Would you do it if you could test your son for the violent M gene?

That is the question I kept asking myself. While I was reading this book, my answer kept changing. I'm the mother of a boy and a firm believer in nurturing nature, but there was this niggling thought in the back of my head. What if? What if he had a predisposition to violence? Aren't we all capable of violence? What makes men prone to violence compared to women? Well, in ONE OF THE BOYS, the answer is, it's in the genes.

The book focuses on the tumultuous relationship between two sisters. Antonia had her baby Jack tested at birth, but Bea refused to rest her Simon. Antonia lives a life of luxury while Bea struggles. After years of not speaking, Bea shows up on Antonia's doorstep, and their lives take a sharp left turn. They both have nothing in common besides the fact that they will go to any lengths to protect their children. The story moves POVs, past and present, building up like a Jenga tower. All fall down.

This chilling dystopian had me swiping pages so fast; I needed to know what happened! While I did figure out the twist, it didn't take away from the story. The idea of being able to test for a violent gene is especially terrifying. While it could be helpful, it creates a lot of problems systematically. The author touches upon stores and preschools where you cannot enter if you are M + and it felt so scary. This thought-provoking book will go down in history with The Handmaid's Tale and Bird Box (in my own head, of course), both books that had me wide-eyed and dry-mouthed.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group via Netgalley and my Berkley reading club.

If you follow true crime, you’ve probably heard of the serial killer gene. Well, what if there was a way to test for that gene in boys? Would you test you son?

“One of the Boys” by Jayne Cowie, set in a dystopian future, follows the fallout from M-gene testing in boys. At first it’s just a helpful preventative test, but quickly it becomes a way to separate the good boys from the bad boys. When Bea refuses to test her son Simon, she becomes a topic of scorn. Meanwhile, her sister Antonia has an M-negative son and is constantly trying to push the test onto her nephew. When the two boys are together, bad things always seem to follow… Is Bea wrong for not testing Simon? Or is Antonia hiding a huge secret about Jack?

I devoured this book. Seriously. I could not put it down. The idea of testing for genes and having those tests create social dynamics is wild. (Also, scary!). It really brings up the idea of nature versus nurture and how genes work. Also, it dredges up some very uncomfortable questions about social dynamics – us versus them.

In the end, I found this book completely captivating. The pacing was good, the plot line was solid. I didn’t really love either of the moms, but the two boys were great characters to read. Overall, this book was a thinker. I gave it 5 stars!

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and for including me in the blog tour!

This is yet another one of those "if you could know, would you want to?" sort of books, and the answer should always be a resounding NO. Here we're in a dystopian society set on testing for the M-gene in boys to evaluate their predisposition to malevolence. This concept is compelling, but seems to ignore nurturing in the equation.

From the beginning, we have a pretty good idea of which boy is the monster. What I didn't expect was the lengths that his mother would go through to protect him. But overall we see little to no consequences for the boy and not much of a happy ending for anyone else. I'd recommend this to fans of Black Mirror, but temper your expectations.

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Two sisters, each with a son of their own. Antonia had her son tested as a baby to make sure he didn’t have the M gene that causes violence and aggression in boys. Bea refuses to have her son tested. Their decisions will test their sisterhood and those around them.

I enjoy these type of “contemporary fantasy” where they take the current problems in our society and reimagine them into problematic systems that could be. This one was super interesting, especially to me as a mother of two boys. There were a few twists that I expected, and a few I didn’t. The story shows the lengths mothers will go to to protect their children, at all and others expense.

“The test had fixed a lot but it hadn’t fixed everything. At least everyone knew who the dangerous boys were now, and you could mostly avoid them.”

One of the Boys comes out 7/11.

One of the Boys by Jane Cowie is a dystopian story that will help librarians with fostering a culture of reading family domestic thrillers. It’s something I look closely for, when reviewing arcs. This story highly satisfies the diverse tastes of my community by showcasing a tense, thrilling read that brings forth the joys and pains of sisterhood and of mother/son relationships.

Sisters Antonia (the successful) and Bea (the chaotic) have an estranged relationship, but their sons are very close. They both have boys the same age. When the boys were infants - a test was developed to pre-determine a male’s disposition in life. One son is tested and shown as a successful “M negative” and the other son is shunned as a disappointing “M positive”. This test, 18 years later, will have countless repercussions that will shatter familial bonds and ultimately will result in unspeakable acts.

What happens when a child is pre-tested to have the “normal” gene, and the other child is tested to be “dangerous” to society? What if you as a mother - learn this while your child is an infant? What would you do? What wouldn’t you do for your child?

