Well, that’s the weirdest thing I’ve read in a while. In a future culture where women are in charge and the few remaining males are kept sedated in facilities for the women’s use, the book follows three different yet oddly connected women.

There’s no real plot, just a window into how these people live. Kind of interesting but I didn’t mind seeing the end arrive.

This was an interesting concept and overall a fine book. Unfortunately, it just didn't grip me in a way that kept me coming back to it, and so it also suffered in that it took me too long to finish reading it. I would probably give this author's books another try in the future but considering this is part of a series I don't think I would pick up the next one if it were translated.

Maren tackled a lot of big themes in an interestingly camp way, though I'm not sure it 100% resonated with me. I found the social subcontext & metacommentary compelling though and it was a deeply interesting premise. I'm not sure I loved the writing style which felt stilted at times but it may just be because of the translation. This book is def peak weird girl lit and some people will absolutely DEVOUR it and some will hate it haha

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5 stars)

Eleven Percent by Maren Uthaug is a dark, thought-provoking dystopian novel that explores gender, power, and the consequences of extreme ideologies. The premise is striking—set in a world where men are nearly extinct and society is rebuilt with women in full control. Uthaug doesn’t shy away from controversial ideas, and that boldness is one of the book’s strengths.

The writing is sharp and layered with satire, and the story raises important questions about identity, oppression, and equality—but it can feel heavy-handed at times. The world-building is fascinating, but the pacing occasionally drags, and some plot points feel rushed or underdeveloped. Characters are intriguing, though a few could’ve used more emotional depth to make their arcs more impactful.

Overall, it’s an original and provocative read, perfect for fans of speculative fiction who enjoy morally complex narratives. While not without flaws, Eleven Percent definitely leaves a lasting impression and sparks conversation.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This one is strange and unsettling in a really thought-provoking way. It imagines a future where society has flipped and women are in control, but the result is just as dystopian. The book is funny in a very dark, biting way, and while some of the worldbuilding left me with questions, I think that was part of the point. It’s not a comforting read, but it’s a bold one that made me think about power, biology, and how we define justice. If you liked The Power or Tender is the Flesh and don’t mind some discomfort, this is worth the ride.

Maren Uthaug has a very unique voice and a lot to say about our society. This book was pretty good and I will read more by her.

I went into this book blindly and was initially fascinated by the dystopian and matriarchal themes. Unfortunately, I did not feel there was a solid storyline and the world-building was lacking. I am a reader who can picture the story happening in my head, but this one left a lot for my own imagination to come up with. If the intent of all the bodily fluid talk was to make me feel queasy, mission accomplished. I felt like the entire book was about bodily fluids, genitals, or*asms and snakes. I like artsy and “weird” stories, but this one did not hit the mark for me. I appreciated the writing style (I believe it was translated), but felt there was only extensive imagery during graphic scenes to do with (again) bodily fluids, but the world-building was lacking.

I was drawn in by the premise, dark dystopia, gender imbalance, and societal control, but despite several attempts, I couldn’t quite get into it. The tone felt distant, and I struggled to connect enough to continue.

It may be a better fit for readers who favor conceptual storytelling over emotional depth, but based on my early impressions, I realized it wasn’t for me. I appreciate the chance to preview it and still find the core concept intriguing.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This was an interesting concept, but I wish it had a lot more exposition than it did. I was left with so many questions about this world, and instead I got a lot more descriptions of snakes than I would have expected.

I did like the characters, and I liked that the four sections filled in the backstory of each character. While I typically enjoy "it was all connected!" stories, this one seemed a bit too contrived in how everyone related to each other.

I also, if I'm honest, really am not sure what this book was trying to say about gender and sexuality. I guess I just needed a bit more.

A darkly funny, sometimes uncomfortable exploration of modern relationships and self-delusion. It has a biting edge that feels both honest and a little unsettling.

Eleven Percent was a delightful surprise—equal parts heart, heat, and hilarity. The concept hooked me right away, and I loved how the story blended smart humor with emotional depth. The characters were messy in the best way, and I appreciated the exploration of identity, desire, and connection without it ever feeling too heavy-handed. There were a few moments that felt slightly rushed or over-the-top, but honestly? I was having too much fun to care. If you're into sharp banter, self-discovery, and a touch of chaos, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

I have very conflicting thoughts about this! It took FOREVER for me to get into, hence the late review, but once I was in I was in. The ending, however, fell really flat for me. I see this is supposed to be a series, and I don't think that was necessary.

It's graphic and confronting and WEIRD, but in a very interesting and logical way.

I really appreciated the writing style of this book, especially with the world building feeling easy to digest.

