Thanks to Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for this ARC of 'Curdle Creek' by Yvonne Battle-Felton.

I'm looking forward to reading reviews of this from professional reviewers as maybe they can explain what the themes and ideas were in this novel. If there was anything more than a warning against government by ritual and over-regulation, Nazi-like spying on your neighbors and public apology and retribution, I just didn't get it. The constant refrain of 'The Running of the Widows,' 'The Moving On' and the 'Moved On' and various ceremonies was monotonous and unengaging. It did get quite interesting at the first time jump but then the trial completely lost me again.

Not for me, I'm afraid.

Not for me as a reader. Intriguing premise, I however struggled to connect with the writing style and overall story. I would still like if the premise sounds interesting to you. It just was not my cup of tea.

Captivating. A searing challenge to the perils of groupthink and a clarion call to reconsider the standard justification “it’s the way things have always been.”