This book shocked me, and moved me with multiple POVs and flashbacks. I, as a parent, completely related to the decisions made, and was fascinated at the results that came when a good parent makes bad decisions and vice versa.

Five of five strong stars to One of the Boys! Recommended for LibraryReads with high enthusiasm!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing via NetGalley for this opportunity to volunteer to read and review this eARC. All opinions are my own.

A bit of a mixed reaction. The ending is somehow a surprise to the characters, although it's been made super obvious from the start to the readers, which creates a weird lack of tension. I felt like I was waiting for the characters to cop on, instead of waiting for the reveal. I guess the author is TOO good at foreshadowing and hints? Still, the world building is very interesting.

4.5🌟
Ready for something just a bit different? A book that will really make you think?

Equal parts dystopian, family drama and a bit of thriller thrown in for good measure!

In the near future scientists have discovered the gene responsible for aggression in men. They call it the M gene. Now all male babies are encouraged to be tested at birth. Soon, all males are expected - I mean strongly encouraged to take the test.

Here’s the rub…should you test positive you’re at risk of being ostracized by society. You’re now required to show your M status to gain access to schools, bars, churches. Basically anywhere.

A slippery slope right?!💁‍♀️

Anyhoo….
This book examines the parents, the boys and of course our society in general. I felt it was well presented by the author. No political agenda here. Just food for thought. Would you want your child tested? Your boyfriend, brother or husband? What would you do if they came back positive? (view spoiler)

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group via Netgalley.

In the near future, scientists have isolated the gene responsible for violence in young boys. For residents in the UK, the M gene becomes a dividing factor. Schools refuse to admit M+ boys, and their families face discrimination. Boys who are M- advance quickly, benefiting from medications that suppress their violent urges.

Sisters Bea and Antonia are in the heart of the M gene debate. Antonia’s son, Jack, tests negative at birth. Her husband, Owen, is a physician who sees an opportunity to help M+ boys. He opens a clinic aimed specifically at M+ boys and their families, and Antonia works there as well. She dotes on Jack, and even though Jack is now 17 he’ll always be her little boy.

Antonia’s younger sister, Bea, is opposed to M gene testing. Despite severe disapproval from Antonia and her peers, Bea chooses not to have her son, Simon, tested. Bea has always struggled to make ends meet, especially after her breakup with Simon’s father. She’s well aware of what’s lacking in Simon’s life; a positive result would set him back even further.

After an estrangement of several years, Bea shows up on Antonia’s doorstep. Something has happened, and she has nowhere else to go. Antonia knows she really shouldn’t let Bea back in her life, but she also wants to help her sister. After all, poor Bea is dealing with a difficult son and little in terms of life prospects. The least Antonia can do is give her sister a place to stay.

The reappearance of Bea and Simon in the lives of Antonia, Owen, and Jack starts to cause complications right away. The question of nature versus nurture is at the heart of every major conversation for both families. Each person has a secret they’re keeping, and if those secrets come to light things will spiral out of control for everyone.

Author Jayne Cowie mixes science fiction elements with enough realism that her premise feels eerily true to life. Simon and Jack deal with the pressures of teenage life and must also handle the added stress of the implications of the M gene. Cowie takes this plot device and uses it to great effect in all of the characters’ individual storylines while also managing to weave them together into a cohesive novel.

Those who enjoy dystopian science fiction thrillers with great character development will want to check this one out.

If you had the opportunity to test your much loved, longed for son to see if he had born with a predisposition toward violent behavior, would you? Or would you raise your son without the test in a world where untested boys are still treated the same as those with the proclivity?

Two sisters, two mothers, two sons. One of them is protecting a monster. Jayne Cowie’s nature versus nurture novel with a wonderfully dystopian spin definitely hits the mark for a thought provoking thriller.

Slow burn tension abounds in One of the Boys and though I found myself so frustrated with and disliking some characters and situations, I also felt the compelling urge to learn more and I kept reading, finishing it the day after I received it.

Her books are unlike anything I’ve read before; and I appreciate her imagination and talent - I look forward to reading what she writes next.

I am so grateful for a copy to review.

However, I was expecting more of a "creepy/crazy child" situation (think, The Push) and instead this was a much more slow and serious read. It just wasn't for me.

But the writing was excellently done and I'm sure many many people will enjoy this. It just wasn't what I thought it was.

ONE OF THE BOYS explores the age-old question of nature vs. nurture in a fresh new way. The story follows two sisters and their sons in a world where boys are tested at birth for the M gene which predicts a predisposition for violent behavior.

As a mother of three young boys, this premise of this speculative fiction story was especially compelling to me. It made me consider the ramifications of having such a test completed and how my boys could be marginalized based on the outcome.

