Mother & Slaughter

by Liz Shipton

The Handmaid's Tale meets Gladiator meets Monty Python in this female-rage-fueled fantasy satire.

A hundred-and-fifty years ago, the women of Draconia were stripped of their magic. Since then, every girl who comes of age in the kingdom is given a choice: have kids or become a gladiator.

Eleanor Skinner chose gladiator, and at 35, she's now the oldest undefeated gladiator in the history of Draconia. She's wealthy, she's notorious, and overall, she's pretty happy being a child-free lady-killer, thank you very much.

Then a one-night stand leaves her knocked up.

Eleanor would literally rather be decapitated in the arena than ever have to change a diaper. Unfortunately, she gets no say in the as soon as the men find out, she'll be forced to have the kid. So when she hears about a witch who lives outside the kingdom and might still have her power, Eleanor and her best friend Rosalind embark on a quest to find her and end the pregnancy with magic.

But the journey takes an unexpected turn, bringing Eleanor face-to-face with old flames, new friends, and secrets about Draconia that would make any self-respecting feminist want to stand up, pick up a sword, and use it to slaughter the patriarchy.

Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Fiction

380 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2026

About the author

Liz is a hybrid author best known for her urban fantasy Dot Slash Magic, which received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly, and for her viral comedy videos. She lives on a sailboat in the Caribbean with her partner and dog. On the rare occasion Liz isn't writing, you can find her reading, swimming, telling her dog "I love you" for the bazillionth time today, or watching 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Reviews

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking LOVED this book.

It is hands down my favorite book I’ve read recently. I laughed out loud, I couldn’t stop turning the pages, and underneath all the humor is a genuinely compelling story with characters I completely fell in love with.

At this point, Liz Shipton has earned my complete trust. I backed this Kickstarter before I’d read a single page because I knew I was going to love whatever she wrote, and she absolutely delivered.

If you enjoy witty fantasy, sharp satire, unforgettable characters, and stories that can make you laugh while still making you think, don’t sleep on this one. It’s one of my favorite reads of the year.

[BookishKB]

⚔️🔥 Mother & Slaughter 🔥⚔️

📖 Bookish Thoughts

Full ARC Review to come!

🖤 What to Expect
• Fantasy Satire
• Female Rage
• Found Family
• Gladiator FMC
• Enemies to Lovers
• Dark Humor
_ _ _ _

📅 Pub Date: July 1, 2026
Thank you to Tyrannosaurus Yes Media and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Seiten_hieb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Das ist einfach so ein Buch, das irre Spaß macht. Kurzweilig, dialoglastig, charakterdriven und witty. Satire kann echt schnell misslingen, aber hier hat es super geklappt. Man merkt, dass der Autorin ihre Charaktere am Herzen lagen (mir dann auch ❤️).

Das Ende war für meinen Geschmack nen Tiiiiick zu überzogen, aber ich hab's in 3 Tagen durchgesuchtet und war nie gelangweilt, daher volle 5/5 Sterne. Slay, girl!

Nachtrag zu den Ausgaben: Das Taschenbuch ist ein räudig billiger Amazondruck mit einem - sorry - echt hässlichem Cover, kann daher nur zum eBook raten. Das hier auf Goodreads gezeigte Cover scheint es nur über Kickstarter zu geben. Bisschen schade, da das Buch sogar Illustrationen enthält, aber das Cover irgendwie gar keine Liebe bekommen hat.

[Ioana Pristoleanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I backed Liz Shipton's Kickstarter campaign for this, as I've enjoyed so many of her books in the past and the premise sounded interesting - with a great title. I loved it! The characters, the banter, the medieval fantasy setting, the satire of today's American society regarding women... *chef's kiss*

Draconia is a country where women are stripped of their magic at birth, and their option when turning eighteen is to either become a mother, or dedicate their life to being a gladiator and fight other women in the arena. The leadership (white men called Thrals), have established laws such as no woman should leave the city unattended, and those not following the rules would be fed to the Scarion - creatures living in the tunnels under the city.

Eleanor (or Ellie as friends call her) is in her mid-thirties, happily child-free and the best unbeaten gladiator so far. Her and her friend Roz are so good at their job that, after seeing them, other younger women actually decide to become gladiators instead of procreating. However, Eleanor accidentally gets pregnant and decides to embark on a journey outside of the city walls, to find a witch that is rumoured to still have her magic and might be able to help her. I can't say more about the plot without giving any spoilers!...

