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sprossa's review
3.0
Oh where to begin? While the concept as a baseline for this story is really not bad, in fact I think it’s a pretty good concept, it’s execution definitely leaves you wanting. Obviously the editing issues are there, but past that there are some serious issues I take with the actual content.
For one, how has the author created a matriarchal society where in the book she refers to men as the “lesser sex” and yet misogyny and sexism is central to the story? Amaris and Nox’s development and storyline as it stands could not have progressed in any way without rampant misogyny and blatant sexism. If you are going to create a universe that is matriarchal, then having misogyny and sexism present really doesn’t make any sense.
Second, the depiction of Nox. I understand the authors desire to create a diverse story and claim a POC main character. But for Nox to be the only fleshed out POC in the entire novel, and for her be consistently and horrifically abused and tokenized was a terrible choice. From the beginning Nox is aware of her standing as a token in the orphanage she lives in. Then Nox is sold to a brothel where she is sexual assaulted daily! And the author decides to make her a succubus, insinuating that not only did she “need” the abuse to survive but that she enjoys is. This just plays into the jezebel stereotype that women of color face daily. Nox ends up feeling like she was made to be a woman of color just to provide diversity points for the book. She wasn’t written with any understanding of the experiences of WOC and that makes her physical attributes feel like they only exist to be the darkness to Amaris’s lightness.
If the author had taken the time to edit more thoroughly and engage sensitivity readers I think a lot of the controversy with this book could have been avoided. She had a solid idea and I would have been interested to see where the rest of the story goes, but as this book stands I couldn’t support this author and series.
For one, how has the author created a matriarchal society where in the book she refers to men as the “lesser sex” and yet misogyny and sexism is central to the story? Amaris and Nox’s development and storyline as it stands could not have progressed in any way without rampant misogyny and blatant sexism. If you are going to create a universe that is matriarchal, then having misogyny and sexism present really doesn’t make any sense.
Second, the depiction of Nox. I understand the authors desire to create a diverse story and claim a POC main character. But for Nox to be the only fleshed out POC in the entire novel, and for her be consistently and horrifically abused and tokenized was a terrible choice. From the beginning Nox is aware of her standing as a token in the orphanage she lives in.
If the author had taken the time to edit more thoroughly and engage sensitivity readers I think a lot of the controversy with this book could have been avoided. She had a solid idea and I would have been interested to see where the rest of the story goes, but as this book stands I couldn’t support this author and series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Vomit, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Blood, Misogyny, Sexism, Gore, and Sexual content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
unwise_samwise's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Slavery, and Torture
Moderate: Vomit, Xenophobia, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual violence
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