The strength of this story lies in the questions it raises about morality, consent, and sacrifices. What well-intentioned lengths will parents go to in order to protect their children? How does society perceive people who are branded with a label? What significance can a label have on the child’s sense of worth?

With so many timely themes to unpack, ONE OF THE BOYS would make for a riveting summer book club discussion.

RATING: 4/5
PUB DATE: July 18, 2023

READ IF:
-You’re looking for a stimulating book club pick
-Questions of morality and nature vs nurture are intriguing to you
-You want a completely unique premise

Many thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This gives some serious Black Mirror vibes. It was giving Gattaca and Tender Is The Flesh. I loved it. We have 4 POVS, rotating timelines, and public notices that reinforced the escalation of fear and control within society and development and growth of a discrimination and oppression of a newly identified "threat".

Per the blurb we have the story of two moms and their sons. Scientist have developed a test that identifies if a male has a positive M gene that indicates their predisposition to aggression and violence.

One mom refuses to have her son tested and the other not only tests her son but basically throws her support towards identifying, medicating, and treating these newly identified future serial killers and arsonist.

There are lots of secrets and both moms are extreme in their attempt protect their sons.


I feel like this is a beginner level Thriller. There were several predictable plot lines. But that could be a ME problem as I'm a true crime and thriller fanatic. I mean seriously at 7 years old, my kid could tell you the ballistics tests done to determine the height and angle of a shooter based on how the body fell. So yeah... definitely a ME thing.

𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑬𝒗𝒆, 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝑨𝒅𝒂𝒎 𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆...𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆'𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒔 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒖𝒔, 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈.

This was an absolutely chilling story that didn't read like fiction at all. Ever since scientists have been publishing theories about the very real MAOA gene and its supposed link to violent behavior, I've read everything I could get my hands on. The very idea that someone could be pre-destined to commit violent acts really tests the whole nature vs. nurture theory.

Antonia and Bea are sisters and mothers to sons. Parents of male children are strongly encouraged to test their sons for the violent M gene. Antonia had her son tested, but Bea refuses on the grounds that the path of her son's life shouldn't follow what a test says he may or may not become. Even when the rules become more stringent, Bea refuses, and it soon becomes clear that each sister will do anything to protect her son, even if it's from himself.

I couldn't put this book down. It was a completely immersive reading experience that made me genuinely think. I loved the ambiguity of the topic and all of the morally gray landscape. A razor sharp look into the dark landscape of a mother's heart. Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this stellar early read. ONE OF THE BOYS will publish July 18, 2023.

This book was so engrossing. I was hooked by the premise right away. The idea that we should be testing babies and determining their entire lives before they can even hold their own heads up was shocking. I was invested in both the sisters and their sons. I could see the writing on the wall, so as each new societal change was happening I wasn’t surprised. The only surprise to me was that an all-out rebellion by this entire generation of men who had been cut out of society didn’t happen during the book. As the reader by the end of the story during the big reveal I found myself thinking, “Well yeah of course he did that, he was positive.” I was shocked at myself for that thought. Only really good writing can so immerse a reader into the world of the books that they being thinking as if they live in that world. Great job Jane Cowie! I’ve never read this author, but was thoroughly impressed.

Jayne Cowie's "One of the Boys" is a thought-provoking and suspenseful novel that delves into the ethical and emotional dilemmas of parenting and genetic testing.

The story revolves around sisters Antonia and Bea, who are both devoted mothers to their sons. However, their differing views on genetic testing lead them down a path of conflict and tragedy.

Antonia had her son tested for the "violent" M gene, and when the result is negative, she feels a sense of relief and security. On the other hand, Bea refuses to let her son take the test, arguing that it could potentially harm his future and limit his opportunities.

As the tension between the sisters builds up, secrets and lies are uncovered, leading to devastating consequences for everyone involved.

Cowie does a great job of portraying the complexities of motherhood and the fierce protectiveness that comes with it. She also raises important questions about the implications of genetic testing and the potential dangers of relying too heavily on science to predict human behavior.

Overall, "One of the Boys" is a powerful and emotionally charged read that will leave readers with much to ponder long after they finish the book.

Wow! I loved this book. I know fans of John Marrs will also enjoy this unique plot. Four main characters and alot of twists. I'm excited to read more by this author.

Scientists have discovered the M gene, responsible for aggression in boys. The gene, though it exists in girls doesn’t have the same effects.
When testing for newborn boys becomes available it divides the population. Indeed two sisters, Bea and Antonio are deeply divided about genetic testing and it becomes a major source of contention between them. Bea strongly believes in nurture, why label children before they’ve had a chance to learn who they are?