I loved the drawings and the little comic strips scene that add life to the stories and characters. The setting is very much medieval, with some magic sprinkled through, and I felt immersed into the story right away. Funny bits are switched to serious topic so effortlessly - it's written in such a clever way that I had to suddenly transition from grinning to asking myself fundamental questions about women's rights!

Other topics included were body autonomy, right to an abortion, motherhood (some want it, some don't), trans women's rights (or lack thereof), immigration, feminism and standing up to the patriarchy - all written so brilliantly and with the humour that Liz Shipton is known for.

Overall 4.5/5 stars rounded up, a book with an important message for today's society, but written in such an approachable and fun way that more people should be reading it. Also, the illustrations made me want to watch a whole anime series based on this, or at least read it as a full comic book! Maybe one day...

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars (sorryyyy I like the message I just didn't like the execution)

This was veryyyy heavy handed in its portrayal of the themes. The author was clear ab from the get-go tho! And these types of themes do tend to require a certain bluntness to get the point across to some audiences. I can't help but feel like those audiences would never read this to begin with tho lol. Unfortunately, I just tend to prefer more nuance. This was also longer than it needed to be imo.

Most of the characters are in their mid to late 40s, but their interactions with each other felt pretty immature. They were constantly fighting about fundamental problems, but the resolutions to those conflicts wasn't really achieved in a satisfying way. We didn't get to hear Roz's apology to Sam. Roz and Ellie never actually saw eye to eye about the pregnancy issue until they were essentially apathetic due to being on the brink of death. I also HATED the way they kept throwing that in each others faces... both of their reasonings for resenting each other were never healthily fleshed out. They just repeatedly fought about it and then moved on. We had so many conversations about how "you don't have to relate to how I feel to respect that the alternative is unbearable," and yet Ellie was never just allowed to not WANT the baby. She kept having to justify it. And in the same way, Roz didn't even provide an alternative argument for why she wanted a baby so desperately! She just DID. The convo they had about it with their explanations just wasn't as cathartic as it needed to be considering that was such a fundamental part of the plot. Also it was so painfully obvious that magic wasn't real. I know these characters aren't really represented as the smartest bunch, but I kind of wish we as readers had been mislead about that a bit so it could've been more of a surprise. AND even after almost 400 pages, we never figured out wtf to do with her pregnancy like come onnnnn. I didn't care much for the "romance" either. It was borderline non-existent since Ben kind of just cringely flirted with everyone.

The writing style also just wasn't for me. The humor didn't really mesh with my vibe. I liked the idea behind this tho, and I do think these are important problems to discuss. It just ended up feeling more silly than impactful to me. And also veryyyy YA.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

MOTHER & SLAUGHTER is a darkly funny fantasy that follows Eleanor Skinner, a 35-year-old undefeated gladiator who’s built her life around avoiding motherhood in a kingdom where women must either breed or fight to the death. When she accidentally gets pregnant, Eleanor and her best friend hit the road, illegally, searching for a witch who might still have the forbidden magic needed to terminate the pregnancy. What starts as a simple quest turns into something much bigger as Eleanor uncovers shocking truths about her world that might just spark a revolution.

Strengths

The writing is both witty and humorous. All characters feel human in their flaws, making them instantly relatable. The narrative flows effortlessly, delivering powerful commentary on our current times in a fantastical way. It investigates themes of loss and hate while challenging what society accepts as normal. The novel delves into questions about love and personal value. It also poses ethical questions that should have easy answers, but often don’t.

Weakness

Needs more graphic novel art inserts! I really enjoyed the art that was present, so fun! Good job to artist Daniel Lorca! Loved it.

Verdict

Liz Shipton promised this would be “A Handmaid’s Tale meets Gladiator meets Monty Python in this female-rage-fueled fantasy satire,” and she delivered! You really can’t go wrong with an opening like “The bitch wouldn’t stay down.” I was sucked in immediately, trying to figure all the things out. The twist was unexpected, the ending was satisfyingly epic, and the depiction of Draconia’s leader, revealed at the end, was a little too perfect. I was genuinely horrified and amused, if that’s even possible?

