Queentide

by Donna Fisher

Australia in 2026 is not an easy place to be a woman. Authoritarianism has crept into the country. Women have lost their rights and voices. But Bodie and her militant granddaughter, Insley, are gambling everything to return them. They have set up a radical feminist group, Queentide, to steal the upcoming election and make Aboriginal politician, Kathleen, the next Prime Minister of an all-women Government. The ex-wife of a senior Minister, Lilith, vows to help them by sharing explosive secrets that will guarantee Queentide's success. But two things might stop them. A state-backed, violent men's rights group and a bitter power struggle that threatens to tear Queentide apart. Can the women harness the storm and smash the patriarchy? Or will Queentide wreck itself?

Genres: Dystopia

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2021

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐ - I liked it a lot!

Even though the genre is not my typical one to enjoy, I really liked this book!

Writing was smooth and nice, pacing was good, the plot interesting enought to keep me entertained.

I think the 1 missing star is still my overall feel of the story, it wasn't fully to my taste. So in this case, I can't tell anything the author could have done better, it's just me and my personal taste. And I'm known to be picky 😅

I would recommend this!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when the formally oppressed become the oppressors?

This is a work of fiction and is set in Australia, but if you look at what is going on in the USA right now, you will see that it really isn't truly a fictional book.

This book and the author's thoughts on equality for all are ambitious in their scope. I understood the ideas of what it takes for women and other minorities to regain (or gain) their 'selves' to be treated as equals, but I didn't always agree or like, the 'how' of it.

This book looks at two different women and how they plan on making these changes. As you know from the synopsis, this book is set slightly in the future after Covid 19 in a world where the men have the rights and privileges they had back in the late 1800s. Women are now poised to take back what they have lost and then some. This book shows two different ways of going about this. Neither way is perfect since no matter what, the formally oppressed will become the oppressors.

This was an interesting read that might make some people a tad uncomfortable or jubilant. It depends on how you see things.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and BookSirens.

[Gemma Best · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queentide is set in Australia in the near future of 2026. The country is recovering from the recent pandemic and authoritarianism has taken hold limiting the freedom and rights of all women. Amidst this, a radical feminist group called Queentide plans to threaten the patriarchy and take back control. Bodie and her Granddaughter, Insley have very different ideas on how to do this ranging from peaceful protests, to rigging elections, to outright violence. Their plan is to make aboriginal politician, Kathleen Rae, the next Prime Minister and create an all female Government.

This is a novel that pulls no punches. Some of it is really uncomfortable to read but that’s… kind of the point. It’s scary to think about how close to real life this novel is for many women around the world. Queentide really made me think about how far women’s rights have come, but also how far they still have to go. The power struggle between Bodie’s commune and some of the other characters is really well written and the reader is given a lot to think about.

I love the dynamic between Bodie and Insley. Insley is a particularly fascinating character - full of rage and fierce love for the people she cares about, she is determined not to be vulnerable again at any cost. My heart breaks a little for her at so many points of this novel.

I will probably be thinking about Queentide for many days and weeks to come and I will definitely be looking out for Donna Fisher’s future novels.

I received a free ebook of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and is written voluntarily.

[Fasmina Nisthar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queentide focuses on Australia in 2026, after the pandemic and multiple lockdowns where the country is dominated by patriarchal society where women are abused, discriminated and are silenced.

The story focuses on women mainly although we have some good and bad men making cameos. Lilith, Bodie, Kathleen and Insley have great character portrayals but I loved Lilith and how she faced her own demons and barriers to become powerful.

Rights of people regardless of colour, race and choice are voiced throughout the book making it a strong and powerful one. There is so much feminist energy throughout the book that makes a bold statement to who are feminists and who are not alike.

It is an important book that should be read by everyone sooner than later. There is hope. There is motivation. And there is a fierce fighting spirit that everyone needs even on a normal day.

[Tiffany M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Out of 5 Stars



WHAT A POWERFUL BOOK!



We follow so many different strong lead characters in this book that speak of the fight for Women’s Rights in Australia. Bodie leads a group called Queentide that is determined to get women in power. In the current state they live, men are allowed to emotionally and physically abuse their wives, have them terminated from employment, and take full custody of children.; i.e. providing women with absolutely no rights. Females are not even allowed to be the hero of a book.



