Women! In! Peril! by Jessie Ren Marshall is a haunting collection of Black Mirror-esque stories that offer a searing critique of patriarchy and misogyny. Through a series of existential narratives, Marshall crafts a sense of dread that lingers long after the last page is turned, rarely offering happy endings but always delivering poignant commentary.

One standout story is about Edward’s mother buying him a "Jill of All" bot, designed to assist with any human need. This tale probes deep into societal assumptions about women’s roles, highlighting how they are often seen as disposable when they fail to meet these demands. Another story features a lesbian narrator whose girlfriend becomes mysteriously pregnant via immaculate conception, a surreal exploration of autonomy and control over women’s bodies. In a chilling narrative, a woman is haunted by her dead ex-boyfriend, who cannot remember their breakup or even his own death. Each story in this collection underscores the relentless taking by men and the ceaseless giving by women, reflecting on beauty standards, intergenerational trauma, and the daily struggles of surviving under patriarchal pressure.

The titular story, "Women! In! Peril!" and "Late Girl" were particularly striking. In "Women! In! Peril!," a ship full of women is sent into deep space to ensure humanity's survival after Earth’s destruction. Intended to wake up one at a time, the protagonist finds another woman awake, and together they must prevent their ship from colliding with a white dwarf. This story, while set in a distant future, echoes current issues of control and exploitation of women. "Late Girl" tells the story of Chelsea, a ballet student whose body changes displease her instructor, Roman, leading to severe body image issues. After a car accident results in minor brain damage, Chelsea discovers her altered state improves her dancing. Her college professor, Amy, becomes a guiding light, showing Chelsea how to trust her body again, in stark contrast to Roman's oppressive standards.

Marshall’s writing is sharp and succinct, marked by fragmented, direct sentences that convey raw emotion and immediacy. Her language is poignant and contemplative, often employing rhetorical questions and metaphors to delve into complex emotions and situations. Themes of existential reflection, inevitable change, and the quest for identity and purpose permeate the collection, exploring the transient nature of emotions like love and the pursuit of self-liberation.

The earlier stories, with their technological dystopias, are the strongest. They lay a foundation of caution about our future, which later stories, focused more on personal relationships and societal harms, slightly diverge from. This shift in focus may leave some readers longing for the initial technological critique. Despite this, Women! In! Peril! is a compelling read that earns a solid four out of five stars for its unflinching exploration of the human condition and the societal structures that shape it.

📖 Recommended For: Readers interested in feminist dystopian fiction and critiques of patriarchy, those who appreciate sharp and contemplative prose, fans of Black Mirror and speculative fiction.

🔑 Key Themes: Critique of Patriarchy and Misogyny, Existential Reflection, Technological Dystopias, Struggles with Societal Expectations, Quest for Identity and Self-Liberation.