Rating: 9 out of 10
Spice Level: 1 out of 5
Cover: B++

Tropes
• Political Satire
• Female Rage
• Subversive Magic
• Warriors
• Banter-Heavy
• Child-Free Lead
• Gender Roles
• Survival Quest
• Enemies-to-Lovers
• Found Family

Trigger Warnings
• Violence, including gladiatorial combat and animal cruelty
• Graphic depictions of death
• References to sexual assault
• Forced servitude
• Trauma, loss, and emotional distress
• Depictions of psychological and physical abuse
• References to reproductive issues and miscarriage

Thank you to Liz Shipton. I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jonas Maes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished Reading:
Mother & Slaughter by Liz Shipton
_____

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Format: E-book
Pages: 356
Genre: Fantasy
LGBTQIA+ rep
_____

Firstly, a special thank you to @lizshiptonauthor for contacting me and offering me a copy of her book, in exchange for an honest review. So, here it is!

I absolutely loved this book. What did I particularly love about it, you ask? Well:
- I loved the realness of the characters. Each character had their own personality, believes, flaws,... and it made every character valuable, but also so unique and the fact that each character was so different, made them have very interesting discussions all the time.
- I loved the politics in this book. We find ourselves in a city, build up from scratch by the Thrall, with their own laws and unspoken rules. Those that don't follow the rules, get eaten by te Scarrion, who are magical beasts, living in the sewers. Only men have magic, and women are stripped of their magic at birth. Women have 2 choices in life: Either become a mother and make population grow, or become a gladiator and fight until you die, or you're old enough to quit. The borders are protected by guards, who fight the incomers. They are seen as murderous savages and the forest behind the borders are full of them. The people in the city accept the rules for what they are and don't know any better. Even the FMC chose to be a Gladiator and is happy to be one!
- I loved the setting and the world building in this book. The Thralldom was very well put together, the world beyond the borders was absolutely stunning, with lush forests, small villages and a beautiful coastline. It was very scenic and very easy to loose yourself in it.
- THE HUMOUR!!!

The plot itself was great too. The FMC is Eleanor and after a one night stand, she finds out she is pregnant, and she does NOT want to be a mother. Her best friend, who is there when they figure it out, had no choice to be a gladiator, because she could not get pregnant. This made it hard on both of them, but the discussions that followed were so necessary and it made their friendship stronger by the end!

There were more incredible stuff in here, but spoilers... SO GO READ IT!!!

[Ari Meghlen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did not hold any punches! :D

I was already in when I learnt the FMC was not another 17-19 year old "chosen one". But instead a hardened, 35 year old gladiator, that she not only chose as an occupation (though the only other choice was mother) but enjoyed and was good at.

I love that Eleanor is a physically strong, one-armed, shave-headed woman who likes to drink. It's such a refreshing change from most FMCs we see!

It's written in single POV from Eleanor, the FMC. From her we learn about how the world changed, the difference in gender - the men have magic but the women were stripped of their magic and their lives controlled, in many ways, by the men in power.

This book does not shy away from topics such as sexism, racism, gender identity and patriarchy to name but a few!

But manages to hit you in the face with them but coats it well with a good ol' dollop of hilarity and hijinx which makes the story pull you along for the ride.

I will admit that I was embarrassing slow to grasp the name of the leader mentioned in this world.

The plot is good and the character development strong. As Eleanor starts picking up people along the way of her journey, we see tensions and conflicts arising from the aforementioned topics - and these are done in a clear and realistic way.

The illustrations are great. I'll admit my kobo's screen is pretty small and my eyes are pretty terrible so I didn't get the full enjoyment from them. But they really add dimension to the story and I could totally see this as an animated movie.

If you like your stories bloody, sweary, and full of female rage tangled with a big side of humour, then this is definitely a book to read.

Thanks to the author for this advanced copy

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Liz Shipton herself for an e-ARC of her upcoming release!

Mother & Slaughter follows your not-so-typical protagonist on her journey for an abortion. Whilst living under the Draconian ruling Eleanor and her close friend Roz are both Gladiators, women who for many reasons chose to fight instead of becoming mothers. An unexpected pregnancy poses a risk to Eleanor's content life and she embarks on a mission to find a witch to undo her pregnancy.