Bodie comes upon Lillith, thru her lawyer Janet, and invites her to join their community. Lillith is the wife of Ben Hamilton, current political candidate, who is threatening to take custody away from Lillith by threatening her and having her fired from her job. Bodie and Lillith develop a strong bond, eventually allowing Lillith to take over Queentide. We also meet Kathleen, girlfriend of Insley (Bodie’s granddaughter), who is running for Prime Minister. She has partnered with Queentide to try and fill as many political seats in the house with females as possible.



Thru tragedy, loss, and empowerment, Donna Fisher takes us on a roller coaster as the women fight for their freedom.



Kudos to you Donna Fisher for making me feel empowered. I was so invested in this book, and it is not my normal genre. I messaged Donna numerous times thru the reading process to share my feelings, as it really meant something to me. I highly encourage you check this book out. It’s not long, and it’s not always an easy read because you have to pay attention and understand the plot line. But it’s 100% worth every second.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars rounded up to 4
Australia in 2026, authoritarianism has crept into the country and women have lost their rights and voices. But Bodie and her militant granddaughter, Insley, are gambling everything to return them. They have set up a radical feminist group, Queentide, to steal the upcoming election and make Aboriginal politician, Kathleen, the next Prime Minister of an all-women Government. The ex-wife of a senior Minister, Lilith, vows to help them by sharing explosive secrets that will guarantee Queentide's success. Can the women smash the patriarchy?
This book was marketed for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale and reading it I could see why. Like the Handmaid’s Tale there was an interesting world that makes you wonder could this happen in real life. I loved the strong female characters this book offered, and the themes of equality was done right. All but one character was interesting and worth reading about. I just could not like Insley and a big part of that is she stayed the same for the whole book, but you expected her to change (good or bad) since she is such a big part of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carolann 🔸 BooksterMom · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Now everyone could stop pretending. Sometimes things need to be broken so life can move on.”

Let me start with, I am nearly the opposite of a feminist. Yet, Fisher’s writing and delivery of the story was so satisfying I enjoyed it still. I truly can’t wait to see what else she has up her sleeve!

I loved Lillith’s character arc, how she went from unsure and wanting to remain unseen to taking on a leading role in the movement and finding her strength. This is a trope I appreciate, women shedding their fears and coming into themselves.

Though the setting is in Australia, for many it’s issues are just as relevant in the states and likely across the world. There is an extreme opinion lying within these pages that I don’t entirely agree with, this being the only reason I couldn’t leave it at five stars. If you enjoy feminist reads, this book is for you, hands down.

[steph • litfrommylibraryladder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a riveting and tough read at the same time. It was scarily similar to real life experiences I have felt and seen as well as things I could very much imagine. This was a fiction being not quite reality but close enough it’s frightening type of read, like the feeling of watching The Handmaid’s Tale and thinking about the things that would have to happen to get us there.

The experiences and conversations written in this book give feeling and voice to so many experiences of so many women when dealing with sex based discrimination and misogyny. This book was validating, infuriating and thought provoking. I highly recommend this to any female identifying person wanting to give words or feelings to what it is to be a woman at this time.


CW: discussions of sexual assault, sexual harassment, violence



I received and advanced review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this book takes place in a not so distant future where the rights of women and other outlying groups are severely reduced. The story-telling is a bit all over the place with multiple 3rd person omniscient POVs, but I did enjoy the recurring motif of rabbits. This book eerily mirrors a lot of current events throughout the world, but I personally like it when asked to face uncomfortable topics. Racism, sexism, TERFs, and more are featured in this book that begs the question: how can/should we change the tide?

[Becky Quigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queentide is one of the top of my list for empowering reads in 2021. In Donna Fisher’s debut novel, she presents an alternative to the patriarchy. What would the world be like if women ran it? Let’s find out in Fisher’s not-too-distant Australian future.

I fell in love with several of these characters as I read, most especially Bodie. The main character, Lilith, is on her own heroine’s journey in this novel. She grows into her own person with the support of the women around her, and I was right there with her! I was cheering as Lilith came into her own. I found her character to be someone I could easily relate to--we’ve all had similar self-doubt and fear. Each woman in the story has her own part to play in the revolution, and each woman could easily be someone you know.

