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The Quickening
Your body. Their Choice.
The Hope Party's new laws have transformed Great the countryside rewilded, children's rights prioritised, and births on the rise. But freedom is fading.
Karen has learned to navigate this new world, keeping her head down as her fertility is constantly monitored. As her husband's career thrives, while hers stalls. As her son is drawn into misogynist groups. Like everyone else, she's too frightened to speak up.
Until her teenage daughter reveals a life-changing she's pregnant. With abortion and contraception banned, her future has gone up in flames. But Karen won't let this happen - Charlotte is going to have the life she lost.
Karen turns to her sister Isobel, a doctor who's initially reluctant to help. But when they learn Charlotte's pregnancy is ectopic and life-threatening, the stakes skyrocket. The three women go on the run, getting deeper into danger with every hour that passes. With powerful enemies on their tail, they will risk everything in a desperate fight for freedom, and for life.
The Quickening is a powerful exploration of motherhood, sacrifice, and the terrifying cost of complicity. For fans of Vox, Red Clocks, and The Handmaid's Tale.
The Hope Party's new laws have transformed Great the countryside rewilded, children's rights prioritised, and births on the rise. But freedom is fading.
Karen has learned to navigate this new world, keeping her head down as her fertility is constantly monitored. As her husband's career thrives, while hers stalls. As her son is drawn into misogynist groups. Like everyone else, she's too frightened to speak up.
Until her teenage daughter reveals a life-changing she's pregnant. With abortion and contraception banned, her future has gone up in flames. But Karen won't let this happen - Charlotte is going to have the life she lost.
Karen turns to her sister Isobel, a doctor who's initially reluctant to help. But when they learn Charlotte's pregnancy is ectopic and life-threatening, the stakes skyrocket. The three women go on the run, getting deeper into danger with every hour that passes. With powerful enemies on their tail, they will risk everything in a desperate fight for freedom, and for life.
The Quickening is a powerful exploration of motherhood, sacrifice, and the terrifying cost of complicity. For fans of Vox, Red Clocks, and The Handmaid's Tale.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2026
About the author
Claire McGowan
38 books2,216 followersClaire McGowan grew up in a small village in Northern Ireland. After a degree in English and French from Oxford University she moved to London and worked in the charity sector. THE FALL is her first novel, which is followed by a series starring forensic psychologist Paula Maguire. She also writes as Eva Woods.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 6, 2026
Scary to see how what might be set up for altruistic reasons, and what sounds a good idea in theory, can soon be shown to be utterly reprehensible.
In this dystopian novel the Hope Party rule England. They have established a rule where an unborn foetus is to be regarded as a person, so abortions have been banned and all manner of systems are in place that make daily life very difficult for people (namely, women). For those succeeding, life is great. But the issues when things cannot be managed highlight the injustice many face.
When Karen’s daughter becomes pregnant she cannot help but feel this will ruin her life. Choices are made that should not be made. Nobody is sure what to do, but they recognise that the system in place is unjust.
An all too plausible story.
In this dystopian novel the Hope Party rule England. They have established a rule where an unborn foetus is to be regarded as a person, so abortions have been banned and all manner of systems are in place that make daily life very difficult for people (namely, women). For those succeeding, life is great. But the issues when things cannot be managed highlight the injustice many face.
When Karen’s daughter becomes pregnant she cannot help but feel this will ruin her life. Choices are made that should not be made. Nobody is sure what to do, but they recognise that the system in place is unjust.
An all too plausible story.
July 25, 2026
Found it a bit naff , predictable and disappointing really
February 18, 2026
In a future society where abortion is outlawed (amongst other things) Karen’s daughter gets pregnant and it’s discovered that the pregnancy is ectopic.
As the law now states that even in medical emergencies these pregnancies have to go on, Karen finds herself and her daughter on the run to get medical care to save her daughter’s life.
Along the way they find them self joining a resistance and fighting to change the world they live in.
A fascinating (but fictional) insight into a future that is potentially not far off. Likely to cause a lot of debate with the anti abortion topics, but I feel the bottom line is that”be careful what you wish for”.
Our world is not perfect but even changing rules we think could be for the better could trigger a series of events and a future we wouldn’t wish our children to experience.
This will stay with me for a while, an amazing read! Thank you @netgalley for the advanced reader copy!
As the law now states that even in medical emergencies these pregnancies have to go on, Karen finds herself and her daughter on the run to get medical care to save her daughter’s life.
Along the way they find them self joining a resistance and fighting to change the world they live in.
A fascinating (but fictional) insight into a future that is potentially not far off. Likely to cause a lot of debate with the anti abortion topics, but I feel the bottom line is that”be careful what you wish for”.
Our world is not perfect but even changing rules we think could be for the better could trigger a series of events and a future we wouldn’t wish our children to experience.
This will stay with me for a while, an amazing read! Thank you @netgalley for the advanced reader copy!
March 25, 2026
I really enjoyed this book overall. Definitely not a light read, and made even worse because it feels so close to home in some parts, but such a good story and gets you thinking about what it means to protest and resist and how important individual action is.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Your body. Their choice …
It’s 2040 and the Hope Party have changed Britain. Following the pandemic, BREXIT and wars, children’s rights are prioritised and birth rates are on the increase … but individual freedom is fading.
Karen has kept her head down and accepted the countries changes. Her fertility is constantly monitored and the state control so much of her life - she can’t eat certain foods, she is unable to drink alcohol, she must follow a strict housekeeping regime. She is frustrated that her husband’s career rockets, while hers stalls. She watches her son follow misogynistic groups and practices, while her daughter is forced to attend ‘future mother’ classes for them to achieve ‘citizen points’. But like everyone else, Karen is too frightened to speak up. They know there are protective custody camps, but they don’t know what happens at them …
Charlotte has to tell her mum she is pregnant and Karen sees a life she doesn’t want for her seventeen year old daughter. She wants her to have all the things she didn’t - an education, opportunities, choices and freedom. Charlotte doesn’t want this either, but in a country where contraception and abortion is illegal, what can they do?
Karen turns to her sister in crisis. They need help. Isabel is a gynaecologist and is reluctant to support Charlotte. It is illegal and she could be jailed. That is until they discover that Charlotte’s pregnancy is ectopic and the current guidelines mean, despite the risk to life, she is to sit and wait and allow ‘God’s Will’ to decide the outcome, despite the knowledge of woman’s mortality with this condition. Isabel has seen too many women needlessly die due to pregnancy related problems and she cannot have more blood on her hands …
The three women go on the run and attempt to outrun police services, getting deeper into danger with every hour that passes. As they develop powerful enemies, as well as meet groups of women desperate to resist the change’s, the women sacrifice everything to find freedom and health.
Think Handmaid’s Tale and VOX, this is a scary fictional view around a future country where there is gender imbalance on an even greater level than today, health disparities, ethical debate, propaganda and extreme ‘nanny state’ behaviours and derogatory opinions of individuals sexual orientation, religion and immigration.
I think a really powerful part for me was the first few pages of chapter seven that discusses how this came to be. I sat thinking ‘this could never happen, think of the uproar’ and Karen informs the reader the public reaction: ‘we were in disbelief, then shocked, then outraged. Finally, we were compliant. It wouldn’t affect me’. And I think that’s so important to consider. We can often think how a scenario affects us now … not the future us, our children or their children.
