I liked Dalcher's previous book Vox, even though it sort of devolved toward the end, because it had some really insightful, well written scenes. Femlandia is clearly reactionary (the author says as much in the afterward) but in my view, that wasn't what made it a weak story. There was one main character, who drove a lot of the plot, about whom the book has no background or description. The character had no backstory and the reader knows absolutely nothing about her. Weird that this obvious flaw should survive the editorial process. ( )

A quick but insubstantial read. It’s thinly drawn out which makes for some nonsensical plot resolutions at the end.

A chilling look into an alternate near future where a woman and her daughter seek refuge in a women-only colony, only to find that the safe haven they were hoping for is the most dangerous place they could be.

Miranda Reynolds always thought she would rather die than live in Femlandia. But that was before the country sank into total economic collapse and her husband walked out in the harshest, most permanent way, leaving her and her sixteen-year-old daughter with nothing. The streets are full of looting, robbing, and killing, and Miranda and Emma no longer have much choice—either starve and risk getting murdered, or find safety. And so they set off to Femlandia, the women-only colony Miranda’s mother, Win Somers, established decades ago.

Although Win is no longer in the spotlight, her protégé Jen Jones has taken Femlandia to new heights: The off-grid colonies are secluded, self-sufficient, and thriving—and Emma is instantly enchanted by this idea of a safe haven. But something is not right. There are no men allowed in the colony, but babies are being born—and they’re all girls. Miranda discovers just how the all-women community is capable of enduring, and it leads her to question how far her mother went to create this perfect, thriving, horrifying society.

Thank you Berkley Books and netgalley for the opportunity to read this absolutely dark, disturbing and oh so good book!

Well, this is definitely a dark and disturbing book. Its about a mother and daughter living in a world that has pretty much ended. Miranda the mother never wanted to go to femlandia. Femlandia is a women's only colony, or cult.So when Miranda's husband leaves her and her 16 year old daughter Emma with nothing she is left with no choice but to go. But it becomes very apparent that the colony is not a safe heaven, it's more like stepping right into the fire. I'm sure there will be a few people that will have a hard time reading it. It is disturbing but man is it good! I was hooked from the start! I look forward to reading more by Christina Dalcher! ( )

I bought and paid for this book at my local bookstore because I thought her previous book Vox was a riveting read. This one may not be quite as great but it is a good escapist read in the dystopian genre.

And if you have not read Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman you might want to give it a try. Femlandia is kind of a different approach to the feminist utopia portrayed in that book. ( )

A very off-putting book.