Antonia, however, leads a pretty swanky life. She’s the wife of a doctor who eventually earns a role in the practice herself. Their son Jack is reaping the benefits of a negative male, which means all the best in schools and activities. They are very financially well-off, due to the clamoring for the treatment for kids who test positive. So to say they are living in two different worlds is not a stretch. And when Bea emerges back into Antonia’s life, things go off the rails in a hurry as all kinds of long-hidden secrets and mysteries come to light.
Now, while I loved the characters and the mysteriousness, my favorite aspect has to be the questions this book led me to ponder. First, it certainly brings up the concept of nature-versus-nurture. Are people hardwired from the womb to do terrible things? Is there nothing that can be done to change that trajectory? Bea, of course, thinks that there is more to a person than their genetics, and I certainly hope that is true! How depressing it is to think that we have no agency over our actions, and our paths are formed from the moment we are. It also raised a lot of relevant concerns about how society was treating male children who were either positive or untested. Was it a self-fulfilling prophecy? Did society, by marking these boys as “wrong” instead make them into monsters? These are questions that Bea and Antonia, as well as the reader, will certainly be forced to consider.
Bottom Line: So yes, this book will make you think. It will also entertain, and keep you guessing, which is a pretty tall order from a single novel, but it accomplishes it beautifully!
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
August 6, 2023
In this dystopian setting, doctors have discovered something called the M gene. It predicts male violence, and in this setting all male children under the age of seven are offered the test. While many parents take this opportunity; others don’t.
Examining our predisposition to violent behaviour, and whether this can be controlled, is a weighty topic so we’re given a more human angle to focus on. Sisters Bea and Antonia both fall pregnant at similar times. They both give birth to boys. Antonia has her son tested and Bea doesn’t. We then follow the sisters and their children over the course of the next eighteen years, examining the impact their choice has on each of them.
What I found intriguing was the way society reacted to this development. It immediately brought in restrictions for the boys testing positive, curtailing their lives and opportunities. Antonia and her husband, Owen, become wealthy off the back of these changes, setting up a clinic to manage the behaviour of M+ boys. Bea, as a single mother, has a much tougher life. We see how her determination not to test her child impacts them both over the course of time, and arrive at a point where some difficult questions have to be answered.
While the story was engaging throughout, it was once we see the boys as adults that things got interesting. Our assumptions about characters are challenged in ways I wasn’t expecting, and this become much more focused on the mothers and the levels they’ll go to in order to protect their sons.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this prior to publication.
Examining our predisposition to violent behaviour, and whether this can be controlled, is a weighty topic so we’re given a more human angle to focus on. Sisters Bea and Antonia both fall pregnant at similar times. They both give birth to boys. Antonia has her son tested and Bea doesn’t. We then follow the sisters and their children over the course of the next eighteen years, examining the impact their choice has on each of them.
What I found intriguing was the way society reacted to this development. It immediately brought in restrictions for the boys testing positive, curtailing their lives and opportunities. Antonia and her husband, Owen, become wealthy off the back of these changes, setting up a clinic to manage the behaviour of M+ boys. Bea, as a single mother, has a much tougher life. We see how her determination not to test her child impacts them both over the course of time, and arrive at a point where some difficult questions have to be answered.
While the story was engaging throughout, it was once we see the boys as adults that things got interesting. Our assumptions about characters are challenged in ways I wasn’t expecting, and this become much more focused on the mothers and the levels they’ll go to in order to protect their sons.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this prior to publication.
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