Told across multiple POVs, the three women show us their emotions and feelings during the worst weeks of their lives. We see how each is affected by the changes to the decisions around fertility control and how far they are willing to go to do the right thing for other people, as well as the protection of their children and family.
A powerful, emotional, thought provoking story that has many political and social elements within it and multiple discussion points that could lead to polarising opinions. This book will definitely stay with me for a long time! A fast read that had me hooked!
*TW are essential with this book and would advice all to note these before reading*
Thank you to NetGallery, Little Brown Book Group UK and Claire McGowan for the ARC of this book.
It’s 2040 and the Hope Party have changed Britain. Following the pandemic, BREXIT and wars, children’s rights are prioritised and birth rates are on the increase … but individual freedom is fading.
Karen has kept her head down and accepted the countries changes. Her fertility is constantly monitored and the state control so much of her life - she can’t eat certain foods, she is unable to drink alcohol, she must follow a strict housekeeping regime. She is frustrated that her husband’s career rockets, while hers stalls. She watches her son follow misogynistic groups and practices, while her daughter is forced to attend ‘future mother’ classes for them to achieve ‘citizen points’. But like everyone else, Karen is too frightened to speak up. They know there are protective custody camps, but they don’t know what happens at them …
Charlotte has to tell her mum she is pregnant and Karen sees a life she doesn’t want for her seventeen year old daughter. She wants her to have all the things she didn’t - an education, opportunities, choices and freedom. Charlotte doesn’t want this either, but in a country where contraception and abortion is illegal, what can they do?
Karen turns to her sister in crisis. They need help. Isabel is a gynaecologist and is reluctant to support Charlotte. It is illegal and she could be jailed. That is until they discover that Charlotte’s pregnancy is ectopic and the current guidelines mean, despite the risk to life, she is to sit and wait and allow ‘God’s Will’ to decide the outcome, despite the knowledge of woman’s mortality with this condition. Isabel has seen too many women needlessly die due to pregnancy related problems and she cannot have more blood on her hands …
The three women go on the run and attempt to outrun police services, getting deeper into danger with every hour that passes. As they develop powerful enemies, as well as meet groups of women desperate to resist the change’s, the women sacrifice everything to find freedom and health.
Think Handmaid’s Tale and VOX, this is a scary fictional view around a future country where there is gender imbalance on an even greater level than today, health disparities, ethical debate, propaganda and extreme ‘nanny state’ behaviours and derogatory opinions of individuals sexual orientation, religion and immigration.
I think a really powerful part for me was the first few pages of chapter seven that discusses how this came to be. I sat thinking ‘this could never happen, think of the uproar’ and Karen informs the reader the public reaction: ‘we were in disbelief, then shocked, then outraged. Finally, we were compliant. It wouldn’t affect me’. And I think that’s so important to consider. We can often think how a scenario affects us now … not the future us, our children or their children.
Told across multiple POVs, the three women show us their emotions and feelings during the worst weeks of their lives. We see how each is affected by the changes to the decisions around fertility control and how far they are willing to go to do the right thing for other people, as well as the protection of their children and family.
A powerful, emotional, thought provoking story that has many political and social elements within it and multiple discussion points that could lead to polarising opinions. This book will definitely stay with me for a long time! A fast read that had me hooked!
*TW are essential with this book and would advice all to note these before reading*
Thank you to NetGallery, Little Brown Book Group UK and Claire McGowan for the ARC of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In a Britain where every new law promises to protect society while quietly stripping away women's freedoms, one family discovers how quickly "keeping your head down" stops being enough.
📚 Pre-Reading Thoughts
The premise immediately reminded me of the most unsettling dystopian fiction - not because it imagines something impossible, but because it asks how ordinary people adapt when their rights disappear one law at a time.
Stories like this are rarely easy reads, but they can be important ones.
📖 Post-Reading
As I thought...
This is a genuinely unsettling novel, not because of shocking twists or graphic violence, but because so much of it feels plausible. The horror comes from watching restrictions become normal, each new law accepted because it is only slightly worse than the last.
The multiple points of view work well, showing how different people experience the same increasingly oppressive society. Some comply, some resist, and many simply try to survive.
The pace steadily tightens as what begins as a frightening situation becomes an urgent fight for survival.
It surprised me by...
Just how ordinary many of the oppressive measures feel. The mandated fertility monitoring, the casual erosion of careers, the way fear quietly shapes everyday decisions - all of it is presented as simply the way things are now. That normality is perhaps the novel's most disturbing achievement.
The "frog in boiling water" nature of the worldbuilding. Nobody wakes up in a dictatorship overnight. Instead, freedoms disappear piece by piece until looking back is the only way to realise how much has been lost.
The irony that women seek safety across the Irish Sea. As an Irish reader, it was impossible not to notice the reversal of history, and it added another thoughtful layer to an already uncomfortable story.
This isn't an easy novel, nor is it trying to be. It's a thoughtful, deeply unsettling exploration of bodily autonomy, political power, and how easily people can be persuaded to accept the unacceptable.
🎧 Music Pairing
🎵 Featured Song:
Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)
🎶 Vibe Album:
Hounds of Love
🎧 Artist Recommendation:
Aurora — ethereal, haunting music that balances vulnerability with quiet resistance.
🌈 Vibe Check
Colour Palette: hospital white, government grey, warning red, rain-soaked black
Soundtrack: hurried footsteps, news bulletins, whispered conversations behind closed doors
Season: a cold, overcast winter
Mood: oppressive, urgent, quietly defiant
Scent: antiseptic, rain on concrete, stale office air
🃏 Tarot Pull
Justice
This isn't simply a story about the law - it's about the gulf between legality and morality. As rights are steadily stripped away, every character must decide whether following the rules is still the same thing as doing what's right. Justice asks difficult questions about fairness, accountability, and the systems society chooses to uphold, making it a fitting card for a novel built around those very ideas.
👀 For fans of
The Handmaid's Tale
Vox
dystopian fiction that feels unsettlingly close to reality
📚 Pre-Reading Thoughts
The premise immediately reminded me of the most unsettling dystopian fiction - not because it imagines something impossible, but because it asks how ordinary people adapt when their rights disappear one law at a time.
Stories like this are rarely easy reads, but they can be important ones.
📖 Post-Reading
As I thought...
This is a genuinely unsettling novel, not because of shocking twists or graphic violence, but because so much of it feels plausible. The horror comes from watching restrictions become normal, each new law accepted because it is only slightly worse than the last.
The multiple points of view work well, showing how different people experience the same increasingly oppressive society. Some comply, some resist, and many simply try to survive.
The pace steadily tightens as what begins as a frightening situation becomes an urgent fight for survival.
It surprised me by...
Just how ordinary many of the oppressive measures feel. The mandated fertility monitoring, the casual erosion of careers, the way fear quietly shapes everyday decisions - all of it is presented as simply the way things are now. That normality is perhaps the novel's most disturbing achievement.
The "frog in boiling water" nature of the worldbuilding. Nobody wakes up in a dictatorship overnight. Instead, freedoms disappear piece by piece until looking back is the only way to realise how much has been lost.
