It’s been a few days since I actually read this book, but I’m still having trouble pinpointing what this book is actually about. There are a few spoilers, so beware!
I’m actually a little bummed out that the synopsis on Goodreads lets down the book so much. I mean, the books description on Goodreads is literally one sentence.
“Franny’s life would be perfect if it weren’t for the death threats.”
While the book is pretty much framed around that one sentence, and the sentence is pretty much the book in it’s entirety, I can’t help but disagree with the synopsis a little. Under Threat is a book that deals with a lot of things. And for such a small book, it’s both a quick read and packs a punch while simultaneously raises a little awareness about the risk of being a doctor that provides abortions.
On the back of this book there’s a little more to the description of this book. It reads:
“Franny is close to her parents, adores her horse and is head over heels in love with her girlfriend, Leah. But Franny’s parents are abortion providers at the local hospital, and an anonymous stranger is prepared to do whatever it takes to stop them. A stranger who phones at all house. Who knows where they live. Who knows Franny’s name.”
I initially found this book on Goodreads, and then thought that the cover was pretty, and I mean, it is. And when I read the description, I thought that the book would be an interesting read. I ended up not adding Under Threat to my TBR list, because the book in paperback, is only 144 pages in it’s entirety. The size of the book itself is a little bigger than a pocket book.
What I like about this story is that it deals with a multitude of things. First off, the topic of abortions. There’s no scene that we see that’s an abortion scene. It’s just talked about because Franny’s parents are doctors that provide an abortion service at the local hospital. So if you’re squeamish about abortion, then you’re good.
The second thing that this book has is lesbians and some homophobia. Franny is a lesbian and her parents totally accept her. Franny’s parents are great in that aspect, and in many others. However, this story is about Franny as much as it’s about her parents while simultaneously being about Franny’s girlfriend, Leah, as well.
Under Threat in my opinion, goes a in a million different directions. There’s so much that happens in the little space of time. Franny’s parents and herself, are being threatened and targeted for the sole purpose that they’re people who help other people.
We see Franny deal with this in her own way, and I’d say she dealt with what happens pretty well. Franny appropriately freaks out, and worries. Franny seems to have a strong head on her shoulders, in which I feel like she’s dealt with a lot of stuff in her life time. But she’s also been around different situations and that has brought insight for Franny as well. Franny is a mature 17-year-old who, is actually really mature for her age. Of course, there are the usual things, like her relationship with Leah, in which she absolutely adores. And then there’s her horse, Buddy, who she absolutely loves.
I would say that Under Threat was a really good read, and I enjoyed getting to know Franny and the people around her. While I didn’t absolutely love this book, I didn’t exactly hate it, either. I just ended up enjoying it for the story it was: love, trust, uncertainty of the future, and safety.
Thank you for reading my review of Under Threat by Robin Stevenson! I’m glad I got the chance to read this book.
Until next time,
Adele
Adele Is Reading 
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