Hilarious, snarky, and filled with real-life parallels, I loved Mother & Slaughter! The complicated relationships between each of the characters gives that essence of realism as readers come to understand how the Draconian rule negatively impacts all. Much like parts of today's society, the slow realisation for Eleanor's character that her comfortable life comes is not what it seems allows for that harsh awakening.

I adored the relationship between protagonist Eleanor and her love interest Sam, but I also loved how the centre stage relationship was actually Eleanor and Roz's friendship and how their differing circumstances allowed for growth on both parts. The issues highlighted, infertility and yearning for children vs not wanting children was a common theme between these two characters and the impact it had on their view of the world.

Covering heavy topics like racism, transphobia, white privilege, the negative impacts of patriarchy on all, Mother & Slaughter packs a punch (literally thanks to Samantha) and adds just enough humour to keep that heaviness away. It walks the perfect fine line between seriousness and satire that makes it easy to devour in one reading, or a few like me!, I reckon Mother & Slaughter is going to be up there with other satirical political books and pave way for rebellion.

[Hannah Deverall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the USA Draconia, where women - having been stripped of their magic - must decide at age 18 if they will become a mother or a gladiator. Eleanor Skinner chose to become a gladiator; she is not having a child.
At age 35, as the oldest gladiator in history, Eleanor's plans are messed up when a one-night-stand leaves her knocked up.
Faced with fleeing her home to have an abortion or give up the life she's fought so hard on, Eleanor embarks on a quest with her best fried Rosalind to visit a 'witch' by the sea, in the hopes that she can fix the pair's problem.
However, things are not as they seem, and what Eleanor discovers on her quest might just shake the foundations of society.
I found Mother & Slaughter a hilarious novel that was nigh unputdownable. It is truly an excellent work of satire. One of my favourite aspects about this book was how Liz Shipton addresses their character's prejudices, which I found to be done in a thoughtful and realistic manner. This was quite refreshing, as in our current society there is often the misconception that characters must be perfect and completely accepting, even if they were raised in intensly conservative societys. Character development exists for a reason, people!
Overall, I thouroughly enjoyed this book. I don't think I will every forget that ending. Nor the comic that went along with it. Mother & Slaughter recieves 4.75/5 stars from me. Thank you to Tyranosaurus Yes Media (love the name btw) for providing this novel for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Mikky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother & Slaughter by Liz Shipton is a rollicking good time.

This story follows Ellie, a gladiator in the Thraldom of Draconia, and her and of friends, as they set out on a quest to find the only witch in existence after magic was outlawed 150 years prior.

Liz does a fantastic job of exploring difficult themes around transphobia, racism, and misogyny. She doesn't just highlight and tackle transphobia, but showcases Trans Joy and euphoria, and humanizes people (as they should be!). Ellie and Roz are constantly arguing, but their arguments are based on fundamental human rights issues we are currently facing, and reflect many of the same conversations we have had to have with our friends and family.

Yes, this is an adventure book and highly satirical given our current late-stage capitalist hellscape, but it's also a story of found family and what it means to be a human being. Ellie finds herself questioning whether she is evil for killing women in the arena.

My favorite character is Sam, and I really can't tell you more without spoiling the story...but you will love them.

The humor is both brash and charming, and the villain is all too familiar, especially to Americans. My only gripe is that this villain was allowed to ramble on incoherently for multiple pages...but perhaps that is just an accurate reflection of the state of the world.

Well worth the read, laugh out loud funny, heartwarming and infuriating, Liz Shipton has a winner on her hands with Mother & Slaughter.

[Wesley Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of Mother & Slaughter. Here are my thoughts!

A century and a half ago, the women of Draconia were stripped of their magic and granted two choices; to become mothers or to become gladiators. Eleanor is the oldest undefeated gladiator, at 35 and has become pregnant after a one-night stand. Her best friend Rosalind wants nothing more than to become a mother, but infertility has left her with the gladiator path. Both want to change their circumstances, so they head to a witch by the sea to change their lives.

Liz Shipton has yet to disappoint me with her writing. She uses humour and politics expertly to present important messages in a fun manner. Think Monty Python or South Park. She is going to tackle the systemic problems and leave her readers cheering for more.

This story is fantasy adventure! We get some found family vibes that reminded me of the Wizard of Oz, as a group of characters march to the sea to try to live their dreams with the help of a witch. Learning about these characters was enjoyable, and there were some stances that were hard for me to grasp but was very happy when minds were changed and hearts were opened.