The irony that women seek safety across the Irish Sea. As an Irish reader, it was impossible not to notice the reversal of history, and it added another thoughtful layer to an already uncomfortable story.
This isn't an easy novel, nor is it trying to be. It's a thoughtful, deeply unsettling exploration of bodily autonomy, political power, and how easily people can be persuaded to accept the unacceptable.
🎧 Music Pairing
🎵 Featured Song:
Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)
🎶 Vibe Album:
Hounds of Love
🎧 Artist Recommendation:
Aurora — ethereal, haunting music that balances vulnerability with quiet resistance.
🌈 Vibe Check
Colour Palette: hospital white, government grey, warning red, rain-soaked black
Soundtrack: hurried footsteps, news bulletins, whispered conversations behind closed doors
Season: a cold, overcast winter
Mood: oppressive, urgent, quietly defiant
Scent: antiseptic, rain on concrete, stale office air
🃏 Tarot Pull
Justice
This isn't simply a story about the law - it's about the gulf between legality and morality. As rights are steadily stripped away, every character must decide whether following the rules is still the same thing as doing what's right. Justice asks difficult questions about fairness, accountability, and the systems society chooses to uphold, making it a fitting card for a novel built around those very ideas.
👀 For fans of
The Handmaid's Tale
Vox
dystopian fiction that feels unsettlingly close to reality
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Great Britain. The year is 2040 and in recent years the birth rate has not only dropped, it’s plummeted. Women are choosing not to have children, worried about the economic and moral stability of the country, worried about what kind of future their children would be inheriting. In the wake of this crisis The Hope Party has taken power, it’s manifesto is to restore family, community and confidence and in some ways it’s working, there are some real improvements. The birth rate is rising, nature seems to be thriving, pollution has been decreased but it all comes at a cost. That cost is a loss of freedom - strictly controlled diet, no access to contraception, sanctions for anyone who doesn’t follow the rules to the letter. Women’s rights and healthcare have been annihilated and systematic misogyny has been allowed to run rampant.
A foetus is classified as a human being from the moment of conception - this means that all forms of abortion are now classified as murder - even if that means the death of the mother. An ectopic pregnancy is tantamount to a death sentence.
The punishment for seeking an abortion? Arrest, conviction, protective custody camps and finally nothing - no-one quite knows where they go after that, people simply…vanish.
Karen Levine has kept her head down, just trying to get through the years, hoping that there will be an end to this regime. But there is no end in sight and when Karen’s seventeen year old daughter, Charlotte, falls pregnant, Karen is devastated that her daughter will have to give up her promising future to follow her own unhappy life of drudgery and mandatory family servitude.
Split-second decisions point them down a dangerous path and their actions are reported to the authorities from a very unexpected source, leaving them desperate and on the run with time running out.
Told from multiple points of view, The Quickening is a chilling near-future feminist dystopia. What makes it so frightening is that given the current political climate the concept is wholly plausible. The story sits comfortably alongside books such as The Handmaid’s Tale and VOX as a stark warning that this could quite easily happen should we allow it to.
This is going to be a book that very much divides people based on their views of women’s rights and whether they fall into the pro-life or pro-choice camp. But whichever side of the divide you find yourself sitting on it will undoubtedly make you feel very, very angry and weirdly that’s a good thing.
Personally, I have absolutely loved reading The Quickening and devoured it in just a couple of days - it’s pacy, thrilling and an easy read (in terms of the language used, if not the topics covered). I will most definitely be seeking out more books by Claire McGowan in future.
I think this will make an excellent read for book clubs and discussion groups - doubtless generating endless debates and arguments.
I can see this being a huge release for 2026.
A foetus is classified as a human being from the moment of conception - this means that all forms of abortion are now classified as murder - even if that means the death of the mother. An ectopic pregnancy is tantamount to a death sentence.
The punishment for seeking an abortion? Arrest, conviction, protective custody camps and finally nothing - no-one quite knows where they go after that, people simply…vanish.
Karen Levine has kept her head down, just trying to get through the years, hoping that there will be an end to this regime. But there is no end in sight and when Karen’s seventeen year old daughter, Charlotte, falls pregnant, Karen is devastated that her daughter will have to give up her promising future to follow her own unhappy life of drudgery and mandatory family servitude.
Split-second decisions point them down a dangerous path and their actions are reported to the authorities from a very unexpected source, leaving them desperate and on the run with time running out.
Told from multiple points of view, The Quickening is a chilling near-future feminist dystopia. What makes it so frightening is that given the current political climate the concept is wholly plausible. The story sits comfortably alongside books such as The Handmaid’s Tale and VOX as a stark warning that this could quite easily happen should we allow it to.
This is going to be a book that very much divides people based on their views of women’s rights and whether they fall into the pro-life or pro-choice camp. But whichever side of the divide you find yourself sitting on it will undoubtedly make you feel very, very angry and weirdly that’s a good thing.
Personally, I have absolutely loved reading The Quickening and devoured it in just a couple of days - it’s pacy, thrilling and an easy read (in terms of the language used, if not the topics covered). I will most definitely be seeking out more books by Claire McGowan in future.
I think this will make an excellent read for book clubs and discussion groups - doubtless generating endless debates and arguments.
I can see this being a huge release for 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Corsair for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I love Claire's books - I think this is number 4 for me and she's quickly become a go-to author.
It is frightening how close to home this is. We might not be there yet - controlled jobs, forced diet, no contraception, strict deductions for rule breaking, forced pregnancies and childbirth over every situation, censored Internet use, misogyny running riot. We might not be quite there yet, but it scares me to think just how easy it would be to get there. And if I'm honest, some of it sounds good - healthy children, pollution-free environment etc. but is it worth it at expense of your freedom?
This book made me so angry, which was probably the very point of it, so well done for that.
No character was black or white, they're all morally grey. They might think they're doing the right thing but that doesn't mean it's the right thing for everyone. They might seem like they're going against the rules but it might be the only way to survive. It's all very complex and they're written with such depth.
The male characters - and I hate to put them in one group but the good ones are overwhelmed so I'm going to - are not very nice. I know it's what they've been programmed to believe about the world now, how they act etc. I get that, and yes some do turn to the good side, as it were, but it doesn't make them more palatable for the most of the book.
Whereas the women, again I'm not going to say they're without flaws, and maybe it's because I'm a woman and can imagine myself in that situation I don't know, but I was on their side from the start and loved following their stories, even if they were uncomfortable at times.
I'm not a mother so can't say I'd know about what you're willing to do for your child, but Karen and Charlotte are written so well that the daughter ends up being like you're own.
I was torn throughout the whole thing. I had fallen for these characters and so I wanted them to have the happy ending where everything works out right for everyone. But then that didn't seem realistic in this world and I didn't want her to turn it into this happily-ever-after fairy-tale ending, I wanted it to be real. I won't spoil it by saying which route she went down but it was good. It managed to keep the tension and anxiety throughout the book.
I'm an early to bed person, like 8:30, even if I don't go to sleep as early. But this had me up past midnight as I just couldn't put it down.
I love Claire's books - I think this is number 4 for me and she's quickly become a go-to author.