[Moony (Captain Mischief) MeowPoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Woman is not born; she is made” – Andrea Dworkin

it was a interesting read and i felt bad for Lily how Ben acted, but some parts of it were annoying and boring.

[Tris]

review to come. thanks to booksirens!

[Emily Rainsford · Rating 4 out of 5]

"She was a good person, your mum."
"I know. And so is Lilith. But being good isn't enough sometimes, is it? It didn't keep her safe."

My interest in this book was piqued not only by the politically feminist blurb, but also because someone described it as "like nothing she'd ever read before". Having read it now, I can say I definitely see what she meant.

This is an incredibly unique book that raises some thorny questions. My impression of it is that it is not a manifesto of some kind but more an open ended kind of tale that presents a lot of food for thought and then leaves it for the reader to mull over.

Ostensibly, it presents a character Lilith, who leaves her abusive senior Minister husband and becomes involved in a radical feminist group called Queentide, even living in a kind of safe house/commune with them. The group is spearheaded by the charismatic Bodie, somewhat threatened by the fringe antics of her erratic granddaughter Insley, and moves into the political arena in support of gay Aboriginal major party leader Kathleen.

This is not the kind of book where you really feel immersed in or connected with the characters themselves, per se. It is heavily political and really explores the idea of how major progress in equality could be made, not by appealing to a system that puts white men in charge, but by taking charge of the system.

I admit, at first some of the content about male harassment and power had me thinking "come on. This is a bit extreme isn't it? A bit *much*". But then one day it was quiet at work and I opened up the ABC News website to read. What I saw there - sexually harassed women forced out of politics while their abuser stays in power, woman journalists discussing the rife abuse and sexism in the halls of Canberra, women being abused and killed while the male perpetrators get off on piss poor excuses… - well, I soon realised that not only was the book not an exaggeration, but it barely needed to be set in the future at all. This stuff is real and it's now and it beggars belief.

I think this book asks two central questions. The first is how change can be made by using and taking over the political system rather than through fringe radicalism. But the second is the meaty one, and that is - if the system itself is the problem, how far is too far to go in the mission of subverting it? Is it morally okay to play the system in pursuit of what's "right"? What about hunting down abusers and giving them their comeuppance without trial? And if you manage to wrest control of the system, will you really be happy to stop at equality? Or will the temptation creep in to give the oppressors a taste of their own medicine…?

I personally feel this book is not trying to answer any questions. It is presenting them for the reader to consider. And while it kind of took me a while to really warm to this book in terms of what we usually expect from a reading experience, it is a book that has absolutely stuck with me and given me a lot to think about.

[JL Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis

Authoritarianism has crept into the country. Women have lost their rights and voices. But Bodie and her militant granddaughter, Insley, are gambling everything to return them. They have set up a radical feminist group, Queentide, to steal the upcoming election and make Aboriginal politician, Kathleen, the next Prime Minister of an all-women Government.

Can the women harness the storm and smash the patriarchy? Or will Queentide wreck itself?


My Review

Although Queentide is a work of fiction set in 2026 Australia, it’s theme doesn’t seem so far departed from the sheer lunacy going on in Texas right now. Things are looking serious already.

Veteran campaigner Bodie Hughes, has a plan. A big plan and one that will require major amounts of teamwork, courage, and luck. To form an all female political party and overthrow the misogynistic politicians, demanding equal rights and fair treatment of not just women, but LGBTQ+ and minority communities.

This near future is one that has faced down COVID-19, where the male led government have held on to the temporary emergency powers needed in the crises, and with support of abusive all male pressure groups, women now have few rights. The way that abuse, attitudes towards women, and misogyny was normalised in the story was made it a difficult read occasionally but only because I know there are parts of the world where this is normal.

Lileth has just shown the first bit of bravery in her marriage to abusive politician Ben Henderson, and left him with their 5-year-old twins. He was responsible for a law empowering male bosses to sack female employees for pretty much any made up excuse. Yes, I took an instant dislike towards him. I liked Lileth though, and felt satisfaction at her evolution from kowtowing to her overbearing husband into becoming a strong woman determined to expose his darker side to the electorate. She was so well written, I felt like I knew her by the half way point.