This novel is also full of battles and violence true to any big fantasy epic, so a little warning over the blood and guts but it serves a purpose. The ending is satisfying and I would totally love to read more in this world. Pick this one up if you want a fun fantasy adventure, with some humour and politics woven through in a lighthearted way!

[latetothegame]

Dnf 44%

This may be a case of just not for me. The byline- kick ass woman gladiator who isn’t a teenager and no brooding 1000 yr old shadow daddy- was certainly appealing. It has a one of the best opening lines that I have read in a while. It’s third person which I love and don’t see enough of these days. And it has an excellent description of pregnancy “forced to allow a squalling homunculus to claw its way out of my nether regions, and then slowly suck the life out of me as it drains my resources and shits everywhere.”

But unfortunately it didn’t quite work for me. It is very low stakes/personal stakes and so far pretty light on plot and world building (though I didn’t get that far and this certainly may change). The book feels more like an opportunity to explore social/political issues (racism, transphobia, infertility, access to abortion, oppressive political systems etc), which the author is upfront about, in a pretty heavy handed way. At the same time, it’s definitely not a heavy book in tone. On the contrary, it’s pretty light in tone, almost slapstick vibes with lots calling each other “fat ass” and jokes about falling in shit and it manages to use the word “jizz” a truly astonishing number of times. The aim here is definitely not realism. Honestly the book description (handmaids tale meets gladiator meets monty python) is pretty accurate, so well done there.

Overall it seems like a fun, easy read and probably I am just not in the right mood for it at the moment. Maybe I’ll come back to it in the future.

[Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother Slaughter by Liz Shipton
Available July 1, 2026

A big thank you to Liz for reaching out and offering me the chance to read her latest novel before release!

I first read her work when I picked up .dot/slash(magic)! Which was also great and I would highly suggest you read!

TRIGGER WARNING: This book discusses infertility. Not in depth, but wanted to make it known. There’s also a content warning at the beginning of the book with more info!

Mother Slaughter is a dark fantasy that closely mimics our current political climate. A satire if you will!

Our story closely follows Ellie and Roz, two of the greatest female gladiators in Draconia, on their quest to find magic.

Ellie choose to become a gladiator. It was that or motherhood. Meanwhile, her best friend Roz wants nothing but to be a mother. Those are your two choices in Draconia if you are a woman. Have babies or fight to the death. While white men inherit magic and are in charge of everything and everyone.

What starts as a small quest turns into something much larger as the secrets of Draconia begin to unravel.

Horrifying and amusing? Check. This book really throws all of the things that are wrong with the world right in your face. We’re talking racism, trans rights, body autonomy, patriarchy, and feminism just to name a few.

There are also lovely little comic strips that make this feel like a graphic novel at certain points. Would highly recommend if you’re looking for a book filled with rage!

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly as described:
The Handmaid's Tale meets Gladiator meets Monty Python in this female-rage-fueled fantasy satire.

This book doesn't hide from the fact that it's built off a political backbone. Topics include:
- sexism
- racism
- gender identity
- societal norms
- dictatorship
- lack of healthcare

I loved the snippets of art/drawings throughout, however my one "issue" is their order. The last two should be switched to align with the part of the story they fall after.

"You gotta ask Gabkcid and Relzzugmuc about that,"..."Those guys; I don't know what they get up to. Relzzugmuc - he's a great guy, but I don't always know what he's up to."

Thought those were some strange names until I realized... 😂

"...then you get to show the sunsets to your kid. That's like double sunsets. That's what I'm living for. The promise of double sunsets."

Adorable. 😭

[Fatguyreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join is in Draconia, a fantastical land where women are stripped of their magic at birth and upon their eighteenth birthday, they have two choices, become a mother or a gladiator.
Enter our main character Eleanor, the oldest undefeated gladiator in the land at 35. But a chance one night stand leaves her pregnant and not wanting to keep the child, Eleanor and a friend embark on a journey in search of a Witch who may still have magical powers which could end the pregnancy.

But will they succeed? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.

I enjoyed the medieval setting combined with some great humour and satire and several modern issues gave the story contemporary feel. Abortion, feminism, patriarchal societies, sexism and racism, amongst others.

The writing is wonderfully witty and quick and the interesting characters are well fleshed out, are believable and feel real.