It is frightening how close to home this is. We might not be there yet - controlled jobs, forced diet, no contraception, strict deductions for rule breaking, forced pregnancies and childbirth over every situation, censored Internet use, misogyny running riot. We might not be quite there yet, but it scares me to think just how easy it would be to get there. And if I'm honest, some of it sounds good - healthy children, pollution-free environment etc. but is it worth it at expense of your freedom?
This book made me so angry, which was probably the very point of it, so well done for that.
No character was black or white, they're all morally grey. They might think they're doing the right thing but that doesn't mean it's the right thing for everyone. They might seem like they're going against the rules but it might be the only way to survive. It's all very complex and they're written with such depth.
The male characters - and I hate to put them in one group but the good ones are overwhelmed so I'm going to - are not very nice. I know it's what they've been programmed to believe about the world now, how they act etc. I get that, and yes some do turn to the good side, as it were, but it doesn't make them more palatable for the most of the book.
Whereas the women, again I'm not going to say they're without flaws, and maybe it's because I'm a woman and can imagine myself in that situation I don't know, but I was on their side from the start and loved following their stories, even if they were uncomfortable at times.
I'm not a mother so can't say I'd know about what you're willing to do for your child, but Karen and Charlotte are written so well that the daughter ends up being like you're own.
I was torn throughout the whole thing. I had fallen for these characters and so I wanted them to have the happy ending where everything works out right for everyone. But then that didn't seem realistic in this world and I didn't want her to turn it into this happily-ever-after fairy-tale ending, I wanted it to be real. I won't spoil it by saying which route she went down but it was good. It managed to keep the tension and anxiety throughout the book.
I'm an early to bed person, like 8:30, even if I don't go to sleep as early. But this had me up past midnight as I just couldn't put it down.
July 14, 2026
When I read the publicist's push for this book and she mentioned how we're living in a time where fertility tracking apps have faced serious questions about how they use personal data, social media platforms have removed accounts sharing abortion information and queer content, and the return of 'trad wife' culture, I was sold. It makes The Quickening feel remarkably close to home, and all the more unsettling because of it. Add on the references to The Handmaid's Tale and I was doubly sold!
Although set in 2040, this is a novel that feels uncomfortably close to the world we already know.
Great Britain has been transformed under the rule of the Hope Party. Birth rates are increasing, and the government celebrates a return to traditional family values. Yet beneath the surface, personal freedoms have disappeared. Women's bodies are monitored, contraception and abortion are against the law, and fear influences everything that they do.
Karen has spent years trying to protect her family by keeping her head down. Her husband has embraced the opportunities offered by this new society, while Karen has watched her own dreams slowly slip away. When her teenage daughter Charlotte reveals that she is pregnant, Karen knows that everything is about to change. Desperate to help her daughter, she turns to her sister Isobel, a doctor who finds herself facing an impossible decision. Together, the three women are drawn into a race against time where every choice carries enormous consequences.
One of the things I loved most about this novel was its characters. Karen is such a believable woman, someone who has convinced herself that staying quiet is the safest option until silence is no longer possible for her, and her daughter. Charlotte is so determined and hopeful, and Isobel's story highlights the heartbreaking dilemmas faced by those working in such an oppressive system. Their relationships feel real, and it is impossible not to become emotionally involved with each of them.
Claire McGowan keeps the tension high throughout the story. The pace is excellent, the chapters certainly had me thinking 'just one more', and the world she has created feels frighteningly plausible because it stems from issues we are already talking about today.
This is the sort of novel that stays with you long after you have closed the book. It is gripping, emotional and thought provoking, while also delivering all the pace and suspense of an outstanding thriller. I can already imagine The Quickening creating lively discussion in book groups. Highly recommended.
Although set in 2040, this is a novel that feels uncomfortably close to the world we already know.
Great Britain has been transformed under the rule of the Hope Party. Birth rates are increasing, and the government celebrates a return to traditional family values. Yet beneath the surface, personal freedoms have disappeared. Women's bodies are monitored, contraception and abortion are against the law, and fear influences everything that they do.
Karen has spent years trying to protect her family by keeping her head down. Her husband has embraced the opportunities offered by this new society, while Karen has watched her own dreams slowly slip away. When her teenage daughter Charlotte reveals that she is pregnant, Karen knows that everything is about to change. Desperate to help her daughter, she turns to her sister Isobel, a doctor who finds herself facing an impossible decision. Together, the three women are drawn into a race against time where every choice carries enormous consequences.
One of the things I loved most about this novel was its characters. Karen is such a believable woman, someone who has convinced herself that staying quiet is the safest option until silence is no longer possible for her, and her daughter. Charlotte is so determined and hopeful, and Isobel's story highlights the heartbreaking dilemmas faced by those working in such an oppressive system. Their relationships feel real, and it is impossible not to become emotionally involved with each of them.
Claire McGowan keeps the tension high throughout the story. The pace is excellent, the chapters certainly had me thinking 'just one more', and the world she has created feels frighteningly plausible because it stems from issues we are already talking about today.
This is the sort of novel that stays with you long after you have closed the book. It is gripping, emotional and thought provoking, while also delivering all the pace and suspense of an outstanding thriller. I can already imagine The Quickening creating lively discussion in book groups. Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well... this was a bit scary.... set in the near future we follow Karen and her family as they try and negotiate the new world. In it, children are prioritised. They actually have more rights than adults, especially those who are yet to be born. Fertility is also monitored, women of childbearing years are also regularly physically examined. But Karen, husband Tom, and their two children Rory and Charlotte rub along ok until the day that Karen finds Charlotte's positive pregnancy test. With abortion banned (see above rights for children including the unborn) and Charlotte only 17 and on the cusp of her adult life - with plans to continue her education, she does the only thing possible. She turns to the back streets... And then, finding out that it's an ectopic pregnancy which is life threatening, turns to her sort of estranged sister Isobel for help...
But they fail and each turn and eventually have no option but to go on the run... And thus begins a cat and mouse game with the three of them trying to get away, all the time being pursued by the authorities.
I do love books set in a near future which has knee jerked something to an extreme. This time, the protection of children above all others. Even unborn ones which have zero chance of survival and whose continuing existence could also harm (often fatally) the mother. Especially when the mother is only still a child herself... This kind of stuff really does scare me. But this book also gives a lot of hope. That there are good people still there, who are willing to fight for their cause. We also have custody camps and compulsory detention, women held until they have given birth, like sending your recalcitrant child to the nuns in the bad old days.
I felt a lot reading this book. A lot of anger if I am truthful. I get the end game that the Hope Party is trying to achieve but I hate the way they are going about it, and when you also consider Anna and her part in this, alongside her past, well.... spoilers prevent me from going further but you'll see when you get there.
It's hard to say I enjoyed this book due to its content as it was quite heavy for me. But I did, in a way, and it definitely made me think...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
But they fail and each turn and eventually have no option but to go on the run... And thus begins a cat and mouse game with the three of them trying to get away, all the time being pursued by the authorities.
I do love books set in a near future which has knee jerked something to an extreme. This time, the protection of children above all others. Even unborn ones which have zero chance of survival and whose continuing existence could also harm (often fatally) the mother. Especially when the mother is only still a child herself... This kind of stuff really does scare me. But this book also gives a lot of hope. That there are good people still there, who are willing to fight for their cause. We also have custody camps and compulsory detention, women held until they have given birth, like sending your recalcitrant child to the nuns in the bad old days.