I liked Bodie’s granddaughter Insley. Her directness when others were holding back was refreshing, although some of her methods aren’t to be encouraged.

As Bodie’s plan is progressing and the election approaches, I could feel the tension turn up a notch or two, and became more invested in the story. This book is about the struggle for social justice, and I recommend it to everyone. It may be fiction but it opened my eyes. Now stop reading this and go and buy a copy. I gave Queentide five stars.

[Joanna McQueen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Queentide is set in Australia in the near future. This near future suppresses women and glorifies men and it’s time to fight back. Bodie has been fighting for women’s rights for a long time. Her granddaughter fights alongside her, in some unconventional ways… for a woman.
Bodie unites women in her group, Queentide, and they are finally ready to take on the patriarchal government, the men, who are suppressing the women, first nations, gays and everyone else who isn’t male.

The story
I loved the premise of the story. Women fighting for their rights can be very uplifting but I felt this story had a dark side that I am not sure I liked. In particular, Insley, the granddaughter. She seemed to be a loose cannon, someone who manipulated just about everyone to help the cause. I suppose I can admire her tenacity but not her methods. She did make things more interesting and left me wondering what she would do next,

The writing
For me, the writing was lacking something. At times I felt lost and had to reread passages to make sense of what was happening. It could have been the political explanations come to think of it. I’m not a huge fan of politics so my engagement may not have been focused. I also struggled with the author’s repetitive character naming in some places, unfortunately it made some sentences confusing and/or awkward.

The characters
There were some very interesting characters in this book. A few were just awful but this story needed the awful characters to make its point and the characters supported the message very well. I have to say that a character I liked left the stage while the one I didn’t like seemed to have somewhat of a spotlight. I know, I know, shame on me, favouriting characters.

The plot
The plot was a bit tricky near the end. It felt like the story was coming to an end and then it didn’t and then I thought it was ending again but it didn’t and then it ended. It was like riding a roller coaster without any loops. Exciting, but not thrilling. But overall, the story was engaging and I am happy to have read it.

Themes
There were lots of themes in this book : patriarchy, equality, human rights, honour, friendship and love were the ones that stood out for me.

Overall, I would recommend this book, especially to my feminist friends, as I enjoyed Queentide on so many levels.

[Klee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I want women to stop having to carry their keys in between their fingers when they walk down the street. I want there to be no such thing as a rape victim anymore. I want women to be able to have kids and have a job. Or not have kids and not feel guilty about it. I want trans women to not have to worry about going to hospitals. I want the fucking world to treat us the way it treats straight white men."

Where to even begin. I am an imperfect feminist at heart. I don't get everything right but I try. I try to be empathetic to the disenfranchised; to cheer for women and abused minorities; to be an ally who acts if asked; to fight trolls on the internet; to not be a passive bystander watching the world segregate and decimate. I want things to change and I want the world to be a safer place for my daughter. I want my son to be a feminist. I want my daughter to be confident in the world she will grow up in. I want my son to be a good human who understands the privilege he has. I feel like I want too much. And I want change to happen now. I want it all to be here tomorrow. But I don't know how to do it all?

Queentide is part of the answer. "Australia in 2026 is not an easy place to be a woman. Authoritarianism has crept into the country and women have lost their rights and voices. But Bodie and her militant granddaughter, Insley, are gambling everything to return them." Queentide felt like an answer to a question I didn't know how to formulate. Queentide is a mildly-dystopian novel that lingers on the edge of reality. I read this book and thought, "The scariest thing is this isn't unbelievable". Queentide is the revolution I am waiting for. Queentide is a must-read for anyone who has suffered at the bottom of the proverbial barrel of life. This book is for women and minorities and refugees and the lgbtq+ community and the black community. If we could harness the collective spirit of social justice and social change as a unified group, what an amazing force we could be. Queentide provides a not-so-fictional version of what changes we could make to a world that suffers at the hands of the patriarchy. The Queentide is here to smash it. I am here for it.

