Megan Wobus delivers a bold and imaginative vision of the future in Privilege, the compelling first book in the Peaceful Society trilogy. Set in 2034, the novel introduces readers to the Peaceful Society of Greater Maryland—a world without weapons, where women lead, guns are banned, and even the smallest signs of aggression are monitored. On the surface, it’s a utopia. But beneath the order lies a current of tension ready to erupt.

At the center is Amity Bloome, a dutiful and determined young woman who’s always followed the rules—until Oath Day changes everything. Expecting to begin her training as an Officer, Amity instead finds herself sent on a mysterious mission that pulls her into a far more complicated reality. Her journey leads her to a group that challenges the very foundation of the society she thought she believed in, and a man whose passion and ideals spark both danger and unexpected connection.

Megan crafts a world that is as intriguing as it is unsettling, asking readers to question what peace really means—and what it might cost. Amity is a relatable and dynamic heroine, and her transformation is handled with nuance and heart. The romance is subtle but impactful, woven seamlessly into the tension and personal growth at the story’s core.

Privilege stands out for its smart worldbuilding, steady pacing, and the way it blurs the lines between utopia and dystopia. It’s a gripping story that explores power, obedience, and the courage it takes to ask hard questions in a world that insists on easy answers.

Thoughtful, suspenseful, and full of heart, Privilege is a powerful start to a series that promises even more intrigue and insight to come.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. I am a big dystopian reader and I was looking forward to starting a new series with new characters and a new premise. Privilege certainly did not disappoint! I absolutely cannot wait for the next instalment of this series. This book has the potential to become a huge dystopian fan favourite. It did remind me of Divergent in parts but certainly not a copy. I loved getting to know the characters esp Vale and Ami and I cannot wait to see what happens next. 5 stars.

In a future world where women rule and any form of weapons or aggression is not allowed. The peaceful society (PC) is the way of the future and children are brought up to understand and follow the rules, they wear tattletale trackers that will tell on them if they show any aggression or don’t follow the rules, upon high school graduation they either take the oath to accept the PC way of life or if they don’t take the oath they get sent far away to places that are not under the PC rules. Amity wants nothing than to take the oath and follow in her mother’s footsteps and be one of the elite officers in Maryland. Amity’s best friend, a boy, is not going to take the oath and wants to join the resistance in Alaska. When oath day comes a lot of surprises happen and hopefully the three are ready for what comes next, yes three as one more becomes twisted in this vine.
Oh my gosh this booked grabbed me and sucked me in and I was way up passed my bedtime several nights. This book starts a bit slowed as it gives you the information to understand this society, but after that watch out things really get going. The plot is good and if you are a fan of YA dystopian books this is for you. I love the characters and I really could not pick a favorite because at times you are rooting for each of them. I really liked this book and really hate I have to wait until December for the next book, Prisoner.

I loved this book! Amity's mother is an officer in a new perfect society run by women where there is no violence and where men are programmed to be docile. Amity has reached the age when she can take the oath to be officially a member of the society, and she hopes to enter the leadership class with her mother. As soon as she has taken that oath, and before she has had the appropriate training, she is sent to spy on a group of rebels where she finds two of her boyhood friends. She is not completely comfortable with the rebels, but while she is there, she begins to feel that her perfect society at home may have some drawbacks. I can't wait for the next book, and have purchased this book for my school library. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc with no pressure for a positive review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Privilege” by Megan Wobus is a razor-sharp, compulsively readable debut that perfectly captures the intoxicating, dangerous allure of ambition, secrets, and the hunger for belonging.

From the opening pages, I was hooked. Wobus drops us into an elite, glittering world of power and prestige where appearances are everything and vulnerability is a liability. The novel peels back the shiny surface of privilege to reveal the corruption, manipulation, and moral compromises that lie underneath. What unfolds is both a psychological thriller and a keenly observed character study—dark, thought-provoking, and impossible to put down.

The prose is fluid and immersive, striking that rare balance between being readable and richly layered. Wobus writes with the confidence of a seasoned storyteller, blending tension, sharp dialogue, and vivid description into a narrative that builds momentum with every chapter. The pacing is flawless: slow burns of suspicion give way to jaw-dropping revelations, and just when you think you know where the story is heading, it takes a turn that leaves you reeling.

The characters are where this novel truly shines. They are messy, ambitious, and achingly human. Some are instantly magnetic, others deeply unlikeable, but all are written with such nuance that you can’t look away. Each character is wrestling with their own version of privilege—whether clinging to it, exploiting it, or desperately trying to escape its grip. That tension creates a constant hum of unease, making the book not just suspenseful, but thematically rich.

Beneath the twists and dark glamour, the book asks unsettling questions: Who gets to fail without consequence? Who pays the price when privilege is abused? And how far will people go to preserve the image of success? These questions linger long after the final page, making the book as impactful as it is entertaining.

What I loved most is how Wobus doesn’t shy away from moral ambiguity. No one in this story is purely innocent or purely guilty. Instead, she forces us to confront the shades of gray in human behavior, especially in environments where image and influence hold more power than truth. It’s a daring choice that elevates the novel beyond a simple thriller into something much more resonant.

By the end, I felt both unsettled and deeply satisfied. Privilege is sharp, tense, and haunting, with a final act that sticks in your head long after you’ve closed the book.

This is one of those rare novels that is both wildly entertaining and intellectually provocative. Megan Wobus has written a debut that feels urgent, fearless, and impossible to forget. I’ll be thinking about this story—and these characters—for a long time.