I felt a lot reading this book. A lot of anger if I am truthful. I get the end game that the Hope Party is trying to achieve but I hate the way they are going about it, and when you also consider Anna and her part in this, alongside her past, well.... spoilers prevent me from going further but you'll see when you get there.
It's hard to say I enjoyed this book due to its content as it was quite heavy for me. But I did, in a way, and it definitely made me think...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
July 21, 2026
3.75 ⭐️, rounded up
This premise is so different from the last Claire McGowan book I read that I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I know her for domestic thrillers, so seeing her take on dystopian fiction was a surprise, but one that definitely worked for me.
Set in a near future Great Britain where women’s rights have been steadily eroded under the guise of protecting families, the story follows Karen as she is forced to make an impossible decision when her teenage daughter faces a life threatening pregnancy. What follows is an emotional and suspenseful journey that explores how far a mother will go when the law is no longer on her side.
What struck me most was how believable it all felt. It is impossible not to think about the current conversations around women’s rights, bodily autonomy and abortion while reading this. Making the setting Great Britain made it feel even more unsettling because it never felt outside the realm of possibility. It definitely brought The Handmaid’s Tale to mind, but this felt more domestic and, because of that, even more realistic.
The book tackles some incredibly relevant issues including women’s rights, reproductive freedom, misogyny and the growing radicalisation of young boys and men in their attitudes towards female. It is uncomfortable, emotional and thought provoking, but never feels preachy. I also loved the exploration of individual action and the importance of speaking up, even when you risk being ignored or silenced. Those themes gave the story real emotional weight.
My only criticism is that it lost momentum as it went on. For a story built around such an urgent situation, it occasionally felt too drawn out, and I found myself wishing the pace had matched the tension.
Overall, this is a powerful read with plenty to discuss long after you’ve finished it. It is completely different from what I expected from Claire McGowan, and I really admire her for stepping outside the domestic thriller genre. While the pacing stopped it from being a higher rated read for me, it is still a compelling and timely story that feels uncomfortably close to reality.
This premise is so different from the last Claire McGowan book I read that I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I know her for domestic thrillers, so seeing her take on dystopian fiction was a surprise, but one that definitely worked for me.
Set in a near future Great Britain where women’s rights have been steadily eroded under the guise of protecting families, the story follows Karen as she is forced to make an impossible decision when her teenage daughter faces a life threatening pregnancy. What follows is an emotional and suspenseful journey that explores how far a mother will go when the law is no longer on her side.
What struck me most was how believable it all felt. It is impossible not to think about the current conversations around women’s rights, bodily autonomy and abortion while reading this. Making the setting Great Britain made it feel even more unsettling because it never felt outside the realm of possibility. It definitely brought The Handmaid’s Tale to mind, but this felt more domestic and, because of that, even more realistic.
The book tackles some incredibly relevant issues including women’s rights, reproductive freedom, misogyny and the growing radicalisation of young boys and men in their attitudes towards female. It is uncomfortable, emotional and thought provoking, but never feels preachy. I also loved the exploration of individual action and the importance of speaking up, even when you risk being ignored or silenced. Those themes gave the story real emotional weight.
My only criticism is that it lost momentum as it went on. For a story built around such an urgent situation, it occasionally felt too drawn out, and I found myself wishing the pace had matched the tension.
Overall, this is a powerful read with plenty to discuss long after you’ve finished it. It is completely different from what I expected from Claire McGowan, and I really admire her for stepping outside the domestic thriller genre. While the pacing stopped it from being a higher rated read for me, it is still a compelling and timely story that feels uncomfortably close to reality.
August 4, 2026
The Quickening is one of those books that I know is going to stay with me for a long time. It isn't just a thriller or dystopian fiction. It's a story that feels frighteningly close to reality. The idea of a future where women lose control over their own bodies is terrifying enough, but the fact that it all feels so believable made it even harder to put down. I was completely invested in Karen, Isobel, and Charlotte's fight from the very beginning, and every chapter had me hoping they'd somehow find a way through.
What really got me was how emotional it was. Beneath all the suspense and tension, this is a story about family, motherhood, and the lengths you'll go to for the people you love. Karen especially broke my heart. Watching her realise the consequences of staying silent for so long, and then doing everything she could to protect Charlotte, made the story feel so raw and real. There were so many moments where I had to stop and think because it didn't feel like I was reading something completely fictional, it felt like a warning about what could happen if we're not careful.
This was an easy five-star read for me. It was gripping, emotional, thought-provoking, and honestly quite frightening because of how plausible it all seemed. Claire McGowan has written a story that entertains but also makes you question the world around you, and those are always the books that stick with me the longest. If you enjoy dystopian fiction that feels uncomfortably realistic, with strong female characters and a story that will leave you thinking long after you've finished, I can't recommend this book enough.
What really got me was how emotional it was. Beneath all the suspense and tension, this is a story about family, motherhood, and the lengths you'll go to for the people you love. Karen especially broke my heart. Watching her realise the consequences of staying silent for so long, and then doing everything she could to protect Charlotte, made the story feel so raw and real. There were so many moments where I had to stop and think because it didn't feel like I was reading something completely fictional, it felt like a warning about what could happen if we're not careful.
This was an easy five-star read for me. It was gripping, emotional, thought-provoking, and honestly quite frightening because of how plausible it all seemed. Claire McGowan has written a story that entertains but also makes you question the world around you, and those are always the books that stick with me the longest. If you enjoy dystopian fiction that feels uncomfortably realistic, with strong female characters and a story that will leave you thinking long after you've finished, I can't recommend this book enough.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Imagine a world where your own body belongs to the state.
Claire McGowan truly surpasses herself with The Quickening, a chillingly plausible dive into a dystopian 2040.
Under the terrifyingly realistic regime of the ironically named Hope Party, women are completely suppressed and constantly monitored every single minute of their lives. Freedom has faded entirely and termination is illegal, even when a pregnancy carries a risk to life.
When seventeen-year-old Charlotte faces a shock pregnancy, her dreams of Oxford go up in flames. Alongside her mother, Karen, and her aunt Issy, a doctor forced to risk everything, the three women are thrust into a desperate race against the ever-vigilant Protection Services.
This is an incredibly powerful book. McGowan’s writing is remarkably sensitive, creating deeply relatable characters forced into morally grey decisions.
The atmospheric tension builds a mounting dread that kept me turning pages into the wee small hours.
While it is a dark and uncomfortable read, the brilliant narrative highlights a beautiful undercurrent of human kindness.
The story shines a light on the quiet courage of other women and the secret networks risking their lives to build a resistance against these dreadful laws.
This outstanding, deeply moving novel is simply impossible to put down until that final, totally unexpected reveal. It will stay in my thoughts for some time.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and The Little Brown Book Group for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
Claire McGowan truly surpasses herself with The Quickening, a chillingly plausible dive into a dystopian 2040.
Under the terrifyingly realistic regime of the ironically named Hope Party, women are completely suppressed and constantly monitored every single minute of their lives. Freedom has faded entirely and termination is illegal, even when a pregnancy carries a risk to life.
When seventeen-year-old Charlotte faces a shock pregnancy, her dreams of Oxford go up in flames. Alongside her mother, Karen, and her aunt Issy, a doctor forced to risk everything, the three women are thrust into a desperate race against the ever-vigilant Protection Services.