[Leaha Hosking · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! On the eve of a Federal Election in Australia, this book has a very powerful message to all. It has many layers, each character with a different version to make up a spellbindingly emotional story. The book is about one woman, striving to survive the aftermath of a domestically abusive marriage. It is about another woman, trying to find justice and safety for all woman. It is about a woman who is bent on revenge. It is about a woman, trying to make things right for all minorities. It is about women coming together to make themselves heard and to change the world they live in for the better. It is about a man who perpetuates the myth that woman are inferior and another man who has suffered at the hands of just such a man and who also wants the world to change for his best friend, all women and all victims.

This is not a fairytale or romance, it is hard-hitting and even a little disturbing at times. It is political, ideological and optimistic. It makes you think, makes you sympathetic, angry, frustrated, shocked and sad. This is a story about injustice and how a group of women took an idea, made it a powerful movement and set their sights on parliament.

Queentide has such a diverse and riveting assortment of characters. The three main characters, Bodie, Lilith and Insley, fom their age, to their personalities they are unalike, but they share a common thread which ties them together. Bodie, the mother of all, calm and good, The Dragontamer. Lilith, escaping from living 'the perfect life', at first wanting only to be invisible, finding her new way. Insley, the warrior, once the victim, angry and now out for revenge.

I am a little lost for words to describe this book and do it justice. It has left me moved and thoughtful. The words flowed easily from the pages and it was gripping. The characters in this story were what kept me reading, not necessarily the political views. Their stories and how they moved forward was what captured my interest. It is a story of a political movement, but it is a story about people first.

[Verity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Queentide is a dystopian novel set in a world not too difficult to imagine. References to the pandemic and life in modern day Australia render the story current, relatable and in turn, concerning, due to the rampant oppression of women in the society depicted. Queentide, a radical feminist organisation, is seeking influence at government level. Yet generational and ideological differences within the movement lead to power struggles that threaten its mission.

The novel raises interesting questions around whether a fractured movement can be a strong one. Prominent Queentide members include, Bodie, the old school feminist and grandmother figure, Insley, her unrelenting, hot-headed granddaughter whose motivation is steeped in pain, and Lillith, an unlikely activist driven by her love for her daughters. Whilst the development of Insley’s character is disappointing for me, I can’t say it is predictable. I like that the author weaves together numerous stories, making it difficult for us to identify one main character and as such, giving equal weight to the different voices within the Queentide movement. The male characters remain somewhat peripheral — even in the scenes involving male-perpetrated violence, the women are the focal point. The portrayal of men is, however, nuanced and crucially, includes positive examples of masculinity.

The lack of ideological unity among Queentide members and the ensuing disagreements bring authenticity to the novel. On a final note, in our modern era, social media and grassroots movements are often key influencers in disruption and change. Although this is reflected in the novel, to an extent, it is intriguing that the author largely chooses to focus on Queentide’s activity around the highest levels of the government and the electoral campaign.

Queentide is an interesting read and an open door to great discussion!