I did struggle to wrap my brain around this book being set in the future. At times, it felt more like it was set way in the past. The pacing was also a challenge for me, as it felt like not much was actually happening.

Overall, this one didn’t do much for me but I absolutely recognize the author’s talent and I would be interested in reading more from her.

I really wanted to love this book, especially with the dystopian premise, but it didn't resonate with me.
I enjoyed the book narrator Cassandra Campbell.



Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to listen and review this book.

Fast-paced and full of clever surprises, this thriller hits every mark with precision. The characters are vivid, the suspense unrelenting, and the twists genuinely jaw-dropping. A wildly entertaining ride that’s impossible to put down.

Thank you for the opportunity to access an advance copy of *Eleven Percent* by Maren Uthang through NetGalley. I truly appreciate the chance to explore new titles and support authors in this way. After engaging with the novel, I ultimately rated it one star and decided to DNF, as the narrative style didn’t resonate with me personally. While I found the writing style challenging to connect with, I recognize that it may appeal to other readers who enjoy a unique or experimental approach. Literature is wonderfully subjective, and I’m confident that *Eleven Percent* will find its audience among those whose tastes align with its distinctive voice.

Out of respect for the author’s work and the novel’s upcoming release, I’ve chosen not to post a review on social media or public platforms. I believe this ensures my personal experience doesn’t inadvertently influence potential readers who might appreciate the book’s qualities. Thank you again for providing access to this ARC, and I wish the author success with *Eleven Percent*’s sales.

I honestly have no idea what to say about this book. The premise intrigued me because it sounded similar to The Power - which I thought was a great idea that was not well executed. This was less dystopian / fantasy and more like a character driven literary fiction. I thought the structure was interesting and I liked how the characters' lives were intertwined, but you also got to know them before the present time.

With that being said, if I didn't get an advanced copy I probably would have DNF'd. The author supposedly is known for satire, so I tried to read it in that lense but even then, I wasn't exactly sure what was being "satirized." I've seen other reviews saying that it was transphobic - I don't think that's true. I think in a story that focuses heavily on gender roles and "eliminating" men, trans people will inevitiably be a part of that story. I would agree that the topic was not handled delicately, but I sort of think that is the point.

I would've liked to know more about Medea and her witchy background, but I think Eva was my favorite character. Wicca was definitely my least favorite.

In conclusion, I would likely give this author another try, but this story was a miss for me.

I dnf at 35%. I couldn't connect with the characters or the world. The premise sounds interesting but maybe the story just got lost in translation.

This is speculative fiction that dares you to be uncomfortable.

This is one of those rare works of speculative fiction that leaves you emotionally unmoored and intellectually stirred. Since finishing it, I’ve been turning it over in my mind like a puzzle box I’m not entirely sure I want to open again—but one that I can’t help picking up again and again. That tension, for me, is the hallmark of truly bold dystopian literature that stands with pride in that often underappreciated tradition.

Set in a matriarchal future where only eleven percent of men are permitted to live, Uthaug builds a world that is both grotesque and eerily familiar. This isn’t simply a dystopia—it’s an allegorical provocation. The architecture curves in on itself, rituals are laced with venom (literally), and the language of liberation conceals something far more sinister. The society is seductive and sterile in equal measure, offering an illusion of progress while mirroring the same rigid power structures it claims to dismantle.

What truly unsettled me, though, was the use of names—Silence, Wicca, Medea, Eva. These aren’t just character labels; they’re signposts. They carry the unmistakable weight of allegory, evoking echoes of Puritan naming practices and moralistic literature like Pilgrim’s Progress. Just as “Faithful” or “Despair” in Bunyan’s world served as virtues, warnings, or fates, so too do Uthaug’s characters seem shaped by—and trapped within—their names. “Medea” calls forth mythic vengeance. “Silence” speaks volumes about conditioned suppression. They feel less like people and more like parables in motion.

As the stories of these women unfold—each layered with secrets, resistance, and quiet disobedience—it becomes clear that this society doesn’t just control bodies, but narratives. The allegory deepens the unease: what looks like empowerment is often obedience cloaked in ritual.

Reading Eleven Percent felt like walking through a dream that keeps teetering on the edge of nightmare. It unsettled me, not because its world is implausible, but because it’s disturbingly plausable. And yet, amid the irony and artifice, there's something deeply human: the longing for choice, for connection, for truth.

This isn’t an easy read. But for those drawn to dystopian literature that challenges more than it comforts, Eleven Percent is a mirror worth facing

Thank you to the publisher and net galley for sharing this book with mw.