There's blood, there's swearing and more than a larger helping or two of feminine rage.

5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.

[Mary Vojt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Liz Shipton, for sending me this book early for my honest review.

Out of the gate, this book is outside my usual comfort zone, but the concept sounded really interesting, and a book that talks about important topics is one I want to read. This book did not disappoint, and I found myself gripped from the beginning and wanting to follow along with Ellie and Roz as they try to escape the city and find the witch to help them both with problems they are facing. Along the way the meet others who want to join them on their quest.

I really loved the relationship between Ellie and Sam and how Ellie had to help show Roz that what Sam wanted was not a bad thing and that everyone should feel happy and safe in their own skin.

While this book deals with some serious topics, it was also very funny and I found myself laughing throughout the story. I also found that even though this was a fantasy book, it is not too complex and as someone who does not read a lot of fantasy, I really appreciated that!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a politically charged book that discusses important topics but also has a lot of humor and love from the characters.

[Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really clever. The writing was absolutely brilliant.

The ability to have a sassy, funny book, that then genuinely dealt with current and hard hitting topics was brilliant.

The themes are heavy, there is discussion about women's rights, racism, trans rights, and these hit really close to home in today's society. I saw several of my own fears come out and hit me in the face.

There were character discussions that really made me sit question my privilege, as well as face the uncomfortable truth that just because people come from marginalized communities, it doesn't mean they automatically support eachother. Relationships require work, reflection, and the desire for personal growth.

I feel like all these subjects were dealt with, with care, discussion, and sensitivity.

I absolutely recommend reading this book.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so action packed from start to finish, I'm not sure one review can do it justice. The layers this book had, fantasy on top of empathy, on top of emotional intelligence on top of humour.


The women of Draconia have been stripped of their magic, and at 18 they must choose either to become a gladiator and fight for their life in the ring every year, or to become a mother...


But when Ellie, the longest serving gladiator, discovers she is pregnant a quest for the truth begins!


She and her best mate set off to look for the the only person that can help her, the Witch, but encounter a few people on the way that soon become part of the gang looking for the Witch and the truth.


You may also recognise one of the characters...a pasty guy puppet, covered in makeup, lying to the village...who soon gets his ass kicked when the women discover the truth.

[anansu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so many thoughts about this book, and the biggest one is that it’s beautifully written *bowing applause*. I loved it!

The banter between Ellie and Roz. I laughed out loud so many times my husband asked what I was reading.
I mean who wouldn’t think it’s funny with magic jizz going out a window?!
And Sam, I loved Sam! ❤️
Ben was good too, he had nuances that most men in these kinds of books usually don’t have.
Also, if people don’t see who the mold for Reknaw is, they might be blind.

There are so many important subjects brought to light in this book, in such a pure and beautiful way. Everyone should read it, not only for the banter but also to help and support and start eyeopening discussions between people.

Thank you so much for letting me read this masterpiece!

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super conflicted about this review - I enjoyed 90% of the narrative, I thought the writing was excellent, the humour was on point and as a scathing parody and critique on the current US government, I appreciated that for the most part, as clear as it was what was being parodied, it always felt true to the world being built.

Unfortunately, and this is purely my own opinion and may well work for other readers, but certain aspects of the ending just broke my immersion completely and felt far too on-the-nose.

To end on a more positive note though, I found the sense of humour running as a thread through the narrative far superior than what passes for humour in the current fantasy landscape.

[Jeri Hirvela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious and occasionally over the top read that should not be missed. I received the e-book early as a Kickstarter backer and couldn’t resist diving in. I wound up dedicating my day to reading it. The characters were complicated and relatable. They struggled with the roles chosen for them by society as well as the roles they chose for themselves. There is growth, change, and a whole bunch of chaos. Mother & Slaughter was a completely irreverent romp. If you’re appalled by the current state of the world, this book is highly entertaining.

I’d also like to shoutout the artist who did the cover and prints that are sprinkled throughout the e-book. They were perfect additions!

[Chez Za · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the time the Kickstarter came up, I really was over 18 year olds saving the world, so the blurb for the book really sucked me in.. and so did the illustrations.. and the opening line,"The bitch wouldn't stay down".

A dark satire that is set in a fantasy world, where old white men run the country & women can either be gladiators or mother's. We follow Eleanor & her friends as they try to find an old witch to help them fulfil their wishes.