Thank you @lovebookstours and @shesawwords for the gifted copy.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually review books as soon as I’ve finished them, but for this I felt I needed a little time. It’s the second book I’ve read in a row which is a little dystopian, with a huge helping of feminist communities and a touch of man hating. This is the superior book. It utilises the near-future world, the after effects of the pandemic, and what would happen if things got worse for women. Unlike the other book I read, this book accepts trans women, it doesn’t diminish their existence (though I don’t recall there being any specific trans women to note in the story) or use the same old tired tropes of hate towards them. So, Queentide. This is a book full of women loving women - not necessarily in the romantic sense. Lifting each other up, helping each other out, generally motivating women to be their full, and true, selves. It’s empowering. It dares to say “what if?” but without turning it into a (completely) man hating, women becoming worse, sense. I didn’t always like every character, or get along with them, but I saw them. I felt their highs, and I felt their lows. I adored Lillith and her children. I felt such a grandmotherly connection to Bodie. I even have a soft spot for Insley and Aaron. I was 100% on the side of Kathleen much of the time. I wanted the world for these women, I wanted what they wanted. I celebrated their successes and I commiserated their losses. At times the story glossed over the worst moments for some characters, skipping past moments. It worked in some ways, though I do feel there were times we could have gone deeper with a character - just a little further. From start to finish I was on their side, fighting their corner in my mind, hoping it would all work out. I felt energised by all of the amazing (ordinary) women doing amazing (sort of ordinary) things. If I could give half stars, I’d probably settle on 4.5.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Liv Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queentide is a well-written, inspiring, and bone-chilling novel. When I read the blurb, I was so excited to get a copy. I ordered it, and it skipped straight to the top of my TBR pile. My anticipation grew into excitement, and as I read through the book, the words on the pages helped me keep that momentum. I have never been one to highlight or annotate books, but oh my goodness, this novel almost converted me. There are so many artfully articulated ideas in this book, so many beautifully crafted phrases that I read, reread, and savoured.
Woven into the beautiful prose is a powerful and important story that did not end quite as I expected it to, which I truly appreciated. The first part of Queentide was a pointed exploration of some alarming what-ifs. The kinds of horrid situations that our world could easily, and in some places already is, slide into. It shows the schisms that are created when people in power abuse their positions and turn attention to those without, and how the antidote can be found in banding together.
After building up a way out for these characters, a blueprint for the improvement of their circumstances, Queentide takes an interesting turn. I do not want to give away the ending, but the book moves from pinpointing solutions to exploring complications. The last third or so is full of nuanced dips into the different characters and their motives, and I love how flawed and utterly human they all are. I think we all know a Lillith, or a Bodie, or a Kathleen, or an Insley. Or, with the right kind of push, we might even be one.
I am genuinely impressed by Donna's writing style, and how she wove her messages into the story. How the first part nurtured the reader, guided them through the views, and then ultimately opened up at the end for them to decide. It was a clever, interesting, and important novel that I will be encouraging as many people as possible to read.

[Chrissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

👸 Where to start with Queentide... When I originally opened this book I thought to myself this book isn't my jam and I'm not sure I'll be able to finish it but then the story really opened up and I was hooked!

👸 Lilith reminds me of myself 15 years ago, stuck in a bad relationship and just fleeing with the children, not feeling strong enough to do much more. But as we all learn, Lilith learns she's so much stronger than she's given herself credit for. I like Liliths character because she is so relatable to so many of women!

👸 Kathleen is a strong Aboriginal woman who has had a plan since she was but a child and she'll do whatever is needed to make her plan come to fruition. Her character development was very well done, I would vote for her if she was a legitimate candidate for PM! I like that she is honest and unwilling to lie to get further in life.

👸 Insley and Bodie have vital parts in the story. I love that their story brings together everything and puts everything in place for the reader.

👸 I feel that the other characters as much as they are an integral part of the story are just side characters. They are well developed and are woman I would love to have in my real life!

👸 As a woman who has experienced DV, I found Queentide to be a very powerful book. I truly hope it gives other women hope and inspiration!

👸 I highly recommend this book to anyone! Not just women! I feel that we can all take something from this story about ourselves and the world we live in.

👸 I've given Queentide 5 stars simply for the writing quality, the fact that it completely changed my mind, re - liking the book within the first chapter and the character development was on point.

👸 I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review and I'm very thankful.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review - Queentide by Donna Fischer

This review has been made possible thanks to @NetGalley and @shesawpress for providing me with an Advance Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review.

A story set in Australia in 2026, where women’s rights have been reduced to nothing. Society feels like a step before going total Handmaids Tale, but there is a resistance building. The novel follows Bodie, an elder women’s community leader, her rebellious and reactionary granddaughter Insley, politician’s ex-wife Lilith, fighting for her rights to keep custody of her daughters, and Prime minister candidate Kathleen. Each of these women has unique experiences and trauma caused by that society that are impacted by new rules and regulations on women’s freedom.

I loved this concept and the writing from the get go. I love the fact that the perspective changes from different characters to show the full spectrum of women’s options and opportunities in society. You get characters who you think are in the right, but they surprise you and some grey characters that are fascinating to watch their actions unfold. This story is absolutely genius and it feels like a modern precursor to the Handmaid’s Tale, as a fresh take on restrictions to women’s rights based off modern problems. The fact that the pandemic is talked about in a past tense is jarring when we’re still going through the end of it.

This book absolutely screams “you should see me in a crown” from its cover to its content. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loved YA dystopias or classic dystopian books and is interested in feminist issues. I’m definitely going to be buying a copy!