This is an incredibly powerful book. McGowan’s writing is remarkably sensitive, creating deeply relatable characters forced into morally grey decisions.
The atmospheric tension builds a mounting dread that kept me turning pages into the wee small hours.
While it is a dark and uncomfortable read, the brilliant narrative highlights a beautiful undercurrent of human kindness.
The story shines a light on the quiet courage of other women and the secret networks risking their lives to build a resistance against these dreadful laws.
This outstanding, deeply moving novel is simply impossible to put down until that final, totally unexpected reveal. It will stay in my thoughts for some time.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and The Little Brown Book Group for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
August 6, 2026
I love dystopian fiction so I was looking forward to reading this.
I loved the premise: a near-future UK ruled by a right-wing government that has made protecting the environment and reversing the declining birth rate its top priorities. The consequences are chilling - women are stripped of their bodily rights, abortions are outlawed even in dangerous or non-viable pregnancies, and every woman is monitored through a tracking bracelet. It paints a deeply unsettling picture of a society where personal freedoms have been sacrificed in the name of the "greater good."
When 17-year-old Charlotte becomes pregnant, her mum is determined to protect her at all costs, even if it means going on the run. Their desperate journey, alongside Charlotte's aunt, is both tense and emotional, and I found myself completely invested in their fight for safety and freedom.
This was a gripping dystopian thriller that I raced through in just a few sittings. The pacing kept me hooked from beginning to end, with plenty of tension and suspense along the way. It also felt frighteningly plausible. The story explores themes of control, surveillance, and reproductive rights in a way that is both thought-provoking and unsettling.
The characters were well developed and believable, and I became genuinely invested in Charlotte, her mum, and her aunt, desperately hoping they would find a safe place where they could finally escape the regime. This is an absorbing, thought-provoking read that will particularly appeal to fans of speculative and dystopian fiction.
I loved the premise: a near-future UK ruled by a right-wing government that has made protecting the environment and reversing the declining birth rate its top priorities. The consequences are chilling - women are stripped of their bodily rights, abortions are outlawed even in dangerous or non-viable pregnancies, and every woman is monitored through a tracking bracelet. It paints a deeply unsettling picture of a society where personal freedoms have been sacrificed in the name of the "greater good."
When 17-year-old Charlotte becomes pregnant, her mum is determined to protect her at all costs, even if it means going on the run. Their desperate journey, alongside Charlotte's aunt, is both tense and emotional, and I found myself completely invested in their fight for safety and freedom.
This was a gripping dystopian thriller that I raced through in just a few sittings. The pacing kept me hooked from beginning to end, with plenty of tension and suspense along the way. It also felt frighteningly plausible. The story explores themes of control, surveillance, and reproductive rights in a way that is both thought-provoking and unsettling.
The characters were well developed and believable, and I became genuinely invested in Charlotte, her mum, and her aunt, desperately hoping they would find a safe place where they could finally escape the regime. This is an absorbing, thought-provoking read that will particularly appeal to fans of speculative and dystopian fiction.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Quickening by Claire McGowan is a chilling, near‑future dystopian novel that centres on women and fertility. We follow the story through Karen's perspective as she navigates a society where pregnancy is everything, abortion is banned, and women are tracked from early puberty via government‑issued bracelets that monitor location, health and fertility. Intrusive medical tests every few weeks are normalised from childhood, and misogyny is deeply embedded within a rigid male hierarchy that dictates women’s worth almost entirely through their ability to reproduce.
The emotional core of the novel is Karen's relationship with her 17‑year‑old daughter, Charlotte, who suffers an ectopic pregnancy. As the story unfolds, the emergence of a Resistance adds tension and hope, pushing back against a world designed to police women’s bodies. Although dystopian, so many of the themes feel recognisable and tangible, which makes the book especially compelling and thought‑provoking.
Copilot assisted me with the writing of this review - based on very specific prompts taken from my notes of reading the book.
The emotional core of the novel is Karen's relationship with her 17‑year‑old daughter, Charlotte, who suffers an ectopic pregnancy. As the story unfolds, the emergence of a Resistance adds tension and hope, pushing back against a world designed to police women’s bodies. Although dystopian, so many of the themes feel recognisable and tangible, which makes the book especially compelling and thought‑provoking.
Copilot assisted me with the writing of this review - based on very specific prompts taken from my notes of reading the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Quickening by Claire McGowan is terrifying in its plausibility. This dystopian thriller is a reality in certain parts of the world and has red flag potential to happen here in the UK in the next decade
Imagine if your fertility is monitored by the state, if contraception and abortion was banned, if you could not get life-saving care for a pregnancy outside of the womb... imagine if you are just a teenager, This is the reality for paralegal Karen and her daughter, while her son is losing himself in the manosphere and her husband is soaring in his career, Karen must save her daughter, but to what end
This thriller had me sick to my stomach and quaking in its grip on the reality we are facing. McGowan has a needlepoint precision and intricacy in the interactions between all characters and the world in which they inhabit, stitching it tightly with the reality we are all watching unfold
An utterly exhilerating novel that must sure become a classic
Thank you to Netgalley, the Author, and Little Brown Book Group UK | Corsair for this incredible ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Imagine if your fertility is monitored by the state, if contraception and abortion was banned, if you could not get life-saving care for a pregnancy outside of the womb... imagine if you are just a teenager, This is the reality for paralegal Karen and her daughter, while her son is losing himself in the manosphere and her husband is soaring in his career, Karen must save her daughter, but to what end
This thriller had me sick to my stomach and quaking in its grip on the reality we are facing. McGowan has a needlepoint precision and intricacy in the interactions between all characters and the world in which they inhabit, stitching it tightly with the reality we are all watching unfold
An utterly exhilerating novel that must sure become a classic
Thank you to Netgalley, the Author, and Little Brown Book Group UK | Corsair for this incredible ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Quickening is set in a version of Britain much like our own. But a hyper right-wing government has gained power, leading to new laws that restrict women’s rights and make abortion illegal. Women are constantly monitored for pregnancy and when Karen’s teenage daughter falls pregnant the nightmare begins.
It’s chilling and horrific because, especially at the moment, we only seem a short slide away from this version of reality. This felt like a UK version of the Handmaid’s Tale or something from the TV series Years and Years. It shows how easily people can accept what was previously unacceptable for an easy life, and the high costs of resistance. It’s a quick paced read and there are so many moments of horror and of heartbreak - emotionally I veered from anger to tears and back again.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of dystopian fiction. Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for the advance copy.
It’s chilling and horrific because, especially at the moment, we only seem a short slide away from this version of reality. This felt like a UK version of the Handmaid’s Tale or something from the TV series Years and Years. It shows how easily people can accept what was previously unacceptable for an easy life, and the high costs of resistance. It’s a quick paced read and there are so many moments of horror and of heartbreak - emotionally I veered from anger to tears and back again.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of dystopian fiction. Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.25 ⭐️
Set in Britain in 2040. The Hope Party have been elected and sweeping new changes have been ushered in. Abortion is illegal, children's rights are prioritised and women's fertility is constantly monitored. A foetus has more rights than the mother, even when the pregnancy is non viable.