The banter was great. The satire was great. The depiction of the main bad guy was *chefs kiss*. A super fun read which delivers on its promise of Handmaid's Tale Vs Monty Python Vs Gladiator.

[Books0507_Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother & Slaughter is set in a place where women have been stripped of their magic ever since a young woman lost control over it 150 years ago, now women get the choice when they turn 18, either you become a mother or you become a gladiator.

In this story we follow El who choose gladiator and now at 35 she is infamous and undefeated and pretty happy in her role, that is until a one night stand leaves her with some consequences. Determined to keep her choices and freedom she sets out to find a witch who can help her, alongside her best friend Rosalind who has her own request of the witch.

I really enjoyed this book, it has some serious tones but was still very witty and humorous in places. I liked all the characters, it was easy to connect as you could see their flaws that made them relatable. I really enjoyed some of the side characters especially Sam's journey but also Ben's wit and flitations he brought to the group.

I loved the graphic art styles that appeared at the end of some of the chapters, a nice touch and helped bring the story to life.

Thanks you so much to Liz for reaching out and sending me an early copy, I really appreciated it and really enjoyed this read.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

🪓ARC REVIEW🪓

RELEASE DATE: TODAYYY

Dungeon Crawler Carl X femme Gladiator X Handmaids Tale. This is major F the patriarchy vibes. Bad b*tches rise up!
Basically just a good ass time! And look at the amazing comic style artwork!! There are 4 full page, full colour comics of this ragtag crew in the book as well. Definitely recommend!

4.5💥

Thank you for reaching out and the early copy @lizshiptonauthor
Illustrations by Daniel Lorca


🗝️ high fantasy, femme rage, found family, motley crue, Monty python, adventure, quest, Bookstagram, booktok

[J.smyth.pdx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a backer on Kickstarter, so received the ebook before the physical publication.

I don’t think there’s a single Liz Shipton book I haven’t finished in one sitting. I neglected dishes, neighborhood duties, and dinner for this one.

Loved the entire premise. It felt like a (much more) lighthearted Blood Over Bright Haven. The mystery of men’s magic was great - I honestly didn’t see it coming and I’m normally pretty good at predictions!

I wanted more Oriana, but I understand her role in the book. I also would love more Philip! He seems so charming!

Things I loved: Liz’ characters are either already extremely emotionally mature or they learn to be that way… this was no different. How do you accept and love someone when you don’t understand them? How do you talk through arguments instead of silently fuming and building resentment? I’m always so impressed by how her characters treat one another. I also love the treatment of science. Just plain clever, I thought.

Things I would change: I didn’t love how closely the head Thral resembled and behaved like Trump. And trust me - I think the guy’s insane. The subtle description of his makeup was great, and I think some of the impressions were funny; it just felt beleaguered by the time of his demise. That may have been the point, to be over the top with the similarities enough to be annoying. But it was annoying by the end of it.

All in all, a great addition to Shipton’s catalog - it was fun, funny, and infinitely readable. And a hopeful approach to what might be beyond our own walls.

[Zyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 mother and slaughter is a fantasy comedy that follows a misfit gang of people with secret wish held close to their hearts. think lord of the rings with a touch of the witcher (and just as gory)

💭 i love love liz Shipton's characters. they are imperfectly real, passionate, and selfish, with a proclivity for dark humor and third-rate pickup lines. it's delightful, funny, reflective, emotional. it asks the hard questions and allows space for the characters to grow.

[Book Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the way this author writes - I can hear her voice in the characters and it feels very real.

This is a found family, and each one has their own thing going on. Each wants something from a mystical someone somewhere - so there's questing - and then there's some real life truths that need heard and faced.

A fun way to deal with the sh*tshow of the world right now! Lots of fun, whole lotta fun!

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review: 4 1/2 stars

I loved every second of this book. This author really knows how to write a good book. The stuff she covered in this book and I love that she did an authors note at the beginning. Thank you Liz for giving me another chance to read one of your amazing books. I can’t wait for the next one.

[Dee_Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars: I liked it. A book that reveals the idiocy of our current society. Enough said ;) I liked how there were different perspectives, and that there was no this-is-right-and-that-is-wrong. Some things were just as they are.

The only downside is that it’s not my type of storytelling. Or humor, but that’s on me.