“What kind of civilization would we have without men? A short-lived one, for starters. How about a civilization where women outnumber men eight to one? That is the question “Leigh Richards” explores in her new book and science fiction debut…. Califia’s Daughters is about the nature of human society or, more accurately, the nature of several possible human societies, after such an apocalypse. These societies are surprisingly familiar. Whereas in our current society and history, it has always been men who have carried the burden of inflicting violence upon the world; in this new society, women are more than willing to take up the slack. Men themselves become an expensive commodity, requiring protection and incurring a burden for the women who are wealthy and powerful enough to know and/or possess them. Califia’s Daughters is a fun-to-read adventure and a thought-provoking challenge to generally accepted ideas about what it means to be female. The characters come to life and leave the reader, at the end, wondering what became of them. It is well worth the time to read; and a sequel would be welcome.”
—SciFiDimensions
“In the not-so-distant future “Richards” envisions, women warriors guard their peaceful, self-sustaining California enclave, hunting, planting, harvesting, and keeping watch over the men and boys essential to survival after most males perished along with electric power and fossil-fuel-driven engines…. An engaging adventure in which Dian must make a hazardous journey to investigate the northern dangers.”
—Booklist