Karen accepted the changes as they slowly happened, until it was too late and her life is so far from what she had ever planned. Charlotte, Karen's daughter, discovers she is pregnant and the two of them set off down a dangerous path.
Told from multiple POV this will take you on a journey of protest, resistence, sisterhood and morality. How you feel about it will largely depend on where you sit on the pro-life/pro-choice argument. But, it will, and should, evoke strong feelings as it paints a disturbing glimpse of a near-future dystopia which could become a reality (and feels like it may be closer in some parts of the world).
"She shrugs. Her hair is lit by the autumn sun. She is taller than me already but all the same I want to fold her into my arms, hold her safe against my body."
Set in Britain in 2040. The Hope Party have been elected and sweeping new changes have been ushered in. Abortion is illegal, children's rights are prioritised and women's fertility is constantly monitored. A foetus has more rights than the mother, even when the pregnancy is non viable.
Karen accepted the changes as they slowly happened, until it was too late and her life is so far from what she had ever planned. Charlotte, Karen's daughter, discovers she is pregnant and the two of them set off down a dangerous path.
Told from multiple POV this will take you on a journey of protest, resistence, sisterhood and morality. How you feel about it will largely depend on where you sit on the pro-life/pro-choice argument. But, it will, and should, evoke strong feelings as it paints a disturbing glimpse of a near-future dystopia which could become a reality (and feels like it may be closer in some parts of the world).
"She shrugs. Her hair is lit by the autumn sun. She is taller than me already but all the same I want to fold her into my arms, hold her safe against my body."
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Multi POVs take us on a journey across a scarily realistic near-future Britain, where women's bodies are not their own and contraception and terminations are illegal. Three women are centre to this story: Karen, a middle-aged mother of two completely fed up with invasive check ups on women and families; her teenage daughter, Charlotte, accidentally pregnant, questioning the status quo and terrified; and Karen's sister Isabel, a gynaecologist and initially unwilling participant in their dangerous run from the law. Covering gender inequality in the workplace and society, the insidious propaganda we already see in our own world, and how important feminism is for our future, The Quickening is perfect for anyone who loved The Handmaid's Tale and enjoys a thrilling dystopian read with an important political message.
Multi POVs take us on a journey across a scarily realistic near-future Britain, where women's bodies are not their own and contraception and terminations are illegal. Three women are centre to this story: Karen, a middle-aged mother of two completely fed up with invasive check ups on women and families; her teenage daughter, Charlotte, accidentally pregnant, questioning the status quo and terrified; and Karen's sister Isabel, a gynaecologist and initially unwilling participant in their dangerous run from the law. Covering gender inequality in the workplace and society, the insidious propaganda we already see in our own world, and how important feminism is for our future, The Quickening is perfect for anyone who loved The Handmaid's Tale and enjoys a thrilling dystopian read with an important political message.
August 7, 2026
The Quickening is one of those books I had no choice but to read; the synopsis gave me Delilah S. Dawson vibes & the themes are obviously very relevant to the current state of the west.
I liked that I was never fully sure where the book was heading — there’s one definitive “event” running through the book, obviously, but I was never certain about what the outcome would be or where each of the main characters would end up. What I didn’t like is how easy it was to see this in my / our future; hatred for women runs rampant in the UK right now & if it’s allowed to grow, I fear this story is a very accurate prediction of where we may end up. It’s terrifying.
Claire McGowan has done a great job with this story; characters that you care for but don’t always like, a very real projection of current issues & a potential future, engaging pacing, & writing that had me hooked enough that I read the book in two sittings — something I haven’t done for a while.
Literally my only strong, overwhelming gripe is that the cover has knitting needles on it when it should have a coat hanger in the shape of an R! I’m putting this on my “to buy” list but I’m going to wait for the paperback & hope I prefer that cover 😂
I liked that I was never fully sure where the book was heading — there’s one definitive “event” running through the book, obviously, but I was never certain about what the outcome would be or where each of the main characters would end up. What I didn’t like is how easy it was to see this in my / our future; hatred for women runs rampant in the UK right now & if it’s allowed to grow, I fear this story is a very accurate prediction of where we may end up. It’s terrifying.
Claire McGowan has done a great job with this story; characters that you care for but don’t always like, a very real projection of current issues & a potential future, engaging pacing, & writing that had me hooked enough that I read the book in two sittings — something I haven’t done for a while.
Literally my only strong, overwhelming gripe is that the cover has knitting needles on it when it should have a coat hanger in the shape of an R! I’m putting this on my “to buy” list but I’m going to wait for the paperback & hope I prefer that cover 😂
August 5, 2026
Library read 📚
Synopsis:
Set in a dystopian UK - not far in the future - we follow a family as they face an ectopic pregnancy in a society where abortion is illegal in all circumstances.
Review:
This was very well written and explored some important and timely issues with tact and from a number of perspectives. I especially liked that the story moved between three different POVs, so you got to see different aspects.
I do think the choice to follow an ectopic pregnancy rather than simply an unwanted one weakened the message for me somewhat, as it essentially used the worst case life-threatening scenario (which, admittedly, happens to pregnant women all too often) to argue for reproductive rights. Which I think is missing the point for all those 'normal' pregnancies that *could* continue but are happening inside a woman who doesn't want it to continue. I felt like the book knocked on this door but didn't quite manage to open it because of its focus on a medical emergency.
Synopsis:
Set in a dystopian UK - not far in the future - we follow a family as they face an ectopic pregnancy in a society where abortion is illegal in all circumstances.
Review:
This was very well written and explored some important and timely issues with tact and from a number of perspectives. I especially liked that the story moved between three different POVs, so you got to see different aspects.
I do think the choice to follow an ectopic pregnancy rather than simply an unwanted one weakened the message for me somewhat, as it essentially used the worst case life-threatening scenario (which, admittedly, happens to pregnant women all too often) to argue for reproductive rights. Which I think is missing the point for all those 'normal' pregnancies that *could* continue but are happening inside a woman who doesn't want it to continue. I felt like the book knocked on this door but didn't quite manage to open it because of its focus on a medical emergency.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow! This book is just amazing! So scary as it could so easily happen. Very Gilead and the Handmaids Tale but more down to earth and gritty which makes it more realistic somehow. Claire McGowan has always been a favourite author of might but I really think she has excelled herself with the Quickening. All the characters are so realistic. Although none of them are particularly likeable. They are on the whole normal human beings who are only looking after their own interests and those of their loved ones. But in scary situations we'd probably all be the same. A fantastic story with an unexpected twist to end. This is one book I'd wholeheartedly recommend if you want something different to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
June 23, 2026
I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This book is terrifying! It’s just way too close to home in light of recent events regarding women’s rights. It is a dystopian setting but it felt incredibly realistic and that was highly frightening.
I’ll try to avoid spoilers, but this follows three female members of a family as they are forced to make harrowing decisions in a society that does not value the lives of women. Everything in this version of England is centred around getting the birth rate up, with women forced to make themselves as fertile as possible, bracelets tracking their health, cutting them off from services if they disobey, they’re forced to take constant pregnancy tests. Their careers and rights have been heavily curtailed and they’ve moved into subservient positions to men. It’s scary the way some of the men who see themselves as good husbands and fathers are so happy to accept the diminishment of the rights of their wives and daughters.