[-siara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review has been made possible thanks to @NetGalley and @SheSawPress for offering an Advanced Readers Copy for an honest review.

The future of Australia's undermined by a ghostly revolution of women striving for a place where their gender doesn't ultimately embed them beneath those differentiating. The Queentide by Donna Fisher throws you as a reader into a world right on the first page of what a brutal fate we envision and how much closer we are to that than when freshly stepping in.

"What if you aren't broken? What if you are breaking free?"

The process of wearing a mask as a woman while a fierceness is retained embeds through the words curving into the end. What is deemed 'okay' and just how taking a step back to analyze how blinding the flaws of society is. Living silently while being at fault for who you are. Being a woman is not a crime.

With a consumer who has not ingested what feminism has been represented within an array of literature, Queentide was eye-opening but questionable. There are many aspects of this work that were enjoyable as a story, while on the contrary, the dystopian politics were hard to swallow and go behind.
From the first page, it is a large jump to get to where you know where you are. There is a seamless flow following that drifts through what women in the present are dealing with on the regular but many refrain from doing just what Queentide is.

There is a confidence in Donna Fisher's work that screams 'read me,' and, 'listen to what I have to say.' I give all my joy for the words conveyed as the author says what many women may never gather up to do themselves, including myself.

[Caitriona Drexler · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

“What if you aren’t broken; what if you are breaking free?”

This is a must-read in a time where rights are being taken away from anyone who isn’t a straight white male. Before I get started, let me just say that yes, I am a feminist. That doesn’t mean I hate men. I am married to a straight white male and though he aggravates me at times, I love him with all my heart and can’t imagine life without him. My straight white male of a husband is also a feminist. We believe in equality for all and will pass on this belief to our children.

Queentide is a story about a “what if?” world that is all too real. After pandemics and recessions, Australia has fallen back into a world where only rich white men have rights. Women can be fired by male bosses for the smallest of reasons and justice against domestic abuse is non-existent. But a group of women have been growing in the shadows, strategizing ways on how to take down the patriarchy.

What I loved most about this book is it showed all sides of activism and radicalism. There are diverse characters from cruel men to saint-like women and vile women to honorable men. I also loved how the author portrayed feminism, in all of its masks. And I loved the characters who stuck to their morals no matter how ugly and scary the world around them became. We need more Kathleens in the world!

With complex characters, real-life terror, and a plot full of twists and turns, this was one hell of a rollercoaster. Thank you, Donna, for sending me a copy of this incredibly inspiring and gripping story.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

“She swore from that point on that no one else would ever edit her story.”

This book is set five years (2026) in the future in Australia. It tells the story of several women who are part of Queentide, a political movement formed to elect a female prime minister and all-female government with the hopes of eliminating the oppression women began facing during the pandemic.

I was drawn to the premise of the book and was engaged by the contemporary references. It is billed as a dystopian book, but, unfortunately, the inequality and oppression present in the book aren’t too far-fetched.

“I don’t want to win if it means being no better than the system I want to dismantle.”

This book will appeal to readers who enjoy books like The Handmaid's Tale, storylines based on politics, or women’s empowerment themes.

The writing felt both oppressive and empowering at times but it made sense for this type of book.

I appreciated the stories of characters like Bodie, the founder of Queentide, and Lilith, a major character who becomes stronger during the course of the story.

This wasn’t a five star read for me mainly because the ending dragged a bit. It felt the story could have ended before it did. Overall, I’m glad I read the book.

Thank you to BookSirens, the author Donna Fisher, and SheSaw Press for providing a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Georga Hackworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit, considering what is going on in the United States right now, I often forgot that Queentide was taking place in near future Australia. I wonder how much of U.S. current events were juxtaposed onto Australia. Queentide is a rather feminist book with LGBTQ+ representation. Something else that I love is the Aboriginal representation.

This idea of a militant state-backed violent men’s rights group reminds me so much of Trumpism and the white nationalist militias that backed him. The sexism and misogyny remind me so much of the current political state right now with the overturn of Roe v. Wade. I wish we had a veteran and well-know women’s rights activist from the 60’s to lead the fight against SCOTUS and those that are die-hard Trumpists that want to see him reinstated.

