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The Goddess Complex: An unmissable YA feminist dystopia inspired by real Irish history
Not yet published
Expected 24 Mar 26In Ireland, 2064, female intuition is considered a dangerous mental illness known as The Goddess Complex. Afflicted women and girls are institutionalized, and become property of the State – an already corrupt and highly segregated corporate governing body.
Raised in a State facility, Amber is one of those young women, and has spent her whole life desperate to escape the Croí, Ireland’s capital city, where all citizens are expected to reside.
But not everyone abides by the State’s regime. Sixteen-year-old Elmagh has grown up in the Deadlands of Ireland, raised by her four vagabond aunts. Yet despite her freedom, the isolation of her existence leaves her lonely and, like Amber, she yearns for a normal life – whatever normal is.
When both of their lives coalesce, Elmagh and Amber must tap into their prohibited intuition… or risk losing everything.
Raised in a State facility, Amber is one of those young women, and has spent her whole life desperate to escape the Croí, Ireland’s capital city, where all citizens are expected to reside.
But not everyone abides by the State’s regime. Sixteen-year-old Elmagh has grown up in the Deadlands of Ireland, raised by her four vagabond aunts. Yet despite her freedom, the isolation of her existence leaves her lonely and, like Amber, she yearns for a normal life – whatever normal is.
When both of their lives coalesce, Elmagh and Amber must tap into their prohibited intuition… or risk losing everything.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 15, 2026
YA Dystopia is back!
I haven’t felt this engrossed in a ya dystopian for a long time! And finally set somewhere that isn’t America.
This book is set in Ireland where all nations crumbled and had to be bailed out by corporations. Taking final stage capitalism to an extreme (but scarily not unrealistic level).
But the domino’s that led to this was the discovery of ‘The Goddess Complex’ aka the commonly female presenting experience of 6th sense, intuition and trusting your gut. A research paper ‘proved’ it was real and of course in a patriarchal society this was just the evidence the male population need to ‘prove’ women who were succeeding were ‘cheating’. And inevitably all female human rights are disregarded.
This story follows 2 girls, one living outside the system on the land with her aunts and the other inside the core of the centre.
As there is only 1 main city per country so the corporations can keep an eye on everyone,I particularly liked the idea that to make it sound less insane, they remade all the capital cities and now only city the local language for heart. Class A marketing there and scarily realistic that a board would think that helps everything ha!
Really thought out politic system and history of events to get to where the book starts. Perfect for young adults and for adults and very timely message.
Can’t believe this is a debut and I haven’t heard anyone talk about it. Thank you netgalley for allowing me to review it and share the word of this great book
I haven’t felt this engrossed in a ya dystopian for a long time! And finally set somewhere that isn’t America.
This book is set in Ireland where all nations crumbled and had to be bailed out by corporations. Taking final stage capitalism to an extreme (but scarily not unrealistic level).
But the domino’s that led to this was the discovery of ‘The Goddess Complex’ aka the commonly female presenting experience of 6th sense, intuition and trusting your gut. A research paper ‘proved’ it was real and of course in a patriarchal society this was just the evidence the male population need to ‘prove’ women who were succeeding were ‘cheating’. And inevitably all female human rights are disregarded.
This story follows 2 girls, one living outside the system on the land with her aunts and the other inside the core of the centre.
As there is only 1 main city per country so the corporations can keep an eye on everyone,I particularly liked the idea that to make it sound less insane, they remade all the capital cities and now only city the local language for heart. Class A marketing there and scarily realistic that a board would think that helps everything ha!
Really thought out politic system and history of events to get to where the book starts. Perfect for young adults and for adults and very timely message.
Can’t believe this is a debut and I haven’t heard anyone talk about it. Thank you netgalley for allowing me to review it and share the word of this great book
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is set in 2064 in Ireland, where the "female intuition" has since been designated as a disease called the Goddess Complex that needs to be eradicated. I mean, the owning corporation may not specifically say that it needs to be eradicated, but anyone can read between the lines... This story has dual POVs for a while, one being Amber who lives in the Croi (center city that used to be Dublin) and one being Elmagh who lives in the Deadlands off-the-grid with her aunts. Both girls feel lonely in their own respective ways and share as much when they happen to meet in less than ideal circumstances.