The book is a race against time and it’s incredibly tense. It’s sickening what these women go through. We see it from three different perspectives, all who have different opinions on the rules of this society, and not always in alignment.
Absolutely terrifying!
This book is terrifying! It’s just way too close to home in light of recent events regarding women’s rights. It is a dystopian setting but it felt incredibly realistic and that was highly frightening.
I’ll try to avoid spoilers, but this follows three female members of a family as they are forced to make harrowing decisions in a society that does not value the lives of women. Everything in this version of England is centred around getting the birth rate up, with women forced to make themselves as fertile as possible, bracelets tracking their health, cutting them off from services if they disobey, they’re forced to take constant pregnancy tests. Their careers and rights have been heavily curtailed and they’ve moved into subservient positions to men. It’s scary the way some of the men who see themselves as good husbands and fathers are so happy to accept the diminishment of the rights of their wives and daughters.
The book is a race against time and it’s incredibly tense. It’s sickening what these women go through. We see it from three different perspectives, all who have different opinions on the rules of this society, and not always in alignment.
Absolutely terrifying!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In a world where women's rights are currently being infringed upon, this novel feels very close to home.
It's 2040 in Great Britain and abortion has been banned by the government to help with falling birth rates. Karen finds herself in a scary situation when her 17 year old daughter Charlotte discovers she is not only pregnant but having an ectopic pregnancy, that left untreated will likely kill her. This is an incredible story of their journey to try to save Charlotte's life.
This is a very scary look at our possible near future, where the right to choose is gone and our bodies are controlled by the government.
This book will stay with me, it was drawn in from the beginning and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It's 2040 in Great Britain and abortion has been banned by the government to help with falling birth rates. Karen finds herself in a scary situation when her 17 year old daughter Charlotte discovers she is not only pregnant but having an ectopic pregnancy, that left untreated will likely kill her. This is an incredible story of their journey to try to save Charlotte's life.
This is a very scary look at our possible near future, where the right to choose is gone and our bodies are controlled by the government.
This book will stay with me, it was drawn in from the beginning and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2026
If Handmaid’s tale and black mirror came together and made one seriously messed up dystopian novel, it would be The Quickening. This is a not so far in the future (and not too far fetched in terms of what could become reality in the future) masterpiece of a novel. Yes it’s uncomfortable, yes it’s gory and yes it’s devastating but a totally necessary read. The perfect read for any 2026 feminist. I also like the thriller aspects pulled into this to increase the intensity and keep you rapidly turning pages. Enjoyed this would be a slightly odd statement, couldn’t put it down is more correct! Perfect for any fans of John Marrs’ dystopian tech future series as this would honestly fit in perfectly with his work.
July 16, 2026
This is a chilling and thought-provoking dystopian thriller that feels unsettlingly plausible. It raises some uncomfortable but important questions about bodily autonomy, motherhood and how easily freedoms can be taken away.
The constant sense of tension kept me reading, but it was the emotional, family drama side of the story that really stood out for me. The characters felt believable and I found myself completely invested in what happened to them. It's definitely one of those books that keeps you thinking long after you've finished the final page, mainly because of how close it is to some women's current reality.
A powerful, timely read that I think fans of The Handmaid's Tale, Vox and other feminist dystopian fiction will really enjoy.
The constant sense of tension kept me reading, but it was the emotional, family drama side of the story that really stood out for me. The characters felt believable and I found myself completely invested in what happened to them. It's definitely one of those books that keeps you thinking long after you've finished the final page, mainly because of how close it is to some women's current reality.
A powerful, timely read that I think fans of The Handmaid's Tale, Vox and other feminist dystopian fiction will really enjoy.
June 1, 2026
★★★★★
Wow… I read this in a single sitting and honestly couldn’t put it down.
This has easily become one of my favourite reads of the year so far. Set in a dystopian Britain in 2040, it gave me strong The Handmaid’s Tale vibes while still feeling completely unique and original in its own right.
The storyline was gripping from start to finish and unlike anything I’ve read before. Thought-provoking, unsettling and utterly compelling, it kept me turning the pages long into the night.
I was completely absorbed in this world and would absolutely love to see it adapted for television one day.
A brilliant, unforgettable read and an easy 5 stars from me. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐📚
Wow… I read this in a single sitting and honestly couldn’t put it down.
This has easily become one of my favourite reads of the year so far. Set in a dystopian Britain in 2040, it gave me strong The Handmaid’s Tale vibes while still feeling completely unique and original in its own right.
The storyline was gripping from start to finish and unlike anything I’ve read before. Thought-provoking, unsettling and utterly compelling, it kept me turning the pages long into the night.
I was completely absorbed in this world and would absolutely love to see it adapted for television one day.
A brilliant, unforgettable read and an easy 5 stars from me. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐📚
July 26, 2026
The Quickening by Claire McGowan is a white knuckle ride, in this totally engrossing and absorbing look at Britain in the not to distant future,(possibly). It is the story of three women, Karen, the mother, Charlotte, the pregnant daughter and Isobel, the aunt and doctor.
Charlotte’s pregnancy is ectopic and in this new era, she will be expected to continue with the pregnancy even though it will kill her. The three women go on the run and come into contact with people who will unexpectedly help, while there are others who will try to stop them at all costs.
A fascinating look at motherhood, sacrifice and the terrifying cost of complicity. A compelling thriller of a book.
Highly recommended
Charlotte’s pregnancy is ectopic and in this new era, she will be expected to continue with the pregnancy even though it will kill her. The three women go on the run and come into contact with people who will unexpectedly help, while there are others who will try to stop them at all costs.
A fascinating look at motherhood, sacrifice and the terrifying cost of complicity. A compelling thriller of a book.
Highly recommended
August 2, 2026
4 stars.
This book is so fucked up. It's half Handmaid's Tale and half reality show. I mean, they've already banned abortion so why give a clump of cells more rights than the women that carry it? The fact that I could see parallels in the book and our current climate around the world is devastating and horrifying. I enjoyed the writing. The pacing kept me engaged and excited to keep reading. I can't believe that anyone would allow an ectopic pregnant to -run its course when the mother would most likely pass from blood loss when it burst. It was odd because it was an enjoyable book that also made me so angry. But hey I guess strong emotions evoked by a book is a winner!
This book is so fucked up. It's half Handmaid's Tale and half reality show. I mean, they've already banned abortion so why give a clump of cells more rights than the women that carry it? The fact that I could see parallels in the book and our current climate around the world is devastating and horrifying. I enjoyed the writing. The pacing kept me engaged and excited to keep reading. I can't believe that anyone would allow an ectopic pregnant to -run its course when the mother would most likely pass from blood loss when it burst. It was odd because it was an enjoyable book that also made me so angry. But hey I guess strong emotions evoked by a book is a winner!
July 28, 2026
I think Claire McGowan is a good author of domestic suspense novels. ‘The Quickening’ is something different - dystopian fiction with a big debt to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. The plot plays second fiddle to the political points she’s trying to make. I get that, in some parts of the world, women’s rights are being eroded, but it takes a mighty suspension of disbelief to imagine a woman from the UK travelling in a small boat to Ireland in search of an abortion. The characters were ciphers embodying different points of view and I soon lost interest in them.
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