The Quickening

Hardback Published on: 09/07/2026
Price: £22.00
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Bookseller Reviews

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The Quickening
Brilliant and rage inducing!
This book is so relevant to today's age. This book is set in the UK but sickening to think a lot of the content is happening to women around the world. I... READ MORE
Rebecca Clarke
The Quickening
Harrowing and Breathtaking
This book made me angry for all the right reasons. The universe it takes place in is expertly imagined and serves as an important warning to the world; it’... READ MORE
Matilda Harrod

Synopsis

'A white-knuckle ride of a thriller . . . Immersive, enraging and terrifyingly plausible' Erin Kelly, author of The Skeleton Key

Your body. Their Choice.

The Hope Party's new laws have transformed Great Britain: the countryside rewilded, children's rights prioritised, and births on the rise. But freedom is fading.

Karen has learned to navigate this new world, keeping her head down as her fertility is constantly monitored. As her husband's career thrives, while hers stalls. As her son is drawn into misogynist groups. Like everyone else, she's too frightened to speak up.

Until her teenage daughter reveals a life-changing secret: she's pregnant. With abortion and contraception banned, her future has gone up in flames. But Karen won't let this happen - Charlotte is going to have the life she lost.

Karen turns to her sister Isobel, a doctor who's initially reluctant to help. But when they learn Charlotte's pregnancy is ectopic and life-threatening, the stakes skyrocket. The three women go on the run, getting deeper into danger with every hour that passes. With powerful enemies on their tail, they will risk everything in a desperate fight for freedom, and for life.

The Quickening is a powerful exploration of motherhood, sacrifice, and the terrifying cost of complicity. For fans of Vox, Red Clocks, and The Handmaid's Tale.

'[A] gripping, dystopian thriller . . . A timely and frightening take on the age-old battle for women to have rights over their own bodies, The Quickening is an essential - and chilling - read' Heat magazine

'So clever and terrifying and moving and compelling and thought-provoking' Laura Marshall, author of Friend Request

'Amazing premise and so well executed . . . One of my books of the year already' Robyn Delvey, author of The Seven

Publisher information

  • Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
  • ISBN: 9781472160409
  • Number of pages: 336
  • Dimensions: 218 x 146 x 34 mm
  • Weight: 460g
  • Languages: English

Customer Reviews

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The Quickening
The Quickening
I actually wasn’t aware this was more of a dystopian read than an actual thriller . But my word I am so glad I read it as I thought it was just fantastic .... READ MORE
Olivia Chase
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
The Quickening
The Quickening
Well... this was a bit scary.... set in the near future we follow Karen and her family as they try and negotiate the new world. In it, children are priorit... READ MORE
Ashrae
The Quickening
A Chillingly Powerful Tale of Courage
Imagine a world where your own body belongs to the state. ​Claire McGowan truly surpasses herself with The Quickening, a chillingly plausible dive into ... READ MORE
Diane Elizabeth Taylor
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.