Queentide is well written with characters you want to see win. The group of women that has come together to form Queentide are very different from each other. They each have their own strengths and work well together. Naturally, there is that one person who doesn’t agree with how things are being done. There always is.

The book is also political…but, you have to admit, a patriarchal government is a great antagonist. The relevancy of the book is a little unnerving. It also reminds us that certain groups battle for rights is ongoing.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 3.75 stars! Queentide is a novel about Australia, set in 2026, where women and other minority groups had their rights ripped away by a male-dominated government. Queentide is the organization from Bodie, who is actively fighting for a better world for the minority. This novel follows the perspective of different women, fighting for their rights in their own style and in the context of their own lives.

I’ve come to like the plot very much, although towards the end, it became a bit unrealistic and radical for me. It’s kind of the point of this book though, so I completely understood why it was necessary. The plot is of course very political since this is about political action, but it also covers the backstory of different women. I was really intrigued with those backstories and they were really well written!

As for the characters, I had mixed feelings. Donna Fisher gives us a wide range of characters, so of course I liked some more than others. The development was intriguing to read, although I didn’t like where some were going to but it showed the unique reaction people have to trauma, abuse, their own context etc. It showed anger, depression, radicalism, caring and much more. I adored those detailed emotions! Overall, I would say this book was great and it’s just personal taste (like the radicalism) that made it a bit lesser for me!

I would recommend this book to everyone who is looking how fighting for rights takes on different ways and who is interested in political activism and those ‘what if’-scenarios. It’s pretty fast-paced with some nice plot twists so definitely not a heavy read!

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lozzi Counsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of dystopian books, and this one is probably closest to the world we live in now, which is what makes it scarier. Although this book focuses on women’s rights being stripped away, there is also mention of First Nations, the LGBTQI community and Asylum Seekers losing rights too.

This thought-provoking book follows a selection of characters within Queentide, all with different traumas and things going against them. The majority of these characters are morally grey to some degree. Although all feminists, it’s by different levels—some are pure man-haters and others just want an equal society. I struggled to trust the characters, as no matter how kind they came across, there mostly always seemed to be a reason for the kindness, some information they’re hoping to gain. That’s in no way saying I didn’t connect with any of them, I did, it just goes to show that everyone has grey within them to some degree, and I think greyness often shows when you’re backed into a corner.

I would have loved to spend more of the book following Insley. I always tend to lean towards the most broken characters. I wanted to work through her complex mind and join her journey of self-destruction.

Thank you to Katie and Brey PA and Donna Fisher for this DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Bri Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was complicated for me. Some aspects I really enjoyed, others not so much.

Set in a dystopian future, one that isn't too far-fetched, this is a very heavy book. I'd say you need to be in the right headspace to read it. While I love dystopian novels, I typically enjoy more adventure/fantasy. I'd expected a bit more of that here, but I appreciate that the author seemed to want to send a message.

I love reading about strong female characters, and this novel definitely delivers. However, I struggled with one specific character, Insley. It's hard to tell who's side she is truly on. Other characters seemed to change over the course of the book, and not necessarily in a positive way. I think the intent was to have it seem as realistic as possible, but it left me with more questions than answers (which again, may be intentional). The ending felt lacking as well (and confusing).

Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to read this book and I think it serves as a great reminder of the problems we face in our world today. I have decided to take away one message from this book, and that is hope. Hope that our society can become better, that changes can be made, if we fight for it.

I received a free ARC in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Australia in the near future (2026 to be exact) it's post-pandemic and women are living under an authoritarian government where their rights and voices are barely heard - to be fair, not too far from the truth.

In this story we follow Brodie and her allies (including close family) who are key players in the feminist political movement called Queentide, aiming is to overthrow the government through political campaigning and their key parliamentary opposition leader an Aboriginal (first nations) gay woman called Kathleen, to deliver an all women government. It's the story of this battle that I have to flag that has trigger warnings for racism, homophobia, misogyny and domestic abuse, but ultimately the journey to female empowerment.

With amazing female characters, and unfortunately a lot of experiences that are too entrenched in our society, this made for thought-provoking yet inspiring reading. Recommend if you are looking for a good feminist revolutionary fiction story.

*** I was given an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review by LoveBooksTour***