Antonia, married to a Dr. is all about testing and even helps her husband build a clinic to give M+ (the bad gene) therapy which mostly involves medication. Both Bea and Antonia have boys about the same age. Eventually M status is used in schools, public places and even car insurance. Bea refusing to test her son severely limits their lifestyle. Antonia owning a clinic can have it done in a second but Bea is stubborn.
For their parts the boys, cousins, are incredibly close and loving. One an M- grows up wealthy and with opportunities his M status allows him. The other, untested, floats in and out of schools and eventually goes to work on a farm for M+ boys and men.
Both sisters only want what’s best for their boys, which means something entirely different for each.
So many issues are raised in this one and it’s terrifyingly close to home imo.
I think I would have liked a better wrap up but I see the points the author made with it.

Jayne Cowie is the author of Curfew and she has presented another dystopian thriller that poses a very pertiante question : If you could test your son for a gene that predicts violence, would you do it?

In One of the Boys, the M gene has been singled out by scientist as the cause of violent behavior in males. The test for the gene slowly becomes more popular and ingrained in culture. Antonia and Bea are sisters, both with sons close in age. However, while Antonia had her son tested, Bea did not.

As the years pass, the sisters and sons follow two very different lifestyles. This all comes to a head when the boys turn 18 and the question remains, does the M gene cause violence? If you like twisty thrillers, dystopian stories and feminist viewpoints with your stories (who doesn't?) Just one of the Boys is for you!#Berkley #Oneoftheboys #jaynecowie

This book will make your blood run cold! It’s a sharp, unexpected, harsh, dark, thought-provoking, mind-bending, and well-written thriller about how far a mother will go to protect her child and sacrifice her own life.

The story revolves around two sisters who have a toxic and unhealthy relationship, and their two sons, who are polar opposites despite their similar appearances. They live in a universe where all parents of boys aged seven or under can have their sons tested for the M gene by their GP. The test involves swabbing the inside of the cheek and then sending the sample for analysis, which identifies boys who have a particular version of the so-called M gene that has been linked to violent behavior.

Antonia, the elder sister, is married to a successful and wealthy doctor who is one of the partners of a highly efficient clinic that is testing M positive boys. She tests her son Jack, who is luckily M (-), and handles him with kid gloves, as if he’s a porcelain doll who can break into pieces at any moment.

Her sister Bea is raising her son Simon with her partner Alfie in a completely opposite way, with strict rules and rejection of the test. They are financially struggling and working in low-paid jobs. Simon shows some signs of violent tendencies, which makes Bea worry about his well-being in a world where boys have to be M gene minus to receive proper education, health care, and social status. M gene positive boys turn into social pariahs who are forced to live in poor conditions, work at farms, do trashy and menial jobs, and are shunned by the civil community as if they were contagious diseases. Some parents sacrifice their lives to take care of their boys, risking being outcasted by their social circle, as some reject their existences as if they were never born.

The story moves back and forth to help the reader understand how the two sisters’ lives change over the years due to their motherhood and the choices they’ve made for the benefit of their children.

I have to admit that I hate the guts of the two sisters. Bea was too harsh, letting her fears trap her son into the worst and harshest life conditions, and Antonia is privileged, a know-it-all, and obsessed with M positive kids. She rubbed me the wrong way with her extra pretentious, condescending attitudes.

However, I loved both of their sons and deeply cared for them, without considering whether they might carry violent genes. My heart ached for those boys whose lives have been shaped by the flawed, poor, and hypocritical decisions their parents have made.

Owen was no different from those sisters, with his thirst for success, over-ambition, and ruthlessness, seeing children as lab animals instead of living, breathing human beings.

The last third of the book is mind-bending, with events escalating at full throttle, and twists that hit you so hard that you can barely hold yourself together.

This is an unconventional, disturbing, and provocative read, absolutely not for everyone. The bone-chilling ending is extremely earth-shattering! This is one of those books that may haunt your dreams, giving you goosebumps each time you remember its WTH ending!

This is the first time I’ve given a book with detestable characters five stars! It's smart, unique, different, and shocking! It makes you think about the decisions you make for your children and gives an argumentative statement about the nature of caring for your children.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this unique book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

3.5 stars rounded up - I enjoyed author Jayne Cowie's "Curfew", so requested this follow-up. I am not sure if the final title will be "One of the Boys" which is the DRC title that I was sent or "I Did it for You", possibly, so if you're interested in it be aware of that info. I did enjoy it as both a thriller and a domestic suspense - the idea of testing boys for a violent gene is certainly complex, and I appreciate the near-future science aspect along with the obvious ethical questions involved. Of course, like "Curfew" the patriarchal world we live in would never allow this, but it's a good escape. My sincere thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the complimentary DRC, it was my pleasure to read & review it.