Honestly, this one didn't do it for me. The concept sounded very interesting, and maybe a little too on the nose, but it just didn't play out on the page. While the author does discuss and provide examples of the Goddess Complex in use, it felt a bit contrived. And while I didn't mind the characters, I also wasn't so invested that I cared to see what happened on their journey. I contemplated DNFing but as it's a short book figured I'd just see if I enjoyed it more later, though that "later" never came. I think the book felt a bit like the characters and story line were being glossed over and yet forced along the path. Maybe this will be a good book for some, but it wasn't my cup of tea.
Either way, thanks to NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for the opportunity to read this.
Honestly, this one didn't do it for me. The concept sounded very interesting, and maybe a little too on the nose, but it just didn't play out on the page. While the author does discuss and provide examples of the Goddess Complex in use, it felt a bit contrived. And while I didn't mind the characters, I also wasn't so invested that I cared to see what happened on their journey. I contemplated DNFing but as it's a short book figured I'd just see if I enjoyed it more later, though that "later" never came. I think the book felt a bit like the characters and story line were being glossed over and yet forced along the path. Maybe this will be a good book for some, but it wasn't my cup of tea.
Either way, thanks to NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for the opportunity to read this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*I received this as an ARC from NetGalley
3.5 ⭐️
I read this entire book on the plane home from Dublin, so the setting resonated with me.
I thought the “magic system” (the concept of the Goddess Complex) was a very interesting concept, but I was left wishing there was more magic to it. It was always “I have a good/bad feeling about this” and I was hoping for…more.
There’s great gender rep here, which is surprising in a book about (mostly) women and their natural female intuition. However, at times the story felt too modern - I don’t need to know when a character “clocks” another character’s intentions/feelings. These couple of modern phrases took me out of the story. There are other times when the dialogue felt too robotic or scripted. I also felt like the worldbuilding was clunky and awkward.
If I hadn’t been half delirious on a 9 hour flight, I would have *clocked* the plot twist, which, in retrospect, is not that twisty.
If this book is the start of a series, it’s a strong start. If it’s a standalone, I don’t think it’s bad! But I don’t think it’s groundbreaking either.
3.5 ⭐️
I read this entire book on the plane home from Dublin, so the setting resonated with me.
I thought the “magic system” (the concept of the Goddess Complex) was a very interesting concept, but I was left wishing there was more magic to it. It was always “I have a good/bad feeling about this” and I was hoping for…more.
There’s great gender rep here, which is surprising in a book about (mostly) women and their natural female intuition. However, at times the story felt too modern - I don’t need to know when a character “clocks” another character’s intentions/feelings. These couple of modern phrases took me out of the story. There are other times when the dialogue felt too robotic or scripted. I also felt like the worldbuilding was clunky and awkward.
If I hadn’t been half delirious on a 9 hour flight, I would have *clocked* the plot twist, which, in retrospect, is not that twisty.
If this book is the start of a series, it’s a strong start. If it’s a standalone, I don’t think it’s bad! But I don’t think it’s groundbreaking either.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4/5 ✨
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy.
The Goddess Complex is an introspective look into a future where women are severely oppressed for exhibiting signs of female intuition—dubbed the Goddess Complex.
Elmagh and Amber are both strong FMCs with very likable and unique personalities. The story was very fast paced with a clear statement about the dangers of sliding into facism, especially for women and people of color. Some of the themes were spelled out a little too obviously and the story jumped around at times.
That said, this was an enjoyable read with a thought provoking reflection on the power of resistance, empowerment, and the importance of community.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy.
The Goddess Complex is an introspective look into a future where women are severely oppressed for exhibiting signs of female intuition—dubbed the Goddess Complex.
Elmagh and Amber are both strong FMCs with very likable and unique personalities. The story was very fast paced with a clear statement about the dangers of sliding into facism, especially for women and people of color. Some of the themes were spelled out a little too obviously and the story jumped around at times.
That said, this was an enjoyable read with a thought provoking reflection on the power of resistance, empowerment, and the importance of community.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews